All the goodies my mom would make for the holidays are probably second in my thoughts this morning. Della always had fresh tangerines and apples in a big bowl on the counter. The apples she rubbed with butter to make them shine. It makes me grin that I remember that small gesture, it was a very important part of her Christmas preparation. Then there was a bowl of mixed nuts still in the shells with a smaller empty bowl and a nut cracker set in it to be used for the shells. Do people still buy nuts in the shell? I haven't in a long, long time. Now it is easier to pay $7-9 a pound all salted (not good for our health) or even funky (now there's a word from the past) types of flavorings added. Through the years we have taken healthy foods and made them not healthy. Like the nuts, the apple has been pied, caked, drizzled in caramel, a banana has been fostered, peanut buttered, frozen and dipped in chocolate, you name it we can sugar up just about anything. Several recipes I see take a great pumpkin pie and add cream cheese, caramel or whatever else to give it the wow factor. A plain piece of pumpkin pie is still my pick and delicious. How about recipes adding chopped up candy bars to cakes, cookies and pies? Simple will always be just fine for me.
It's been an odd year (weather wise) at Cook'n by the Creek. Wind has been relentless and frequent. One night a few weeks ago it was so bad I went out in the morning to see if we still had shingles and siding. Bradley Run/Clara Valley Rd and Moffit Valley Rd come together just above our house. Once the winds combine from the two valleys it heads our way making for strong winds. We are open to the valley for winds from each direction. Setting low between the ridge of the hills acts as a vacuum. Nice in the summer when the temperatures and humidity move in but during the cold winter months it is not nice. This crazy weather is tending to make a mess for the hunters. Yesterday was cold with a hard frost in the morning. As I looked out across the pasture and to the hill side where Larry and Dick were it gave me a shiver. I know what it is like to set on the cold, dark side of the valley so early in the morning. This time of year the sun doesn't hit there until late afternoon and by the time it melts the frost the sun is almost ready to set for the night. Spring Gobbler is a little kinder to the hunter, the sun rises farther down the valley which brings it's warmth to the hill about 9 am. I remember setting there watching the warm sun slowly creep my way, thinking soon I will get warm. The funny part, once it melts the frost on the trees it feels like raining falling on me. You have to love hunting to face the elements of nature.
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| You can see the frost line in the field. It's cold on that hill, 22 degrees this morning. |
So you are probably wondering what Sidelines means. It is a sub/pizza parlor that opened this summer in Bolivar, NY. Shawn and Davina Evingham are the owners. Davina is the heartbeat of the business and a great cook too. She is doing it up right with fresh food, homemade dressings, sauces, soups, etc. Today was our second time for lunch and like the first time all was delicious. Dick was on a mission to get onion rings, they are the biggest, crispiest and best onion ring he has ever had. In no time short he told Davina just that! He also had the special, homemade veg. beef soup and a tossed salad which had tomatoes, onions, cukes, chi chi beans and homemade croutons in it and of course homemade ranch dressing, there was even a nice slice of cornbread on the side. I had the same as the last time (that is how good it was), boneless chicken wings with Mango Habanero Sauce and fresh cut French Fries. Now I am going to say with all honesty the food is 5 star, more like an upscale restaurant. The establishment is neat, very clean and well decorated with sports memorabilia from Bolivar, Richburg and the combined Bolivar/Richburg Sports Teams. I have promised next time I will try the pizza, especially when Davina told me the sauce is made in house. So, if you are visiting the area give Sidelines and try, go hungry because I promise you will get plenty of good food and not go away hungry. We have known Shawn since he was a little guy, our kids grew up together as we did with Shawn's parents. Our kids played with the Evingham kids and played against them in school sports. We have watched our kids and their kids marry and have kids of their own. Life is good living in our area to see families grow. Best wishes to Sidelines for a prosperous future.
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| All of this for $21, well worth the drive to Bolivar. We were in Olean and knew where to go for a GREAT MEAL. |
