— Somedays are made to take you back, to pull at your heartstrings,
to charge your inner being with memories so strong it’s as if you’re once again
in that moment. Spring has arrived in full gorgeous multi color splendor, this
week, when we prepare for our Easter celebrations in East Tennessee. Mother
Nature has been somewhat undecided about the weather, cold, hot, warm, windy, we
have 6 little winters in Tennessee, and we have been experiencing them one by
one. I love the changing of the seasons in my home state, but as I have become
older my body is not so willing to be in constant disarray, as to how to dress.
Enough already!
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| Lane Home Place Dogwoods over Amy's memorial side garden |
My favorite dining out mode as of late is brunch, it’s not too
much to digest, it’s midday, and it just right. Unfortunately trying to get to
where you would like to go is like working on a jigsaw puzzle, finding a roadway
to take you there is like a key piece has gone missing. It appears that every
road in the Knoxville area is under construction, “Katy bar the door: is an
idiom that fits this situation. There are times when I just want basic, not over
the top, so our local Waffle House was calling my name, cheesy eggs, raisin
toast, with apple butter, and scattered and smothered hash browns, with a sweet,
iced tea ,add lemon, was what I was hankering for. Waffle House is about as real
as you can get, unless you go to Scotties, our long-time neighbor, Ed’s
favorite, go to place, but I have never been there in the 47 years we’ve owned
this house. Back to being real, you walk in the all-lady workers shout at you
“welcome to Waffle House, sit where you want honey.” I sat, I ordered, I watched
and I listened to the constant carrying on’s, that has so much real, it almost
makes you think you’re on a funniest video, segment. I am a people watcher, this
is a place where you can get your fill, in just a few minutes. Most of the women
that were working today, were older than me, another Ed’ saying ‘slow but sure’,
would signify the process, but they are down to earth, hard-working women,
trying to make a living, doing a really difficult restaurant job, with at times,
trying cliental, for low wages and tips, trying to make a living to survive. I
could not do it!
My no nonsense breakfast hit the spot, and I was soon on my
way, to meet the challenges trying to get to the grocery store, on the mess they
call Emory Road. Finished my list of need to get ‘er done, out and abouts, stopped by to pick up my one and only prescription, that I take, and it was only $1.27
cents. The cost keeps going down, and I figure at this rate, if I keep living,
they will have to pay me to keep taking it, by this time next year. Mind you I am not
complaining, I am grateful, but so many of my counterparts are not so blessed,
it is a hard and sad life if you have to choose between housing, food or
medicine to keep you going, and that is the case for way to many
.
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| Miss Pumpernickels' Farm Stand |
In the late afternoon, I had to head west to pick up a cake, from a local home baker, who has a farm stand, two days a week. I had read about Miss Pumpernickel, a German baker on social media, who has a small farm, and makes a few items for resell, breads, cookies, fresh eggs, and other things to preorder the day before, and pickup after 5:00 pm. Very interesting, you pull up to her stand, find your order, drop your cash in the money mailbox and your on your way. The German, Marble Cake, one of my favorites was still warm in the pan, guess a small poison, check will have to happen, to make sure my Friday Ladies will enjoy it! Amy, always said “a poison check was required for any and all desserts you would be serving to others.” I wholeheartedly agree!
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| Little Nicky's |
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| Prosciutto Bread |
In the same area is a small
Italian, place, that has wonderful pizza, Italian, dishes, and oh my word,
Italian desserts to make you drool. They are originally from New York City, and
you have no doubt about it once you walk through their door. Fresh out of their
well worn Cadillac, for about 5 years now, they have moved down, because their
older folks needed warmer climates. So, they started a small place, and our
making a go of it. The wife does the talking and ringing up, the husband is the
cook, and pastry maker, believe me he knows what he is doing, they are handed
down family recipes, and authentic. I had happened upon this small hole in the
wall place, when I was heading home from Oak Ridge, back in February, got some
meatballs, and pastries, all were delicious. I looked on their Facebook since I
was going to be in the area, and saw they had a special Italian Easter Grain
Pie, and fresh out if the oven Prosciutto Bread, so I ordered them up and had
the fun of crossing Pellissippi Parkway at quitting for Oak Ridge, dangerous,
believe you me, but ‘Jesus took the wheel’, and in we went to get our Italian
delights. I had the chance to speak with the cook and baker, his wife had to
step out, it was fun, but I discovered that he has a speech impediment, and why
he prefers to stay in the kitchen. I am quite accustomed to that, and I know you
just wait, and let them get their words out, I enjoyed his explanation on how to
best serve the pie and the bread. So Friday ladies, one who is from New York
City proper, will be thrilled to get a taste of two unusual Easter Desserts, one
German, one Italian. "Bon appétit! I also prepared a bouquet to take to the cemetery tomorrow in honor of our parents Byron and Muriel Johnson, up on the ridge in Clinton, overlooking the Clinch river. A beautiful view no matter the season.
I took a few pictures to share. I appreciate
those that some of you read my writing. I have finally been able to let my fingers type,
what my mind and heart was unable to say. “To rejuvenate your life, sometimes
you need to take a step back and reflect. ” God Bless as we praise and begin
anew during this Easter season. LSJL "I am the resurrection, and the life: he
that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (John 11:25-26)
