A Little Razzle Dazzle

After two weeks straight of temperatures well over 100 degrees here in Mizzou, the Show Me State is finally seeing a drop in the ol' mercury...92 degrees, with 34% humidity! Ugh. Can I just get a breezy day with a high of 80?

Lately the soaring temperatures have sidelined Sabrina and I from taking any adventures to exotic locales in the area.  Between my brow starting to glisten and her excessive panting after two minutes of just being out in the backyard, a long walk in the woods - or anywhere for that matter - has just not been in the cards.

Also not in the cards has been my desire for hot food. Now, don't get me wrong, on the 4th of July we chowed down on the requisite burgers, brats, corn, potato salad, coleslaw, and the like...and it was delicious!

But after you've spent a day on the deck with the grill blazing at 400 degrees, and it's already 104, well...we decided to take a break from barbecuing for a bit!

For the past few mornings - while it's still a tolerable 72 degrees at 8:00 am - I've been blending up smoothies and sitting on the deck with Sabrina at my side. We may not be exploring the wilds of Missouri, but we've definitely been enjoying the peaceful existence that comes with just taking in the sights and sounds from your own backyard.

So, if you're like me and you've been wanting a cool escape from all of this heat, blend up this refreshing Raz-Cherry Banana Smoothie, and take a load off!

Ingredients:
1 cup pitted black cherries
1 banana, peeled and sliced
1 6oz raspberry Chobani yogurt (or any raspberry flavored yogurt - Fage, Noosa, Dannon)
1 cup cubed or crushed ice

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend together until throughly mixed and all ice bits are finely pulsed. Pour into glass of choice, find a quiet spot and enjoy!  Serves two.

It's A Family Affair - A Lesson in Housing Guests

Ahh, summer! The time for barbecues, swimming in crystal clear backyard pools, lazing about on weekends, and - of course - family visits!

Now, I love family visits! But, I'll admit, the past few weeks have found me in a chaotic sprint around the house and on the road. Whether it's vacuuming rugs, scrubbing tile floors, ironing guest linens, packing suitcases, driving back and forth to the St. Louis airport, or trying to remember to water the garden in this horrendous heatwave...I'm a bit tired, and my mother is coming to visit tomorrow!

Initially I was on my sprint around the house to make everything immaculate! I'm sure most women can empathize with this. As a daughter you feel that your mother (followed in second place by your mother-in-law) is the ultimate in judging how well you keep a home. She was the one from which you learned how to keep a house and how to entertain company....now she's the guest staying in your home. And no matter what your mother may say to you: "Oh honey, don't bother with going out of your way, it's just me..."...you know she's secretly inspecting everything in the house!

So, over the past few days I've vacuumed & mopped, dusted & Windexed, and ironed & laundered pretty much everything in my house in preparation of her arrival, but it's funny what two adults and a dog can do in a couple of days. This morning I looked around my house and realized that my list was pretty much back to its beginnings:

1) vacuum living areas
2) clean mirrors and window over sink in kitchen
3) dust
4) scrub kitchen floor
5) launder guest linens (so that they smell fresh on arrival)
6) re-check pantry and fridge for staples (buy milk, coffee, garbage bags and cereal)

I could have gotten stressed out, but since I had gone through this same exercise a couple of weeks ago when my in-laws came to visit, I realized that it really wasn't that big a deal. Vacuuming and dusting would take me an hour or so, the kitchen floor I'll do tonight after dinner (should take 20 minutes), linens will take 50 minutes, a jaunt to the store will take 45 minutes, and the mirrors/windows are almost negligible.

The lesson I've learned with house guests (family or not) is that you really don't need to start prepping more than a couple of days in advance. Save the cleaning for the day before they arrive! But do make sure you've put toiletries in the guest bathroom and cleared some space in the guest room closet or nightstand for them to unpack their suitcase. When people aren't living out of their luggage, they feel more at home. Because in the end it's really not how clean your floors or mirrors are, guests are more impressed when they feel like you've truly accommodated them and made a bit of your home their own.

How green is your garden?

Just a little over a month ago Matt and I planted an herb garden in our backyard. Using an existing garden bed which had become overgrown with weeds we tore out all of the dead plants and wild grass, tilled the rocky soil, created a terrace, and added in some topsoil. We planted a variety of herbs and crossed our fingers that we wouldn't end up killing the basil, parsley, thyme, dill, Thai basil and rosemary in the first week!

(Our backyard garden - 5/3/12)

A month later and the crossing our fingers worked, thanks to Miracle Gro and every other day watering!

(Blooming! - 6/1/12)

With the plants finally matured we have been enjoying using fresh herbs in our evening dinners, and just last night I got to use my Thai basil for the first time.

Making a light and lovely green curry, I sprinkled the chopped herb over the top of the completed meal to add a bright finish to the plate, as well as adding a sweet bite to the dish. I was so happy with the outcome of the meal I wanted to share it with you all!

Take-Out Night, Made In: Green Tofu Curry with Creamy Rice

Ingredients:

1 package (14 oz) extra firm tofu, chopped into half inch bite size pieces (feel free to use a pound of diced chicken or shrimp in lieu of the tofu, if you're not a fan of the vegetarian staple)

2 1/2 tbsp green curry paste (like Thai Kitchen brand)

1 can (14 oz) coconut milk

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tbsp EVOO

1/4 cup frozen peas, thawed

1/4 cup carrots, julienned

1 red bell pepper, julienned

1 tbsp Tamarind (or soy sauce)

2 1/2 cups chicken broth, separated (2 cups for rice, 1/2 cup for curry)

1 cup white, long-grain rice

1 tbsp butter

Directions:

In a medium pot combine rice, chicken broth and pad of butter together. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, decrease heat to low, cover with lid, and let simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb all of the liquid.

While the rice is cooking heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add EVOO and garlic. Let garlic sauté until it just becomes fragrant, then add the coconut milk and curry paste. Stir to combine all ingredients - making a lovely light green sauce, then lower heat to medium and let sauce thicken a bit for about 5 minutes.

After sauce has started to thicken, add the tofu, vegetables and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Let the curry simmer on the stove top for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Remove the rice from the low heat and stir/fluff with a fork. Using a ladle or large ice cream scoop, gather a cup of rice (you should have about four, one cup servings in the pot) and carefully place the molded ball on your plate. Ladle the green curry around the rice, then sprinkle the thai basil on top of the rice and curry.   

As always you can find this recipe and other new creations under the Erica's Epicurean Creations tab on the right hand side of the blog.  Bon appétit!

I'm A Nut

Being a proud denizen of the great state of Ohio, there are a few things all Ohioans indelibly know, whether we learned it in school or were inundated by the trivial ramblings of a fellow Buckeye:

1) Ohio was the 17th state admitted into the Union in 1803
2) Eight presidents hailed from Ohio (William Henry Harrison, Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, William Howard Taft, Warren G. Harding)
3) Ohio is the only state in the nation to have a pennant shaped flag
4) A Buckeye is both a poisonous nut and a delicious candy treat
**This is just a sampling of my trivial Ohio knowledge**

You see in Ohio we all seem to know WAY TOO MUCH about our state, and we take pride in our excessive Buckeye bantering. We inevitably end up being the annoying person at our friends' house parties. If there is a group of people genially discussing the presidential campaign you might hear a Buckeye say: "Did you know that there have only been six Presidents in the history of America who did not 'win' Ohio? [Blank looks from the partygoers, prompting the Buckeye to keep rambling.] Also, did you know Ohio is called the "Mother of Presidents" because eight of our sons were elected to that most esteemed position of power?" Yeah, were that guy/gal.

Also, if the song "Hang on Sloopy" ever randomly comes on at the same house party and there's one person jumping up and down all by his or her self, singing all the words, they're probably a Buckeye; it's our state fight song. But what - you may be asking yourself - exactly is a Buckeye.

When the state was first settled by pioneers in the late 18th century the rolling hills of Ohio were dotted with a multitude of trees, to include a brushy looking fellow named Aesclus glabra (aka - the Ohio Buckeye).

(Aesclus glabra - the Ohio Buckeye tree)

This Ohio Buckeye produces a "fruit" (a cousin of the chestnut) which is poisonous if eaten by cattle, and possibly humans - although I've never known a person to eat an actual Buckeye (the nut inside the spiny fruit hanging from the tree). Most commonly the Buckeye - which resembles the eye of a male deer - was used by Native Americans in the region who blanched the nut to extract tannic acid, which allowed them to create leather. Meaning that the ol' Buckeye was deadly to the cattle of the region in more ways than one!

(The fruit and corresponding nut of the Ohio Buckeye tree)

In 1840, William Henry Harrison's campaign for the presidency sealed the deal for Ohio becoming the Buckeye state. Though "Old Tippecanoe" was born in Virginia, when he was elected to the presidency he resided in Ohio. During his run for office he used a log cabin made of buckeye timbers, and advertisements showing men carrying walking sticks made of buckeye wood, to be the emblem of his campaign. While I'm sure it wasn't the buckeye emblems alone that helped him deftly defeat Martin van Buren, his attachment to his home-state and pride in Ohio made the residents of the state die-hard "Buckeyes" from that point on.

Today I would wager that not many Buckeyes are Whig supporters who remember the days when William Henry Harrison defeated Tecumseh at Tippecanoe. However, I would bet that most of them could tell you where the Ohio State University stood in the NCAA BCS rankings.

Regardless of why we're proud to call ourselves Buckeyes these days, there's one thing we Ohioans all know and love - buckeye candies!

If you're from Ohio and you do not know how to make the delicious peanut butter and chocolate concoctions which looks just like the nut, well...shame on you! I think it's mandatory in 8th grade home economics to learn the recipe. As such, when Matt came home a week or two ago and told me a guy from his class had brought in buckeyes, I was intrigued. I proceeded to barrage him with a slew of questions about the origin of the candies:

Me: "Craig brought in buckeyes?! Is he from Ohio?!"
Matt: "Yeah."
Me: "What part?"
Matt: "I don't know."
Me: "Did he make them himself?
Matt: "No. His Mom made them and sent them to him."
Me: "That was nice. We're they yummy?"
Matt: "What's not to like about peanut butter and chocolate?"
Me: "True. [Pause] Have you ever had MY buckeyes?"
Matt: "No. I didn't know you made them."
Me: [Affronted] "Matt, I'm from Ohio!"
Matt: "Well excuse me, I didn't know it was mandatory to have a buckeye recipe."
Me: [Looking at him like he has two heads] "I'm from Ohio...of course it is...."

So, when Matt mentioned he was invited to a party this weekend and kindly asked [probably just to make the crazy Ohioan in me jump for joy] if I would make buckeyes so he could bring them, I was happy to oblige.

While there is nothing healthy about the little confections, they are sinfully delicious. It doesn't matter whose recipe you follow - Craig's mom or mine - the bottom line is: "What's not to like about peanut butter and chocolate?!"

So, if you're not from Ohio or you are but just don't have a good buckeye recipe yet, here's mine! Make sure if you ever make these you're taking them to a party, they are meant to be consumed by many people. Believe me, 36 buckeyes between two people will only amount to a serious sugar high and morning-after stomach aches!

Erica's Buckeyes

Ingredients:
2 cups creamy peanut butter (that's pretty much one whole 18oz jar of JIF)
3 tbsp softened butter
1 oz white chocolate chips
2 1/4 cups confectioners sugar
3/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt
12 oz semisweet choc chips

Directions:
In a double boiler (use a glass Pyrex bowl over a medium pot with boiling water) gently stir the white chocolate until it has melted and all lumps have smoothed out.

Remove bowl from heat and let the chocolate cool for a minute or two.

Meanwhile, in a stand mixer begin combining the peanut butter, sugar, softened butter, salt and - finally - white chocolate. Using the paddle attachment on a medium speed, stir until all ingredients are combined. (If you don't have a stand mixer a large bowl and hand-held mixer work just as well!)

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and clear out some space in your freezer for the tray. Begin rolling the dough into small 1 inch balls with your hands. You will need to rinse and dry your hands about every 6th or 7th ball, as your hands will start to get mealy from the peanut butter and the balls roll best with clean, dry hands. Once you have lined your tray with the peanut butter balls, place in the freezer for about a half an hour, or until the dough has firmed up and does not fall off a toothpick when pricked.

Once the balls have firmed up, leave them in the freezer while you begin melting the semi-sweet chocolate in a double boiler.

Once melted, remove the balls from the freezer and set up a dipping station by placing the melted chocolate directly next to the parchment lined tray. Using a toothpick, spear an individual buckeye, dip in the chocolate, spin to coat the bottom and sides of the buckeye - leaving just the peanut butter "eye" exposed - and return to the parchment. Once all buckeyes are dipped and back on the tray, place the buckeyes in the refrigerator for about an hour, until the chocolate has set. Serve immediately, or place in an airtight container and leave in the refrigerator for up to a week, or the freezer for up to a month.

Obviously you will need to do a taste test before serving to ensure that the buckeye candies are safe for consumption. This recipe will produce 36 buckeyes, but I find that 30 is a nice number to bring to a party! ;-)

References:
Aesclus glabra - Ohio Buckeye
Why Buckeye?
Erica's Brain: A Buckeye Compendium

Fun in the Sun

(Fishing in the Bennett Spring branch)

Bennett Spring State Park, located in nearby Dallas County, and just a short 45 minute car-ride away from Waynesville, was our destination this week on our adventures through the Missouri countryside.

Founded by pioneers in the mid-19th century (most notably the James Brice and Peter Bennett families), the spring originally was used to power a series of grist and flour mills along the immediate stream and nearby Niangua River.  By the dawn of the 20th century, however, the area had moved from an industrial site to a tourist magnet. With a fish hatchery built in 1923, the stream started releasing fresh "mountain trout" daily, luring (pun intended) avid fishermen to the Bennet Springs area for a tranquil getaway in the Ozark Mountains.

Today the park draws 800,000 visitors annually who come to test their angling skills, hike the nearby trails, or just explore the 3200 acre complex. On Wednesday Sabrina and I added ourselves to the mix. We wandered some of the trails, viewed the fish hatchery basins, and enjoyed the serenity of the spring-fed stream where dozens of anglers silently taunted the trout with their fly rods.

(Prior to the pioneer settlement in the 19th century, the Osage Nation used the spring as an area for  fishing, camping and festivals. They believed the spring was created from an earthquake brought on by their Creator and subsequently named it "Eye of the Sacred One," as they thought it resembled an eye that was crying. The spring emits 103,000,000 gallons of fresh water, daily!)

(Anglers perch themselves at the top and bottom of the fish hatchery dam. Built in 1930 by the  Civilian Conservation Corps the dam serves to make the spring more inhabitable for rainbow trout - a non-native fish species)

(The hatchery predates the state park by two years and stocks up to 420,000 rainbow trout into the stream annually)

Had it not been nearly 90 degrees - even in the shade - we might have stayed longer, but Sabrina was panting heavily and even a a long drink from the stream didn't abate her fatigue and exertion. A couple of fishermen on their late afternoon lunch-breaks even commented on how "the pooch look[ed] tired." After a couple of pats on the head from the friendly admirers - who Sabrina was all too-happy to sniff their waders (which undoubtedly smelled like a fine trout supper) - we made our way back to the car.

Since my air conditioning went out a few weeks ago (don't worry, it's in the shop getting fixed today as I write this blog), I've been enjoying the old-fashioned amenities of a 460 AC (4 windows down at 60 miles an hour). Sabrina likes the arrangement quite well, as she is able to stick her snout out of the backseat window at any time and take in a deep breath of the cool, country air. However, on Wednesday there was nothing "cool" about the air. It was thick and humid and even the breeze seemed heavy as it came in through the windows.

By the time we returned home at 4 o'clock both the dog and I were ready for a nice cold one. As Sabrina sauntered to her bowl by the door, I opened the refrigerator and scanned the shelves. I grabbed a Bud Light, kicked off my shoes, sat down on the living room floor next to the air register, and just enjoyed the quiet of the house. Sabrina came over and laid her head in my lap, water dripping from her snout onto my shorts and bare leg. She looked up at me with her solemn brown eyes and I could tell she was exhausted...exhausted, but happy.

As I scratched behind her ears she slowly closed her eyes and I realized that I wasn't going to be able to move for a good while since I feel horrible about waking a sleeping dog. But that was okay, I was content on the floor, the cold air blowing at the back of my shirt. I laid my head against the wall and realized that I may very well pass out right there too, exhausted from the afternoon in the sun...exhausted, but happy.




References:
MO State Parks - Bennett Spring
Bennett Spring State Park
Mizzou Dept. of Conservation - Bennett Spring Fish Hatchery
Bennett Springs - A Fisherman's Paradise

A Warm Welcome

Sometimes I like to channel my inner June Cleaver, even though I know I hardly compare to the 1950's stereotype of the doting housewife. I keep my house clean, but it's definitely lived in and needs some spot cleaning here and there (i.e. - it's time to set the self-cleaning option on the oven). I like to get all gussied up for my husband, but usually this happens when we're going out for dinner or to a show (usually he comes home to find me in my workout pants and a t-shirt, with my hair in its requisite ponytail). I like being sociable, but you'd be hard-pressed to find me entertaining a women's afternoon bridge club and tea service (come over for a BBQ on the weekend, instead). I love to cook, but don't expect a five course meal every night (pizza gets ordered roughly every other Friday). And while I may not live up to the 1950's machinations of Hollywood TV execs, I'm pretty comfortable with what I do for my family - as should be all the other women out there taking care of their homes while juggling an array of other responsibilities. This understood, there is one thing I always find myself hearkening to an old-school mentality about - welcoming new people to the neighborhood.

(Welcome Wagon Woman, Suburbia, USA, 1950 - looks like the newly developed Bailey Park from It's A Wonderful Life)

I don't know if I watched too many episodes of Leave It To Beaver, The Donna Reed Show and The Ozzie & Harriet Show when I was growing up, but there has always been a very ingrained concept in my mind that when someone new moves into the house next door, or across the street, you need to take them some type of homemade food item (be it a lasagna or bundt cake).

When I was young and on my own I moved into my first place, the downstairs unit of a large farmhouse outside of Alexandria Bay, NY. I remember that my landlords/next door neighbors came over with a plate of food for me the first night I was there. While I can't recall the specifics of what the meal was, I remember how touched I was by the simple gesture.

Today not everyone sees the delivery of such a "gift" as necessary. Indeed, some people think it's downright weird. And while this saddens me - because society has become so leery and critical of people's simple gestures and compliments - I've learned to gauge whether or not new neighbors would appreciate a culinary welcome, or if they would think I was trying to poison them with a covered casserole for some reason.

Luckily for me, a new neighbor is moving in next door this weekend who I think would appreciate one of my gastronomic gifts! Sabrina and I got the chance to meet her the other night as we were taking an evening stroll, and she seems extremely pleasant and excited to be moving in to her first house. I hope that  I can make her feel welcome and that perhaps in the future she may do the same for whomever may move into our home after we leave.

(Brown Sugar Banana Bread, made today for the new next door neighbor. Find the recipe in Erica's Epicurean Creations.)

The 1950's often seem like an idealistic and fanciful time in American history. Undoubtedly today's modern woman could look at the likes of June Cleaver, Donna Reed and Harriet Nelson and roll her eyes at each woman's naiveté to the world around them and their insulated concept of the perfect, American family. However, we really should look to them and not see a perfect paradigm, but rather a golden example - be kind to others, respect yourself, and love your family.

In my mind's eye I can imagine an episode of Leave It To Beaver where Theodore looks at his mother one night before going to bed and asks her why she made a chocolate cake today, but gave it away to the new neighbors. The dialogue would go something like this:

Theodore: "Mom, can I ask a question."
June: "Why sure, Beaver. What is it?"
Theodore: "Why do you always make something for people when they move into the neighborhood?"
June: "Well, I suppose partly because my mother used to do it, and her mother used to do it; it's a bit of a common practice. But more importantly I do it because it makes people feel welcome and accepted. It let's them know we'd like to be friends. It lets them know we're a community and we care about one another."
Theodore: *With a thoughtful expression.* "Hmmm, I guess I understand."
June: *Gives her son a smile and a hug, then holds him away and looks in his eyes.* "And sometimes son it's nice, to just be nice."

Little Big Town

Never make a promise you can't keep! I'm sure I got everyone excited about my "Blog Blitzkrieg"...and then....no blitz. I am like an author who says their much anticipated novel is coming out "THIS SUMMER," but then fails to deliver. So, I apologize for those of you who have been sitting on pins and needles for the past few days. Hopefully this post makes up for it!

(The clock in Waynesville was placed on the city square in 2006 as part of a downtown renewal/beautification project)

Last week, on my Wednesday travels to exotic locales, I decided to stay nearby and do a travelogue on the place I currently call home - Waynesville, MO. 

Undoubtedly you've all been wondering when this day would finally come! I mean, Waynesville is THE COUNTY SEAT, and boasts THE LARGEST POPULATION (3,507 residents) in Pulaski County! It's what those in the more rural areas of the county consider "the city." And while I may jest about the bucolic bravado that Waynesville boasts, it has a pretty substantial history.

(Waynesville's Main Street - then Commercial Street - ca. 1888)

In 1808, the Osage Nation ceded all land east of Sibley, MO (then Fort Clark), south of the Missouri River, north of the Arkansas River, and extending to the Mississippi River, to the United States government. Called the Treaty of Fort Clark, this cessation of land was the first major treatise in the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase. It effectively opened up the doors for westward expansion, and relegated the Osage - after 1816 - to move out of Missouri and to the north and west of the Sullivan Line into Iowa and Kansas. 

Settlers from Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and the Carolinas poured into southern Missouri in the ensuing years via wagon trains. By 1830 Waynesville (also called Port Royal in certain historical documents) had become a well established trading post situated near the confluence of the Roubidoux Creek and Gasconade River (Missouri's longest river at 300 miles). The freshwater springs in the area, coupled with the wooded hills and abundant caves drew settlers in with their picturesque quality. The practicality of being so close to clean water and a means of transportation - along both the Gasconade and Big Piney Rivers - made them stay. By 1833 the city was established and officially named Waynesville in honor of the Revolutionary War hero, General "Mad Anthony" Wayne. Within just a few years of its establishment the town would play an important role in our nation's history, albeit somber.

In the 1820's and 30's the Cherokee, Chicsaw, Choctaw, Seminole and Muscogee-Creek (aka - The Five Civilized Tribes) were living as autonomous nations throughout the "Deep South" - South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Missisippi & Louisiana.  However, with Andrew Jackson's election to the Presidency in 1829, and his fervent hostility towards the Native American population, it was inevitable that the 8th president would put all of his political and military muscle behind what he deemed a necessary action: the Indian Removal Act of 1830.

By 1831 the Choctaw Indians were the first in a series of expulsed Native Americans to be forcibly moved and marched from their lands in the Southeast to reserved tracts of land in the mid-American plains. This "trail of tears" - so named due to the number of Choctaw who died in the first year (4,000 of 15,000) from exposure, disease and starvation en route to their "freedom" - weaved its way through the southeast and into parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas and - finally - Missouri, before ending in Oklahoma.

Between the fall of 1837 and the winter of 1838/39, members of the Cherokee Nation moved through southern Missouri along the "Northern Trail" - skirting the Gasconade River - to their new homes in "Indian Territory."  While many diaries were written at the time, documenting the tribes' westward journeys, three notable sources still exist which looked at the daily trials of the men, women and children that were forcibly moved into Oklahoma: Dr. W.I. Morrow's diary, the journal of Rev. Daniel S. Butrick, and the B. B. Cannon journal. These men traveled hundreds of miles with the tribes, recorded the number of deaths, the number of births, and the number of meals which the displaced received. They walked 10 to 20 miles a day with the emigration and documented each stop. Along the way each stayed at the Roubidoux Encampment in Waynesville, MO; "a delightful place, on the bank of the river, convenient to wood and water."

(A sign in the local park commemorates the encampment)

(A large black oak stands where the "volunteers" may have very well spent the night)

(The Roubidoux as it meanders through the park)

While the reason for Waynesville's early place in the history books of America may be relatively infamous, the town did offer a place of respite for more than the weary travelers on the Trail of Tears. By 1854 the city was on the stagecoach route from St. Louis to Springfield, and when the Civil War erupted in 1861 it became a noted place of interest for Union forces moving men and supplies from the railhead in Rolla to points in southern Missouri (Wilson's Creek) and northern Arkansas (Pea Ridge, Fayetteville, Ft. Smith).

In the same year a telegraph line was strung from St. Louis to Sprinfield along the old stage line, and the avenue became known as the "Telegraph/Wire Road." Occupying such a critical position, and with the elevation of the surrounding mountains offering pristine views of the trails and roads in the area, the Union forces under Col. Albert Sigel occupied Waynesville in 1862 - removing the Confederate flag flying over the courthouse, and building a small fort atop the hill overlooking the town square. In addition to the building of the fort, the army commandeered various homes and businesses in the downtown area, to include the Waynesville House/Old Stagecoach Stop, which was turned into a hospital for the duration of the war. 

(The Waynesville House - Old Stage Coach Stop - ca. 1885)

(The Old Stage Coach Stop today. Following the Civil War the building spent 70 years as a hotel, falling to ruin after the decline of Route 66. Condemned in 1982, the building was nearly torn down before being saved by concerned citizens who realized its historic value and eventually got it placed on the National Historic Register of Places.)

With its location on a highly traveled route, Waynesville maintained its relevance up until the early 1970's, thanks primarily to Route 66 and heightened troop numbers at Ft. Leonard Wood during WWII and the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.

 (Main Street, Waynesville - 1920)

 (Main Street / Route 66, Waynesville - 1943)

(Main Street / Route 66, Waynesville - 1950)

However, once Route 66 became overshadowed by the Interstate Highway System in the late 1950's, and following troop draw-downs at Leonard Wood - from our Far-East endeavors - the city became stagnant.

Still, those who had lived in Waynesville during its height were resolved to keep the city alive, and in the late 80's and early 90's the town came together to begin reviving the dying downtown district. As the town neared the turn of the century, it was reinvigorated by a population surge.  As the number of troops at Ft. Leonard Wood increased - due to the post's evolution as an Engineer-centric base to a "Maneuver Support Center (MANSCEN)," where the joint assets of Engineers, Military Police and Chemical soldiers and officers in the U.S. Army would be trained - so did the communities in Pulaski County, especially Waynesville. By 2003, with the country at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the number of troops began to swell, and with it the communities around Army bases began to reach an all-time high; Waynesville was no exception.

In 2000 the population of Waynesville was 2,706 (relatively the same number of persons and households in the 80's - following the reduction in forces after Vietnam). In 2010 the population was 3,507 - comparable to the 1990 population, during the first Gulf War. Today, the lifeblood of of cities like Waynesville and others in Pulaski County are directly influenced by the health of the Army installation, Ft. Leonard Wood. Gone are the days of travel and trade, Americana and tourism - today Waynesville and the like survive from an influx of troops and the jobs created to support them.

While Waynesville is currently in a relatively prosperous place, when a troop draw-down occurs - foreseeably in the next few years - it may find itself in a precarious position once again. If history repeats itself, Waynesville will find itself in a lull - counting the days until the next caravan comes through or the next global conflict rears its ugly head. Let's hope it's somehow the former, and not the latter.

(The center square of Waynesville and the original courthouse - built in 1833)

(The square looking south on Main Street / Historic Route 66 - May 2, 2012)

(The square facing north on the aptly named North Street - May 2, 2012)

References:

Osage Nation - The Treaty of Fort Clark
Osage Nation - The Sullivan Line
City of Waynesville - History
Andrew Jackson - Wiki
Trail of Tears - Wiki
Trail of Tears Map - Wiki
Roubidoux Encampment Journals
Old Stagecoach Stop
Ft. Leonard Wood
Missouri Population Tables

Dog Day Afternoons...and Mornings

There have been so many things I've wanted to blog about lately - food, work, life and my latest explorations through the local countryside. With nearly a week past since my last blog, I realize I have been remiss in my updates. So, for my peace of mind and (hopefully) your reading pleasure, I plan to spend the next couple of days writing about all of the things I've been storing in my mental journal for the past week. Prepare for the blog blitzkrieg!

Sabrina enjoys a sunny afternoon in the backyard.

I am a very lucky girl, with a very lucky dog. Every morning I wake up - at the behest of my canine - around 6:30. After stumbling down the stairs and going outside with Sabrina, we both make our way back upstairs for our morning dance around the kitchen. As I pour the kibble into the waiting doggie bowl by the door, Sabrina patiently waits for my command to have at it. While she eagerly - and by eagerly I really mean voraciously - consumes the cup of food, I make my cup of coffee. After she's done eating we make our way to the living room, and while I'm sipping my cup of joe we watch a bit of news. Sabrina likes the Today Show, so I oblige her by flipping to NBC. After an hour of news, it's time for our daily walk - usually 30-45 minutes in the local park. On Mondays and Tuesdays, Sabrina enjoys the hours after our walk by pacing after me around the house as I clean up. On Wednesdays and Thursdays she's left to her own devices as I leave her and make my way up to Crocker to work at the animal shelter. On Friday mornings she usually looks at me with wonderment while I write a witty blog about our latest adventure, and then somehow cons me into taking her for another walk - partly because I feel guilty she's been laying around all morning/partly because she's got the most pathetic puppy face. All of our afternoons are spent either: running errands, taking cooking classes, exploring the wilds of Missouri, playing the piano, attempting to make a pillow with my new sewing machine, watering flowers, doing yoga, and/or prepping for dinner. Our evenings and weekends are spent as a family, usually doing yard work, lazing around the house, or taking hikes on nearby trails. It's a wonderful life I'm leading right now, and it's a wonderful new life for Sabrina....but that wasn't always the case for our sweet little dog.

Three months ago I started working at Loving Paws Adoption Center. I've always had a special place in my heart for animals. I had two dogs growing up: Hatler - a Bassett Hound, in my Elementary School Years, and Hoosier - a Yellow Lab, in my Middle School and High School Years. Both were purebreds, both were puppies, and both had little life experience away from the mothers. Still, while I cared about animals, until I began working at the shelter I didn't realize how much I could love and care about animals, and how cruel and heartless so many people are to thousands of cats and dogs who just want to be part of a family (pack).

I've seen nearly 60 dogs and cats come in and out of the shelter in Crocker since my start in February. Every now and then a couple of puppies or kittens will find their way to our facility. However, most of the dogs and cats that we take in are 2 years or older; dogs that have been left behind by transitioning families, dogs rescued from puppy mills and crack houses, dogs and cats that were once puppies and kittens, but who lost their appeal or were never trained by their families and just became a nuisance to their owners. While some were abused physically, almost all were abused emotionally. Every now and then we'll get a family who uses our services because they have received orders to go to Hawaii and don't want to put their animals in quarantine for 4 months, and they just want to find a good home for their pets - I wish this happened more often than it does. Currently we have ten dogs, 3 cats, 1 puppy and 2 kittens at the shelter, all of them rescues.

Yesterday, I experienced a first at the shelter. As I was coming in from cleaning the outside runs, an older gentleman in a Club Car Golf Cart, with what I assumed was his toddler granddaughter seated next to him, pulled up. I smiled at him, waved at the little girl, and asked if I could help him with anything. The following conversation ensued:

Him: "You all have any bunnies?"

Me: "No, we don't."

Him: "None?"

Me: "We're a shelter that only takes in cats and dogs, but let me ask Dawn - the manager - if any of the other shelters in the county have any."

**I open the front door and stick my head in and ask if any of the other shelters have rabbits. The answer is no, but she gives me the name of a local farm that may have some.**

Me: "Sir, none of the other shelters have bunnies, but she says you may want to check Eircels."

Him: "Hmm, alright. Yeah, I was hoping you may have some. I have four at home that I came across the other day. One's a nice big buck, probably about 7 or 8 pounds. He'd probably make good for mating."

Me: "Hmmm."

Him: "Yeah. I was looking round to see if anybody mighta wanted 'em, but then I started thinking about how the buck would be good to keep. So, for now looks like the others will be getting stocked in my freezer. I'll be eating good this week. Still, hoping I can maybe find some more."

Me: "Well sir, sorry, but not here. Have a nice day."

Him: "Mmrrmmph...you too."

**I then turned and went into the shelter."

Me: "Dawn, I thought that man had brought his grand-daughter here to look for a pet bunny-rabbit. He was just looking to shop for food at an animal shelter! Ugh."

Dawn: **shakes her head** - "These people..."

Unfortunately, "these people" are all over "these parts." They are the kind of people that leave their dogs tied to trees and never feed them, or leave them to just run as they will without any vaccinations. Loving Paws takes in as many as we can. It is a no-kill shelter, sponsored by the Pulaski County Humane Society, funded solely by donations, and run by an all-volunteer staff. All cats and dogs that come to the shelter receive necessary vaccinations and are spayed or neutered. We try to give them a bit of a home, until they can find their forever families. Some of them stay longer than others. Sabrina, for example, had been at the shelter for 6 months, living in a 4x12 indoor/outdoor run; that's no life for a dog. And yet, for some of them, it's a better life than what they had. 

Sabrina had been in a home for a couple of months prior to her stay at Loving Paws, but when the family she had previously lived with decided to get a pit bull who didn't care too much for Sabrina, they decided to get rid of her. Prior to her two month household stint she had been in the Waynesville shelter, prior to that a stray, and prior to that we don't know. It's been a long couple of years for our pup, but she's finally in a good place.

Despite the sad state in which I see some of the animals come to our shelter, I love what I'm doing, and there are many days I come home to tell Matt about the sweetest dog that is weedling its way into my heart - much the same way Sabrina did. But, more often than not, the pooch that I start falling for gets adopted within a few weeks and finds his or her perfect family.

In addition to my typical shelter duties, I have become the resident photographer for the adoption center. When we get a new dog/cat in, and once they have been with us for at least a week (enough time to get them vaccinated and groomed), we take them out for their "official photo shoot." I take a series of pictures, come home and edit them, and then send them to the Vice President of the Humane Society, who loads them onto PetFinder and the Loving Paws website. It's quickly become one of my favorite pastimes. 

So, in honor of the cats and dogs that I get to help take care of every week, I thought I'd share some of my favorites with all of you.

Pluto came to us as a stray with a collar, but no tags or microchip to identify him. After being with us for two weeks, we received a phone call from his family who saw his photo on PetFinder. Apparently the big lug had been let outside and broken his tether. The family had been looking for him and were so happy when they found his picture. This was a happy reunion.

Misty was a stray found along a local county road. She stayed with us for three weeks and then was adopted by a nice, older woman.

Sammy has become the "shelter cat." He's been at the facility since I've been there. He's a sweet guy, but nobody seems to want him because he's too old.

Trixie came to us as a two month old puppy. She quickly got adopted.

If I could have brought home another dog, it would have been Socks. Socks lived at the shelter for nearly two months. He came to the facility with his mother (Poochie) and brother (Chip), who were found tied to a tree and left to fend for themselves. He finally got adopted by a great family who had a young son that just wanted to run and play with him, which was great because the Border Collie in Socks wanted to play ALL THE TIME!

Our resident "old guy," Pedro came to us as a stray who was hurting from arthritis in his 9 year old bones. He was at the shelter for nearly three months when we received a phone call from a lady saying she was looking online at photos on PetFinder and Pedro looked an awful lot like her next door neighbors lost dog. As the family who had previously owned Pedro didn't have the internet, she told them she thought he was at Loving Paws. There was a happy reunion with the dog and his family in early April. Despite the arthritis, the old man somehow found it in his legs to jump straight into the arms of his lost parents.

Dodger is a Rottweiler mix who has been at the shelter for the past month. He is an extremely laid back guy, despite his hulking exterior and serious looking face. The vet believes Dodger is 5 years old. He has only 4 teeth partially remaining in his mouth. All of his other teeth have been worn down from excessive chewing and grinding - probably from being tied up for a long period of time and trying to gnaw through a chain.

Checkers is our resident hound-dog. He was picked up by the Crocker P.D. last week, running wild in the countryside. He had no collar and no manners when he came to the shelter, which makes us think if he's ever been anybody's, he's never been inside a home. However, he's quickly learning that there are perks to having human companions - food twice a day, a warm place to stay at night, a comfy blanket (changed daily), treats and toys, and of course lots of love and affection. Still, Checkers' primary M.O. is to take people for a walk, not have people take him for a walk. This guy is a pureblood Blue Tick Coonhound so his nose is usually always on the ground and in hot pursuit of whatever it is he smells!

Kip has only been at the shelter for a few days, and he's REALLY in need of his appointment at Pampered Paws - his hair is a hot mess! However, I couldn't resist taking a picture of the little guy yesterday because he's just so darn grungy and cute. We think he's a Shih Tzu or a Lhasa Apso....were not too sure...but whatever he is I truly believe he could pull off being a Jerry Garcia look-alike in a Grateful Dead tribute band.

These are just a few of the cute critters I get to work with twice weekly. If I tried to put all of their pictures on this blog it would undoubtedly take way too long to load and twice as long for me to write. In the coming months, however, I plan on keeping you all updated about some of my latest charges, and let you know if those still at the shelter get adopted. For those that have been adopted, I am grateful that they have found their forever homes, and for those that are still at the shelter, I hope we can help them feel loved again and ready to be part of the families which they so desperately deserve.

 Contentment...

For Love of the Food - Grilled Eggplant Parmesan

Parmigiana di Melanzane alla Griglia

I love good, Italian comfort food. Whether it's pasta, chicken, fish or meat, the Italians know how to do it right: lots of flavor through a combination of herbs and spices, fresh ingredients, and finesse - because any good meal deserves the correct amount of time and love to make it perfect. Luckily, I have a lot of time on my hands.

This week - on my journeys through the aisles at the local Price Cutter - I noticed that the eggplant in the produce department looked particularly nice. With the concept to make a healthier version of eggplant parm on my mind, I grabbed two of the aubergine bulbs and added them to my cart.

Now, one thing that most people don't know is that the eggplant is actually a fruit. In fact, it's actually a berry; a rather large berry, but a berry nonetheless. As a member of the nightshade family - which includes a variety of highly toxic plants - the eggplant was, at one time, considered to be incredibly poisonous. This could be partly due to the highly bitter taste of the fruit if it is not properly salted and let sit to drain for a period of time. Also, while most people associate the eggplant with mediterranean cooking: Eggplant Parmesan (Italy), Ratatouille (France), Moussaka (Greece) and Baba Ghanoush (Turkey), the fruit is actually native to the Indian sub-continent, where it is referred to as brinjal - "King of Fruits." 

While I could sit and regale you with other interesting tidbits about the eggplant, I figure if you really want to know more you can check out the websites I've listed below in the reference section. Otherwise, let's get back to the task at hand, making eggplant parm healthy!

In the following recipe, instead of battering and frying the eggplant in flour, eggs and breadcrumbs, I have grilled the raw slices on an indoor grill pan, allowing the eggplant to retain its firmness, but giving it a seared flavor that is really warm and hearty when combined with the sauce and cheese. 

Ingredients:

2 large eggplants, comparable in size

1 28oz can of crushed or chefs cut Italian tomatoes (like San Marzano or Cento)

1 14oz can of diced tomatoes with herbs

2 tbsp fresh basil, leaves only

2 cloves garlic, sliced thin

3 anchovy filets

2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated

1 cup parmesan cheese, grated

1 cup red wine (a few glugs from the bottle)

2 tbsp EVOO, plus extra for the grill

1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional)

salt and pepper

Directions:

Prep your eggplant by cleaning and cutting the fruit lengthwise into 1/2 inch slices (discarding the end pieces). Place in a colander lined with paper towels and liberally salt the eggplant. Let sit for 30 minutes.

Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees.

While the eggplant is draining, start your marinara. In a large pot over medium-high heat drizzle the EVOO on the bottom of the pan and add the three anchovy filets. As the oil begins to warm, the anchovies will begin to break down and dissolve, emitting a pleasant almost nutty smell. Once the filets dissolve, add the garlic to the pot, and let simmer for just a minute. Then add the 2 cans of tomatoes, the wine, a liberal splash of salt and a couple twists of the pepper mill. Stir the pot, bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a simmer. Be sure to stir the sauce periodically and test for taste. Add more salt, if needed.

Begin heating up your indoor or outdoor grill, spraying or brushing with a thin layer of olive oil. Over medium heat, begin adding the slices of eggplant. Sear for for 2-3 minutes (or until the eggplant is lightly softened and the char marks are nicely set). Before flipping over, mist or brush the un-seared side with EVOO. Flip and sear on opposite side for 2-3 minutes. Repeat process until all of the eggplant is grilled. Return the eggplant to the towel lined colander to absorb any excess oil. 

After all the slices are grilled, remove the lid from the sauce pot and add the basil. Stir to combine and turn off heat. 

Spray a large baking dish with EVOO, then spoon a thin layer of the marinara on the bottom. Add your first layer of eggplant. Sprinkle each slice with a some of the mozzarella, then add a spoonful of the tomato sauce to the top. 

Repeat until all the eggplant is layered - using a criss/cross method. On the final layer, sprinkle the parmesan on top of the sauce. 

(Optional) - To add a bit of a crunch - and to replicate that traditional flavor - toast 1/2 cup of Italian style breadcrumbs in a small pan over medium heat and dust the top of the baking dish.

Bake in 400 degree oven for 20-25 minutes, or until top is golden brown. Serve stacks, sprinkled with extra parmesan cheese if desired, with a glass of cabernet. Follow with and a mixed salad - after you've eaten at least two servings! 

References:

Eggplant - Wiki

Eggplant - Health Info