Delta Dish. So Southern - loving it, living it.

August Delta Dish 2011

2011-08-10T07:39:00.000-07:00

Volume 7 Issue 7

*** Random Thoughts

How I love back to school time! New notebooks and pencils, knowing fall is on its way. Most importantly: routine.

Routine – so mundane and rigid. I used to think of routines as strict guidelines that kill creativity and try to make everyone conform.

Now I know that for me, routine sets creativity free. Steps and lists and guidelines – that’s what I need to be productive and engaged. Without a routine, all the little things that add to big things don’t get done. Time and days slip away, leaving me frustrated and disappointment with myself, which doesn’t do a thing to help my productivity and creativity.

School starting means cooler temperatures can’t be too far behind (here’s hoping). Back to school is like the beginning of the new year for me, too. I love it!

Best,
Keetha

You can follow my blogs! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll receive alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quotes

"I think we need to be put back in touch with our childhood...to be reminded of what's important, like memories about people we loved, or things that happened to us that affected our lives, things we can laugh about and shed a few tears about... I think storytelling is a way of saying 'I love you. I love you enough to tell you something that means a great deal to me.' " -- Kathryn Tucker Windham

*** Fun Food Ideas

Treats for teachers. To get the year off to a “sweet” start, send the teacher a treat: Caramel Cashew Bars! These are heavenly – buttery and rich. Make them with pecans or walnuts, if you’d rather. They are simple to make and as an added bonus, they can be made ahead of time and frozen.

Cut the bars into squares and fill a cellophane bag with them. Tie the bag in school colors and attach a few No. 2 pencils to the bow.

*** Hit the Highlights – a few choice posts from this month’s blog

Saving the world – first, let’s start with manners.

Epiphany through Billy Ray Cyrus. No, really.

Lucky

Back home

Be the first in your neighborhood to know when fresh blog posts are up! Click on “Follow This Blog” to the right. You’ll be alerted when new content is posted.

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun...

I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

The Secret History by Donna Tartt is one incredible novel. I’m already looking forward to re-reading it.

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher will break your heart. It’s an important book to read.

All the books I read in July.

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year. To learn more, visit www.mississippiwritersguild.com

*** Calendar

Monday, August 1st – My sister in law’s birthday

Friday, August 5th – First day of school

Sunday, August 21st – My other sister in law’s birthday

Thursday, September 1st – Miss. State’s season opener at University of Memphis at 7:00.

Wednesday, September 7th – Jeffrey’s birthday

July Delta Dish

2011-06-29T15:10:00.000-07:00

Volume 7 Issue 6

*** Random Thoughts

I don’t know of any day camp for grownups where we get to make things, like in Vacation Bible School and summer camp. That was always my favorite part. (Least favorite: dodge ball and softball.)

There’s nothing like making something. It’s why I wander around in Michael’s, browsing the paper products alone for an hour: rubber stamps and inks and so many different kinds of paper.

When I saw an article that told how to make marbleized paper (never mind that it was an easy activity for kids – *I* wanted to do it) I pounced.

The Child got home from summer camp this morning. We spent an afternoon in the kitchen swirling colors and dipping paint in them. We tried umpteen combination, every one of them gorgeous. Near the end of the afternoon he said, “I’m so glad you’re my mom and not some other mom.”

Me, too.

I’m thankful for summer afternoons playing. Making something. Maybe a memory, too.

Step by step instructions – it’s so easy and fun – along with pictures here.

Best,
Keetha

You can follow my blogs! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll receive alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quotes

“When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” – Thomas Jefferson

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”- Gouverneur Morris

“You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.”- Erma Bombeck

*** Fun Food Ideas

Planning a cookout or get together to celebrate the Fourth? These cookies are the perfect addition! Soft sugar cookies coated with a sweet, colorful glaze in red, white, and blue are so festive.

It’s tomato time! This tart made with fresh sliced tomatoes, basil, and roasted garlic is one of my favorites.

Another summer favorite: blueberries. We’re lucky enough to fresh, Mississippi-grown blueberries. I’ve frozen them in popsicles

put them in baked French toast for a Father’s Day breakfast

and baked them into muffins.

*** Hit the Highlights – a few choice posts from this month’s blog

Delta flooding

Dreamy getaway

Genteel
I had on sloppy gym shorts and a green Piggy Wiggly t-shirt. It was seven a.m. and a man in a pressed white shirt and tie in a Land Rover passed by. He looked surprised and puzzled but he smiled and waved.

History history everywhere
We all but tripped over history the entire afternoon.

Be the first in your neighborhood to know when fresh blog posts are up! Click on “Follow This Blog” to the right. You’ll be alerted when new content is posted.

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun...

I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

I’ve just now gotten around to reading the Pulitzer-Prize winning A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan.

It was wonderful. "Readers will be pleased to discover that the star-crossed marriage of lucid prose and expertly deployed postmodern switcheroos that helped shoot Egan to the top of the genre-bending new school is alive in well in this graceful yet wild novel." - Publishers Weekly

I read some great books in May, too.

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year. To learn more, visit www.mississippiwritersguild.com

This year's conference is August 5th and 6th in Jackson, Mississippi.

*** Calendar

Book Club - Wednesday, July 27. We're reading Child of God by Cormac McCarthy. Y'all wish me luck with that!

May-June Delta Dish

2011-06-02T04:19:00.000-07:00

Volume 7 Issue 5

*** Random Thoughts

My calendar works just fine. I have no excuse, then, for skipping the May issue of Delta Dish.

I felt like something was missing. I looked around, patted my pockets. I had my keys, my cell phone. I realized it was the entire month; it had gone in a flash.

Summer brain encourages dawdling, gazing at nothing, and daydreaming about fresh peaches and ripe tomatoes.

It’s not an entirely lazy state of mind; summer brain also involves tending a growing vegetable garden, end of school year activities, diving into the new novel I'm working on, and getting time in to think about what all we’ll eat while visiting South Carolina.

For years, I was not a summer person. I still don’t get crazy excited about the extreme heat we’ll suffer for two or three straight months.

But.

I wish I’d realized years ago that summer requires slowing down. Piddling. Spending time in an inefficient manner. Sipping mint iced tea. It’s the only time of year, really, when one can say, “I’m going to the pool for the day! I’ve got lots of lying around, lounging, and lolling about to do. Back later!”

That should be celebrated. That and the fresh squash, the homemade ice cream, the sound of an air conditioner clicking on.

Go summer.

Best,
Keetha

You can follow my blogs! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll receive alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quotes

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time.” - John Lubbock

*** Fun Food Ideas

During the first week of May, I made the cutest cookies for the 3rd grade teachers at my son’s school. They were in the shape of apples, frosted with the amazing wonderful cookie glaze I’ve just discovered.

The cookies were big and went in a cellophane bag. My son signed the tags that hung from the ribbon.

Wouldn’t you think I would have taken a picture? At least one?

Yet I didn’t. The cookies were big hits. The teachers were not expecting it. I may do the same thing when the next school year starts.

Another good one: Watermelon and Sweet Tea Granita.

Talk about refreshing! I made it for my book club last week and it was delicious.

1/4 vanilla bean
1 Tbs. good-quality loose black tea, such as English Breakfast (I used a Lipton tea bag)
2/3 cup boiling water
2 Tbs. granulated sugar
3 cups puréed watermelon (from about 4 cups diced, seeded watermelon)
1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt
Sweetened whipped cream (optional)

Note:
I didn't detect much tea flavor in the finished product. I bet you could use lemonade or other fruit juice in place of the tea, if you don't happen to have any tea on hand.

Split the vanilla bean and scrape out the seeds. Put the vanilla seeds and tea in a small bowl (save the pod for another use). Add the boiling water and steep for 10 minutes. Add the sugar and stir gently to dissolve.

Or just add a bit of vanilla extract to 2/3 cup strong sweet tea.

In a large bowl, combine the watermelon purée, lemon juice, and 1/4 tsp. salt. Strain the tea mixture into the watermelon mixture and stir to combine. Pour into a 9x9-inch metal baking pan, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze. After 1 hour, stir and scrape the mixture with a fork, repeating every 30 to 40 minutes, until the mixture has an icy shard-like consistency, about 3-1/2 hours total.

To serve, scrape the granita into chilled bowls, and top with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream (if using).

*** More from the Kudzu Kitchen:

Incredibly delicious and easy homemade bread with roasted red peppers, sprinkled with thyme and sea salt.

*** Hit the Highlights – a few choice posts from this month’s blog

We got the garden in.

Love the Peabody Hotel.

You’ll never guess who got a bike!

Our two-year wedding anniversary

Be the first in your neighborhood to know when fresh blog posts are up! Click on “Follow This Blog” to the right. You’ll be alerted when new content is posted.

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun...

I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

I had the great fortune to read several good books here lately.

Another was A Homemade Life by Orangette blogger Molly Wizenberg.

From an Amazon.com review: In A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table, Molly Wizenberg recounts a life with the kitchen at its center. From her mother's pound cake, a staple of summer picnics during her childhood in Oklahoma, to the eggs she cooked for her father during the weeks before his death, food and memories are intimately entwined.

I got an advanced reader’s copy of South of Superior, which I really enjoyed.

From the jacket flap: When Madeline Stone walks away from Chicago and moves five hundred miles north to the coast of Lake Superior, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, she isn't prepared for how much her life will change.

April Books here.

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year. To learn more, visit www.mississippiwritersguild.com

*** Calendar

June 14 – Flag Day

June 21 – Summer Solstice

June 29 – Book Club. This month's read is Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt.

April Delta Dish

2011-04-13T07:54:00.000-07:00

Volume 7 Issue 4

*** Random Thoughts

My son told me once that he couldn’t wait until he grew taller than me because then he’d be older than me and he could tell me what to do. He was incredulous when I explained that he may well be taller than me someday but he’d never be older than me.

I added I wouldn’t count on his telling me what to do, either.

When you’re a kid you can’t wait to be a grownup. Candy bars for breakfast, ice cream for dinner, and cartoons nonstop in between!

Wouldn’t it be nice if that’s what being a grownup was about, at least part of the time? The other day I was trying to decide what to have for dinner, running through what was in the freezer and what was in the pantry and I thought, “Didn’t I just do this yesterday?”

There it was: being a grownup in a nutshell. Didn’t I just do this – folding a load of towels, returning books to the library, figuring out what to have for dinner – yesterday and the day before that and the day before that?

Thankfully, most of the time I find contentment in the happy repetition of daily life (although not in unloading the dishwasher). Still, on Fridays when he asks if we can get a snow cone after school, I don’t hesitate. Enjoy being a kid.

Best,
Keetha

You can follow my blogs! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll receive alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quotes

“Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life.” - S.D. Gordon

*** Fun Food Ideas

Goodies for Easter:

Easter egg sugar cookies!

Bake cupcakes that have a fun swirled cake batter topped with spring-colored cream cheese icing.

*** Hit the Highlights – a few choice posts from this month’s blog

Getting ready for the garden

P90X Update

You can go home again

Multi-tasking is sorely overrated

My grandfather's garden

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun...

I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

I must be living right: I have read so many great books lately.

West of Here is one of the best novels I’ve read in a while.

Our book club’s pick for April is Crooked Letter Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin. I finished it in one day; it was so compelling that I couldn’t put it down.

Last month I got to hear author Andre DuBus do a reading at Turnrow Books. I bought a copy of his memoir, Townie, which is excellent. "Searing" is the word many reviewers use to describe it.

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year.

*** Calendar

April 10th – 16th – National Library Week

Sunday, April 17 – Palm Sunday

Sunday, April 24 – Easter Sunday

March 2011

2011-03-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

Volume 7 Issue 3

*** Random Thoughts

Earlier this year when I bought my new calendar and notebooks, I decided that at the beginning of each month, I could try to recapture that feeling that comes at the beginning of the year. The optimism, the sense that anything can happen, this could be your year! And lots of other phrases from self-help books.

That worked remarkably well for January. Come February, I forgot about it until well into the first week of the month.

Ditto for March. But since I love lists and planning, I’m trying to capitalize on that nerdy quirk. Make it work for me. I used to think that if I could focus, I’d be dangerous I’d get so much done. So I’m trying to put my money where my mouth is.

Anyone have any tips to share that help keep you on task?

Also, welcome to the new subscribers! I hope you enjoy.

Best,
Keetha

You can follow my blogs! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll receive alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quotes

“When I bought my farm, I did not know what a bargain I had in the bluebirds, daffodils and thrushes; as little did I know what sublime mornings and sunsets I was buying.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

***Now for something completely different.

I put together a PDF with a few Mardi-Gras-inspired recipes. I will figure out how to post it online so you can download it. In the meantime, if you’d like a copy, just email me at kudzuuu at gmail dot com and I’ll send it to you!

*** Fun Food Ideas

Garden, garden, garden is on the brain. Our zucchini seeds aren’t even in the ground yet and I’m already excited about grilling slices of zucchini. So much so that I’m going out and buying some zucchini so I can make this hors d’oeuvres for a wedding shower we’re hosting later this month.

Grilled Zucchini Rolls with Herbs and Cheese
From The Food You Crave: Luscious Recipes for a Healthy Life by Ellie Krieger

3 zucchini (about 1/2 pound each), sliced lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/8 teaspoon salt
Pinch freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 ounces reduced-fat soft goat's cheese
1 tablespoon freshly minced parsley leaves
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
2 cups baby spinach leaves
1/3 cup basil leaves

Discard the outermost slices of zucchini and brush the rest of the slices with the oil on both sides. Season with salt and pepper. Place on a preheated grill or grill pan for about 4 minutes on each side, or until tender.

In a small bowl combine the goat cheese, parsley leaves and lemon juice, mashing with a fork.

Put 1/2 teaspoon of the cheese mixture about 1/2-inch from the end of a zucchini slice. Top with a few spinach leaves and 1 small, or half of a large basil leaf. Roll up and place seam side down on a platter. Repeat with the rest of the zucchini slices.

Homemade salad dressings sound so fancy but they are a snap to make.

I happened upon this recipe for a tangy Ginger Sesame Dressing that I love. It makes a great sauce for grilled chicken or shrimp or tossed with vegetables and pasta. And, of course, SALAD.

Ginger Sesame Dressing

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
2 tablespoons peeled and minced ginger
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Combine all the ingredients in a blender. Add 2 tablespoons of water. Process until smooth.

*** Hit the Highlights – a few choice posts from this month’s blog

I want some hushpuppies RIGHT NOW.

That time we got stuck on an elevator in Memphis and the fire department showed up to pry the doors open so we could escape

Looking around Memphis.

Be the first in your neighborhood to know when fresh blog posts are up! Click on “Follow This Blog” to the right. You’ll be alerted when new content is posted.

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun...

I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman is great!

It’s about an English-language newspaper in Rome, with each chapter telling a story from a different person’s view.

The books I read last month.

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year. To learn more, visit www.mississippiwritersguild.com

*** Calendar

Wednesday, March 9th – Book club.

This month’s pick is The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown.

Sunday, March 13th – Spring forward. Grrrrrrr.

Tuesday, March 15th - The Ides of March. Beware.

Thursday, March 17th – St Patrick’s Day

February 2011

2011-02-11T10:52:00.000-08:00

Volume 7 Issue 2

*** Random Thoughts

I am a goober for Valentine’s Day. As a teenager, I flipped through issues of Victoria magazine (no, really)
and swoon over the romantic images: petit fours and iced sugar cookies, doilies, ice skating. Even now, I try to pick up the February issue of Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion for its bright, cheery heart montages. It’s happy stuff.

February also means Mardi Gras to me (even if it happens to fall in March this year). We hosted supper club this month with a Mardi-Gras themed dinner and had a big ole time. There’s nothing like the Crescent City for good food and good times.

I hope you’re staying warm and snug.

Best,
Keetha

You can follow my blogs! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll receive alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quote

“Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.” – Vincent Van Gogh

*** Fun Food Ideas

Chocolate Cherry Brownies

Espresso Chocolate Shortbread

The Farm Chicks had a cute and easy idea for a Valentine’s gift.

*** Hit the Highlights – a few choice posts from this month’s blog

Getting in Mardi Gras early

Celebrating

Why I like looking around

Better late to the high-tech party than never

Me and P90X

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun...

I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

Books I read last month.

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said

He asked me what I used to want to be when I grew up. I told him a Broadway dancer.

“Whoa. REALLY? Like after you had me?”

“No, this was like when I was about your age.”

A couple of minutes later, said half to himself:

“That is so cool that you wanted to do that.”

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year. To learn more, visit www.mississippiwritersguild.com

*** Calendar

Wednesday, February 16th – Book club. Selection: Blood for Molasses

Monday, February 14th – St. Valentine’s Day

Monday, February 21st – President’s Day

Also this month – time to start thinking about the garden!

2011 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

January 2011

2011-01-12T10:34:00.000-08:00

Volume 7 Issue 1

*** Random Thoughts

I hope the new is still on your year. I love January, when anything seems possible. On any given day, of course, anything IS possible, but this month we tend to talk about goals and what we hope for and we’re looking for, more than at any other time of year.

That optimism is good, don’t you think?

Irony and cynicism and disdain are so fashionable these days that high hopes and good thoughts are a welcome change. So yay for the new year.

I have high hopes and good thoughts for *you* for the new year. I hope for the best for you in 2011. Dream big!

Best,
Keetha

You can follow my blogs! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll receive alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quotes

“Be intent upon the perfection of the present day.” -- William Law

"If you dream of something worth doing and then simply go to work on it and don’t think anything of personalities, or emotional conflicts, or of money, or of family distractions; if you just think of, detail by detail, what you have to do next, it is a wonderful dream even if the end is a long way off, for there are about five thousand steps to be taken before we realize it; and start making the first ten, and stay making twenty after, it is amazing how quickly you get through those five thousand steps.” – As said by inventor Edwin Land, taken from the book about him, “Insisting on the Impossible.”

*** Fun Food Ideas

Thank goodness for Southern Living magazine. That’s where I got this recipe (I tore it from the magazine ages ago and just got around to trying it). It’s a winner: homemade macaroni and cheese with pimentos that has two big things going for it: 1) Easy and 2) Delicious.

Skillet Macaroni and Cheese

This is a marvel - a rich, creamy cheese sauce that is made from low-fat milk. No butter, no cream, and it is so very good.

1/2 (16-oz.) package penne pasta*
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups 1% low-fat milk
1 cup (4 oz.) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 (4-oz.) jar diced pimiento, drained
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Pinch of paprika

*(Can substitute ½ of a 13/5-oz package of whole grain penne pasta.)

1. Prepare pasta according to package directions.

2. Whisk together flour and 1/4 cup milk. Add flour mixture to remaining milk, whisking until smooth.

3. Bring milk mixture to a boil in a large skillet over medium heat; reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, whisking constantly, 3 to 5 minutes or until smooth. Stir in cheese and next 4 ingredients until smooth. Stir in pasta, and cook 1 minute or until thoroughly heated. Serve immediately.

Easy Skillet Green Chile Mac 'n' Cheese: Substitute 1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Monterey Jack cheese for Cheddar cheese and 1 (4-oz.) can chopped green chiles, undrained, for diced pimiento. Proceed with recipe as directed.

Per serving: Calories 251; Fat 7.3g (sat 4.6g, mono 0.2g, poly 0.1g); Protein 11.6g; Carb 34.1g; Fiber 1.5g; Chol 22mg; Iron 1.7mg; Sodium 491mg; Calc 229mg

Hearty, warm, and easy:
Sausage, Beans, & Greens Stew

The original recipe called for kale, which our local store didn’t have so we used spinach. Spinach tastes nothing like kale, of course, but that’s what we did, and it was good!

1-1/2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (1-1/2 cups)
1 medium carrot, peeled and finely chopped (3/4 cup)
1 medium celery stalk, finely chopped (3/4 cup)
1-1/2 tsp. minced fresh rosemary
2 Tbs. tomato paste
2 large cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbs.)
1 quart homemade or lower-salt chicken or vegetable broth
Two 15-oz. cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
6 oz. Lacinato kale, center ribs removed, leaves chopped (about 4 firmly packed cups) OR 4 cups of fresh spinach
1 Parmigiano-Reggiano rind (1x3 inches; optional – we did not use because we did not happen to have a 1x3-inch rind of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese lying around)
1-1/2 tsp. cider vinegar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2/3 lb. sweet or hot bulk Italian sausage, rolled into bite-size meatballs

Heat 1 Tbs. of the oil in a 4- to 5-quart pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and rosemary and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 6 minutes. Add the tomato paste and garlic and cook until fragrant, 45 seconds. Add the broth, beans, greens, and Parmigiano rind (if using). Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium low, and simmer gently until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1/2 Tbs. oil in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add the sausage meatballs, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes.

Add the sausage to the soup and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cook 5 minutes more to meld the flavors. Stir the cider vinegar into the soup and season to taste with salt and pepper.

The broth was so good. We used homemade chicken stock, and that may have been why. This soup was easy, inexpensive, and really tasty.

The next time we make we're going to make a few changes:

- andouille sausage. We used mild Italian and the soup could have used a little more flavor. Plus I don't like fennel at all, which the Italian sausage had in it.
- um, kale, as the recipe calls for, if we can find it anywhere.
- possibly dried beans instead of canned.

Calories: 430; Fat (g): 18; Fat Calories (kcal): 160; Saturated Fat (g): 5; Protein (g): 20; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 9; Carbohydrates (g): 48; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 3; Sodium (mg): 1160; Cholesterol (mg): 25; Fiber (g): 12;

If you like food blogs, and WHO DOESN’T, visit SimpliFried for recipes and tips, all of which are very doable and easy. None of the guilt-inducing things you may find other places (cough MarthaStewart cough). Erin, the site author, seems to thrive on simplicity and being organized. Just going to her web sites make me feel good.

Also in the Kudzu Kitchen:

Italian Braised Chicken with Green Beans and Olives (although we left out the olives and it was still delicious)

*** Hit the Highlights – a few choice posts from this month’s blog

New calendar, new notebooks...love it!

My word for this year.

Auld Lang Syne

Be the first in your neighborhood to know when fresh blog posts are up! Visit http://writekudzu.blogspot.com and click on “Follow This Blog” to the right, about midway down the page. You’ll be alerted when a new content is posted. It’s fast and no cost, of course.

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun...

I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

After getting the book last year for Christmas, I vowed to read The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin each January. It’s the perfect book for starting out the new year.

Yester day I finished The Likeness by Tana French and it was incredible. I’m going to the library today to check out her books. From The Booklist review: “The Likeness has everything: memorable characters, crisp dialogue, shrewd psychological insight, mounting tension, a palpable sense of place, and wonderfully evocative, painterly prose.”

The books I read last month.

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said

He asked me what I thought I might become when I grow up. I was thinking that I feel pretty well grown up as it is.

I said I’d like to be novelist. He nodded.

Then his face brightened. “Or! You could work at McDonald’s!”

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year.

The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape.

*** Calendar

Friday, January 21st – my birthday. But you already had it marked on your calendar, right?

2011 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

December 2010

2010-12-01T10:15:00.000-08:00

Volume 6 Issue 12

*** Random Thoughts

Every year I say this year I will not be rushed. I will not be stressed. I will enjoy the holiday season. I will bake cookies and I will sing Christmas carols and I will, by golly, enjoy it.

Being busy is part and parcel of the holiday season. I aim to be joyful and that usually works.

Failing that, I think about how some of the things I try to squeeze into Christmas I may can transfer to other times of year. Instead of trays of goodies for friends, maybe I’ll gift them with platters of chicken salad and pimento cheese this summer.

Here’s hoping we all can enjoy a quiet moment with family. Admire the tree. Sing “Joy to the World” and mean it. Eat well and laugh long.

Merry Christmas.

Best,
Keetha

You can follow my blogs! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll receive alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quotes

“It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.” - W. T. Ellis

*** Fun Food Ideas

Easy Side – Roasted Green Beans

Simple and tasty, Roasted Green Beans are the thing if you need a quick side dish.

Preheat the oven to about 400 degrees. Arrange fresh green beans (about one pound or so) in a single layer on a baking sheet. Top with a chopped onion, yellow or white, your choice. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Put in the oven and that's it! Stir a few times and let roast for 20 to 25 minutes.

Any leftovers can be folded into a pasta dish the next night.

**** Holiday Foods

If you need a gift for teachers or a hostess, something tasty from the kitchen is sure to be a hit.

Peanut Butter Fudge

3 cups sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup (1/2 of a stick) of butter (do not substitute)
1 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
1 teaspoon vanilla
chopped peanuts (optional)

Lightly butter a 10 to 12” round dish and set aside.

Using a candy thermometer, cook sugar, buttermilk, and butter over medium heat until mixture reaches soft boil stage. Remove from heat and add the peanut butter and vanilla. Beat until the peanut butter is dissolved and mixture is slightly thick.

Pour into prepared dish. If you like you can sprinkle chopped peanuts and lightly press them down. Let set up and cut into squares.

http://kudzukitchen.blogspot.com/2008/12/peanut-butter-fudge-aka-best-easiest.html

*** More gift ideas from the kitchen

Some of the favorite presents I give are ones that come from the kitchen.

Two criteria: things that can be made ahead of time and things that are useful. Filling up the belly is useful, right?

-- Most everyone loves cookies. You can mix up a batch of your favorite cookie dough – sugar cookie dough, peanut butter cookie dough, Butterfinger candy bar cookie dough – and rather than baking the cookies, shape the cookie dough into a log shape. Wrap it in parchment paper or wax paper and label. If you want to, get creative with the label and have fun with it. Otherwise, neat print with a Sharpie marker works fine. Either way, the recipient will have a roll of cookie dough in the freezer, ready to slice and bake any time she gets a craving for warm, homemade cookies.

-- A batch of soup is also a great idea, because the giftee can eat it right away or can freeze it. Most soups (except cream-based ones) can be easily frozen. This is an ideal time of year to make chili or gumbo or beef stew anyway, so the next time you do, double the recipe and have enough for a gift or two.

Gumbo
You can label it with thawing and heating instructions. You could include bread (rolls, cornbread, garlic bread) for freezing along side it.

-- Toasted pecans are another welcome gift, and they are a snap to make. Toasting nuts – pecans, hazelnuts, walnuts – really brings out the flavor.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread out nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and dot with butter. Or you can melt butter and drizzle it on top – whichever you’d rather. You can lightly sprinkle nuts with salt, or leave it out. You can also sprinkle nuts with a bit of Cajun seasoning and a bit of dark brown sugar. Butter, salt, no salt, seasoned or not, slide the baking sheet in the oven and let nuts roast for about 10 minutes, stirring about halfway through. The minute you begin to smell the nuts toasting, take them out so they don’t scorch. Let cool completely. Pour them in a cellophane bag and tie with holiday ribbon. Attach a Christmas ornament if you want and you have a tasty hostess gift.

*** Hit the Highlights – a few choice posts from this month’s blog

We celebrate the holidays old school style
http://www.keetha.com/2010/11/opposite-of-fancy.html

My guest essay on the web site, Quest for Kindness:

Playing with watercolors

I love my little town.

Decked out.

I got in my car and drove over the Christmas gifts.

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

A few weeks ago I read a collection of essays by Larry Brown, Billy Ray’s Farm: Essays from a Place Called Tula. What a great read. Two stories in, I was not believing – all over again – that Larry Brown is dead. Halfway through I began reading slower to draw out the essays.

All the books I read last month.

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said

He had a part in our church’s Christmas program. I watched him sing solo, I listened to him do the reading. He was self-assured and at ease. He didn’t seem to be nervous or teased to be in front of the entire church. The difference from last year is remarkable. Gulp. He’s growing up.

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year.

The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape.

*** Calendar

December 25th – Christmas

2010 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

November 2010

2010-11-01T09:24:00.000-07:00

Volume 6 Issue 11

*** Random Thoughts

It’s unkind to play favorites but I think Thanksgiving may be my favorite holiday. For the longest Christmas was: time with family, Christmas carols, sugar cookies, the tree, the tradition, the food, and the Savior’s birth.

I still love Christmas. But as I get older, Thanksgiving has taken on more meaning. It’s a quieter holiday with such an earnest little purpose: to give thanks. I love that. I have more blessings than I could name. A day set aside to reflect on blessings and give thanks for them, that’s a good and wondrous thing.

From a more practical standpoint, Thanksgiving is hassle-free when compared to Christmas. It requires little decoration besides a pretty table. There is one day of cooking, one joyous day. It makes me appreciate the day more, having just the one to savor and celebrate.

Thanksgiving feels like a cozy, simple day. It puts me in mind of cozy houses perched on gentle hills with smoke rising from their chimneys, of men in warm caps running to the grocery store for one more can of pumpkin, of kitchens full of good smells and laughter.

Best,
Keetha

You can follow my blogs! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll receive alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quotes

“Thanksgiving is the holiday of peace, the celebration of work and the simple life... a true folk-festival that speaks the poetry of the turn of the seasons, the beauty of seedtime and harvest, the ripe product of the year - and the deep, deep connection of all these things with God.” – Ray Stannard Baker

"A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made. The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air." - Eric Sloane

*** The Thanksgiving Table

The best turkey ever. I don’t mean to brag, but really, it is The Best Turkey Ever. We first made this last year for Thanksgiving. Two days later, my brother asked Jeffrey if he would roast another one for Christmas, and a tradition was born.

The recipe comes from the Food Network (Chef Alex and Aaron Sanchez made it). The brine includes honey, soy sauce, sage, molasses, and garlic. Besides brining, the recipe requires little else – just stuffing softened butter mixed with fresh lemon zest under the skin before roasting it.

Brown Sugar & Pecan Brussels Sprouts

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

Praline Pumpkin Torte

Miniature Pumpkin Pies with Streusel Topping and Vanilla Buttercream

*** Weeknight Meals

Beef Ragu Over Spaghetti Squash

Loaded Alfredo, a healthy – really – and tasty version of the traditional favorite.

Shrimp Fra Diavolo

*** Hit the Highlights - a few choice blog posts from last month:

Meditation on morning coffee

Savor this time of year

I love the State Fair

Fall bridal shower

Freezer Reorganized

Finally, there’s this:

It’s a wonder that I’ve slept at all since then.

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun...

I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

Tim Gautreaux’s “The Missing” is one of the finest novels I have read. A reviewer on Amazon said it best:

“... he takes us for a lengthy ride on a ramshackle entertainment steamboat, making music and discovering his personal depths as he searches for a stolen child and his long-lost family. From small children to rotting-alive villains, everyone is real; … This is, quite simply, as good as it gets when it comes to quality fiction.”

If you haven’t yet read “In the Sanctuary of Outcasts” by Neil White, probably you should. White taught a writing workshop I participated in this summer, when I picked up a copy. I started on it a couple of weeks ago and finished it within days.

From Booklist:
“White was a successful magazine publisher in 1993 when he was convicted of fraud and check kiting and sentenced to prison in Carville, Louisiana. He knew he was facing 18 months without his wife and two young children; he knew his enormous ego and ambition had landed him in prison; he knew he had to figure out a way to save his marriage and somehow rebound financially. What he didn’t know was that the isolated 100-year-old facility at Carville was home to a leper colony of 130 patients.”

Last month I read Ernest Hemingway’s “A Moveable Feast.” It’s a quick read with fascinating glances into 1920s Paris, as well as into the lives of the author as well as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, James Joyce.

Books I read last month are here.

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said

Him: Guess what?

Me: Chicken butt.

Him: MOM. That’s not even funny. Why do you think that’s funny?

(Not so much adorable as it is a sign of the times. When I was his age, my brother and I found “chicken butt” to be hysterical. Have things changed that much? I fear they have.)

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year.

The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape.

*** Calendar

November 13 – My son’s birthday! The last of the single-digits birthdays.

November 25 – Thanksgiving

2010 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

October 2010

2010-10-01T09:23:00.000-07:00

Volume 6 Issue 10

*** Random Thoughts

I like to rake leaves. It’s one of the hallmarks of fall that I find myself thinking about during the hottest days of July.

After hibernating indoors to escape the heat, being outside again and moving around under a blue sky seems like a rebirth of sorts. The repetitive movements free my mind to wander while I do something productive. WIN-WIN

I love the way the leaves smell. Fall leaves smell the same, just as they did when I was a kid, jumping into a pile or diving to the ground while playing a game of touch football in the backyard.

Kind of like the sound of acorns plunking onto the rooftop at night, the way leaves smell doesn’t change yet takes me by surprise each year.

Best,
Keetha

You can follow my blogs! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll receive alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quotes

"Autumn begins with a subtle change in the light, with skies a deeper blue, and nights that become suddenly clear and chilled. The season comes full with the first frost, the disappearance of migrant birds, and the harvesting of the season's last crops." - Glenn Wolff and Jerry Dennis

*** Fun Food Idea

Halloween Cupcakes! Click here for instructions.

Black & Orange Cookies - click here for instructions.

Easy idea for a fall “happy”:

*** Hit the Highlights - a few choice blog posts from last month:

My great-grandmothers probably thought they had it easy in comparison to their mothers.

Any reason to celebrate this time of year.

A big part of the movie version of “The Help” was filmed in Greenwood, Miss.

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun...

I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

I finished Georgia's Kitchen by Jenny Nelson last week - what a delight! The book is a valentine to cooking, to life in New York City, and the joys of Italy.

Since it’s near Halloween, this may be appropriate: If you’re in the mood for grisly and disturbing, try “The Girl With the Dragoon Tattoo.” Have you read it? Had anyone warned you ahead of time how terrifically violent it was?

Books I read last month.

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said

He won two goldfish at the Tupelo Fair and was trying to decide on names for them.

Me: How about Elvis and Priscilla?

Him: Mom. I was thinking something more, you know, this century, not like the nineteen-hundred-whatevers.

Me: Thought but did not say out loud: “Fine. Come up with your own names. Justin and Britney. WHATEVER.”

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year.

The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape.

*** Calendar

Saturday, October 16 – National Book Day

Saturday, October 23 – Mississippi State’s Homecoming game against University of Alabama at Birmingham

Sunday, October 31 – Halloween

*** Reminders and Unsubscribe Info.

If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, simply send an email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line to kudzuuu at gmail dot com - we’ll miss you but won’t harass you about staying or coming back.

2010 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

September 2010

2010-09-01T09:22:00.000-07:00

Volume 6 Issue 9

*** Random Thoughts

This was the year of my first garden. When I say my first garden, I mean it’s the first one I’ve ever attempted. It’s certainly not Jeffrey’s first garden. It also is certainly not MY garden, as in I’m the one who did the work. Because I’m not; Jeffrey tilled the soil, got the plants and seeds. Jeffrey remembered to water and fertilizer the garden. Good thing, as those are the little bitty gardening details I tend to forget for days at a time.

It’s easy, then, for me to say how easy the garden was. I don’t know what I thought gardening was but whatever I thought, it has been way less trouble than I had imagined.

Given the state of the economy, anything that seems frugal, homespun, and an efficient use of resources also seems like a good idea.

As much as I’ve enjoyed having a garden – we’re already talking about what we’ll plant when and where next year – I can’t say it’s really saved us money. Its value has been in our eating more fresh produce than usual. I wouldn’t have gone out and bought grape tomatoes to add to our salads or to oven-dry to use in place of sundried tomatoes. Since we had an abundance of grape tomatoes, I used them.

Recipes I may not otherwise have tried, such as tomato tart, pesto, and roasted tomato sauce, I made because I had one of the ingredients – fresh basil – on hand. If not for growing fresh herbs at our doorstep getting fresh basil would mean a trip to a large grocery store 30 miles away.

It’s been fun, too, drying sage to use in Thanksgiving dressing and drying basil to add to hearty marinara sauces this winter. We’ve enjoyed clipping rosemary to use when grilling pork tenderloin or a sprig or two of thyme when we’re roasting a whole chicken.

When we grilled the two eggplants our plants produced, that was about the best grilled eggplant I’ve ever had, simply because it came from our garden. I was aware of that with every bite.

We had a late-summer bumper crop of bell peppers. They came in all at once, smallish, globe-shaped bell peppers that look little like the ones in grocery stores besides their color. We picked them when they were ripe, chopped them up, and froze. When we make gumbo this winter we’ll have fresh-frozen chopped bell pepper to use. They taste different, too: full of big pepper flavor, nothing like the ones in the grocery store produce sections.

I love these revelations, these tastes, and these flavors. The fun of digging hands into the dirt to plant, the thrill of watching them grow, the delight in preparing something and eating something from our garden…that’s where the value and the worth comes in.

Best,
Keetha

You can follow my blogs! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll receive alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quotes

“If a doctor, lawyer, or dentist had 40 people in his office at one time, all of whom had different needs, and some of whom didn't want to be there and were causing trouble, and the doctor, lawyer, or dentist, without assistance, had to treat them all with professional excellence for nine months, then he might have some conception of the classroom teacher's job.” - Donald D. Quinn

*** Fun Food Idea

Parmesan Crusted Tilapia

Everybody liked this. If you have little ones who like strips or nuggets better, just cut the fillets to the size you need.

3-4 tilapia filets, depending on size
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1/2 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Pepper
Olive oil

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder in a pie plate. Or a regular plate, or any old dish that is shallow and big enough to hold a tilapia fillet.

Pour the lemon juice into another pie plate. Dip a fillet into the lemon juice, then sprinkle with a bit of pepper. Dredge fillet in the Parmesan mixture, turning to coat.

Repeat with the remaining fillets. Place each in an oiled baking dish. Sprinkle a little lemon juice over the fillets. Drizzle them with a bit of olive oil.

Bake for about 20 minutes, or until fish easily flakes and edges are browning.

Other dishes in the Kudzu Kitchen - namely, a trio of cakes:

German chocolate cake

Coconut cake

Chocolate cake with coffee meringue icing

*** Pass It On

If there’s someone you think would enjoy this newsletter, please forward this issue in its entirety. Email me at kudzuuu at gmail dot com to subscribe.

*** Hit the Highlights - a few choice blog posts from last month:

Just think if they harnessed that thought power for good instead

Fruit of the day

Lots of stories from the Miss. Writers Guild conference in Vicksburg

Love that alligator

Be the first in your neighborhood to know when fresh blog posts are up! Click on “Follow This Blog” to the right, about midway down the page. You’ll be alerted when a new content is posted. It’s fast and no cost, of course.

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun…

I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

Author Haven Kimmel has a new fan in me; I read A Girl Named Zippy and laughed – out loud – through much of it.

I also enjoyed Simply from Scratch by Alicia Bessette. "Newcomer Alicia Bessette has written a love-letter of a novel. There's enough warmth here to fill your house on the coldest night. You'll wish you knew these people, this world." - Justin Cronin, author of The Passage

Books I read last month here.

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said

The Husband and child were playing around, joking, and carrying on. The Child told him, “You’re crazy.”

I said, “Crazy like a fox.” We explained what ‘crazy like a fox’ meant.

A few days later they were talking and The Child told him, “You’re smart like a wolf.”

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year.

The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape.

*** Calendar

Thursday, September 23 - FIRST DAY OF AUTUMN. And not a moment too soon.

*** Reminders and Unsubscribe Info.

If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, simply send an email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line to kudzuuu at gmail dot com - we’ll miss you but won’t harass you about staying or coming back.

2010 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

August 2010

2010-08-01T09:22:00.000-07:00

Volume 6 Issue 8

*** Random Thoughts

A few weeks ago, my husband and I spent several hours hanging pictures. Since we moved in this house last September (10 months ago if anyone is counting) we have had three moving boxes of pictures stored in the hall closet. Every morning I’d see those boxes when I opened the closet to get out my exercise mat.

“We’ve got to get those pictures hung,” I told myself each time.

This winter I had the presence of mind to order prints of some of my husband’s family photos – pictures of him and his sister when they were children, black and white photos of hi s grandparents, a picture of his grandfather in front of the Pure Oil gas station he owned in Hollandale. A couple of years before we met, I had a wall of pictures like this of my family. I wanted to blend those with those of his families and combine them all with photographs of us together.

A couple of months ago, I made a bold step: I moved the boxes out of the closet and dragged them in the family room where I’d see them several times a day. I thought having those moving boxes sitting around, polluting the living space, would get on my nerves so much that I’d tackle those pictures right away.

That didn’t work.

Two weekends ago, for whatever reason, the mood struck. We replaced frames, replaced photographs. Moved photos to different frames, moved them back. Then the husband got out the tape measure, yard stick, and pencil. It took the better part of three hours but we now have a family wall of photos.

A photograph of my husband, child, and me is at the center with a mix of pictures of our families, past and present, surrounding us.

I’m finding that I wander through the room for no reason except to look at the photos.

I look at them and enjoy them.

Best,
Keetha

You can follow my blogs! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll receive alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quotes

“He who does not get fun and enjoyment out of every day … needs to reorganize his life.” — George Matthew Adams

*** Fun Food Idea

School started last week (August 5th; can you believe it). Broiled salmon and roasted broccoli is an easy and really tasty weeknight dinner.

Salmon with Lemon and Maple Glaze

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon canola oil
4 (6-ounce) skinless salmon fillets
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Cooking spray

Combine first 4 ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add fish to bag; seal. Refrigerate 10 minutes, turning bag once.

Preheat broiler.

Remove fish from bag, reserving marinade. Place marinade in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH 1 minute.

Heat a large ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle fish evenly with salt and pepper. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add fish to pan; cook 3 minutes. Turn fish over. Brush marinade evenly over fish. Broil 3 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork or until desired degree of doneness.

My current favorite side dish:

Parmesan Roasted Broccoli with Pine Nuts
Adapted from Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics – Ina Garten

2 to 3 pounds broccoli
3 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon or lime zest
4 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 tablespoon basil, julienned
Salt and pepper to season

Wash broccoli and chop the florets off. Save the rest for vegetable stock or what have you.

Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until they are lightly toasted. It takes only a few minutes so stay close.

Preheat the oven to 425°F.

Place the broccoli in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle with a tablespoon or two of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes.

Remove the broccoli from the oven and toss with lemon zest, remaining olive oil, pine nuts, and chopped basil.

Serves about 4. I add any leftovers to a salad the next day.

*** Pass It On

If there’s someone you think would enjoy this newsletter, please forward this issue in its entirety. Email me at kudzuuu at gmail dot com to subscribe.

*** Hit the Highlights - a few choice blog posts from last month:

Maybe now I can join a bowling league.

The first blog I ever read.

Real books v. digital books

Be the first in your neighborhood to know when fresh blog posts are up! Click on “Follow This Blog” to the right, about midway down the page. You’ll be alerted when a new content is posted. It’s fast and no cost, of course.

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun…

I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

“Bone Appetit” is by Mississippi native Carolyn Haines. The 10th in a series of books that takes place in the Mississippi Delta, this one is set in Greenwood.

Katie Crouch’s second novel, “Men and Dogs,” is another one of my favorites. I’ll be looking for more by her.

Books read in July.

Some of my favorite books read over the last 12 months.

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said

The child and my mother were in Jackson the other day to see a movie. Mom needed to run in a few shops. Text I got from my son:

"Mom now we're going to bed baths. And beyond."

Another one:

Him: How old are you?

Me: Thirty eight.

Him: Great! You’re just one 10 from sixteen!

Me: I’m more like two 10s and then some from having been sixteen.

Him: Oh.

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year. This year's conference is August 6-7, 2010 in Vicksburg.

The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape.

*** Calendar

Saturday, September 4 – Miss. State season opener at home against Memphis.

Monday, September 6 – Labor Day

Tuesday, September 7 – Jeffrey’s birthday

Thursday, September 9 – MSU v. Auburn in Starkville

*** Reminders and Unsubscribe Info.

If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, simply send an email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line to kudzuuu at gmail dot com - we’ll miss you but won’t harass you about staying or coming back.

2010 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

July 2010

2010-07-01T09:21:00.000-07:00

Volume 6 Issue 7

*** Random Thoughts

My brother can’t tolerate the phrase “same difference.” It can’t be the same if it’s different!

That’s the way I used to feel about “youth is wasted on the young.” It’s nonsensical.

Isn’t it?

Especially when I was little, people would tell me that the older they get, the faster time goes by. This usually followed their explaining that no, you can’t have the ballet princess Barbie, maybe for your birthday; that’s ONLY four months away.

To a child, a child who wants ballet princess Barbie, four months was an impossibly long time.

When I tried to explain this to whatever adult had said that, she’d laugh and be cheery: “Before you know it, you’ll be older and time will get away from you like you wouldn’t believe.”

Or maybe it’d be a more wistful, “Let me tell you, child, the older you get the faster time flies. I just can’t believe –“ and the voice would trail off. Possibly I’d just stop listening. Either way, the impact was the same – sadness was afoot and more importantly, no one understood my need for the ballet princess Barbie!

I hear myself saying this – out loud, to myself – about time! Flying! It’s true that thing about youth being wasted on the young. All that time, what felt like big expanses of time. Days crawled by. They piddled and dawdled. Days took forever. I’d like one of those, please: a big, long day to pass as slowly as we wish.

As it is I can hardly believe it’s July. School starts in less than a month.

Best,
Keetha

You can follow my blogs! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll receive alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quotes

“Summer makes me drowsy.” – Dorothy Parker

*** Fun Food Idea

Possibly the best thing I’ve eaten all summer: Tomato Tart.

And I don’t like tomatoes. Or I didn’t used to, anyway.

For Tomato Tart:

pie pastry
1 garlic bulb
1/2 teaspoon olive oil
1 1/2 cups shredded fontina cheese, divided
handful fresh basil leaves
2 to 3 tomatoes tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

For the pie pastry, make your own if you are so inclined.

The recipe I use is my mom's:
Combine a cup of all purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Cut in 1/2 cup shortening (it's not a bad idea to refrigerate the shortening first) and add ice-cold water, one tablespoon at a time. Stir with a fork until the dough forms a ball. Roll out on lightly floured surface.

Or use a refrigerated pie pastry.

Either way, press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch square tart pan (the kind with a removable bottom although you could bake this in a 9-inch round pie pan, too). Bake for about 8 minutes or until lightly golden.

Cut off the top of a bulb of garlic and place it on a square of aluminum foil. Drizzle garlic bulb with olive oil and fold in aluminum foil to seal.

Bake for 35 minutes. Unwrap garlic and let cool. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves onto the bottom of the baked piecrust. Smear it around and moan about how good it smells.

Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.

Sprinkle 1/2 cup fontina cheese over the roasted garlic.

Slice the tomatoes and place on folded paper towels. Sprinkle the tomato slices with salt and pepper and let sit for 10 minutes. The tomatoes look so pretty just like that.

Arrange tomato slices over shredded cheese. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese.

Bake for 45 minutes or until tart is lightly browned.

Eat and enjoy warm or at room temperature. Good stuff!

*** Pass It On

If there’s someone you think would enjoy this newsletter, please forward this issue in its entirety. Email me at kudzuuu at gmail dot com to subscribe.

*** Hit the Highlights - a few choice blog posts from last month:

The Divining Wand interviewed me

then let me do a guest post!

Speaking of back to school, teachers are the best

Summer breezes, front porches

Honeybees

I am big enough to admit when I'm wrong. I now love tomatoes. There. I said it.

Be the first in your neighborhood to know when fresh blog posts are up! Click on “Follow This Blog” to the right, about midway down the page. You’ll be alerted when a new content is posted. It’s fast and no cost, of course.

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun…

I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

If you haven’t yet discovered southern author Joshilyn Jackson, check out Backseat Saints. I read it in about four days. It’s one of the best books I’ve read this year.

More of the books I read in June

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said

(Talking about a friend's mother:)

She's really nice and a good cooker, too! She's almost 'xactly like you. Only she's not quite so interested in books.

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year. This year's conference is August 6-7, 2010 in Vicksburg.

The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape.

*** Calendar

August 6 & 7 – Miss. Writers Guild Conference

*** Reminders and Unsubscribe Info.

If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, simply send an email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line to kudzuuu at gmail dot com - we’ll miss you but won’t harass you about staying or coming back.

2010 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

June 2010

2010-06-01T09:20:00.000-07:00

Volume 6 Issue 6

*** Random Thoughts

I had vacation head. We got in from Charleston, South Carolina around 8:00 p.m. on Memorial Day. The next day at work I was sluggish and slow-moving, like my mind was still half in Charleston.

My mind was here, kind of, but my feet were still walking down cobblestone sidewalks and side streets, on our way to a low country cooking class or to pick out a t-shirt to bring home to our son or ambling along, taking photos.

You know how you feel when you’ve been on a boat all day and you walk around on dry land and it feels…funny? And when you’re trying to get to sleep at night you could swear everything is moving, just the way the boat on the water did? That’s what I felt like.

That Tuesday morning before going to work, I made a salad and chopped up some strawberries for lunch. I felt like I was in a dream state, slowly slicing the strawberries. I was still on Charleston time. I was startled when I sat down with a bowl of cereal and saw it was already 7:25 a.m.

That was the difference – the time. For several days before, the only time we got in a hurry was on evening when we thought we may be late for our dinner reservations. Food at the Peninsula Grill was worth hurrying for.

Otherwise, we walked a lot, browsed, stopped and talked, ate when we felt like it, and slept until we woke up. All my routines and schedules that I crave and enjoy so much went away. It was a nice change of pace, one that I relished. But it’s so good to be home.

Best,
Keetha

You can follow my blogs! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll receive alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quotes

"I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it was always June." - L. M. Montgomery

"This is June, the month of grass and leaves . . . already the aspens are trembling again, and a new summer is offered me. I feel a little fluttered in my thoughts, as if I might be too late." - Henry David Thoreau

“In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." - Margaret Atwood

*** Fun Food Idea

Years ago I was at some food conference a woman with the national turkey organization (whatever it was called) mentioned that more turkeys are sold in the summer than in other time of year. That little factoid stayed with me because it was so surprising. I would have thought most were sold around the holidays.

If you’re grilling, smoking, or roasting a turkey, have I got a recipe for you. This is a brine you marinate the bird – turkey breast, whole turkey, or hen – in overnight or for 12 hours.

The recipe is one we saw on the Food Network last fall.

The original recipe is for brining and cooking a 14- to 18-pound turkey. We marinated and roasted a hen using the same method. Below is the adjusted recipe we made this weekend:

3 quarts tap water
1/2 pound kosher salt
1/2 cup molasses
1 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons dried red pepper flakes
1 1/2 teaspoons dried sage
Bunch fresh thyme
1 head garlic broken into individual cloves, unpeeled
7- to 8-pound hen, cleaned, innards removed
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 lemon, zested

In a medium pot, bring 1 1/2 quarts of the tap water to a boil over medium heat. Put the kosher salt in a large bowl and slowly (and carefully!) pour the boiling water over the salt. Stir to blend.

Add the molasses, honey, soy sauce, red pepper flakes, sage, thyme and garlic to the salt and water mixture. Stir to blend. Add the remaining 1 1/2 quarts of cool water. Pour the brine in a cooler or bucket large enough to hold the brine and the chicken.
Submerge the hen, breast side down, in the brine. Make sure the cavity of the bird fills with the liquid as you are submerging it. Cover and allow the bird to sit in the brine overnight or for about 12 hours.

Remove the bird from the brine and dry it thoroughly with thick (absorbent) kitchen towels. Take care to wipe inside the cavity as well. Discard the brine. Whisk together the butter and the lemon zest. Gently lift the skin covering 1 breast of the chicken and spread half of the butter right on the meat under the skin. Repeat with the other breast. The butter will add extra moisture and richness as the bird roasts.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Arrange the chicken in a roasting pan fitted with a rack. Put on the lower rack of the oven and roast until the internal temperature of the bird taken from the thickest part of the thigh reads 170 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 2 hours. Remove the turkey from the oven to a cutting board or serving platter and tent with foil. Allow to rest for 15 minutes before carving and serving.

Photo here.

In the Kudzu Kitchen:

I linked to the recipe for Parmesan Roasted Broccoli with Pine Nuts from Ezra Pound Cake’s blog. It’s one of my new favorite side dishes.

Summer Citrus Shrimp is something Jeffrey came up with last year and we’re enjoying it again this summer.

Birthday cake!

*** Pass It On

If there’s someone you think would enjoy this newsletter, please forward this issue in its entirety. Email me at kudzuuu at gmail dot com to subscribe.

*** Hit the Highlights - a few choice blog posts from last month:

After our wedding anniversary trip to South Carolina

Happy anniversary

Twilight time (not referring to the vampire books or movies)

How the weather should be

Home is where they listen to your music

It can happen

Gardening 101

Be the first in your neighborhood to know when fresh blog posts are up! Click on “Follow This Blog” to the right, about midway down the page. You’ll be alerted when a new content is posted. It’s fast and no cost, of course.

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun…

I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

I’m typically late to the party, which is how I’m just now discovering Barbara Kingsolver. I love her novel Prodigal Summer. I borrowed it from the library and will probably get my own copy. I’m already looking forward to re-reading.

If you have bored teenagers underfoot this summer, Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew Quick is a good one. It’s a young adult title, which I don’t normally read. I enjoyed this book. It’s very positive without being preachy or boring.

Books I read in May.

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said

I don’t know how “adorable” this is but while watching a commercial for LifeAlert, he said:

“That’s what you need Mommy!”

I glanced and the screen and said, “Oh, no I don’t.”

“Yes, you do,” he insisted.

I leaned toward him. “Let me assure you of something. I most certainly do not need LifeAlert.”

He opened his mouth to respond.

I said, “Probably you should not say another word.”

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year. This year's conference is August 6-7, 2010 in Vicksburg.

The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape.

*** Calendar

June 14 – Flag Day

June 20 – Father’s Day

June 21 – Summer Solstice

*** Reminders and Unsubscribe Info.

If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, simply send an email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line to kudzuuu at gmail dot com - we’ll miss you but won’t harass you about staying or coming back.

2010 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

May 2010

2010-05-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

Volume 6 Issue 5

*** Random Thoughts

My word. This pollen. How much of it can be in the air? Answer: A LOT. A WHOLE LOT. Everyone in my house, pretty much everyone I know, is sneezing and carrying on.

Pollen, dander, and sneezing aside, I’m in a happy spring lull, enjoying the warm days and cool mornings. This here is what you call selective memory: I’m forgetting that summer is on its way, long white-hot afternoons that wrap you in hot, damp, wool when you step outside. Resolutely not thinking about that. I’m enjoying the blue skies and fresh strawberries, the ferns hanging outside the kitchen window and the sweep of green grass in the yard. Yesterday we planted a small vegetable garden that I am so excited about: eggplant, squash, peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers.

The Husband gave me a lucky bamboo plant for Easter and it is STILL ALIVE. So I'm totally ready for a garden.

Best,
Keetha

You can follow my blogs! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll receive alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quotes

"The world's favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May." - Edwin Way Teale

"What is so sweet and dear
As a prosperous morn in May,
The confident prime of the day,
And the dauntless youth of the year,
When nothing that asks for bliss,
Asking aright, is denied,
And half of the world a bridegroom is,
And half of the world a bride?"
- William Watson, Ode in May, 1880

My wedding anniversary is this month; this quote seems especially appropriate for May.

*** Fun Food Idea

Because I know how good it is for me, I'm trying to eat more fish. For the longest, fish meant "fried catfish." Every now and then, it still does. More often, we grill, smoke, or broil salmon or tuna.

Fish is ideal for weeknight meals because it generally doesn't take much preparation and pretty much anything goes with it - white rice, brown rice, pasta, salad, green beans, broccoli.

This is my kind of go-to dish: Provided we have salmon in the freezer, this is an easy one to make as we usually have the other ingredients on hand in the pantry. Score!

Balsamic-Glazed Salmon Fillets

4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon white wine
1 tablespoon honey
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
6 (5-ounce) salmon fillets
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a silpat or aluminum foil sprayed with cooking spray.

Add a bit of olive oil to a small saucepan and sauté garlic over medium heat until soft, about three minutes. Add remaining ingredients, except salmon and oregano, and simmer until slightly thickened, about three more minutes.

Put the salmon fillets on the prepared baking sheet. Brush filets with the glaze and sprinkle with oregano. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 14 minutes or until fillet flakes with a fork.

Serves 6.

Any leftover salmon can be flaked into a bowl of cream cheese and stirred well. Add a few capers, a bit of lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste for a dip.

In the Kudzu Kitchen:

We hosted supper club last month and served shrimp and grits over Asiago cheese grits with caramelized onion.

Yum and yum.

*** Pass It On

If there’s someone you think would enjoy this newsletter, please forward this issue in its entirety. Email me at kudzuuu at gmail dot com to subscribe.

*** Hit the Highlights - a few choice blog posts from last month:

They write the songs

House story: The Child’s Room

Back roads

World Catfish Festival. Love it!

House story: My home office

Be the first in your neighborhood to know when fresh blog posts are up! Click on “Follow This Blog” to the right, about midway down the page. You’ll be alerted when a new content is posted. It’s fast and no cost, of course.

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun…

I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

Requiem, Mass. by John Dufresne

and The Swimming Pool by Holly LeCraw are two good ones.

All the books I read last month are here.

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said

Him: What should I be when I grow up?

Me: Whatever it is that makes you happy, that you look forward to each day.

Him: Okay, these are my options.

Me: Honey, you have tons of --

Him: Just...will you help me decide?

Me: ...

Me: Okay.

Him: Option 1 - a computer doctor; Option 2 - an electrician; Option 3 - cell phone maker.

Me: A computer doctor. I bet there are lots of sick computers that need your help.

Him: You think so?

Me: You bet.

There’s this, too.

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year. This year's conference is August 6-7, 2010 in Vicksburg.

The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape.

*** Calendar

Sunday, May 9 – Mother’s Day

Sunday, May 30 – Wedding anniversary

*** Reminders and Unsubscribe Info.

If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, simply send an email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line to kudzuuu at gmail dot com - we’ll miss you but won’t harass you about staying or coming back.

2010 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

April 2010

2010-04-02T09:18:00.000-07:00

Volume 6 Issue 4

*** Random Thoughts

It’s funny the things that we learn when we’re young- the little traditions and routines we get used to and that we keep. Or the things we think we remember and then adopt as rule. Like when we had pork chops, it was almost always with macaroni and cheese. That seems like a Tuesday night meal. I have no idea if we had this most Tuesday nights but it strikes me as a Tuesday meal.

I grew up in Humphreys County, Mississippi, the Catfish Capital of the World. Of the world, mind you.

Belzoni hosts a festival each April and every year April, my mind turns to catfish and all the different ways it can be prepared.

I don’t know if we had a catfish-palooza the month of April at my house growing up. I’m thinking not, and I haven’t lived in Belzoni in almost 20 years so I’m not sure why each spring as azaleas bloom and daffodils appear I have catfish on the brain.

And on the plate.

In other news, my blog has a new look and a new address. You can still visit it at http://writekudzu.blogspot.com and you can also get there at www.keetha.com ! Graphic designer Marley Sullivan worked her magic a few weeks ago and I’m so happy with the results. I hope you’ll visit and let me know what you think.

Best,
Keetha

You can follow my blogs! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll receive alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quotes

The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month. - Henry Van Dyke

No doubt. The first day of spring skies were blue, the sun was shining, and the temperatures were in the 70s. The second day of spring? It snowed and highs were in the 40s.

*** Fun Food Idea

We’re still on catfish, the world’s easiest fish to prepare. (I have no idea if that’s true. I just made it up. Sounds good, though, and I believe it’s probably true.)

Cheesy Baked Catfish
This is ideal for a weeknight dinner; it’s fast and easy and kids like it. For a party, you can use the same method with catfish nuggets rather than filets.

6 catfish fillets
1/2 c. melted butter
1 c. finely crushed round cheese crackers
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp. chopped parsley
1/4 tsp. red pepper
1/4 c. sesame seeds
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Thaw fish if frozen. Combine cracker crumbs, cheese, sesame seeds, salt, parsley and both peppers. Dip fillets in melted butter and roll in cracker crumb mixture.

Place fillets on foil lined baking sheets. Bake for 20 minutes or until fish is golden brown. Top with additional grated Parmesan if desired. Yield 6 servings.

Creole Catfish Cakes

1 pound catfish fillets, broiled
6 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup flour
2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1 1/2 cups finely chopped bell pepper
1/2 cups finely chopped green onions
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco
1 1/2 cups fresh bread crumbs

Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan. Add the flour. Stir constantly for 2 to 3 minutes, while the roux bubbles. Add the milk slowly, continuing to stir until the cream sauce is thick, 10 to 12 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and mustard, mixing well.

Flake the catfish fillets into a bowl. Add the cream sauce and the remaining ingredients, mixing thoroughly. Use the fish mixture immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Using a large spoon, make cakes with the fish mixture and coat them completely with more fresh bread crumbs. Using a heavy skillet, sauté the patties gently in 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon butter, until they are browned. Keep warm while you continue cooking the cakes, adding more oil and butter as needed.

Serves 8 or more.

This recipe is courtesy of “Classic Catfish,” a cookbook my friends, Evelyn and Tony Roughton of Indianola, Mississippi. If you have never visited their restaurant, The Crown, you should as soon as possible. A Delta institution, The Crown’s praises have been sung everywhere from the pages of Southern Living magazine to the Food Network. Be sure to sample their smoked catfish pate if you get by for lunch.

In the Kudzu Kitchen:

Old fashioned coconut cake

Cupcakes!

Meals from leftovers – nothing makes me feel more efficient or more frugal

*** Pass It On

Email me at kudzuuu at gmail dot com to subscribe and the Delta Dish will be delivered fresh to your mailbox each month.

*** Hit the Highlights - a few choice blog posts from last month:

Even at the library; I never know what The Child will say.

House story: The Husband’s Office

Easter recap

Scenic and not so scenic photos

Be the first in your neighborhood to know when fresh blog posts are up! Visit www.keetha.com and click on “Follow This Blog” to the right, about midway down the page. You’ll be alerted when a new content is posted. It’s fast and no cost, of course.

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun…

I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

I’ve read so many good books lately. Like Mississippi native Steve Yarbrough’s Safe From the Neighbors. I couldn’t stop turning the pages.

And The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen. I loved it, as I did her books “Garden Spells” and “The Sugar Queen.”

Books read last month.

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said

On the phone with me while he was visiting my grandmother, an expert bridge player:

“Mee Maw is going to give me some cards - 52 of them!”

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year.

The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape.

*** Calendar

Saturday, April 10 – World Catfish Festival, Belzoni, Mississippi. It’s also my 20th class reunion. My word. Twenty years. How did that happen?

Monday, April 12 – I’m speaking at the National Library Week luncheon in Winona.

Sunday, May 9 – Mother’s Day

Sunday, May 30 – Wedding anniversary

*** Reminders and Unsubscribe Info.

If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, simply send an email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line to kudzuuu at gmail dot com - we’ll miss you but won’t harass you about staying or coming back.

2010 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

March 2010

2010-03-04T09:17:00.000-08:00

Volume 6 Issue 3

*** Random Thoughts

Every year around this time, I vow to take a week or two to get my mind and body ready for this blasted time change. Starting Monday, everyone in the house went to bed five minutes earlier, and got up five minutes earlier the next morning. Each evening and morning we add another five minutes. Come Sunday, we’ll be halfway ready. I’m hoping it will help.

So far, I have to say that a five-minute change is harder than I thought it would be.

It’s been a brutal winter. Colder than usual, windier than usual, gloomier than usual. I’m not one to generally mind the cold or the rain but I’m done, thanks. I’ve been apologizing to summer for all the nasty things I say about her and her humidity and mosquitoes and all. Come back. Please.

I’ll welcome the warmer seasons with open arms. Another good thing about the never ending winter is how grateful I feel for blue skies and sunshine.

Best,
Keetha

You can follow my blogs! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll receive alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quotes

In answer to daylight savings time:

"Only a white man would believe that you could cut a foot off the top of a blanket and sew it to the bottom of a blanket and have a longer blanket." – Native American proverb

*** Fun Food Idea

As the days get longer everyone probably wants to be outside enjoying the warmer weather, especially after how cold it’s been all winter. That’s a good time to throw some chicken in the slow cooker and head outside to grill some vegetables for side dishes.

Allow one chicken breast per person and add a roughly chopped onion, a quartered garlic clove or two, salt, pepper, juice of one lemon, and other seasonings such as creole or Greek or Italian. You pick. Add some white wine or chicken stock, just a bit, and let it cook for several hours.

Heat up the grill and slice zucchini and squash longwise, about one-half inch thick. Brush with olive oil. Brush portabella mushroom cap with olive oil and grill. Asparagus can be wrapped in proscuitto and grilled and that was our greatest hit from 2008 when we hit on that idea.

Fresh green beans and asparagus spears are also really good tossed with olive oil and seasonings and put in a grill pan. They get the yummy grilled flavor and it’s just as easy as cooking them on the stove.

For dinner, have mixed grilled vegetables along with slow cooker chicken.

You can make wonderful sandwiches with the leftovers.

In the Kudzu Kitchen:

Again with the leftover vegetables: Panini!

Homemade ravioli

*** Pass It On

If there’s someone you think would enjoy this newsletter, please forward this issue in its entirety. Email me at kudzuuu at gmail dot com to subscribe.

*** Hit the Highlights - a few choice blog posts from last month:

Weekend in Vegas. I mean, Tunica.

House Story: Hoarder Version

House Story: Master Suite

Be the first in your neighborhood to know when fresh blog posts are up! Visit http://writekudzu.blogspot.com and click on “Follow This Blog” to the right, about midway down the page. You’ll be alerted when a new content is posted. It’s fast and no cost, of course.

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun…

I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

I must be living right because I have read so many good books lately. It makes me feel like it’s such an abundant, big, wonderful world when I read back to back books that are so good they make me forget where I am, I’m so into the story.

I finished Anna Karenina last month and it’s amazing. I loved it and will read more Tolstoy, although not right away.

Approximately two pages into The Happiness Project and I could tell it would be one of my favorite books of the year. I highly recommend it.

Then there was Sing Me Home, which I also really enjoyed.

Books I read in February.

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said

Him: I droove the golf cart!
Me: You did what?
Him: I droove the golf cart and it was so fun.
Me: Really? You droove it?
Him: Yes ma’am and it was so fun.
Me: All rightey then.

***
Following a question from him about how babies are born:
Me: (long silence)
Me: It’s really hard to explain.
Him: Just try, Mommy. Do your best!

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year.

The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape.

*** Calendar

Sunday, March 28 – Palm Sunday

Sunday, April 4 – Easter

Saturday, April 10 – World Catfish Festival, Belzoni, Mississippi, where I’m one of the judges for its first Catfish Cooking Contest. It’s also my 20th class reunion. My word. Twenty years. How did that happen?

Monday, April 12 – I’m speaking at the National Library Week luncheon in Winona.

*** Reminders and Unsubscribe Info.

If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, simply send an email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line to kudzuuu at gmail dot com - we’ll miss you but won’t harass you about staying or coming back.

2010 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

February 2010

2010-02-02T09:16:00.000-08:00

Volume 6 Issue 2

*** Random Thoughts

Maybe you do this, too: Each year after the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I begin to look forward to January – a big, spacious, month full of easy days. Lamplight and lazy afternoons, wool socks and watching favorite old movies, laughing with and catching up with friends around a table, time for good stuff, unrushed time.

Almost every year, the reality is that the weeks following the holidays are busier and hectic than I thought they’d be. It’s a bit of a letdown, the stress and the hurry that follows me from December.

In February I wanted to write lots of notes, get caught up on photos and putting them in albums, write more, blog more, think more, make some homemade Valentine’s cards, bake lots of Valentine’s goodies, do all kinds of stuff.

Some of these things I did but do you know what I have discovered? Doing nothing – absolutely nothing – is underrated. Down with multi-tasking. Let’s just sit and be.

If this were before Valentine’s Day it’d be even more appropriate:
Do you know NieNie? If not, I invite you to read her story. She is a young wife and mother, creative and vibrant. Last year she and her husband were terribly burned in a plane crash. She faces surgery and uncertainty and her story blows me away. Please go here and read her story that was an article in the Arizona Republic. You may want to have tissue handy. It’s a true love story in every sense of the word: love for her family, her husband, God.

NieNie’s blog

Best,
Keetha

You can follow my blogs! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll receive alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quotes

He who does not get fun and enjoyment out of every day … needs to reorganize his life. — George Matthew Adams

*** Fun Food Idea

Pasta with a cheesy spinach sauce topped with baked chicken meatballs: I love this for weeknights. We’ve found we can freeze the meatballs to have later with marinara sauce and spaghetti.

This is a modified version of Rachel Ray’s Florentine Mac and Cheese and Roast Chicken Sausage Meatballs.
Salt
about 12 ounces pasta, such as penne
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
Black pepper
2 to 3 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves stripped and finely chopped
2 teaspoons fennel seeds (I always leave out the fennel seeds because I can’t abide the flavor of them. Licorice, anise, whatever – yuk.)
3 cloves garlic, grated
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 1/2 cups grated Parmigiano Reggiano, divided
1 egg
3/4 cup bread crumbs, plus more, if needed*
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 10-ounce package chopped frozen spinach
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup milk
1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg, eyeball it

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Place a large pot of water on to boil for pasta. When it comes to a boil, salt it and add the pasta to cook to al dente. Strain pasta and reserve 1 cup cooking liquid.

While the water is coming to a boil, in a large mixing bowl combine the chicken, salt and pepper, rosemary, fennel seeds (optional – obviously), garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano, egg, and bread crumbs.

*If the mixture seems too wet, add a handful of bread crumbs and mix together.

Form a bunch of smallish balls, or eight largish ones.

Coat meatballs in a couple of tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil and lightly grease a baking sheet with 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil. Arrange balls on the baking sheet and roast 16 to 18 minutes until juices run clear.

Defrost spinach in microwave and set aside.

While the meatballs roast, in a medium sauce pot over medium heat, melt butter, whisk in flour, cook 1 minute then whisk in stock and milk, season with salt, pepper and nutmeg and thicken 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 cup grated Parmigiano and reduce heat on lowest setting.

Wring spinach completely dry in clean kitchen towel then separate as you add it to the sauce. Also add the reserved 1 cup pasta cooking liquid.

Toss pasta with the spinach-white sauce and adjust seasonings.

Serve pasta with meatballs.

In the Kudzu Kitchen:

What not to do. Ever.

Recipes from the cooking demonstration I did:

Gumbo

Bread Pudding with Praline Sauce

*** Pass It On

If there’s someone you think would enjoy this newsletter, please forward this issue in its entirety. Email me at kudzuuu at gmail dot com to subscribe.

*** Hit the Highlights

It must be January: birthday is in the air

Love this

The inside of my refrigerator: show & tell

House story: Family room

My dream job

Be the first in your neighborhood to know when fresh blog posts are up! Visit http://writekudzu.blogspot.com and click on “Follow This Blog” to the right, about midway down the page. You’ll be alerted when a new content is posted. It’s fast and no cost, of course.

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun…

I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

Anna Karenina, that’s what I recommend. I just read it for the first time. My high school and college English courses did not include any Russian writers so I’m a little late to the party. I love Tolstoy and will read more of his work and soon. Although – I think I may choose a volume of short stories next. Anna Karenina is epic, a masterpiece, it’s wonderful, and boy howdy is it long.

Next month’s newsletter will have more books here; my to-read bookshelf at home is loaded up. Can’t wait!

(Since the photo, about a half dozen more to-be-read books have been added.)

Books I read last month.

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said

Talking about a fundraiser for Relay for Life at his school:
The class that raises the most money gets a sock hock!

Then there was the time he was talking about wanting to see the new Chipmunks movie, the squeakel. I corrected how he pronounced “sequel” several times. Right up until I saw the title of the movie - Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel.

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year.

The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape.

*** Calendar

Saturday, March 6 – Mississippi Writers Roundtable, Delta State University, Cleveland, Miss.

Sunday, March 28 – Palm Sunday

Sunday, April 4 – Easter

Saturday, April 10 – World Catfish Festival, Belzoni, Mississippi and my 20th class reunion. My word. Twenty years. How did that happen?

Monday, April 12 – I’m speaking at the National Library Week luncheon in Winona.

*** Reminders and Unsubscribe Info.

If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, simply send an email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line to kudzuuu at gmail dot com - we’ll miss you but won’t harass you about staying or coming back.

2010 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

January 2010

2010-01-01T09:15:00.000-08:00

Volume 6 Issue 1

*** Random Thoughts

The first Monday of the year brought the prettiest dusting of snow. It didn’t stick, it didn’t make a mess, and was accompanied by no ice. Just snow. It would have been nice if no work and no school had come with the pretty snow but oh, well – we were all happy to see the snow.

I always think I like the cold, that I love cold weather. I’ve learned over the last two weeks that’s not entirely true. What I like is the absence of miserable heat and humidity, which is not necessarily the same thing as cold.

That leaves nothing but indoor pursuits: reading, watching movies, sorting, organizing, cooking, reading, and reading some more. Nothing wrong with that.

Best,
Keetha

You can follow my blogs! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll receive alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quotes

The cold was our pride, the snow was our beauty. It fell and fell,
lacing day and night together in a milky haze, making everything
quieter as it fell, so that winter seemed to partake of religion in a
way no other season did, hushed, solemn.
- Patricia Hampl

*** Fun Food Idea

Later this month, we’ll have dinner at my parents’ to celebrate my birthday. My mother already asked what I wanted to eat and I didn’t have to think about it: chicken pie. Just like last year.

While the pie bakes it smells buttery and savory; birthday smells. It’s a special dish, not something one whips up on a weeknight for fun. It’s not fast. While not particularly hard, the recipe has several steps.

That’s what it makes it special and what makes it taste of birthday – it’s trouble. There is love in that chicken pie. My mother’s hands rolling out the pastry – how many times have I watched her do that while she and I stood in the kitchen chatting. I helped or watched her cook while we talked.

Chicken Pie

1 1/2 - 2 pound chicken
water
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup shortening
1/4 to 1/3-cup ice water
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
4 boiled eggs
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400°. Grease a 9x13-inch dish and set aside.

Cook the chicken in enough salted water to cover chicken until tender, but not until meat falls off the bones. Remove chicken from bones, shred into small pieces, and set aside; reserve broth.

Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Cut in shortening and add ice water, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough forms a ball. On a lightly floured surface, roll out about half of the dough. Cut the dough into long strips, about an inch or two wide, to line the sides of the casserole dish.

Put half of the chicken pieces over bottom of pan. Cut half of the stick of butter in small pieces and place the butter over the chicken. Layer the chicken with egg slices and salt and pepper. Top with the rest of the chicken pieces. Pour chicken broth over chicken.

Roll out the remaining dough; cut into strips and put over the top. Cut the remaining butter into small pieces and dot the pastry with the butter.

Bake about 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

If something quick and easy is more your speed, I can’t recommend this dish enough.

Perfect for weeknight dinners, roasted shrimp with peppers and lemon. Make extra and you can use the leftovers in shrimp quesadillas or to top a green salad.

In the Kudzu Kitchen:
Bite-sized mini tartlets of yummy, cheesey tomatoey goodness, perfect for snacking on New Years Eve or serving at a Kentucky Derby party.

*** Pass It On

If there’s someone you think would enjoy this newsletter, please forward this issue in its entirety. Email me at kudzuuu at gmail dotcom to subscribe.

*** Hit the Highlights

House story: Our kitchen redo

Haircut, care, style 911

New Year, new me, or same me

Christmas recap

The good stuff

Be the first in your neighborhood to know when fresh blog posts are up! Visit http://writekudzu.blogspot.com and click on “Follow This Blog” to the right, about midway down the page. You’ll be alerted when a new content is posted. It’s fast and no cost, of course.

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun…

I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

For the first time, I’m reading Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina. I found it slow going at first. My mind kept wandering and I thought about how our attention spans have changed since the 1800s when the classic was written. I kept reading and now I’m hooked. It’s so atmospheric, with the ice skating and the trains. It seems perfect for winter reading.

Books I read in December

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said

A few days before Christmas, The Husband and The Child drove to Greenwood and met me after work. We shopped at a local bookstore, followed by riding around looking at Christmas lights, followed by dinner out. The Child barely stopped talking to the entire time. I suggested he ride home with me and give Jeffrey a break from the talking.

On the drive home, he was still chattering away. He said that The Husband is getting some peace and quiet. He leaned close to me. “But you’re not.”

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year.

The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape.

*** Calendar

Saturday, January 16 – I’m teaching a cooking class at Wister Gardens, Belzoni, Mississippi – gumbo, Parmesan French bread, and bread pudding.

Thursday, January 21 – Somebody has a birthday! Not calling any names - but it’s ME!

*** Reminders and Unsubscribe Info.

If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, simply send an email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line to kudzuuu at gmail dot com - we’ll miss you but won’t harass you about staying or coming back.

2010 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

June-July 2009

2009-08-07T09:43:00.000-07:00

Delta Dish
Volume 5 Issue 6

*** Random Thoughts

Let’s call this the June-July issue. Or, I got it: the summer issue! I didn’t mean to skip an entire month and half of another month. We got married at the end of May and got back from the honeymoon in Charleston, South Carolina several days later and the next thing I knew, it was the end of the month and I wasn’t quite sure where June had gotten away to.

We’ve been cooking, quite a lot, and organizing and doing laundry and going to work and just being. We’re old married folks now!

Best,
Keetha

There’s a new feature on the blog. You can follow it! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll receive alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quotes
Katydids sing like a symphony
Porch swing swaying like a Tennessee lullaby
Melody blowing through the willow tree.
-- Pam Tillis

I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens, but just those that bring simple pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string. -- Lucy Maud Montgomery in Anne of Green Gables

*** Fun Food Idea
Have we been doing some grilling lately. And by “we”, I mean Jeffrey. My job is to help chop things and tote them from the kitchen to the grill. He is the griller in the family. I guess every family has one designee.

One of my favorite things to do is cook one thing and make several meals from it. Jeffrey grills a marinated chicken and we make chicken salad with it for lunch and dice the rest to go with pesto on pizza. Over the Independence Day weekend we grilled (notice that generous use of the word “we”) sliced squash along with shrimp and vegetable skewers. We had a few pieces of squash left over. The next day when we had chicken quesadillas for lunch, there were a few slices of grilled squash tucked in the tortillas

Cooking once and eating twice or three times means a little time planning but saves time in less trips to the store. Less money spent at the grocery, too.

Jeffrey came up with this shrimp marinade:

2 pounds of jumbo shrimp (16-20 count)
1/4 cup white wine or chicken stock
1/4 cup of vegetable oil
juice of one lemon
juice of one lime
zest of one lime
1 bunch green onions, with a few inches of green, thinly sliced
1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp salt

Shrimp kebabs:

Peel and devein shrimp and set aside. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients but shrimp. Add shrimp and stir well. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3-4 hours.

Remove shrimp and thread onto skewers. Grill over medium-high heat for 5 to 7 minutes being careful not to overcook. Serves 4.

Leftovers can be used for quesadillas (quesadillas are a great way to use up leftover entrees) or to top a spinach salad. To make a spread, mince shrimp and combine with cream cheese and/or sour cream. Add a few chopped green onions and serve with crackers.

*** Pass It On
If there’s someone you think would enjoy this newsletter, please forward this issue in its entirety. Email me at kudzuuu at gmail dot com to subscribe.

*** Hit the Highlights - a sampling of blog posts
I keep opening the kitchen cabinet just to look

Country living

Photographs

Wedding posts:
Rehearsal dinner

Wedding morning

Ceremony

Reception

Be the first in your neighborhood to know when fresh blog posts are up! Visit and click on “Follow This Blog” to the right, about midway down the page. You’ll be alerted when a new content is posted. It’s fast and no cost, of course.

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun… I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

On the plane home from our honeymoon in Charleston, South Carolina, I finished “The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie,” a grand mystery in the old tradition. It was such fun to read. I’d never heard of the author – Alan Bradley – but I’ll be on the lookout from now on. Apparently this is the first in a series and I’m already looking forward to the next one.

More book recommendations and book talk.

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said

We left church and were walking across the street.

“What did you learn today in Sunday school?”

“Nothing,” he said.

“Nothing?”

He clarified: “I don’t know because I wasn’t paying attention.”

*** Mississippi Writers Guild
The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year.

The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape.

*** Reminders and Unsubscribe Info.
The August issue will go out around August 5th, which, believe it or not, is back to school time around these parts. Lunchboxes and plaid and sharpened pencils and that new notebook smell!

If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, simply send an email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line to kudzuuu at gmail dot com - we’ll miss you but won’t harass you about staying or coming back.

2009 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

May 2009

2009-08-07T09:19:00.000-07:00

Delta Dish
Volume 5 Issue 5

*** Random Thoughts

I feel calm, the type that is usually preceded by the word “eerie.” The wedding is less than a month away and things have gone/are going relatively smoothly. The wedding bands are ordered, the cakes are set, the photographer lined up. I say that with fingers crossed so that I don’t jinx myself.

Approximately 30 seconds after I wrote that, I began typing up a quick little list of what we have left to do before the wedding. That list is now two pages, single-spaced. So let’s talk about something else.

For a variety of reasons, including longevity and old-fashioned vanity, I’ve been trying to live a healthy lifestyle – eating fresh foods and exercising five days a week. Turns out all that stuff I’d heard for years is ALL TRUE. I feel better, have more energy, and a positive outlook. Who knew?

It makes me want to garden. Our community doesn’t have a farmer’s market though I wish it did. I’d like to try to start one, but have no idea how. And probably the month I’m getting married is not the best time to take on such a project. I hear about Community Supported Agriculture groups, wherein you can pay a subscription fee that goes to farmers and in return get a crate of fresh, locally grown, seasonal fruits and vegetables. I’d love that. Why doesn’t someone around here do that?

My grandfather was a gardening enthusiast. He grew everything, he grafted different varieties of fruit trees. When he got home from the furniture and appliance store he and my grandmother owned, he didn’t go inside first; he winded down by walking the gardens, the trees, the vines.

I don’t have a green thumb but I love the idea of planting, tending, and harvesting our very own food that we grew our own selves! It seems so remarkable. My grandfather would have chuckled at that notion; he and his family grew vegetables growing up because that’s what folks did. It wasn’t a charming hobby; it was a necessity if they wanted to eat.

I like the idea of revisiting that notion, of my son watching vegetables grow. I want him to know and understand that produce isn’t born at brightly lit grocery stores. We don’t have the yard space for an actual garden but surely we can put something (peppers? Cucumbers?) in pots. Big pots? Right? See, I don’t know anything about horticulture, which is all the more reason I want my son to know, as I did because of time spent at my grandparents, that work – hard and rewarding – and grit, time, care, and patience go into growing food.

Best,
Keetha

There’s a new feature on the blog. You can follow it! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll receive alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quotes

Every spring is the only spring - a perpetual astonishment. – Ellis Peters

*** Fun Food Idea

It’s summer, never mind what the calendar reads. I know this because A) I’ve been to a family reunion and those are summer events and B) I’ve made pimento and cheese, also a summer event.

I like my pimento cheese made with sharp cheddar or extra sharp or a combination of the two, and with a little bit of white onion in it. I like it with a little bit of bite. That pimento and cheese reminds me of the sound of shelled peas falling in an enamel pan, the smell of fresh corn on the cob, fireflies in mason jars, my grandmother’s screened in back porch, the smell of chlorine, and that particular tired that comes only from playing in the sun all day. I really like pimento cheese. It packs a lot of flavor and a lot of memories in each bite.

I make pimento cheese like this: grate an 8-ounce package of sharp or extra sharp cheddar. I grate a bit of onion – about a tablespoon or so. Add one small jar of diced pimento, well drained. Add mayonnaise, a spoonful at a time, until it comes together. Season with black pepper and a bit of salt. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.

Pimento cheese

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Check out the food blog!

*** Pass It On

If there’s someone you think would enjoy this newsletter, please forward this issue in its entirety. Email me at kudzuuu at gmail dot com to subscribe.

*** Hit the Highlights

I could have sworn I was still young and hip.

This month’s photos.

Contrast or Irony – A trip to New York made me realize how much I loved the big city yet I know I want to live only in a small town.

Be the first in your neighborhood to know when fresh blog posts are up! Visit and click on “Follow This Blog” to the right, about midway down the page. You’ll be alerted when a new content is posted. It’s fast and no cost, of course.

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun… I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

Last weekend I finished “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” and it’s incredible. I’ll have a full post on it at the end of the month but I feel certain it will be one of my favorite books of the month, and probably the year.

Books I read in April.

http://writekudzu.blogspot.com

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said

I tried on the dress for the rehearsal dinner. My son touched the baby blue silk shantung fabric. His eyes were wide. “You look like a princess.”

My fiancé was standing nearby. “She is one.”

Sigh of bliss.

BLESS THEIR HEARTS. So sweet.

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year.

The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape.

*** Reminders and Unsubscribe Info.

The June issue will go out sometime next month, although I can pretty well assure you it won’t be the first Wednesday of the month as I’m getting married a few days earlier.

If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, simply send an email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line to kudzuuu at gmail dot com - we’ll miss you but won’t harass you about staying or coming back.

2009 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

April 2009

2009-08-07T06:33:00.000-07:00

Delta Dish
Volume 5 Issue 4

*** Random Thoughts

At this time of year, I try not to mind the schizophrenic weather, how it’s sunshine and pink fairy dust one day and gloomy, stormy cold the next. Before we know it, full on summer will be here and you know how moody that season is, with its heat and fury and lightning storms.

Sunday afternoon we out the big purple bin of Easter decorations. It’s not all that much – it’s not like decorating for Christmas - and didn’t take but a few minutes to get out but it made my son so happy. I love the look on his face when he pulls something out and recognizes it. You can see the memories coming back, the wheels turning and he is always so darn delighted by it all. I guess I need to begin appreciating it more before he gets too cool to show any interest.

I have a couple of cards a friend made and sent a couple of years ago. I display them each year because they’re pretty – bright and chipper.

There is panoramic sugar egg my mother and I made years ago. When we first started, it seemed like a fun idea. By the time we finished I think we were both were like, “Now who’s idea was this? And why did we do it?”

I have big plans for this weekend: a couple of hours playing tennis (believe me, I use the word “playing” loosely), baking and decorating Easter sugar cookies, dying Easter eggs, Palm Sunday service at church, and an Easter egg hunt afterward. It would appear that I think this weekend is going to have an extra day. Or two.

Wish us luck with that!

Best,
Keetha

There’s a new feature on the blog. You can follow it! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll receive alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quotes

The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring. - Bern Williams

April hath put a spirit of youth in everything. - William Shakespeare

*** Fun Food Idea

Easter dinner means honey baked ham, a basket full of dyed eggs nearby, and pineapple cheese casserole. When my mother first mentioned the dish to me a few years ago I crinkled up my nose; cooked pineapple? With cheese? Nothing about that sounded good.

Then I tried it and it’s been a staple on the holiday table ever since. This is an old-school southern casserole, meaning it’s rich, rich, and rich.

Pineapple Cheese Casserole

3 (15-ounce) cans pineapple chunks
2 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
8 tablespoons pineapple juice
8 tablespoons all purpose flour
1/3 to 1/2 cup sugar
30 round crackers, such as Ritz, crushed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Lightly grease a 9x13 casserole dish and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine pineapple chunks, cheddar, juice, flour, and sugar. Pour into prepared dish and sprinkle with crushed crackers. Dot top of casserole with butter, if desired.

Bake for about 30 minutes. Serve warm.

Check out the food blog!

*** Pass It On

If there’s someone you think would enjoy this newsletter, please forward this issue in its entirety. Email me at kudzuuu at gmail dot com to subscribe.

*** Hit the Highlights

Thank goodness you can go home again

Cracker Jack of a guy

Boots are made for walking

Be the first in your neighborhood to know when fresh blog posts are up! Visit Write Kudzu and click on “Follow This Blog” to the right, about midway down the page. You’ll be alerted when a new content is posted. It’s fast and no cost, of course.

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun… I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

The Wedding Machine by Beth Ann Hart: "Welcome to Jasper, South Carolina. A place where Southern hospitality thrives. Where social occasions are done right. And where, for generations, the four most upstanding ladies of this community ensure that the daughters of Jasper are married in the proper manner.

Friends from school days, "the gals" have long pooled their silver, china, and know-how to pull off beautiful events. They're a force of nature, a well-oiled machine. But the wedding machine's gears start to stick during the summer their own daughters line up to tie the knot. In the lowcountry heat and humidity, tempers flare, old secrets leak out . . . and both love and gardenias bloom in unlikely places."

The Wilde Women by Paula Wall: “Five Points, Tenn., has been brought low by the depression, but the residents retain their interest in the Wilde sisters' feud, which began when Pearl caught her younger sister Kat inappropriately entertaining Bourne Cavanagh, Pearl's fiancé and the heir to a whiskey distillery empire. Pearl disappears and travels the world, sending Kat a tersely worded postcard every month. Sassy and brash Kat stays behind and toys with the town's menfolk, including Mason Hughes, whose wealthy family owns the shirt factory where Kat works. Pearl sashays home after a few years and opens a high-class bordello that caters to the rich and powerful, while Kat continues to entice and evade Mason..."

All the books from last month.

http://writekudzu.blogspot.com

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said

“What if you were made of peanut butter?”

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year. To learn more, visit www.mississippiwritersguild.com or http://greenwoodareamwg.blogspot.com

The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape.

*** Reminders and Unsubscribe Info.

If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, simply send an email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line to kudzuuu at gmail dot com - we’ll miss you but won’t harass you about staying or coming back.

2009 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

March 2009

2009-08-07T06:27:00.000-07:00

Delta Dish
Volume 5 Issue 3

*** Random Thoughts

Don’t get me started on daylight savings time. I have enough trouble getting to sleep without the time being CHANGED.

Nonetheless, I don’t object to the sun still being in the sky when I get home. That is welcome. (Although it being dark at half past six in the morning is not. But I wasn’t going to get started.)

I need to spend more time outdoors. I think there’s something wrong when I notice the passing of the seasons in displays in store. That’s just not right. I should note spring’s approach with the brave daffodils and jonquils, in the pink quince blooming in our yard, not by the mammoth display of color-coordinated Easter grass and candy at the big box store.

Last year at this time I vowed to do the same thing - spend more time outdoors, to plant things. That didn’t so much work out. Maybe this year.

Best,
Keetha

There’s a new feature on the blog. You can follow it! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll be sent alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quotes

“Let me say to you that to do nothing at all is one of the most difficult things in the world, and the most intellectual.” -- Oscar Wilde

*** Fun Food Idea

I’m big on seasonality. I like tulips and jelly beans and pastels in the spring, homemade ice cream and sliced fresh peaches in the summer, baked sweet potatoes and pumpkins everywhere in the fall.

March is in between. It is still cold as the dickens one day (like last weekend, when it snowed) and a few days later, temperatures are in the upper 70s.

Cookies are the answer. That’s my unqualified response. Cookies.

The weekend of Valentine’s Day I mixed up some chocolate mocha cookie dough. Man alive those are good cookies. I bake them year ‘round. I was picturing heart-shaped cookies, loving frosted and decorated in red and pink.

Yeah, well.

After making coconut cupcakes and homemade tortellini, I was kind of over being in the kitchen.

We shaped the cookie dough into a log and froze it. I love this. Then all you have to do is slice and bake, which is what I did.

I have probably shared this recipe before – like every year at Christmas – I like them a whole bunch.

Chocolate Mocha Cookies

2 cups sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 eggs
3 cups all purpose flour
1 cup cocoa
4 tablespoons instant coffee
heaping 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Cream together sugar, butter, vanilla, and eggs in a medium bowl until light and fluffy. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate at least one hour or overnight.

If you’d like to make your very own slice and bake cookies, after dough is well chilled, shape into a log shape, about two inches or so in diameter. Wrap in aluminum foil and place in a freezer zip-top bag.

When ready to bake, slice off rounds about 1/4-inch thick and place on ungreased baking sheet. No need to thaw first.

Preheat oven to 375°.

If you’d like you can decorate cookie rounds with sugars and other edible embellishments before baking.

Bake for about 8 minutes or until set. Cool slightly on baking sheet; remove and cool completely on wire rack.

Tender, flavorful pork tenderloin

Homemade pasta: easier than you may think

Check out the food blog!

*** Pass It On

If there’s someone you think would enjoy this newsletter, please forward this issue in its entirety. Email me at kudzuuu at gmail dot com to subscribe.

*** Hit the Highlights

Old school truck stop

Snow Day

If it’s old and rusty and interesting looking, I’ve probably stopped and taken a picture of it.

Be the first in your neighborhood to know when fresh blog posts are up! Visit Write Kudzu and click on “Follow This Blog” to the right, about midway down the page. You’ll be alerted when a new content is posted. It’s painless, fast, and totally no cost, of course.

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun… I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

“Very Valentine” by Adriana Trigiani was described by one reviewer, not altogether flatteringly, as a frilly valentine. It is that, which I think that’s a GOOD thing. It involves a third-generation family business that makes custom wedding shoes, with lots of lush descriptions. I liked that the main character, while feeling powerless in her circumstances near the beginning, by the end she thought of herself as the talented artisant she is, and chose her art over a romantic relationship that she had doubts about.

“Astrid and Veronika” by Linda Olsson is a beautiful story of friendship between two women. They share their stories – many of them heartbreaking, staggering, and painful. The ending had me in tears, but it was a happy-sad kind of tears, if you know what I mean.

Mini reviews and commentary about all the books I read last month.

http://writekudzu.blogspot.com

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said

Sunday afternoon a friend of mine took my son shopping and he came home with a set of walkie talkies. These are fancy and need be charged.

Monday morning when he woke, he sat straight up and said:

“Mommy! I bet my talkie walkies are charged now!”

I said, “Yes, son, I bet those talkie walkies are charged now.”

Talkie walkies. Bless his heart.

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year.

The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape.

*** Reminders and Unsubscribe Info.

If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, simply send an email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line to kudzuuu at gmail dot com - we’ll miss you but won’t harass you about staying or coming back.

2009 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

February 2009

2009-07-29T13:15:00.000-07:00

Delta Dish
Volume 5 Issue 2

*** Random Thoughts

How is everybody? Surviving winter? Barely?

I think the secret is good books and a new coffee mug. That’s what works for me, anyway. That and playing.

I used to love to make stuff. I think most children do. Creating, coloring, making stuff. The school I attended was so small there were no art electives in high school. It didn’t occur to me to take any crafty things in college because…I have no idea. Too busy making plans for Thursday nights out, probably.

Here lately, I’ve been playing more; having a child around helps. Creating is so satisfying. I’d forgotten how much fun it is to make something, to create. Most people probably have supplies. I know I do – acrylic paint, brushes, stencils, rubber stamps, paper, fabric paint, ribbon, decoupage medium, thread – and on and on. Sometimes I want to get out this stuff and play with it and sometimes I take it all out, look at it and think, “Now what?” I’m not good enough to make something really good. Then I box it all back up, put it away, and do something practical and grownup.

With a child around, though, anything and everything becomes worthwhile and beautiful. What’s the word? Oh, yeah, FUN. Who cares if you wouldn’t hang it up and give it as gift? Who cares? Making it was a blast. That’s what matters most.

Best,
Keetha

There’s a new feature on the blog. You can follow it! Just click “Follow This Blog” to sign up and you’ll be sent alerts when new posts are up.

*** Great Quotes

“The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.” - Allan K. Chalmers

“All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” – Pablo Picasso

*** Fun Food Idea

Is it just me or does everyone think of Red Velvet Cake in February? Love. It. My mother used to make a heart-shaped two-layer red velvet cake around Valentine’s Day. I believe this recipe was her mother's.

Red Velvet Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2 8- or 9-inch cake pans.

3 tablespoons cocoa
2 (1-ounce) bottles red food coloring

Mix together and set aside.

Cream together:
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar

Add 3 whole eggs and the paste of cocoa and food coloring. Beat for 10 minutes.

Add:

1 cup buttermilk
2 1/4 cups cake flour that has been sifted three times with 1 teaspoon salt.

Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and mix well.

In a separate bowl, combine 1 tablespoon vinegar and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Add that to the mixture.

Whew. Pour all that in the prepared pans and bake for about 30 to 35 minutes.

Cool on wire racks for a few minutes before turning out to cool completely.

Icing

Cream together:
1 stick butter
8 tablespoons vegetable shortening
1 cup granulated sugar

Add 3 tablespoons flour, one at a time. Add 2/3 cup sweet (whole) milk and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Beat with mixer for 12 minutes.

Enjoy and indulge; you've earned it.

Rosemary and Red Wine Tenderloin

*** Fun Idea Although Not Food

A couple of Valentine’s crafts:

(First buy up a bunch of cheap crayons.)

Remember sharpening crayons, sprinkling the shavings between and betwixt wax paper, and ironing it? I love that.

Chop more crayons and melt them together to form heart-shaped rainbow-swirled chunky crayons.

*** Pass It On
If there’s someone you think would enjoy this newsletter, please forward this issue in its entirety. You’re welcome to comment here with your email address to subscribe or send an email with "subscribe" in the subject line to kudzuuu at gmail dot com.

*** Hit the Highlights
Math and me – this is why successfully balancing a bank statement feels like a victory.

Turns out Moms do know best.

How one birthday can actually be two weeks.

Be the first in your neighborhood to know when fresh blog posts are up! Visit www.keetha.com and click on “Follow This Blog” to the right, about midway down the page. You’ll be alerted when a new content is posted. It’s painless, fast, and totally no cost, of course.

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun… I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

It depends on what you’re in the mood for. For mystery and intrigue, along with a bit of history, I recommend both “The Lace Reader” by Brunonia Barry and “The Savage Garden” by Mark Mills. Both excellent.

For an all-around great read, “I Capture the Castle” by Dodie Smith. It is wonderful.

The books I read last month, along with witty and insightful comments, are listed here.

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said

"What would a cross between a chicken and a teacher say?"

???

"Bak, bak, do your homework! Bak, bak, do your homework!"

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year. The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape.

*** Calendar of Events

Saturday, February 14th – St. Valentine’s Day

Tuesday, February 24th – Mardi Gras

One year ago this month, I first read “Lonesome Dove,” which is incredible and you should read it. Yes, you. Even if you don’t like Westerns or cowboys or historical fiction. It’s that good.

*** Reminders and Unsubscribe Info.

If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, simply send an email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line to keethadreed@yahoo.com - we’ll miss you but won’t harass you about staying or coming back.

2009 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

January 2009

2009-07-29T12:59:00.000-07:00

Delta Dish
Volume 5 Issue 1

*** Random Thoughts

Fresh and new and shiny and clean – isn’t the new year grand? Everything seems possible now, like it does each January.

I won’t bore you with what I’m working on; it’s the same thing everyone is – eating healthy, exercising, getting organized, and more challenging, STAYING organized.

While there are some people who count the days until spring and beach vacations, I enjoy winter. I like cold mornings and wearing sweaters, wrapping my hands around a mug of coffee to keep warm. The highs for the next week are forecasted not to reach above the 50s. Perfect.

Best,
Keetha

*** Great Quotes

“There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you… only in the winter, in
the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself.”
- Ruth Stout

*** Fun Food Idea

In the spirit of the healthy eating bandwagon that everybody and their brother is on, I’ve been focused on side dishes lately to make healthy-for-you yet average-tasting entrees more palatable.

It’s not all that easy. People who are health foodies say fresh food is best, that high quality, healthy ingredients really are good. While all that is true there is no way I will be convinced that steamed broccoli tastes better than baked potatoes stuffed with cheddar cheese, crisp bacon, and chopped green onions. I don’t care how organic or whatever the broccoli is. Just. No. Way. The reason fattening foods generally taste so good is because they’re flavored with FAT, which tastes good.

Although I have found two side dishes that are quite tasty and if not out-and-out healthy, at least they aren’t FRIED.

Again with the Sautéed Spinach:

Heat about a tablespoon of olive oil and a tablespoon of butter in a large skillet. When it’s melted and warm, add some chopped onion and two cloves of garlic, minced. Cook on low heat until the onions are caramelized, about 30 minutes. Add a bag of fresh spinach, cover, and cook until wilted, which will take no time at all – just a few minutes. Serve immediately.

If there are any leftovers, which I doubt, but if there are, you could use it as a filling for stuffed chicken breasts or mushrooms.

Shredded Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

I’m operating on the theory that if it’s green it must be healthy, so healthy that the greenness cancels about the fatty bacon. Makes perfect sense to me.

Start with a pound of brussel sprouts, which need to be rinsed, the tough bottoms cut off, and cored. Then chop them roughly. I first tried grating them but it didn’t work too well.

Saute 4 or 5 pieces of bacon. (You can use turkey bacon) Remove from skillet and set aside. Pour off all but one tablespoon of bacon grease, unless you used turkey bacon in which case there will be no grease to pour off and you’ll need to add about 1 tablespoon of olive or vegetable oil. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of butter to skillet and heat over medium heat.

Add about one-third cup of nuts – I’ve used walnuts, I’ve used almonds, the recipe called for pine nuts – and sauté a few minutes. Then add the shredded brussel sprouts and about 2 green onions, chopped. Cook on medium for 10 to 15 minutes.

Top with crumbled bacon and serve.

The older I get, the more I appreciate things that taste good and are good for me, although the term “tastes good” has gotten much broader. Much.

A few recipes from last month and in complete disregard for the eating healthy business:

Grits: They’re not just for breakfast, especially if they have a ton o’ cheese and garlic.

Brown Sugar Pound Cake – perfect for enjoying with friends over a cup of coffee.

*** Pass It On

If there’s someone you think would enjoy this newsletter, please forward this issue in its entirety. . You’re welcome to comment here with your email address or send an email with "subscribe" in the subject line to kudzuuu at gmail dot com.

*** Hit the Highlights

If you’d like to know when fresh blog posts are up, visit and click on “Follow This Blog” to the right, about midway down the page. It’s painless, fast, and totally no cost, of course.

I don’t make resolutions.

Everyone should have a Mrs. Ellard.

Shopping Malls R Us

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

“Keetha DePriest Reed's "More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections and Recipes from Growing Up Southern" is part cookbook, part collection of wonderful essays on food, family and growing up Southern and altogether great fun… I would very highly recommend "More Culinary Kudzu" to anybody who enjoys good food and good writing as well as to anybody who wants to find out more about the South. As for me, I only have one question left - how do I get invited to one of their family reunions?” – review by ReaderViews.com

*** Recommended Reading

I gravitate toward books set in small towns, especially southern ones. I like the main characters to be women. And if food is involved in some form or fashion, all the better.

Well.

I have a found a new favorite author and she is Sarah Addison Allen. I read “Garden Spells” first, which was the 2008 Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance book of the year. I finished it in less than two days and was sorry when I was done.

I promptly ordered Allen’s next book, “The Sugar Queen” as my book club pick for January. I heartily recommend both books.

The books I read last month, along with witty and insightful comments.

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said

Last Monday was the first day of a regular plain old workweek, the first one in two weeks. It was cold and rained all day. After we got home, my hands were full and I was unlocking the door. He stood next to me on the steps and said, “Mommy, how was your day at work?”

I don’t think he’d ever asked me that before. Bless his heart, he seemed genuinely interested.

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year. Learn more.

The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape.

*** Calendar of Events

Wait – what’s this – it appears that SOMEBODY has a birthday this month! Oh, wait – that’s me! January 21st.

February Delta Dish will be delivered around February 4th. Or possibly February 11th. On a Wednesday, though. If it’s not a Friday.

*** Reminders and Unsubscribe Info.

If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, simply send an email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line to keethadreed@yahoo.com - we’ll miss you but won’t harass you about staying or coming back.

2009 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

December 2008

2009-07-29T12:22:00.000-07:00

Delta Dish
Volume 4 Issue 12

*** Random Thoughts

The other day I was at the grocery store and I tripped and bumped a rack and somehow or another a Christmas magazine landed in my cart. (Maybe because I stood in front of the rack and perused Christmas issues for ten minutes before deciding, “Yes, I have to have this.” and carefully placing it in my cart. Details)

I am one of those annoying people who genuinely love the holidays. To me, the stretch between October and early January really is the most wonderful time of year.

Often I have big plans and big ideas (big! huge!) yet when December arrives, it comes with a whole bunch of other activities and obligations, so that a few days after Christmas, I think, “Now, wait a minute. I didn’t make gingerbread waffles. Or put together a photo collage of those old Christmas pictures. Or make that recipe I saw. Or drink hot chocolate and look at Christmas lights. Or watch the Charlie Brown Christmas Special while wearing pajamas. Not fair!”

This year I aim to take things slower and lower the bar a bit. I want the holidays to feel richer and less frantic. I hope to enjoy more the things we do even if I get none of those things done.

Merry Christmas!

Best,
Keetha

*** Great Quotes

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulders; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good - will to men!
- Longfellow

*** Fun Food Idea

Toffee

My grandmother makes this candy each year at Christmas. She does it ahead of time and it freezes it and it’s always delicious.

It makes a great gift, too.

1 1/2 to 2 cups chopped blanched almonds (or coarsely chopped pecans, walnuts, pistachios, or hazelnuts or whatever kind of nuts you prefer)
1 cup unsalted butter (do not substitute) (No joking about that.)
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup coarsely chopped chocolate

Butter a pan. The recipe calls for 9x13 pyrex dish; I’ve used that and I’ve also used half baking sheets. Anything heatproof works fine.

Sprinkle half of nuts in greased pan and set aside. (You can leave out this step if you don’t care for nuts.)

Melt butter, sugar, and water together over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring often until temperature reaches 300 degrees. Remove from heat and quickly stir in baking soda. Pour mixture into the prepared pan and let harden.

(If you’re going to freeze the toffee, stop here. Let toffee get completely cool and hard, break into pieces, and put in a freezer zip top bag and freeze.)

Sprinkle chocolate over the top and let stand for 5 minutes. Spread chocolate over the top and sprinkle with additional chopped nuts while chocolate is still warm.

Let cool completely and break into pieces.

Keeps well in an airtight container.

When ready to serve or give away, take toffee from freezer and let come to room temperature and thaw – a few hours or so.

Melt chocolate – dark chocolate, milk chocolate, whatever you like – and pour over toffee, smoothing with an offset spatula.

You can play around with different combinations – white chocolate and toasted macadamia nuts, bittersweet chocolate and hazelnuts, milk chocolate and peanuts.

The back story.

If you’d like to make your own homemade marshmallows.

A few recipes from last month:

My new favorite side dish.

Chicken entree easy enough for weeknights, tasty enough for company.

Everybody loves these appetizers.

*** Pass It On

If there’s someone who you think would enjoy this newsletter, please forward this issue in its entirety. You’re welcome to comment here with your email address to subscribe or send an email with "subscribe" in the subject line to kudzuuu at gmail dot com.

*** Hit the Highlights – a few blog posts from last month

‘Cruciatingly embarrassing photos from the 80s. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Spiral bound

November photos

Home office tour

Check the blog often!

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

To see what people, who I didn’t pay (really!), say about More Culinary Kudzu, visit here.

*** Recommended Reading

I recommend these books every year around this time. They’re great Christmas reads:

Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg (Have your tissues handy for this one.)

The Christmas Train by David Baldacci

My take on all the books I read last month.

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said

So much cuteness. He is in love with the holidays, the pageantry, the lights, the warmth. Seeing it through his eyes is enchanting. So much so that my brain is addled and I can’t think of a single adorable thing he said.

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year. To learn more, visit here.

*** Reminders and Unsubscribe Info.

If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, simply send an email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line to kudzuuu at gmail dot com - we’ll miss you but won’t harass you about staying or coming back.

2008 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

November 2008

2009-07-29T12:17:00.000-07:00

Delta Dish
Volume 4 Issue 11

*** Random Thoughts

Like last year and the year before, I am happy to see November. Last month was a whirlwind. November seems kinder and gentler. The hubbub of Christmas hasn’t quite begun and the promise of autumn has arrived – cool temperatures, flannel pajamas, warm soups for dinner.

My fiancé and I are hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year. I’ve been thinking about the menu lately. Okay, that’s a lie. I’ve been thinking about the menu for close to two months. In early October, I wrote out the menu. OH YES I DID. I looked online for ideas for inventive table décor and came across an article on Martha Stewart’s website wherein you take acorns and use an awl and attach hooks and something, I don’t know. I remember thinking if I had to do a dozen of those, I would not be sane and then what fun would Thanksgiving be.

Our families will be here for Thanksgiving. We’ll have smoked turkey and honey baked ham and my grandmother ‘s dressing and I’m almost beside myself, I’m so looking forward.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday.

Best,
Keetha

*** Great Quote

“There is one day that is ours. There is one day when all we Americans who are not self-made go back to the old home to eat saleratus biscuits and marvel how much nearer to the porch the old pump looks than it used to. Thanksgiving Day is the one day that is purely American.” -- O. Henry

*** Fun Food Idea

Does it seem to you that many magazines, in their November issues, have recipes that are invariably for a new twist on traditional Thanksgiving dishes? Or the articles encourage readers to try something new this year?

Me, I encourage you to not try anything new this year. I like the traditional holiday dishes. I like having on our Thanksgiving table what we always have, forever and ever, amen.

Having said that, though, if you ARE in the market for something newish to do with sweet potatoes, you may want to try baking them twice, like so:

Preheat oven to 350.

Scrub 6 potatoes and bake until tender, probably 45 to 60 minutes, depending on their size. Let cool.

Scoop out insides and place in a large bowl. Add a few tablespoons of softened butter, one small can crushed pineapple, drained, a teaspoon or two of orange zest, a teaspoon of almond flavoring or a splash of Amaretto, and a sprinkling of nutmeg. Stir well and put back in potato shells. Bake for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Another easy dish to try:

My fiancé, Jeffrey, introduced me to this dish and it's been a standard in our kitchen ever since. It came from a cookbook from his hometown of Hollandale, Mississipi. Rice Dressing can be a side dish, not unlike traditional cornbread dressing (only it’s, you know, RICE) or a meal-in-one.

1 cup rice, uncooked
1 can Cream of whatever soup (you can use cream of mushroom, cream of celery, cream of whatever your heart desires)
about half that empty soup can of water
1 can French onion soup
1 pound ground turkey (or beef), uncooked
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
(Or you can use one package of frozen chopped onion and bell pepper.)
About 3 ribs stalks of celery, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all ingredients in a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Stir well and cover tightly with aluminum foil.

Bake for about one hour.

Note: Smells crazy good while it’s cooking.

*** Pass It On

If there’s someone who you think would enjoy this newsletter, please forward this issue in its entirety. You’re welcome to comment here with your email address to subscribe or send an email with "subscribe" in the subject line to kudzuuu at gmail dot com.

*** Hit the Highlights

The blog has a shiny new look. Check it out!

For the third year, I’m participating in National Blog Posting Month, wherein I will post every day for the month of November.

A few choice blog posts from this past month:

A tribute to my high school history teacher on election day.

Photos of things that caught my eye

Fall goodness

Our trip to Charleston
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four

Check the blog often!

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

To see what people, who I didn’t pay (really!), say about More Culinary Kudzu, visit here.

*** Recommended Reading

My take on all the books I read last month:

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said

He and I are looking at a Christmas magazine together, oohing and aahing over the cookies. He says:

Mommy, can we make these at Christmas?

Oooh, what about those?

Can we make this one?

And then he says: You can take pictures and put it on your blog.

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year. To learn more, visit here.

*** Calendar of Events

Saturday, November 15 – Christmas Open House in Winona. My head really may explode from all this goodness.

Thursday, November 27 – Thanksgiving

*** Reminders and Unsubscribe Info.

If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, simply send an email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line to kudzuuu at gmail dot com - we’ll miss you but won’t harass you about staying or coming back.

2008 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

October 2008

2009-07-29T12:15:00.001-07:00

Delta Dish
Volume 4 Issue 10

*** Random Thoughts

Let me ask you something: are you busy these days? I thought so.

Did you feel so busy when you were a child? Were you days this full? Mine weren’t, not that I remember.

My son plays soccer Tuesdays and Thursdays. He has children’s activities at church Wednesday nights. He begged to join Cub Scouts. I think Cub Scouts is a great thing. But Scouts meets on Mondays. That would have him not at home, busy with activities, FOUR weeknights out of five.

I told him maybe next year. What I didn’t tell him is that he would probably have to choose between soccer and scouting. He loves soccer. I think it’s great that he plays; he’s part of a team and is getting good exercise while he has fun.

A few weeks ago the school sent home something about art lessons offered after school, one or two afternoons a week. I briefly wondered if I could figure out a way to make that work. Then I came to my senses; I don’t want him over-scheduled.

As it is now, Monday night is pretty much the only night we have to sit down at the table and eat a meal.

The best I can remember when I was a child, we did that every single night, except Wednesdays when we ate at church. (It seems like it was spaghetti most Wednesdays. We’d also have salad with the spaghetti – iceburg lettuce dressed with Italian dressing in white Styrofoam bowls, which has nothing to do with anything. I just hadn’t thought about those salads in years. See what it’s like in my world? The most random things take me down memory lane.)

Maybe I didn’t have the opportunities kids these days have. Children today have so many options to be enriched and well-rounded. Then again, I was home with my family at least three nights out of the week. Which is more valuable?

Why are there no easy answers?

At least there’s this: Oh, happy day, fall has arrived. I’m looking forward to all this golden goodness ahead of us: brisk mornings, football games, the State Fair, trick or treating, and turning leaves that usher in Thanksgiving. Before we know it, it’s time for tree trimming and hall decking and then New Year’s Eve and then my birthday and then Valentine’s Day and then… Wait, we were talking about October, right?

Best,
Keetha

*** Great Quote

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came -
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.
-- George Cooper, "October's Party"

*** Fun Food Idea

Now that temperatures are below 90 degrees (most days) I’ve enjoyed getting back to the kitchen, the one night during the school week that we’re at home, anyway.

We’re busy. We’ve covered that. If you need a little something to take to the office or to the tailgate or to the couch to munch on, this is just the thing.

Take some chocolate – whatever you have in the cabinet, such as milk or semi sweet or whatever – and melt it over low heat in a medium saucepan. You can do this in the microwave if you know your microwave very, very well and if the two of you are on very, very good terms.

When the chocolate is melted you can add a spoonful of peanut butter or Nutella if you’d like.

Remove from heat and stir in any or all or any combination thereof the following:

Pretzel sticks
Crisped rice cereal
-- Note: this is an ideal way to use up those sorry, broken pieces left in the bottom of a bag of cereal or pretzels.
Nuts – I prefer peanuts but any kind at all will do
Chow mein noodles
Dried fruit, you know, if you’re just that healthy

Add these things a handful at a time and stir after each addition. The melted chocolate will take on more than you can think it can. When you think you have enough doodads in there, drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper or in miniature cupcake papers, if you’d rather.

They’ll harden up at room temperature or if you’re in a hurry, stick them in the refrigerator for a bit.

Step by step instructions and photos are here (scroll down a bit past the home tailgating photos):

*** Pass It On

If there’s someone who you think would enjoy this newsletter, please forward this issue in its entirety. If there’s someone who you think would enjoy this newsletter, please forward this issue in its entirety. You’re welcome to comment here with your email address or send an email with "subscribe" in the subject line to kudzuuu at gmail dot com.

*** Hit the Highlights

A few choice blog posts from this past month:

Three cheers for fall

Are you ready for some football

How The Fiancé and I met

Check the blog often!

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

To see what people, who I didn’t pay (really!), say about More Culinary Kudzu, visit here.

*** Recommended Reading

Bones to Pick by Carolyn Haines. Sixth in a series about private investigator, Sarah Booth, Bones to Pick opens with a young woman’s body discovered in a cotton field; she was drowned in a mug bog. The victim had recently written and published a racy, scandalous tell-all book where she dragged many prominent Delta families – including her own – names in the mud.

Cornbread Nation 4: Best of Southern Food Writing. With essays about boudin, low country cooking, Frank Stitt, red velvet cake, New Orleans before, during, and after Katrina, the Waffle House, poke salad, and barbecue, it’s one of the better reads – about anything – I’ve come across in a while.

My take on all the books I read last month:

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year.

*** Calendar of Events

October 1-12 – Mississippi State Fair, Jackson, Mississippi

October 11 – Miss. State v. Vanderbilt, 1:30 in Starkville, Miss.

October 25 – Miss. State v. Middle Tenn. State, Homecoming

*** Reminders and Unsubscribe Info.
If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, simply send an email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line to kudzuuu at gmail dot com - we’ll miss you but won’t harass you about staying or coming back.

2008 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

September 2008

2009-07-29T12:13:00.000-07:00

Delta Dish
Volume 4 Issue 9

*** Random Thoughts

I used to think that game show asking if you were smarter than a fifth grader was silly. I mean, duh, who isn’t?

But ya’ll. My son started first grade last month and you wouldn’t believe the homework! Several pages of it, three or four or five nights a week. In first grade!

These aren’t pictures to color or dots to connect, it’s bona fide homework. Spelling words. Reading comprehension. Ask me what grade my son is again so I can screech, “FIRST GRADE!”

In the olden days when I was in elementary school, we had homework for the first time in fourth grade. I remember that very specifically, because having homework seemed so grownup. I figured next thing you knew you’d have a white Jeep like Daisy Duke and get to tear around driving, wearing wedge sandals with cutoff shorts. Isn’t that what all grownups did?

When we did have homework, it was never but ever on a Wednesday night. Because? Everybody has church on Wednesday nights. Homework was also never assigned on a Friday night. Because? Duh. It’s Friday!

My son, in the FIRST GRADE, has had homework on both Wednesday and Friday nights. In the same week, even. I’ll be the first to say that in all likelihood, I baby and pamper and fuss over him too much. But I have to say that I feel like I’m right on this one when I say that it seems a bit much to expect a bunch of six year olds to handle all this. When are they supposed to play and have fun? They’ll have all their lives to work and worry and stress. Are we pushing them too hard? I think so. And it’s just FIRST GRADE.

I understand that in some schools, second graders are being taught basic algebra, a subject I didn’t even know how to pronounce until eighth grade. My poor child will have to have a tutor because his mother can help him very, very little when it comes to most mathematical subjects.

Best,
Keetha

*** Great Quote

“I love September, especially when we’re in it.” – professional baseball player Willie Stargell

*** Fun Food Idea

I’m too stressed dealing with homework to think about food.

Kidding.

Sort of.

I miss cooking, I can tell you that much. For the past four months, it’s been too hot to play much in the kitchen. We eat dinner, of course. This is what we’ve had most often: all manners of delicious things from the grill, big salads with sautéed shrimp or grilled chicken, quesadillas and rice, tuna steaks, homemade pizza, not to mention chicken from the crock pot and rotisserie chicken. What would we do without rotisserie chicken.

My all time favorite side dish we cooked this summer is, hands down, asparagus spears wrapped in proscuitto and grilled. There aren’t words for me to tell you how good it is.

I *can* tell you how to make it: wrap a piece of proscuitto around a fresh asparagus spear. Repeat. Lay the spears on a baking sheet with sides and sprinkle with Worcestershire sauce and olive oil. Or, if you realize when you’re marinating the filets that you’ve just run out of Lea & Perrins, as we did Sunday evening, you can leave that out. Sprinkle spears with Cavender’s Greek seasoning. Grill, broil, or bake until the proscuitto is crisp.

A picture is here. (scroll down a bit, passed the wonderfulness that is cheese-stuffed hamburgers)

My second most favorite side dish is sauteed spinach. My gosh. It is truly one of the fastest and easiest dishes and is so good. AND healthy, too! How often does that happen? Usually if something tastes good and is healthy, it’s a lot of trouble. Or if it’s delicious and easy, it’s unhealthy, like a bag of miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups. Uh, not that I’d know ANYTHING about that.

Heat a bit of olive oil and butter in a medium skillet and sauté some chopped onion and minced garlic on low heat until the onion is translucent. When you’re about to set the table and sit down and eat, add the spinach to the skillet and cover. It will take five minutes or less to cook.
Slightly more detailed directions.

Super easy yet yummy chicken – it got rave reviews from a blog reader and her husband. Raves.

*** Pass It On

If there’s someone who you think would enjoy this newsletter, please forward this issue in its entirety. You’re welcome to email me at kudzuuu at gmail dot com to sign up.

*** Hit the Highlights

Photos off the beaten path

Adventures in workouts

Back to school

Remember when being asked for an ID was offensive

Check the blog often!

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

To see what people, who I didn’t pay (really!), say about More Culinary Kudzu, visit here!

*** Recommended Reading

Just last month I posted the annual roundup of the books I read last year, as well as the announcement of my very favorite book from all of the last twelve months. I know you have all been on the edge of your seat!

The results.

I read a few books in August and will get that posted, um, soon. This week. Probably.

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said
He asked if Winona had two post offices, because big cities have more than one post office.

Me: How did you know that big cities have more than one post office?

Him: Because I’m smart.

Me: . . .

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year.

The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape.

*** Calendar of Events

Saturday, September 6 – MSU vs. Southeastern Louisiana – first home football game of the season. I’m thinking there will be a cowbell or two there.

Sunday, September 7 – The Fiancé’s birthday

Saturday, September 13 – MSU vs. Auburn at Starkville at 6:00, televised on ESPN2. We will be there to enjoy the game and the Famous Maroon Marching Band live.

*** Reminders and Unsubscribe Info.

If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, simply send an email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line to keethadreed@yahoo.com - we’ll miss you but won’t harass you about staying or coming back.

2008 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.

August 2008

2009-07-29T12:10:00.001-07:00

Delta Dish
Volume 4 Issue 8

*** Random Thoughts

Do you know that my child started back to school today? On the first Wednesday in August? That seems A WEE BIT early to me. We had been back from vacation about two weeks when it was time for back to school shopping.

I thought getting school supplies for this school year when mah baby will be in the first grade would be sad or melancholy. Instead, I looked forward to seeing what kind of lunchbox he would choose (Spiderman, with its very own water bottle. Very important.), the backpack he’d pick out (lime green and black). He chose a Cars folder, bright and shiny and red.

I thought I was excited about the new school but now it has sunk in. He will be SEVEN YEARS OLD in a couple of months. He automatically reaches for my hand when we walk. I wonder how much longer he’ll do that.

Am I making anyone else sad? Let’s talk about happy things. Like, July was a great month! Look at the blog links to read all about it.

Another happy thing: Football starts soon. And you all know what that means: fall leaves, letterman jackets, pumpkins and Indian corn, sweet potato pies – it’s all coming. And also, COOLER TEMPERATURES.

Best,
Keetha

*** Great Quote

Anyone who thinks the art of conversation is dead ought to tell a child to go to bed. - Robert Gallagher

*** Fun Food Idea

The Crock Pot is my friend. That’s what I discovered last month.

It’s funny because I think of the slow cooker as being a very wintry and fall appliance. I associate it with soups and stews and roasts. It makes me think of getting home from work when it’s already dark inside and walking into warm kitchen filled with the smell of a hearty meal.

Suntan lotion, air conditioning, and eight p.m. sunsets don’t call to mind the slow cooker. BUT. It has been so incredibly, ridiculously hot. A few weekends ago, we cooked out two nights in a row to avoid heating up the kitchen. That was great, by the way, filets and baked potatoes one night, marinated pork tenderloin and proscuitto-wrapped fresh green beans the next. Weeknight grill cooking isn’t always feasible, though.

One Monday morning I put three boneless skinless chicken breasts in the crock pot along with a sprig’s worth of chopped rosemary, what Pinot Grigio was left in the bottle – probably about half a cup or less, a can of Cream of Chicken soup (of course), a white onion, roughly chopped, and seasoned it all liberally with salt and pepper.

It was GOOD. Super good. We cooked some rice and made a salad and we had dinner. It was really tasty and easy.

It has forced me to re-evaluate the relationship I have with my slow cooker. I thought he was a cold weather guy. Apparently, not so much. In fact, he is ideal for hot, humid, miserable summer days. (Can you tell that the heat, it is wearing on me? I’ve weathered the summer pretty well – weathered! Get it? – but it’s getting old. What’s worse is that we have a good two months of this weather to go.)

The slow cooker gets an entrée ready without heating up the kitchen. At this point in the summer, all menu planning starts with this: What can we have dinner that will generate the least amount of heat?

We’ve thought of all kinds of other slow cooker possibilities. Like chicken breasts and pesto sauce. I bet that would be out of this world.

What are you favorite summertime slow cooker recipes? Email me at keetha403 at gmail dot com if you have any recipes you’d like to share.

*** Pass It On

If there’s someone who you think would enjoy this newsletter, please forward this issue in its entirety. You’re welcome to comment here with your email address or send an email with "subscribe" in the subject line to kudzuuu at gmail dot com.

*** Hit the Highlights

Some bloggy goodness:

Vacation: A Story in Umpteen Parts
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four

OH YEAH. I’m getting married!

The Proposal

The Announcement

I may or may not be crazy, probably so. I must be because I’ve started this Couch to 5K fitness program. Yes, I said fitness program. See? Crazy talk. The inaugural post about it went up today.

Check the blog often!

*** Shameless Bid for Commerce

To see what people, who I didn’t pay (really!), say about More Culinary Kudzu, visit here.

*** Recommended Reading

I read some great books last month. A trip to the beach was my excuse for loading up both at the bookstore and the library.

Theft by Peter Carey was one of my favorites, as was The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson.

*** Adorable Thing My Child Said

(Last Sunday at church, during communion. We’re at the altar where he’s just eaten a piece of bread.)

Him (in a loud whisper): Mommy, I like this bread.
Me: Shhhhh.
Him: (slightly louder): I wish you’d make some of that at home for us to have.

*** Mississippi Writers Guild

The annual conference is in Vicksburg on August 15 and 16. The Mississippi Writers Guild sponsors writer workshops, conferences, writer retreats and reputable writing contests. Membership dues are only $40.00 per year. To learn more, visit www.mississippiwritersguild.com

The Mississippi Writers Guild is a non-profit association of writers from all over the state and is a growing part of Mississippi’s literary art landscape.

*** Calendar of Events

Saturday, August 16th – 2nd Annual Miss. Writers Guild conference, Vicksburg, Miss. www.mississippiwritersguild.com

Tuesday, August 19th – my friend, Roxanne’s, birthday

Thursday, August 21st – my sister in law’s birthday

Saturday, August 30th – Miss. State vs. Northeast Louisiana televised on ESPN2. 5:45 p.m. kickoff.

*** Reminders and Unsubscribe Info.

If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, simply send an email with “unsubscribe” in the subject line to keethadreed@yahoo.com - we’ll miss you but won’t harass you about staying or coming back.

2008 © Pecan Street Press. All rights reserved.