Vacation, Bloggers Meet.

On our journey south, we stopped at Angola’s rest station in New York State and had lunch. I wanted a coffee so went to a coffee bar there and asked for a large decaf. $3.58. I nearly flipped. A ridiculous price, I still paid it, I wanted a drink for the next part of our trip.
I am not sure how far along, I could see what I thought were a couple of dogs crossing the hiway. Turned out it was a mother deer and her baby. I had never realised they were so small. Bit later I was looking at a flock of hawks in the sky, couldn’t believe there were so many then I noticed some parachutes in the same area, there were quite a few of them. We figured there was some kind of air show in the area. Then we saw a bi-plane doing loops etc. Not sure where the show was. A few minutes later, saw a large hawk at the side of the road enjoying a meal. He really was a big bird. It all made the trip more interesting.

Friday night we spent at a Super 8 in Winchester, VA. we went next door to the Chinese restaurant where we had eaten before. The food was still as good, but the ambience was gone. Matt didn’t like the place at all this time. I had some Hot and Sour soup, very good. Then garden rolls which were shrimp and veg wrapped in rice paper, and some dumplings. Deeeelicious. I forgot to take my camera of course. I really am a lousy photographer. Our second day on the road was pretty uneventful. Once we had unloaded the car we went to a nearby restaurant and had a lovely fresh flounder. Afterwards we headed for the grocery store

On Monday afternoon on we went for a walk along Bogue Pier, one of our favourite places to be. Nobody was catching much but pinfish and the odd blue. Blues are delicious to eat, but pinfish are all bones and best used for bait. I took a few pix which somehow didn’t register in my camera, I have no idea what happened. Pity because we came across a game on the beach which was being played by four guys tossing bags at a board with a hole in it, a bit like horseshoes. They had a board either end. I took some shots of it from the pier and then someone asked if we had ever seen the game before, we said no and so she explained it to us. It is apparently called Cornhole. Looks fun, I was never any good at horseshoes as the shoes were too heavy. These were like small bean bags. Maybe everyone knows the game, but we had certainly never seen it before. I am not sure what was wrong with my camera, but when I checked it out the date wasn’t set, I don’t know if that makes a difference. I took a pic and that seemed to come out OK so I am puzzled.

Monday evening we had dinner with friends we hadn’t seen in 12 years which was a fun event. So nice to see them both.

Tuesday was the great day, we went to MacDaddy’s in Cape Carteret and there we met Jeff Hargett. I had so been looking forward to this meeting.  Much to my delight all three of us seemed to get on so well. I don’t think Jeff and I ever stopped talking. We had lunch and then went in to bowl. Father Dragon had declared that the winner would be awarded the dwarf tossing championship due to the lack of dwarves in this area of North Carolina. To our shame, Matt beat the pair of us making him the new champion. Part of the way through the first game a woman came up to us – I looked at her and said I know you, but who are you. She looked at me as though she thought I had gone bonkers. I had, it was L. Diane Wolfe – idiot that I was, I had assumed she wasn’t going to make it and didn’t click when she arrived. I was delighted to meet her as well. Her husband hadn’t been very keen on her coming because not being internet savvy, he had thought we were murderers and rapists. Diane took photos of us to prove we weren’t like that at all. I didn’t get any pictures myself, camera in the car this time.  Diane was unable to stay very long, so we carried on bowling and it turned out that Matt won, I couldn’t bowl at all, worst I have ever done at 10-pin. Bowling again on Thursday, hope I do better.

We then decided to go to the Golfin’ Dolphin which is part of the same complex, and play miniature Golf. Matt and I have played there a number of times over the years. It was there quite a long time before the MacDaddy’s building was erected. This time Jeff won, Matt came second, and there I was, last again. Not my day at all. We then decided to take Jeff over to Bogue Inlet Pier which is one of our favourite spots. He agreed and found it very peaceful sitting there in the sun. Sadly it was getting latish and Jeff wanted to be back at his rental before it got dark so we said our goodbyes and off he went. Such a pity we couldn’t have met up one more time, but he is only at the coast for a week. By the way, the fishing was still bad at the pier as there were still sharks swimming around.

It was really great meeting these two blogging friends and I’m only sorry it wasn’t possible for us to have more bloggers there. I am only waiting for them to post their pictures.

I love crèpes or what we English call pancakes, I would eat them a lot more but…. I am doing enough damage to my weight now I think. I’m not sure what classifies these as Swedish, they are the same as the pancakes I have been making all my life. Never eaten lingonberries, but I imagine any berries would be equally delicious. I, by the way, would use cream.

Swedish Pancakes

Source: Taste of Home
20 pancakes

Served with lingonberries, these super-thin pancakes are truly elegant.

INGREDIENTS
2 cups milk
4 eggs
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
Lingonberries or raspberries
Seedless raspberry jam or fruit spread, warmed
Whipped topping

DIRECTIONS
In a blender, combine the first six ingredients. Cover and process until blended. Heat a lightly greased 8-in. nonstick skillet; pour 1/4 cup batter into center of skillet. Lift and tilt pan to evenly coat bottom. Cook until top appears dry; turn and cook 15-20 seconds longer. Repeat with remaining batter, adding oil to skillet as needed. Stack pancakes with waxed paper or paper towels in between. Reheat in the microwave if desired.
Fold pancakes into quarters; serve with berries, raspberry jam and whipped topping.

Have a great day.

Historical, Bogue Inlet Pier, Grousing.

Well now I’m upset. An author labelling her book as historical fiction when it was set in 1961. Historical!!!! I was in my 20s and I don’t consider myself part of history. Technically I suppose yesterday is historical, but when people talk of historical fiction I think of early 20th century or before. Not 50 years ago!!! My past is not historical, I am not a figure from history. Hmpf!!

At the moment the weather at our North Carolina destination is cool in the morning but warms up during the day which will suit me down to the ground so long as it stays that way. Our friends who are already there for their vacation won’t be too happy if it isn’t beach weather, but as we aren’t really beach people it won’t affect us that much although we both like to spend time on the pier and gaze at the ocean or watch the fishermen and women – fisher people? In fact I was discussing with Matt the idea of renting ourselves some rods this year. We gave all our fishing tackle to a friend when we left NC – don’t think they still have it. Some very big fish are caught off this pier, we haven’t ever caught anything very large ourselves, but certainly large enough to provide supper. This pier has been damaged by hurricanes over the years, a couple of times in my memory, but luckily they have repaired it every time although some of the other piers on Emerald Isle, NC have disappeared since we have been visiting the area, keeping them repaired is a pretty expensive proposition I gather. Long may they continue to do so.

There is a restaurant that I was quite determined to try last year but didn’t get there, so this year I am even more determined. It’s called Sammy’s Seafood and from what I see on Facebook, their food looks really good. We usually go to another restaurant, Floyds 1921 for my birthday meal although normally Matt and I never go out to dinner on a Saturday which is the day my birthday falls on this year. I am still wondering whether to go out that night or not.

Although we can’t actually see it because of lots of trees, there is a school which we face from our apartment. It’s for fairly young kids, no I don’t know what grades, I have never grasped the system. However, after they broke up for the holidays, workmen moved into the grounds and have been there all summer, digging up all round the front, there are great piles of dirt and deep holes. We have no idea what they are doing, but if they can finish it by the time the kids come back to school, I will eat my hat. What really teed me off, Friday night it was nice enough to have the bedroom window open, 6 a.m. Saturday morning they started work, banging and crashing, we were not happy. They have all kinds of heavy machinery there too. 6 a.m. I ask you?

Everyone, but me, loves potato salad. It always turns up at any summer gathering in one form or another. This one was from Cooking.com and I just might try it although I don’t know I would bother to make it.

Potato Salad with Parmesan and Tomato

Source: Le Cordon Bleu Home Collection - Potatoes

Serves 4
Potato salad is a perennial favourite - especially in summer - and can be enjoyed as a side dish, or simply on its own. This particular version is satisfying and flavoursome.

INGREDIENTS
6 medium to large boiling potatoes, scrubbed (see Chef's tip)
1 large tomato
1 butterhead lettuce
1 shallot, finely chopped
Chopped fresh chives, to serve
Grated Parmesan cheese, to serve

For Vinaigrette:
2 teaspoons mustard
4 teaspoons white wine vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS
Place the potatoes in a large saucepan of salted water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30-35 minutes, or until tender to the point of a knife. Remove and plunge into a bowl of iced water to stop the cooking. Peel the potatoes, then cut them into 1/2-inch cubes and set aside to cool.
Bring a small pan of water to a boil. With the point of a small sharp knife, score a small cross in the skin at the base of the tomato. Drop the tomato into the boiling water for 10 seconds, then plunge it into a bowl of cold water. Peel the skin away from the cross, then cut around and remove the stalk from the tomato. Slice the tomato into quarters, remove and discard the seeds and finely dice the flesh. Set aside.
FOR THE VINAIGRETTE:
Mix the mustard and vinegar together in a small bowl and season to taste. Gradually pour in the oil in a thin steady stream, whisking until the mixture emulsifies and thickens. Stir in the grated Parmesan, then gently toss the potato cubes in the vinaigrette until well coated.
TO SERVE:
Arrange the lettuce leaves on six plates. Pile some potato salad in the center and garnish each salad with a sprinkling of shallot, chives and diced tomato, then a little extra Parmesan and freshly ground black pepper.
CHEF'S TIP:
Round white or red waxy potatoes as well as new potatoes are well suited for using in salads.

Have a great day

Bogue Inlet Pier, Birthday Dinner.

I have posted pictures of Bogue Inlet Pier before, this is what it looked like after Hurricane Irene. I saw this picture in a friend’s copy of The Tideland News of August 31, I googled and found the picture which I really wanted to share. What a mess. According to the article there was 225 ft. sheared off. Our friends said people had sent in donations, but the pier owner doesn’t want donations, he says come in, have a beer, and enjoy the pier instead. The pier is a very popular fishing spot, especially since there are almost no other piers left any more, most people find them too expensive to repair. Such a shame as they were such a feature of the Carolina coast for many years.

In the afternoon we went to the pier and walked along, had a couple of beers to do our part in rebuilding. The end doesn’t look quite so bad on top although the birds seem to have taken over the bit which is fenced off. There are lots of gulls here and they have decided they like the area and no-one can get at them. We basically saw several types of gull – sorry I know nothing about gulls other than they are usually raucous and noisy. We also saw a pod of dolphins playing around the end of the pier. Must have annoyed the fisherman, but it was lovely to see. When we got back into the car it was like an oven turned on full. Yuk.

 

Water looked really lovely and there were people surfing but the waves were nowhere near big enough.

 

 

As I mentioned yesterday, we went to Floyd’s 1921 for dinner last night – we ended up with 7 of us after starting with a possible 13 or so. Even I nearly didn’t go as I had been having so much pain in my neck and really wasn’t feeling up to it earlier in the day. Then it turned out our friend from Canada who was ill the day before nearly drowned himself on the beach. I guess it was shaping up to be an unlucky event. However, in the end it was great.  See the pretty white hair!! I guess that will stick with Matt forever now.

I didn’t really see what everyone ate, the people closest to me had things like steak and ribs. However, Matt and I started off with appetisers of Miniature Beef Wellingtons for me and Baked Almond Encrusted Brie with a Peach Jalapeño Chutney which basically we shared with each other. Both dishes were very good. This was followed by a crab bisque which was delicious. The bisque was actually part of the meal when you ordered the main course.

Matt loves crab cakes and that is what he ordered and they came with fried okra and whipped potatoes. The specials sounded good, one was trigger fish which I haven’t eaten in years, however, I chose another special, Flounder and Scallops in a Champagne Sauce with Grapes. Mouth wateringly delectable. The scallops were so tender and the fish was beautiful. We accompanied the whole with a glass of Pinot Grigio. Sadly the pictures have all turned out rather dark and I don’t have a really good editing programme on my laptop. When he had eaten his crab cakes, Matt swore he was really full and couldn’t eat anything else. However, they brought out desserts and offered me one free, and suddenly Matt decided to have a chocolate cheesecake which was delicious, I swiped a bit. I had a Crème Caramel, also to die for. I forgot to take pix of the desserts, however, as the pictures are so dark anyway, probably doesn’t matter. I hope you can make out enough from these pictures.

I finally got the recipe for sausage cheese balls, I couldn’t leave them alone when we were at our friend’s house the other night.

Sausage and cheese balls

1lb of sausage (mild or hot, however you prefer)

8 oz. sharp cheese grated

3 cups of Bisquick

Mix all ingredients well, shape into balls, cook in 425°F oven for approximately 15 to 20 min.

Have a great day.