Thank you, Kaki and JB....while you had much on your own plate, you always made sure mine was filled to overflowing with the hospitality you are ever known for.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Full Circle
Thank you, Kaki and JB....while you had much on your own plate, you always made sure mine was filled to overflowing with the hospitality you are ever known for.
Labels:
family,
Greenhouse,
grilling,
St. Marys,
West Virginia
Friday, June 6, 2014
Mama Bird's Memories
I've written much about my recent hometown visit and of course, the primary reason for every visit is to see my beloved Mom. My Mom's name is Alberta, but truth be told, I don't think she was ever very content with that name. Her older brother was Albert; the brother she just lost, and as much as she loved Albert, to her, the name just seemed like an afterthought. The name she truly adored was the nickname her siblings gave her: "Bird" or "Birdy". This name was, thankfully, adopted by her nieces and nephews as they frequently call her "Aunt Birdy" to this day. In fact, when not calling her Mom, I often call her Birdy or "Mama Bird"...I'm actually going to start referring to her as such in future posts. Mom has also long relished having full bird-feeders at the ready, in order to watch birds of all colors flit about her window and I'm not sure if this is coincidence or an actual by-product of this lifelong nickname.
And then I crumble, in tears, in my car. Every time. And then I leave. Again.
I love you, Mama Bird.
Labels:
family,
St. Marys,
West Virginia
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Shadow's Smile
There was a time that I was unsure if a dog was truly smiling or if that was just what it looked like when their mouths were open due to the shape of said mouths. That mild quandary was solved after I had met Shadow Pup, the ebony wonder-dog that belonged to my friends Kak and JB. Shadow had a smile that was unmistakable and wielded it often.
As much as I relished my recent hometown trip, the week was tinged with sadness as well. Aside from the family funeral we attended, I also knew coming in that there would be another troublesome situation: Shadow Pup was ill. I was staying with Kak and JB for the week and despite having just driven over 13 hours; I arrived with palpable dread of this situation, fearing that Shadow would appear frail and sickly. Imagine my delight and surprise when he came bounding out the front door to greet me, just like always. He had Kak and JB by his side, watching him carefully, and he was favoring his bad leg, but he was as joyful and excited as I'd ever seen him.
That greeting is classic Shadow Pup. Shadow is a dog that I would describe as pure joy. He was happy and playful and had a fierce love for his "people". He ran and danced excitedly when any car would pull up the driveway and would always run out to greet them. No one, but no one, though, would get as enthusiastic a greeting as would Shadow's beloved "Grampa", Maw Reckard. It was not hard to figure out why: Maw would always provide treats, then get down on the floor and just love all over him. Shadow loved his Grampa.
Shadow also loved his beef. Grilling havens that Abicht's Landing and The Greenhouse were, steaks was frequently on the menu and Shadow was in Red Meat Nirvana every time. Oh sure, Shadow had his bowl of traditional dog food, but you think he was going to settle for dry nuggets when those enticing aromas were rising form the grill? And let's face it, we were all soft touches where Shadow was involved: one look at that cocked jaw and grin and those searching eyes and we were all handing him morsels under the table. In the end, he ate better than most of us did.
We all watched Shadow warily during the week I was in. He struggled with the diseased leg, but while it slowed him down, it rarely stopped him altogether. He limped his way to all of his favorite spots in the house and in the yard. He lingered under the weeping cherry tree, relishing the branches that swayed around him. He seemed to enjoy it so much, that I crawled under the tree and hung out with him for a bit. I got what the allure was; it was a peaceful little place in busy surroundings...Shadow's secret hideout.
Nothing, but nothing eases the agony of losing our fur babies, does it? It is a singular pain like no other. That pain is the price that is paid for every one of them we choose to love, and I have struggled with this personally as I'm not sure I can bear up to that cost; at least as far as being a dog owner. It is clear to me from my dog-loving friends though, that the cost is more than worth it, as the friendship from Man's Best Friend is one so pure and loving, that it is impossible to deny. Look at the friendship Shadow Pup provided to so many. I will miss him greatly.
So as I told Kak on the phone when she called to break the news...I just keep the image of That Ever-Growing Celebration in The Sky so clear and pristine at this point, that it is my shield against the sadness. Almost instantaneously upon hearing the news of Shadow's passing, I held the image of Shadow and his "sister" Sophie...who was lost to us first some time ago...running and playing in a field. Its an image still crystalline to me at this moment and one I will think of for some time.
That image also includes that smile...Shadow's unmistakable smile as he runs, without a care in the world, with Sophie. And now I'm smiling. Run on, Shadow Pup.

Labels:
beef,
St. Marys,
West Virginia
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Thriving in Marietta
I took my sister down to meet friends Kristy and Joe and upon entering, was instantly taken by the stylish and colorful décor. The walls were decorated by what I would consider my favorite restaurant décor: works by local artists. The place was bustling and after a bit of time perusing the menu we ordered at the front counter. The wait was not long as my cohorts and I had much to catch up on and it helped that the stylish mix of college students and locals made for great people watching. I sipped on a Thrive tea while waiting and as I am not typically a tea fiend, I wasn't sure if I'd dig it, but indeed, the mix of Chai and green tea was very satisfying. Our food soon arrived, and soon those raves I'd heard previously were all echoing around our table. My sister thoroughly enjoyed her Thrive Harvest Salad with baby greens and artichoke hearts, goat cheese, strawberries, and toasted cashews and had a particular fondness for the roasted strawberry balsamic vinaigrette that accompanied it. Joe dug his roasted turkey and Swiss sandwich and Kristy loved her salmon BLT with Alaskan keta seared salmon fillet with turkey bacon and herbed yogurt.
Thrive is a thriving catering operation as well as café and also do box lunches to go. They also work with customers with special dietary needs in regards to gluten-free and/or food allergies. Freshness is clearly their goal and it shows in the careful preparation of their food. How refreshing is that? Check them out!
Labels:
gluten-free,
lunch,
Marietta,
restaurants,
salad,
salmon,
sandwiches,
tea,
vegetarian
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Baking Your Day Indeed

I finally got to check out my friend Tim's awesome bakery in Baking Your Day is a new favorite place of mine. My only disappointment was not having enough time to try everything.my hometown of St. Marys, WV and its safe to say that its a new favorite hometown hang. If only I'd had more time to taste more of those goodies.
It is one seriously difficult endeavor trying to select which baked good to try out after lunch. I went with one of Tim's personal favorites; the apple fritter. It was sweet, sugary, citrusy goodness and pretty much to die for. Next time I might go for the dark chocolate doughnut or the pecan roll. Alumni weekend was a banner weekend for Baking your Day as they took advantage of the large crowds and showcased some of their highlights. I, unfortunately, didn't make it back in, but Tim told me they were making their version of (red-hot in the baked-good scene) cronuts as well as a very decadent-sounding Apple Fritter French Toast. Either of which you could get a la mode with a scoop of ice cream or caramel or chocolate sauce. Mouth-watering photo of the French toast courtesy of Baking Your Day's Facebook page.....

......Sweet Lord have mercy. And did I mention Alumni weekend was also the kickoff for their gourmet pizzas which has also been earning raves? And that they are also serving hand-packed ice cream with flavors like butter pecan and banana split? A one-week visit was just not enough to take in all of their temptations.
Go see Tim and Co. at Baking Your Day today. Then go post what you got on your...or their...Facebook page and make me pea-green with envy.
Labels:
bakery,
dessert,
ice cream,
lunch,
sandwiches,
soup,
St. Marys,
West Virginia
Monday, June 2, 2014
Reception Reminiscing
Kristy accompanied me down and just driving out the Grape Island roadway had the memories hazily humming in my head. There was a fair crowd already when we arrived. The picnic tables were laden with food and the aromas of smoky meat were wafting from around the corner where Joe was grilling up a storm. I reconnected with many old friends like Dianna and Todd and Don and Julie and then soon realized I had inadvertently ignored some of my former teachers when I walked past them after congratulating Mike. It was great fun catching up with my former homeroom teacher Mae Lewis and freshman English teacher Janis Yoho. Both of them looked and seemed great and both of them complimented my blog....there is some high praise indeed, my friends. In fact, the reception was certainly an opportunity to enjoy the company of many great ladies, including getting another "prom photo" with the Divine Ms. Dotte White.
The food was seriously yummy and it was a kick to sample some homemade wares from the Webb siblings. Joe smoked some killer wings and some spicy sausage wrapped in pancetta. Sara made some flavorful barbecue beans to accompany the meats and the I loved the hint of apple cider vinegar that came out in them. Sara also whipped up two amazing homemade pies: blackberry and rhubarb and both won raves from everyone. What the what, Webbs...Joe's not only one of my favorite writers with a Blog O' Awesomeness all his own found here but apparently a whiz with the smoker as well and Sara essentially aced both running AND cooking this weekend. Dang...
...a M*A*S*H finale party where I had to bury my face in a pillow so no one knew what I was doing...
Judy's voice: You sure fooled us with that pillow, Greg.
....a party when we were watching scary movies and our friend Sarah Jane got spooked outside and ran for the patio door only to find it closed....face-first. I laughed so hard I think I pulled a rib out of place....
Judy's voice: Well, thank goodness Sarah Jane didn't get a concussion, you all really would have thought that hilarious.
...Judy putting out the usual vast and plentiful spread of delicious food and as I was putting a herculean effort into contemplating whether to try something new...rye and/or pumpernickel bread....
.
Judy's voice: Greg. Just try it. Live a little.
Yes indeed, Judy's voice. Echoing through my head as I walked around the property. A fantastic wit that woman wielded and it was always backed up by her huge heart. I will never forget when I cajoled my parents into letting me go skiing with my 4-H group, but the trip itself was all we could afford and I didn't own ski clothes, so Judy without being asked, made sure I took Joe's ski suit. Judy was one of those Moms...and there were several...that looked out for all of us whether we were their kids or not.
Watching Joe and Sara play excellent hosts for their Dad's reception and continue to just be excellent people in general, particularly here in the childhood home that evokes so many memories for all of us, was a gratifying thing indeed. I kept thinking of Judy watching over them and how she has to be so completely proud of what amazing human beings they have become and from the looks of it, what amazing kids they are raising as well.
And just so you know....rye bread is my favorite bread.