Lunch With Eve

Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station by Maureen Brady

Vacation Day 14

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Sorry I haven't posted lately .... I've been suffering from a relentless, seemingly never-ending cold. It started Thanksgiving morning, and has waxed and waned since. Sunday night I was very nearly to the point of taking a quick trip to the ER for a breathing treatment, but felt too awful to get out of bed. Fever, chills, muscle aches, constant coughing & sneezing, chest congestion, expiratory wheezing .... and I'm not sure what the hell is coming out of my nose when I blow it. Since my bout with pneumonia a few years ago, I'm extremely leery whenever I get just the sniffles. Hence, my laying low the past few days.

Dawn & I were heading up to Avon, today, to meet up with Eve for lunch. Eve and her husband, Pete, own The Yellowhouse Gallery in Nags Head. Eve would be bringing along 2 pieces of art work that would soon be hanging in my home ..... first, the water color of Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station that I commissioned by Maureen Brady (aka Salvo) and second, a beautiful driftwood photograph by Eve. Both pieces were matted & framed by Pete, who does incredible work! If you ever need any framing done, I highly recommend him.

We met at the Atlantic Coast Café, where I had a most unusual sandwich .... a crabcake reuben. I love crabcakes and I love reubens ..... now, I love crabcake reubens. Fat chance of getting one of those here in Iowa. (Although, there's a place in East Moline that serves wonderful reubens on raisin bread!) As usual, I ordered unsweetened iced tea with my meal, and as usual I was served that sweet, syrupy glop that has, undoubtedly, caused many diabetic comas. (Speaking of which, I see Sunny von Bulow died.)

Eve, Dawn and I had a lovely long chat over lunch. Eve emanates a tangible joie de vivre the very moment you meet her. Like so many of my Outer Banks friends, I met Eve via the OBC. The first we met face-to-face, I was pulling into the parking lot of The Yellowhouse Gallery as she was walking from the framing shop. The instant she saw my license tag, a huge smile lit her face and she greeted me with a hug and the exclamation, "Y!" (YMINIowa is my nom de plume on the OBC.) With that smile and hug, Eve made a new friend - ME!

As with Dawn, I had helped Eve with her family history. Much to my delight (and, I'm sure her's), we learned that she was a direct descendant of the movers and shakers of the 17th & 18th centuries in the new Colonies of America. One "grandfather" had been a Colonial Governor of Virginia in 1655. Another was a member of the first Provincial Congress, thus leading the revolt which resulted in the independence of the Colonies. The names Lee, Harrison, Monroe, FitzHugh, Taliafero, Diggs, Churchill, Carter, Battaile run through her family tree. Eve's family has been, by far, one of the most interesting families that I've researched.

Wedding Announcement of Eve's Great Great Great Great Great Grandparents

The Virginia Gazette; Friday, August 10, 1739:

Upon Meeting Dawn

Vacation: Day 13

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

The housemates had gone off to play tourist (Jeff got some great shots at Bodie Light), and I was hanging out around the pool awaiting Dawn's arrival. Meeting someone for the first time is always terribly awkward. I'm a great one for welcoming hugs, but not everyone else is. So, the greeting usually ends up to be an uncomfortable, half hug, half handshake, usually accompanied with nervous laughter. However, Dawn's warmth and friendliness was apparent from the beginning.

Dawn is the quintessential Southern Bell. Petite, blond, pretty as a picture - and that wonderful soft, slow drawl when she speaks, every syllable dripping sweetness like honey on a warm biscuit. As we spent more time together in the next few days, I'd learn that beneath that magnolia exterior laid a healthy dash of Tabasco.

As she settled in, the rest of the group began arriving back at the cottage. Darrin and Darcie had been on their 2nd day of a mission to find liquor. Only beer & wine are served on Hatteras Island and I was under the impression those were the only 2 spirits sold there, too. The girls had headed up to Nags Head to the ABC store, yesterday, arriving just after it closed. One hundred twenty miles, round trip, with no results. Today, they had learned that liquor was sold on Hatteras, and in fact there was a store just up the road. All of that wasted driving! And, Dawn had come prepared, as well.

She was prepared in more than one way ..... she had brought the fixings for dinner that evening, which she insisted cooking alone. Dawn's husband is a crabman, and it was through his hard work we enjoyed this treat! Kudos to him!

That night we ate like royalty ..... soft shell crabs, fried shrimp, hush puppies, a great potato dish and pasta salad. We really felt guilty about her doing all of the cooking, but she zipped around the kitchen like a seasoned chef.

We all learned how to tell the difference between boy crabs and girl crabs ..... aprons vs. lighthouses, along with the process of crabs developing their soft shells. Their little legs were really crunchy - good, but food with legs still attached makes it too personal for me to eat. I stuck to the main bodies. YUM! And the shrimp was INCREDIBLE!

After dinner, we all laid around the great room, half way watching TV, half way snoozing, all the way too stuffed and content to make the short journey to our sleeping quarters. But, with a busy day planned for Thursday, we turned in fairly early.

The Pre-Dawn Hours & My Premier This Friday

Vacation: Day 13

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

One last note about Tuesday ..... after Jen & I returned to Lightship, we all went out to dinner at the Shrimp Shack. Last year, the Shrimp Shack was our dining preference for lunch & dinner. Their fried shrimp was incredible, the pulled pork delicious .... well, everything was just very good! They did not disappoint us this year. Once again the food and service was excellent, although the shrimp seemed to be a bit smaller and a little crustier. I don't want to say that Alexa makes an impression on people, but ...... The owner came to our table and talked with us. She remembered Alexa from last year! Too funny!

We awakened Wednesday to another gloriously sunny day. The Weather Channel assured us that blue skies, a good wind and warm temps were in store for us until Thursday. Since Dawn was arriving in Hatteras today, I was glad to see she'd have good traveling weather.

Dawn & I had never met face to face, and had only spoken on the phone twice. I made her aquaintance via the Outer Banks Connection. I always enjoyed Dawn's posts & photos ..... she seemed very kind and very sweet. I had been helping her with her family tree - talk about an old Outer Banks heritage! She's a direct descendant of the Midyett, Pugh, Daniels, Etheridge families who settled in the Bodie Island and Chicamacomico area in the very early 1700's. If you've ever visited the Outer Banks, you are sure to have heard those names! (And, to think ..... she didn't have a clue about her roots!) Her family has always been involved in the fishing industry .... if not fishermen, oystermen or crabmen, then boat builders.

When I realized that there would be an empty bedroom the last 5 days in Hatteras, I invited Dawn to come for a visit. As the crow flies, she lives about 40 miles from Ocracoke. But, as the car drives, it's 200 miles to the same place. That's crazy. She planned on arriving later that afternoon.

Levi and Alexa wanted to return to the beach. The surf action had abated, so they were able to play in the water more. This pic of Alexa reminds me of some little pagan goddess offering up prayers to the ocean. You can tell, she loves the beach.

Alexa confided to Jeff that this day was the very best day of her life.

After some quality beach time, it was back to the cottage to prepare for Dawn's arrival.

To be continued .......

This weekend will be the tree lighting ceremony in Manteo. It is also the premier of the Christmas Greetings video that Melody shot this fall, starring yours truly, Dawn, Steph, Ish and Will. Can't wait to see that.

Post-Thanksgiving

What a bust it was this year! The plans were to eat at Elly's (my mom) ..... she would be making the turkey, dressing & pies. Katie & I would cook all of the side dishes and carry them over to Elly's. On Wednesday I went to the market and purchased all that I needed for the feast. That evening I began cooking - snapped the green beans, candied the yams, whipped up the sauce for the cauliflower and mashed the 'taters.

Thursday morning I was up bright & early, to make my traditional Thanksgiving dish of corn pudding. This recipe is from Colonial times .... I found it in a reprint of a 1770's cookbook from the James River, Virginia area. It took a few times to finally modernize/modify the ingredient amounts - measurements were somewhat vague back then. A spoon full, a hand full, a teacup full, a wineglass full, a gill. And what is fair water, rose water, treacle water or new milk?

But, I digress - back to my story.

Elly called and she's feeling poorly. Lots of chest congestion, harsh cough, stuffy head. I said we should hold off a day, since she wasn't well - no big deal. But, oh no .... she'd struggle through it. About 30 minutes later, Chris calls. Same malady as his Grandma, but also with a sore throat & chills. Hmmmm ..... this is definitely not going to be a festive meal! I called Elly back, told her Chris was down and out and we really should wait until Friday to have the Thanksgiving meal.

She agreed.

I awoke Friday a.m. to a pounding headache, sore throat, cough, and general aches and pains.

Wonderful.

I call Elly and tell her that I've caught whatever she & Chris has - the only thing that I can figure out is the Sunday before we had all met for brunch. Did we infect one another that day? I can't get warm and I don't want to leave my bed, so I would send my foods over with Bugs. Elly got a little pissy .... what .... everyone can get sick except me?

I put the green beans, ham hock and onion on to boil, steamed the cauliflower, heated up the cheese sauce, put the pudding in to bake along with the mashed potato dish. The candied yams could just be reheated in the microwave. I went back to bed.

I had some leftovers yesterday, but it sure wasn't the same as sitting down to a wonderful meal with your family on a holiday. Sigh ..............

Here's my recipe for the pudding:

James River Corn Pudding

4 cans of white corn, drained well;

5 tablespoons of flour;

1 & 1/2 cups of half & half;

3 large eggs, beaten;

1/2 teaspoon of salt;

4 tablespoons of butter;

Mix together flour and light cream until smooth. Add in the eggs, salt and butter. Stir well, then add in the corn. Pour into a round, flat bottom bowl - like a souffle dish. Sprinkle top with about 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 and 1/2 hours.

Vacation Day: Still Day 12

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Jen & I finished up touring the village and decided to head back to Hatteras. We were hoping to make the inlet crossing at sunset. Before we reached the landing, we pulled over to check out the beach.

I know that I've said this ad nauseam, but if you haven't visited the beaches on Ocracoke, put it on your "Things to Do before I Die" list. Seriously. Below is a photo of Ocracoke Beach.

No! Not this picture, silly! This photo was taken at the beach in Santa Monica, CA. According to the Santa Monica Board of Tourism, "For many the single greatest reason to visit Santa Monica is to enjoy the ultimate Southern California beach. Santa Monica has 3.5 miles (5.6 km) of well-maintained California beach locations and enjoys on average 340 days of sunshine a year plus a nearly constant gentle ocean breeze. Santa Monica Beach in particular is a natural asset that we take great care to preserve; the city of Santa Monica cleans and rakes the sand daily, and even offers a “trash valet” service on Fridays, weekends and holidays. Nothing beats simply sticking your feet in the fine sand, sitting in the sun and observing the ocean swell, or watching your kids frolic. The simple pleasures."

Simple pleasures? That's just wrong. It looks more like a cattle feed lot than a beach.

This is Ocracoke Beach! It looks pretty darned empty compared to Santa Monica Beach. And, that's the way I like it. But, I guess to each his own.

The next pic is by Dan Carmichael. I hope he doesn't mind that I've "borrowed" his work, but it conveys how magical Ocracoke beach is.

I even got Jennifer to pose for an "official" portrait while we were at the beach.

We stopped at one more shop before boarding the ferry. Most of you have heard, or heard of, the Ocrocoke Brogue. Jen encountered it first hand at this shop. As she was paying for her merchandise, I could see her looking at the clerk somewhat askance ..... Once in the parking lot, Jen said, "Did you hear her?" I replied that I hadn't ..... why? Jen thought the clerk had an Irish lilt, but yet it wasn't quite Irish ..... she was confused as to the origin of the accent. It just so happened that I had just that day purchased the book "Hoi Toide on the Outer Banks," a book explaining the Ocracoke brogue. As we sat in line for the ferry, I read aloud some passages from the book. Jen stated that was exactly how the clerk had spoken. Darn. I wanted to go back and listen. I'll explain in a later post about the brogue - after I read the book. I'd hate to mommuck any o'cocker and git 'em all quamish if, as a dingbatter, I'd make mistakes.

We loaded onto the ferry just as the sun began its slow descent into the sound. This was the first time I'd been on the ferry during sunset .... it won't be the last time. All of us tourists ooh'd and ahh'd at the glorious colors ..... first deep blues and purples, highlighted with gold tints. Just before the sun disappeared, the sky flamed bright orange. I swear, you could imagine hearing the sun sizzle as it hit the dark waters of the sound. Incredible.

Vacation: Day 12 con't.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

After lunch, Jen & I walked along the main thoroughfare of Ocracoke, wandering in and out of galleries, shops and stores. Since high season was over, nearly everything was on sale. One store had a tumble table and I picked up a fleece sweatshirt and a swimsuit coverup for Alexa for $5 each. One of my favorite places to shop in Ocracoke is the Village Ragpicker. They have the most beautiful rag rugs ..... I'll be sending off for 2 of them for Elly's Christmas present.

After contributing to the island's economy, we decided to take a driving tour of the village. We began our exploration on Howard Street.

Howard Street is one of the oldest street in the village. Originally a simple foot path, in 1835 the court ordered it to be widened. Still, up until recently, Howard Street was a sandy lane - now it is "paved" with a crushed shell mixture.

Mr. Phil Howard writes in his Ocracoke Newsletter, "According to a legal petition of 1835 this public road "served the purpose of all the inhabitants since [its establishment], however the population of Ocracoke have greatly increased." The petitioners were requesting permission to lay out a public road on the North side of Cockle Creek, from "just North of Thomas Bragg's House" to "John Pike's garden" and then all the way to the Sound, about a half mile. Originally this was merely a foot path, but now it was to be widened and would include what became historic Howard Street. Apparently the Northern side of Cockle Creek had, by that time, "become thickley settled and the business of the Island both Public and Private have become much divided and where formerly there was no store, there is now three."

We headed towards the south end of the island. That's where the lighthouse stands. I've taken so many pictures of this lighthouse over the years, we didn't even stop. I felt kind of guilty. If I were Catholic, I suppose not stopping could be likened to not genuflecting at the altar.

We explored the narrow lanes and beaches along the sound. Does anyone know what kind of flowers these are? One section of a street was lined with them.

We parked the car and followed a likely looking pathway to the sound. After navigating our way around the wind-stunted trees and shrubs, exposed roots half buried in the sand, we came to a narrow little beach, totally deserted. The sound was "slick cam" and off in the distance we could see a ferry making its way to the mainland. Jennifer insisted climbing out onto a rock jetty for a photo op - I was concerned that she would slip on the sharp rocks, but she made it out a goodly way.

To be continued in next post .....

And now .... for something different .....