Summer Fragrance, by Beverly Hicks Burch

Summer Fragrance

By Beverly Hicks Burch

The South has had a love affair with many botanical plants for centuries. We’re quite well known for many of them in fact. Think azalea and one’s mind almost equally thinks Southern. It’s the same for rhododendrons, dogwoods, camellias, magnolias, jasmine and one scourge we just as soon be rid of…kudzu. Phooey!

Kudzu is a virulent Native Asian vine worthy of a sci-fi flick…it has literally been called “the vine that ate the south”. This stuff is scary…you can almost watch it grow! The claim is that it can grow a foot a day and it can overtake an abandoned car in weeks!

But, there is another less ominous botanical wonder the South is famous for during the summer time and that would be the creamy white, highly fragrant gardenia. There is nothing quite like the scent of gardenias wafting through the air during a June evening…it is the sweet scent of heaven…

The gardenia is an evergreen shrub native to Asia although there is one variety found in Hawaii. The plant is grown in tropical and subtropical regions and in the summer time, well, that would resemble us, folks! The unfortunate happenstance for gardenia lovers is the sad fact that the blooming season is a short one…just a few short sweet weeks…

So as a result, essence of gardenia is used in many colognes and perfumes. Some fragrances you might be familiar with that use gardenia are: L’air Du Temp by Nina Ricci, Curve Vintage Soul by Liz Claiborne, Baby Phat Goddess by Kimora Lee Simmons, and Pure White Linen by Estee Lauder.

Whatever way you choose to get your yearly dose of gardenia, there is one way in my opinion that’s just hard to beat and that au naturale…so, this morning when I carried water out to Tall & Handsome while he was cutting the grass I decided to bring in some fresh blooms to float in water and scent up the house. Thought yall might enjoy taking a “whiff”…

Gardenias in a Bowl

Can You Smell the Sweet Scent?

Even the tiniest of God’s creatures love Gardenias…

A Perfect Bloom

© 2009 Beverly Hicks Burch All Rights Reserved.

A Piece of Asheville, By Beverly Hicks Burch

A Rhododendron in Asheville, NC in May

I happened to snap this picture with my cell phone on my way out of Wal-Mart in Asheville, NC about a month ago. I couldn’t resist. Rhododendrons are some of my favorite plants…it’s a shame they bloom only in the spring, but oh, what a sight to look forward to!

© 2009 Beverly Hicks Burch All Rights Reserved.

I’m a Little Teapot…, by Beverly Hicks Burch

I’m a Little Teapot…

By Beverly Hicks Burch

I might have mentioned it before, but I have a shared “affliction” with my little Momma…one she actually passed on to me. That affliction is a love of dishes and a desire to “collect” dishes. As Daddy says we have a lot of plunder in that department, but boy can we lay a spread!

I have my everyday dishes and I have my everyday Christmas dishes we start using Thanksgiving. It’s a rule these dishes must be used every day until after my birthday which is shortly after the first of the New Year. Then there’s the good china…and the Christmas china.

And, then there are the teapots…another “affliction” acquired from Momma twofold and if I’m not mistaken shared with my middle sister. Twofold because it seems we all like hot tea…my favorite is a rooibos tea…yum yum…

Well, when Tall & Handsome and I married I added another “collection” to my burgeoning dish cupboard. Being the southwestern guy that he is, T & H had a few pieces of Fiestaware. The pieces in his collection were all white and being the lover of color, I couldn’t help but start adding a few colored pieces here and there. Of course the collection grew…and the surprising thing is the Fiestaware mixes and matches really well with my every day dishes.

A couple of weeks ago Momma called me after she and Daddy had taken a trip up to Boaz, AL. Now in its day Boaz was a thriving outlet town, but many of the outlets have moved out…a real shame especially for the local economy. In some of the empty retail spaces vendors have set up collectible businesses. One this particular trip Momma couldn’t resist browsing one such shop…and she came away with a goodie for me…a Fiestaware teapot in one of the colors I had been adding to our collection. I got to bring the little treasure home after a recent visit to my folks…and it’s a real cutie! I’d never seen one like it.

The other day when I was taking pictures of the Fiestaware T & H said, “Honey, you’ve done a good job a building up the Fiestaware.” Well, I’ll have to say…I had a little help…thanks, Momma…

Fiestaware Teapot from my little Momma

Detail – Teapot Lid…very cute…

Fiestaware Water Pitcher and Teapot

Fiestaware Large Salt & Pepper Shakers

Fiestaware Rimmed Soup Bowl

The Fiestaware Collection

My Teapots – The one of the far right is a reproduction of a Chinese hobnail (I’m not sure if they still make it in the black); the small blue teapot has a white version available currently

© 2009 Beverly Hicks Burch All Rights Reserved.

Speeding Down a Country Road at 70 (sometimes) MPH, by Beverly Hicks Burch

Speeding Down a Country Road at 70 (sometimes) MPH

By Beverly Hicks Burch

Last week after spending some time with my folks we drove up to Asheville, NC. The portion of the drive between East Tennessee (where I was born) and Asheville is one of my favorite drives in the country.

I had been dozing in the front seat because Tall & Handsome and I have had a busy month and I hadn’t been home in over a month. When we reached this particular portion of the drive he roused me because he knows how much I enjoy it. He asked me if I’d like to try and grab a few pictures…of course at speeds of 70 mph…at times. So, take in mind these were taken at that speed…and through my windshield of life…also, scroll down to the end and see how Scoot…AKA Watson the Wonder dog travels in style…in the very back of the Jeep…on top of the heap…AND ON TOP OF HIS MOMMA AND DADDY’S QUILT PROJECT!!

A Well Travel Road

Into the Hills…

Near Footshills Parkway & the Great Smoky Mountains

Take Me Home Country Roads…

Techno comes to the mountains, Pa

One of the tunnels through the mountain passes

The other side…

Almost there…just “this” side of Asheville…

Scoot, AKA Watson the Wonder dog traveling in style…on Momma & Daddy’s quilt South by Southwest

© 2009 Beverly Hicks Burch All Rights Reserved.

At Uncommon Sensibilities – Howdee Doodee Obobblehead

Well, now it’s a Presidential offical decree…the USA is now one of the largest Muslim countries in the world. Read all about it in Howdee Doodee Obobblehead Does It Again.

On the Menu at The BamaSteelMagnolia’s Bistro(TM) – Homemade Coconut Cake

Today over at The BamaSteelMagnolia’s Bistro(TM) I’m serving Home-made Coconut Cake. This recipe brings back fond memories of a late friend who was an ace at making this cake. Hope you enjoy!

Backyard Buddies, by Beverly Hicks Burch

Backyard Buddies

By Beverly Hicks Burch

This morning I was working on the latest quilt project Tall & Handsome and I have going on…actually it is our first joint project…and his first ever textile project. Entitled South by Southwest, the quilt combines our heritages by using the Tennessee Waltz pattern (my heritage) with southwestern fabrics (his heritage).

South by Southwest & Tall and Handsome

The quilt is 35 blocks big plus borders and I was working on block number 30 when I happened to look up and out. Let me also interject that I am visiting my folks on their little mountain top in sweet home Alabama.

When I looked up I saw a couple of backyard buddies I just had to share…yes, there are two different individuals here…one following right after the other.

 

 

Talk about a room with a view…

© 2009 Beverly Hicks Burch All Rights Reserved.

On the Menu at The BamaSteelMagnolia’s(TM) Bistro – Pimento Cheese

I’m always questing for a great Pimento cheese recipe. While browsing through one of my mother’s cookbooks I found one that look good AND easy to make and thought I’d share it. Pimento cheese has been a staple in the South for decades. And, after all, what is better on a hot summer day than a cold Pimento cheese sandwich and a cold drink?

A Staple of the South – Quick and Easy Pimento Cheese

Uncommon Sensibilities – A Descent Into Madness, by Beverly Hicks Burch

Many have dared to utter it…that American is descending into socialism since the “historic” election of Barack Hussein Obama. If you dare say that be prepared for tar and feathers…

But how bout taking the word of people who lived the life and know what they’re talking about? In “A Descent Into Madness?” I discuss the very thing and give refernce to a place with credentials to judge. Click over and check it out…

Uncommon Sensiblities – What’s He Afraid Of? by Beverly Hicks Burch

Right before Memorial Day I started another blog. The new blog will deal with things in the political world and our country.

The first post concerned The Cost of Liberty and was dedicated to those who have paid a price for our freedoms and liberty. I also share a little history about Tall & Handsome’s uncle Emzy W. Gaydon, Jr.

Emzy was a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles and was wounded at the Battle of the Bulge during WWII.

Today’s post deals with a piece I saw in this morning’s paper dealing with Obama bobblehead dolls. Check it out for an intereting view on today’s Customs.