There Goes Connie

SUDDENLY!!

10/06/2017 By: CCPearson8 Comments

Our lives can change drastically in an instant.

When I got to Sunday School last Sunday, I learned that a good friend fell down a flight of stairs at her daughter’s house the night before and broke her hip. For the next weeks and months, she will deal with the aftermath of that fall. Suddenly, her plans for that night and the days ahead were painfully rearranged.

Two weeks earlier some dear friends got the phone call no parent ever wants to receive. Their daughter, after tucking two young children into bed, got overheated while exercising, collapsed and was unresponsive. Over the next days, they helped their grieving son-in-law make arrangements for a funeral, all while being devastated themselves. Their lives, on this side of heaven, are forever changed.

I got one of those life-changing phone calls in January of 1986. An unfamiliar voice on the other end of the line said that I should come as quickly as possible, because it appeared that my Mom had suffered a severe brain aneurysm. The succeeding days were a blur of tears and shock. The heart of our family was gone, the glue, the communicator, the fun-planner, the true life of every gathering.

Then, this past Monday morning I awoke to the scenes of death and chaos in Las Vegas, NV. More than 50 lives were snuffed out in the middle of attending an outdoor concert, and 500 others now had injuries, healing, recovery and rehab to face rather than just a happy drive back home.

These verses in the Bible are on my mind this morning. Paul told the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 15: 51-52:

“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—

in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”

Did you get that? “In a flash,” “in the twinkling of an eye,” WE WILL ALL BE CHANGED. You may not have faced a sudden, life-altering event YET in your life, but one is coming. The Bible tells us over and over. For some, it may seem like a warning, while others see it as a promise. Either way, it’s a fact.

But, what are we supposed to do about it in the meantime? How do we live our lives after receiving one of those bad phone calls or having that sudden fall/accident? What does God want us to do while we wait for His return that will most certainly happen at an unexpected moment?

My son, Preacher Matt, often looks at what the Scripture does NOT say in certain passages. Let’s do that for a moment.

1) No place in the Bible are we told to put on sack cloth and ashes, get in a fetal position, wring our hands, gnash our teeth and become consumed with worry and dread.

2) No place in the Bible are we told to sell all of our worldly goods, gather some like-minded friends, go up on a mountain and sing “Kum-Bah-Yah” while we watch for the end to come.

3) No place in the Bible are we told to browbeat every non-Christian we know, hit them over the head with our Bibles, shame them into repentance and drag them down the aisles of our churches.

So, what ARE we supposed to do?

Hosea 10:12 says “Sow with a view to righteousness, Reap in accordance with kindness; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD Until He comes to rain righteousness on you.” Look at all of the verbs suggesting that we continue to work with diligence — “sow,” “reap,” “break up your fallow ground.” In other words, keep doing the things we know we should be doing. Continue to work, live and relate to others with integrity.

Mark 13:33-37 admonishes us to be alert. “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come. “It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert. “Therefore, be on the alert–for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. “What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!'” Be ready. Be prayed up. Ask for forgiveness from those you’ve wronged. Mend relationships that have been broken. Build relationships with people who need to hear the Gospel and ask God to send the Holy Spirit to prepare their hearts and to divinely orchestrate opportunities to share with them. Say the “I love you’s” now, so there will be no regrets later. Be kinder than usual. Be gentler than usual. Enjoy your friendships and cultivate others. Laugh and smile more. Reflect the presence of Christ in your life.

1 Corinthians 16:13 says “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” Take courageous stands based on your faith in Christ.

Colossians 4:2 reminds us to “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving” So, we should pray more and stay thankful.

All of these verses remind me that there is much to do while I wait. What do they say to you today?

Old Consulate Inn, Port Townsend, WA – Let Me Tempt You to Try a B & B

10/02/2017 By: CCPearsoncomment

First, let me confess that I know there are times when you just want simplicity, uniformity, normalcy and predictability. I get that. I really do. During our recent packing/moving/legal-paper-signing days, Steve and I stayed in a hotel for two nights. Yes, gasp, in CHAIN hotels. In both cases, we were dog-tired and just needed a comfortable, anonymous, place to stay. We were in no shape to be social. We just needed a good night’s sleep.

But, that was the exception. Generally, when we travel, we are there for the EXPERIENCE. We WANT to find unexpected pleasures, and we WANT to meet the locals. We enjoy the quirks and the perks of bed and breakfast inns. In our opinion, we’d rather just stay home if we’re not going to learn, see, taste and feel something new. Does that make sense? You are certainly welcome to voice your own opinion on the subject and your reasons for differing. One I can think of right off the bat would be handicap accessibility. Most B & B’s don’t have elevators, and their architecture doesn’t lend itself to wheelchairs, etc. I understand that completely. But, if you are physically able, I urge you to be a curious, adventure collector. And, B & B’s can be a great place to try that mentality.

Are you going to be in the Seattle area in the future? Maybe a few days before or after an Alaskan cruise? The rest of the blog post will be very photo-heavy as I introduce you to a wonderful inn we found a ferry ride away from Seattle — Old Consulate Inn. You can read some of the details in my articles for Trip101.com and MilesGeek.com, but here are more photos that might tempt you even further.

First let’s look at the views on the outside.

Entrance gate to Old Consulate Inn in Port Townsend, WA.

So many great places to sit and soak up the view.

The clock tower in the county courthouse across the street from the inn.

A view of Puget Sound from the wraparound porch.

More beautiful flowers.

A meticulously-landscaped yard.

Gazebo in the side yard with great views of the water.

Now, take a look at the rooms inside.

The front entry parlor inside the front door.

Notice the period wallpaper and furniture in this guest room.

A fun surprise on the front door.

An honor I didn’t expect but found to be true. 🙂

Another fun surprise hanging on our doorknob before bedtime every night.

Fresh fudge in a small basket attached to the guest room doorknob.

And, the star of the show?? BREAKFAST!!!

Innkeeper Cindy Madsen is also the breakfast chef who plans and prepares the scrumptious 3-course breakfasts served at 9:00 a.m. every morning.

A menu of the next morning’s breakfast.

Innkeeper Nathan Barnett, lover of history and the fine arts.

Grilled oranges with a sherry cake.

Eggs Benedict, a typical Sunday morning breakfast.

Lots of china, crystal and silver.

Fresh fruit with homemade muffins.

Egg blossoms with sausage.

Cherries Romania with pecans.

Check the inn’s website or book your stay on Booking.com.

3 Ingredients for Spending a Few Hours with a Teenage Granddaughter

09/29/2017 By: CCPearsoncomment

Proverbs 17:6 – “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”

Psalm 128:5-6 – “May the Lord bless you from Zion; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
⁶May you live to see your children’s children— peace be on Israel.”

Deuteronomy 6:1-2 – “These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, ²so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.”

Steve and I are so very blessed to have 13 beautiful grandchildren — a Baker’s Dozen of Delight! It is a blessing beyond all we could have ever asked or imagined. Our children bring us unimaginable joy, but, oh, our children’s children. My goodness.

Their ages range for 5 days old to a granddaughter who will be 17 in about 6 weeks. We spent a fun afternoon with our oldest, teenager Allie Grace, recently, and as I planned our time together, I wanted it to include 3 ingredients. (Maybe these ingredients stem from what I would have enjoyed with my own grandparents. Their circumstances were far different, however. Even though I never doubted their love for me and their pride in my accomplishments, both physical and financial limitations prevented them from spoiling me. Grandparenting has as many different “looks” as the number of grandparents trying to fulfill the role.)

In addition to getting inside our grandchildren’s world, I believe it’s important for us to share our own passions, interests, and hobbies with them. Yes, we go to band concerts, soccer games and baptisms. We ask about schoolwork, friends and pets. We want to know their favorite colors, books, foods, sports teams, movies and TV shows, but we also want them to know some of our favorites as well. Steve, for example, is their go-to expert for all things related to fishing or animals, while I (hopefully) spring to their minds in the areas of music or food. 🙂 And, always, always, always, we want them to catch our commitment and enthusiasm for God, for the Bible and for church. We had a chance to worship with Allie at her new church in Nashville and (hopefully) affirmed to her all of its positive aspects. Later, she showed us her new school, and we loved hearing her tell all of the good things happening for her there.
GoodPasture Christian School sign.
Good food is a must! Don’t we want our grandchildren to associate us with happy times around a table with delicious tastes in their mouths?? Well, this was a perfect time for me to share my enjoyment of being a food/travel writer with Allie. I researched a restaurant with a great chef that I was pretty sure she had never tried before and made reservations for brunch. We arrived at etc. (yes, that’s the name of it — no capital letters or anything) and walked into a lively place with a sleek appearance and an intriguing menu. Allie suggested fresh croissants to begin our meal, and “her wish was our command.” 🙂 Then, since she’s both “into health” AND a teenager, she chose a breakfast quesadilla with bacon, eggs, cheese, onions, black beans, avocado, salsa, tomatillo jam and micro greens. When we made our way to nearby Green Hills Mall afterwards, I introduced all of us to a heavenly goodie known as a macaron. No, not macaroon of the coconut variety, but macaron of the many-colored, many-flavored variety. They were in a little kiosk called Woops! Again, this combined my foodie interest with my “once a teacher, always a teacher” trait. Now, she has something new to know about and mention to her friends. And, maybe I can find a recipe we can try together the next time she visits.
Breakfast quesadilla at etc. in Nashville.

Woops! – a place to buy macarons in Green Hills Mall.
A little shopping — within reason, of course. Teenage girls — and their grandmothers — love to look and sometimes buy something new, right? We found a store that was new to both of us called Charming Charlie. There is actually one at Parkway Place Mall in Huntsville for those of you who live in North Alabama. It is filled with colorful, fashionable jewelry, purses, scarves and clothes (mostly tops, it seemed), and the prices were very affordable. We both got a couple of items and spent only around $30. (Steve, I should mention, was very glad to see some nice benches outside the store for resting and watching the world go by).
Shopping bags from Green Hills Mall.

It was a nice afternoon. We didn’t spend a lot of money. We just invested some time. We learned more about Allie, and I believe she learned more about us. Allie, along with her siblings and cousins, are most certainly “a crown” for Steve and me. Thank you, God.

Selfie in front of macarons.

Two Hidden Mennonite Businesses in Morgan County AL

09/25/2017 By: CCPearson2 Comments

I have recently moved to a part of Morgan County that puts me within a 10-minute drive of two unique businesses — one a bakery/deli/grocery store and the other a buffet restaurant open only on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Both are owned by Mennonite families, and both are very popular in this part of the county. People even detour off of I-65 to find them.

For me, it was a short drive down to the end of Barkley Bridge Road to Lebanon Baptist Church. I turned right onto Highway 55 and was immediately greeted by signs at mailboxes saying things like “Repent and turn back to God” and “Keep Yourself Pure.” It was as if I’d entered a different world, a less “worldly” world.

I continued to McKendree Methodist Church. To turn left, means you’re a short distance from Dutch Oven Bakery, Home of Anna Mary’s Cakes on Evergreen Road, and a right turn will lead you to The Old Cookstove on Reeder Road.

If there are smells in heaven, I imagine cinnamon and rising yeast bread will be two of them. Oh my! In the front door of Dutch Oven Bakery, you will immediately encounter a newly-added deli station offering sandwiches and salads. To the left are shelves of freshly-baked breads and gourmet coffees, and through the opening, you can see more bakers hard at work in a spotlessly clean area. If you turn right, you will find a large selection of baked and canned goods, candies, jams, pickles and spices. All made by the Mennonites and their Amish associates. They are open Tuesday – Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and I promise it’s worth the trip.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between Mennonites and Amish, especially when you notice the white caps of the women and their simple, traditional skirts and blouses. From what I’ve read, Amish people hold to the old beliefs and live without electricity or motorized vehicles, while the Mennonites have found those conveniences to be a useful part of their livelihoods and homes. Both believe in simple living and in salvation through Jesus Christ. I find no fault in either of those things, do you? I really liked seeing Bible verses on many of the products. What a delicious way to share God’s Word.

Here’s a look at the items that ended up back in my kitchen. You’ll probably notice the scales tipped in favor of sweets.

Steve and I had dinner at The Old Cookstove last week. It is open for lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday (11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., but only for dinner on Thursday (4:00 – 7:00 p.m.).

On the buffet you can expect to find anywhere from 6 to 10 different meats and 15-20 different vegetables, in addition to a salad bar. All kinds of homemade desserts are ready and waiting (go early for the best selection!), with homemade ice cream probably heading the line-up. Friday nights feature a seafood buffet. Children ages 1-4 are free, ages 5-7 are $5.00 each, ages 8-11 are $7.00 each, and everyone 12 and over will pay $12.95.

The motto at The Old Cookstove is “Delicious Home Cooking in a Delightful Rustic Home,” and I believe that paints a true picture. It is not a hip, trendy kind of place in any sense of the word. They even sell quilts, candles and assorted jams and pickles.

A church busload of senior adults was just finishing supper when we arrived. We could see why it would be popular with that age group. It was cooking very much like my grandmother used to do.

Desperate to Be Free

09/22/2017 By: CCPearsoncomment

I’ve never experienced it. That overwhelming urgency to be free to the point of being willing to risk death to achieve it. The closest I can remember is during my high school days when I desperately wanted to go off to college and escape the rules and domination of my parents. And that is a pitiful excuse for a comparison. After all, my physical needs were generously met, and my parents made sacrifices to help me reach my goals and dreams. No, I’ve never known a hunger for freedom so deep that it caused me to take drastic actions and beg others to help me along my way.

I THOUGHT I knew what I’d be seeing when Steve and I visited the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati this past spring. I studied the Civil War during elementary and high school years. I had a rudimentary knowledge of what the Underground Railroad was and how it worked. But, at this amazing facility I had the chance to see some of the details more graphically. It was intense and powerful. The Ohio River Valley area was a major location when the Underground Railroad was in operation. Now, at 50 East Freedom Way, along the banks of the Ohio River is a multi-million-dollar building designed specifically to educate others about the journeys some endured to find freedom.

Moving display at the Freedom Center.

Three large pavilions make up the first and second floors of the building — The Pavilion of Perseverance, the Pavilion of Courage, and the Pavilion of Cooperation. In the Perseverance section was an authentic slave pen which housed slaves on their way to be auctioned and sold. It was found on a farm in Kentucky less than 60 miles from the Freedom Center.

Slave pen.

Two large RagGonNons created by Aminah Robinson dominated another wall. These quilt-type wall hangings took her 35 years to complete and tell the story of slavery and freedom from her own perspective. Many materials are used in these hangings, and Ms. Robinson did all of the drawing, painting, quilting and sewing by hand.

RagGonNons by Aminah Robinson

Closeup of a RagGonNon.

In another display, part of a house was used to show the places that slaves were hidden on the journey north after they escaped the plantations of the south.

House along the Underground Railroad.

A traveling exhibit on Nelson Mandela was being shown during the days we were there. Again, I have to plead ignorance. I didn’t understand what Apartheid really meant, and I’m ashamed of myself for not being better educated about it. The blacks in South Africa were treated terribly. Mandela’s raised fist had such passion and meaning. The questions he asked stirred my heart. “Lay down your rock. Lift up your fist. What will you forgive? What will you fight for?” Such a powerful message for his people.

Nelson Mandela’s raised fist.

7 Pillars of Apartheid.

If you have a chance to go to Cincinnati, I would highly recommend that you plan to spend a few hours at the Freedom Center. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you can’t go that far, then consider a drive to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Ignorance is no excuse. Freedom is a cause all Christians should champion.

John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

Galatians 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

1 Peter 2:16 “Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.”

The Fish Market Restaurant — On Highway 280 OR Near the Galleria in Birmingham

09/18/2017 By: CCPearson4 Comments

Steve and I have eaten at The Fish Market Restaurant on Highway 280 in Birmingham twice now and thoroughly enjoyed it both times. There are probably 2 main reasons: 1) We were with friends we have known since our newlywed days in Auburn, and 2) We really enjoy fresh seafood. The location on 280 is great if you are coming or going from a football Saturday on the Plains in Auburn or if you have a day of shopping at The Summit. There’s another location near The Galleria on Highway 31 which is also convenient for shoppers coming from all over the state.

If you choose to “dine-in,” there are two options. In one case, you can be seated by a hostess and have your order taken and brought to your table. The other choice would be to walk right up to the counter and place your order. In that case, you get your own drink, napkins, etc. but your order is still brought to your table, and a server offers to help with anything you need. You save a little money in the category of tipping by choosing to order that way. The Fish Market also offers a full catering menu, which is mighty handy if you live in the Birmingham and want to have some guests over for a nice meal WITHOUT having to shop, chop and spend a couple of days in the kitchen. In addition to seafood selections of all kinds, the menu at The Fish Market also features quite a few Greek selections: Greek salad, Greek coleslaw, Athenian style fish, Greek island style fish, Athenian Greek pasta, spanakopita, tyropita, to name a few.

Small fish platter with oysters, shrimp and scallops.

Rich, thick gumbo.

Fish tacos.

The seafood at The Fish Market comes from some well-known places: Bon Secour Fisheries near Mobile, AL and Bama Shrimp of Bayou La Batre (think Forrest Gump), plus Harbor Docks in Florida and Halpern’s Seafood in Georgia among others. Steve and I like the fact that you can order your fish fried, grilled or blackened. At least you have a chance to eat healthy, right? And for healthier sides, you can choose steamed cabbage or grilled zucchini, squash and asparagus from among all of the usual sides you normally find. The prices are moderate — probably in line with Red Lobster — and they open daily at 11:00 a.m., so you can enjoy lunch or dinner there. We didn’t try any of the desserts, but the homemade bourbon bread pudding and the baklava sounded tempting.

Fresh fish on display at the counter — ready for the chef.

Check out the website. Even if you aren’t a seafood-lover, you could very well find a salad, soup, sandwich or chicken entree that would make you happy. . . . and don’t forget dessert. 🙂

Many thanks, Cindy and Hugo, for the recommendation . . . and the great company!

Three Weeks, Three Displays of God’s Omnipotence

09/15/2017 By: CCPearson5 Comments

(Written on Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, 16 years after the day none of us will ever forget)

Three weeks ago, most of the United States locked their gazes skyward, through eclipse-glasses, of course, to watch as the moon traveled across the face of the sun, blocking it from our view for a few short minutes. The earth turned an eery kind of dark, and summer insects and birds who normally only make a fuss in the late afternoon and early evening were “tricked” into thinking it was about to be nighttime. Even those of us who viewed from a tiny hole in a box realized we were seeing a prime example of the way God set our solar system into motion during that week of creation described in Genesis chapter 1.

In the days surrounding Labor Day Weekend, we watched in horror as Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas and then seemed to stand still dumping record-setting amounts of rainfall (more than 4 FEET of rain in some places) on the residents and business owners. The photos beamed into our living rooms of the flooding tore at our hearts, and we all felt compelled to “do SOMETHING” to try to help.

While that was unfolding, Hurricane Irma was churning and gaining strength in the Atlantic. And, now many Caribbean islands are wrecked and severely damaged, and over 3 million people in Florida are without power. Irma has even plotted a course that is expected to bring high winds and heavy rainfall as far as North Alabama where I live. Schools are closed all over my part of the state today because of the desire to keep buses off the roads during dangerous conditions. I saw one graphic on a weather report comparing Hurricane Andrew, a category 5 hurricane from the fall of 1992, the most powerful to ever hit the Bahamas and Florida, to Irma. Some meteorogists said Irma made Andrew look like “an afternoon thunderstorm” because it is potentially 5 times more powerful that Andrew was. Undeniably, a HUGE storm.

We see these things happen. They stun us and cause us to marvel. We think briefly about Who the Creator is and how powerful He must be, then the crisis passes, and life returns to normal. But, truthfully, we’re not very different from the Israelites who roamed in the wilderness with Moses for 40 years. God parted the Red Sea, He sent manna from heaven, He caused fresh water to gush out of a rock, He defeated their enemies, He gave Moses the Ten Commandments, etc. etc. and, like us, they were momentarily grateful . . . or amazed . . . or in awe, and then they went to bed, got up the next morning, and life went on.

Is it possible that God wants us to think longer about His power and more deeply about what that means for us as we live our lives on earth? Here are some verses to ponder from the New International Version of the Bible:

Romans 1:20 – “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

Hebrews 1:3a – “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.”

Nehemiah 9:6 – “You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.”

Revelation 19:6 – “Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: ‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.’ “

Going one step further, the true “wonder of it all” is to realize that perhaps God’s greatest power is turning sinners into saints through His Son Jesus Christ who died on Calvary to redeem our lives and give us eternal life. Hallelujah!

Do Yourself a Favor — Watch an Expert Chef Prepare Your Meal

09/11/2017 By: CCPearsoncomment

Really. Do yourself a favor. Think of it as a splurge or an early birthday or Christmas gift for yourself and a friend. Call and reserve your spot for one of the three remaining cooking classes being offered by Chef James Boyce, owner of Cotton Row, Commerce Kitchen and Pane e Vino in Huntsville and Galley and Garden in Birmingham. The series is called “Eat Simply, Eat Smart, Eat Well” and the dates left this fall are September 13, October 11 and November 8. The classes are held upstairs over Cotton Row Restaurant at 100 Southside Square and last from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The cost is $110 per person plus gratuity for the wonderful server who works with Chef Boyce.

I was fortunate to attend a class with only 6 other people, so the fact that we had the advantage of Chef Boyce’s expertise and attention for three hours, along with getting to watch him work from only a few feet away, was an amazing privilege. He has such skill, passion and imagination. Seeing him demonstrate his knowledge and skill was similar to me to watching someone perform a piano concerto with a major orchestra. Inspiring.

The evening began with a cheese and charcuterie board filled with specialties recently brought back from France and proceeded immediately to escargots with pesto on large croutons. Several in the group tried escargots for the very first time and really liked them. I can’t believe I didn’t get photos of these first items. I guess I was just too awestruck that I was actually there. We were promised a three-course meal, but by the end of the evening I could count at least SIX!! And there wasn’t a single casserole in sight. Chef Boyce made a point of using ingredients that could be found in places like Whole Foods and Fresh Market, and his utensils were accessible also. Each class is different, but I’m sure you will be more than happy with whatever he prepares if you’re able to attend one.

Sea scallops topped with Harissa and served over a roasted cauliflower puree came first. Obviously, butter, olive oil and sea salt hold the keys to much success in the kitchen. We learned the best way to sear scallops, how to roast cauliflower and that Harissa is a mixture of blended peppers. It really did make the flavor pop!
Chef James Boyce using his favorite skillet.

Hands that are highly skilled in chopping and mincing.
Chef Boyce moved on to large shrimp with heads-on, almost the size of prawns, and we saw him incorporate lobster mushrooms (no, I had never heard of them either) and finely minced fresh chives. I loved those mushrooms. Oh my!
Head-on shrimp with lobster mushroom.
Next came a cold plate of a lettuce-free salad. Tomatoes, green olives, shallots, anchovies, and an aged balsamic with the surprising addition of Burrata cheese on a flat, wide crouton. Think of Burrata cheese as being a mixture of mascarpone and mozzarella with butter in the middle — soft, white (almost resembling a poached egg) and heavenly. In keeping with the theme of eating simply and healthily, Chef Boyce kept stressing the idea that we should strive for quality in our kitchens and on our plates, rather than quantity.
Cold plate with tomatoes, olives, an anchovy and Burrata cheese.
The pasta Chef Boyce used was made from chickpea flour and gluten-free. He created a sauce with minced shallots, diced pears, oil, butter, heavy cream, asiago-cheddar cheese, and pizza peppers (like a mild jalapeno). The pears gave a delightful texture and crunch. I bet even the pickiest grandchildren would go for this dish.
Chickpea pasta dish.
The main entree consisted of slices of New York strip steaks over roasted white asparagus with a sauce of veal stock, Dijon mustard, ginger, shallots, red wine, heavy cream and a lot of pepper. Mercy! It was tempting to just eat that sauce with a spoon. Wow.
New York strip steak over white asparagus.
Just when we thought there couldn’t possibly be anything more, we were served a Sicilian Mousse with blackberries and a section of OroGold grapefruit. Beautiful, light and scrumptious. We didn’t get to watch this preparation because I’m sure it was done earlier in the day. The flavor of blood oranges in the middle made this dessert extra-special.
Sicilian mousse for dessert.

I learned lots of tips and tricks, but I believe I need to practice them on Steve before I advertise them. You just need to go and learn for yourself. Chef Boyce is happy to answer questions, and these classes are a great way to get to know him and his very approachable personality.

An Unfinished Tale of Two Sisters

09/08/2017 By: CCPearson5 Comments

Two pairs of sisters come immediately to mind when I look in the Bible for examples: Leah and Rachel in the Old Testament and Mary and Martha in the New Testament. In both cases, one of the sisters appears to be more highly favored than the other.

The story of Leah and Rachel plays out in Genesis chapters 29-35. Two very poignant verses (to me) in those chapters are about Leah. Genesis 29:17 “And Leah’s eyes were weak, but Rachel was beautiful of form and face.” The Message paraphrase says it like this in verses 16-18:^“Now Laban had two daughters; Leah was the older and Rachel the younger. Leah had nice eyes, but Rachel was stunningly beautiful. And it was Rachel that Jacob loved.” And further in the chapter, we read in verse 31 “Now the Lord saw that Leah was unloved and He opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.”

It’s easy to feel sorry for Leah, but she ended up bearing six strapping sons and a daughter for Jacob, and Rachel died in childbirth with her second son. Leah lived much longer and was buried in the cave of Machpelah, along with Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah.

In Luke 10:38-42, Jesus comes to have dinner with sisters Martha and Mary. Martha is busy making all the preparations for the meal while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet. Martha wants Jesus to get Mary to help her in the kitchen, but Jesus says, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Ouch! I believe I would have taken that as a reproof if I had been Martha. But, she doesn’t appear to hold any ill feelings toward Jesus. In John 12:1-8 we see Martha serving Jesus once again while Mary anoints His feet with costly perfume. With Leah and Rachel, we learn that Rachel is “the pretty sister,” and with Martha and Mary, it appears that Mary is “the most spiritual.” Hmmmm.

I have two daughters. They were born 4 years and 50 weeks apart. Both of these sisters are beautiful, and both are deeply spiritual. Both were identified as gifted when they were in the second grade. Both have bachelor’s and master’s degrees from college. Both are dearly loved by their husbands and children. Both have made a commitment to homeschool their children. Both are musically talented and have wonderful writing and communication skills. Both are continuing to evolve into the women God designed them to be. It thrills my heart to watch this happen.

Their differences surprise me and make me laugh. In a lot of ways, I wonder how two daughters reared in the same home with the same parents could be so different??

Laura Katherine Pearson Baggett lives in a neighborhood in Rome, GA with her husband David and their two children, Nathan and Megan. The kids enjoy soccer, basketball, swimming, Auburn football and their iPads. Laura teaches college math courses on-line, leads a women’s Bible study at her church, substitutes on the keyboard at their church’s contemporary worship service and has written a book called Making Room for Jesus (available on Amazon – hint, hint) along with a companion Bible study. She is a declutterer-extraordinaire and makes me want to be one myself. For her 40th birthday, she decided to go a little wild with her hair color and has continued to experiment with pinks, purples, reds and blues. She loves makeup and especially bright lipstick. She has become a distributor for Senegence makeup and Lipsense. This reclusive woman now regularly posts videos of herself applying makeup and lipstick and amazes all who think they know her with her wit and personality AND her various hair colors. Her favorite holiday to host is Thanksgiving, and her crockpot dressing is to-die-for. She is a speaker/presenter at homeschool conventions, and I recently watched and listened in-person as she gave a wonderful motivational speech about “Freedom in Christ.” I see parts of myself in her, but she has gone way beyond me. I am blessed to be her Momma.

Laura and David with children Nathan and Megan.

Laura speaking about Freedom in Christ.

Julie Rose Pearson Rodgers lives on a 30-acre farm in Somerville, AL with her husband Brian. She is expecting her EIGHTH child in a few weeks. Her kids enjoy going barefooted, working in the garden, creating art, experiencing nature in all its forms and BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS. They know all about goats, pigs, chickens, cows and donkeys and have their daily farm chores. They don’t have a television. Julie is a diligent teacher of the Bible to her children, she has many friends, she is a constant hostess with a gift for hospitality. She has an amazing eye for photography and posts snippets of their lives regularly on Instagram (you might enjoy following farm_momma_7). Julie is very natural. She was once a high-heel-wearing career girl in the corporate world, but now she enjoys going without makeup, being a devoted Momma and a consummate homemaker. As a young child, she loved baby dolls and real babies. Now, she has a house full of them. I am in awe of her ability to manage all of this with patience and grace. I see tiny parts of myself in her, but she has gone way beyond me. I am blessed to be her Momma.

Julie and Brian with children Silas, Samuel, Margaret, Penelope, Rosemary and Bethany.

Julie with her oldest daughter Allie sharing a collage of nature.

Anyway, God has been speaking to me a lot lately about my daughters, so I thought I’d share them with you. And, yes, they have a brother in the middle, but you’ve heard plenty about him already.

Enjoy your weekend. Enjoy the unique personalities of your children. And be sure to thank God for all the ways they are “fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Fall at Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment in Huntsville, AL

09/04/2017 By: CCPearsoncomment

Oh yes. I’m well aware that fall MOSTLY means it’s finally football season, especially in the State of Alabama. I’m with you, and I support my Auburn Tigers through the good times, the bad times, and even during the downright ugly times. But, I digress.

Today I want to make you aware (or remind you, if you’ve forgotten) that there is a fascinating place in Huntsville to observe and buy the works of skilled artists and craftspeople, to hear live music, to buy local produce and to eat good food.

Every Friday night from September 1 through October 27 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment is hosting Concerts on the Dock, and the only cost is a $5.00 suggested parking donation. And, on Saturdays through October 21st, local farmers are selling their produce from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The ongoing attraction for me is the opportunity to see artists of all kinds busily creating in their actual studios. You’ll find painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, glass-making, textiles, jewelry, photography and many others.

Artist Denise Onwere at work in her studio.

And, if you get hungry while you’re visiting, look for Happy Tummy Restaurant for casual, sandwich-type fare, Chef Will the Palate for vegetarian dishes, Piper and Leaf for a jar of sweet tea and Pizzelle’s Confections for CHOCOLATE!!!

Lowe Mill is open for the public on Wednesday and Thursday from 12:00-6:00, on Friday from 12:00-8:00 and on Saturday from 10:00-6:00.

Here is the official description of Lowe Mill that is on their website:

Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment is the largest privately owned arts facility in the United States. With a focus on visual arts, this huge historic factory building has been redeveloped into 148 working studios for over 200 artists and makers, 6 fine art galleries, a multi-use theatre, and performance venues.

Within this thriving creative community are artists and makers from across the world. The Mill serves as a space where they can create, learn, and collaborate. With studio spaces lining the hallways, visitors have the opportunity to openly explore the Mill and artist spaces where they can shop and learn about the artists and their works.

Lowe Mill is located at 2211 Seminole Drive in Huntsville, just a few blocks off of Governor’s Drive. The large building began as a textile mill in the 1900’s, then became a shoe factory in the 1960’s. I encourage you to check it out.

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