What are you doing New Years?

That song, What Are You Doing New Years Eve? is truly one of my favorite holiday songs.

Last year round 'bouts this time, I wrote a postlet (sort of like a piglet or naplet) about choosing a word for the year.  My 2011 word...well, it's chosen but I want to do a little more thinking before I say it out loud. 

My intent for the new year is harmony and balance, strengthening my strengths and not frantically spinning my wheels.  So, if you know of a word that encompasses those sentiments, shoot me a message.  If that stumps you, too, well...dammit!  I'll just have to keep thinking in the meantime.

If you're interested in choosing a word for the year rather than resolutions that fall through the cracks by the time January is even over, go to Susannah Conway's website and find out a little more about it (she's got a 2011 sheet but I can't seem to find the link and am getting bleary-eyed) and download the (free) worksheet right 'chere or try this one on Christine Kane's website for her (free) downloadable worksheet OR here's another one if you want to spring the $10 to try it out. 

Here's a cool end-of-the-year project you can participate in called Reverb10.  Seems really cool (if you're into that kind of thing)!

Husband always asks this question of his friends and family as the year comes to a close and I, in turn, will ask you: 

What are the top 5 memorable moments that happened in your life this year? 

Of course, there's going to be lots of things that qualify, but what hits the top of your list?

It's been a big year for me with lots of stellar moments to whittle down into 5 little spots but here goes (in no particular order):

#5:  Growing as a writer...

a songwriter 

(recording a demo, knocking out gigs from the top of the state to the coast)

a foodwriter

(the Mississippi Culinary Trail, a regular food & restaurant column) 

and as a storyteller through photography, video and blog.

#4:  Our 1st wedding anniversary. 

#3:  My trip to Horn Island over the summer

#2:  Attending a Barefoot Workshops session that taught me how to film & edit (and I finished the film my own darn self!)

#1: Starting my full-time position this month

with the Mississippi Development Authority, Division of Tourism!

I am a Special Projects Officer in the Bureau of Film, Music & Heritage. YAY!

Be safe, have lots of fun and I'll see you in 2011! 

~A

p.s. bear with me while I change the design of the blog (it's bugging the heck outta me) and get my banner back up at the top. I have been in and out of town so it has not afforded me time to tinker with the thing.  hopefully this weekend, i can sort it all out. 

Back on Monday!

Hey everybody - I'll be back on Monday.  It was time to take a little break and rest up while I could.  Hope your August has been a good one so far! 

No doubt you've heard about the recent heat advisories in Mississippi and other parts of the South.  (And we thought June and July were bad.)  These temperatures  will melt most anything that stands still in one place for too long. 

There are so many fun and cool foodie bloggers out there these days.     

Y'all get a "Bless your heart!" (the good kind) from me because I'm glad you're there:

Have you heard of Phickles yet? It's an Athens, GA-based company with Angie Tillman at the helm, making and selling - like gangbusters - pickled okra, jalapenos - and most everything else! I'm on board.

The Hungry Southerner. A blogger who has paved the way straight into my heart with a special post about AMC's Mad Men premiere (among other things including this post about biscuits and gravy like my Daddy always made on Sunday mornings). Her blog includes recipes and fantastic food photos that have been taste-tested and approved. Drool-worthy!

Deep South Dish is a great stop for Southern recipes -  and you know "visiting" Ginger at Deep Fried Kudzu is almost always a daily stop for me.  I am dying to try her recipe for strawberry pretzel salad!

Thank you to The Runaway Spoon - a Memphis gal - for your post about watermelon sweet tea.  It will be a fixture this Monday night at our 3rd annual watermelon party.  Actually, it will be more of a supper with a smaller group this time around because we decided on low-key this year.

Also, don't forget to stop by Deep South Magazine.  Erin does a fantastic job covering anything and everything worth knowing about in the South!  From giving Southern writers a voice to sharing great stories of Southern people and places.  

Stay tuned for two upcoming interviews for Hymnal.  The first is my interview with Southern singer-songwriter Kate Campbell.  We talked about the South, food, funerals, literature and music.  It was so much fun - she even got me a terrific recipe for tomato gravy from her friend!  Something else to look forward to on Hymnal will be my interview with the one and only Mr. Van Dyke Parks who is a man of tremendous talent, a lovely soul (born in Hattiesburg) with a Southern-style double name.  I've also been working on some new songs, too.

Have a great weekend!

On Highway 51 between Hazlehurst and Crystal Springs.

A Sweet Potatoes P.S.

Truth be told, editing the Culinary Trail (and website) well, makes me hungry.  Yeah, yeah, cry me a river, right?

Especially when I have to add horrible, horrible entries like Sweet Potato Sweets in Vardaman, Mississippi  (That would be a joke... for those in doubt see previous post here).

Vardaman is the sweet potato capital of the world and for all intents and purposes, I might look into relocating - I mean, since we're moving this weekend anyway and our life is packed in boxes at the moment - it's really quite convenient.  (I wonder what my city slicker husband would have to say about that?)  We could even live on Sweet Potato Street. Surely there's a place next to the shop, don't you think?

Cooks Daphna Cook and Karen Wright are married to local farmers who supply all the fresh ingredients for their made-from-scratch recipes like sweet potato fudge, sweet potato pecan cheesecake, sweet potato sausage balls and whatever sweet potato cocoons might be (it's not for me to question, because you know it's divine, no questions asked).

I have been making a running list of sites to visit and though it will be a terrible inconvenience, if I'm in the area next month, I might have to stop by for research purposes...  :)

Picture from the Sweet Potato Sweets website

GritsNSoul Confessionals Continue...

It's been great because a friend of mine works Downtown and just recently we've realized that.  We've been so glad to have each other as an available lunch buddy!  So, on a cold, windy day like we had earlier this week, Southern comfort food was in order.

Maybe because it's spring and it is time to figuratively shed my skin.  Maybe because when living in denial one can never truly move forward. 

GritsNSoul Confessional of the Day: 

I ate lunch at Two Sisters Kitchen for the first time on Tuesday.  (I know, I know!)

(exterior pictures taken Summer '09 when it was sunny and green)

So now that it's off my chest, the next admission is that it was an affair to remember. 

Two Sisters is located in a large, old two-story former residence on Congress Street next door to the Welty Commons (aka the site where of the home where author Eudora Welty was born, turned cool art/music/community space complete with coffee shop).

It's got an almost kitschy feel to it but not surprisingly, very homey.  (I have a soft spot for old houses as it is.) When you enter through the front porch door, especially on a chilly day like we did, greeted with the site of a buffet, well, that's comfort food at its peak.  

Honestly, it's hard to remember what all was there but you can see from my plate below the smattering of everything I got.  What's fun is there is seating upstairs and downstairs.  You grab a plate, fill 'er up and find your table.  Ours was "upstairs, second door to the right."  It was a little confusing because I didn't want to sit in the wrong place.  I found the room and even the lady upstairs was a little confused where we should set up camp for lunch.  They have a speaker system to talk back and forth with, thank goodness.  Everything got cleared up, I sat down and ordered my sweet tea, then went downstairs and readied my plate like so:

Now about that fried chicken:  I spoke to owner Diane Alford several months ago when I stopped by to take photos for Culinary Trail-related things.  She told me that Cat Cora had nominated her as the best fried chicken she ever had for the Food Network Show "Best Thing I Ever Ate."  Don't know what happened with that, but nevertheless, I can second that emotion.

The mac and cheese was a little on the dry side but the crispy fried okra made me very happy!  And the black eyed peas, turnip greens and yams hit the spot.  We had a fun lunch.

And the sweet tea? 

It got a 3 to 4...overall pretty good but not as good as Catfish Country.

p.s. 
thank you, Neola, for the use of your camera!!

p.p.s. 
Neola says they ain't no chicken like Mr. D's fried chicken at the Old Country Store in Lorman.  
I've heard about this place a few times before and it warrants a road trip.  Very. Soon. 

p.p.p.s.  
Any place that has fabulous fried chicken has probably got a level 4 or 5 sweet tea.
I'm absolutely sure of it.

A Rendezvous With Memphis 'Cue

GritsNSoul Confessional #1: After living in Memphis for a helluva long time, there are a few things that I never did because it just seemed too touristy to me:

• I have never entered the pearly gates of Graceland (but I've been to Graceland, Too several times)

• Didn't ever go to Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous because I was in love with Tops BBQ on Union and Colemans No. 43 in Hernando; and, also just because people made such a big deal about it - I can now say in hindsight - I  foolishly assumed it was all hype.

Let's hope there is room for forgiveness, like most transgressions.  So, Walter and I did some touristy things and I thought ok, ok, it's high time we try the Rendezvous.  

The Rendezvous is located in an alley between 2nd and 3rd Streets Downtown, right across from the Peabody.

 

It's a good thing we got there for an early dinner.  (Breakfast was so big, we didn't have lunch.  By the time we got there we were hungry!) 

You go in, go down the stairs to the left and stick your name on the list.

Then you go back upstairs and wait for your name to be called over the loud speaker.

There was only about a 10 minute wait and not enough time to explore the upstairs area (at that point anyway). 

We were escorted downstairs and into the depths of what we would soon realize is a little slice of heaven.  We got seated and look around at the walls and ceiling decorated with memorabilia, found objects and who knows what.  I got my camera out and was fiddling with it and the waiter walking past our table took it out of my hands because he thought I wanted him to take a picture.  I told him no, not right now, I was adjusting something and it's kind of complicated to work anyway. 


Then I realized...hey, this guy looks familiar.  Dean?  Dean Reese from high school (please people don't judge me)?!  Yep!  Wow!  It was great to see him after literally years.

He told us a little about the building, built in the 1860s and that he was the first white feller hired to work at the "Vous".   It was great to see him after all this time and he was so kind to send a little something special to our table to kick off the food frenzy or what I like to call the "Carnivore Carnivale."

It was the Ham, Cheese, and Salami plate, covered in dry rub tasty goodness.  Holy cow (or rather, pig). 

 Walter's meat, meat and biscuit "sandwich"

We decided to get a couple of things to share and ordered the pork ribs and brisket plate and the pulled pork plate.

Now, let me press pause and say that many people have waxed poetic about the barbecue here at the Vous - and for good reason.  I will not attempt to rewrite what has already been written.

The official Barbecue Wars (Texas VS Mississippi) continued full force, however the skirmish came to a complete stand-still at approximately 4:37 p.m. on 27 February 2010.  It is important that it be duly noted here.


Let it be said that no fewer than 20 expletives were uttered with awestruck reverence after the food arrived and began to be consumed.

I won't name names but whispered comments about the exceptional quality of Memphis barbecue and how perhaps prior judgment and trash talk may have been  inaccurate were sheepishly confessed.  Maybe I was just hearing things...

Needless to say there was quite a bit left over.

Leftovers are serious business.

So, then we went to Riverside and saw the beautiful sunset over the Mississippi River. 

It was still pretty cold out but we walked a little ways, heard the trolleys roll past on the rails and made our way back to the car.

Next stop:  Beale Street.

Discovered Ani DiFranco is playing in another month.  I saw her at the New Daisy several years ago and it was so much fun.  I love that venue and have seen some terrific shows there.

We mainly just wandered around people watching and listening to music.  Eventually we went into A. Schwab's and looked around.  It is the only original remaining Beale Street businesses.  Even the police precinct and museum is gone.  Mr. Lansky is now in the Peabody, so it's just the Dry Goods store (although they do sell cans of potted meat passed off for "road kill" on the 1st floor, which is where all the kitschy stuff is located)

Truth be told, I had been on the lower floors, but from what I can recall hadn't really explored upstairs.  It was fun to look through everything on the second floor, which was Schwab memorabilia - lots of fun!  It's still got a great vibe to it.  I think it's because I like old wood and metal.

Where can I find the Diabetic socks?  3rd Floor, right next to the panties and slips! 

They sell everything in all the old wooden bins.  Hats, aprons, souvenirs and real stuff.  I wonder how much business they do with all the real products?  And who buys the kitchen pots and pans?


Walter and I decided on Silky's because technically we wanted to see the Irish goats outside.  It was too cold and the patio was closed.  Oh well.  Our friend and fellow former Memphian, Jacksongirl, encouraged us to make some friends and get a diver.  Maybe some other time when we can crash at a stranger's apartment or ride the train home!

I ordered a Boll Weevil, "rum, banana and juices," which was a really girly drink considering the name.  If I were to make a Boll Weevil, it'd either be brown or green.  (That has officially challenged me to make up a BW drink of my own to be unveiled at the 3rd annual Watermelon Party this summer.)


GritsNSoul Confessional #2:  I swear to Pete if I never hear the song "Walking In Memphis" again the rest of my life, I'll live out my days a happy, carefree person. 

I have a special antipathy for that song that I cannot begin to explain. I don't know if it's because it's so damn cheesy or it's just so cliche. Both, really, and also a gut feeling. An intuition. Good for him that he made millions off of it, now please go away. Seriously.

We heard that song by the chanteuse "Barbra Blue" after ordering our 2nd drink at Silky's.  You can tell so much about an artist by the cover songs they choose...

We immediately asked for the check. The ruse was to pay the woman 5 bucks to stop the song (how's that for filling the tip jar) but I was curious if 100 bucks would get her off the stage for the night. 

All in all, we had a fantastic time and it was a great weekend in the Blues City, my former hometown.  

Special Bulletin!

Mississippi is really the only place where when you order tea, iced tea, it will arrive at the table in its most precious form (at least in these parts):  Sweet.  From what I've gathered, the phenomenon occurs the majority of time, only in Mississippi.  We have an enormous sweet tooth here and it's not just a summertime drink - it's an all-the-time, every occasion sort of beverage.  

For me personally, most places usually make their tea a little too sweet so I usually ask for 1/2 (sweet) and 1/2 (unsweet) with lemon.  The type of tea that I enjoy most is  strong - I want to taste it.  Not a fan of watery tea. And I like a subtle sweetness. Top it off with a lemon and it's a go.

For the Culinary Trail project, I put together a food glossary explaining the love affair Mississippians have for certain food items like hot tamales, fried pickles and cheese straws.  There is also an explanation about running across "greens" on a menu and what that means as well as the difference between home cooking and soul food. 

Sweet tea is on the list, too.

Last week my publisher at Portico asked me where to find the best sweet tea.  I was officially stumped. 

And, in my embarrassment, I may have changed the subject quickly at that point. 

Now, I have a mission.  

My mission is to find the best sweet tea in the state. 

Without further ado, I would like to unveil my creation: 

The "Sweet Tea-O-Meter™"

(photo taken from Mr. Wonderful's)

It's a handy rating system to judge and appreciate sweet tea at the restaurants you visit. 

Because it's important. 

Because we need to know.

Because it's your civic duty.

With the Sweet Tea-O-Meter™ there's nothing to buy, here, folks. It's a 1 to 5 rating system that is completely subjective to your tastebuds and fun to put into practice during your mealtime extravaganza. 

My patented rating system is as follows:

1 - You call this sweet?

(you should be ashamed)

2 - This'll Pass

(but I'm still disappointed in you)

3 - Just Right!

4 - Cuts Like a Knife

(ouch)

5 - Jaw Cringing...

(diabetic coma)

For sweet tea heads, whose lives are lived according to the merits of sweet tea, it is imparative to share your rating with those who appreciate your discoveries.

Ok, here's what I've got so far:

Huey's Midtown (Memphis - and Memphis counts, not because of personal bias but  because it's right on the line and they maintain a lot of our food traditions): 4-5

My Parent's House (Hernando):  3

Rendezvous (Memphis):  This was tricky.  I would have given it a 4 or 5 but as the meal wore on and all the flavors competed for attention, it went down to a 3. 

Catfish Country (Hernando):  3!!!!!  It was perfect.  The tea was strong and the sweet was oh so subtle.  Ahhhh!

What about YOU? 

Where was the best sweet tea you've ever had? 

Serious Breakfast.

Walter (QB) has been to Memphis but I was able to take him around my old stomping grounds. My Mom was with us and we had lunch at Huey's (a side of onion rings were a must, of course) then walked across the street to Shangri-La Record store and found quite a few goodies. Mmmhmm!  

Then we drove around town, showed him a few sites.  I also forgot my camera that day. Whoops.

Saturday, we began with an early morning because it was imperative Walter experience the revelation that is Brother Junipers College Inn. The most incredible breakfast experience in town.  I've been eating there ever since I began college at the University of Memphis - me and everyone else in town - and I don't remember how the love affair began.  Seems to me a class was canceled and a classmate suggested breakfast there...does it really even matter?

From what I understand, it is owned by a Greek Orthodox family.  They make their own baked goods (they began an apprenticeship program for bakers, too) and have some of the best. omelets. ever.  And potato dishes.  And eggs served with cream cheese, dill and salmon.  

Everything I've tried is good which I can't say that about a lot of restaurants.  Their menu is here. I dare you!

This is one of the most popular breakfast spots in town, i.e. we got there at straight up 9 a.m. and had about a 30 minute wait.  The restaurant used to only be 2 rooms with a coffee bar and the line would be out the door by 9 or 10 am.  They have since expanded into what used to be the shop next door, closing up the old entrance and making it a window.  The new expanded space is brightly colored with local art hanging on the walls, a nice coffee bar with bar stools, a long community table in back of that, seats for waiting patrons and the cash register by the door.  The additional space was something they needed and good for people watching.  

Walter and I got a spot at the bar and received two cups of hot, strong coffee.  Hit the spot!  At one point I looked up and spotted filmmaker and Memphis champion, Craig Brewer, having lunch with his son and some friends.  I had to tell him that I was having a quiet breakfast and although I understand gushing over me and all, please don't make a scene.


What?  Oh.  And the Scooby Doo ending is...

My undercover skills came in handy while I "curiously fiddled" with my camera and discretely got a shot.  (I am so not subtle in real life, but this time it went my way)  He's the guy in the hat. 

At last, we got a table at the old coffee bar and combed the menu to see what we were going to devour!

 Does it make you think of the Canadian show on Nickelodeon, too?

I decided to go with the special, French toast with strawberry crème fraîche.   Pretty straight forward and delicious!  No syrup needed here, thanks anyway.  It came with a side of garlic cheese grits (gorjus, take note) and bacon.  Speaks for itself - and keep the Community coffee comin'.

Walter got "Mom's Lil Special," an open-face omelet with mushrooms, spinach, fresh smoked salmon, roasted red peppers and some home fries located underneath the mound of divine goodness.  Man, that was good.  We were supposed to share (umm...halvsies!) but you can guess what did and did not occur.  Funny how when the food actually arrives and all bets are off.

After we'd gotten our fill, talked to our coffee bar neighbors a little and scraped our plates, it was time to get some fresh air.


Walter wanted to see the Shell, so we went to Audubon Park and walked off - let's be realistic - only about 1/32 of our breakfast.  Brrr!  It was cold but sunny outside and the lap around the lake was nice.

 

We noticed a very interesting, huge tree. 

We headed back to Hernando for a little while and later we went Downtown for some serious barbecue. 

A Rose By Any Other Name

There's a ton of stuff I want to write about but it's going to have to wait until I have a little time (ha...we'll see) this weekend.

So, I'll leave you with this to chew on:

QB and I had a discussion a few weeks ago about the fact that macaroni and cheese is not a vegetable...but it is a standard daily "vegetable" featured as such on home cooking and soul food menus everywhere (everywhere in these parts, at least). 

So, what do you think?  Is mac and cheese a veggie?! 

(I sorta think it is.  haha)

Mac and Cheese "boutiques" are popping up...it's not a bad idea.  It takes the powder packets in a box to a whole new level.  Read about it here!

4 Cheese Mac N Cheese with roasted garlic & slab bacon

heaven.

 (Found this picture by Plaid Ninja here.) 

Welcome and Unwelcome Guests

Oh jOy!  

 A SnOw dAy!

QB woke me up early on Friday morning, smiling and said, "Look outside."  I opened my bleary eyes and saw the most beautiful sight!  Yay!  Snow! 

 (that was my POV from under the covers)

We were off from work anyway because our plan was to leave for Arkansas that morning.  In the end, we decided it was too risky to travel, especially because the winter storm was covering every inch of our route.

So, we laid there for a while watching the snow accumulate.

Then it was time to bundle up and go for a walk in the snow!  

There was also a dual mission:  breakfast!  

(QB took the one above)

a view of our front yard from inside, above; and from the outside, below.

a view of our street:

As we made our way to the front yard, a little girl came up to QB and said, "Happy Snow Day!!"  She was looking for her dog, who as soon as he heard her voice, came bounding out of the snowy bushes.  She wished us another Happy Snow Day and ran back down the street. 

Snow is a very big damn deal in the South, dammit!

Wow! It was so pretty.

I haven't ever seen it snow like this in a long time and QB says the last time it snowed like this in Jackson was about 1997. I was delighted because usually it doesn't last long and it kept going to beat the band.

We made our way to the corner and down the street.

It was fun to see kids outside laughing and playing, making their snowmen, throwing a few snowballs and parents taking pictures.

 We stopped by Eudora Welty's house just for fun.

 

 

We were halfway to the grocery store when my phone rang and our friend and neighbor Katie asked if we wanted to go on a walk in the snow.  It was such a great idea and I felt bad we hadn't called her, so I let her know we were already out but please come and won't you have breakfast with us, too?  We walked back a little ways to catch up with her and headed on to the grocery store.


We got our provisions and were on our way back when we stopped and talked to a neighbor.  Low and behold, our friend, gorjus was out walking around, too.  He was heading to the grocery store for the very same reason we were, so he got an invite to join us for the snow day breakfast.  We got back to the house and began to get things moving.


gorjus decided to run home quickly and get his yellow stone ground grits - and I made a special request for him and QB to snatch up our friend and g's downstairs neighbor, Andi!   


It was funny to me how we amassed quite a group in a short amount of time.  I imagine if we'd taken another lap through the neighborhood, we would have collected more friends to add to the breakfast table.  I love having impromptu gatherings and what better way to spend a snow day with good friends.  It's so much fun when friends stop by out of the blue to visit - it's a fun surprise!

So, we went to town on breakfast.  Sweet potato pancakes with Delta Cane syrup (of course), Country Pleasin'  Cajun Andouille sausage, sauteed red and orange peppers, garlic cheese grits and sliced strawberries and bananas.  Yum, yum.

(Have to get a gratuitous cheese shot)

We also had coffee and Katie whipped some heavy cream and added some orange liqueur to it.  That was so good!!  Hot Apple cider with whiskey was another tasty beverage option.

Look at our feast!  We had a great time and ate ourselves into a stupor.  

The good, sleepy kind.

 (thank you, gorjus, for the cheese grits demonstration)

It doesn't get any better than that!

Oh!  I almost forgot to mention the UN-welcome guests that have shown up at our house this weekend, too!

For the past couple of weeks, there is a black and white stray cat that has been sitting on the fence outside our bedroom window.  It's safe to say he's a tomcat with all the yodeling and crooning he does.  Lately, there's been another kitty coming around, too, and they've become quite intimate apparently.

There's a hole that they have climbed into at the back of our house

and have proceeded to get quite cozy underneath our floors - holy cow, what a swan song!!  They are so damn loud.  The last thing we want to be is a kit-kat knock-em-up halfway house.  Feral felines!    

Someone stopped us on our snow day walk and asked if we'd seen a black and white neighborhood cat.  Yes, we've, uh, seen him quite frequently in our yard.  She wanted to make sure he was alright in this weather.  Hmmph!  I secretly thought to myself a few hundred evil things I'd like to do to him, what with the Vegas act he's been staging under our house lately!!  

Those cats have got to G-O.