Wild or Tame

Last week my post talked about being in Tennessee packing up my grandmother's kitchen.  One of the benefits of visiting East Tennessee this time of year is that it is blackberry season.  When I decided that I was going to make the trip I asked Mom and Dad if there would be any blackberries available.  Dad replied, "would you like wild or tame?"  If you've ever had wild blackberries you know that there is no comparison.  This is what the bears in the Smokies have been living on for years.  And bears don't lie.  So Dad greeted me with 4 qts. of wild blackberries in the fridge.  I rinsed them and put them in the freezer so they were ready for me when I got home. This weekend I made two batches of blackberry jam.  If you've never smelled blackberry jam cooking, you don't know what you are missing.  It is heaven!

Granie's Treasures

This weekend I travelled to Fountain City, TN to help pack my grandmother's apartment.  At age 100 everyone has decided that it is time for her to move into an independent senior living center.  I volunteered to spend the weekend at her apartment and help pack, and for some reason I was given the kitchen to pack.  I think it is the only room that I could find a little enjoyment in packing.  After seeing how much sewing stuff she has, I am sure of it.

I found a treasure!  I found the original copy of Granie's famous chocolate cookie recipe.  Granie never kept her recipe a secret.  She gladly gave it to anyone who requested it.  But no matter how many times we asked for the recipe or how many times we tried to duplicate it, hers were the best.  I remember even watching her make them to see how she mixed it and checked the brands of ingredients she used, and they were still no match to Granie's.  So for all who would like to give it another shot, below is the recipe.  Of course, I will be the judge if they match Granie's so please let me know when you have a few for me to try!

I also found this recipe for butterscotch pie.  I love butterscotch pie and am lucky enough to be here on Father's Day.  It is my dad's favorite pie so I am confident that on Sunday I will get to have some.  I don't remember eating Granie's butterscotch pie.  But the fact that she wrote the word "GOOD" on this and emphasized it, this is a recipe that I will have to try.

I don't remember the meal below.  I tried to think of someone else named Amy that Granie would know, but I couldn't.  So I am going to assume that this was for me.  I wish I did remember it, because I am sure that it was very good.  I love that she still had this tucked away amongst her other recipe clippings.

It's time for me to leave this coffee shop and get back to work packing.  I wonder what I will find today?  Somehow I don't think I will find anything as great as what I discovered last night.

Farm Weather

I added a new blog link to my favorite blogs.  It's called Farm Weather and you can reach it by clicking onto the link to your right.  It's about a farm that has lots of goats and they make goat milk caramel to sell online or in some locations close to their farm.  If you like goats,(and who can't resist the charmers), you will love taking a peek at this blog every few days.  If you dig deep enough in their post history you will  be rewarded with a video of dancing goats!

More Firsts

I really enjoy checking out the garden everyday to see if something new has decided to make an appearance.

Our First Tomatoes

Hello Baby Brussel Sprouts

Still Waiting on a Pepper

Garden Update

The garden is looking really good this morning and I wanted to get an update with pictures.  You will see I've released the corn from it's cage and the tomatoes have gotten twice as big the past week.  Something is eating the brussel sprout leaves and the peanut plants are showing their first blooms.  Wyatt and Maple love showing off their cute tails and Wyatt keeps a good watch over the raspberries.

Corn and Cute Doggie Tails

Tomatoes and Peppers

Brussel Sprouts and Broccoli

Wyatt. Best Watch Dog Ever.

First Raspberries

Peanut Blossom