To all of my friends on VP have a very Merry Christmas!

"Of all the Charlie Browns you are the Charlie Browniest!" 

David Sedaris is one of my favorite authors! His entertaining novel, "Holidays on Ice" will have you laughing from start to finish. If you want to experience the true meaning of Christmas his book is a must read!

Just in case I pass out from the tryptophan . . Happy Giblets!

Thanks well wishers!  My cold seems to be subsiding.  Chicken soup is the cure-all   I may need to review low sodium chicken soups!

The common cold - images of hot chicken soup, soft tissues, cozy quilts and comforters . . . NOT! More like, runny snotty stuffy red noses, mucus-laden coughs and bad bed hair!

I shoulda' had a tee shirt made that reads, "We went to Philadelphia and the only souvenir I brough home was a lousy cold" . . . damn you Rhinovirus!!

Being a born and raised Philadelphian I'm proud of our Phillies team. PHILLIES ARE GOIN' TO THE WORLD SERIES, AGAIN! Now that's what I'm talkin' about!

P.s. Philadelphia Eagles . . . watch and learn!

Excerpts from a Slacker's Journal:

It's been a month since I've written a Veiw Points review . . . yes I've been slacking, sorry!  However,  my second book is motoring right along.  I'm excited to announce 10 more new chapters are completed.  And I've kept my Friday Weekly Writers Blog up-to-date as well.  not bad for a slacker!  I have purchased a few new kitchen products.  I look forward to reviewing them very soon.  Until then, I think I'll slack a bit more and perk a pot of fresh coffee, eat a slice of homemade apple pie and enjoy one of the dozen of movies I have recorded,  but never seem to watch. 

P.s. If you are a member of Facebook I now have a Fan Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Deb-Martin-Webster/113852291821?ref=mf

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Biltmore!  They've started putting up the decorations and soon the 36 foot Banquet Hall christmas tree will arrive!  Nothing smells better than fresh pine in a room with 72 foot ceilings and three fireplaces you can literally stand inside of . . . beautiful!  If you've seen the movie Richie Rich that's the room they used as the family's dining room. Come visit if you live in or around the Asheville area.

I love fall evenings when the sun is setting low in the sky and shadows begin to get longer. As the weather changes from the hot and humid dog days of summer, cooler temperatures steer me back into the kitchen signaling . . . Baking Season!  Cookies, cakes, breads and pies all taste better when they're home made.  This week I'll share one of my favorite autumn recipes with you.  It's so good that Dinah Shore and Ella Fitzgerald sang a song about it, "Apple Pan Dowdy" and it goes like this: 

Shoo fly pie and apple pan dowdy
Makes your eyes light up,
And your tummy say howdy.
Shoo fly pie and apple pan dowdy
I never get enough of that wonderful stuff.
Shoo fly pie and apple pan dowdy makes the sun come out
When heavens are cloudy,
Shoo fly pie and apple pan dowdy,
I never get enough of that wonderful stuff!

Wonderful stuff, indeed!  It's an easy recipe to follow and fun for the entire family to prepare:

Ingredients:

5 cups apples peeled and sliced - I use Fuji or Golden Delicious
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped pecan [optional]
1/2 cup dried cranberries [optional]
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup molasses
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 cup sugar
Pinch of salt
1 egg
1/4 lb. butter
1/2 cup whole milk or butter milk*

Preparation:

Place peeled, sliced apples in a baking dish, sprinkle with nutmeg, pecans, dried cranberries, cinnamon and a pinch of salt and pour molasses over the apples. Cover with foil and bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for approximately 30 minutes, until apples are soft.

Place all-purpose flour, baking powder, sugar and a pinch of salt in a mixing bowl. Beat egg in another bowl and then add to the flour mixture. Add melted butter and milk; mix and pour over apple mixture, spreading it as evenly as you can -- showing a few apples on the outside edges.  Drizzle a 1/4 cup of molasses over batter.  Return to oven and bake another 30 minutes or so, until browned. Eat hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or cool with a dollop of whipped cream.

* If you use buttermilk use 1 full cup

One of our little barn cats Penelope was killed yesterday morning while trying to cross our road.  I really miss her.  She was my favorite out of the three.  The momma cat and her brother have come down from the barn and are staying close by our house.  It's as though they are looking and waiting for her return . . .  so very sad, it is.  We buried her next to our pet rabbit George.  As with all our pets who've passed on we've planted daffodils on their tiny graves as a reminder of how much love and beauty they brought into our lives . . .

ONE YEAR, ONE MAN, ONE WORLD:  President Obama awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize . . .a proud moment for America and the world!

Happy First Day of October!  I always dismantle my summer gardens and plant my spring bulbs in October.   It's the feel of the warm October sun on my face and that crisp feel in the air tells me it's Apple Butter Time! 

I'll be heading out to the orchards Saturday to pick apples with Pete and Samaya.  If you're read my book you know this is a "Tradition" we've done since she was able to walk!  Nothing like lifting a child into the air and letting them pick their first apple from the tree, harvesting as many as we can carry in our baskets and the intoxicating scent of apples on the ride home! 

I'm trying a different Apple Butter recipe this year . . . I'll let you know how it turns out!  And don't forget to go outside October 3 or 4 depending where you live to enjoy that big, beautiful harvest moon! 

HOW NOW INTERRUPTING COW, HORSE, etc.....

Cows . . . what gentle creatures they are.  They give us milk, eat grass and hay, have four stomachs, and moo.  Well at least that's the image city folks have.  I dare anyone to drive down a country road, by a cow pasture and not hang your head out the window and MOoooooooooo!  You can't help it.  Cows just have that effect on city folk. 

Country folks have an entirely different relationship with them.  Picture if you will a bucolic pasture, the sun coming up over the hill and twelve cows, mooing . . . mooing . . . and MOOING, at 5.a.m. in the morning.  Sleep interrupted.  It's now 6 a.m. they're still mooing!  By 7 a.m. I'm sleep deprived, and screaming at this gentle creature asking them if they understand how annoyed I am. I walk over the fence, ranting, pointing my finger at their huge heads swearing I'll make a leather wallet out of all of them if they don't stop.  I stopped and realized it's not even dawn and I'm having a tyrannical argument with a cow . . . a COW!  I'm so ashamed, but continue to brow beat the beast for waking me up; sad indeed.

It's now 9 a.m. - our neighbor has arrived.  Oh joy, they are finally being fed.  Peace quiet and tranquility at last.  I sat on the porch enjoying my morning cup of tea and our horse came over from the larger pasture neighing and snorting.  The barn cats not far behind him, screeching, and howling for their breakfast, a school bus ripping down the road back-fires! Peaceful country living . . . I think not!  I can't believe I'm able to write.  My blog is done so I'm going back to bed.  Have a great weekend fans and I'll chat with you again next week.   Until then I'll leave you with a joke: 

Knock, knock.  Who's there?  Interrupting cow . . .   Interrupt . . . .MOOoooooo!

Disclaimer: No cows were hurt, humiliated or made to feel inferior or responsible for my sleep deprivation during the creating and/or writing of this blog.  Said neighbor was not chastised for his tardiness in feeding said cows nor was his pointing and laughing at me ranting at said cow to be offensive to said author.

Happy Autumn Equinox!

 I wanted to share one of the reviews I received this week for my book.  It was reviewd by ReviewTheBook.com  Enjoy!

"A Hot Dog Stand In The Himalayas, by Deborah K. Martin is a book to be treasured! This book is compelling from start to finish. The author chronicles a grandchild's special relationship with her grandmother from childhood through early adulthood and illustrates how profoundly a grandparent's love can impact a child's life.  

I found myself making mental comparisons between the grandmother in the story and my relationship with my own grandchildren. Hopefully they will remember their relationship with me with as much joy.   The storyline, as seen through a child's eyes, is very descriptive and makes you feel you are along for the ride as an "invisible friend." As the main character ages, she realizes that her grandmother has always been instrumental in adding a dimension of wonder and imagination to the way she experiences life.   Whether you are a parent, grandparent or hope to be in the future, don't miss this book! It will give you new insight into the ways a child views the world and how you can add to the magic!" 

Reviewed on 09/16/2009 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Cathy Deskins

A few weeks ago I started a discussion entitled Misconstruded Lyrics.  Little did I know it would come back to haunt me.  

Me and my granddaughter  were watching a local beauty and talent pageant and she began singing, "There She Is, Miscellaneous!"   She didn't understand why I could not stop laughing.  Come to think of it I like her lyrics much better . . .

Last week I harvested the first crop of concord grapes from our restored grapevine. I've added a photo of them in my Photo Section.  If I do say so myself the grapes were pump, sweet and perfectly formed. To the dismay of my friends I didn't have enough to make wine but more than enough to make grape jam. PBJ's anyone . . .

While on vacation I re-read the story of The Old Man and the Sea a novella by one of my favorite writers, Ernest Hemingway. It was written in Cuba in 1951 and published in 1952 and the last major work of fiction to be produced by Hemingway and published in his lifetime.

Being one of his most famous works, it centers upon Santiago, an aging Cuban fisherman who struggles with a giant marlin far out in the Gulf Stream. The story itself some would say is a story about a man set out to catch a fish, perhaps; however the true story is not a story at all, but a life lesson for Santiago. As he prepares to sets sail on the vast ocean in his small boat to do battle this giant fish he realizes how minuscule he is in the scheme of things. He pondered how his life is indeed small compared to the challenges he faces. Then, as the battle between man, sea, and fish begins - his life lessons begin. He learns strength, endurance, hardship, excruciating pain, victory, defeat and the satisfaction of knowing that he did what he set out to do. His quest - was to catch a fish, however, the journey and life lessons the fish taught went far beyond a simple fishing trip.

In life we all encounter situations that challenge and test our medal. The lesson isn't winning or losing . . . the lesson is having the courage to show up! 

I'm saddened to hear yet another Kennedy has passed away this month.  Edward "Ted" Kennedy, the Last Lion died over night leaving a massive hole in not only the US Senate, but in the hearts of many people in America.  Ted loved to sail; I pray his final voyage into the arms of his family who've gone before him billows his sails and his gentle journey to a more peaceful destination - embracing him home . . .homeward bound brave Lion.

I love to garden and while doing so I frequently come up with interesting character situations for my books.  Planting and harvesting fruits and vegetables provide new, fresh writing ideas that spring to life. Picking a prickly cucumber may create a sticky situation.  A plump red tomato, a well rounded character, an overly ripe squash, may evolve into a mushy love scene. 

All in all, gardening for me is fodder for my novels.  I tend to my gardens as I tend to my writing, and hopefully all this tender loving care will bloom into a bumper crop of pages, chapters and characters; something worth savoring.  Bon appetite!

Eunice Kennedy-Shriver - She was not a pop icon, nor was she a film director, or a movie star, she never ran for public office or delivered the evening news.  She was one of our unsung heroes, who -  although branded with the Kennedy name, was behind the scenes [most of the time] working dilligently for her foundation, The Special Olympics.  Anyone with a family member, child, grandchild with a disability has benefited from one of her events.  The Special Olympic portrayed the talents of people from all walks of life, who have the strength and courage to go for gold.

 In my book, A Hot Dog Stand in the Himalayas, there is a chapter where the character is building a snowman, and because the snow is too powdery, the snowman has no bottom.  The child insists that it's not a real snowman because it has no legs.  The mother explains to the child, "Is he less a snowman because he has no legs?"  I'm not using this a a plug for my book but to provide an instance of awareness.  A moment of awareness for an amazing woman, who through her love and respect for her disabled sister, changed the face of physical disablities forever.  I thank you Miss Eunice for your vision and quiet strength of character.  Your life made a big difference to everyone you touched.

Something I learned to live with early on in my marriage--my husband will never be color coordinated!

I heard yesterday that film writer-director John Hughes died.  So many great films - to many to list,  but one of my favorites is Ferris Bueller's Day Off.  I've always had an uber mad crush on Ferris and ever since have lived by my favorite quotes from the movie, "The question isn't "what ARE we going to do," the question is "what AREN'T we going to do?"  Thank you John Hughes . . .

I'll be MIA for a few weeks because I reeeeeeeeeally need to concentrate on finishing my second book.  I'll pop in from time to time to say hello, but for now I've got to hunker down and get some serious writing done before my November deadline. So, adios mi amigos and behave while I'm gone!   And if you won't behave . . .  have fun! :)  xoxox granny!

Ah, the relaxing benefits of tilling and working in a garden, NOT!  Gardens in my opinion are a crap shoot; sometimes what you expect to grow whithers and others produce thrives!  It's all up to "Mother Nature." 

My 2009 garden is lousy with cucumbers, broccoli, peppers and 'maters because of all the rain we've gotten, but killed my cauliflower and beans.  The rains washed my carrot and radish seeds to the point they are cropping up in the most unusual places, i.e. the middle of our compost heap, front lawn, etc. 

Little carrot tops mixed in with dandelions, picturesque, yes,  but not amusing!  Labor of love is turning into just LABOR.  To my fellow gardeners:  Next year when you get the urge to garden, take a nap until the urge goes away and enjoy your neighbors veggie gardens . . . just joking.   But don't give up; keep at it, journal your success and failures, can what you have in abundance, and enjoy the divine interaction with the land.  Happy Gardening! :)

I've just been just informed The Sarah Buck, National MS Society has requested copies of my book "A Hot Dog Stand in the Himalayas" for their annual "Books for a Better Life" Award.   It will be listed in their first time author category.  I'm honored and excited to be considered.  Who knew this little book would touch the lives of so many people!  Amazing!

As a result of a freaky dismount from a horse, 5 years ago I had to see the doc to have my knee x-rayed today.  MRI's were also suggested . . . not gonna happen! One MRI is. . .are you ready. . . $1,600 ea. . I need 3! . . . and my new company health insurance plan doesn't cover them!!

How about. . .maybe,  I just buy a first class ticket to Tahiti and ride through the airport's baggage x-ray machine, THAT would be cheaper!!  Wanna come with?  First round of drinks are on me!

Life Lesson Number 106: When someone hollers, "It's okay, the bull's asleep . . . just go in the pasture and get the frisbee!" DON'T!

I just received my new "The Old Farmer's Almanac Everyday Cookbook."  Can't wait to try some or their new canning recipes!

In the GrandmawsOpinion news today:  I just picked one of the largest cucumbers I've ever grown!!   It measures 8 inches long and 9 inches round!  Photo just added.  WOW!  Chilled Cucumber soup, anyone?

Today I found some old photos of my daughter.  I started to reminisce about all the things she wanted to be when she grew up.  How she wanted to make a change in the world by selling smiles for fifty cents.  She was 8 years old with big dreams.  She's now 29 with a lovely daughter of her own; my granddaughter Samaya, who I affectionately call Sammie.  Only her Grandmaw gets to call her that!  I was there when she was born eight years ago today.  I can't believe she's growing up so quickly!  I said the same thing about my daughter.  So here's to all the kids who grow up and have their own children, and make us grandparents feel so OLD!!  Happy Birthday Sammie!!

Happy 4th of July!  At our household it's: Americans 1 - British 0. . . or we'd be celebrating with crumpets and bangers on the grill.

But on a serious note, take a moment to recite [out loud] our National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, which Francis Scott Key wrote while British troops bombarded Fort McHenry on the eve of September 13th into the twilight of the next morning of September 14th, during the Battle of Baltimore.  Wow, what powerful words of victory and defiance!  

 Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

" A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing . . . and the lawn mower is broken."    - James Dent

It seems just a few weeks ago I was hunkering down and braving the cold mountain winds, something I remember all too well, and don't miss one bit!

But today it's July, July July!!  What a wonderful month!  Not quite as hot as August but warmer than June.  Swimming, horseback riding, fishing, and throwing a horse blanket over a couple bales of hay in the bed of our pick-up truck to watch the night sky are all on my July agenda. 

Eating foods fresh from the garden is another one of my favorite things to do.  Nothing tastes better than a 'mator right off the vine, with a bit of salt, or a hose washed strawberry, and cramming a handful of ripened black berries into my mouth.  Summer brings out the kid in all of us and the best part is NO SCHOOL. . .oops, I've digressed. 

Okay, so we're adults and have to go to work, but  take a few minutes to think about your last day of school - when you were in second grade and how excited your were to have two months off.  Two months that [to me] felt like a year. I guarantee it will put that happy, popsicle stained smile back on your face! 

It saddened me to hear of the deaths of  Michael Jackson, Farah Fawcet, and Ed McMahon.  All were American icons diverse in their individual talents, yet personally troubled in different ways.  Michael's legal and constant cosmetic health issues, Ed's very public bankruptcy, and Farah's valiant yet heartbreaking battle with cancer.  With all that being said, I ask that we remember them not as the Hollywood personalities we gawked at on the cover of supermarket tabloids . . . but as amazing, incredibly brave and talented, human beings that changed the image of pop culture forever.  May you all rest in peace. . .

For much of my life I lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the local news stations we were most loyal to was Action News, 6abc.  I even knew all the words to their theme song as did most Philadelphians.  Today I was informed that one of my favorite sports news reporters, Gary Papa, loss his battle with cancer.  I knew Gary through a good friend who works at 6abc.  We've met on many occasions; at the station, the local chinese restaurant where he was a regular and the Bagel Shop on City Line Avenue, where Gary frequently brought his cup of morning coffee. 

He was always quick with a joke and that infectious smile always brightened my day, in person and via TV.  Gary's battle was valiant and even with the loss of his beautiful hair he was one of the most handsome guys on the evening news.  My prayers go out to his family and work family. 

Gary you will be missed and as a tribute I'll try to tell the joke you always told me when ever we ran into one other. . . " What do you call a boomerang that won't come back?. . . . A Stick!". . . ha-ha!

Rest in peace Gary

With summer comes summer storms!  We has a doozy of a storm yesterday, with winds bringing down 100 year old trees, branches, and uprooting lawn and patio furniture.  We've found our lawn chairs and tables but are still searching for the two large horse buckets!  Thankfully, nothing was damaged and everyone is okay; giving me a new and healthy respect for Ms. Mother Nature!

Spring is ending and summer is upon us.  My memories of this transition have always been a sense of excitement and child-like anticipation. . . fireflies, sparklers on the 4th of July, sitting atop dad's shoulder wide-eyed watching the fireworks display.  Summer is a time of rejuvenation.  A chance to heal the body with natural vitamin D from the sun, and enjoy  garden to table fresh fruits and veggies. 

It's also an opportunity to slow down; a time to play with the kids, go for an evening walk, take a few deep breaths to enjoy the beautiful fragrance of rain washed honeysuckle, watch a sunset, or outline the weird and wonderful shapes that form in the afternoon clouds!

So in prelude to the Summer Solstice, here's wishing everyone a grand summer!  And don't forget to grill a few hot dogs, extra mustard please!

I just received some sad news about one of our beloved employees.  Some of you may know that I work part-time for Biltmore, in Asheville, North Carolina, the largest privately owned homes in the United States and was the country home of George Washington and Edith Vanderbilt.  With a little over 1800 employees we know just about everyone on the estate. . . including our four-legged employees.  Biltmore stables two very large and well-known equine workers named, Burt and Ernie, our estate draft horses. 

Today I was informed that Ernie passed away.  The news of his death saddened everyone who works on the estate.  He was our "Gentle Giant" admired by all for his loyalty and kind demeanor; pulling the wagon  that delivers our 35 foot Banquet Hall Christmas tree, taking estate guests on tours and entertaining the countless children who visit our Riverbend Farm.

Ernie will be sorely missed by all of us and will leave some large horse shoes to be filled by his replacement. 

For the past week I've been helping our neighbor bottle feed three new calves.  They about 4 weeks old and are amazing to watch as each one sorts out his position amongst the human herd feeders. They grow so fast and at 60 pounds each they can be a handful! 

In a few more weeks they'll be old enough to graze on their own.  I must admit I'll miss those gallon baby bottles, twice a day, but like they say, they don't stay little for very long!  What an wonderful experience it's been.  I'll miss Dewey, Louie and Bob.

I just went outside to water and checked the gardens; everything is growing so quickly I may have enough strawberries next month to make jam! Yum!

WNC is officially out of drought condition! We've had 6 weeks of constant, steady rain and the entire valley area I live in is GREEN, GREEN, GREEN! Gardens are doing well and we've harvested 3 large rain barrels of rain water! Life is good  . . . and wet!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!  --<----<<@ 

Some of you have asked about my book, "A Hot Dog Stand in the Himalayas."  I've added the book cover to my photos and If you'd like to read a complementary chapter just go to google books and type in the title!  Enjoy! :)

Very busy week for us.  We're going to ride our 3 year old quarter horse Colonel in the round pen!  He's pretty much "bomb proof" and has accepted the saddle and bit very well!  He loves strutting around the pasture [with my saddle on] partnered with the 12 year old, General.  I'm documenting this in my blog in case you don't hear from me for a while, re: I got bucked off and broke something important, lol. We already have 911 on our speed dial!  Wish us luck!

Today the temperature is expected to reach 82 degrees!  I've been waiting for the warm weather to come and stay for weeks.  Okay, sunscreen, $8.95; favorite pair of flip-flops, $5.99;  jumbo plastic drinking glass with the palm trees on it, $1.99; a day in Western North Carolina without a frost alert or a jacket, PRICELESS! 

HAPPY EASTER, EVERYBODY!!  ....oooh I think I ate too many marshmellow peeps, OooooooooHHhoo!  :(

Last night I completed my second book!  Call me an over achiever, but I was working on two books at once I finished the children's book that will be partnered with the next book.  It's a follow up to, "A Hot Dog Stand in the Himalayas", and  proud to say was also chosen as Author House's, "Book of the Month" for February.  My next book is scheduled for print in September, to be released in November.  It follows the life of Krista the little girl from the first book.  In the new book Krista's great-grandmom who she refers to as "Mee-Mom" enjoys reading her stories at bedtime.  Krista always picks her favorite book about a little girl named Annie and her best friend Larry.  I needed a book that complimented my writing style and when I couldn't find one I decided to write my own.  So the next book is actually two books in one or you can read them as two separate books!  I told you I was a bit of an over achiever.

I always like to end a blog entries with an applicable quote, "Good children's literature appeals not only to the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child."
 Anonymous