More yarn

OSCAR - mania

Thick, hot, black Altura coffee laced with warmed milk whipped to a froth served with Sour Cherry scones. So begins Sunday morning in the mountains. The sun is bright and clear and the temp is going to head into the mid 60s. Though a tad chilly for most of my friends it is the perfect day for me.

Donna joins Team Erwin and we head off to The Farmer's Daughter for a late Sunday afternoon dinner. Served family style we opt for the fried chicken (a perennial favorite) and the shrimp. Should have gone with the country ham but live and learn. Learn this - do not order the shrimp. Enough said. First they hit you with the cornbread and biscuits as they should but then they sneak in about a dozen sides. I can't remember all of them but the carrot souffle is of the gods. A hint of orange, brown sugar and maple syrup and that stuff melts on the tongue. Round it out with mac and cheese, also a southern favorite, cabbage, beans with ham, cornbread salad, mashed potatoes and gravy, and all the other dishes I cannot remember and you've got dinner. The final round? Dessert. They had three things left, chocolate cream pie, bread pudding with raisins, and berry cobbler, so we took one for each of us and shared the bounty with a cup of coffee. Not as good as the coffee at home but a finish to the meal nonetheless.

A side trip to Jonesborough, home to the International Storytelling Festival, for a little sightseeing and inspiration for Donna's new plans. Visiting JB is like stepping back in time. Stay here - at Toby's Place more properly known as the Historic Eureka Inn. Quaint shops and cafes line the streets beckoning a visit and a snack. But, alas, we are stuffed from lunch so opt instead for heading to home and a nap.

Oscar time sneaks up so it's over the river and through the woods to Ken Silvers house we go. Just kidding. He lives around the corner. Over the river and through the woods happens tomorrow when we have our first field trip. Meanwhile at Chez Silvers our ballots were cast and we all loved Doogie singing and dancing and Steve and Alec emceeing. We like everything except the Kanye West moment. What the? My door prize was The Good German and Michael's was Sunset Boulevard so we have movie nights for the week set up.

Big day tomorrow so nighty night.

The non-scenic route

After dinner discussion last night I settled on the shorter non-scenic route as opposed the meandering through back woods route. It still takes nine and a half hours. Slow, monotonous driving until I hit that big mountain. Then I remember why I drive it. Even if it does include that damnable 7% grade downhill scary stretch. Then the snow appears. And the frozen waterfalls. All in all still a pretty dramatic drive.

The drive was made easier by books on tape or whatever it is they are now called. I picked the longest one I could find and I'm not even close to half way through so the drive home will continue with the saga of all the other participants.



One of Micheal's favorite meals awaited arrival - soup beans and cornbread. He says it is now to labeled Fusion Soup Beans because of the latest addition of Thai Curry Paste. Whatever it is labeled it is delish after cooking all day in the crockpot. There was also local homemade chow chow that while spicy also added a sweet flavor to the dish. The cornbread didn't go into the oven until I walked in the door so it was hot and crispy and perfect; especially dipped in beans and chow chow.

There are cats everywhere. Pandora is on high alert.