Smack Dab in the Middle

Friday afternoon we went to the OV Baseball game in Port Allegany, OV won.   Of course I watched from the back seat which was enjoyable, the air was cool and the wind was cold.  Spectators had hoods up, hands in pockets and some even with blankets wrapped around them, just to hear the crack of a bat.  Dedication and love for the game at it's finest.  I like baseball and basketball but nothing beats being outside to watch a game.

As I sat there of course my mind started wandering.  To my left was Mr. Dick Meacham, his son Mark and Coach Dan Stavisky.  Mr. Meacham was my Shorthand and History teacher way back in 1965-1967.  Coach Dan Stavisky's dad, Mr. Bill Stavisky was our Superintendent and in his young teaching years at OV was the boys varsity basketball and baseball coach.  He was also a dear friend and wonderful gentleman.  Dan started his teaching career at OV and was our kids phys ed teacher.  They liked him and was sad when he left.  He was replaced with a great gal, Darlene Bullock, that brought some wonderful ideas to OV.  Then there is Mark, we watched him play ball in his younger years (he is still young in this gal's eyes).  Mr. Meacham was there watching Mark's son/his grandson play ball.  Here is the "smack dab in the middle".  Me, I am old enough to watch sons and grandsons play baseball and young enough to remember when fathers and grandfathers played.  There is a benefit to my age ;)  My husband stood over and talked to the 3 for quite awhile.  I was telling him what I thought my blog was going to be about today.  Yeah for that because he told me Mr. Meacham was reminiscing of his teen years and playing baseball on the very seem field his grandson was playing on that night.  He pointed out where home plate was originally and where there was a hand water pump they would get drinks from.  He said every day him and his friends headed to the field for the day.  There is that love for the "crack of the bat".
Three generations is what I am seeing in many families at the ball field.  Our grandson Kent, his dad Jim and his grandad Dick, all played for OV.  My nephew Coby and his grandad Alan together at the field.  All a tradition passed down through the years to the next generation.  Other families in our area that have carried on the love of baseball, Lundy, Jandrew, Nolan, Babcock, Terrette/Sturdevant, Graves, Mesler, Ebeling, Shall, Newton, the names could go on and on.  This is one of the joys to living where you and your parents grew up, a close knit community.

Quincy had the front seat.  The view looked much closer than this, I could read the player's number but knew a few by their batting stance ;)

By 11 am Dick had the floors done,  breakfast over, his barn chores done and leeks dug!  Once the leeks were cleaned I asked in a quiet voice, "would you like to try making homemade bread"?  It is a tradition, homemade bread and leeks so why break tradition?  He's either getting very brave or very bored with the usual hum drum house work.  Either way it's working.  I'm actually thankful for the cool temperatures and cold wind, too miserable to be outside working so I have his attention for a few more days.

Yes!  I was able to help!

Here is the leek butter recipe I promised.  We freeze it and believe me it is as tasty in the winter as the day you make it.  One of my favorites is a baked potato with leek butter!  Nothing better than the smell of fresh leeks on a cold blustery day, just makes the day fill with a big smile.

LEEK BUTTER
Soften butter, "real butter", chop the ends of the leeks and a few greens for color,(it looks so much better with the flecks of green).  Mix leeks and butter.  I can't tell you the exact measurement for the leeks.  It is preference.  Remember flavor vs heat.  The more leeks the more heat.  I prefer flavor over heat.  Put on a piece of saran wrap or wax paper and set in the refrigerator until it starts to set.  Take out and shape into a log shape roll.  Wrap with saran wrap and put in zip lock freezer bag and freeze.  I do the roll form that way I can cut off as much as needed.  Run a knife under hot water and cut the frozen butter.

Here is another leek recipe that is tradition.  We use Old York Cheese Spread but there are other cheddar cheese spreads that will do just fine.  I'm not sure but believe Old York is a Western NY product like Bison French Onion Dip.

LEEK CHEESE SPREAD
Chop the leeks as you would for the butter.  Soften 1 carton of cheese spread and  1 package of regular cream cheese (no reduced or low fat here, if we are going to eat it, it better be good;)  1/4 cup of mayonnaise, 2 TBSP Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 tsp accent, 1/4 tsp paprika.  Mix all together and put in sealed bowls.  We are going to try freezing some today, not sure if cheese will freeze and thaw but will let you know.

The perfect "tada" tasting moment, served chair side ♥♥♥♥♥

This student gets an A+ it looks great and tastes delicious!