On our trip home, we stopped at the Wiederkehr Restaurant. Both Rudy and I have been stopping and eating here since our childhoods. So, it has been quite nice that we both have such good nostalgia built around this lovely restaurant and have carried the tradition of stopping through our marriage and passing the tradition onto our children. It’s such a cute restaurant with a Swiss-Alpine feel. The dark underground restaurant with the thick dark beams and cozy atmosphere featuring Swiss inspired food like fondue. This trip I had the bratwurst and knockwurst with sauerkraut and potatoes. It was delish! I enjoy their red muscadine wine, as this is what both my father and grandfather made at home, as I was growing up, so more wonderful nostalgia. A lovely meal. Also, if you ever stop, I also enjoy their black forrest cake; I have been getting this since I was a child here and still love it. After popping back in the car, we made a quick stop in at Chateau Aux Arc Winery just down the road maybe a mile from Wiederkehr’s. We partook in a wine tasting and chatted with the guests and gal who was working there. It was a lovely little spot and we purchased two bottles of wine: a Zinfandel and Cynthiana 2016. We learned the Cynthiana is the state grape of Arkansas and it is quite nice. A pleasant stop.
We had a spectacular 4th of July weekend visiting Mamaw up in North West Arkansas. We did all sorts of fun things. We visited The Momentary, The Momentary Tower Bar, Downtown Springdale, Downtown Bentonville, drove through downtown Rogers, looked at cars on some car lots, had Boba tea and ribbon ice (Mamaw found her new favorite place to get a snack: pinneapple ribbon ice), went and saw some family, fed the baby raccoons (my dad was probably smiling from heaven when these kits strolled up to eat the bird seed) and of course, watched fireworks all over the region from the front porch, started season 2 of Only Murders in the Building, and of course, shot off fireworks. Actually, Mamaw shot off all the fireworks. She loves them and so do we. And, we love Mamaw and America. How lucky we are in life.
Kicking off our end of the week before the fourth of July weekend was a surprisingly rainy night. This rainy night was following by a big flood while we were gone that was over 10 inches of rain in less than 12 hours, resulting in major flooding in the town. We were shocked by this news. Happy that our house stayed high and dry, but felt for those in our town who were adversely affected. Anywho, this precursor rain was lovely and welcomed as it gave a reprieve from the heat. It has already been a hot summer. So to cool off, we enjoyed the rain, as well as homemade flat-bread pizza which we all agreed the flatbread needed more pre-cook time but was still good and a Christmas in July movie: Christmas Vacation. A lovely evening. And then Rudy took these nice pics featuring the spider-lily flowers that always look like fireworks to me, ready to bloom. Also, Mr. Lizard who has been living in the lilies and puffing his chest up at us on the fence quite often lately.
Listen, I know you’re thinking I wish I was home with Cherie and her fabulous cooking. I mean, really, she’s just like the best cook ever…just thinking about her burnt taco shells just makes my mouth ache with desire…or just ache. Side note, they were edible and consumed and this is a regularly occurring episode in my kitchen when I’m the chef.
Yes, my maid prefers to drink wine and watch Netflix, but she finally broke down and cleaned the house. And yes, I am the maid. I’m also the flower bed gardener. And once again, I’ve been preferring to drink wine and watch Netflix, but this has been going on too long, specifically azaleas growing taller than my 5’8″ self, too long. So the last couple of days, I got out there and just chopped and chopped. I made a huge pile of clippings. Sorry, neighbors. The tops of my forearms are soar, but the azaleas are now waist high and it looks like people actually reside at my house instead of it being vacant with overgrown bushes. And I’m definitely done for a while, as not fifteen minutes after I picked up my last big pile of debris beside the water hose, here slithers up a yard long speckled black snake. Now before you tell me how good speckled black snakes are, I need to remind you that: a. I was just bending down grubbing my bare hands under piles of leaves and sticks right there. b. I was wearing shorts and sandals. c. I’m terrified of snakes, even the good ones. Soooo…seriously done out in the azaleas. They might be higher than the house, unless Mr. Snake moves along.
Other interesting wildlife notes, we’ve had two really big hawks out in our neighborhood lately. In fact, I was taking a break on the rocker on the porch when a squirrel scampered like it was running for its life just within reach of me, as he darted across the porch. I’m assuming from the hawk that was nearby. Also, our red headed woodpecker has brought his baby to the bird feeder this week and it’s so cute. Our neighbors also report a raccoon, which I think has been coming by drinking our hummingbird food at night. I think she’s having someone come relocate it. It’s been a Disney wildlife menagerie.
Below is the finished product of the siege on the hedge.
To start the evening, Beth and Paul opened their home for the cocktail hour. I felt I was stepping into glamorous old Hollywood as guests sipped on champagne and beverages of their selection in this well appointed home which had been carefully crafted in selection of furniture, color and art. The home was beautiful and the hosts gracious. After we stepped across the street to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church where we dined on a seven course Mediterranean meal curated by Chef Clara Jones and her friends who helped. I wish I had saved the beautiful invitation which included the menu. But as you can see from the pictures, it was devine! The fish was my favorite, followed by the best lamb chops I have ever eaten. Again, I wish I could remember the menu to share with you, but I remember how good it all tasted! And we had just the best time visiting with everyone. A splendid evening.
We have been notching off some bucket list items this year and this was one of them! Willie Nelson is the musician I have listened to the longest in my life. It started back in elementary school, when we would ride with Mrs. Kathy in the back of her two door Cutlass, maybe it was a Pontiac. All I remember was it was a two door burnt orange car, and I had to be careful when I squeezed into the back seat behind her that I didn’t accidentally push her seat back as she leaned up towards the steering wheel. Well, that and Willie on the radio and a cigarette in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. We lived a mile from the elementary school and I was always happy that I didn’t have to walk past the rice grainery and all the 18-wheel truckers (my mom always told me to walk down the other road; I never did), so it was great to catch a ride with Mrs. Kathy. When we would pull up to school, the smoke would come billowing out along with us kids and Willie’s voice crooning out across the airwaves preparing us for the day ahead. So…to see him in real life…What a treat!
And he did not disappoint! Willie is 89 years old. YES 89! He walks out onstage unassisted. Grabs his guitar and plays and sings up till 10 pm. He sang lots of old favorites with a glint in his eye as everyone sang along. You could tell he really still loves performing in front of people. And he was so encouraging to his band, especially his son who was singing with him and performed some of his own tunes. His son was really, really good. I’d happily go see one of his concerts with just him, Micah Nelson. Wow he was good. Anyway, back to Willie. It was hot as hades that night and everyone was complaining about the heat in the audience, every single person I spoke with mentioned how hot it was, and they were right my clothes were soaked. But Ole Willie, never complained about the heat and didn’t even seem to be bothered by it. Sure he talk sang a few times and yes, Micah chimed in on a few songs to help him along. But really Willie still has got it. My favorites that night were On the Road Again, Crazy, one that I used to hear as a child but I don’t know the title, and I loved that he wrapped up the concert with I’ll Fly Away, another gospel and top it off O Lord It’s Hard to be Humble! He lived up to my childhood dreams of what it would be like to see him in concert – a Legendary Performance by a Legend!
Father’s Day 2022 started a little slow. I’m not gonna lie. I woke up missing my beloved Daddy-O, who passed away a little over a year ago. It’s the second father’s day without him, but felt more like the first, as last year it was a blur. But, I decided to embrace my feelings and let myself be okay with missing him. After a good cry and an even better nap, I was feeling happy again. We went to Smackover to see Rudy’s folks and wish his dad a Happy Father’s day. They were just relaxing, aka napping, in their recliners as usual with the television on. This time the difference was they had the National rodeo on the television. This is what changes there, the television sports. The news is always the same: Fox. Around the holidays, it’s a western or if kids under the age of high school, then some cartoon that’s mildly adult themed like Sponge Bob or the Simpson’s. But today it was something new: rodeo. A bit of discussion laid on how they stop the horses so quickly and how it’s impressive how the horses don’t snap their hind legs the way they lean back on them. Of course I joined in on this, because it IS impressive. Rodeos always are impressive. We all agreed, we would never ride a bull that was crazy and the horses were so pretty with their long manes. It was pleasant conversation. And Rudy’s dad reminisced about the good old days, as he is prone to do. But, they are usually peppered with interesting stories with a little bit of meanness, salted with a little bit of kindness and regular country living. This day did not disappoint. Today I found out he owned not one, but two different horses over his lifetime. One horse he stored in El Dorado. He then proceeded to tell a story about the guy who owned the establishment where he boarded his horse. Seems the guy was a big 300 lb muscular man, not fat just impressively big and muscular. Anyway, he told about how one day he was standing by the guy and the guy punched him in the top of the thigh on the side. The punch was so strong, it knocked Rudy’s dad right to the ground. He then reflected and said that he thinks instead of a punch, it may have been a taser, as the man carried a taser in his pocket at all times. He then quietly mentioned the man was a bouncer, glossing over the possibility he was probably at the bar and probably had reason to have received the taser punch. I always like that there is a vague middle line in his stories for which to listen carefully. It makes me smile. His second story about the large man who boarded his horse started with the description of the location of the skating rink being next door to the bowling alley in El Dorado. I kind of wonder if it was actually in El Dorado or back down in Minden, as Rudy’s mom did not join in on this story, as if she may have been hearing it for the first time. Although she seemed a little more tired than usual, and her hearing aids were not on for part of the visit. Anyway, he said that he and the big fellow would go to the skating rink and the big fellow would make a big deal while he put on those tiny skates. Then the big guy would wobble and thrash his arms about as he wheeled out onto the skate floor, everyone would clear the way and look wide eyed at him as he rolled out there. Then within a moments notice, the fellow would stand up straight and commence to skating forward and backwards and spinning turns. He was actually a really good skater, just liking to get the audience’s attention before the show. Rudy’s dad always spins a good yarn and did not disappoint.
After Smackover, we went to the grocery store where Rudy bought 4 or 5 different types of sausages. For father’s day he wanted to grill and he sure did. They were delicious. He seemed quite happy out there grilling and practicing his swing with his golf club. I made zesty curly fries and bbq baked beans as the sides. And Daisy made a funky little salad consisting of watermelon, red onion, avocado, and cucumber. It actually was quite tasty and paired well with tortilla chips as a dip. After the meal, we watched the new Nicholas Cage movie “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.” It was a second time for Rudy and I, a first for Daisy. We still loved that movie. It’s so quirky and funny, with a good plot that meanders around keeping you interested, and of course Nicholas Cage being Nicholas Cage at the most Nicholasist. It is good.
Earlier that day, Rudy got a call from Dean to wish him a Happy Father’s Day and catch him up on his adventures. And Daisy gave Rudy a lucky cat and card, which I know he liked. After the movie I called my mom. She had sent a neat video telling about the life of her daddy, which was very special. You see for my whole life my mom hardly ever spoke of her dad. He had passed away just before I was born and my grandmother had remarried Papaw Gilbert. She never wanted my Papaw Gilbert to think she didn’t love him, so she just stopped speaking about her dad Grandpa Dale. Anyway, last night it was neat to her her talk about him at great length. It was a nice conversation. So, it was a good Father’s Day, just like every day is good.
What a fun night! Jane and Jerry packed the MAD First Financial Music Hall with friends and family. I’ve never seen sooo many people inside the FF Music Hall! And wow! They had around 10 food stations catered by Woods Catering from Camden. We of course had the fried fish and shrimp and some crawfish fried rice and meatballs. Yet, we could have picked from the cheese station, potato bar, BBQ beef and ribs, salad bar, seafood bar and more! Also they had beautiful cupcakes, which were also quite tasty! For entertainment, Jason D Williams played for 2 hours, whom I’ve wanted to hear in person again for quite some time! I got my wish! AND then another 10 member cover band came out to play until midnight, which was probably the best cover band I’ve ever heard. They were fantastic! Our legs are tired from dancing! We got pictures made in the photo booth and chatted with a ton of people, lots of Rudy’s friends from growing up in Smackover. Plus, we got to hug sweet Jane’s neck and congratulate her and Jerry, who make just a wonderful couple. Jane is glowing, as was he! We had just a wonderful night and are so glad we came out!
On our way out we saw the old Strong Fire Department ambulance that someone drove to the party. El Dorado always has something interesting to see!
Some of the best moments are the just regular ones, like this. After picking up my prescriptions, we drove through Ziggy’s Coffee and got the Dragon Passion Fruit (which is quite refreshing) and an iced caramel macchiato. After we went to Hobby Lobby and just shopped til we dropped. As Daisy said, “I knew we were going to Hobby Lobby, because we always do when we are together.” She was so right!
We are always so fortunate when Daisy decides to cook dinner. This one featured tomato bisque, tanqueray beverages, and french music. It was auspicious.
Visiting my mom for her eye surgery. Harvesting fresh blueberries and blackberries. And golf cart rides.
Cherie's Sayings 