Lisa Carter's Blog, page 20
April 2, 2015
April 1, 2015
An Insider’s Look at Coast Guard Courtship
The magnificent seaside world of the Eastern Shore of Virginia
Boats moored in the fictional Eastern Shore fishing village of Kiptohanock
The road to the fictional Duer Fisherman’s Lodge
The fictional Duer Fisherman’s Lodge���Is that Blackie or Ajax in the foreground?
Yacht Club Auxiliary Dance
The abandoned village on the barrier island���hauntingly atmospheric
For more behind-the-scene photos of Coast Guard Courtship, visit https://www.pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/coast-guard-courtship/.
March 31, 2015
Behind the Scenes with Coast Guard Courtship
Crossing from Virginia Beach to the Delmarva Peninsula on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel
The real life inspiration for fictional Small Boat Coast Guard Station Kiptohanock
The beautiful marshes, inlets and barrier islands of the Eastern Shore of Virginia
An aerial view of Wachapreague���inspiration for fictional Kiptohanock
Corner Bakery Onancock, Va���You haven’t lived until you’ve eaten their Shore-famous pastries.
Charming Onancock, Virginia
For more behind-the-scene photos of Coast Guard Courtship, visit https://www.pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/coast-guard-courtship/.
March 30, 2015
The Inspiration Behind Coast Guard Courtship
The Eastern Shore of Virginia is a real and very dear place to me. Many of the businesses and landmarks in Coast Guard Courtship can be found in the real life hamlets of Quinby, Onley, Wachapreague and Onancock. Fictional Small Boat Station Kiptohanock is an amalgamation of Stations Wachapreague and Cape Charles. The bravery and courage of these Guardsmen make the Eastern Shore a safer and better place to live.
I visited the Eastern Shore for the first time at the age of twenty-one. The summer I lived there getting to know the wonderful people and unique culture of the Shore was transformational. I revisit this splendid and unique Tidewater destination as often as I can with my family. Like Amelia, here I find peace, tranquility and safe harbor in the Eastern Shore sanctuary of life.
For me, it was an incredible place of fun, nature���s beauty and firsts. Here this city girl first went fishing; first went clamming in a mucky tidal marsh; first learned to eat crab which is a labor-intensive endeavor; and fell in love with life attuned to the rhythmic cycle of the moon and tide.
Here, too, I took my own moonlight cruise���the first time I ever really saw the Milky Way���one night on the Chesapeake Bay.
The two main characters in Coast Guard Courtship, Amelia and Braeden, grapple with fears throughout this story. Sometimes things in our past make it difficult to love and trust others. Even God. Especially God. But this story is about learning to launch out hand-in-hand with God to the deeper waters where overflowing, abundant blessings await. Coast Guard Courtship is about a journey of faith.
Writers are often told to write about what you know. And for years, people asked, “Why don’t you write a story about the Eastern Shore?” Good question. Why didn’t I? So I did with Coast Guard Courtship.
I wrote this story as a tribute to people I’ve known and loved���who’ve known and loved me for almost 3 decades now. My Onley, Virginia family continues to welcome me back into the peaceful harbor of their beautiful Eastern Shore world.
Coast Guard Courtship is also to thank the men and women of the often overlooked United States Coast Guard for their dedication and sacrifice in serving this country on CG vessels and at CG stations. Retired United States Coast Guard Captain Jim Umberger and Chief Petty Officer NyxoLyno ���Nick��� Cangemi patiently answered this civilian���s seemingly endless questions about rank, rating and protocol. CG guys are the best.
I hope readers will enjoy Coast Guard Courtship. Maybe even plan a trip there. And, if they can, hug a Coastie to thank them for their service.
For more behind-the-scene photos of Coast Guard Courtship, visit https://www.pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/coast-guard-courtship/.
March 27, 2015
Southern Deviled Egg #Recipe���Just in Time for #Easter
Ingredients:
6 eggs
Mayo
Mustard
Salt & Pepper
Directions:
1. Boil eggs in with with a dash of salt 15-20 minutes.
2. Let eggs cool. Crack and peel eggs.
3. Slice eggs in half lengthwise.
4. Scoop out yolk onto plate and mash with a fork till lumps are out and yolks are blended.
5. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add mayo (1/3 cup???) I add till it “looks right”.
6. Add mustard ( 1 Tbsp????) You know what I’m going to say here, right? This is how I was taught to cook by the best Southern cooks I know.
Until reaching desired color and texture.
7. Spoon into egg whites.
Yield: 12 eggs
Enjoy.
Southerners eat this at all social gatherings year-round. It’s about as de rigueur as sweet tea.
For more recipes and behind the scene photos of Beneath a Navajo Moon, visit http://www.pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/beneath-a-navajo-moon/.
March 26, 2015
Char-Grill���And how you’ll wish you had one near you.
With a motto like “Simpler Times, Simpler Choices”, Char-Grill has been serving the Raleigh, North Carolina area since 1959. Cooked over charcoal flames, their hamburgers are award-winning and consistently win “Best in Class” for food and service.
A local institution, no visitor to the Capital City should pass up a chance for the milkshakes and burgers at Char-Grill. http://www.chargrillusa.com/
Hungry yet? What’s your favorite local hamburger hangout?
For more photos from Vines of Entanglement, visit http://www.pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/vines-of-entanglement/.
March 25, 2015
#Vintage Frocksavers from #VinesofEntanglement
What is a frocksaver? A frilly, possibly retro, apron.
Here are some fun, vintage frocksavers Laura Mabry of Vines of Entanglement would probably have in her Raleigh home.
Similar to the frocksaver Jon sported while preparing “Not Your Grandmother’s Banana Pudding” for the Fourth of July Potluck.
Love the cherry red apron. These look great against the backdrop of Laura’s vintage mint green kitchen, too.
Which one is your favorite?
Do you wear aprons when you cook? Do you have a favorite frocksaver?
For more photos from Vines of Entanglement, visit http://www.pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/vines-of-entanglement/.
March 24, 2015
Carolina Coffee from #VinesofEntanglement
Laura’s brew of choice when she’s been up late at night either trying to solve a murder and/or being terrorized by a murderer. Sometimes the first leads to the second. Here’s her go-to java jolt courtesy of Coastal Carolina Roasters.
Coastal Coffee Roasters began as a simple idea…
“That idea: to share our family’s passion for fresh, sustainable coffees with the world. We use Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, Bird Friendly and Swiss Water Process certifications and are always looking for the best practices We love the coast as much as we love our coffee, so we headed toward the South Carolina coast with our vision for transforming the best organically grown beans into the most amazing, freshly roasted coffee. We use a creative, locally roasted process to bring our passion for great coffee to life in every bag. We want our name to be synonymous with the best cup of coffee that you have ever tasted. Period.
Coastal Coffee Roasters is passionate about bringing the culture of coffee to your cup.”
“Carolina Morning was created by Jacki. ��As a registered nurse it is almost a must to have a pick me up and keep ya going kind of coffee. �� Carolina Morning has a strong, but delicate flavor when combining a dark and medium roast. ��A hint of chocolate and tropical wood grace the palette ending up with a smoky, nutty finish.”
And for a quick afternoon pick-me-up, nothing beats the Coastal blend “created as our signature blend, telling a story with every sip. We blend together coffees from Latin America and Africa at their own peak times to create the finest blend possible, just for you. Coastal blend carries a mild nutty flavor with a rich body. ��Hints of floral and berry sweetness round out this smooth mellow taste.”
The official fictional coffee of Vines of Entanglement, you, too, can experience these wonderful real life flavors at http://www.coastalcoffeeroasters.com/coffee. Enjoy.
What’s your favorite brand of coffee?
For more photos from Vines of Entanglement, visit http://www.pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/vines-of-entanglement/.
March 23, 2015
North Carolina Birds in #VinesofEntanglement
Two of my favorite NC birds featured in Vines of Entanglement.
The Carolina Wren���a busy, backyard bird���compared to Aunt Velma. Not as beautiful or eye-catching as a cardinal or blue jay, but oh, what a song.
It’s always a heart-stopping moment when I sight a blue heron in majestic flight along the Greenway. This bird is big, like a dinosaur with wings (colossal compared to the other birds). Unforgettable and inspiring.
What wildlife do you spot on your outdoor adventures?
For more photos from Vines of Entanglement, visit http://www.pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/vines-of-entanglement/.
March 20, 2015
Southern Pimiento Cheese Sandwich #Recipe from #VinesofEntanglement
Every well-stocked Southern kitchen will have pimiento cheese on hand in case someone drops by for lunch. Here is a basic recipe���most Southerners have their own personal embellishments.
This is my easy to clean rotary grater I got from Target.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (I eyeball this measurement, not exact)
1 (4-oz.) jar diced pimiento, drained
1 (8-oz.) block extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, finely shredded
Directions:
1. Mash/mince drained pimiento. Stir together ingredients in a large bowl; stir in cheese.
2. My Aunt Grace sprinkles in sugar, but then Down East people put sugar in everything.
3. Store in refrigerator up to 1 week. My children believe this tastes best on Aunt Grace’s white bread versus the wheat bread I force them to consume at our house. You be the judge.
This is the cheese grater my aunt brought back from France in the 1950s. My children believe the pimiento cheese is better grated in hers.
4. Invite some friends over for an impromptu lunch. Enjoy.
For more recipes and photos from Vines of Entanglement, visit http://www.pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/vines-of-entanglement/.
