Author: Persnickety Pierre

Faith, Family, & Country

Monticello & Granddaughter #1

Finally, the day has arrived.

A day I had been looking forward to for quite some time, and a bit of a surprise for me, bestowed by my wonderful grandparents.

Your post today is written by Granddaughter #1; the following is a description of some of the events which transpired during our little vacation to the grand Monticello.

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A first stop on life’s great adventure

After arriving from an extended but very peaceful drive, we had a bit of a problem looking for a good place to park. That wasn’t difficult for me though because of a little tradition I have for each time I travel. I find it very interesting to try and record every license plate I find (I also feel somewhat proud that people come from all over the country to visit my state, ahaha) and there were a lot of nice ones to see. Unfortunately, I was not able to record all of them, as I had nothing with which to write; however, I can tell you that many of them were from quite far away (Nevada, Oklahoma, and Washington State).

Following this, we were taken on a shuttle bus to the top of the mountain, where the tour would soon begin. However, I (rather foolishly) forgot that at high altitudes, it’s freezing, even in the summer. We walked all over and tried to keep warm, but it was not very effective, so we took to trying to record how beautiful the view was instead. This turned into some interesting “games”, as you can see below.

No, Granddaughter! No picture this time!
No, Granddad! No picture this time!

When we were finally able to begin the tour, it was slightly unnerving, as some of our fellow visitors seemed a bit dour. There was one boy who apparently was there with his parents for the benefit of his education; it seemed he was required to ask a certain number of questions of the tour guide.  One time, I heard him mutter to his mother, “I’ve already asked 3 questions … ” I felt bad for him, as there was a chance he already understood everything and did not need to ask any additional questions. However, it was a bit amusing, to say the least.

Unfortunately, we were not allowed to photograph the interior of Monticello, but I can tell you that it was absolutely stunning. Thomas Jefferson, though not an inventor, was certainly a very intuitive and reflective man, and came up with many ways to make his home not only visually appealing, but also as efficient as was possible at the time.

The garden tour came next. However, a tour had already begun, and it was really too late to join in on the next tour, so we ended up seeing everything ourselves. In my humble opinion, it was all for the better, as the experience I was most looking forward to at Monticello was photographing all of the flowers and vegetables. I love photography, especially still life, as it’s the only kind I’m very good at. I only had my phone, but had a nice time and was very satisfied with the photos I took.

Look at the beautiful view!

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I leave you with some of the exquisite sights from the garden, including some rarely seen “potato pumpkins” and giant okra. Except for the cock’s comb, I took all the pictures of the flowers seen, including that lovely, giant, white, rather energetic and adorable flower with the cute face … hehehe.

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A 30 Second Break, Faith, Family, & Country, Pray, Prepare, Preserve, Uncategorized

Holy Week

We at Serendipity Farmhouse will take this Holy Week to reflect and pray on the mysteries of the Passion and Resurrection. May God bless you greatly throughout this week.

Spring

Spring Snowfall at Serendipity
Happy Spring-01
A “Happy Spring” at SFH

Time stands still during a Spring snowfall. Chores are put on hold. Preparations for planting come to a halt. There are no trips to the store. A pleasant quiet underscores meals and conversation. A Spring snowfall is just what we needed.

Certainly for some, Winter Storm Toby is disrupting life, causing damage, and frustrating travelers.

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A void where hollies used to be

Four Nor’easters so close together cannot be counted as welcome events. Even as we look west from the front porch of Serendipity, the view has changed. Now there are two voids where our holly trees used to be. Winter Storm Riley uprooted them and now Toby shows us how empty and lacking in color is that side of Serendipity.

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A brief moment in just a single day

Despite the concern and frustrations of the day, Serendipity continues to be the answer to the prayer we should have prayed. A walk along our river reveals the better side of life. If it snows today, then let that be a reason to reflect on the beauty in a single snowflake, or in countless millions of snowflakes.

If chores have been put on hold because of a Spring snowfall, how can that be a bad thing? The garden covered with snow can be captivating in its serenity. Likewise, that pile of dirt remaining to be moved to the garden boxes brings humorous thoughts to mind. Yes, just as with me, even a pile of dirt can have a day of rest when there is a Spring snowfall at Serendipity Farmhouse.

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Uncategorized

SFH Plantings 2018-05: Humdrum Statistics
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Even Mr. Monte fell asleep after reading this post.

There, how’s that for a catchy, interest capturing title? It sucked you right in, didn’t it? Well, I had to use high-pressure tactics because there’s so much to tell you.

Humdrum Statistic 1 – D-Day +16: Yes, I’ve been moving dirt. In between windstorms, cold spells, infirmity, and a hundred other things that would have deterred a lesser man, I have moved dirt. Lots of dirt? Well, maybe not so much, but at least some dirt is where it wasn’t before. And I’m darned proud of the fact that I’ve only encountered one Lesson Learned in the process.

Lesson Learned 06: If a panel on your garden box is warped, don’t attempt to straighten it by applying undue pressure with your foot. Over time, these panels not only warp, they also become brittle.

Yes, dang it, I broke one. – – – Cost for replacement box $38 something.  Why buy one box when you can get two (probably my dumb idea)? What about shipping? No, it’s not free. Bottom line – my heavy, booted foot cracked the panel and it cost me $109.00.

Humdrum Statistic 2 – Multiple Hours of Sleeplessness: Wonderful, sweet spouse caught some terrible disease from yours truly. I’m recovering. She’s not. The other night she coughed for hours. I lost precious hours of sleep. Thankfully, wife finally fell asleep. I blissfully fell into a deep slumber … for about three minutes. Eighteen pound, spoiled, monster of a Maine Coon cat began to snore loudly. Zero hours of sleep for me that night.

Humdrum Statistic 3 – The Relative Weight of Dirt: The relative weight of dirt (mass is a different matter) increases when one is sick and sleep deprived. I have been both. Consequently, the relative weight of the total of six cubic yards of dirt to be moved is now roughly equal to what it would be on Jupiter. (That would be Weight on Jupiter= (Weight on Earth/9.81m/s2) * 24.79m/) Yes, when you’re sick, sleep deprived, and have to move a lot of dirt, you think about these things a lot.

Humdrum Statistic 4 – SFH 2017 Plantings: All of the above was a lead in for presentation of the official list of vegetables and herbs planted at SFH during 2017. (You can view this very humdrum list at SFH 2017 Plantings.) We hope to do better this year. The only way to gauge that, however, is by keeping a set of “Humdrum Statistics”. There, now you know why I really chose the title.

 

 

Faith, Family, & Country, Pray, Prepare, Preserve

Living by Chapter 49 – Lent

Saint_Benedict_Medal1 The life of a monk ought to be a continuous Lent. 2 Since few, however, have the strength for this, we urge the entire community during these days of Lent to keep its manner of life most pure 3 and to wash away in this holy season the negligences of other times. (Excerpt from the Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter 49)

We said on day one of this blog: “He [God] has led us and guided us through the years and He has given us aid and sustenance all along the way. One very important gift was the grace to become Oblates of St. Benedict and to live in that calling.”

We have passed the midpoint in Lent. Our observance has not been perfect. St. Benedict knew that few “have the strength for this.” Yet, we do our best to deny ourselves “some food, drink, sleep, needless talking and idle jesting, and look forward to holy Easter with joy and spiritual longing.”

At the very top of the obverse side of the medal of St. Benedict is the simple word “Pax” – “Peace”. Here at  Serendipity Farmhouse, our simple observance of Lent – the quiet of the evening meals together, the moving of dirt and preparation for planting, and blossoming daffodils – brings us to that Peace.

Just thought you might like to know.

Recipe, SFH Food Talk & Recipes

SFH Food 2018-03: G&G Idaho Fries

Now that you’ve read SFH Food 2018-02: The Idaho Potato, it’s finally time to make honest-to-goodness, guaranteed-to-be-great “G&G Idaho Fries” the way we do. (Oh, by the way, the G&G brand stands for Granny & Granddad, of course.)

Serving Size: Enough for two people.

Recipe Ingredients:

  • 3 medium size, genuine Idaho potatoes (Remember Lesson Learned 04)
  • a little less than 1/4 cup olive oil
  • John’s Spice (if you don’t have any, you’ll have to be very creative)
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Recipe Directions:

  1. Wash potatoes (we prefer to leave the skins on)
  2. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees
  3. Spray baking sheet with olive oil; wipe off excess with paper towel
  4. Slice potatoes with slicer (you decide on thin- or thick-sliced )
    Spuds ready to slice
    Thin-sliced spuds
  5. Place sliced potatoes in large bowl
  6. Add olive oil and spices, then mix by hand (make sure paper towels are nearby to wipe your hands)
    Adding olive oil
    Adding John’s Spice
  7. Arrange potatoes on a large baking sheet

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    Keep the fries separated so they don’t stick together.
  8. Place in preheated oven for at least 30 minutes (check for desired color and crispness)
  9. Remove from oven and serve  – Don’t forget the fry sauce – enjoy!

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The New York strip steak was grilled outside while the fries were in the oven.

 

SFH Food Talk & Recipes, SFH Lessons Learned

SFH Food 2018-02: The Idaho Potato

Serendipity Farmhouse is a place for recalling, living, and making memories. Each memory has its proper place in our lives. Some are personal and private. Some are filled with sadness. Some, especially those about family and food , are joyous and need to be preserved, shared, and passed on to every generation.

Not surprisingly, our fondest memories of food are shaped by how we were raised and where we have been. My beautiful spouse is a girl raised in the South (GRITS) and yours truly is from the the mid-West. Together, we lived in Japan for over 10 years, in Hawaii for three years, as well as Texas, and California. Our two stays in Virginia amount to over 25 years. And tucked in between those two stays were six years in Idaho. – – Think of all the foods we encountered along the way.

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Real Idaho Potatoes

There’s no way we’ll ever be able to talk about every food experience. So, we will have to be selective. Today, we will keep the discussion down to earth. In fact, our discussion will go a little bit deeper as we delve below the surface of things. – – We will talk about Idaho potatoes, real Idaho potatoes.

My Dad was the son of immigrants from the Azores Islands. It’s a little known fact, but potatoes are the third largest crop in the islands and the simple potato holds a place of prominence in Portuguese cuisine. Even though my father eventually went into engineering, he told me on more than one occasion that he had always wanted to have a potato farm in Maine. – – What would my life have been like if Dad had followed that path?

Dad chose his future and I, at an early age, chose mine. Never in my early years had I thought I would live in Idaho, nor did I ever consider researching potatoes. Yet, in 2006, I was drawn there for a short stay and, two years later, my wife and I resided in the foothills of eastern Idaho, overlooking some of the largest potato fields in the world. – – That’s when our Idaho potato education began.

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There’s no need to tell you all we learned during our six potato seasons in Idaho, but there is a lesson learned.

Lesson Learned 04: If you live at SFH, always use Idaho potatoes. Bad things happen to people who would attempt to smuggle in some other kind.

Much of what you need to know about Idaho potatoes can be found on the Idaho Potato Museum website. Let’s just say that there is a great deal of unexpectedly interesting information there. For example, one of the primary manufacturers of potato planting and harvesting equipment is called “Spudnik”.

If you ever make it out to eastern Idaho, make sure you stop in Blackfoot, the “Potato Capitol of the World”. If you check the pictures below very closely, you will find one with your two dedicated bloggers when they made their first pilgrimage to the potato museum.

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Spud-13About now, your interest is beginning to wane. Before I end this, let me just add two more items that go hand-in-hand with potatoes. The first is a unique item, local to Utah and Idaho – “Fry Sauce”. There are disputes about who invented it and when, but Utah seems to be the place and it came into being circa 1948. When you sit down for a hamburger and fries in Idaho, the waiter will always ask, “Catsup or fry sauce?” My advice, go with the fry sauce.

Lesson Learned 05: When in Rome do as … When in Idaho, go with the fry sauce.

Even less widely known is John’s Steak and Seasoning Spice. It can be used on a multitude of items with great satisfaction, including on meat for grilling and, of course, on Idaho spuds in the form of french fries. Whenever I get on the plane bound for Idaho, I have with me orders from family members for John’s Spice. A couple of retail outlets sell it, but John’s Spice is the pride and joy of Pickle’s Place, a “one-of-a-kind” restaurant in Arco, Idaho.

You will learn more about fry sauce and John’s Spice in future posts. So, prepare to take notes, cook the potatoes, and enjoy the flavors.

*Note: Dear Reader, although we have mentioned specific products here, these are not paid advertisements. Likewise, we love the State of Idaho and the potatoes that are grown there, but our discussion is based on entirely on our own personal experiences and preferences.

Recipe, Uncategorized

Future Serendipitous Farmhouse Food Posts

Winter storms, moving dirt, preparing for planting, there’s just too much going on here at SFH. When do we get to eat?

Sometime soon we will have a post on our Incredible Idaho Fries. Six years in Idaho taught us a thing or two about spuds.

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Idaho Falls September 2012 – Idaho spuds as fresh as they come

Later on, we will talk about kefir – a delicious, and healthful drink made from milk. We will describe the differences between kefir made with raw cow milk and raw goat milk. Both are good, but they are different. However, don’t expect the post to tell you the proper pronunciation of “kefir”. I’m not sure anyone really knows. And, I for one have learned not to care.

SFH Lessons Learned

SFH Lessons Learned 2018-01: Coffee & Ribbons

We made it through Winter Storm Riley and we were prepared – but not completely. We Learned three big lessons from that storm. Needless to say, lessons learned are not really learned if one does not act upon them. So, let’s consider what we learned here at Serendipity Farmhouse and how we have acted upon what we learned: (See SFH PPP 2018-01: Living the Life of Riley for the whole story.)

What we learned:

Lesson Learned No. 1: Add a jar of instant coffee to our emergency supplies. We have a percolator coffee pot and a can of Bustelo, but instant coffee require less water.

Lesson Learned No. 2: Filling in my journal of events I, of course, longed for my laptop. Yet, upstairs we have this beautiful old Hermes manual typewriter. If I only had a ribbon for it, I would have greatly enjoyed typing out our experiences.

Lesson Learned No. 3: While hooking up extension cords, never make a mess on the kitchen counters. Wife is OCD and gets very upset.

What we’ve done:

LL-01AThis picture shows that we now have a supply of instant coffee. Power outage be hanged. The wood stove, the propane grill, and the brick barbecue are all there ready to heat the water.

The picture also shows that even when the batteries in the laptop and tablet die, posts for the SFH Blog will be composed, typed, edited, and ready for our readers when the lights come back on. (Notice the ribbon on the left is very hi-tech – it is both black and red.)

What we have yet to do:

As far as Lesson Learned No. 3 goes, this is a behavioral issue on my part. I am sadly and notoriously slow when it comes to mending my ways. Somewhere in my nature there is a neat and tidy person. But, when it comes to fast repairs in the house and reacting to perceived emergencies, I lose touch with that person.

I surely hope that I am not confronted with a Lesson Learned No. 3 type issue in the near future – at least not before I develop the required behavioral “skills”. Perhaps if I offer my beautiful spouse a freshly brewed cup of instant coffee and type out a love poem on my Hermes typewriter, she will extend her mercy.

 

SFH Plantings

SFH Plantings 2018-04: D-Day +5

We make a schedule. We have every good intention of keeping to the plan. My dear, sweet spouse reminds me of the schedule and the plan. What’s the plan? Move the dirt. What’s the schedule? Move it now.

Well, Winter Storm Riley, however, proved Robert Burns right once again: “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men / Gang aft a-gley.” Our plan did not include half a day without electricity, two trees down, and our highly envied vineyard flattened.

Ah, but Monday, March 5th, D-Day +5, was a beautiful day – bright sunshine, moderate breeze, and temperatures perfect for moving dirt. After two and a half days at the mercy of the storm, this bright new day, this first full day of semi-retirement, would be a day for moving dirt. (This, of course, could not begin until several other chores were completed.)

Shovel in hand, wagon pulled behind me, I was off to begin the task. Where was beautiful spouse? Dear readers, not every man has the rare joy of having a personal cheerleader and photographer such as I have.

So, we will present two pictures of the dirt to be moved and the man with the “dirt moving skills” to move it. Now, I must inform you that there is only one picture of yours truly because my personal photographer was using the wide angle lens and got a little too close to her subject. You’ve heard of the people who take selfies and complain that their noses look too big. Well, in this case, something else looked too big. (Those pictures are now deleted memories.)

So it was on D-Day +5. The Serendipity Farmhouse 2018 planting season draws nigh and we are back to our plan and back on schedule.