Late Afternoon Sun

The Joy of Discerning Readers

I met last night with one of the best book clubs ever. It's a mystery book club that meets monthly at Malaprop's, Asheville's much lauded independent bookstore. They had chosen (at my suggestion) The Day of Small Things.

After making the suggestion however, I wondered if I'd done the right thing. I think this book is one of my best and it stands alone, unlike the Elizabeth books, but it's not a traditional mystery. 

There's a murder and a bit of a mystery but the reader only becomes aware of this near the end. Plus there's quite a lot of woo-woo, aka paranormal, goings on. And lots of what I  think of as clever hints and allusions that the ordinary reader in a hurry is likely to miss. 

Well. My worries were unfounded. Judging by their very intelligent and precise questions about the book, this group had read carefully and attentively. And (unless they were just being polite) appreciatively.

They liked it! They really liked it! The dialect, the magic, the characters, the snake-handling, Ronnie Winemiller's sweet ride, Mr. Aaron (another of my especial favorites,) and, of course, the three incarnations of Miss Birdie. 

It was an author's dream -- readers who really get what you tried to do. 

Divestiture...Of a Sort

A few days ago I encountered this handsome black rat snake on the rocks outside the little greenhouse. I noticed how shiny he/she was and looked for a recently shed skin in the greenhouse -- always a favorite place for blacksnakes to perform this maneuver. No skin and I forgot about it . . .

. . . till yesterday when I was heading for the potting bench behind the house and put my hand on one of the uprights of the gate. 

Yikes! That WAH! moment that kicks in as the monkey brain screams SNAKESNAKESNAKE! Then the reasoning part of my mind took over and I enjoyed the beauty of the shed skin, noting how the tail was hooked around the latch so the snake could wriggle free of the old skin like a fat lady peeling off her Spanx.

Only a lot more elegantly.

A Wish

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.

May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.

                       Edward Abbey

Apple Lemon Cake

Yesterday was chilly and rainy so I kept warm by cooking. Granola, meatloaf, and this really excellent Apple Lemon Cake.  The recipe is from this book -- but I'll give it to you, with my comments,

3 medium apples

1 medium lemon

1 cup (two sticks) butter, melted

1/2 cup vegetable oil

3 eggs

2 cups sugar

3 cups all-purpose flour 

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

about 1 tsp. Tunisian Five Spice (this is my addition -- the recipe didn't call for any spice of any kind)

1 cup chopped pecans

For the glaze

1 cup confectioners sugar

2 tbs. butter, softened

3 tbs. lemon juice

1 tsp. grated lemon zest

1 tbs. honey ( I left this out, thinking it was plenty sweet already)

1. Preheat oven to 350 F and grease and flour a 10 inch tube pan.

2. Peel, core, and chop the apples. Place in a bowl.

3. Grate the lemon zest. Set aside.

4. Squeeze the juice of the lemon over the copped apples and toss to coat each piece.

5. Pour the melted  butter into a large mixing bowl. Add the oil and beat in the eggs, one at a time. Beat in the sugar and half the lemon zest.

6. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and baking soda, along with optional spice. Stir into the batter.

7. Fold in pecans and apples.

8. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake till skewer comes out clean. (The book says 1 hour and twenty minutes but my cake was ready after just a little over an hour. And a little burned at that. Still delicious. Just be aware and check for doneness at fifty minutes.)

9. Remove from oven and let cool ten minutes in the pan. Turn onto a wire rack. Prick the top of the cake with a fork so the glaze will soak in.

10. The glaze. Sift the confectioners sugar into a small bowl. (I foolishly skipped sifting and got a lumpy, yucky looking glaze. Learned my lesson.)  Beat in the softened butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Spread over the warm cake. 

Tunisian Five Spice is a sassy blend of peppercorn, cinnamon, Grains of Paradise, cloves, and nutmeg. I much prefer it to the standard apple pie seasoning of cinnamon and nutmeg. 

Grains of Paradise? Check out THIS description. My mouth is watering...

Overheard in the Herd

Pictures from the Road Trip

The House on Raven Rock

Yesterday my friend Louise and I went to visit Elizabeth in Waynesville. We took the winding scenic route through Hot Springs and Trust and Luck. I'll post pictures from that tomorrow.

We were both in awe of the charm and beauty of Elizabeth's home, not to mention the view.  The little cabin seems to float above the tree tops.

It was a basic summer cabin but Elizabeth took it in hand and has turned the interior into a wonderful place to be . . .

It's filled with light and art and there's even a place for one's cello. (I was so impressed when I learned Elizabeth is taking lessons. She played us a piece and the way the instrument resonated in that high-ceilinged room was magical.) 

The perfect kitchen produced a delicious lunch of posole, empanadas, salad, and molasses cake topped with whipped cream, lemon zest and candied ginger. (Don't hate her because she's so talented...)

I am in love with Elizabeth's house and amazed that she wants to sell it -- even as I encourage her to move over to our neck of the woods. 

Maybe there's someone reading this blog who is considering relocating. If you want to see more and better pictures, check  out the realtor's link HERE.

Time for Asparagus -- and Other Spring Pleasures!

Flowers for May Day -- And a Reminder

Lily of the Valley especially for my French friends -- Vagabonde, Therese, and Miss Yves.  (I'm told that sending lily of the valley on May Day is traditional in France.)

Once it was the custom to leave a basket of flowers hanging from your neighbor's door knob (see HERE) -- a charming tradition that has pretty much gone now -- along with the Maypole.

So consider these  blossoms your virtual May basket.

You'll have to imagine the Maypole. Or watch THIS.

Also, my maternal grandmother always said that getting wet in the first rain of May would ensure good health in the coming year. She lived to 91. I've already gotten my dose of good health -- it was raining lightly when I went out to fill the bird feeder.