Lisa Carter's Blog, page 37

Let’s Go Hawaiian—The Aloha Rose Adventure Begins

Sail into the weekend on the mellow Hawaiian sounds of Over The Rainbow. This song just makes me happy.

The incomparable Bruddah Iz

What’s your favorite Hawaiian song?

Let’s Go Hawaiian—Famous Hawaiian Quiz

Can you match these famous Hawaiians with their achievements?

The first should be very easy.

1. Barack Obama                     a. known for song ‘Tiny Bubbles’

2. Daniel Inouye                        b. 1st Asian-American astronaut

3. Ellison Onizuka                     c. stage and film actress known for The Rose

4. Bette Midler                          d. rediscovered the lost city of Machu Picchu

5. Duke Kahanamoku               e. five-time Olympic swimming medalist

6. Hiram Bingham                     f. former member of The Pussycat Dolls

7. Don Ho                                   g. last reigning king of the Kingdom of Hawaii

8. David Kalakaua                      h. best known for classic Hawaiian ‘Island Style’ song

9. Liliuokalani                             i. President of the United States

10. Israel Kamakawiwo’ole       j. only queen regnant of the Kingdom of Hawaii

11. John Cruz                             k. highest level Asian-American U.S. Senator

12. Nicole Scherzinger               l. ‘Over the Rainbow’ and ‘What a Wonderful World’

How did you do?

Answers:1i; 2k; 3b; 4c; 5e; 6d; 7a; 8g; 9j; 10l; 11h; 12f.

Let’s Go Hawaiian—Your 60 Second Outrigger Canoe Adventure

To jumpstart our Aloha Rose Hawaiian adventure—Let the fun begin . . .

This moment brought to you courtesy of Aloha Rose.

Are you excited yet?

For more behind the scene photos of Aloha Rose, visit http://www.pinterest.com/quiltsoflove/aloha-rose-by-lisa-carter/.

Let’s Go Hawaiian—Cover Sneak Peek—Aloha Rose

Free Book Giveaway—Celebrating Native American Day

Native American Day, the fourth Friday of September, is recognized by several states. Other states celebrate Columbus Day in reverse—to honor the indigenous people of North, Central and South America.

Unfortunately, the United States of America has not yet chosen to designate a day in which to honor Native American culture and contributions to our great nation.

North Carolina is home to the largest population of Native Americans east of the Mississippi. I’ve known various members of the Cherokee, Lumbee, Haliwa-Saponi and Coharie tribes throughout my life. I’ve always been fascinated by their culture. And admired their persistence and perserverance against overwhelming odds to survive and thrive.

In honor of fictional hero, Mike Barefoot who is one-quarter Cherokee—the only federally recognized tribe in North Carolina—I’m giving away one copy just today of Carolina Reckoning.

A free book to one lucky commenter. Contest Rules—Comment on the question and leave your email address for a chance to win. Deadline to submit entries will be 11:59 pm EST on September 27, 2013. U.S. residents only.

What are your thoughts on a federally designated day to honor Native American culture? Not necessary? Long overdue?

For a chance to win Carolina Reckoning, leave a comment. The winner will be notified by email next week.

My Garden Through The Seasons

 

 

 

 

For more gardening ideas from Carolina Reckoning, visit http://pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/carolina-reckoning/.

What is your favorite season in your yard?

Preparing the Garden for Winter

Pests and plant diseases can overwinter in the soil. Be proactive and nurture an environment that will produce an optimum spring growing climate.

Clean up Time

1. Cut back perennials—eliminating dead and spent foliage a few inches above the ground in the fall actually prevents disease from surviving on dead plant tissue. Think how much healthier and able to grow your hair is after a trim.

2. Remove annuals. Pull up annuals and the summer vegetable garden, roots and all. Feed them to the compost pile.

3. Rake leaf debris and weed garden.

4. Do not add compromised plant debris to the compost pile, but destroy infected leaves. Pathogens will overwinter in composts that doesn’t get hot enough.

Dream Time—The Fun Part

1. Document with photos and diagram what plants are growing in particular locations. This is especially helpful for Southern gardeners who find their memories fading with either age or information overload. And prevents an overzealous gardener come spring from planting over and injuring dormant perennials. Also a great way to reflect on what worked and what didn’t work.

2. Winterize container gardening. Bring containers indoor or to protected area like a garage or basement. Don’t add fertilizer. Keep water to a minimum. You don’t want to encourage growth during the dormant season.

3. Test the soil to ascertain pH level and nutrient analysis.

4. Enrich the quality of the soil as needed with compost, blood meal, bone meal, etc . . . This addition to the garden in the fall will allow the compounds to break down into a plant usable form come spring.

5. Add a layer of mulch as a protective layer over the garden’s root system.

Design Time—Autumn is the best time to plant certain trees, shrubs, bulbs and perennials.

Plan for color in the winter months with pansies, Lenten roses, camellias and daphnes.

For more gardening tips and ideas from Carolina Reckoning, visit http://pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/carolina-reckoning/.

 

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup Recipe from Carolina Reckoning

For brisk autumn days and chilly fall nights.

Makes 3 quarts.

¼ cup butter

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 cups onions

1 cup celery

1 Tbsp minced garlic

2 (8 oz) sliced Baby Bella mushrooms

6 Tbsp all-purpose flour

2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp white pepper

½ tsp black pepper

2 quarts chicken broth

4 cups chopped cooked chicken

3 cups cooked wild rice

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 Tbsp fresh thyme

2 Tbsp sherry

Garnish with thyme.

1. In Dutch oven, heat butter and olive oil till melted and blended.

2. Add onion and celery. Cook 5 minutes.

3. Add garlic. Cook 2 minutes.

4. Add mushrooms. Cook 10 minutes. Stir frequently.

5. Add garlic powder, flour, salt and peppers. Cook 2 minutes. Stir constantly.

6. Add chicken broth. Stir till achieve smooth texture.

7. Bring to simmer, then add chicken and wild rice. Cook 20 minutes.

8. Add cream and thyme. Simmer. Cook for 10 minutes.

9. Stir in sherry. Garnish with thyme.

10. Serve and enjoy.

For more recipes and behind the scene photos of Carolina Reckoning, visit http://www.pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/carolina-reckoning/.

North Carolina Handicraft—Tatting

Tatting is a form of lace making, historically the domain of upper class women who had the leisure time required of this handicraft. Queen Victoria was an avid tatter. Tatting dates to the early 1800s. The word, tatting, derives from the French word, frivolité, an indication of the decorative nature of the projects produced using this technique.

In tatting, thread is wrapped around 1-2 shuttles. The shuttles guide the thread into a series or pattern of knots and loops, creating rings and chains in delicate lace designs. The tatter uses one hand to wrap the thread and the other hand to manipulate the shuttle. No other tools are necessary except the thread and the shuttle. The best thread for tatting is a dense thread that doesn’t untwist easily. DMC and Perl cotton are often utilized.

Tatting projects include: doilies, earrings, necklaces, Christmas ornaments, bookmarks, baby items and can serve as edging from everything from wedding veils to handkerchiefs to clothing.

Due to fashion and home décor magazines, tatting had a tremendous following throughout the first half of the 20th century. This art form flourished when fashion trends incorporated frilly, feminine touches such as lace collars and cuffs. Once technology made lace making an inexpensive and readily available purchase, handmade lace declined. Tatting has experienced a small revival of sorts and is now often used in occupational therapy to keep patients’ fine motor skills and minds tuned during a long recovery period.

Trivia question—When was tatting mentioned in Carolina Reckoning? What was happening?

For more photos, see http://pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/carolina-reckoning/.

 

Shepherd’s Pie with a Twist Recipe from Carolina Reckoning

Another hearty recipe from Claire’s cupboard

1 lb. ground beef

1 small onion

¼ cup green pepper

1 can tomato soup

2 cups vegetable (green beans, peas, carrots or corn as desired)

2 cups mashed potatoes

1 cup shredded cheese

1. Brown beef and onion with green pepper.

2. Add salt and black pepper to taste.

3. Stir in tomato soup and vegetable.

4. Put into a 2-quart casserole and top with potatoes, then cheese.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Great recipe to use leftover vegetables and potatoes.

The twist? Claire’s decorative touches—parsley or chives garnish.

Visit http://pinterest.com/lisacoxcarter/carolina-reckoning/ for more behind-the-scene photos of Carolina Reckoning.