In the last couple weeks we had to drive to Wilmington which is about 40 minutes north of us. On the way back we go through Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Fort Fisher. Just little coastal towns. At the end of the island is Fort Fisher with a museum, aquarium, beach and civil war trails that wind through the area. It is a very interesting stop that also gives the dogs time to stretch their legs and........well you know. The beach is great, they can run free and get plenty tired before we go the rest of the way back to Holden Beach. Also Fort Fisher/Southport Ferry is $7. one way for the auto, 2 of us and 2 dogs. We love it and once we get to Southport we are 25 minutes from Holden. Just a nice change of scenery. Now, the down fall of the ferry. This was little Ellie's second ferry trip and she does not do well on the ferry. Panting, whining, shaking, no talking and petting calms her down. Once we land and off for the rest of the road trip she is fine. The end, no more ferry for us. Hard to believe this little girl rules our life but she does.
Last night we had take out from a little cafe not far from us. On the Holden Beach website someone asked about restaurants and this cafe was the most recommended. We have been here since Dec 8, this is the second place we have gone to. I always say, if restaurants depended on people like us......there would be no restaurants! Back home the Pizza King in Wellsville and Red & Trudy's is our main stops. Once in a while if friends invite us we go to Just One More. We really don't like to eat out. Maybe because one of my favorite and most peaceful times is when I am in the kitchen. Easy to see by the title of my blog what makes me happy.
Back to our take out last night. It was delicious, we both had the shrimp dinner with cole slaw, hush puppies, lots of shrimp lightly dusted with a flavorful seasoning. Dick got onion rings and I got fried okra. What we decided.......split the next time. No way could we finish it all.
So much great food from the Surfer's Cafe!
Soon it will be February and I am already thinking of my favorite spring things. By the end of March when we get home it will be time to dig leeks. A friend will be taking Dick mushroom hunting to his favorite chanterelle mushroom site. Now that will make for a great spring supper, leeks, mushrooms and trout! I bet some of you are thinking, no thanks. Just the country girl in me that longs for these country foods.
Many might remember Vernie Howard that lived on Honeoye St in Shinglehouse. Aola Maxson was one of his daughters. When our kids were very young we went to Maxson's camp on Fiske Hollow just over the hill from Clara. The adult women sat around and cleaned so many leeks that sunny warm spring day. By early evening it was a ham and leek dinner with all the trimmings. I can still hear Vernie Howard saying, leeks are a spring tonic. He was right, especially when long ago refrigeration was not an option and grocery stores had little fresh fruit and vegetables. By the time spring rolled around everyone was ready for fresh foods. Leeks being one of the first spring greens. Then there are the fiddle head ferns, wild asparagus, dandelion greens, cowslip, watercress and of course mushrooms. I am sure many more but these are the only ones I heard of from my dad and mom. Mom would take me to the pasture near the Oswayo Creek on our Horse Run farm to find mushrooms. That night we would have them fried in butter with salt and pepper. I know many will never try a wild mushroom and you shouldn't unless you are 100% sure you know what ones are edible. One thing for sure, once you have had the wild ones you will never enjoy the store mushrooms again. So, I will be anxiously waiting for spring greens, mushrooms and just a couple young trout.
The four seasons I have lived with all my life are the best. Each one has a special meaning that can bring back good memories or for making new ones. There are sad memories in the 4 seasons but those you put on file in your mind and only bring them up when you feel it necessary. Good and bad, they are all part of learning and moving on. Try to share your memories with your kids and grandkids. It is the only way most family stories are passed on. Of course they might get bigger and better as they are passed down.
