Thursday, January 12, 2012

Not much to say

My body has stopped aching, and I am not as tired today.  Yesterday, I slept about 16 hours.  I think that I am over whatever it was that wiped me out.  I actually got out of the house today and went to a meeting tonight.  I was cornered by a lady after the meeting who was telling me about some things that she thought that I "should" do.  I extricated myself as quickly as possible and decided that she could go "should" all over someone else.

I have nothing much to say, other than the entire state has gone crazy because of the primary coming up.  The candidates are all trying to out do each other on digging up dirt.  I know that there is another whole year of this stuff to listen to, but really, I am sick to death of it.  I wish that they would complete the feeding frenzy, devour each other, and be done with it.

The weather is freaky with gale force winds whipping the coast.  I haven't been to the boat in a couple of days.  She will probably be coated with salt spray.  I like one of my new neighbors at the marina.  He and his wife actually would like to cruise to some of the spots that I like.  It's nice to meet other couples who get away from the marina and like to anchor out. We are planning some upcoming cruising weekends.

My father-in-law has a birthday coming up on Jan. 15.  My birthday is on Jan. 17.  We are going to celebrate his 91st. birthday over here.  I'm going to fix his favorite meal of oyster stew and Lowcountry Boil (aka Frogmore Stew).  The oyster stew is my father's recipe from the Chesapeake Bay: Fry some bacon,  add celery and onions, some butter, and saute the oysters and their "liquor" with some milk.  Delicious!


The boil ingredients are local white shrimp, corn on the cob, sausage, and new potatoes with some Zatarain's seasoning added.  Frogmore is a small community on St. Helena Island--in the southern part of the Lowcountry.  The origin of the boil supposedly goes back to the Gullah who lived on the sea islands of coastal South Carolina.  They would throw together what was available in a large pot, add spices and feed a lot of people quickly.  It has become a party favorite in modern times as well.

This year, I don't feel like celebrating much.  I think that my wife and I will go to a movie and have an early dinner afterwards.  On this birthday, I am not going to be anywhere near age 91, but every year that goes by now, makes me wish the days would last longer and the years would slow down.

That's it for today.  A little history, a couple of food photos, and some social commentary is all I've got.  Maybe something more will come to mind tomorrow.

21 comments:

  1. Your post brings back memories of my childhood oyster stew.
    My father used to cook this dish around the holidays. Oysters were rare for us fifty years ago and we cherished the taste. Food and Memories.....

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  2. Why not get to ninety one, Syd? My mother is ninety two and today she announced she'd like to get to one hundred. Can you imagine?

    When I was young I thought sixty would be a most respectable age at which to die. Not any more.

    I hope you get well soon and celebrate your birthday on 17 January with gusto.

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  3. That food enthralls me -- and a feast at 91 years old is great. I get you on the politics, Syd. Not an easy time.

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  4. December 26th while cruising around I drove on St. Helena's and noticed the Frogmore references. I stopped for the gumbo. I appreciate the history lesson as I am trying to learn as much as I can about the Low Country and Gullah heritage.
    You never know if you will see 91. Happy birthday to you and your father-in-law. Small acts of kindness like taking the time and love to make food are so meaningful. Your father-in-law will feel that love. Such a nice birthday gift. Savor.
    Dave

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  5. Thanks for the history behind Frogmore stew. It is one of my favorite dishes when we are at the beach. I'm glad you are feeling better - if you slept for 16 hours you were definitely fighting off something.

    Loved the pictures of the puppies in a previous post.

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  6. My brother in Savannah always serves Low Country Boil when we come to visit. I LOVE it!

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  7. Someone has to suffer fools and it's just your turn right now.

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  8. man i think you are just trying to rub it in on the food now...smiles...they sound delish....glad you are feeling better....yeah i am over campaign season and its just beginning and only going to get worse...

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  9. Syd. You make me glad to know you.

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  10. glad you are feeling better. there's a nasty flu going round these parts I'm trying to duck it.

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  11. Glad you are feeling better! My birthday is on the 18th!

    My grandma was 94 when she passed away. It's funny how as we get older we think about age so differently. I was think the other day how fast time has gone by.

    Happy birthday!!!!!

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  12. I am glad you are feeling better. Thanks for the recipies. I ook forward to trying them both.

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  13. I'm glad you explained what Frogmore Stew is, because living far from you I could only use my imagination as to what went into it!! I must say, it sounds delicious.

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  14. Interesting, because I have never heard of these dishes. I would try it for sure though!

    I always get a bit sad about getting older around my birthday, but it doesn't last. Carpe diem, my friend!

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  15. Syd, you designed a great and varied blog post here. And just getting off the tiredness of illness recovery. Those dishes look ...Yummmmm!

    The boil reminds me of a traditional "Fish Boil" in Ephraim Wisconsin...also of that outdoor September dinner in Charleston, SC.

    PEACE!

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  16. I'm inspired to try making that Low Country boil. YUM!!!

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  17. Happy Birthday to you and yours. That oyster stew looks so good. I think I need to get me a quart of oysters and have that for dinner tonight. :)

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  18. I feel the same way about getting older, I don't mind the number but I sure wish time would slow down as well.

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  19. Happy Belated birthday to your father-in-law! I hope the meal turned out delicious! It sounds very good :0)

    I find keeping celebrations low key are better for me and much more enjoyable. I hope you have a wonderful birthday tomorrow, Syd!

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  20. Happy Birthday tomorrow, my friend!

    I love the culinary history, such an amazing part of our country there. Some day I hope to get to the SC coast. I have a cousin in Charleston.

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  21. Syd, on your birthday, I wish you a sense of contentment in knowing you've been part of the ripples in the pond, passing on a message of hope.

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Let me know what you think. I like reading what you have to say.