To one of the more interesting writers on Xanga, and an all around damn fine fellow, (altho he needs to work a little on that low self-esteem problem he seems to have going on, poor thing)! 

Happy Birthday, Bricker!!

I was gonna have my lead beer carrier run these over to you.

 But, poor thing that she is, she would fall in love with you, and then I would have to fetch my own.

So I changed my mind. Sorry, but it is after all, just a birthday.

After you and your family and friends have had your fill of fish, taters, hushpuppies, and greens, there's only one thing you really need. And I hope you saved room for it. If you didn't, force yourself!

Fresh blackberry cobbler and French vanilla ice cream!

It just doesn't get any better!

Or any easier to make. At least when you make it my way!

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Rinse 2 1/2 to 3 cups of fresh blackberries, drain, and sprinkle with 1/3 cup of sugar and juice of 1/2 lemon

Let sit while you prepare the batter

Mix together

1 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 cup sugar

1 cup milk

Pour into a 13 x 9 x 2 buttered casserole dish

Spread blackberries on top of batter

DO NOT STIR OR MIX

Bake at 375 for 30 minutes or til top is browned

Top with French vanilla ice cream and serve it up warm from the oven

Heaven on earth!

Warning - Do not put whipped cream on this dish!

 Doing so will be just cause for revocation of all past, present, and future rights to Southern hospitality and/or maybe even citizenship!

Whipped cream is for sissies

And strawberry shortcake. Sometimes.

Maybe.

And pumpkin pie.

A friend asked about a hushpuppy recipe the other day, and being a southern boy that dearly loves the little morsels, I thought I'd put this one up for her.

We were on vacation at Wrightsville Beach the summer of 1975 and decided one day to drive up to Wilmington NC to see the USS North Carolina.

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( damn, that was 34 years ago!)

The local historical society had a small bookstore on the main deck, and Karen saw this little cookbook she just had to have.

It was $2.50 well spent.

The recipes were all contributed by local residents and written in true southern vernacular. They're not long on measurements or directions, but with a little common sense you can figure them out!

HUSH PUPPIES

Hound puppies howls in Georgia

Hound puppies howls at home

I 'spect dey cries in Paris

An' I her'd dey squeks in Rome

But de hunters an' de hounds

Dey don't make a sound

After you all passes

Dese here pones around

You chops a cup of onions

An' you chops 'em mighty fine

'Ca'se de hunters an' de hounds

Dey all is here to dine

 But make dis corn-cake batter

An' dey'll make dem plates to shine

A cup of flour, three cups of meal

All de eggs dat you can steal (2)

Four little spoons of baking powder

An' one o' common salt

A cup o' milk, you fries 'em then

An' no man cries a halt

This recipe makes a lot of hush puppies. For those not quite that hungry and/or poetically challenged, like me, I've halved the recipe and made it a little easier.

1/2 half a cup of onions (or 1/4 cup chopped green onions)**

1/2 cup of flour

1 1/2 cups meal

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 cup milk

Drop 6 to 8 rounded teaspoonfuls into oil one at a time

Deep fry in hot oil (375 degrees) 3-4 minutes, turning once, til golden brown.

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Enjoy!

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*Google Image

**even if you don't like onions, they are not the same without them.

USE THE ONIONS!

I had never heard of a derecho storm. Have any of you ever seen, or heard of one?

So, this is what took the Cowboy's training camp down?

I was wondering why a 50 or 60 mph wind would bring it down, understandable after seeing this.

I don't think I ever do want to see one, up close and personal, at least!