Category Archives: Nostalgia

Sweet Summer

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Summer is the sweetest of seasons… growing up I longed for the summer months.  No school, long days at the beach, movie matinees, summer vacations, and visits to the ice cream shop. A particularly favorite summer past time for me as a young child was going to the country with my grandparents and picking all the fruit we could possible carry.  My siblings and I were quite young and often dragged our buckets along the way unable to carry our found treats. When we had buckets full of peaches, strawberries, blackberries, or blueberries, we would head back home to “put them up.” The majority would be made into preserves and some were used for a cobbler or two.

My grandfather, a surgeon by day, also enjoyed playing farmer and cook in his off time. My grandmother often referred to these hobbies as his golf game. When we were in the kitchen helping him prepare the rewards from his garden, he would move us about the room much like his nurses in the ER.  “Hand me that jar!”… “Keep stirring!”… “No, not that pan, hand me that one!” He ran a tight ship in and out of the kitchen, and we were overjoyed to be his sous chefs. Many times, we diligently assisted him in creating some delicious delights for our family and countless friends to enjoy throughout the year.

This summer in particular, like those of my childhood, have been fruitful.  Every chance I get, I head outside of town visiting the area’s U-Pick farms filling up as many buckets as I can carry. I love to eat the freshly picked fruit by the handful, and then I take the rest (if there is any left) and make a batch of preserves or bake a sweet summer fruit cobbler just like I had been taught as a child.

strawberry picking

friend and berry enthusiast- Dorothy

strawberries

found the tooth berry

thomas orchards

Thomas Orchard Stand

I love all the summer fruits, but the star of the summer for me are blueberries- sweet, a little tart, and delicious. Here’s a simple recipe that has been passed down in our family that is perfect for summer blueberries and sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

blueberry picking
Hamrick Family Cobbler (does well with any fruit)
Fill a large pot on the stove with approximately 3 cups of washed blueberries. Add as much sugar as desired for sweetness.  Cover the blueberries just slightly with water.  Cook the blueberries on low heat until soft.
In a separate bowl, gradually mix all purpose flour into a half cup of water until smooth then add this to  the berries on the stove. This will thicken, but the mixture still needs to be juicy. Reduce the heat and put to the side.
Grease the bottom of pyrex dish with butter.
Crust:
Use your favorite biscuit recipe.  Roll the dough out to 1/4″ thickness and cut four 3 inch wide strips to line the sides of the pyrex dish.
Pour the berry mixture into the dish.
Cut the remaining dough into 3 inch wide strips and cover the top of the fruit mixture. Dot top of pie with butter and sprinkle with sugar.
Bake at 350 degrees until brown. Top with vanilla bean ice cream to rock your world.
blueberry cobbler

via pinterest

My husband and I devoured ours before I remembered to photograph it.

This post was previously published on The Southern C

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To all the mamas…

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Happy Mothers Day
Southern mothers are one of a kind- sometimes sweet, sometimes sassy, but always full of love for their little ones. I recently discovered this quote from Lyle Lovett about the Wisdom of a Southern Mother from Garden and Gun.  It reminds me of the sweet, strong, Southern mothers in my life.
Lyle Lovett, musician: When I was growing up, my mom often told me, “There are many correct ways to do something.” I still think about that as I figure out how to move forward each day. My mom always encouraged independent thought, not simply falling in line for the sake of it. That’s only one of many, many, many qualities that I love about her.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mamas out there…especially mine 🙂  She’s awesome.

Sunday funday

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food blog southYesterday was a whirlwind of info: recipe writing, restaurant reviewing, social media strategies, food styling, and photography tips at Food Blog South with some of my fellow C-Team members from the Southern C.  It was so great to finally see and meet these virtual friends in person and meet some new ones.

The Southern C

Food Blog South

I just discovered this short documentary from Southern Foodways Alliance about Gus of Pete’s Famous Hot Dogs in downtown Birmingham.  Gus was one of Birmingham’s food icons, having taken over his uncle’s hot dog stand in 1948.  During his 72 year tenure at Pete’s Famous, very little changed about the restaurant or the dogs.

Birmingham has a unique foodscape and hot dogs are definitely a local favorite.  I have fond childhood memories of lunch trips with my grandmother to both Pete’s Famous and another local hot dog joint, Gus’s Hot Dogs.

So instead of my usual Sunday photo….you get a video.  Enjoy!

GUS on Vimeo on Vimeo

Greensboro

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Historic Greensboro

Downtown Greensboro GA circa 1895

The reign of King Cotton in the early 19th century facilitated the growth of many small towns in the Southern region of the United States.  Greensboro, Georgia, founded in 1803, became the hub of economic growth and the commercial center of Greene County. Fifty years after its founding, Greene became Georgia’s largest cotton-producing county. In 1838, responding to the need to transport the region’s ever-growing crop, the Georgia Railroad reached Greensboro, cementing the city’s status as the county’s commercial center.  By 1854 the town had its own cotton mill, the Greenesboro Manufacturing Company. The merchant class that profited from this commerce became the town’s elite.  After the Civil War and boll weevil devastation, Greensboro declined economically as did most of the once prosperous cotton kingdoms.

Once at the heart of the rich cotton belt and the center of Georgia commerce, downtown Greensboro has been slowly establishing itself as a regional destination for beautiful architecture, antiques, art, and local food.  Living in nearby Athens, visiting Greensboro makes an excellent day trip to relax, shop, and eat.  Check out my favorites!

greensboro antique mall

The Greensboro Antique Mall is located in the former Big Store of 1860, owned by local banker and merchant Mr. Charles Davis.  The Big Store was the largest goods emporium between Atlanta and Augusta and boasted that they sold everything “from the cradle to the grave.”  Not a whole lot has changed since then.  The Greensboro Antique Mall has been in business since 1994 and its 11,000 square feet space is full of vintage treasures collected by 50 different dealers.

antiquesvintage bottlesvintage hairdryergriswold cast ironvintage coffee canold mason jardemitasse cups

The shop is so enormous and full of unique items one could spend all day here.  After antiquing…take a respite down the street at the Yesterday Cafe for some sweet tea and comfort food.

yesterday cafe

This family owned restaurant is located on Main Street a few doors down from the antique mall.  They have just about every classic southern dish you can imagine from fried green tomatoes to country fried steak….and don’t forget the buttermilk pie (featured in Southern Living).

image courtesy Two Old Ladies on the road

image courtesy Two Old Ladies on the road

I can’t ever leave Greensboro without a stop at the local Ripe Thing Market to pick up some goodies for the road.  This gourmet shop is full of local prepared foods, local meat and seafood, produce, ice cream, candy, and more.  They also have tons of samples so you can try a variety of items before purchasing.  I’m a huge fan of their homemade preserves, hoop cheese, and hibiscus tea.  They are open 7 days a week and their staff is so friendly and helpful.

image courtesy O'Brien Family Farms

image courtesy O’Brien Family Farms

These are just a few things to see and do in the charming town of Greensboro, Georgia!  Ever been there?  If so, what are some of your favorites?