I made the serious mistake of not bringing my camera, so I can't do a beautiful travel post like some of my other blogger friends. Suffice it to say, next time I'm making room in the carry-on for the camera. The mountains of North Carolina are gorgeous and I was constantly frustrated at all the missed opportunities.
I didn't do any cooking, but on our last night my sister made a glorious pie with the local mountain grown peaches. Since I didn't have a camera, the one below is a blueberry pie she made earlier this summer--- I love the rustic style of her crusts, and I'm inspired to make one this week. We had to leave a whole half of that pie behind!
I tired to eat as much local food as possible, from grits and biscuits to trout and green tomatoes. I know I'll be playing with the flavors in the next few weeks. I almost stuffed a big jar of local honey into my carry-on, but I know they would have spotted it at security and I couldn't bear to lose it. My dad's mailing it and I can't wait for it to get here.
I've got to go finish unpacking, and then go back down to the airport with my youngest daughter to get her back to college. This will be the first year with either daughter that we didn't go along to help them move into their dorm rooms. It feels uncomfortable, but I know she'll be fine. If anything, I've been a little too 'helpful' when it comes to organizing their living spaces over the years. This will be good for both of us ;)
I'm anxious to get into the kitchen, it's good to be back!
Welcome back I've missed you!
ReplyDeleteI am also a little too helpful. I am staying home on Saturday while my husband moves our son into his first apartment in Toronto. I have organized his kitchen and furniture already and I think I have to be content with that. If I go there I'll start cleaning and drive everyone crazy.
Oh, it must have been so hard to hold yourself back...the first apartment is a lot more satisfying to 'help' with than a dorm room! I think your son will be so grateful for the kitchen organization, that's the toughest part.
DeleteWelcome back! And glad you were able to enjoy the family time. Before we lived in San Diego, my hubs and I spent 2 yrs in NC and 2 yrs in SC - the food, the culture, the experiences gave us a lifetime of fun memories.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pie.
And I can't imagine my daughter going to college. She's just starting first grade but I'm already freaking out :)
You'd better pace yourself, you're in for a long haul!
Delete"The years melt away" I love that. So happy you had a great time. What a treat. My parents have both been gone since I was 32 years old. They missed so much! The pie looks fantastic. You know I have a thing for crust anyway :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your parents, Tricia. My mom died when I was 36 and I still haven't gotten over it. I'm thankful every day that my dad is around.
DeleteSue: I gave you a shout out today on my blog. I made those fabulous oven-dried tomatoes. Your recipe is perfect except for the time they will last. Only a few days around this house!! Glad you had such a nice visit. I have been returning home to Virginia every October for many years where I join my sisters for a nostalgic visit.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Bonnie
I love Virginia, that whole part of the country has got such a unique feel to it. I'm so glad you made the tomatoes, I was Internet challenged on my trip so I have to catch up---I'll go check them out now.
DeleteIt sounds like a wonderful visit. Enjoy the peaceful time back in your own kitchen! (I'll even grant you permission to rearrange and organize your own cupboards all over again.)
ReplyDeleteHaha---organizing things is the best stress reliever!
DeleteWe definitely share that! I have a pantry cupboard that is about to get a major overhaul this week.
DeleteSo glad you had such a fabulous visit - I can relate to the "letting your daughters go" situation!!
ReplyDeleteMary x
I realized that bringing her back every fall to college and helping out makes the whole time go a little slower---when we just hug goodbye at the airport the semester can go by in a flash.
DeleteGlad you are back and even more glad that you made this pie! I am craving it now. it looks so darn good. Pretty and fresh and delicious
ReplyDeleteI realized that I haven't made a single pie all summer long. Every time I bring fruit home it seems to vanish before I can get to making one.
DeleteLove the straight from the kitchen look of pies especially and this one doesn't look like it would disappoint in the taste category.
ReplyDeleteI love it, too. I think it's very sensuous with all that draped jagged crust.
DeleteYes, it's always nice to come home from a trip even if you enjoyed it. We've forgotten our camera once and said never again. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed our NC mountains. For us it's one of the prettiest places on earth and the spectacular views along the roadways are amazing.
ReplyDeleteYour pie looks delicious and the crust is perfect. Your daughter is brave to go back to college without you. I always made my mother go with me, but I was very spoiled then.
Sam
Somehow I managed to raise a daughter who's a heck of a lot braver than I ever was!
DeleteSue, sounds like a wonderful trip! I live in NC and never get tired of the beautiful mountains - and I LOVE all the local flavors that abound there. I'll look forward to your renditions! I'm like you and get so inspired in my cooking when I travel!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you live in NC, Chris. Traveling and experiencing a different food culture is such a great way to inject some life back into a blog. I don't think I scratched the surface of the North Carolina cuisine, though, wish I had been able to stay longer.
DeleteYour back...you forgot your camera? Love the look of that rustic pie!
ReplyDeleteannie
It's amazing how wonderful it always is to enter your own front door. I can't wait to hear what you're going to do with green tomatoes.....that's the color of all of mine! I got a big pang in my stomach about your daughter leaving for school....It never seems to go away, and when my son moved to Australia I thought I'd never take another breath. I did, and got another puppy.....I think this one will never grow up! Welcome home!!
ReplyDelete