Listening to my pastor's speech at the recent Carroll County Tea Party Rally, I learned about the artist Steve Penley. 

Penley's artwork is the backdrop for stage and clearly shows that he's "putting his money where his mouth is."

His artist's statement cuts to the chase.  Here is a portion:

There is a battle being waged between worldviews which are diametrically opposed to one another.
I have chosen uncomplicated subjects such as historical icons because they are something we all have in common.

With my expressionistic brush strokes I hope to give these familiar faces new life.

To show my support I plan to make a purchase ~

perhaps a poster

or maybe a book

like the one about Vince Dooley's garden 

Added Later ~ Here's a link to a You Tube Video of Penley's introduction of Eric Erickson. Penley could be a stand-up comic, too.

2 ripe mangoes, peeled and chopped

2 large yellow tomatoes, peeled and chopped

2 Tbs grated white onion

2 Tbs finely chopped red pepper

2 Tbs finely chopped red onion

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

2 tsp cumin

zest and juice from 1 lime

salt & pepper, to taste.

DD#3 developed this recipe last year and I tweaked it a bit for our Labor Day (end-of-summer) celebration.

In addition to being a refreshing appetizer, this salsa pairs well with grilled or baked fish.

PS Here's a link to my Spinach Salad recipe which features Mango.

Best.Love.Story.Ever!

Well, certainly in a long while, and definitely in contrast to the last book I read.

Resonating with Truth and truth, Carolyn's chronicle captured both my heart and my intellect.  

I was hooked by the shocking advice of her graduate professor, Dr. Deveaux, in chapter one which you can read online at the author's website, PressingSave.

Much later in the book Dr. Deveaux's widow aptly applied those words for "Caro*" in a letter....

something about a homing device.

In between I dog-earred a number of pages, like Caro's response to Professor Nuttham (pg 61) and Dr. Sterling's interjection at high table (pg 127).  Plus I jotted down several words and titles (page 302), so that I could remember to look them up (cormorant, spondaic).

But allow me to focus on one standout ~

a seemingly inconsequential act that speaks volumes.

The scenario actually occurs twice.

Two different fellows insist upon walking on the lady's outside**. 

Hopefully you recognize this gentlemanly habit.

Caro's response to each is significant.

Either way Carolyn Weber's memoir wraps the package with style and flourish.

From the historic surroundings to the poetic subtitles, from the artistic references to the dinner conversations, Surprised by Oxford presents the Good News and good news.

Read for yourself.

Then share.

*author's nickname

**adding for future reference the pages numbers where these passages occur: w/TDH pg 196-197 and 204-205; then with Dorian pg 394-396

While reading Carolyn Weber's memoir Surprised by Oxford, I realized that I was unfamiliar with a painting she referenced.  Hence, this week's FAF entry goes to Englishman William Holman Hunt (1827 - 1910) and his

 The Light of the World

Painted at night in a make-shift hut at a farm in surrey, the original is now in a side room off the large chapel at Keble College in Oxford.

Which is how it plays a role in the book I was reading.

While I hesitate to focus on any physical representation of God, I did find myself curious about the details.  

From Wikipedia ~

The Light of the World is an allegorical painting representing the figure of Jesus preparing to knock on an overgrown and long-unopened door, illustrating Revelation3:20.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me".

According to Hunt: "I painted the picture with what I thought, unworthy though I was, to be by Divine command, and not simply as a good subject."

The door in the painting has no handle, and can therefore be opened only from the inside, representing "the obstinately shut mind". 

If I ever make it back to England (and I hope I do), seeing this painting is on this list of things to see and do.

Have you ever seen/heard of The Light of the World?

Since my vacation-days this year were delightfully spent at a week-long (inland) family reunion and the summer season is rapidly closing in on additional options, I decided to take the advice of the illustrious poet, Emily Dickinson, and travel via book to the beach.

Mary Kay Andrews proved once again to entertain me with a good story sprinkling sand, sea oats, and seafood.

Set on the outer banks of North Carolina at Nags Head, the narrative follows the beach capers of four life-long girl friends who are gathering for a month of rest and relaxation. I almost quit reading the book about one-third of the way through, but decided to ignore my prudish side, and ended up playing along and giggling with the girls

There were light-hearted moments and serious discussions. Here's a clip ~

"Look at me, Julia, I am telling you, yes. Yes, with absolute sincerity, despite Stephen, despite my parents' sh*tty marital history, despite all evidence to the contrary, that yes, I do still buy what you call 'that cr*p'. I have to believe Stephen really did love me, and that I loved him, and that we will love this baby I'm carrying. I'm furious and sad about what happened with us, but that doesn't make me believe that what we had wasn't real. And it doesn't make me believe that I won't find something that real again. I may be looking at being a single mother, at having to move in with my mom again, at working my a** off teaching school for peanuts, but you're the one I feel sorry for, Julia. Because you do have it all, but you don't believe it, and you don't appreciate it. And that's the saddest thing of all."

My favorite scene in the book came towards the end when the main character, Ellis (a girl) is dining al fresco with her love interest, Ty. Not only do they fix dinner together (how romantic), but they also talk about their recipes (revealing secret ingredients). I can't wait to try Ty's fried grouper sandwich and Ellis's coleslaw! (pg 320)

Here's a link to another review of Mary Kay Andrews's fiction.

Now on to more serious reading.

Grilled Pork Loin
Braised Red Cabbage
Steamed Pole Beans
Potato Salad
Cornbread Stick

Murphy-Goode Sauvignon Blanc (2009)

Blackberry Cream Cake
topped with diced Peaches
Coffee

Weekly on Saturday mornings the locals come to the square downtown and sell their wares: home-grown produce and flowers, hand-made crafts and artwork, plus there's always a little new-business marketing going on.

Today DD#3 and I returned with this bounty.

First purchase was the stained glass hummingbird. Much to my surprise an old friend was there and she had made this beautiful garden stake.

Then we sampled Java Culture's coffee on site and bought a bag a Guatemalan beans.

For lunch we enjoyed the cucumber vichyssoisse (center front) purchased from a 2000 CIA graduate who was there to promote her private chef services.

The tomatoes are *Better Boys* and feel very ripe.

The blackberries will no doubt show up in tomorrow's dessert.

There's was lots more we could have bought, like corn, cucumbers, squash, and peppers.

But we were under the gun to get things done.

Plus I've got to string all those white half runner (pole beans).

Lots to do before Sunday dinner guests arrive.

What’s your favorite pickled food?

I love pickled okra.

What’s your favorite dehydrated food?

Banana Chips.

What’s your favorite covered-in-chocolate food?

Dark Chocolate-covered Almonds.

What’s your favorite sauteed-in-garlic-and-butter food?

Shrimp Scampi.

What’s your favorite order-at-the-drive-through food?

Wendy's Salads are the best!

Blogger is down so Xanga fills the gap.

Once upon a time I discovered this recipe in a cookbook received as a wedding gift from a very dear friend, former teacher, Alice Frances Cheeseman, who taught me how to diagram sentences and other wonderful life lessons.  Today is her birthday and a fitting reason to add this recipe to my online repertoire, especially since I served it this past Sunday at our Mother's Day celebration.

So easy and so classic ~ Beef Stew Gaston!

This one dish meal seems to taste better when fixed a day ahead.

In a large skillet, brown 2 lbs of boneless stew meat in 2 Tbs hot oil.  When browned, sprinkle with seasoned flour.  Stir to coat well and brown the flour a bit.

In a separate saucepan, combine the following ingredients and heat until boiling:

1 cup beef bouillon, 1 cup canned tomato sauce, a large chopped onion, 1 1 /2 cloves pressed garlic, 12 whole peppercorns, 3 whole cloves, 1/4 cup parsley, and 1/2 crush bay leaf.

Place the meat in a large dutch oven.  Pour above sauce over it.  Simmer covered for 2 to 3 hours or until meat can be easily pierced with a fork.  During the last hour of cooking, add 1/2 cup dry white wine.

Cook separately, until nearly tender:

6 medium pared potatoes, 12 pared quartered carrots, 6 ribs celery, chopped.

Add these vegetables to the stew for the last 15 minutes of cooking.

Serves 4-6.

Freezes well.

What's your favorite beef stew recipe?

I’m tired.
__As I grow older
__fatigue comes sooner.
__This worn and weary frame
__no longer functions
__as it once did.
That I may continue to serve You
__and live the rest of my days
__to their full
__is my prayer.
I know, Lord, that I must learn
__to recognize limitations,
__to choose among opportunities,
__to eliminate excess baggage.
But that knowledge comes hard.
__I am not wise;
__I need to understand
__much more that I now know
__of the practical application
__of your Word
__to these matters.
Forgive me Lord
__for not learning sooner,
__for wasting time
__and dissipating energy
__I now wish I had.
__I see the importance
__of these commodities
__now that I am beginning
__to run short of them.
I want to serve You
__to the end,
__not in a lackluster manner,
__nor in weariness of flesh,
__but vivaciously,
__conserving and wisely using
__all my remaining strength
__________for Your glory,
_______________Amen.