Sassy Southern Cooking with a French Twist

Musings

Writings on food and memory by Holly

Casual, Romantic Weekend Plans in Charleston

Beautiful Charleston is full of wonderful things to do and delicious places to eat.  Whether history, gardening, beaches, cuisine or architecture is your passion, there really is something for everyone here.

The link below looks at local places to take in romance in a casual, easy way, that I enjoyed with my boyfriend visiting from Williamsburg, VA.

http://charleston.thepermanenttourist.com/eighty-four-hours-in-charleston/

Michael and I enjoy a stroll on Folly Beach and a view of Morris Island Lighthouse.

Michael and I enjoying a stroll on Folly Beach and a view of Morris Island Lighthouse.

 

Enjoy! We surely did.

Meanwhile, remember that The French Cook – Soups & Stews (Gibbs Smith), my seventh and all time favorite cookbook (I love the recipes) officially releases on September 1.  Follow me here for updates on upcoming signings and look for it in bookstores near you and on Amazon.

The French Cook-Soups and StewsHappy cooking and bon appetit!

Holly

 

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Something for Everyone at Middleton Place

For all the years I’ve lived in Charleston, Middleton Place’s allure has only gotten stronger. The restaurant is better than ever and the unparalleled views lovely. The grounds are loaded with things to do and see, including the oldest landscaped gardens in this country, and visits with the heritage breeds that occupy the stable yard. Read more about this magical place in my recent post on charleston.thepermanenttourist.com:

http://charleston.thepermanenttourist.com/magical-middleton/

Leroy the Goat at Middleton Place is playful and productive with milk used to make soap and other goods sold on the plantation.

Leroy the Goat at Middleton Place is playful and productive with milk used to make soap and other goods sold on the plantation. He even jumped for joy when he heard my goat “bleet” imitation.

Food is delicious here, too.

Enjoy!

 

 

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Heaven in the Hills

A lovely inn near Boone, NC begs for a visit to get away from Charleston’s heat. I visited here recently to teach some cooking classes from my cookbooks, and was awestruck with the Inn at Little Pond Farm. Here’s what I was served for breakfast one morning:

Fresh Orange Infused French Toast with Warm Maple Syrup, Sausage and Honey-Tossed Melon.

Fresh Orange Infused French Toast with Warm Maple Syrup, Sausage and Honey-Tossed Melon.

Here’s the full link from my blog: The Permanent Tourist Charleston

http://charleston.thepermanenttourist.com/heaven-in-the-hills/

While you’re there, be sure to read about the cookbook giveaway of the advance copy of my latest release, The French Cook – Soups & Stews (Gibbs Smith, September 1) in the food and recipes column. She’s a beauty! Please comment and try to win.

My very newest book baby, The French Cook: Soups & Stews, currently available for pre-order  on Amazon.

My very newest book baby, The French Cook: Soups & Stews, currently available for pre-order on Amazon.

 

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Organic Farming the Farmer King Way

On yesterday’s Home, Garden & Beach page, I posted about a farmer friend of mine who grows beautiful, organic food using his own ingenuity and tricks he learned from his grandmother.

It’s had over 1,000 visits so far. Here’s the link:

http://charleston.thepermanenttourist.com/farmer-king-rules/ 

Enjoy!

PS – Please note that you can join my facebook page for the same blog by typing in: The Permanent Tourist Charleston in your facebook bar. It should take you right there. I would love to see you there!

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Animal Attraction: The Power of Pets

For whatever reason, God chose not to bless me with children. For a while there, back in my twenties and thirties, I was pretty sad about that. Instead of surrounding me with the two tow-headed sons I envisioned as a young girl,  my entire life I’ve been surrounded with pets of all shapes and sizes. A pig named Malechy, a goat named Friday, a cow named Betsy, a Shetland pony named Honeybee, and a cat named Tigger, to name just a few.

Malechy rooted and snorted his way around his pen while my sister Heather and I watched in adoration, feeding him rotten apples and whatever else we could find and fancying him our own personal “Wilbur.” Goat Friday used to chase Heather up the apple trees on our daily walks through the pasture from the school bus. We never understood why, but it always caused hilarious laughter, especially from me.  Betsy lolled lazily most days, her dark brown eyes always reflecting quiet, peace and gentleness. Honeybee took me and my friend Mary O’Brien on a wild chase through the orchard one windy, fall day, ultimately upsetting the horse cart and our pride, but remained a feisty little friend throughout my childhood. And Tigger was my first cat love, a grey and white striped ball of a kitten we picked up at one of my brothers’ little league games and who lived with us for 18 long, happy years.

And then there were the dogs. Many, many wonderful dogs. Nicki the beautiful black lab who shepherded the four of us safely through the many acres of our country back yard when Mom was busy doing something else.  Fritzi, a fiercely loyal and smart Weimerarmer who loved us kids so much, she had to die for protecting us when she bit the garbage man.  It was achingly difficult to say goodbye to her, my first pet death. I cried now thinking about it and that was over forty years ago.

All of these lovely creatures are in God’s arms now, but they live forever in my memories for the love they provided and the priceless lessons they taught, especially about enjoying life in the moment and sharing unconditional love.  Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about them, and my current pets, Tann Mann and Chutney Cat.

My best ever kitchen helper and friend, Tann Mann.

My best ever kitchen helper and friend, Tann Mann.

They are advancing in years, at (almost) 11 and 14 years old, respectively. I know that they, just like my aging parents and everyone I know, will not be with me forever. I will not always be able to enjoy Tann Mann’s adorable sashay and swagger on our mutliple daily walks, hear his paws tickle the wood floors as he pads about the house, listen to his soft peaceful breathing on night’s when I can’t sleep, or watch him  watch me while I’m coooking. I will not always be able to watch Chutney Cat frolicking and hunting merrily in the garden or stare into her soulful, pretty green eyes. She will not always be there to “knead” pretend dough as she plays at my side.

Chutney Cat at play in the garden.

Chutney Cat at play in the garden.

But, I have them both now. I have them both to love and hold and enjoy for as long as they are meant to be with me.  And, because I have watched them and all the animals I have loved appreciate and enjoy every moment they are given, they have generously taught me how to do just that whenever possible.

God may have not given me human children, but he has given me so many blessings, not the least of which are many beautiful pets, my fur babies.  And, as my pets have taught me, I don’t even have to know why. I only need to be and be grateful.

 

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