I Love Dewey Beach

Small Kitchen Stories: Oysters and LLyod's.

2012-02-04T16:22:00.000-08:00

I am loving Llyods of Lewes; find it on Savanah Road. When I bomb into town I always pick up the newspaper and inevitably need what ever it is I forgot to bring with me!

This time I needed produce. As I picked up a package of sliced mixed color sweet peppers and a pint of fresh-made cucumber pickles, I was then inspired to make this into a first course after spying on sale jars of oysters! Ok, I now needed a lemon and cocktail sauce.

Small Kitchen Story: LLoyd's Oyster Appetizer

Layer in a dish:

Sliced Mixed Sweet Peppers

Sliced Cucumber Pickles

Chopped Tomatoes

Llyod's Fresh Jarred Oysters

Cocktail Sauce Dollop

Lemon, Squeezed on top.

It is that easy! Not quite a salad, not quite a pickle, but 100% Delmarva!

Beach Blessings,

Small Kitchen Stories: Lamb Muffelata Meatloaf

2012-02-04T16:11:00.000-08:00

Another thawed tray of ground Lamb. What to do? I wanted a warm, comforting meal and left-overs too! Meat-Loaf baked in the Toaster Oven!

Oddly, the meat-loaf tasted very mild. Maybe the Muffelata olive mixture moderated the flavor?

Rte 1 Giant supplies all your needs, though lately I am stuck on Lewes's Llyod's Market!

Lamb, ground, ~ .5 pound

Oatmeal Flakes, ~ 1/2 cup

Mustard, Grey Poupon, ~ 2 Tablespoons

Egg, 1

Muffelata: ~ 1/4 cup

Marjoram, ~ 1/4 Teaspoon

Preheat the Toaster Oven to 450 degrees

Mix all of the above and form into a nice oval shape. Place in a Pam-sprayed ceramic baker.

Bake for ~ 45 minutes.

*I surrounded my meat-loaf with cut up golden potatoes sprinkled with salt and pepper.

*Dessert was sliced Blood Oranges topped with Cinnamon.

Ta DA!

Snow Geese and Saketumi

2012-02-03T17:03:00.000-08:00

Where else but Sussex County can one, within a short space of time: zoom off to take in one of Nature's Grandest Spectacles and then celebrate with a Sushi Happy Hour?

I did just that and it makes me cuckoo-crazy-happy!

Off to Prime Hook Refuge we went driving on RTE 16 until we reached the Impoundment/Broadkill. Look to your left to see ~ 100,000 Snow Geese coming in for the night having gorged by day on farmer's field corn. Time your viewing just as dusk sets in. Last week 5:15 PM was ideal. Stay until the sunset turns to dark!

Then back to RTE 1 and find Saketumi! Ok, so you will have just missed the half-priced Sushi Happy Hour that ends at 6PM. I walked in at 6:05PM!

But, not to worry. I discovered that the sushi served for the full price menu is bigger and better than at the happy hour special price and is only priced a few dollars more..... not double!

Even better was hanging out at the bar tables with no one minding my big knapsack and field clothes.

Even sweeter was returning home to Lewes where I now hang-up my field hat and binoculars.

A lovely, lovely ending to a beachy-day.

Seal Sighting & MERR

2012-01-31T15:58:00.000-08:00

Only 24 hours after my 5 hour MERR volunteer orientation and Seal Stranding Workshop did I sight my first Delaware Seal! If it was not for the workshop I still would have wondered what peered at me from Neptune's Depth. Was it human? Alive or dead? Lewes is rich with the Sea-Witch tales. Was this the Sea Witch herself greeting me?

I was at Cape Henlopen State Park, halfway between the Hawk Watch platform and Herring Point, walking along a calm shore-line, drinking in the sunshine. Then out of the corner of my eye, a dark watery and glistening face appeared. Only off ~ 30 feet, I saw a "wet-suited" head, with wide set eyes, and a pug-nose with chubby whiskered cheeks. The creature, stared me in the eyes, opened his mouth, and sniffed!

My training says: A Harbor Seal, and most likely a young'un.

Beach Blessings,

A Lewes Yard Sale

2012-01-24T15:18:00.000-08:00

Having sold my beloved Dewey Beach Cottage; I'm to be found these days in The City of Lewes! Not to worry.

****You can take the Girl Out of Dewey Beach but you Can't take the Dewey Beach out of the Girl! ****

;-)

Yet, I am having my moments of acclimation and culture adjustment.

Driving down Pilottown Road, I noticed a small homeowner's "yard sale" situated Canal-side. As I passed by, I slowed my vehicle even slower than the 25 mph speed. I looked at the articles; a wooden carved piece and an oriental rug....... and drove on. The owner was lovingly arranging the pieces.

Later I thought: drive by again! You need rugs! I drove by, slowed again and had sticker-shock. $300 to $400/each signs...... just made me laugh out loud, thinking: I'm in Lewes!

Yet, I mused: the Canal is a marvelous backdrop for a "town yard sale" and what fun it would be to bargain that $400 rug down to $75!

Beach Blessings,

Bethany Blues for Winter Friday Nights

2012-01-21T13:57:00.000-08:00

I'm new to Winter Delaware! I adore it! With the "Tourons" vanished the locals are out -about, and at play. I am amazed to see the Midway Theater parking lot almost full! The same for the CHSP Herring Point parking lot which was empty in the AM but jamming for the PM surf session.

Friday night, near to 9 PM I got an invite to go out! We decided on Bethany Blues as the decor and menu speaks Winter. We followed the parking lot searchlight and arrived for Sydney's Friday Nite Jazz Session and a bite to eat..... sharing bowls of soup and dessert.

By chance we were seated in the "middle room" booth which was perfect for listening to the Larry Tucker's R&B party band but out of the bar crush. Stand up and peak around the corner and find front row stage viewing!

The location is Lewes but the crowd is so Dewey Beach!

Find me here, on Wintery Fridays.

Beach Blessings,

A Novice does DE Winter Birding

2012-01-21T12:50:00.000-08:00

I hate the cold, but there I was at the Indian River Inlet, South Side joining the joint DOS and Sussex Co. Bird Club: Winter Sea Watch!

My only second time, Winter Birding in DE; I knew the first outing would be devoted to acclimation. What to wear? Five layers did it! Two layers saved me: my Nike wind-stopper running jacket worn underneath my 20 year-old JC Penny's purple full-length down coat. I wore two hat layers: skull cap and a Nepal wool/micro-fiber lined one.

My LLBean fleece-lined jeans and shearling-lined boots worked wonders but my hands and fingers were in trouble. I headed back to the car for my "hunting muff" with the pocket for a heater pad. Now that I was almost toasty-warm I headed to the group.

Everyone was in high spirits with high hopes of a rare spot or two. One of our leaders informed that complaining of the cold was not allowed and would be met with 40 lashes.

Why would I complain? I was surrounded by happy folks with $,$$$.$$ of optics with invites to look-see! My eyes did have a bit of trouble adjusting to: is that a scoter or is that the roll of the surf?

The high-hilarity bird moment of the day was a Great Black Back who snagged and swallowed almost whole a jetty rat and then proceeded swallowing ocean water to make it "all better soon"!

Two and a half hours later...... my toes started to chill and noon was upon us. All I could think of was lunch: hot lentil stew washed down with hot herb tea.

Beach Blessings,

Johnny Janosik and Saint Furniture

2012-01-11T16:46:00.000-08:00

New Year's Day, in the late afternoon I was informed: "you will need to buy furniture sooner than you planned". I was to have skeleton furniture for my new Lewes Home! I was to have a bed to sleep on and a table and chair for dining!

A call to friends yielded up the camping basics: air mattress, sleeping bag, folding chair and table. This would be "it" until furniture would be bought and delivered!

January 2nd, I called up my courage and set out for Laurel's famous destination: Johnny Janosik! Five football fields plus of furniture not including the Clearance Warehouse!

I had a budget! Yet, I needed LOTS and LOTS of furniture. I love the challenge of buying a cute party dress for $12.00 that can be trashed after one season! Furniture, must be lived with for years on end. I determined to put the same shopping principals in play: only buy the clearance/closeouts, and only what is appealing, fun and versatile.

The Furniture Saint lead me by the hand and whispered the choices. Decisions came up from the depths. I had no other choice. I had no room measurements!!!!!

Delivery day was three days hence. Meanwhile I was terrified! Would the pieces fit the rooms? And yes, the furniture was placed and fit with just 1/4 inches to spare!

Saint Furniture, I thank you! Let's do it again! Afterwards, I'll take you to lunch!

Ta DA!

Small Kitchen Stories: Hannukha Lamb "Seder" Shank!

2011-12-26T10:31:00.000-08:00

Who does not adore Giant Foods? At holiday time I love the entranceway filled with festive greenery and gift food items.

In preparation for Hannukha I shopped the end-cap only to find Matzoh and Gefilte Fish! Then over to the meat case I discovered, the "Sedar (sic) Bone", a shank half, very meaty and priced at $1.68!

Giant, you are killing me with laughter if the above situation was not so pathetic.

Foods such as the Seder Paschal Lamb Bone, Matzoh and Gefilte Fish are for Passover which is celebrated in Spring! In 2012, the first Night of Passover begins on Good Friday!

Dearest Giant, this time of year for Hannukha, we are looking for Golden Potatoes, Sour Cream, and Apples to make for Latkes with applesauce!

However, not one to pass up the bargain lamb for $1.68; I asked the Butcher to bring me 6 or 8 more! Even odder, I was informed that per "lamb case" there is only One Sedar (sic) Bone! ****Hilarious!****

Here is the Small Kitchen Recipe. This is how my Mom makes a leg of lamb, and most likely as did her Mom and all my direct maternal relatives before me!

Giant "Sedar Lamb Bone": or find a nice shank half. Mine was just over one pound.

Yellow Mustard: Grey Poupon, the classic original.

Yellow Potatoes: halved.

Baby Carrots: whole.

White Wine.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. I used my toaster oven!

Smear the Lamb Shank with the mustard. Make certain to smear the bottom and sides, covering every little bit. Put into a nice deep baking dish. Wedge in the potatoes and the carrots. Pour in a layer of wine.

Bake for ~ 1.25 hours. 1.5 hours maybe too long.

When done, the lamb will have a dark baked on crust and oozing clear juices.

Serve with sliced oranges and kiwis sprinkled with Cinnamon.

To All My Dear Readers: Happy Hannukha, Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year!

Beach Blessings,

Small Kitchen Stories: Oatmeal-Yogurt Pancakes.

2011-11-27T07:40:00.000-08:00

Sunday mornings I crave a special breakfast with a minimum of fuss. My body no longer does well on traditional pancakes or French Toast, yet that is what I wanted! I wanted that buttery crispness followed by drafts of my own Assam/ Darjeeling blend tea!

As I woke up I remembered a South India recipe I lived on in my vegetarian youth: Oatmeal-Yogurt Pancakes a.k.a Diliya Dosa. Ah, my minimal but well stocked pantry could provide! All I needed was the quick cooking oatmeal and Greek-style Yogurt! I even found a jar of Ginger Chutney!

Serves Two.

Quick Cooking Oatmeal Flakes: ~ 1/2 cup

Greek-Style Yogurt: ~ 1 cup. *It is important to use the Greek-style Yogurt.

Ginger Chutney: 1 teaspoon

( Minced Onion and fresh Ginger would be nice for a brunch or light Supper ).

Butter: the real stuff!

Add the Oatmeal Flakes into the Yogurt to get a thick consistency. Add in the Chutney. Let this mixture sit 5 minutes or even overnight!

To a skillet add in a big tablespoon or two of the butter and heat until bubbling. Add in small tablespoons of the mixture. Pat it with the back of the spoon to make the round pancake.

On each side saute until nice and brown.

Serve on heated plates with a side of the chutney or even maple syrup!

Ta DA!

Beach Blessings,

Clear Space's Pirate Coast & Dewey Moment in Rehoboth

2011-10-24T15:23:00.000-07:00

How excited was I counting the days to see Clear Space's: The Pirate Coast featuring Captain Kidd and his Treasure????

Yes, I was that excited !!!!!

I had it on my schedule for a full month! What an easy evening's planning this would be! The shows run every half hour for all of $5.00 for man, woman, child or ghoul! Afterwards we would find a suitably "boardwalk" dinner. Oh, and we could drive in and find a parking space too!

As I was on my way, I was giddy and singing: Yo HO! Yo HO! The Pirate's Life for ME!

I do NOT do scary and since it was advertised as "not suitable for 4 years old and under": I thought I was home free! Nope. It was Scary & Chaotic Silly-Hilarity for a fast paced 25 minute show.

As soon as we were gathered in the dark anteroom: the misty-mist swirled and we were introduced to the play. With high hopes of making it thru alive and well, we then entered the main theater and became part of the Captain Kidd and his Pirates a la "Slap Stick" a la 1600's period show.

We left the theater absolutely breathless and wanting to do it again!

Then we rounded the corner looking for dinner and bombed into Nicola's. The place was packed and for two people the only table was the "stagey" boat shape one, up two steps and almost a stage itself as it looks out on the restaurant floor and the street scene! Perfectly fitting into the evening's theme-fun!

Having Settled into the table: Dewey Comrades bombed into the restaurant: saw it was packed: saw us: and then piled into our huge table!

Come One, Come All! The Pirates Life for ME!

Yo HO!

Dewey Beach Music Conference 2011

2011-09-27T09:26:00.000-07:00

I love the Dewey Beach Music Conference for "filling our streets" with an influx of musician culture. Just taking in the on-trend fashion is high entertainment.

This year the British Invasion continues for the guys: with skinny jeans, and a well-worn but cool-cut dark tee-shirt.

Surprisingly for both the guys and gals long-long hair is out, most cuts were neck length. Most surprising was to see the women who still had long hair had it braided and piled up. My favorite was "Heidi Gone Bad-Girl or Bad-Girl Gone Heidi": with germanic model looks, blond hair braids a la ballet dancer, fringed black leather coat over a drab-tan tissue-thin fabric shepherd-like tunic worn over a slightly longer black slip. Ankle black leather boots finished off the look along with her video-camcorder.

Last year over the knee boots ruled. This season a few knee-high boots worn were shiny patent leather with any outfit that was non-shiny fabric: distressed jeans were favored.

Rudder is my goal where I almost always find my "Find", this year it was on the deck with, Brooklyn New York's: "Under The Elephant. I'll assume "Heidi" was the lead's girlfriend.

Seeing the deck set up for at least 7-8 musicians I was hopeful of a good performance. Instead I was wowed with a great one! Capable of zooming between House Dance Music with impressionistic soaring lyrics, hip-hop funk to New Orlean's Revival the crowd was awed and gave a standing ovation!

Mission Impossible #2: Find Hurricane Irene Survivors!

2011-09-19T15:32:00.000-07:00

This is Part Two of: Mission Impossible. Look for and Read First: Part One in September 2010.

Sing the Theme Song, please!

My Mission which I chose to accept: look for survivors of Hurricane Irene: Endangered Species: Wild Beach Amaranth @ Tower Beach.

Just weeks before on a 90 degree day, for a 5 hour "Search and GPS Plot" Mission, myself, another volunteer, and my Director of Endangered Species Beach Nester Birds (and plants) surveyed Conquest to Tower Beach. We were in giddy-Amaranth mode as it seemed every few feet we were finding our quarry! My self-appointed job was to mark it with found objects of shells and reeds and orange flagging while measurements were recorded.

As a child I walked the dunes. Doing so now as an adult for the good State of Delaware is SWEET!

30 Degrees less, in the 60's, and windy, wearing my field boots and a fleece jacket, my mood was not sweet as I surveyed; there would be no survivors of Hurricane Irene.

The tides washed to the foot of the dunes decimating the Amaranth and all accompanying annual vegetation. Dune grass and the PVC pipe fencing made it thru just fine.

The Amaranth set seed in August and thus a seed bank awaits under the new accumulation of 6-12 inches of sand.

I'll see you again, August 2012!

Beach Blessings,

Sunday Cook Outs @ Que Pasa!

2011-09-19T15:16:00.000-07:00

This is why we Love Dewey Beach: $7.00 Sunday Cook Outs inside "the glass" @ Que Pasa! Earlier in the day I checked it out, and conversed with Chef Joe! Early evening I showed up with a friend, immediately asked for two portions of the Ahi Tuna reserved for our dinner and started to settle into the scene, including the scenery.

The dinner gives you a choice of the above or marinated steak or chicken, pork loin or chicken wings. I bet if you ask sweetly Chef Joe will do a combo! Sides are: grilled red onion, roasted corn, red rice and hot tortillas!

I will not be cooking another Sunday Dinner until Que Pasa mothballs the grill!

After one of the most traumatic election weekends in memory: having the Sunday cookout at such a "very-Dewey venue" soothed my Dewey-beachy soul..... even more than a shot or two of whiskey!

Beach-time with the Birds Goes for Fall

2011-09-08T15:56:00.000-07:00

A dear friend calls the tourists: Tourons. He said it, not me. But you get the idea and now I too look forward to having the place once again "all to ourselves". My commute to and from Cape Henlopen will be back to less than 15 minutes rather than 45 minutes.

Labor Day Weekend Cape Henlopen State Park was packed until Monday when it was near to deserted.

My Piping Plover Bird Police gig Bay-side is now given over to Hawk Watch. Now I can wake up late, get to Hawk Watch by 11:00 AM and be certain of getting into the park and my favorite parking spots.

No longer am I sitting low near the water, wearing my big straw hat, sweating, and sometimes fighting off green-head flies, staring at mostly loafing and foraging Shorebirds.

Now I am standing on a platform high above the ocean, wearing my waxed-cloth Brit-style hat trying to stay warm, occasionally bit by ladybugs, counting the Nascar-like Raptor Migrating Show.

Watching the Shorebirds was a movie in slow-motion, my heart beat slow and steady. Hawk Watch is a participatory "sports event" with an adrenaline-rush racing heart: spotting the incoming racing-raptors and cheering them on!

Fall is when I adjust my heart, and my eyes.

Beach Earrings: Lost and Found

2011-08-22T16:05:00.000-07:00

The Summer before I entered Kindergarten, my Mom and her girlfriend, whose surgeon spouse would do the surgical-honors, got the notion to do an earring piercing beach-party.

My Dad gifted me with the sweetest earrings I ever did and will ever see: reversible posts: with a 14 carat gold ball on one end and coral ball-bead on the other.

Of course as I leaned over the sink to swab my ears and the earring: the one earring's coral bead landed in the sink and was forever lost to The Ocean, Neptune and Venus.

I was devastated. I swore then to always change my earrings while sitting on my bed. Thus I never have lost a pair of earrings again...... except for the one nuzzled off my ear and chewed by my now-passed Labrador dog.

Yet, almost a year ago, at the beach, I lost a beloved pair of earrings; lever-back drops of Moonstone and with a fringe of Coral Beads. I bought them as a gesture to the ones lost, so long ago and still missed.

How did the earrings get lost? Again I was beyond sad. Had I swiped my hair back after putting them on? Maybe caught in the hair brush? I looked and cleaned the beach cottage for one year with no luck. I kept the one pair as I could not bear to throw it away.

One year later the missing Moonstone and Coral Bead lost-earring was found by my housekeeper, as if thrown up by a high-tide into the wrack-line.

I broke into tears as I put on again my beloved "Beach" earrings.

Neptune and Venus: the Keepers and Givers of Coral: Thank You for the Return.

Beach Blessings,

Piping Plover: The Bird Stories 2011.

2011-08-17T15:30:00.000-07:00

Cape Henlopen State Park Piping Plover ( aka PIPL) Bird Police Duty-gig 2011 ended this week with the youngest chick fledging; flying the required 50 yards. The Piping Plovers having done their job are ready to party Southward, many to call the Bahamas their Winter Resort.

Time for me to Party TOO! Time to celebrate the PIPL success and the 125 hours of "Bird Stories".

Finding the PIPL Story Line was what kept me glued to my " At The Ropes ( actually it is twine) Spot". In my third year of duty: I had a clue! Amazing to me, this season I recognized individual PIPL-s.

This was the year our Bahama-Banded PIPL Male, having successfully nested on The Point just for fun would fly in ~ one mile to The Ropes just to duke it out with PIPL glamour couple, Beckham and Posh! One witnessed fight lasted a little over one hour.

Beckham and Posh nested early and failed and then nested late and succeeded; chick mentioned above. The late nesting cost them their nearest foraging cove which was claimed in the interim by the Parents of Sturdy Chick.

Sturdy Chick as a baby was hilarious-fun; loving to rest in upturned Horseshoe Crab Shells and loving water. Once this baby was swamped by wave action, came out fine and a bit stunned. The Parent was FLIPPED-OUT and instructed the chick to not repeat the incident. One week later Sturdy Chick was Wise To The World. Another week later the Sturdy Chick showed out-right teen-age aggression towards The Parents!

Bird Police duty is keeping the public OUT of the Federally protected area. This year I cultivated my own little fleet of "GOOD Kayakers" to yell at "BAD Kayakers" who disdain to enter the closed areas. Good Work, Kayak Team!

PIPL: Hope one day I see you in The Bahamas!

Dub Step Party and Planet Avatar @ Voodo Farm.

2011-08-01T15:56:00.000-07:00

Not wanting to miss the first ever Dub-Step Dewey Dance Party, I bought my Bottle and Cork, DJ Dance Party ticket early in the week. I knew very little of this scene, and did not even know what to wear! I threw on a strappy floral beach dress and overtly flowery-boho silver and pearl earrings and entered the venue.

*I entered "Planet Avatar"!

I could not even take in the music until I met my fellow Avatars. Clean cut women and men in glamorous, deeply eco-conscious, but deconstructed art-house dress. Shredded one shoulder tops were favored; that sometimes flashed the audience with a now-naked view. Glamazon-sandals finished off the look.

The glamazon avatar's sported accessories: As the evening progressed they swirled a circus of lighted and flashing hula-hoops and strange and wonderful lighted string toys.

We were in-trance. But not drunk, less than 40% had drinks in hand. And how could you as you hula-hooped?

Earth's Flash Drive of Music landed on Planet Avatar and this is what they did with it.

Bashed it thru the middle and stretched it out Gumby-like.

Stroked it with a wobbly dissonant bass and drums with a reverberating rhythm so fast it can not be counted. Not with any human toes. Only with Avatar undulating bodies and hula-hoops.

On the stage the DJ's were on their own planet with a side-show of nearly-naked edgy-undressed women involved with their lighted props: hoops and more.

This is not electro-techo House Music.

It is Planet Avatar House Music!

The crowed loved Voodo Farm's "I Heard it thru the Grapevine" which was only recogizable at the begining and end of the set. This Human could clearly follow the Classic Dub-step hole punching and then gumby-stretching.

Dewey Beach: you are on the trend.

Venus's Beach-Pedicure: Metallic Wins!

2011-07-27T07:32:00.000-07:00

Who else plans their beach pedicure colors weeks in advance? Memorial Day to Labor Day is the window for the Summer Indulgence Whim Colors!

At last I found a color combo that is gorgeous with my tan and defies the sand-abuse! Metal-ics!

I adore O.P.I. and found a pinky-bronze. Then I used their gold glitter top coat which picked up the bronze lighter-notes. Of course a top-coat followed.

Five weeks later there is almost no wear or chips!

Next round I'm going to look for the same theme but in Silver!

Beach Blessings,

Havadalah Service: Beach-Side

2011-07-18T16:07:00.000-07:00

My Beach-life takes place at Cape Henlopen State Park a.k.a CHSP @ The Point and @ the Beach Pavillion/Hawk Watch. It's my spot. Thus when my community life joins me there; Life is Sweet! The occasion was to celebrate the end of Shabbat.

Our Seaside Jewish Community took over the Picnic Pavillion; we ate leisurely, timing the meal to end just before sundown, 8:15PM for the Havdalah Service.

Full of grilled steak, tabbuleh, and too many desserts we climbed over the now sand-dune covered WW11 Bunker to the Ocean Beach! A tight circle we became, with the children centered on their beach blankets....... thus the service began and ended with lots of singing.

Havdalah celebrates the senses: visuals of the lighted twisted candle and the coast-line, tastes of wine and salt air, the smell of the spice box and the salty-sea, hearing our voices in song and prayer and the waves crashing!

Afterwards, we had just enough time to see the Common Night Hawks catching their dinner above the pines and then take in the sunset over the Fishing Pier!

http://www.seasidejewishcommunity.com/

Shalom,

Clear Space Productions: Chicago!

2011-07-13T16:29:00.000-07:00

I looked forward to the 2011 Chicago production as soon as it was announced at the 2010 Annie Get Your Gun performance!

From Dewey Beach I hopped the Trolley and there I was! There was no 3-hour trek to Wash D.C. and then fight traffic and parking. After the performance ( I was so hungry) I found a quick dinner at the Boardwalk's Go Fish! Dinner was served in 5 minutes!

The $25/ticket is nearly a gift as this rendition matches any on NYC's Broadway! I say grab the performances at this price while you can because it is not a $25/ticket venue; the re-purposed church is at once graciously spacious and intimate.

Adult gritty-sexy-happy-vibe described the Clear Space's play signature. This was a perfect ensemble piece with all players and musicians assuming equal importance. But for the bows we could not stop ourselves from clapping wildly for our favorites.

I loved how the singing was thrown out almost casually; as a side show of the acting. Then when listening carefully you were stunned as if transported to a Broadway Theater!

And what's this about a Halloween Pirate show?! I'll be there in costume!

Beach Blessings,

Stango Park Concerts: Rain & Acoustics

2011-07-11T15:56:00.000-07:00

Did you know if it is raining in Dewey Beach it might not be in Lewes?

All day I looked forward to the Lewes Library' Stango Park Concert: Chesapeake Brass Band! Despite the spitting rain I headed to Lewes hoping the skies would clear for the 7PM show-time. And it did! Later I learned that it continued to rain in Dewey Beach!

Amplification was OUT of the set-up. It would not do to electrocute our performers!

When did I last hear a concert without "amps"? After a few minutes of music I was reeling back in time...... to the '70's and earlier. Bird songs notes fell like glitter among the performers.

I could hear and almost taste The Music!

"Slow Music"........ as in the Slow Food movement.

"Amps" just make is Fast Food for the Masses Music.

As for this "Brit-styled" Band sporting superbly silvery sounds: they deftly handled John Philip Sousa's "Rehoboth Two-Step" ( who knew?!) to Duke Ellington's classics!

*Hope someone wiped the rain off the musician's seats before they sat down!

Beach Blessings,

Running of the Bull: and find a Long Lost Cousin!

2011-07-10T16:46:00.000-07:00

It is silly to try to ignore the Running of the Bull. I did so for years; but no longer. Learned my lesson, I did. I'm now a true believer! I wear my red swim suit and the Bud Light Bull Horns! The event swallows-literally the revelers and the town for the entire day! RTE 1 Traffic is messed-over all 9 miles to Lewes!!!!

Thus DELDOT invited themselves to the party to direct traffic and thus we had for the first time-ever an exact running-time of 2 PM! Showtime, Bully-Bully-Bull!

By my 10:30 AM arrival the party was in full gear. I planned my days 6-hour-party strategy; and found my patch of real-estate which I shared with a cute bouncer.

In year's past I never made it past the Running. This year: I swore my oath to attend the Matador & Bullfight!!!

The Matador arrived with his entourage! I peered into his face.

Good Lord, I recognized my own DNA! My long-lost Cousin!!!

Slobbery hugs and kisses ensued.

Thank you, Starboard!

Beach Blessings,

Fish Markets I have Known and Loved

2011-06-20T16:14:00.000-07:00

Friends incessantly tease me about my fish market fixations. Weekly I look forward to finding my dinner catch at the local markets. This shopping adventure of My Youth is gone.

On Sunday mornings my Dad and I would buy the family fish dinner at the Indian River Inlet Fish Market.

The shopping promised a delicious dinner and yet the shop itself was a place of horrors.

Trailing clouds of cigar smoke my Dad walked into the shop full of seaweed-y-fresh and ammonia-rancid fish remains. In the case we picked out the whole fresh fish. The fish was scaled, hacked, gored, filleted, wrapped in paper, thrown on a pile of huge ice-cubes all decorated with dashes of the fish blood.

The always cheerful fish monger worked on a butcher block and behind the slop decorated with fish heads and bits of rolling eyes landed on the floor in splashes and canal-rivers. I remember a hose flushed the remains out the store and into the canal. The floor remained painted, stained and highly scented.

I was equally scared and delighted. No need to plead for an evening at Fun Land's House of Horrors!

When I made my adult return to this same store I was again in shock. Delighted as I was to find again the best fish, soft shells and scallops to be bought for 100's of miles around: the House of Fish Horrors was now a classy stainless steel surgical operation.

Beach Blessings,

Find the Music and the Music Finds You!

2011-06-15T16:28:00.000-07:00

Without a doubt finding The Music keeps me going. The day starts with the bird-y Morning Chorus and by mid-day I'm in the midst of Shorebird Music .... more like noise... not exactly music.

Thus after Piping Plover Bird Police Duty off I went to the Lewes Library to take in the second free concert of the month: The Pegasus Trio. ~ 40 attendees delighted to the instrumental and vocal presentation which deftly played Classic, Romantic, original scores and original arrangements and Show Tunes!

We were so happy enjoying the music that we clapped after every movement.... heck we know better! But our enthusiasm could not be contained!

Later that evening, dressed a la '80's re-done for '11 in fishnet-capris and the biggest-ever disco-circle earrings attending The Party of Parties I danced the night away to the smooth Jazz original and cover tunes of The Comfort Zone!

Find the Music and the Music finds you .... and the party too!

Beach Blessings,

Formal Party gets you into The Starboard!

2011-06-06T16:09:00.000-07:00

A Summer House Formal Party at the beach? It was all I could do to grab an outfit and work it! The outfit's inspiration was a to-the-max 1980's black beaded collar!

The Lion's Club venue was almost too fancy for us! We lived up to the challenge.

The party always segues to another venue. This time around it would be The Starboard.

Lines, lines, lines: there was NO WAY I was going to wait in line.

Wanna get into The Starboard without a VIP Pass? Formal Wear! is The Pass! The Bouncer hailed us in!

*When you are next at The Starboard and you want to see what truly drives the beat: step into the DJ Booth. Coming of Age Primal Ritual! Look up! Stars? Uh, no. Close! Look again! Only females are invited!

I was invited to Join The Club!

Beach Blessings,

Hanging "At the Ropes" : Sweet and Bitter

2011-06-06T15:57:00.000-07:00

Hang Time @ " The Ropes" @ The Point @ Cape Henlopen State Park ( aka CHSP) is my theater where the scene can be ultimately sweet or bitter as can be.

Setting the stage with my telescope I turned to see a SWEET Hip-Hop performance "just for me and the birds"! I thanked the performer and asked "What is Goin' On?"

The 49'ers were taping a music video and CHSP provided the visuals.

Sweet! My day was made!

Yet, the rope hang-time can be BITTER: when the Bad-Bad-BAD Birder/Kayaker knowingly and defiantly entered and cruised the Federally Protected Bird Nesting Reserve just to get a bit closer with his binos and camera.

I called the intruder description into the "system" who next time will be met by the Park Police.

Sweet!

Clear Space Productions @ The Lewes Library!

2011-06-06T14:25:00.000-07:00

It takes A-LOT to get me off the beach! Yet, I did just this, on a Saturday, to enjoy the Lewes Library: Clear Space "An American Songbook" free concert.

Fresh off the beach, in sandy flip-flops, I brushed off the sand and pulled on a sun-dress. My hair was in a ponytail with the ends flying everywhere. I entered a room of ~ 30 looking to be Lewes residents all nicely dressed and ready for the show!

This was an hour production, but fully scored and scripted, but minus the intermission, the setting and costumes.

During the first song I settled in fast and happy.

Deeply touching but intimate was this bare bones setting. Even the hard seat chairs were perfect.

Hard seat benches! My body remembered: Ah ha, I was taken back to numerous Summer Concerts, held in similar settings at my beloved youth camp, Michigan's Interlochen Music Arts Camp.

I looked around..... I was the youngest attendee by far. I was certain I could ask each and everyone who came, and they would admit: I bet you loved Summer Camp!

Or for a moment we enjoyed what was a tiny moment in what could ultimately be "A Lewes Summer Music Arts Festival"!

The production was wonderfully sweet, lovingly performed and as touching as can be.

And yes, afterwards I pulled off the sun-dress, and happily returned to the beach!

Bonfires: The Fire Within and Without!

2011-06-05T17:18:00.000-07:00

My favorite activity is crashing Bonfire parties! After the first crash I'm told: You are Invited!

Thus you should have seen me whining when I asked: Will we have our Bonfire this Holiday? The Host's yellow labby puppy's litter mate showed up and they played non-stop while the adult humans tried to relax non-stop.

An "Until Death Dewey Party" 60-something member twice repeated her "it's a ritual" of throwing shovelfuls of fire-y and glowing coals into the sea.

The music was provided by a 30-something iPad owner!

WHAT?!?

The volume hardly competed with the crashing waves.

I yearned for a boom-box.

I yearned for a guitar sing-out!

I wondered if the iPad user ever did KNOW a bonfire with yelping kids and dogs, hot-dogs falling charred into the pit and burnt fingers from licking clean the burny-hot marshmallow smored- sticky-gooeyness?

iPad liefstyle does not match the above.

I wondered what was the first bonfire "techno-accompaniment? Radio?

Our crazy coal throwing party-goer got it right. The fire is without and needs to stay that way. Put out by the sea.

iPad fire within is ultimately without: life.

Beach Blessings,

A SESA in my Hand!

2011-05-23T15:53:00.000-07:00

I was nearly hyperventilating when I learned I would handle my first shorebird "catch". I've waited out numerous Sundays at the Field House hoping for such. The team works 24/7...... so Sundays are as low-key as possible..... and tourist disturbances discourage a "catch day".

This blustery Sunday afternoon the "walk-in traps" were set at a rising high tide for Semi-palmated Sandpipers a.k.a. SESA. I peered out the "conservatory" watching the team. By the body language alone I could tell this would take a while and the catch would be small.

At last 5 hapless SESA's foraged their way in to the burlap box; popping up and down like giant popcorn kernels. First outside the birds were "bled" for examination of bacteria. The physical measurements were taken inside at the " computer data lounge" despite the fact that an escaped bird would create utter havoc. Micrograms of chopped feathers destined for gas-chromatograph analysis could go up in "smoke" decimating 100's of hours of good data.

I sat next to Richard as he deftly handled and analyzed each bird. The SESA was trying to keep calm and was 100% aware. I was trying to keep calm!

Watching the SESA stuffed into his tube and then out again after weighing was comical.

Finally my moment arrived outside on the bay beach. I learned how to receive and "let go" my 25 gram charge of beating feathers. My SESA's took a second or two for their GPS to re-set and off they went with a date soon for Arctic arrival!

Red Knot Reunion

2011-05-17T15:34:00.000-07:00

All year I live for the first sight of the returning Red Knots and their International Fans being the DNREC Shorebird Project Team.

When I walk into the field house immediately I pick up the excitement. Will it be high anxiety or happy exuberance?

Luckily the Red Knots are arriving in nice numbers so happy faces surrounded the breakfast meeting table. Last year it was 3 weeks of non-stop anxiety.

Out I went with the Netherlands' Red Knot PHD student Katrina and her adoring "Assistant" to survey Fowlers Beach and Primehook.

The six foot plus, gorgeous Katrina amazed me as she glided over the sand, on her shoulder perfectly balancing her $3,000.00 telescope. I trudged along trying to keep the scope from banging and bruising my arm!

Fowlers Beach Impoundment gave us a heart stopping view of 60 plus Black Skimmers neatly tucked into a sand bar. When we found the ~ 15 Red Knots tucked in between the usual sushi-eating-green-eggs-sumi-wrestler-comrades I broke into tears.

Shorebirds, how I have missed you!

Little Town of DE!

2011-05-11T10:29:00.000-07:00

This would never happen in my Big State of Pennsylvania.

My Sunday plan was to Bird at Prime Hook Preserve. Hey, I got there early....... @ 9AM! I smiled as I saw the parking lot was full of vehicles. So where were the birders who started at 7AM?

We quickly found each other. The monthly Sunday group of ~ 20 was led by our very own Rob Schroeder who had been hailing me since the moment I pulled into the parking lot.

I pleaded to join the group and into a truck I went for three wonderful hours of birding. I broke into tears when again I was amidst my favorite Shorebird Crew!

Delaware is a little town. All of IT!

Try doing this in Pennsylvania....... it would never happen. Even if you found yourself at a State Park birding and there was another bird group....... the parks are too big to "run into each other" and who in the group would even know me.

Delaware Knows My Name!

xoxo,

Buy The Beach!

2011-04-15T12:13:00.000-07:00

www.facebook.com/pages/By-the-beach-cottage-Dewey-vintage-for-sale/118608101546613?ref=ts

Stocking the Pantry: Beach Season!

2011-04-15T12:04:00.001-07:00

My Beach Rule: NO ROUTE 1 ERRANDS!

Today's goal: get the non-perishables together for the entire Beach Season!

Having been traumatized by last and this year's Winter, my own food pantry yielded up the season's groceries!

Only a few special "Beachy Shack Only" items need to be purchased: special salad dressings, herb teas, and instant rice!

And Vodka, my friend reminds me!

Oh, Beachy Shack: we will be together soon!

xoxo,

Piping Plover Volunteer Meeting: Announcement

2011-04-14T15:59:00.000-07:00

NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

For more information, contact Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Training offered on May 14 for volunteer piping plover, beachnester monitors

LEWES (April 6, 2011) – Volunteers who would like to learn more about Delaware’s endangered piping plovers and other beachnesters and find out how they can join DNREC’s monitoring team are invited to a free training session from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Biden Center at Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes.

The session will begin with refreshments and a slideshow, followed by a discussion on the monitoring program and how volunteers can help to ensure that our beachnesting shorebirds are given the peace and quiet they need to successfully rear their chicks.

Weather permitting, the group will finish out the session by going out to the Point at Cape Henlopen to look for piping plovers and other shorebirds that will likely be out on the tidal flats feeding. A few birding scopes and pairs of binoculars will be available for use, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own optics if they have them.

Wildlife Biologist Matthew Bailey hopes the session will draw both new and seasoned volunteers – and plenty of them – to help DNREC staff in their efforts to protect beachnesters and educate the public.

“Volunteers are a critical component of our protection efforts. When posted at the boundaries of the nesting areas, they can help explain to the public facts about the breeding birds and the importance of keeping closed areas free of human disturbance. Without having volunteers to supplement the coverage that our staff can provide, many people might never have the chance to better understand how humans can make a difference in the breeding success of beachnesting birds,” Bailey said.

Preregistration is encouraged, but attendees also will be accepted at the door. Park entrance fees will be waived for volunteers attending the training by notifying the fee booth attendant. For more information, please contact Wildlife Biologist Matt Bailey at 302-382-4151 or email matthew.bailey@state.de.us.

Vol. 41, No. X

-30-

Lucky Magazine: Thrilled; Thank You!

2011-04-02T15:29:00.001-07:00

I adore Lucky Magazine. Over ten years of readership has given me oooddles of entertainment and has taught me how to grab anything from my Beach Closet and make it work for almost any occasion. As well, walking Dewey Beach has made me an expert on sandals!

Thus on Facebook I have followed Lucky's Page and postings.

Lucky asked their readers questions! I answered a query on my favorite topic: Summer Sandals!

I am thrilled to report that my quote-quip is in this May issue of Lucky Magazine on page 96! Dewey Beach is the given reader ( c'est moi ) address!

Dewey Beach: you made it into a Fashion magazine!

Beach Blessings,

De State Park Pass Decal Removal: Chic Fix.

2011-04-02T15:06:00.000-07:00

The annual rite of removing the old and adhering the new DE State Park Pass is the Spring Ritual indicating Beach Time is Near!

Yet, I dread this task. It is an 1.5 hour task and 2 hours adding in the time to fix my nails!

Here is the Routine:

Buy the old-fashion, Acetone based Nail Polish Remover. Soak the sticker and then go have a long lunch.

Now equipped with an elaborate Italian Dessert small fruit/cheese knife, Windex, paper towels and a plastic bag for waste....... start soaking and scraping. Be patient...... after about 10 minutes the decal starts to degrade and then it gets a tad easier. Allow ~ 30 minutes of scraping!

Clean the window with Windex. Dry it. Then apply the new decal!

Clean up the plastic bits strewn all over the car!

But you are not done yet!

I affix the sticker to the " approved alternate location", on the back driver's side window. The problem is this: the windows are tinted. The beautiful decal is rich with deep blues and greens making it invisible!

Now take a bright yellow sticky- note and write on it the following:

DNREC: PARK POLICE: HERE IT IS!

Now affix this to the window above the decal.

Go polish your nails as the acetone and scraping wrecked your most recent manicure!

PS: DNREC: maybe design the decal with a bright sunny background for visibility thru tinted windows?

Beach Blessings,

Sandals and Beach Clothes!

2011-03-28T12:01:00.000-07:00

In my next life I am coming back with any foot size as long as it is a "Medium".

Having a 10-AA shoe size makes shoe and sandal shopping an on-going search for Cinderella's Slipper; minus the Fairy Godmother!

Glumly into the "Famous Brand Shoes" store I went. A tiny bit of hope always propels me forward. To my amazement at nose level there were two pairs of edgy but elegant Birkenstocks in my narrow size! I bought them both! Ha, the boxes were marked Medium! They were in wait for me!

Today I started collecting my Beach Clothes Pile for Cottage Opening Day! Just pulling out of the drawers various Summer tees, skirts, jackets and even nightgowns made me slightly giddy!

Giddy with relief of Winter and it's lined-jeans worn with huge socks and even bigger boots!

Flip-flops? Must run now and make certain I know where they are hiding!

Beach Blessings,

What Would Venus Wear 2011?!

2011-03-14T12:03:00.000-07:00

Whew...... my beach clothes shopping for 2011 season is nearly done. Luckily it was only a filling-in job of worn out items.

The Delaware sun is hell on clothing fibers. The tee shirts and bathing suits last only a season or two.

The bars and house parties do their damage on cute outfits. It is nearly impossible to avoid spilled beer and last Summer a new cute top left the party with candle wax splatters. Thus I shop looking to pay no more than $15.00 per item!

So what won my cash?

Kohl's did the work for clearance priced tee-shirts and tanks, cute-going-out tops with ruffles and sequins, and a $10.00 crazy funky-punky-girly 40's-ish dress!

LL Bean Outlet yielded up the bathing suits. The LL Bean check-out lady who has helped me for 10 years gave me the news that the outlet closes in April 2011. I told her I was going straight to my vehicle to cry; which I did. LL Bean: You Broke My Heart.

Next on the list: hats and sandals.

Beach Blessings,

DE State Park Pass for Volunteers

2011-03-07T11:32:00.000-08:00

I have to admit that I adore having a "free" DE State Park Pass! It signifies myself as a "DNREC Groupie". Who knew and not certainly myself until I started down the path of staring and counting: Red Knots, Piping Plovers and Raptors!

I love going thru the park "toll booths", being recognized by the staff while I simultaneously point out the sticker.

I will also admit that I did not like having to purchase the pass. It is not that I can not afford one.

My objection is this: I am a DE property owner yet I am required to pay the "Out of State" fee which is considerably higher than that of a DE resident. Or rather for those that own a DE registered vehicle as the fee is based on one's license plate.

When I paid full rate each and every time I pulled yet again into CHSP, Tower Beach, Keybox or Gordon's Pond, in my mind I'd pro-rate the sticker cost!

So happy I am with my sweet volunteer park pass reward even though sometimes the seasonal "police" can not find my sticker which is located on my back tinted windows.

I made a bright yellow sign with an arrow pointing to it: HERE IT IS!

And me too!

Beach Blessings,

Small Kitchen Stories: Rice Pudding with Ricotta

2011-02-06T12:27:00.000-08:00

OOhhhh, what to do with that left-over rice? Make Rice Pudding! This is a stove-top recipe that goes together in a flash. Let the rice with the milk and raisins soak while you have breakfast and then cook it afterwards.

The Ricotta addition makes it taste very "Euro".

Rice Pudding with Ricotta

Leftover Rice: I had Jasmine.

Milk to cover the rice. I even added in some left-over Eggnogg!

Egg: beaten

Cardamom

Raisins: soaked in hot water. Add in some Marsala or Sherry if you wish.

(Honey or sugar is not required as the raisins add more than enough sweetness.)

Ricotta: Big Dollop

Soak the raisins in the Marsala/Sherry and boiling water to cover. After soaking; drain.

In a nice deep pan soak the cooked rice with the milk to cover. As well add the beaten egg. Soak while you have breakfast!

Add in a dash of ground Cardamom and the drained raisins.

Turn the heat on low and stir often until the rice pudding bubbles.

Turn off the heat and fold in a big dollop of the Ricotta.

Pour into a lovely ceramic bowl.

*I serve this topped and drizzled with a fig and orange compote.

Ta DA!

Small Kitchen Stories: Greek-Style Eggplant & Turkey Bake

2011-01-30T09:06:00.000-08:00

I was craving the New York Times Cookbook: "Eggplant Moussaka" of my Youth! It was a Sunday affair which took hours to prepare and minutes to devour.

I had no intention of devoting such labor but I wanted the end-result! I had no ground lamb but I did have "organic" Ground Turkey and a small eggplant.

This dish astounded me! My rendition tastes of Lamb and the Bechamel sauce although neither are in the dish! Although one pound of Turkey is used; if you are to serve more than three people.... load up on side dishes as this main course will be demolished.

Our Giant, Rte 1 supplies the ingredients.

Greek-Style Eggplant and Turkey Bake

Big Baking dish smeared with Olive Oil

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

Ground Turkey, "Nature's Promise" Brand, 1 lb.

Onion, sliced

Mushrooms, one big handful chopped

Spinach, three big handfuls, chopped

Eggplant with the peel, sliced

Dill, Marjoram, Celery Seed

White Wine

Olive Oil

Feta Cheese, Giant Brand

Greek Yogurt, Cabot Brand

In a big saute pan add in a generous amount of olive oil. Saute the onions and mushrooms. Add in the ground Turkey and brown. Add in the chopped spinach, the herbs, and saute until wilted. Add in some wine and simmer a few minutes.

Layer the above mixture into the baking dish.

Now add more olive oil to the pan ( no need to wash it! ) and throw in the eggplant slices. Just toss around until the eggplant picks up all the olive oil and adds some color.

Layer this on top of the meat mixture.

Now strew the top with lots of big Feta crumbles.

Now strew big dollops of the Greek Yogurt until you have a nice layer.

Sprinkle the top with more olive oil.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.

Dessert was Pomegranate with Cardamom and Honey.

Ta-DA!

Kitchen Clean Out: A New Life!

2011-01-26T10:12:00.000-08:00

Last year I determinedly sorted thru all my clothes; both old and new. What I was left with revealed the old life gone and the new life gained; my Beach-y Life!

But I never would have guessed that this year's Big Task of cleaning and re-organizing every Kitchen nook and cranny would reveal the same.

A life-time ago I had a baking life! Rustic Italian Breads, and 1800's Era English Scones was a weekly pursuit. Beautiful handmade baskets once used for rising the dough now are used to house produce.

A life-time ago my stove-top saw multiple pressure cookers churning out big soups and stews. The cookers are now sadly decimated and in the shed waiting disposal.

The 15 year-old electric Wok died; but I think a new small one is worthy for Small Kitchen Stories.

What is new? It is not so much what is new as what I have shed. Cooking now is given over to less energy use in pursuit of quick delightful meals. The oven is only used in cold weather when it is time to indulge in seasonal "comfort foods".

My adored Bosch Mixer still sits on the counter, but is rarely needed. Instead of using the "chopper": I enjoy the time prepping with a knife!

Daily kitchen life is now: grilling with the Pannini Press, sauteing, rice made in the fancy "R2-D2" noise-making cooker, lovely ceramic bakers for baked fish or chicken legs, covered casseroles for steamed vegetables, and pretty little bowls for sliced fruit.

Small Kitchen Stories: I'm happy to be at your table.

Small Kitchen Stories: Baked Veal Steak "Granny-Style"

2011-01-17T13:49:00.000-08:00

Pulling out of the oven fragrant Lemon Squares; I wanted to make further good use of the oven energy. I was way too tired for anything complicated. I wanted a Sunday Dinner thrown back to the 1950's!

That did it! The Veal Steak that was to be simmered was now to be baked.

This is a Two Way Recipe: The second day, boil up Egg Noodles and top with the leftover gravy, meat, and vegetable bits with a swirl-in dollop of ricotta cheese.

Our favorite Giant, Route 1, provides the ingredients.

Baked Veal Steak "Granny-Style"

Veal Steak, "cubed" and pounded with a meat hammer.

Onions, sliced

Mushrooms, sliced

Red Sweet Peppers, sliced

Potato: diced small

Mushroom Soup thinned with White Wine: I used the "Organic" Pacific brand.

Celery Seed

Thyme

Olive Oil

Second Day: Ricotta Cheese and Egg Noodles.

In a ceramic baking dish smeared with olive oil, lay on the veal steaks. Layer on the vegetables. Pour on the Mushroom Soup which has been thinned with the wine. Sprinkle with the herbs. Bake at 350 degrees for ~ 50 minutes.

Dessert: Lemon Squares!

Ta-DA!

Small Kitchen Stories:Panned Veal Loaf with Ricotta Sauce

2011-01-12T15:24:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I get a notion for a fancy-rich-gild-the-lilly dinner. As the dish is so filling; 8 oz of ground Veal easily serves two.

This Veal Loaf is made in a saute pan.

Panned Veal Loaf with Ricotta Sauce

Ground Veal, 8 oz

Egg, 1

Ketchup or Chili Sauce

Oatmeal/Bread Crumbs

Dillweed

Combine the above and let it sit in a bowl in the fridge for at least one hour.

Onion, Sliced

Mushrooms, Sliced

Plum Tomatoes, Chopped

Olive Oil

White Wine and Water

Ricotta Cheese, Big Dollop

Greek Yogurt, Smaller Dollop

In a big saute pan add in the olive oil and heat. Form the Veal Loaf into a long shallow oblong and gently place in the pan. Brown on one side for 5 minutes and flip it. Add in the sliced onion and mushrooms, let brown, and then add in the chopped tomatoes. Add in a good dose of wine and water until half way up the Veal Loaf. Cover and let simmer for 25 minutes. Turn off the heat and add in the dollops of Ricotta Cheese and the Greek Yogurt. Swirl it into the juice and vegetables. Turn the heat on low just to heat up the sauce.

I served this with steamed spinach and steamed butternut squash.

Dessert: Clementines Sliced with Cardamom, drizzled with honey.

Ta DA!

Dewey Beach Leaseholds...... Series 2.

2011-01-02T15:06:00.000-08:00

A New Year! A New Lifestyle?

Could a life-style change be test-driven?

Yes, is the answer!

The Lease-hold Beach Cottage was my sports-car/boat variety indulgence test-drive!

I knew I had to change my life; but I was unwilling to throw it all up in the air just for a change. How could I find a new life while living the current one?

Could I hold up to the commute? Could my business hold up to the "time away"? Would I like a beach-y Delaware life? Would this be where I would "retire"?

I loved the idea of a second block from the ocean location! Where else on the East Coast can one find this option for "cheap"?

I loved the idea of a cottage devoted for a determined functional goal: beach/fun, beach/fun, and more beach/fun!

I liked the idea of a three-season cottage, that required "Winterization". I'd enjoy the cottage May thru October; close the cottage; and then focus on life's non-beachy demands.

By purchasing the Lease-hold Beach Cottage I'd spend not too much cash; have a wild good time, and simultaneously and soberly asses the area for my next move: my "full-time" beach-y location.

Beach Blessings,

Happy New Year Dewey Beach!

2010-12-31T15:41:00.000-08:00

I always promise myself to be in Dewey Beach for the New Year; yet business requires me elsewhere.

If I was there I'd already be at the best and most fun house party in town, and on New Year's Day Weekend I'd be participating in the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count; a Pelagic Boat Trip!

Yet, my New Year never starts January 1st. I consider myself lucky as I count Two Starts to the New Year; Late Spring Beach Cottage Opening and Early Fall Rosh Ha Shonah

( translates to Head of The New Year).

Yet, oddly Rosh Ha Shonah signals the beginning of the end of my New Beach Season!

A New Year! A New Beach Season and all that implies! New swimsuits and sandals,

renewing and making new friendships, beach fun that never gets tagged as old.

When the sunlight hits my beachy cottage bedroom window, I awaken to a new day, two new tides to greet, and new shorebirds to protect, new Hawks to count.

Each Beach Day is a New Year in itself.

Every Sunset is the New Year's Eve for the Celebration to Continue to the Next Beach Day, and the next........ and the next!

Dewey Beach: every Day is a New Year's Celebration!

Happy New Year's Dewey Beach!

Small Kitchen Stories: Pear and Cranberry Sauce Pie

2010-12-26T13:45:00.000-08:00

I love cranberry sauce. I like pears too, but I had way too many wasting away in the fridge. Thus I was inspired to make this pie. Our favorite Rte 1 Giant supplies the ingredients.

Pear and Cranberry Sauce Pie

Mixed Pear "bag": I used the Bosc and Red Bartletts: thin slices, ~ 5 cups

Cranberry Sauce: ~ 1 cup

Tapioca: 2 Tablespoons

Sugar: ~ 1/2 cup

Cinnamon and Cardamom

Grand Marnier

Butter

Giant or Pillsbury Ready-Made Pie Crusts, 2.

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a bowl combine the fruit, cranberry sauce, spices and a dash of the Grand Marnier. Then fill the bottom pie crust. Top with lots of butter pats. Top with the second crust, crimp and make decorative steam slits.

Bake for ~ 50 minutes.

Ta Da!

Small Kitchen Stories: Pasta with Cauliflower & Gorgonzola

2010-12-25T16:23:00.000-08:00

I was craving a "fancy pasta" dish..... but dead-easy to make as I was tired from the day's hike. Off to Route 1 Giant you go to find the ingredients.

I am so charmed by this dish I am contemplating other choices: Broccoli and Feta or Carrots and Cheddar?

This dish requires a microwave. :-(

Pasta with Cauliflower & Gorgonzola

Pasta: I used tri-color ribbons

Cauliflower "Organic": cut into florets

Gorgonzola, crumbled

Butter

Ricotta Cheese: a nice glutinous touch but not mandatory.

Prepare the pasta and have it warm and waiting with a slathering of butter.

In a microwavable casserole dish place the vegetable and some water. Microwave until done. Drain. Mash up just enough to make small pieces.

Add in a generous wallop of the crumbled Gorgonzola, a big spoonful of the ricotta, and a dab of butter. Mix in and then cover and microwave for 1 minute (no more).

Mix again and gently toss with the warm and waiting pasta.

Desert: sliced Clementines doused with Eggnog!

Ta DA!

Mayor Diane's Holiday Message

2010-12-15T15:27:00.000-08:00

Greetings from Dewey Beach, Delaware.

Dewey is a very friendly and relaxing place where dogs are allowed on the beach.

It’s also one of the few places where you can walk from the ocean and watch the sunset on the bay. We are experiencing an especially cold period right now but hope that all of you have a warm and wonderful holiday season.

Diane Hanson
Mayor
Town of Dewey Beach

Dewey Beach Leaseholds...... Series 1.

2010-12-05T16:11:00.000-08:00

2004, I changed my life. I was six years into "Boot Camp", all work and no play, and it was time to have fun...... not just once in a while, but every week!

Childhood Summer memories at Dewey and Rehoboth Beach prodded me to return and find the fun. Since I loved life at the beach as a sand-crab the theory was as an adult I would too!

Summer of 2004, I looked for my beach cottage. As a kid we rented lease-hold cottages on the beach block; as an adult I wanted the same experience.

Summer 2004, what a crazy real-estate market I came into! In my humble opinion the prices for fee-simple and lease-holds were beyond inflated.

I decided not to buy a price-inflated fee-simple beach property, and instead I wanted a property not more than three blocks from the beach; and the cheapest one would do just fine. Thus I bought my Rehoboth By The Sea Leasehold "Beachy Cottage", Second Block from the ocean.

I bought a life style. I found a community of over 300 property owners that did the same as myself.

The lease-hold is the same as buying a fancy vehicle or boat. The money is spent for pleasure and not as an investment.

Sometimes, I do call my beachy-cottage: My Beached Boat.

I am happy to be moored two blocks from the finest beach in Dewey!

Beach Blessings,

Venus and Her Rip Curl Watch!

2010-11-18T15:39:00.000-08:00

Today my beloved moon-like-pearl-face, Rip Curl Watch with Automatic Tide System analog Dials returned to me via FEDEX from repair with it's new battery and elegant but girly band.

This watch is so perfect for my beach life, that I forsook my cherished Rado of 20 years, and never looked for the Rado again until the Rip Curl without me headed to California for repair.

My Rip Curl is the only watch I wear at the beach: daytime and going out at night.

I always know the tide; I know where to head for the best beach/surf-action, and I know exactly where to place my beach chair!

I was nearly shaking from withdraw symptoms when opening the returned box. I had lived how many weeks without her on my wrist? I no longer at any time of the day could glance only to know: the tide-high/low, the tide range-highest of highs/lowest of lows, the Moon Phase! The MOON Phase!!!!!

Without my watch I was bereft and separated from a nervous-system connection to my beachy-universe. I still knew by heart and mind the date and current Moon Phase.... but not having the watch's visuals made me anxious and sad.

I bought the watch as I was tired of having a series of Timex's Triathalon Digital Watches drown and die from my swimming and beach life. I had no idea how the Rip Curl would become a gear of my daily beachy-gestalt and provide endless ticking moments of sheer joy.

Beach Blessings,

Small Kitchen Stories: Warm Cottage: Sausage Stew

2010-11-13T15:56:00.000-08:00

Early Fall I'm out at Hawk Watch and return home cold and wind blown wanting a warming big-bowl dinner. I'm tired to pieces so the cooking needs to be mindless.

Our favorite Giant/Route 1, fills the cart for dinner.

Chicken Sausages: cooked, 3 to 4, sliced

Cream of Celery Soup: Pacific "Organic" brand

Onions, diced

Garlic, 2 cloves mashed and diced

Mushrooms, chopped

Red Sweet Pepper, chopped

Baby Carrots: "Organic", pre-peeled, whole

Green Peas, frozen, Nature's Promise, 1/2 bag.

Italian Parsley, minced

White Wine and Water, equal parts

Tarragon

Olive oil

In a favorite pot saute up the onion and sausage. Then add in the remaining ingredients. The soup says to add in equal parts water. Use wine for half of the water added. Add in the Tarragon to taste. Make certain you add in a big handful of the minced parsley.

Simmer for about 45 minutes.

Serve next to potato mashers: yellow or sweet!

Applesauce is a nice dessert served with almond biscotti.

Ta Da!

Lewes Trick or Treat: Terrified Children!

2010-11-13T15:27:00.000-08:00

Let's face it. 400 year old Lewes is beautiful by day and spooky at night. Flower-potted tiny yards jumble up against graveyards. The entire town revs up for the event. The Fire House members in full gear "costume" hand out candy!

Last year I drove thru Lewes on Trick or Treat evening before meeting up with friends for dinner at Bethany Blues. Big mistake. The town was out on the street making driving terrifying. Yet the drive thru yielded a sight from the Victorian age. 2010 I determined, I'd walk the town.

I swooped into my secret parking space which it seems is not so secret. My goal was to take in King's Highway with its parade of Victorian homes fronted with comfy porches which keep company with at least two graveyards.

The comfy porches were transformed into stages of mini-Haunts of Horror complete with moving mechanical ghouls, light, and music to match.

One porch had to be approached thru a dark yard and a human "ghoul" waved in the kids. Scared me it did!

At another home not only did you have to get past the scary porch but you had to enter the living-room where a family of adult drinking ghouls offered the treats.

Nearly all the children were scared to bits and so was I.

Trick or Treat!

Lewes Ghost Tour! Seriously Spooky!

2010-11-04T16:24:00.000-07:00

It took me five years to get used to Lewes: as in not be overwhelmed by the 400 years of history compressed into it's ~ 4 square miles. Lewes comes by it's spookiness honestly.

For five years I experienced Lewes as "spooky". I adore Lewes and wish to be a full time resident, but when I leave the city confines I always feel a release of it's own narrative and happy to be back in the Wild-Wild-West A.K.A. Dewey Beach.

Halloween Weekend was perfect timing for me to do the Lewes Historical Society Ghost Tour! I was ready to learn the stories!

I already knew the sad story of the unknown sailors mass graveyard which resides and is now paved over in the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Passenger Parking Lot! Every weekend when I pass by on my way to Cape Henlopen State Park, I always say a "Shalom" for the souls.

Crazy excited I was to do the tour! I arrived early and waited on the bench while the sky went dark, and I was on my cell while listening to a Halloween poem! I was in the mood!

Our leader Russ Allen comes by the Ghost Tales by his work of surveying all of Lewes 32 church graveyards: ~ 7,000 gravestones! He had us in the palm of his hand for almost two hours as we walked .5 mile from the Lewes Ryves Holt House to the Cannonball House.

We hardly took a step without Russ pointing here and there with haunted happening tales. From Russ's tales, Lewes's Second Street is almost as populated with spirits as tourists!

The reoccurring theme is that all is well until a renovation takes place at which time the resident spirits make themselves known. Another theme was when a haunted house was sold the new owner would call the old owner for ghost tale confirmations. I guess ghost sighting are not required in the real estate disclosure documents!

We ended the tour at the Cannonball House while Russ announced that we were now standing in the most haunted room of the most haunted house in Lewes! As it turned out I unknowingly stood in the very spot where a past owner of the house died from a kitchen fire!

I hope next season Russ gives the "advanced tour"!

P.S.: Yes, I still think lovely Lewes is spooky!

Beach Blessings and Shalom!

Fantasy Trail @ Cape Henlopen State Park 2010

2010-10-27T15:32:00.000-07:00

Dear Reader: look up the 2009 Fantasy Trail post for the event overview and then please, read on.

I'm the "Official Crazy Outdoor Greeter", a fourth year returning volunteer. Like try and stop me! Without a doubt this is one of the highlights of my Beach Season!

A few weeks before the event I check out my Fantasy Trail Disco-Era-Psycho-Stay-At-Home Mom costume: pouffy black and neon-pink streaked pig-tailed wig, costume of starched cotton color-printed apron and jogging suit, and my extras: crazy Halloween decor garlands worn as necklaces, slap bracelets with dolphins and serpents, my dinosaur finger-puppet, and my magic strobe light!

The costume works it's magic into my psyche and by "opening night": I'm READY!

As I roll into the parking lot: I'm already in my character. The Park Police who know me from my Summer as "Bird Police Volunteer at The Point" took one look at me and were in instant hysterics. My role is simultaneously to get the kids excited and organized for the fun ahead! ;-)

To get even more psyched for the evening I run ahead of the event the 300 carved and lit pumpkin trail! At this point I am in storybook-land. I'm now living each and every fairy-tale.

The public arrives early and we had 30 minutes to entertain until "show time". The Returning favorite entertainer Lollipop The Clown and I have fun dancing together, bidding the children to do the same. Lollipop's ferret wore a sparkly green top-hat and again kissed my dinosaur finger puppet! Later Lollipop holds court in the entertainment tent where she has everyone in the palm of her hand while singing, telling stories, and making adults into mummy's; winding them in rolls of toilet paper!

Over the three nights ~ 2,500 children and adults were not just entertained but enthralled upon high. Their beloved State Park transformed from bright-and-beachy to spooky-silly with even the aquarium tanks of sand sharks becoming part of the display "trail".

After two nights running my voice became raw but my spirit resided at Fantasy Trail, and lived well it did.

Small Kitchen Story Note: What to have for dinner at 9 PM after entertaining the masses? Big Fish to the rescue: Pumpkin Crab Bisque purchased early in the day.... served with rice crackers and my own-made applesauce.

Big Fish: Local Time

2010-10-21T08:57:00.000-07:00

How many times during the Summer did I want to dine at Big Fish and knew it would be an impossibly long wait, and thus opted instead to purchase fish from the market and make dinner at home? A-LOT!

Last weekend we had plans to dine at Dewey Beach's Scraps and at the last second opted for Big Fish. Yes, I thought: maybe we have half a chance to get in for dinner!

I headed in to get the table reservation, looked around at the crowd and was told the wait was 30 minutes..... and then thought to check out eating at the bar. I scored the three needed seats at the back of the house "secret" Tikki Bar.

The bartender confirmed my guess that this was now Local-Time! Time for the locals to enjoy their own town and get into the venues of choice.

I decided to try something I'd never prepare at home: split lobster stuffed with crab imperial! I did two sides of mashed sweet potatoes and stewed tomatoes. Gloriously gorgeous was the dish.

Big Fish is known for huge portions, but the 1/4th of a pie Peanut Butter Pie serving was gob-smacking! It was enough to serve 4 for a Birthday Party. So I sang out loud the song and the bar patrons who were downing champagne joined in!

Beach Blessings,

Jazz Fest 2010! Very Chill.

2010-10-18T16:16:00.002-07:00

I so much wanted to attend a Rehoboth Convention Center Saturday Night Jazz Concert, but as I had heard the booked group at least three times before, I passed and decided to do the "non-official" venues.

Interestingly, I heard the same from other devoted Jazz Fest attendees: they always come for the weekend..... but wanted new performers, and they as well opted for the local scene.

Jazz Fest: spend the money $$$,$$$ and bring in new heart-stopping performers. We are all yearning for a repeat weekend as thrilling as the one with both Dionne Warwick and Queen Latifah!

I took in Dewey Beach's Cove twice: for the Friday Happy Hour and the Saturday Night 9 PM set.

The Happy Hour was a big happy crowd and Johnny Neel, was fine even if the sound was muddy. The mistake was that the group's sound tried to play to the entire complex; which is a somewhat awkward set up.

Saturday Night there was a $5.00 cover to see Fred Hughes Trio with Peggy Raley. This group got it right and played a "lounge-y set" to the dance floor. When Peggy Raley broke from the trio: they let loose and the crowd responded.

The Cove is successful when the music is "clubby" and plays to the dance floor.

Dewey Beach really hates a cover charge........ even if it is only $5.00. I think this subdued many who thought of attending.

I think the same might have happened for the Route 1, Bethany Blues $40 cover for a buffet and six hour jam session.

Many that I met at the Cove then went into Rehoboth to stroll the street and take in any venue that appealed. The odd favorite was non-Jazz Karaoke at The Purple Parrot!

Sunday Night, The Forgotten Mile's, Just In Thyme's, David Zipse review and final- jam brought in the core in-the-know musicians and local crowd. So funny as we pile into the bar where you can not see the musicians, but the tunes find their way in to the space just the same!

This was a chill-ax way to do the Jazz Fest....... and it was OK. Next year, Jazz Fest Producers: please make my heart go thump with a new line-up.

University of Delaware's Lewes Coast Day 2010

2010-10-06T15:37:00.000-07:00

Something happens to me every time I drive on Pilottown Road going towards the University of DE. I get spine-tingles. I'm elated; enchanted. With each and every drive I promise myself: here is where I will live out my days.

Even with threatening weather...... and did it ever later let-loose-the-rain, driving the road I was full of spine tingles and excitement.

Never before have I attended Coast Day; this year I was scheduled to be in the "merchandise free" DNREC Tent to work the Friends of Cape Henlopen table. I arrived early for my shift and dressed for squalls: parka and knee-high boots!

Despite or maybe due to the rain, the event and our tent was jammed pack! The idea was to rope in new members. I smiled broadly, a circus barker I became, and pleaded for the passerby to become OUR FRIEND! Could we PULLEEZE be FRIENDS? I got huge laughs and brochures were gladly accepted.

I admit it. I'm a DNREC "Groupie"! What a privilege to be in the DNREC tent! After my volunteer gig: I went around the tent to greet my Fish and Wildlife DNREC directors and explore other divisions.

Attendees were cold and soaking wet so off I went to join the crush inside the University buildings. Gleeful intense interest described the crowd..... except for some sleepy-headed students in the video-screening room. From a video, I later recognized and met the Dean!

Every lab and hall hosted a fun activity for kids and adults. My favorite was a before-your-eyes extraction from mushed strawberries, making visible DNA strands! For me it was amazing and creepy all at once!

The attendees were Coast Day "true believers"; a sunny day might not have revealed this.

Beach Blessings,

Dewey Beach Music Conference 2010

2010-10-05T09:24:00.000-07:00

The Dewey Beach Music Conference is a signature "Dewey Beach" event. Our town enthusiastically offers up for 140 bands: 9 venues with ~ 14 stages. Thankfully the rain stopped for Friday and Saturday so all were able to crawl the venue route.

At the Bottle and Cork, ( not so at The Rudder ), I noticed that only 30% of the attendees were with beer-in-hand, signaling this as a serious Music Group.

The first thing I do is to take in the musician's fashion trend as it speaks tactically to our future mode. Gone was the 2009 look of long, long shiny hair and British Invasion. Facial hair and dreds were the exception. Gone were the girlfriends' stiletto shiny S&M heels.

This season it looked like everyone had day jobs at a bank! Clean cut looks with hair way above the collar. Preppy ruled in the most ironic-way. Purple was a favorite color.

The Fat Daddy Has Been lead singer still had his dreds but wore a striped Polo shirt! Tiva Tiva's group sported suspenders and ratted-out formal orchestra wear.

Girlfriends went back to their 2008 boots, this time nearly knee-high with a heel to match, with a decidedly glamourous and polished 1970's look.

Friday was my favorite night. My Bottle and Cork evening started with "The Little Invisibles". I tried to dismiss the music as the sound was quite muddled.... but then I concentrated and found the grooves: Pop-Gothic! A contradiction in terms, but that is what they did mixing in bouncy pop musical-lines with monster-in-the-house darker moods. Their fashion mode? Preppy Goth!

Next up was Frank Vielle & The Manhattan Project with their very city look and sound; and their smooth jazz given over to perfectly handled rock.

Crawling to the The Rusty Rudder I found on the inside stage, Club Rudder, Dynasty Electric! Jenny Electric is a Pop Queen Diva who perfects Electronica Dance and took us from Blondie to Britney. With her sequined and spangled futuristic costume, I think she could head-line for Star Trek!

My goal for the evening was to hear: Brother Joscephus & The Love Revival Revolution Orchestra! The crowd was ready to party Mardi Gras New Orleans style! This group of 12 entertains in high style N'awlins costume and sound and put forth (and threw forth a slew of Mardi Gras beads) a perfect concert in 50 minutes. The last song demonstrated their masterful musicianship taking a traditional New Orleans Jazz sound transformed to Funk to Grateful Dead Acid Rock to Trance and slowly reversed the same back again. See my October 2009 blog to read even more on their style and approach.

I walked home very happy and placed on my bedroom curtain-rod my Mardi Gras red-bead necklace.

Ta-DA!

Election Time: Craziness.

2010-09-27T15:48:00.000-07:00

Political Science Masters and PHD Candidates listen up: come to Dewey Beach for the Summer and in the Fall return with your Thesis!

For a town that is not even 2 miles long our month-long campaign election season craziness could fill any vast city!

The evening before the election, I took my place on the curb holding up candidate's signs. I was not getting any action until I held my sign high, swiveled my hips, danced, and asked for trucks to beep their horns!

I got more attention doing the above than at the Starboard! I've missed my RTE #1 calling as a mascot! I say pay me cash $25/hour and I'll wear the fuzzy suit and dance on the street!

This year the Starboard's new digital billboard flashed it's favorite candidate...... who did not win; yet immediately after elections the sign did flash a congrats to the winning opposition!

Voting is inside at the Life Saving Station....... but first get past the candidate set ups....... my favorite was a Martha Stewart-esque setting of seasonal flowers, pumpkins, hay, a watering can, a painted stool, and a bowl of candy corn!

Then inside after signing in, it is chat-time with the election board officials and observers.

I am glad I asked how the physical voting worked. It seemed dead simple...... but a mistake in a close election could be a cause for rip-roaring contention and more fighting.

Happy I was to attend a very Dewey-style "after the election" party!

I've heard there is for all candidates and councilmen a "Bury the Sand Hatchet/Shovel" ritual. Hope they do not forget to do it!

Beach Blessings,

Yom Kippur: Sermon on Hawk Watch!

2010-09-23T15:40:00.000-07:00

My Dear Sweet ILDB Blog Reader,

Please read the prior post on Rosh Ha Shonah and Hawk Watch to truly appreciate this post.

I wanted to be at Yom Kippur's Morning Service more than I wanted to be at Hawk Watch, but it did not stop my mind from it's wandering desires! I knew that day would be a record day for raptors counted: a front moved in the night before, Kol Nidre, with excellent NW winds and clear skies. Indeed ~ 1,500 raptors were counted; a record day.

A visiting Rabbi was introduced for the Sermon; he took the podium with a stack of papers and a magazine, his topic for the first five minutes or more was devoted to: Hawk Watch!!!

Bursting out laughing, I looked to my fellow Cape Henlopen Volunteers who were also doing the same. We gave high fives each time the Rabbi said the words, "Hawk Watch"!

The Rabbi reminisced about his "Mother The Naturalist" who would never let him walk a step without doing bird and plant identifications. Then, the Rabbi gave kudos to the local Hawk Watch , held up for validation his own birding magazine, and then the "official" Hawk Silhouette Identification Chart!

Having just the week before blogged about the marvels of combining High Holidays and Hawk Watch: I was amazed with the coincidence and beyond giddy.

Giddy is not a term normally described for Yom Kippur emotions...... but there it was.

Later I thanked the Rabbi and learned that he resides at Cape Shores with easy access to witness the daily Miracle of Fall Migration.

La Shanah Tova,

Ocean City's Bike Week, Yom Kippur @ SJC, Shofar Blasts

2010-09-20T16:21:00.000-07:00

In Fall of 2004 at my beachy-cottage, my very first night was to the accompanying rumbles of bikes, bikes, and more bikes. As my cottage is near a street light: it was more like hearing the idling varooms gear into blasts.

I was very unhappy. I assumed this was the " nightly norm". I had not a clue about the once a year event of OC's: Bike Week!

I was kinda happy when a tricked-out Harley broke down right in front of my cottage and spent the day in my driveway!

This year, Bike Week occurred the same week as Yom Kippur!

The Shofar is a ram's horn that is ritually blown in certain named notes and patterns to announce the beginning of Rosh Ha Shonah and the end of Yom Kippur.

I spent a wonderful day with Seaside Jewish Community (SJC) in services at our host, Epworth Church, I left in a prayerful mode, but as I drove back to my cottage, I was surrounded by blasts of bikes!

For the weekend 250,000 bikes descended on Ocean City! Again my cottage was besieged by the noise. I was very unhappy.

Oddly the varoom-varooms reminded me of the Shofar blasts!

One Blast: Tekiyah!

Three Short Blasts: Shevarim!

Rapid Line Blasts: Teruah!

The Blast of All Blasts: Tekiyah Gedolah!!!

Then I was happy, and happy even during the night of rumbling, and almost sad when morning came, and not a Bike Blast around to remind me of the Shofar and the call to The New Year: 5771.

La Shanah Tova,

Rosh Ha Shonah and Hawk Watch

2010-09-15T15:56:00.000-07:00

For the Erev Rosh Ha Shonah evening service, I made certain I was dressed up: Simply Vera Wang dress, fancy drop-pearl earrings, gold circle bangle, and Italian sandals, ruched-black handbag.

Because...... The next day, for Saturday Morning Rosh Ha Shonah services I was dressed in a tee-shirt, capris, and a backpack.

Fashion format follows the function: I was positively giddy from the effect of going between Hawk Watch before and after services.

I was more proud of my fat-with-binoculars backpack than the fancy black leather-tasseled handbag. This memory brought back the wonderful youthful moments of picking out a new outfit to wear for Rosh Ha Shonah. .... And now as an adult I am in a tee-shirt!

The morning service sent me off with the Shofar Blasts exciting me to charge into the new year ahead.

After Hawk Watch I attended, just around the corner, the Tashlich ceremony at the Lewes Cape Shores Pier where we threw our leafs inscribed with our woes to the Delaware Bay.

Combining all the above activities can only happen in Sussex County! The effect of which made me for the entire day beyond grateful for my beachy-life.

Beach Blessings,

Mission Impossible: Find Hurricane Earl Survivors!

2010-09-14T16:35:00.000-07:00

Please start to sing the theme song to the now so impossibly retro TV show, "Mission Impossible". Too young? You Tube it!!!

The Tuesday after the passing of Hurricane Earl off the Delmarva Coast, there I am on the Hawk Watch platform enjoying my day. Nothing to do but watch the ocean, bay, sky and a few raptors! After duty, descending the steps, my cell gets in a voice mail. Oddly the cell call never came in on the platform. Oh, well.

My "Piping Plover" Director of Endangered Species, Birds and Plants, implores a call back. I do.

Theme Song Please:

Your Mission if you choose to take it is to find the Survivors of Hurricane Earl! Find the Endangered Species Wild Beach Amaranth Plants that made it thru Hurricane Earl's High Tide!

Why yes, I will take on the mission!

In 25 mph winds with stinging sand I crawled the Dune Line between Key Box and Conquest beach. I was truly bummed as I started the crawl. There were 25 plants..... I was finding none.

And then I found one...... a tiny water-logged survivor.

And then I found one the size of a small butter plate!

And then I found one the size of an appetizer plate!

With each find, happier, and happier I became despite covered with the flying gritty and filmy sand.

20% survivor rate!

Ta Da!

The Consensus: Starboard, The Cove, Nalus, North Beach

2010-09-13T16:54:00.000-07:00

The "Until Death 'Till We Part-y Summer House Group" have decades together of group parties; they know each other very well. Yet, I am equally amazed and not that at the end of every party, or even a Saturday Happy Hour, there is a "Group Grope Consensus" as to where The Group will grope and end the evening. Labor Day weekend Saturday we all piled into The Starboard, and on Sunday evening we piled into The Cove.

We know what we enjoy, and know what live music is playing where, and at what venue. The GROUP always picks out the most FUN choice.

This is how it works. Saturday at "The Party" mid-way thru everyone starts to say, OK, see you later @ XXX, right? And thus it gets repeated, and indeed half the party does end up at the agreed location.

The Summer House Group even has it's own "real-estate" at each bar; in particular, The Starboard! Packed sardine-full as always, there we were, packed into our own little can-bar space. One party member, not knowing the above, came in with a mylar-baloon from the party as if to say "find me". Yet, somehow among the thousands he found our space.

Beach Blessings,

Lewes's: The Buttery: Old School and Pub Life

2010-09-01T16:00:00.000-07:00

Once long ago after walking in blustery conditions, with a date, we walked into Lewes's "The Buttery" hoping to just get a cup of hot tea. My date's face turned to horror. This restaurant is for THE BIG DATE. But maybe not?

The patrons match the decor: High Class/Old School, varnished woods and flowers are abundant. Ask to be seated in the semi- circular "Garden" window, as there you can catch the street scene.

I finally made it to The Buttery.. again..... but this time for a celebratory birthday brunch! As the gals were late, I sat waiting at the empty but beautiful old school- varnished bar flirting with the bartender, discovering the bar life that not even the locals know exist!

The Buttery, if seated at the bar, offers up a Pub Menu from 5 PM to closing! The creative menu also entices as the prices are a fraction of a dinning room dinner!

Lovely, lovely is the chef's presentations for either menu.

Beach Blessings,

My Beach Version: Eat, Pray, Love

2010-08-30T16:28:00.000-07:00

At an airport bookstore I scanned the book: Eat, Pray, Love. I passed on the purchase. Yet, the Trifecta Search mode is what I have been doing these past five beach seasons!

My version?

Buy a Beach Shack:

*****EAT****SWIM****VOLUNTEER (for Endangered Species Birds and Plants)*****

EAT:

Upon arrival my very first stop in Dewey Beach is to purchase local fish, produce and baked goods! This past weekend I purchased Fifer's Roast Chicken and Baked Corn Salad which I threw together to make the weekend's salad!

SWIM:

For four seasons running my reason TO LIVE was TO SWIM in the ocean! I LIVED for my daily beach time with at least 2-3 swims. I was bereft if I could not swim because of the surf, my schedule or the weather.

I knew I had to find my "dry land swim time".

VOLUNTEER:

My dry-land time found me at Cape Henlopen State Park ( CHSP). I fell into several volunteer events before I found my gig projects for DNREC's Endangered Species ( Shorebirds and Plants).

At a volunteer event DNREC thanked me for my service.

Oh, no. Thank YOU, DNREC!

My volunteering is self-serving and self-fulfillment.

*****EAT****SWIM****VOLUNTEER ********************************

Beach Blessings,

Midway's Screening Room and SJC.

2010-08-23T16:01:00.000-07:00

One of my most favorite Summer socials is Seaside Jewish Community's ( SJC) Movie Night!

We were a small group....... ~ 20........ definitely the retired age group. The chosen movie, "Defiance"........ the extreme violence was not for a family night-out.

I love having The Midway's Screening Room "all to ourselves". It is fun and intimate, bonds form with the food and the ability to vocalize during the movie our "oh's and oy's".

For the menu we had a salad bar with ordered-in pizza! Lots of desserts from fresh figs to chocolate torte. Of course, Popcorn was served at movie time!!!

The Point, Lunch in Lewes and Beach Time in Dewey

2010-08-23T15:52:00.000-07:00

As a kid my day was made if I made it in one day to more than one beach! Same for me as an adult!

If low tide is in the morning, Cape Henlopen's Point is my first destination. I wandered the tidal flats, found birds, and socialized with a birding group.

The most fun was watching a Father with two small daughters use a casting net to catch Mullet minnows. His daughter, "Maya The Brave" caught the squiggling fish and dumped then in the bucket. Her delighted squeals fought off the Laughing and Herring Gulls!

For once I did not pack a lunch and off I went to the Lewes to the "The Barbeque/Church Pavillion". My box lunch and I then went to Lightship Overfalls Park for a picnic.

Back in Dewey, the afternoon was for socializing and swimming too!

A Non-Beach Day in Lewes

2010-08-18T16:21:00.000-07:00

Friday was not gonna be a "beachy-day" so we headed to Lewes. I wanted a " Local Lewes Day" ...... not totally going touristy.

First on the list was the Lewes Library for a computer hit to check email. The Lewes Library makes my heart sing for joy! Varnished wood shines with big glass windows looking out on Stango Park. I adore the pie-shaped glassed-in room for the Historic Lewes collection.

We wound our way to the Lightship Overfalls Park which was in full volunteer mode: putting in brick pavers. After a history lesson at the Life Guard Station, I found locals fishing and chicken-necking for crabs off the park's pier.

What a set-up! The fishing pier is more "gazebo" and has running fresh water to keep the deck, crabs, fish and children sparkling clean!

Off past University of DE's Windmill we went to MERR where we viewed the whale skulls and talked to a Professor of Aquaculture in charge of the "Oyster Garden Project".

We were getting hungry, so with our packed lunch in hand I thought to picnic at the Lewes Ferry while viewing the Kalmar Nykal! Afterwards we chatted with crew members. I shook the hand of the Steersman: 14 years old!

My last planned spot was Cape Henlopen State Park's The Point. It was low tide! Time to walk the flats and find some birds. Although we were losing light, and it was "spitting" tiny rain drops this spot never fails to touch my heart.

Beach Blessings,

Lewes's Fish On!

2010-08-18T14:36:00.000-07:00

At 5 PM, oh, I was not so happy facing Dewey's bumper to bumper Sunday-Out-Of-Town-Traffic to make my dinner date at Fish On! Luckily after an hour or so the traffic subsided, the traveling time proved no more than 20 minutes.

Fish On's restaurant is right out of Los Angeles. Bold with a clean deconstruction look, a fine open bar, and a great view where ever you look, we easily found our spot. The menu is at once homey and surprisingly clever. Sundays offers a fixed price menu which is well valued.

This is a great locals choice for Sunday dinner: a handsome spot for dining, a fun and delicious menu, and easy parking.

Rehoboth's Hobo's

2010-08-18T13:15:00.000-07:00

We headed to Rehoboth's Hobo's with an advertisement coupon in hand:

free appetizer with purchase of an entree, but in fact we were after the

most jiving possible scene. Baltimore Avenue seems to be the place.

Score! Seated in Hobo's outdoor cafe, we had across the street the

sardine-packed Iguana Grill and to our right the indoor Hobo's view of

their tiny bar, a lounge singer, dancing Grandma's and squirming children.

Our waiter inquired if we might have food allergies! After we promised

not to code on the spot, our orders were taken.

The appetizer proved to be entree sized and teeming with asiatic flavors, half of which

made it home for a midnight snack. The entrees were mesmerizing and made our senses

vibrate.

Happy, we lingered as long as possible and later toured

Rehoboth's bars.

Zany Bandz Camo Backpack: Thank you DNREC!

2010-08-16T14:30:00.000-07:00

The first time I showed up for DNREC's Fish and Wildlife's Red Knot Duty I sported a beach bag. WRONG!

The second time I showed up for Red Knot Duty I proudly sported a hot PINK backpack! WRONG.

I quickly learned that black, brown and camo were the accepted colors.

( Also at Hawk Watch my girly pink backpack got wide-eyed stares ).

I missed out on attending the Volunteer Reward Party. I thought my reward might be a coffee mug???

At the Friends of Cape Henlopen Meeting, I was astounded when my "reward" showed up and it was a CAMO-color Back Pack with the Delware Park's Logo!!!

I was stunned! Beautiful and appropriate for all my "true Volunteer" duties.

Certainly someone suggested that I needed to lose the Pink Backpack!

I love this backpack, but like a new kid returning to Middle School: I just had to make it my own.

Off I went to purchase a set of neon-colored Zany Bandz!

I put the Zany Bandz thru each pull tag and then as decoration the remaining went into the outside mesh pocket.

Perfection!

Thank you, DNREC!!!!

Small Kitchen Stories: Steamed Shrimp Summer Meals

2010-08-11T16:45:00.000-07:00

How to have wonderful Summer meals for two hungry beachy folks, and not heat-up the kitchen?

*Purchase:

Steamed Spiced Shrimp, 1 Lb.

Tabbuleh Mix: I like Fantastic Foods.

Creamy Tomato Soup: Pacific Foods

Meal #1

A rather complicated Tabbuleh that started with the mix and then I added in: chopped cucumber, tomatoes, red onions, and sweet red and yellow peppers. A can of tuna, mashed, and generous amounts of crumbled Feta. Extra olive oil and lemon juice gave it a nice finish.

On the side serve the in-the-shell spiced shrimp.

A nice cut up peach slices decorated the plate.

Meal #2

Soup with Old Bay Spiced Shrimp

Peel the remaining Spiced Steamed Shrimp and chop up, coarse to fine. Throw into the soup pot with a chopped tomato, and mushrooms. Add in the package of Creamy Tomato Soup. Add in a dash of milk, dried dill-weed.

Heat up!

Serve with a big dollop of Greek Style Yogurt.

I knew this would be good...... but it was exceptionally "yummy"!

Serve dessert: cream cheese frosted brownies!

Ta Da!

Dark Star Orchestra and History Lesson:

2010-08-09T15:28:00.001-07:00

It's never too late to Grow Up and Be a Dead Head!

I was a bit too young for the era of Dead-head-ness. But the music was around me via two older siblings.

Despite already having put in a long day, off I went to the concert with a Trance-head. He declared my outfit as a West Hollywood Hipster: I took this as a high compliment.

Dark Star Orchestra's (DSO) 8:45 PM performance start was in favor of the time needed to recreate the concert and the gently- aging-Hippie group. 60 year old guys wore their favorite but now decades old and rotting Dead-Head tee-shirts.

DSO Perfume: Scents of weed, beer, sweat, and a rain soaked awning.

DSO's rich complex lines expand and contract astounding me. Trance Music lines came forth and I pointed these out. "No WAY" was the response!

Ah ha, so at the only 30 minute break in the 3.5 hour+ performance we made our way to the Sound Technician and talked shop. Trance-head received the history lesson of The Foundations of Trance Music courtesy the Grateful Dead's Psychedelia and Space Rock, LSD, Ken Kesey, Ram Dass, Timothy Leary..... . ETC!

Trance-head was entranced.

The evening ended with Johnny Be Good! 12:45 AM but Party ON!

DSO members slay me: when the music ends they just walk off the stage! No bows! No personal acknowledgment of their magnificent musicianship.

DSO: Live On In GLORIA!

Beach Blessings,

Stalking the Wild Beach Amaranth

2010-08-04T09:34:00.000-07:00

Having spent a good portion of my childhood wandering the dunes it is a wonder that I now do this same thing for the good state of DE in search of the "Wild Beach Amaranth".

Part of the Beach Nester program is locating the plants in the very same federally protected area for our endangered species beach nester- birds. As our Director Matt Bailey says, "what is good for the Piping Plovers is good for the Wild Beach Amaranth".

Two weeks ago on a very early Saturday morning we met for our three hour survey. As we entered the dunes the heat and humidity was already in charge of the day. Our team of 5 found three plants all in a high probability area.

After a lesson on viewing a beach-nest, I thrilled to later find my first Least Tern Nest! It was like finding a miniscule version of an ancient archaeological site!

So what is the natural heritage of the Wild Beach Amaranth? I've asked and searched; no information comes forward.

After noticing that the Beach Goldenrod is in good play at this very same time of year, and knowing it is a dye plant..... I wondered if the Wild Beach Amaranth was too. Maybe for the Indians it was a very special dye plant and ritual color. The seed is mahogany red-brown...... I need a seed to test my theory!

Beach Blessings,

It's a Niche-y-Life

2010-08-02T14:52:00.000-07:00

All of a sudden it hit me: Sussex County is where you can make your mark. A niche mark, but a mark nonetheless.

Rehoboth: the gay scene.

Dewey Beach: the bar life and live music. Starboard has a life beyond it's own walls.

Craft Brews: Dogfish Head Brewery plays into the above, but has taken on Milton and Rehoboth as it's very own.

How many musicians happily make the rounds and round again of Ocean City/Dewey/Rehoboth?

Clearspace Productions: why live in NYC or LA when you can live at the beach and find your audience?

Food artisans: a line of jams and jelly based on the local produce including our indigenous beach plums!

Restaurants: SoDel Concepts array of restaurants captures our imaginations.

Real Estate: Who has not noticed that Lewes is niched-out by nearly a single real-estate company?

Publishing: Dave Burris dominates with his virtual weekly news.

Dairy: Lewes Dairy!

Seafood: Big Fish rules.

Kayaking: Quest takes care of it all.

Skimboarding: Alley Oop: mentors the little sand crabs and makes them their own for life!

Seaside Jewish Community: the only show in town and is it ever beachy with Havdalah on the dunes!

Birding: Seashore and Migratory Birds R'US.

My point is: if you can create your dream, then we of Lower Slower Sussex County might be your beach dream come true.

Beach Blessings,

Clear Space Productions: Annnie Get Your Gun!

2010-07-27T17:01:00.000-07:00

$25 to see Annie Get Your Gun at a high school? I thought my girlfriend had lost her #10 hot pad-thai noodles. In my head I had visions of wonderful performances mixed in with the bad. I assumed this would be really, really bad. But hey, I wanted a night outta Dewey Beach.

The Lewes High School is GORGEOUS!!!! It is a great soaring space that makes you happy to be inside when you know all the kids want is to be outside on the beach! I marveled how this building surpassed nearly all my college campus buildings. I continued to gasp as I entered the auditorium.

I gasped again when the orchestra appeared! Live musicians!!! Oh, and were they ever good when they struck up the opening.

I audibly gasped and sighed again when the lead, Ted Keegan playing Frank Butler, sang his first two lines...... I instantly knew he was an Irving Berlin "specialist".

I nearly whopped out loud for joy: this was gonna be great!!!!

Thus it was: a perfect performance, an Irving Berlin "Love Fest".

Clear Space: is a treasure. Can't wait for 2011's, "Chicago"!

Po' Boys Restaurant and The Milton Theater's "BISS"

2010-07-27T16:32:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just gotta get out of Dewey Beach, stretch those juvenile wings, migrate out and find new flocks of fun.

We were after a night in Milton for dinner and to attend the "Best in Summer Shorts" film fest.

I was so dubious when my friend suggested, "Po'Boys", whose signage does not even include the words "Restaurant" and is located on a tiny strip next to a "dollar store".

As we entered, I wanted to see white tablecloths..... or newspaper covered..... but then I noticed the crazy happy "Mardi Gras" artwork, very cool patrons, and the warm greeting of the owner who looked tired but relaxed and happy.

My nose picked up wonderful smells..... the chalkboard promised local produce and seafood with a twist of elegant N'awlins.

One bite of the blackened scallops with the flash fried spinach made me declare the restaurant as my "New Favorite"!

Then off to Milton we went...... but first I wanted to see Dogfish Head Brewery's new lawn sculpture installation. Cray love at first sight: direct from Burning Man it is the tree-house of my childhood dreams! The juxtaposition of the "tree-house" limbs against the brewery distillation vats is art/craft/art/craft.

The crazy fun continued for the independent artist short films. Although the numbers attending was under ~ 50, the atmosphere was pure "collegial". I was back in college in my favorite film class.

The category that made me laugh until I cried was for the category of 13 to 16 years, a comedy, "The Milton Ferret". It was every and all the classic cartoon bits come to life played out by the human film makers.

Would you believe after the film evening the Milton Theater asked patrons to stay-in for Burton's Alice in Wonderland?!

I skipped the above...... it was time to drive home to Dewey Beach.

Sarong Time!

2010-07-14T17:00:00.000-07:00

Sarong Time! When the Sarong is put into my beach bag, my Swimming Season begins!

I learned the Ways of The Sarong many lifetimes ago in Hawaii, and then in Fiji.

Mine is a ~ 3 yard swath of India Homespun cotton, nearly neon orange and green stripes, circa 1976! It is slightly faded but otherwise in perfect condition despite three decades of hard labor!

My Sarong goes from a beach coverup, and sometimes serves as an emergency umbrella atop my floppy hat, and then becomes my "towel" wrapping me up before and after my outdoor shower.

So this is how it works:

Keep the Sarong in your beach bag. Then once back at home base, hang it on your outdoor shower hook. Take your outdoor shower, then cover up with the Sarong. Inside the house you go do whatever until you finish getting dressed!

Remember to dry out the wet Sarong on your clothesline! Replace into your beach bag!

Towels be gone.

Sarongs Rule!

Stango Park Concerts & Dewey Beach-ness

2010-07-13T17:30:00.000-07:00

Lewes crams more parks into it's small town than possible, then gilds them with Music In the Parks series!

I attended the Navy Jazz Band's, The Commodores at Stango Park. Find it on Savannah Road, located behind the library. If you attend just bring a lawn chair and maybe some bug spray too.

This band played for a happy contented crowd which did respond with appropriate clapping. I was bopping in my seat; I was that surprised by such elegant interpretations. Actually; perfectly mastered and presented. I thought I heard a young Ella Fitzgerald in the young beautiful vocalist!

The sound quality was masterfully produced for the setting, nicely aided by the library as a music shell. I could not remember the last time I attended a music-in-the-park concert, and I was happy as can be. So I was getting a little excited!

At the end I so much wanted an "Encore"...... and so I started the chant "One MORE SONG!!!!"

Indeed the announcer heard me...... and truly there was an encore coming anyway...... but in that moment my Dewey Beach-ness came out for the fun!

I could have yelled an appropriate,"Encore"!

Nah!

You can take the Girl Out of Dewy Beach.... but you can't take Dewey Beach out of The Girl!

xoxo,

Running of the Bull, It's Raining Men and Champagne!

2010-07-12T16:42:00.000-07:00

A rainy day for The Starboard's The Running of the Bull: PERFECTION!

And what else was there to do? Attend the Town of Dewey Beach Council Meeting?! I have my priorities!

2010 Running of the Bull drew at least 2,000 revelers and at least 70% were wet to the bone with the rain and drink.

Who knew the event would be "Mandatory Wet Tee-Shirt Contest"!?! The men did and they vastly outnumbered the fairer sex.

I was happy in my bathing suit, my big floppy hat, and under the canopy hanging with the audio-visual guys.

The canopy offered a wonderful carnival effect as every 5 minutes a looped-fool got a torrent of rain-water-bath cascading from the staked edge.

Although Budweiser Beer kindly sponsored the event, "The Bull's Drink of Choice" was J. Roget's Champagne Magnums! Looped-ones explained for the $$ it was more cost effective than more than a handful of beers and it saved time approaching the bar. Ok, so it is a big bottle to carry around. But it was put to great use for, "Spin the Bottle" games!

We all cried for the Star Spangled Banner and then off we went on our Bull & The Beach run!

My favorite moment: when The Bull arrives ( he had a very late night and showed up very late too) to the tune of Wooly Bully!

xoxo,

Greenhead Flies: Frantic

2010-06-28T15:40:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning when I arrived at Cape Henlopen State Park for "Bird Police", the temperature was already very humid, near 90 and climbing. My first stop is at the dorm to pickup my borrowed scope where I ran into Karli and Adam, the Beach Nester seasonal team. I promised them both that a 4 hour gig was all my body would allow.

Once in place at The Point the Greenhead Fly attack started. Despite slathering myself in bug repellent I was a yummy-to-a fly attraction. Bloody-bites dripped down my ankles.

Hanging out in the water helped but then I'd have to re-apply the useless bug spray.

I felt like a horse frantic for relief.

Finally I applied my horse-blanket....... a beloved swath of cotton homespun cloth brought back from India, circa ~1970's! I wound myself into it tight as can be, sat in my beach chair and wound the beach blanket around my ankles and feet.

Relief!

But only until I had to get up, put things away, and charge up the dune-pass to my vehicle.

Local lore says: if the West Wind Blows...... stay away from the Bay and the flies!

West Winds: see me at the Midway for a movie!

Believe it.

Beach Blessings,

Hands Across The Sand: Sat 26th, 11 AM, Dewey Beach!

2010-06-24T16:25:00.000-07:00

An international protest coming to our little Dewey Beach this Saturday, June 26th at 11 AM?!!! But where will it be??? Maybe the Lifesaving Station?

It is called, "Hands Across The Sand"; an international group protest against off- shore oil drilling and promoting clean energy.

The idea is to hold hands forming a human-line, thus drawing a line in the sand as a visual protest........ but in Dewey Beach who is awake and dressed at 11 AM?

The protest would do better as a Starboard, 11 PM tipsy-conga line!

Ah, Hands Across America! What year was it? 1980's hyper-something...... the above brings back the memory of seeing the fleshy human chains on bridges as I drove from Wash DC to PA.

I can not wait to report back on this!

*I was at Cape Henlpen State Park and missed the action!

We Are Family! Piping Plovers!

2010-06-21T15:48:00.000-07:00

The anticipation was big! Promised from Summer 2009, we all awaited our "Piping Plover Watch" Tee-shirts!!! What would it look like? How would we feel with "VOLUNTEER" emblazoned on our backs? Would the public care???? Would it make our job easier??? And more importantly would my extra large size allow my cute beach skirt to poke thru???

We tried on and purchased the shirts right in the Cape Henlopen State Park, The Point parking lot. I modeled and twirled on the runway.

I threatened to write on the front: BIRD POLICE.

As that is what we do.

There we all were now all looking alike in our sandy colored shirt: Piping Plover's Human Family!

After my five hour gig off I went to celebrate, show-off and cool-off at Lewes' King's Ice Cream for a Lemon Ice.

Beach Blessings,

Small Kitchen Stories: Instantly Thai!

2010-06-21T15:35:00.000-07:00

I missed out on the Friday nite Pad Thai at Scraps...... and yearned for it all weekend.

Sunday Night it was time to make a dinner that would not heat up the kitchen and would use up the "left-overs".

I had steamed broccoli and a grilled veal steak. The heck with that: I wanted a Thai theme salad!

Instantly Thai Salad

Salad Stuff:

Steamed green veggy: I had broccoli!

Cooked Fish or Shrimp, Chicken or Beef: I had Veal!

Leftover bits of cheddar cheese: I know, I know: but it worked just fine.

Chopped Sweet Red Pepper

Chopped Tomato

Chopped Scallions

Salad Dressing Ingredients:

Drew's Thai Sesame Lime Salad Dressing

Peanut Butter, Crunchy and Organic too!

Soy Sauce

Rice Vinegar

Toasted Sesame Oil

Toss all the salad stuff in a bowl. In a mixing bowl whip up together the salad dressing ingredients to taste. Start out with a big lump of peanut butter and then add in the rest.

Dress the salad and toss!

*Extra points: garnish with a handful of Oriental rice cracker snack mix!

Ta DA!

North Beach "Re-Brands"

2010-06-21T15:21:00.000-07:00

Although we planned having Pad Thai at Scraps we ended up for dinner at North Beach. I've avoided North Beach two seasons running as the crowd was inclined towards the behavior that brings in the police.

North Beach has never been about the food. I've now lived thru at least three menu variations on fried, fried some-more and more-over fried.

North Beach is about being with your group, listening to the live music, and watching the sunset while you eat on the sandy beach.

The latest re-branded version might redeem itself. Two semi-circular bars now hold court in the main area....... I'm certain the intention is to break up a "bad crowd".

So it took forever for dinner to be served..... the fried fish sandwich was yummy and made up for the cold stack of sweet potato fries. Next time I'll order the green beans!

Ok, North Beach see you July 4th weekend for the dance party!

Happy Hour Dueling

2010-06-15T16:44:00.000-07:00

How I love having dueling Happy Hour invites. Which one won?

I love a Happy Hour where I can attend "right off the beach" in beach togs and flip flops. I did clean up .... coverup, jewelry, lipstick, flip flops..... but I was still sandy behind the ears. The chosen Happy Hour was hosted at a home....... not a bar. Margaritas, munchee food, and friends I had not seen since Summer 2009 drew me in.

The competing Happy Hour was at a bar..... a venue that is more for a "big dinner date" than a Happy Hour. I would have had to have showered and "dressed-up". It was not going to happen.

My Happy Hour then segued into drinks at a friends ocean block home which then revived into a party when the original Happy Hour attendees "dropped-in"! Six hours later I returned to my tiny cottage.

ILDB: I Love Dewey Beach!

Friday Nite! "Scraps" for a new Routine!

2010-06-08T11:09:00.001-07:00

Who does not know that Friday night is "Taco Toss" at "The Lighthouse"? Is it even possible to try a new routine?

Try this! Make your way around the Lighthouse deck to say hello to your buds...... then hang at "Que Pasa". The age group here is beyond the Taco Toss's mainstay of the 20- to 30 year group.

Then off to "Scraps" you go, sit out on the deck, and try the new Chef's menu of Thai offerings. Made to my exact "heat requirement", I adored the Pad Thai!

After dinner....... From the deck look up to the "Two Seas" to see if their top deck is in action. If so, you are in luck as it is usually only reserved for group functions and special events.

Walk in..... and sweetly request to hang at the deck bar as most likely you will be "crashing" the already in-progress event.

There is seating to the right of the bar where you will not be interfering with the event. The step down to this area is hardly noticeable...... so if you are looped expect a crash landing.

Enjoy the breeze and the view of the ocean and the bay!

Walk home happy!

Beach Blessings,

Bayside: the Other Half of the story

2010-06-02T09:42:00.000-07:00

Myself and the ocean: there is no separating the two. Yet, I am now discovering my "other half": The Bay!

Summer 2009 I did time at Cape Henlopen State Park, Bayside at The Point and explored : Slaughter Beach to Prime Hook. This Summer I am continuing the trend.

Bayside is contemplative gracing the eye with an ever changing rising or falling tide shoreline. A walk yields whelks, snails, and the oddest mollusk finds.

My newest find is Breckenbridge Beach, ~ 20 minutes North of Slaughter Beach. The long sandy and reedy beach, but not boggy, is very quiet and yielded up swimming turtles, Red Knots, American Oyster Catchers, and the seasonal mix of shorebirds.

Behind the beach the marsh is rife with Rails and Red Wing Blackbird calls.

Just now I "Googled" for this location and it came up empty handed! Is this a "Secret Beach" known only to locals?

Beach Blessings,

Dogs Rule at Dewey Beach but not at Cape Henlopen State Park

2010-05-25T14:54:00.000-07:00

Dogs and Dewey Beach is a match made in " Until Death-Dewey Part in Heaven" but not at Cape Henlopen State Park.

Dewey Beach dogs know the lifeguard warning and final whistle and many then just walk themselves up the street to the beach to meet up with their owner!

Cape Henlopen State Park (CHSP) is not a dog destination.

Only the paved trails that parallel the paved roads, and the "Ocean Surf Fishing Beach" are allowed for leashed dogs. Nowhere are unleashed dogs allowed.

A doggie- day at CHSP destination thus is only the above and no dog should suffer time in a locked hot car while the owner plays elsewhere.

If your dog ducks into the Federally Protected Bird Preserve, "The Point" and a Park Watch Volunteer informs you that your dog is not allowed, and if a Federally Protected Endangered Species bird is killed earning you a $25,000 fine: follow the advice and leave the restricted area.

If you and your doggie want a fun time: Dewey Beach is the best choice.

Labra -Doodle play time groups and "Grey Hounds Reach The Beach " events are where the action is; later you can hang out at a cafe with a beer in hand while doggie slurps your icecream.

Red Knot Anxiety

2010-05-17T16:13:00.000-07:00

I'm the Sunday Red Knot-Shore Bird project Volunteer. At the early AM meeting we filled out numerous volunteer sheets choosing the specific designation box : True Volunteer.

Volunteer-us Vera, my species name.

This is my second "migration" participating in the project, thus now I am getting familiar with the daily pace and goals.

The goal is : find a Red Knot, find a Red Knot, find a Red Knot.

The Red Knots are streaming into the DE Bay. The daily numbers are going parabolic but we are waiting, waiting, waiting for The BIG Day of Arrival! The arrival is en masse. 75% of the world's population shows up for the party.

The 20 or so Brits crossed The Pond for the party braving Icelandic Volcano Ash Plumes and endless flight hours, bringing with them their scopes and tripods, supplies of PG Tips Tea, Marmite, and bottles of whiskey.

Yet, as the morning meeting dispersed into our assignments I felt the tension. A happy tension. Anxiety. Happy Anxiety. Red Knot Anxiety!

I realized that I was anxious too!

When do they arrive? Where will they feed? Will the birds cooperate in feeding where they can be netted and banded?

Red Knots please read my email and know that the Horse Shoe Crabs are in abundance and so is the food.

Please arrive soonest!

Beach Blessings,

Dewey Beach Dogs and Big Fish

2010-05-17T16:02:00.000-07:00

How sweet is it to walk the beach and greet Dewey's local's dogs who remember me from the previous season!

As I headed to the Life Saving Station a sandy and wet golden retriever ran over to me and stole off my hand my pink Nike glove!!! Doggie was just saying "hi, welcome back" and wanted social-time. I did ask for my glove back...... then I noticed the dog's owner as one of my beach buds!

We finished our walk together....... later off we went to Big Fish to meet up with another friend for dinner.

This is why I Love Dewey Beach!

Beach Blessings,

Small Kitchen Stories: Ta-Ta's for Tautogs

2010-05-12T16:25:00.000-07:00

Arriving into town, I want to have a lovely dinner and that often means fresh fish. At Rehoboth Seafood Market I looked over the options...... I wanted local and affordable.

I scanned the ice case and saw, "Tautog" which looked shimmery-pink and firm, and it was cheap! I asked for one fillet.

Tautog! It is not a gorgeous name. Sounds like a fish version of a tug boat! Curious to see a picture, I discovered that this fish is the opposite of pretty.

Immediately I had to find for the fish a new name: Ta-Ta Fish!

Ha, with a "Save the Ta-Ta Fish" advertisement campaign the sales would soar and so would the price!

The Ta-Ta fish is firm and sweet. Ha!

Save The Ta-Ta's Tautog Simmer Pan

Ta-Ta Tautog, 1 fillet

Tomato, chopped

Scallions, chopped

Small Zucchini, chopped

Mushrooms, chopped

Dill-weed

Olive Oil

Vermouth

In a big flat skillet, add in the olive oil and heat up. Add in all the vegetables except the tomatoes and saute until nicely colored. Lay in the fillet, skin-side down. Add in the chopped tomatoes and Dill-weed. Add in a nice pour of Vermouth. Cover. Simmer for 5 minutes on one side and then turn the fillet over for 5 more minutes.

Serve with a huge slice of toasted Sourdough bread.

Ta-da!

or should I say?

Ta-TA!

Spring Migration Hawk Watch

2010-05-05T16:33:00.000-07:00

How is it that I do "Migration" backwards?

In Fall I migrate North back to PA and in Spring I migrate South, returning to Delaware!

In fact, I reside the plutonian deep Winter months on a mountain-top only to return to sea-level in Spring, with Summer on my Birkenstock "Persephone" heels.

No wonder that I identify with the Raptors and attend their Spring and Fall Migrations!

I arrived at Cape Henlopen's Spring Hawk Watch with The Best Weather and Number Count of the Season's Watch! Ah, a result of my Persephone credentials!

We had a total Merlin Festival with numbers ~ 80 for the day. We also tallied 50 plus: Coopers, Sharpies, and Kestrels.

After the watch I could not resist to check out the Bayside at low tide! Turkey Vultures happily picked at dead and dying Horseshoe Crabs. Brants were looking for underwater eel grass eats.

Then I heard, over and over: "Day At Da Beach"!!! I turned toward the excited calls to find not more than 10 feet in front of me a pair of American Oystercatchers!

They were so excited, and obviously out on the town, on an important date. One of the pair scored a juicy something-mollusk and continued their foraging.

Beach Blessings,

Rusty Rudder Jam Fest

2010-05-04T17:28:00.001-07:00

I could not help myself, I just had to drop in on the Rusty Rudder's Jam Fest!

I was there Friday night, only one hour, but it was worth the 40 minute round trip of walking to and fro!

Fondly I call the inside "Club Rudder"...... and found "Analog Anthem" working mayhem on Southern Rock.

I sat in front of Stage 2 which was just setting up for "Fiddle Foxx". Only two guys, no percussion to be found, and only a keyboard, a fiddle and a banjo set up. Yet, I had a feeling that this would prove the band performance of the night!

I was correct!

Fiddle Foxx must have deep folk and classic roots to pull-off their gig which is outside edgy abstract forms of Hip Hop and Rap wound tight to World Rhythms.

Part of the trick was the vocals used as percussion sounds! The sound system did it justice!

When Fiddle Foxx offered up Rap to Bosa Nova rhythms the crowd went insane! The musicians waiting for their slots gathered tight about the stage and the kitchen employees poked their astonished heads around the doorway.

An unexpected thrilling live music performance: This is when I love Dewey Beach the most!

Beach Blessings,

Piping Plover Update!

2010-04-27T08:43:00.000-07:00

This is just in from:

Matthew Bailey
Wildlife Biologist
DNREC: Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program

Beach-nester Update April 27, 2010

We have our first piping plover nest of the season! A one egg nest was found yesterday at Cape Henlopen State Park at the Point. In addition to the pair that has nested, at least two other pairs have set up territories at the Point. For the past four seasons we’ve had our first piping plover nest show up between April 23 to May 1, so the timing this year is dead center.

There are two plover pairs with territories down at Gordons Pond, but they are still ranging around pretty widely with their scraping activity, so, it is difficult to predict where they might finally settle in.

One pair of American Oystercatchers has been exploring the interior of the Point, but, no scrapes have been found yet. Another pair of oystercatchers have made a scrape at Fowlers Beach on Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, but no nest has been found yet.

Small Kitchen Stories: Tuna Cakes

2010-04-25T14:53:00.001-07:00

What to do with leftover bits of mashed potato and grilled fish? Sounds like a doggie-bag take home from a "Big Fish" dinner or the leavings from the weekend's cooking. Fish Cakes!

In this case I only had the mashed potato and a lonely can of Tuna!

Tuna Cakes

Tuna, one can drained

Mashed Potato, ~ 1 big cup

Egg, 1

Chives, Dill, Tarragon

Dry Bread Crumbs

Mash it all up, except for the bread crumbs! Form four cakes. Dust in the bread crumbs and fry in olive oil!

Ta DA!

Small Kitchen Stories: Rhubarb Banana Crisp

2010-04-24T15:16:00.000-07:00

I was on a roll! At the Post Office I was offered fresh cut "free" asparagus!

Then off I went to the Amish farm and found a small bunch of cut from the garden Rhubarb for $0.50!

The Mom pregnant with # 10 kid, pulled for me a bunch of radishes, $1.00!

I was inspired! A cool Spring day demanded the oven make a "Fruit" Crisp!

Rhubarb-Banana Crisp ( Yes, Bananas! Get OVER it! )

Rhubarb: young and tender, small bunch, washed, and chopped into tiny dices

Bananas: 2, sliced and chopped.

Butter

Flour

Sugar

Oatmeal, Quick Cooking-type

Cardamom and Cinnamon, Ground

Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

Find a nice deep pie pan and slather the bottom with at least 1 teaspoon of butter.

In a bowl combine the Rhubarb, Bananas, the spices, ~ 1/4 cup of sugar, and 1 Tablespoon of melted butter. Fill the pie plate!

In the same unwashed bowl add in ~ 2 to 3 Tablespoons of melted butter, ~ 1/4 cup sugar, ~ 1/4 cup flour, and then generous amounts of oatmeal stirring until you get the "crisp" consistency. Add in more spices!

Pile and spread around evenly the crisp topping on the cut "fruit".

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

Tea Time!

Ta DA!