Terry and I had a lovely weekend visiting Grandmother Ginny. Once again we ate our way through Carter County, watched movies and even learned a little bit about golf. Golf you say? Yes, golf. Phyllis is an avid golf fan from way back and this weekend was the 149th British Open at Royal St. George’s Golf Course in southeastern England. She tutored us as we watched the tournament and now I know the difference between a birdie and an eagle and what bogey means. I feel so dang smart.
We arrived early Thursday afternoon and it was hugs galore. For dinner, we decided to head to the crowd favorite, Black Olive. Olivia happened to have an opening in her social calendar and joined as well. So glad we had the opportunity to visit with her before her big move to Norfolk, Virginia in a couple of weeks to begin attending Old Dominion University. This girl will be missed.
Dinner with Olivia, Grandmother & Phyllis at Black Olive.
For lunch Friday, we made our way to downtown Elizabethton to have a bit of Korean inspired food at Red Chili, one of Terry’s favorite places to eat. It was fantastic as always. We were still so full by dinner that we wanted just a nibble so we went to Fatz and made a meal of appetizers and sides.
Saturday we were in chill mode. Grandmother had been by Farmer Johns earlier in the week and had picked up cucumbers and vine ripened tomatoes. By a unanimous vote, we decided to stay home and have cucumber and tomato sandwiches with copious amounts of mayo and salt for lunch. We’re definitely showing our southern roots.
After lunch Phyllis and I made pies. You heard me…pies. While reading the “Knoxville Sentinel”, Phyllis found two recipes she wanted to try, a Lemon Ice Box Pie and a Millionaire Pie.
Here’s the back story on the Lemon Ice Box Pie. While Granddaddy Roy was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia during WWII, the small apartment they lived in did not have a kitchen so Grandmother had to improvise. Hence a no-bake pie. Grandmother continued making this pie through the 1970’s and Phyllis had such fond memories she wanted to try it again.
And the Millionaire Pie? Well the City Market makes something similar and Phyllis wanted to see how this recipe fared. To me, it’s just like a Cherry Fluff Salad in a pie shell. It’s quick and easy and reminds me of summer potlucks and church socials.
Our introvert status continued well into Saturday evening. We stayed home, tuned-in to the British Open, had leftovers for dinner and watched the 2004 remake of “The Manchurian Candidate” with Denzel Washington and Meryl Streep. I must say, I liked the original 1962 version starring Frank Sinatra and Angela Lansbury much better which I happened to have also watched many moons ago with Grandmother and Phyllis. This was a full circle moment.
As we were getting ready to head home Sunday morning, Phyllis and Grandmother both had little “happy’s” for me. Phyllis presented me with a red, ceramic gnome. My first gnome ever! Phyllis said he came to visit her Israeli gnome, Olaf several months ago but the roommate situation was wearing thin so she was sending him home with me. We named my mountain gnome, Cledus and decided he was from Stoney Creek.
And Grandmother gave me a miniature, Madame Alexander, “Alice in Wonderland” doll that had been gifted to her many years ago from her friend Carolyn Enkema. She, Phyllis and I had long conversations about Madame Alexander dolls this weekend and how Becky and I loved playing with them when were little girls. This was such a sweet surprise.
I can’t wait for our next visit!
