Just2Gypsies/ Grainne'sTruly Southern Easy Cheesy Pimento Cheese Recipe

Our summer days have turned long and lazy... Each day the relentless sun beats down, hour upon hour, searing everything in its path.  The air hums with the droning sounds of crickets, of frogs, of cicadas.  A low growl of thunder rumbles in the distance.  The heat is oppressive, the air is heavy and still...Now we long for a cooling breeze, and we welcome a stray thunderstorm like a long-lost friend, grateful for the small measure of relief it gives.  For a short while.

Days such as these are not spent in the kitchen.  Nor are they spent by an open fire.  We long for foods that cool our senses, foods that temper the heat of summer.  Idly I drift to and fro in my weathered porch rocker, a glass of sweet tea in my hand, and dream of such soul-quenching sustenance...



 I find myself daydreaming about pimento cheese...Seriously.  Not that tasteless, plastic-looking Donald Trump Orange crap that they sell in the grocery store-- REAL pimento cheese.  Home-made pimento cheese.  Pimento cheese made the old-fashioned way--with sharp cheddar cheese, real pimentos, and Duke's Mayonnaise.  ( not Kraft, not Hellman's, not Miracle Whip--It HAS to be Duke's.  It says so in the Bible.  AND the Constitution.)



Folks, I'm talking a Southern Pimento Cheese Sandwich...Pimento cheese slathered lovingly between two slices of fresh White Wheat bread.  Pimento cheese, gently blanketed by a juicy slice of vine-ripened garden tomato, lightly salted and peppered.  Heaven on a plate!  And the perfect sandwich on a hot summer day...

 

 Grainne's Truly Southern Easy Cheesy Pimento Cheese Spread Recipe

3 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 (4 oz.) jar of diced pimentos, drained
1/2 cup Duke's Mayo (more may be added if a creamier texture is desired)
salt and pepper to taste

Grate cheddar cheese into large bowl; add drained pimentos, salt and pepper, and stir; add Duke's mayo and stir well.

Spread between two slices of fresh white bread (home-made or store-bought), along with a hefty slice of red, ripe tomato, salt and pepper.  Savor the Southern Flavor.
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*Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate.  Will keep in refrigerator for up to two weeks. 

 **P.S.  Note to Paula Deen--I saw your recipe--Real Southern Women use Real Cheddar Cheese and Real Duke's Mayo--NOT Philadelphia Cream Cheese!  Pah!



  

Letter To PETA / The End Of Barnum And Bailey Circus...

Through no fault of their own, 600+ people employed by Ringling Bros Barnum and Bailey Circus will soon be unemployed.  Ringling's veterinarian staff will probably find work elsewhere.  The folks that put up and take down tents might luck up on a job moving rental equipment.  But a small percent of these people are ringmasters, aerialists, acrobats, animal trainers, and clowns--all of which are highly skilled entertainers,  most at the top of their field.  Sadly, none of their remarkable skills will help these poor folks find employment--not with today's economy, not in today's job market.  The biggest percentage of circus employees are the hard-working vendors--the ticket takers, the snack and souvenir sellers..  Unfortunately, there is little or no demand elsewhere for their skill--in spite of their years of experience and job dedication. All of their careers are over, their job prospects are none--thanks to PETA.

Most of these circus employees live in small furnished apartments in the Ringling railroad cars.  When they lose their jobs (along with their medical coverage), they also lose their homes.  So along with their families, their children, and their pets, they are facing imminent homelessness, followed by destitution and hunger.  Let's face it--without a permanent physical address, they can't even sign up for unemployment.  Or welfare.  Or food stamps.  So no job.  No income.  No home.  No medical coverage. Their future is nothing but grim--thanks to PETA

And what will happen to the elephants that PETA has fought so long to "free"?  Ringling Bros. had a wonderful plan for retiring them--in a beautiful natural area on their own property in Florida, where they could be studied for educational and conservation purposes...But with no income from the circus to fund it, chances of that  plan coming to fruition are looking slim.  More than likely, the intended property will be sold along with the other circus assets.

What will happen to the elephants then?  They couldn't be released in the wild--they're domestic animals that were born in captivity...They could not survive in their natural habitat. They can't be sold to private homes--even if you could afford their feed, housing, and veterinary care,  laws surely prohibit private ownership of any exotic animal as large and potentially dangerous as an elephant.  So where does PETA suggest the elephants go?  To even smaller circuses, where living quarters are even smaller, hay is often moldy, feed is sometimes scarce, handlers are not always trained, and veterinary attention is non-existent?  Not to mention the elephants will then be right back in the same situation PETA supposedly "rescued" them from.  In reduced circumstances, these elephants will face hunger, medical neglect, and abuse--thanks to PETA.

 Possibly one or two elephants might find a home in a zoo, where food is more plentiful and medical care available... But will these lucky few be happy, separated from the other circus elephants--losing their "family",  their companions, the only "herd" they've ever known?   Will the zoo's elephants accept these newcomers--or will they be run off from the herd, shunned by the rest, forced to live a life of  loneliness and solitude?  Their outlook is bleak--thanks to PETA.

The other circus animals will fare no better...The lions and tigers will face a similar fate as the elephants.  Their horses and ponies?  They're trained to work in a small ring, ridden bareback as a vaulting horse or else performing tricks without a rider. These are intelligent, well-trained animals, but this is the only work they know how to do.  Re-training a horse is timely and expensive.  With horses being both cheap and plentiful, "retired" circus horses have very little chance of finding a good home....

 These noble, beautiful horses will  leave behind a life of glamour...A life with loving attention, plentiful food, daily grooming and proper exercise. A life that most horses only dream of.  Unfortunately, once the circus closes, these horses will face the same sad fate as the majority of today's horses...Most will pass through a long succession of owners,  with treatment and living conditions steadily worsening as they age. Some will die of starvation, some will be worked until they break down.  Eventually they will most likely be sold for slaughter.  All as a result of the original owners losing their very livelihood, leaving them unable to keep them no longer.  Again, thanks to PETA.

So I have to ask PETA--

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!
WHAT DID YOU THINK WOULD ULTIMATELY HAPPEN TO THE ANIMALS ?!
 DID YOU REALLY THINK THIS THROUGH?!

 Regardless of the thought you put into this,  you got what you wanted...the circus animals--as well as the circus-- will soon be gone.  Their lives-- and all ours--will be infinitely poorer for their going.

THANKS TO YOU, PETA.

*NO, I am not anti-animal rights.  And NO, I am not an animal abuser.  I am a farm owner and a  caretaker of animals, as I have been for the past 25 years.  During that time, I have had the pleasure of knowing and caring for :  14 horses, 9 dogs, 17 cats, 14 chickens, 5 rabbits, 2 goats, and 1 sheep. Our dogs and cats are spayed or neutered. We don't sell our horses, we don't eat our chickens. We take in strays. All our animals have been happy, healthy, well fed, well cared for, and very much loved.  From closely watching Barnum and Bailey Circus over the years, I have concluded that their animals are cared for much the same as my own.

**As far as whips, hooks, chains, or restraints:  Have you PETA people ever raised or handled a young horse (much less a young elephant)?  Try leading one ANYWHERE without the restraint of a halter or lead rope.  Even with a halter and lead, you'll get dragged around a little... feet get stepped on, the occasional toe is broken.  Not because the horse is bad, but because he's young and untrained.  To train him, you need a whip (not to beat him but to move him away from your feet) and a chain under his chin (not to injure him but to apply enough pressure to stop him from dragging you).  A young horse with no discipline or restraint will unintentionally hurt you--possibly even kill you.  So will an elephant.

12 Days Of Christmas / or...Grainne And The 'Possum

                                                               
 








                                                                                                          
On the 1st day of Christmas, my terrier gave to me
a 'possum in my persimmon tree.

On the 2nd day of Christmas, my husband gave to me
two shaky ladders and a 'possum in my persimmon tree.

On the 3rd day of Christmas, my daughter gave to me
3 wooden crutches, two shaky ladders, and a 'possum in my persimmon tree.






















On the 4th day of Christmas, my  neighbor gave to me
4 humane traps, 3 wooden crutches, two shaky ladders, and a 'possum in my persimmon tree

On the 5th day of Christmas, my daughter gave to me
5 finger splints, 4 humane traps, 3 wooden crutches,2 shaky ladders, and a 'possum in my persimmon tree.

On the 6th day of Christmas, my husband gave to me
6 rusty scaffolds, 5 finger splints, 4 humane traps, 3 wooden crutches, 2 shaky ladders,
and a 'possum in my persimmon tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas, my doctor gave to me
7 pain pills and a tetanus shot, 6 rusty scaffolds, 5 finger splints, 4  humane traps, 3 wooden crutches,
2 shaky ladders, and a 'possum in my persimmon tree.

 


















On the 8th day of Christmas, my daughter gave to me
 8 carabiners, 7 pain pills and a tetanus shot, 6 rusty scaffolds, 5 finger splints, 4 humane traps, 3 wooden crutches, 2 shaky ladders, and a 'possum in my persimmon tree.

On the 9th day of Christmas, my husband gave to me
9 yards of rope, 8 carabiners, 7 pain pills and a tetanus shot, 6 rusty scaffolds, 5 finger splints, 4 humane traps, 3 wooden crutches, 2 shaky ladders, and a 'possum in my persimmon tree.

On the 10th day of Christmas, an EMT gave to me
a 10-mile ride to the ER, 9 yards of rope, 8 carabiners, 7 pain pills and a tetanus shot, 6 rusty scaffolds, 5 finger splints, 4 humane traps, 3 wooden crutches, 2 shaky ladders, and a 'possum in my persimmon tree.

On the 11th day of Christmas, my doctor gave to me
11 more pain pills and 2 casts, a 10-mile ride to the ER, 9 yards of rope, 8 carabiners, 7 pain pills and a tetanus shot, 6 rusty scaffolds, 5 finger splints, 4 humane traps, 3 wooden crutches, 2 shaky ladders, and a 'possum in my persimmon tree.














On the 12th day of Christmas, my daughter gave to me
a 12-gauge shotgun, 11 more pain pills and 2 casts, a 10-mile ride to the ER, 9 yards of rope, 8 carabiners, 7 pain pills and a tetanus shot, 6 rusty scaffolds, 5 finger splints, 4 humane traps, 3 wooden crutches, 2 shaky ladders, and a 'possum in my persimmon tree.

  On Christmas Day I gave the 'possum a very nice funeral**, and my family a big persimmon pie.













**No 'possums were actually injured in the above tale--I shot and missed, and the 'possum died laughing...

Merry Christmas To All!

GRANNY'S RECIPE FOR PERSIMMON PIE

9 inch single pie crust
3 eggs
2 c. persimmon puree
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. cloves
1 lg. can evaporated milk
1/2 tsp. salt 

 Beat eggs, add puree, sugar, cinnamon, ginger, salt, cloves and milk. Beat to blend thoroughly. Pour into pastry.Bake on lowest rack at 425 degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees and bake until pie looks set, but jiggles slightly in center...about 45 minutes. Cool to room temperature.   Serve with fresh whipped cream, and enjoy!

Goodbye, Elf!

Christmas Day at last !
Good tidings of great cheer...
 That rotten Elf can vanish
for another whole year...
Ahh--do you hear it?!!   Peace and quiet...

Christmas Cooking With Siobhan...

                                   
                                        


First let me say that Siobhan is an excellent cook--a veritable master at gleaning bits and pieces from different recipes, and combining them for truly  mouth-watering dishes.  She works side-by-side with me in the kitchen daily, sharing tasks and chatting all the while. That being said, Siobhan has the heart and soul of a vegetarian--but one that is still in the closet and still in denial...

 Let me say that we have never eaten our own chickens (ours do tricks and play pianos--remember?!)  I heartily agree with Siobhan on that... And I don't mind that ALL the meat that we consume comes straight from a store.  But in our house,even that isn't enough.   With Siobhan, our meat can't even remotely resemble the animal it came from. And that's where it get's tricky...

               


 No Cornish hens, no duck, no quail.  No whole chickens for us!  Not even wings or drumsticks-- only boneless skinless chicken breasts are allowed.  Our only poultry exception is a turkey at Thanksgiving--and Liam has to de-bone and carve it outdoors, so that it reaches the table as nothing more than a platter of meat.  Well, he doesn't exactly Have To take the turkey outside...but believe me, it's a whole lot easier if he does!

            



We don't fare much better with beef.  Granted, a roast doesn't resemble any family pets, but there is still blood and fat and bone involved. Whenever I can, I try to spare her from the gory parts...and poor Siobhan soldiers on.  But sometimes I forget...

Such was the case with Christmas Eve dinner this year.  As I was hobbling around the house with a gamey leg, Siobhan offered to prepare and cook the Beef Wellington.  I was to advise from the sidelines, with a wine glass in hand and my foot on a pillow.  Sounds nice, doesn't it?  Too bad it never happened...

Instead, I watched Siobhan open the refrigerator door, remove a vacuum-packed 3 1/2 lb beef tenderloin and plop it onto a cutting board by the sink.  So far, so good.   Then she said "Oh, Mum...there's an awful lot of blood on this!"  followed by "I feel  dizzy--I think I'd better lie down..." and she sank to the floor.

Trying hard not to laugh, I said "Come on, Siobhan...I'm pretty sure meat can't make you dizzy.  Roll over and face the other room, and I'll open the package and rinse it off.  And trim the fat off.  You can jump in and take  over whenever you feel up to it!""

I heard a faint mumble from the floor..."I can slap on the mustard and mushrooms, as long as I don't have to touch that thing.  And I can help with the phyllo if you'll do that other meat ( prosciutto)."  So that is how we made our holiday dinner today-- Siobhan and I taking turns, alternating with me hobbling around the kitchen, Siobhan prostrate on the floor, and Liam quietly chuckling from the sidelines.

As usual, our family is a Freak Show--but we live in a House of Laughter...and I think that's Grand!

Happy Christmas Eve!

--Grainne







        

Christmas Eve Is Finally Here...

Christmas Eve is finally here,
and I can stand no more...
I just found a "gift" from Elf
in a dresser drawer...

 

1 Day Before Christmas...

1 Day Before Christmas,
 and what do you think?
We found Elf drunk
by the kitchen sink...