“Tis the Season to be Jolly”

Posted on December 20, 2014December 20, 2014 by Dusty Roads

Happy Holidays my blogging friends and followers! It a busy time of year. The Taunton Green is beautiful. They , like so many other places, used the theme of “Frozen”. I just need an evening when I’m not headed to a party or its not raining to get some pictures to share. Maybe this weekend. I don’t care if it snows. That would be pretty and fit right in with the theme but rain would put a damper on things. 🙂

I made my deadline and got my 2014 Christmas cards out on time! I used my “Christmas House” photo from last year for this year’s card.

I have some ideas for next year. I just have to get time to try capture the images.

Buddy continues to destroy the little Christmas Tree. He knows it wrong because he jumps down as soon as I start toward him. I look away and he’s right back up there!

I’ve been busier this year with holiday parties. I usually stick pretty close to home. I’ve outgrown being a “party animal” but I was invited to a “girl’s night out” for my team at work and I decided it would be fun. I wasn’t disappointed. We went to an italian restaurant in Belmont, MA called Il Casale.

We had a wonderful dinner. My teammate , Eileen had just come back from Italy and she said her meal was better than anything she had while she was there. My chicken parm was exquisite. They didn’t take any of the short cuts that so many restaurants do. But by far the chocolate cream puffs we had for dessert were the crowning glory of the meal.

That was Thursday, then on Friday we had the Redfin Holiday party. It was held on the Spirit of Boston and what a good time! Everyone was smiling and happy, there was an awesome buffet and lots of dancing. I don’t get into the office very often as its just easier to work from home so it was really nice to see everyone.

Of course when I got home the tree had been ravished again. 🙁 I’ll have to re-string the lights this time as well as the beaded garland. But it’s all about the holidays anyway. Right?

Strawberries

Posted on August 22, 2014August 22, 2014 by Dusty Roads

About a week ago I saw a demonstration video on Facebook about How to Hull Fresh Strawberries. What caught my attention was the first frame, you know the one that’s like a photo until you press the arrow? It was of a woman with a knife and a bunch of mutilated strawberries with their tops cut off.

I hate to say it but it looked like the way I hull strawberries too so I pushed the arrow. After the introduction which made fun of the woman and her knife and her poor sliced up strawberries they got to the good stuff.

According to the demonstration you can perfectly hull a strawberry with a straw! They made it look so easy.

Of course I had to run right our and buy a pint of strawberries to see if it really worked.

All you do is stick the straw up the bottom of the berry. When it pops through at the top it takes the hull with it. Very easy!

At first I didn’t hold the straw close enough to the tip and it bent but once I got the hang of it I can tell you it does work and it’s pretty quick.

But what I like most is that you get a beautiful strawberry that you can keep whole to decorate your plate or dessert.

Barbecue Party Fun

Posted on June 26, 2014June 26, 2014 by Dusty Roads

In spite of the annoying trek into Boston and the difficulty getting into the event, the Phantom Gourmet’s Barbecue Party was a lot of fun. The entrance fee at the door was only $10.00 This did not include food or drink. That would have been too much to ask.

The crowds were manageable and I didn’t see anyone intoxicated. The Beer Garden was a great place to grab a seat and watch the crowds. A DJ had the music rockin’ and the weather was perfect.

What seemed to be a high point was a Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. The winner gets to move on to the big contest at Coney island. Why would anyone want to do that to themselves? I couldn’t watch!

In fact, I found that my 4 ribs from the Chicago Barbecue had me filled up completely. I wanted to try the Tennessee Barbecue.

I’d really liked it when I was in Tennessee and I’d promised a taste of Barbecue from down under, The Aussie tent. Didn’t make that either.

But sitting in the shade in the beer garden, listening to the music and watching the crowds was a great afternoon.

Got Kids?

Posted on June 20, 2014June 20, 2014 by Dusty Roads

Got Kids? I don’t but I “borrow” a couple every now and then when the urge to be maternal overtakes me. Well behaved kids are cute, even fun to be around. Sadly I see fewer and fewer well behaved kids when I’m out and about. Must be a sign of old age. I’m sure the same was said of my generations and we’re no worse than any other.

But I digress, I wanted to share a really cute idea. In fact I watched this amuse and entertain a bunch of kids for a whole afternoon.

Next time your kids complain about not having anything to do don’t plunk them in front of the TV or the computer with a video game. No! Give them a potato.

Give them some paint, pipe cleaners, paper and plastic wheels.

When I was a kid we cut a raw potato in half, then carved a design in the bottom. Once the carving was done we dipped the end in paint and stamped the paper. We made stars and lines and circles and all sorts of things. Tater Art!

Or maybe carving them like a pumpkin? But maybe you don’t want your kids to play with sharp objects. Ok then how about sticking some plastic wheels in your tater car?

Paint it, decorate it and race it. Oh that kept the kiddie’s occupied for the whole afternoon.

But you have to watch out for Tater thieves. Yup! They will sneak up and make off with your precious raw material.

Look out he’s got one! (Who said don’t play with your food?)

Smokey Mountain Shakes-N-Dawgs

Posted on May 26, 2014May 26, 2014 by Dusty Roads

I have to put in a food “plug”. After my morning owner’s meeting I headed out to drive the Gatlinburg By-Pass and find Cades Cove but first I needed some lunch.

I was looking for a place the concierge recommended. I thought they said “The 3 Bears” but I hadn’t spotted it when I saw Smokey Mountain Shakes -N- Dawgs. It had room to park so I figured I’d grab a hot dog and be on my way.

First of all they advertise that this is the “Home of the Moonshine Dawg”. The owner was at the grill when I stepped in. As I put in my boring order for a naked dawg with mustard I asked him to tell me what a moonshine dawg was. Of course it’s a secret family recipe. But he did say they soak the dawgs in moonshine. The moonshine infuses the dawgs with a unique flavor. He assured me the alcohol cooks off. (Sure it does). He asked me if I wanted one but I decided to pass. I had places to go and things to see.

But I did decide to indulge in a “shake”. I figured It would be a long time until dinner so I ordered a chocolate shake. They only have 1 size and it came with the straw standing straight up. MacDonald’s can’t compare. I requested a spoon because that’s the only way that shake was going to get eaten. It was awesome.

It’s a family owned business and they are real friendly folks. Seating is limited to only about 6 small tables. There’s a long list of toppings going by names like Choo Choo Dawg (beef dawg wrapped in bacon and deep fried and served with cheddar cheese on a toasted hoagie and topped with a special sauce), Super Purple Cabbage Slaw Dawg, Mac Shells -N-Cheese Dawg and so on. The list is too long for this space.

Strawberries seem to be the desert specialty and they are fresh. The owner was ordering them by the pallet while I was having my lunch.

If you get to Gatlinburg you won’t go wrong with a stop here…103 Mills Park Rd (at the corner od highway 321 and Mills Park Rd, Gatlinburg.)