pimento cheese and courage

After a great estrogen-filled week [poor Pops] in North Louisiana, I am so happy to be back in SC with D. I can still taste all that rich summer food from mom's kitchen. And so can my thighs.

[The BEST] Classic and Easy Pimento Cheese
A Southern Living Recipe

1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1 4-oz. jar of diced pimento, drained
1 tsp. Worcestershire
1 tsp finely grated onion
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper
1 cup chopped pecans
1 8-oz. block extra sharp Cheddar, finely shredded
1 8-oz. block sharp Cheddar, coarsely shredded

Mix together mayo, pimento, Worcestershire, onion, and red pepper.

Toast pecans at 350 degrees in a single layer for 8-10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant. Stir halfway through.

Grate cheese. Add pecans and cheese to the mayo mixture. Stir until blended.

Eat on bread [especially grilled] or crackers or, my personal favorite, a fork. Oh - or between two fried green tomatoes.

After a two day trek, I hopped right back in the car, plugged an address into the Garim [per usual], and twisted through two hours worth of tight Lowcountry roads. I was in such of a hurry that I had no idea which direction I was driving, but the increase in palmetto trees on the side of the road kind of gave it away. I was the last one to find a seat in one of the classrooms of the unexpectedly small technical college and listened for two hours as a seasoned florists told us all of her tips and tricks in a thick Savannah accent. As she was talking about pricing your work, she said, "You can add $5 if you feelin' like you are worth more today." I love her already. She also said she was feeling "all puffed up" after finding out that I drove so far to attend the class. I can't wait to go back.

I've never really gone after much without a connection or what seemed like the proper training or some experience. The bottom line is that I want to be a florist, but I have none of the previously mentioned comforts - especially connections. So this is a brand new journey which could [but hopefully will not] end in a crash and burn. Or it could take a lot longer than planned. Or...it could be really good. I have hope that it'll be really good.

tomato pie

This pie crusted beauty was waiting for us on the kitchen island when we got into town with the two little ones. Fresh summer tomatoes, herbs, lots of cheese, and a pie crust - what more could you want? As much as I appreciate the countless websites full of thousands of recipes available by a click of a mouse, it's hard to beat a hand written recipe, creased and spotted with grease from years of use.

So, if you'd like, I'd be happy to write this out with and old fashion pen and stick it in the mail with an old fashion stamp simply for the sake of hand written recipes. 

From Grits and Groceries in Saylors Crossroads, SC [which was then passed to us from my sister's neighbor].

4 medium size ripe tomatoes
2 tsp. salt
1 cup [4 oz.] shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 refrigerated pie crusts

Slice tomatoes into 1/4 inch thick slices. Arrange tomato slices on several layers of paper towels over a wire wrack. Sprinkle with 2 tsp. salt; cover with more paper towels, pressing gently. Let salted tomatoes stand 1 hour, replacing paper towels on top and bottom after 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine cheese, mayonnaise, herbs, pepper, and onion in a medium bowl; stir well, and set aside. Roll pie crust into a 13-inch circle on a flat surface. Fit into a 9-inch pie plate; fold edges under and crimp. Firmly pat tomato slices dry with additional paper towels. Arrange tomato slices in pie crust; top with cheese mixture.

Bake at 350 on lowest over rack for 40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely. Makes 8 servings.

Now...you may have never had tomato pie, and it may not sound good to you when you read it. But I need you to go ahead and try it. Hurry! Summer tomatoes will be gone before you know it!

Other than food, we're being reminded that rope swings and kitchen table talks and indoor forts and baby rocking is good for the soul. I only wish my hard-working and hiking D was here [miss you!!!].

homeward

At the last minute, i decided to make the trip home to visit with the fam. Because I was still in camp world for Audrey's birthday, we had a mini morning celebration complete with princess packaging. 

She's three. But if feels like this was, well, yesterday:

My old dollhouse made its way out of the attic. There's something cool about seeing your old toys. Especially those that you spent hours playing with. Nostalgia - I love it.
I also realized that I'm old and the wallpaper in my dollhouse is peeling off. I'll get over it.

I love those moments when I feel like my Southerner Points sky rocket. This morning, I woke up to my family sitting and swinging on our front porch, enjoying the surprisingly beautiful weather, waving at the neighbors as they drive by.

I revamped my trusty jorts. By the end of the summer, the button had fallen off and the safety pin just wasn't cutting it any more.

Going to the park with my fam and bestie. Wearing my jorts, of course.

What makes you feel Southern?