MOOOOOOOOO COW

Thanks to Rob and Melanie Kraft we now are in control of the beef we eat. They grass fed their small herd in an attempt to raise organic beef we can trust. They did an enormous amount of research when it comes to the ethical treatment of the animals. We bought 1/8th of a cow and filled up the freezer and we are glad we did. I made the best meat loaf last night.

I caramelized an onion...threw in a handful of sun dried tomatoes, teaspoon of oregano, basil and garlic salt, package of onion soup mix (I throw this into a lot of things) 2 eggs and 3/4 cups of bread crumbs. Mixed it up, plopped it into a loaf pan and cooked it for 1 hour....roasted sweet potatoes, side of beans and some chow chow...OOH BABY....Mama can cook. (Make at your own risk....I don't normally measure things. So, I am guessing.)

Gotta run.....off to Asheville to pick up provisions. Smooches from the Pooches and Hugs from the Bugs (lady ones)

LAURA'S HONEY POT

Gary and I were here alone this morning and although we like sleeping late we miss our guests But they soon return. So, we enjoyed a cup of java and listened to the Hillary Obama Whamathon on the morning news. But the best part was breakfast. I am in love with Annie's breads, baked here in the mountains. This gal has her technique down and it is all whole grains and just a bit chewy but the piece de resistance (pardon my southern French) is Laura's honey. Laura, not unlike a lot of people in this area and the like minds that show up at Ponder Cove is raising her own bees. Laura was generous enough to give me a pot and I must confess......I HAVEN'T SHARED IT WITH ANOTHER HUMAN. It is unbelievable. It also represents these mountains and the areas around here and the people willing to rise to the cause.....bees in trouble.....no problem....I will raise them in my back yard in Atlanta. Thanks Laura and to the overwhelming numbers that went to bee school recently here in Western North Carolina.

BROWN SUGAR BACON at Ponder Cove

Oh my...here I go attempting a real blog. Hopefully I will keep up and you will join in. I wanted to start a blog in attempt to keep up with friends and guests more. This is also a great way for me to journal as you know there will be a book someday concerning the life and times of a fashion renegade now in the B & B business.

For those of you that have not tried my recipes I did the brown sugar bacon this morning for Liz and Larry and they were quite happy. Liz and Larry come often as they watch their life begin to unfold here in Madison County. Construction on their home begins soon and we saw the property this weekend. For two Chicagoans they have bit off a mountain top and they deserve it. The transformation of their beautiful woods into their dream home will be fun to watch.

No more for now....pushing on to Carrabas night at the grammar school. Carrabas provides the food and the school gets the money....full tummies and a good time are had by all. See the excitement you are missing....see you soon at Ponder Cove.