Small Kitchen Stories: Meyer Lemon Compote

  I love it when the Giant surprises me with a little something special as it makes up for all those sad times when my favorite items have been pulled...... for good.
  Did you hear me squeal when I picked up a net-bag of Meyer Lemons?  All the produce staff did!
  This was the very first time I ever bought this Lemon, now made famous by Martha Stewart.  As I drove home I contemplated what this would become.  Winter is when I crave a deeply complex fruity compote.  A compote it would be.
  The Meyer Lemon is a cross of a lemon and a clementine, and thus the flavor goes more tropical than Mediterranean.


Meyer Lemon and Banana Compote


Meyer Lemons, 4, peeled, seeded and cut into small chunks.
Peel from one lemon, cut into tiny-tiny pieces.
Raisins: soaked in white wine or Orange Juice
Bananas, 2, cut into chunks
White Wine and/or Orange Juice
Honey
Cardamom seeds from two or three pods.

    In a nice deep heavy pot combine all of the above, except for the honey and liquids.  Add enough liquid to cover the fruit.  Add honey to taste.  You might need more than you imagine.  Simmer until all fruits are soft and plump.  Remove from the heat and cool.
    Use to top rice pudding, yogurt, cottage cheese, pound cake!


Ta Da!

Lewes and my Teapot Emergency

I am told that once a upon a time Lewes had it's own place to go and enjoy a pot of tea with tea-time refreshments.  Lewes with it's Victorian homes just cries out for taking tea or other stronger libations on these wrap-around porches.  Thus it seemed so perfect that my teapot emergemcy happened here, in Lewes.
  I prepared my morning tea in my 20 year old beloved Brown Betty pot.  She is just the right size for myself.  I always lovingy warmed her up before putting in my special hand blended ( by me ) tea and the boiling water.  In fact I look forward to the morning tea almost as soon as dinner the night before ends!
  I picked up the handle and I did hear the softest "whimper".  I set her down.  I picked her up again, and she was gone.  The handle broke off and left a sad  and mysterious looking hole.
  Although I have about a  dozen tea pots almost all are in storage and as well are too big for a small serrvice.
  The urgency to find my new teapot before the sunset was profound and could not be resisted!
 I determined I would only spend $12.00!
  Off to two thrift stores I went.  I did find a sweet Brit  teapot but marked at $25.00.  But  a lower price was not to be.  A new life, a better teapot was out there for me.
  Two stores later, four in all explored, there she was.  Sweetly decorated with Dogwood Blossoms, with a traditional Ming Dynasty form.
  Yes, she was $12.00!
 Relating this story to a dear friend who knows my lifetime tea-obssesion observed the above story is my perfect metaphor.  I am letting go of the old with great love and affection and seeking the new adored sustance and format for the future.
  Lewes, just ask me and we will do tea-time; anytime.

Beach Blessings,

Small Kitchen Stories: "Yappy" Oyster Corn Grit Stew

My inaugural new resident Lewes Happy Hour found me at the SPCA's Barkfest's, Irish Eyes "Yappy" Hour! Only dogs hip to best bar behavior were invited! Hilarious fun to watch the servers wind around not just drunk patrons but the overly-wiggly doggies too!

Once home I was crazy-hungry, with no patience for cooking. None the less, I whined and yipped for a great meal! I looked at the opened jar of oysters and asparagus and Ah-ha; this is the Yappy Hour inspiration.

Yappy Hour Oyster Corn Grit Stew

Jar of shucked Oysters and juice: half or full pint.

Whole Milk: enough for 2 to 4 soup bowls full

Asparagus: cut into small pieces

Cheddar Cheese: shredded, ~ 1/2 cup

Corn Grits, Instant: ~ 1/4 cup

Vermuth: 1/4 cup ( this is the Yappy Hour ingredient )

Dillweed: a good shake

Cocktail Sauce with Horseradish: a whopping tablespoon

In a good size saucepan heat the milk and the asparagus until the vegetable is nearly cooked. Add in the Corn Grits and stir until thick. Add in the cheese, Dillweed, and Vermuth and stir until smooth. Turn down the heat to a simmer and add in the oysters with the juice. Heat only until the oysters are just cooked. The frills will stiffen a bit. Do not overcook. Stir in the cocktail sauce. Serve in heated bowls.

*I will never again make the traditional Oyster Stew: this version is that good!

Ta Da!

Johnny Janosik and Saint Furniture

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!

Lewes Trick or Treat: Terrified Children!

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!

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!

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

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,

The Point, Lunch in Lewes and Beach Time in Dewey

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

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!

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.

Clear Space Productions: Annnie Get Your Gun!

$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"!

Stango Park Concerts & Dewey Beach-ness

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,

We Are Family! Piping Plovers!

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,

Dewey Beach is a Festival of Lights

Hannukha The Festival of Lights is this week.  At Sunset, in awe and wonder we light the Menorah, watch the candles dance, and then sputter.  Repeat for eight days.

The Light Show is yours daily at Dewey Beach.  We are a tiny strip of sand, a Barrier Island, we have Dawn over the ocean and Sunset over the Bay! 

In the morning the light is cool and opal-blue.  In the evening warm oranges and pinks paint the sky and reflect on the homes.

Sunset is when we walk our dogs.  Or walk the beach to Nalu's to take in the live music and Happy Hour.

Sunset is where we celebrate: on roof top decks, and Bay- side restaurants; Que Pasa, North Beach, and The Light House are favorites.

North Beach: the sunset "clock" hands point to the next days show-time.  We know how many days of Summer are left to us just by tracking the Sun's Bay-dipping point!

Que Pasa: When the glass garage doors are up, it is as if you pulled your pontoon up to the dock and got out for a drink!

The Light House's Friday Taco Toss is the "required" place to be.  The sunset backdrops the bar action and the Orange Crush drinks in hand.

At Sunset, Cape Henlopen State Park sees local romantic couples walking the Beach Pavilion Boardwalk, and Fishing Pier to survey the enchantment.  The breakwater and two Lighthouses set the scene along with sailing vessels.

Lewes's Roosevelt Inlet is " The Secret" local spot...... only a few fisherman are there to enjoy the end of the day.  The Bay flashes neon above and bounces off the sand beach.

July 4th Fireworks on the beach celebrates all above as it carries on the show just as Mother Nature's Nuclear Spectacle dozes, sleeps, and then..... repeats!

Beach Blessings,

Tri-State Bird & Rescue Oil Spill Workshop

The end of October I attended:

OIL SPILLS AND WILDLIFE: Workshop for Marine Mammals and Birds

Sponsored by: Clear into the Future: A DuPont Delaware Estuary Initiative

Presented by: Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, Inc.

Hosted by: Marine Education Research & Rehabilitation Center, Inc.

I am by nature "project oriented", thus as a newbie-birder I started birding not thru club meetings/ and field trips but by field projects.  

This past season I did: DE's Fish and Wildlife's Red-Knot Re-sighting and Piping Plover Monitoring gigs, and ended the season with CHSP's Hawk Watch.

Thus when a friend passed on the info for the workshop, I was compelled to attend!  

Who knew that after 9 hours of presentations and a hands-on workshop, I'd be curious to learn more; especially since further training is dead-on mind numbing FEMA ICS 100/200 regulatory stuff!

I soaked in every moment: driving on Pilottown Road, along the canal ( this is where I want my next home!) which is home to the Coast Guard and the location of the workshop, University of DE, the wonderful classroom with a low profile view to the outdoors, the smells of tea, coffee, bagels and muffins for our breaks..... but most of all a room full of DNREC, Coast Guard, and Meer volunteers.

It is possible that I was the only "bird" volunteer that is not part of Meer.

I loved it when my ~ 80 year old Meer volunteer friend showed up at least an hour late and took copious notes and asked spot-on questions.

Two hour lectures were condensed into 25 minute presentations!

Our brains kept apace and looked forward to the afternoon hands-on workshop. 

Our dear Opal The Whale's now cleaned skull greeted us at Meer's doorstep.  Soon we suited up with Tyvek jumpsuits, rubber gloves and then an over-glove and gauntlet!  Ooohh, how I wished I had kept the outfit for Halloween!

Soon we were peering over a metal washbasin with Dawn suds everywhere washing clean an oiled, very dead, very frozen Canada Goose circa 2008!

Later we tried our field skills holding stuffed birds....... and doing a mini field walk populated by more stuffed animals and decoys.

My favorite moment was when a gull came in to check out the scene and in particular a bright yellow rubber snake!

Tri-State is a historical name but is known worldwide for their work.

Have oiled bird: will travel to you.  They prefer The Islands!

*Our workshop certificate declared: OSHA training, 4 hours. Kind of a surprise, kind of not!

Beach Blessings,

Halloween @ Lewes and Dewey

Halloween weekend is when I close up the cottage for Winter.  Close Up.  Retreat into Winter, the cold, The Mountain, My Work. 

Underground I go for 6 months, down into Hades, Pluto's Domain.  ( Not to worry, G-D Willing and with Demeter's Blessing: In May, like Persephone, The Goddess of the Beach Returns To Dewey Beach with Spring on her heels! )

How fitting that Halloween marks my last days at the Beach In The Sun...... still building my sand castle and not wanting to come in from play and take that 6 months Winter's Nap.

After Hawk Watch and  closing up chores I did a Halloween Trick or Treat drive thru of the Historic section of Lewes.  Next year I will walk it!  

So-spooky Lewes which gets this vibe honestly, considering it's maritime and early-America settler history... condensed into the tiny town.... with the Cape May-Lewes Ferry's paved-over-parking lot of the Unknown Sailors Grave, neighborhood graveyards and Victorian homes everywhere.... is genuinely spooky for Trick or Treaters.  The homes with  the vast porches were filled with decorations and festive hauntings.  

Then off I went to Bethany Blues to meet up friends for dinner.  Loads of fun watching the staff in costume.  Our favorite: The Cereal/Serial Killer..... cereal box with a knife dripping blood!

Then it was time to run home... put on our costumes and attend Dewey's 8-Bar Halloween Crawl.

My crawl started and ended at The Starboard. Jimmi Smooth and The Hit Time played our favorite party tunes.  Jimmi looks even younger than seen at the September Town Party!  This guy is aging in reverse along with his energy level to match!

Costume trends: this year there was not one "French Maid" and such, but a decided "Law Enforcement" theme: policemen, fire chiefs, helmets and badges galore!  

Dewey Beach has a One Million Dollar annual budget for Law Enforcement!  Do the costumes speak to this????

Back at the cottage my costume was packed away for another year.

Next year, I'll dress as Persephone! Or Pluto???!  I'm working on my costume now.

Spooky Beach Blessings,

Fantasy Trail @ Cape Henlopen State Park

As a child and as an adult my favorite bedtime ritual is a good read... always better with pictures!  As an adult I read books of mythology and as a child I inhaled Fairy Tale books with illustrations.  I remember the heart-breaking moment my Mom announced to me that there were no pictures in the evening's bedtime read! Devastating! 

As a 3rd year returning volunteer at Cape Henlopen State Park's Fantasy Trail, I  am the Illustration and The Story!  This annual event is now one of the highlight's of my Beach Season.

The Fantasy Trail is a 1/3rd mile trail, candlelit by hundreds of carved pumpkins and populated by "my" childhood fairy tale friends: Alice in Wonderland and The Mad Hatter, Sleeping Beauty, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and tales from my son's era: Willy Wonka, Aladdin and Jasmine!

My character is truly the "Real Me" from my days entertaining my two year old, now in exaggerated format as "Disco-Era-Psycho-Stay-At-Home-Mom! 

I wear a wig of pouffy pink and black, glamour makeup, Halloween jewelry worn every which way, a proper starched and printed half apron, and a jogging suit!  This year I added in a magic strobe light "microphone" and a Tyrannosaurus Rex finger puppet worn on my thumb.  

My role is "Crazy Greeter".  I work the crowd while preparing them for the trail fun ahead.  Over my two nights gig I greeted, announced, and danced for ~ 2000 people!

You can not imagine my delight as I drove up to the trail head at the Nature Center and I was waved into the "VIP" Parking Lot by the Fort Miles World War II Re-enactor Officer!   Instantly I was in form!  

Every encounter is an opportunity for silliness.

Old men and even a Ferret got kisses on the cheek by my Tyrannosaurus Rex!

Little children got to announce their names louder and louder over my magic strobe.

I soothed scared kids promising them a "silly trail" and promised a "spooky trail" to the older kids who wished for such.

My purest delight is "running the trail" just minutes before it starts or before it ends...... as I run thru I am again a wee-one "reading the pictures".....  the costumed characters, backdrops and music.......... I become, I am the Story and The Fairy Tale.  

Beach Blessings,

Bonfire on The Broadkill

Lucky me to have attended a Birthday Bonfire- On The Beach- on The Broadkill!

Our Hostess having done bonfires on the beach since herself a small smelt, and knowing the logistics there-in, had -pre-hauled to the beach all the Party Stuff.  As well the hole was dug and ready with wood for the lighting.

We gathered round the fire just at sunset.  Joyful for the company and the insanely beautiful setting.  We exhaled and relaxed.

For Uninvited Guests we had a Willet sing it's name for a Birthday Song and even a Ruddy Turnstone or two came in for a look-see. 

I was happy no sickly foxes came by to grab our roasted Bratwurts!  Tabbouleh and a Yogurt Soup rounded out the Birthday Day Dinner.

Jupiter rose to my right...... and heat lightening flashes were to my left.

 Freighters lined the shipping lane. 

 The Cape May LightHouse and the Cape Henlopen Light House started their blinking. The Town of Lewes brightened up in  a long gentle curve leading to the unlit and sandy, Cape Henlopen State Park's, The Point.  To my right Beach Plum Island darkened and became utterly mysterious.

As the evening ended back at the house with Birthday Song Blessings and  apricot pie........ my mind wandered back to my youth of picking beach plums and eating beach plum jam!!!  

 

Piping Plover Watch!

Delaware's Fish & Wildlife, Matt Bailey, at Cape Henlopen's Biden Center, on Saturday May 9th,  hosted the Volunteers Piping Plover Training.  

 We were about 50 strong and totally at rapt attention despite the distractions of yummy treats and the arrival after ~ 14 days of rain.... ta-da.. sunny weather.

Pictures of Piping Plover chicks are all fuzzy-wuzzy and too-cute-as-can-be and thus sealed the deal for our commitment as "Monitors".  We will watch the restricted breeding areas for human and other disturbances.

After the training we headed to CHSP's "The Point", for on the job training!  Maybe that was a Piping Plover fly-by, but to me it looked like white fluff!

My Monitor gig will be at "The Point" to take in sunset........or maybe the same at Gordon's Pond Tower.