Cape Cod Rock Hopper

Fashion Time & Bermuda Salad

One of the current blogs has mentioned the lack of "fashion" for the folks in the article. This has brought some wonderful and wild memories back to mind of our days on the Cape. We were never wealthy but my Mother made sure my Father and I were always dressed in the best. Sundays were always a day for church and wearing our Sunday best. While at the Cape just because we were on vacation was not an excuse to show up in God's house looking like we just dragged ourselves out of bed or had walked in from the beach or off the golf course. (Please don't take office for today's fashions and trends).

In the 70s the fashions were colorful and bright and Mom had made Dad and I leisure suits, and we were known as the sherbet twins. Dad's suit was a lime green color and mine was a raspberry color, and for the times we were the envy of Sunday morning church-goers. Mom quite often would be wearing a white pleated summer dress that she had made for herself. Mom was a skilled seamstress and often made her own cloths that rivaled anything that could be bought. She also made dress shirts and pants for Dad and I and neither one of us ever had a problem wearing what Mom made us. Mom made those suits for Dad and I but she did not care much for making them and would only make another 1 or 2 suits for Dad and I before she passed away, one of those being for me a bright LEMON YELLOW suit that even to this day people who know us will still ask me about it.

Coming to the Cape also meant it was time to go stock up on clothing as we could shop at the outlets. We would take one special day and drive to Fall River to visit all the outlets that flourished there through the 60s 70s and 80s and Dad and I would go suit shopping at the Anderson Little outlet for the next seasons clothes. We could always count on being able to stay up on the current fashions without busting the budget. And Mom could feel that she was being prudent with the finances. We were never highfalutin', we never pretended to be part of the hobnob set.

We were simple folk who enjoyed being dressed well when we needed to, and Mom made sure of that. Other then that we were and still are today just normal simple-dress people.  Nice slacks and jeans, skirts and pants tees, blouses, and polos, an occasional tie, and yes even a suit every once in a while. Oh yes, my t-shirts, mostly Cape Cod, one might think I like the place or something. We don't do high dollar deck shoes with the costly khakis and monogramed oxfords with the sweater around the neck. Hey, if that is your style go for it, but that is not out style.  Dressing well yes, dressing to look good yes, dressing to show off or to flash the cash, no way. But fashion and Cape Cod will always be something that is of my memory remembering what my Mother used to make for my Father and I so that we looked our best especially when on Cape Cod.

Todays recipe: Bermuda Salad --- This is another specialty from my wife's mothers folder. A specialty of her sister and her father and me, but because there is not a great love for blue cheese in the house we do not get it often. I still like it though even though my wife does not realize it. Oh well, if you like blue cheese and olives you will love this one, and it makes a nice size batch.

Marinade: Put all ingredients in a jar and shake well

•     1  cup  salad oil
•     1/2  cup  Heinz Tarragon Vinegar
•     2  tsp sugar
•     1 tsp salt
•     1/2 tsp paprika

 Salad

•     1 head cauliflower separated
•     1 whole  Bermuda onion thinly sliced in rings
•     1/2  cup sliced stuffed olives

For later use

•     1  small head lettuce shredded
•     4  oz  crumbled blue cheese

In a bowl layer ingredients and pour marinade over the top. Let marinate overnight.  Immediately before serving add 4 oz crumbled blue cheese and 1 small head of lettuce shredded.  Toss all together and service.

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Cottages & A Beach Haus Cocktail

    Beach houses, Cottages, and Second homes, call them what you want, but the cottage is what the majority of folks stay in on the Cape. Not hotel or motel rooms, (although that is what we do today). No fancy, shmancy resorts, although there are some really nice ones on the Cape (and most with a price tag to go along). There are a few of the old stye Tent Grounds (most converted to Mobile Home and trailer parks) and now the ever popular RV Parks and can I dare forget the Condominiums.
    Cottages have always come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, and even more variety of amenities then salad toppings presented at an Old Country Buffet. We were fortunate enough to stay in a cottage with 2 nice bedrooms, a kitchenette with full size refrigerator and an enclosed shower stall (still open around the top and bottom with slatted floors, but a roof, walls and a door). Oh and hot water,, although for many years a small pint size tank, but all the same hot water. And if the evening ever got cool enough there was a small heater, that to tell the truth don't ever remember us turning on. No air conditioning,, (almost sacrilegious in those days) but after many years there was a ceiling fan put in. But the many windows made up with a good cross breeze on just about any August summer day. Then on the front a beautiful porch that went 3/4ths the way across the front. What more could we have asked for none of us could have ever imagined.
    But if you look around the Cape you can find different kinds of cottages from the beach shakes on the dunes up in Truro to the modest 1 bedroom cottage just about anywhere to upscale 3 and 4 bedroom beach homes in places like Chatham, Osterville, and Falmouth. You have the plain and simple of the average cottage to the elaborately decorated gingerbread cottages of Martha's Vineyard. Each from the plain to the extravagant have their place, have their nook, have a special setting in which they sit. Each contributes to the make up of the Cape in their own way and lends to the scenery that is so distinctively Cape Cod.
    What does all this have to do with my memories. Well for starters, just the memory of where we stayed as a family and shared good time. Memories of drives up and down 6A looking at all the norther cottages, then out to the Lower Cape and shanty shacks on the beaches, to finally down along the Sound and the more commercialized part of the Cape. These are memories that make up my love for the Cape. The memories that were made with my family, and memories that I have wanted to share with family. These are the places that others to experience on a lazy summer morning and come to love the Cape as I have. And most importantly make there own memories of their good times with family and friends. What better memories can we have,,, especially when they are surrounded by the scenes of Cape Cod.    

This weeks recipe: Beach Haus Cocktail

•     1 oz        Blackberry Schnapps
•     1 oz        Spiced Rum
•     2 oz        Pineapple Juice

    Simple enough pour schnapps and rum in glass over ice, then top with pineapple juice.

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Bass River Boat Rides and Broiled Eggplant

    Some weeks ideas come quickly other times they don't. Working 55-60 hour weeks right now in order to be able to play later is taking its tole. So sorry not much of a story this week.  This week just a quick note of memory land. We had friends that had a power boat that they kept docked on bass river. Every now and then they would invite us to come over and go out with them for an evening ride off Uncle Freeman's Landing. We would slowly ride up and down the river looking at a all the nice homes on both sides of the river and you could get rather close to those bigger boats and see really beautiful they were. The first time I ever drove a boat  and learned to steer one was north of the RT 28 bridge. If you like the Army you would have loved my steering,, right, left, right,,, but we all survived and even my father did not get sick.
    We never had the money growing up to own such a luxury of a boat of any size. So to be asked by someone to go out on their boat was a real treat and an experience that we as a family did not get to do very often. These friends were kind enough to ask us on many occasions to go out with then and we always had a wonderful time, whether in the day time, enjoying the sun and the water, or on an occasional late evening for a full moon ride. Here is the friends and Cape Cod memories.     
    EXTRA EXTRA: Recipe Special Week : This week I pull one out of my own, this is one that my family loves and is not hard at all. We do not do a lot of fried foods and typically egg plant is fried, and also we do not need the extra calories. So I decided to try changing the coating up a little and broil instead of fry.
     Recipe : Broiled EggPlant

•     2                          Egg plants ( Nice size, but not overly large)
•     3                          eggs
•     2    tsp.               worcestershire sauce
•     2    tsp.               water
•     1-2    dashes    hot sauce ( your choice, I use different bands for different dished depending on your tastes, for this I normal use Franks Red Hot)
•     1-2    cups        plan bread crumbs
•     1    Tbls             oregano
•     1/2    Tbls        Old Bay Seasoning
•                                 Pepper

    First a warning, once you peel and cut egg plant it will start to brown quickly. So first take your eggs and put in a larger bowl along with the water, worcestershire sauce and hot sauce and beat well. Once beaten add Old Bay Seasoning, and some ground pepper (to taste) and mix into egg mixture.  Next peel egg plant and cut into slices and put in egg mixture to soak for a few minutes. In another bowl put down about 1/4 of your bread crumbs then move one by one your egg plant slices into the bread crumbs then sprinkle more crumbs on top till covered. Then put breaded slices on a cookie sheet and sprinkle a little oregano over top. once you have a full cookie sheet of egg plant place under the boiler and cook. Keep and eye on then as once they start to turn color they will crisp quickly, pull out turn them over and repeat on broiling. Once done serve quickly as egg plant cools quickly.

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Of Skunks and Lemon Squares

Memories are always funny things, it seems that the one who tells the stories normally always sees things much different then the others that where with you. One of those situations happened last year. Now many of you are well aware of those cute furry little 4 legged,
untamed, wild, stripped and smelly creatures that seem to come in abundance on the Cape.

Yes, we know them as those lovable skunks. Ok, so they are not so lovable, they get into trash cans and garbage container. They can carry rabies and diseases that can be spread and
did I mention that wonderful perfume [p?r - fyüm, a substance that emits a pleasant odor; especially : a fluid preparation of natural essences (as from plants or animals) from our friends at Merrian-Webster].  Last year, 2 nights before we were to leave, our son had left the room to walk down closer to the office so he could pick up the computer signal. He wasn't gone but just a few minutes when all of a sudden we heard him at the door, "LET ME IN, LET ME IN".

We were trying to shush him as it was later on in the evening and there were kids in other rooms around us. But we had locked the door just out of habit as he left and could not imagine what the heck was going. Well as he was panicking at the door, we finally got there as he nearly
pushed us out the back window trying to get into the room.

As he slammed the door closed he started pointing out the front door window.  As we all went to the door to look, here was a nice size Pole Cat that had made his way across the parking lot and no more then 10 to 15 feet from the door.  He/ she walked around a trash can, up next to the storage room next to our room back out then disappeared around the corner and down the line of rooms towards the front office. 

Fortunately our friend did not let off any reminders of exactly who they were. They were just on a friendly evening jaunt and my son (at that time a 16-year-old) just happened to be in the way.  This was proven to be one of our best laughs from by-gone years, and we will not let
him forget it for a long long time. Amazing he still does not totally see the humor in it all.

There are many other adventures I have had over the years with skunks on the Cape. If you are there for any amount of time you will cross paths with one, it is just the nature of the area. Many a night I would lay in bed at the cottage and you would get a whiff of o-de-la-pew toddling by the window or looking for a way underneath the cottage. Or when I used to hang out with the night watchman and we used to do rounds, we could always find at least 3 or 4 out and about and hear another couple and smell a least 1. But for the most part, they did not bother anyone, and they did not want trouble or confrontation.

They were and still are more of a nuisance then anything else, but  sometimes they  are there just for a good laugh and a good memory.  Even a good memory for Cape Cod.

This is another recipe from the Mother-in-law's box that my wife now has.

Recipe of the week: Lemon Squares

 

• 1  cup  flour
• 1/2  cup  butter
• 1/4  cup confectioners sugar
• 2   tbsp  lemon juice
• 2  eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4  tsp salt

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.  Sift flour first. After sifting, blend with butter and confectioners
sugar throughly. Press evenly in square 8x8x2 pan. Bake for 20 minutes.

Beat rest of ingredients together. Pour over crust and bake another 20 to 25 minutes. However do not over-bake.

Let cool then serve.

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Memories of Rainy Cape Days & Crock Pot Chicken for 2

Rainy days on the Cape, well after that first year (you will need to go wa-ay back to my first blog to read this one) pretty much rain was not a very big issue. But on those occasions what does a family with little to no extra spending money do. We went to the Cape to go the beach, enjoy the sun and swim, and lay on the beach and swim and lay on the beach. I'm repeating myself, but you get the picture. But what do you do, this was a time to play games. We as a family would sit at the small eating table and would get out the board games or cards and play for hours. As Mom and I would get things ready we would always ask Dad if would like to play and in that voice, sounding as if is was being bothered (he really wasn't) then would stroll over to the table and he would begin. I don't remember how to play this game, you are going to have to remind me, Now what are we playing? Then precede to beat the pants off my mother and myself. (Oh don't think Dad has gotten any better at this,, to this day he still does it when we go visit him and the grandkid and us all sit down to play games.) But in the end we would enjoy our time together doing something that we would not normally take the extra time to do at home. By the way there were 2 specific games that Mom either never or very rarely ever lost at, Scrabble was her best, then a game called Quinto, a board game based on the multiples of 5.

When my Grandfather came to live with us and went to the Cape one year, to help keep him occupied remember sitting at the table and playing the card game war. I remember him sitting across from me and if I went to grab the "trick" to quickly he would always say " hot, hot, hot" or have some other little saying. Grandpop never went to beach other then maybe just to walk down, look around then walk back to the cottage. But whenever we could we would ask if he would join us in playing games, and he would always just shake his head and say no, then either sit and watch us play or go outside and have another smoke. Seems he would only play card with me.

Some of you may say not much of a memory, or this doesn't say much about the Cape, but then again does it. Cape time meant Family time, and that is always worth memories. And even though Grandpop could be a sour old coot at times, at least I have my memories of him taking the time to play games with me,,, again at the Cape. He passed away about a 7 to 8 months afterwards in 1976.

Memories, don't need to be expensive, don't need to be spent traveling all over the place, don't need to be out of the cottage, don't need to be,,,,,, ect. Make the best of every minute, whether a family of many or just a family of 2 or 3. Make the most of rainy days, and make your time on the Cape a wonderful experience not matter what the weather is like as then it will always be full of sunshine while on Cape Cod.

Recipe of the week: Crock Pot Chicken for Two this is another recipe that my wife got from her mother.

 

• 4   pieces of chicken (your choice in parts)
• 1  can  cream of chicken soup (undiluted)    
• 1  can  sliced or chopped mushrooms (small can) Fresh would be best
• 1/2  cup rice

Brown the chicken, then place in bottom of crock pot. Pour 1 can of cream of chicken soup (undiluted) over top. Add 1 small can mushrooms. Cook on low for 5 to 6 hours. For my added twist, add a little ground pepper to taste and finally my all time favorite a dash or two of Old Bay Seasoning.

Prepare rice right before you serve. then use gravy from cooked chicken to pour over top of cooked rice and service along side of chicken.

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Tis Months before Vacation & Chinese Coleslaw

    So it’s the second week of April and all in the house, all the creatures were stirring there better not be a mouse. The vacation was starting to take hold and take shake as a week in grand August our eyes did set sight. Then what to our wonder did our ears really hear, the airline the girls had book on was now no more. Yes it was true, as we heard them explain, we're sorry to say we are flying no more.. Ok enough punning but yes every bit of that ditty is true. This comes after we had already changed weeks after thinking out son was going to be leaving for some training the week that we were to come. So here we are changed week, airline out of business, the son's plans changed,,, again,, I dare ask what's next,,, so I am not going to.
    My Cape Cod memories, what does all this have to do with things. Daa for those of you who live there I am sure you have your vacation spots that you get away to so you still can appreciate this. I remember way back when we began going to the Cape, my folks as far back as I can remember had a station wagon. And come vacation time would pack the back end of that thing till it you wondered if the car would hold the passengers as well. But Dad would always get it all in and still have a "hole" through the back to see out the rear view mirror. Oh ya Dad did not believe in putting stuff on the roof of the car, except the bikes. This went on from the mid-60's till the early 80's when I had just about left the house and it was just Mom and Dad.
    All this did not happen over night. Mom would start about this time of year putting things back so that when it came time for that yearly journey to the Cape all was ready and no last minute surprises. As we took the month of August there was not much "changing around" of dates. But there were other things that would happen that would always make the planning a little "interesting" coming down to the last minute. Most were on Dad's end with church matters such as weddings or big unexpected the funerals. Then there was the church in Philadelphia that always wanted Dad to come back and preach at on this way to or from the Cape. But as hecktic as it got Mom always seemed to orchestrate it well and it always seemed to go off with out much problems.
    Although it is still early for many, as we enter that time when folks start making their treks back to the Cape, either from snow birding in warmer parts of the world or those of us who treasure just being able to come to the Cape and enjoy the sun and the sand, stop and remember how we have gotten there. What we used to do to have to get everything ready, what some of you are doing now to get ready, and what we are willing to do just so we can spend some time on the Cape. Cape memories encompass every part of our trips and time around getting there and getting home. The feeling of excitement that fill us as we plan places to go, things to do and what we need to take. To the sadness of knowing that only too quickly that time will pass and we have to pack it all up and head for home with another year of memories tucked away in our heads.
    If you have a vacation planned for the family, especially with younger kids, try an advent type calendar about 4 weeks out. Or if you just and antsy adult that needs to track the months, weeks and days. Take a calendar and mark blocks of time off that you get different things ready and have put back to help yourself see that time coming and be more relaxed that all is in place and you have all you want to take with you. The end result we be when the time does come to leave on that vacation that all the work will be done before hand and will make the journey a lot more relaxed and enjoyable for all.
                Already looking forward to this year’s time.... on beautiful Cape Cod.

    This week’s recipe comes from my wife's Aunt Marj and her contribution to the 2003 Columbus Baptist Temple Cookbook: Thank you for your input.
    So with any further ado

    Chinese Coleslaw

·             16      oz              shredded cabbage (can be bought pre-shredded by the bag)

·             2    pkgs             beef flavored ramen style noodles (set packages aside will use later)

·             1    Cup              sliced almonds       

·             1-2    Cups        green onions thinly sliced (this is 1 to 2 bunches) to your taste

·             1    Cup             salted sunflower seeds

·             1    Cup             vegetable oil

·             1/2    Cup        sugar

·             1/3    Cup        white vinegar

   
    Mix cabbage, almonds, green onions and sunflower seeds in a large bowl. Remove the beef flavoring from ramen style noodles and then "scrunch" (technical term for loosely crumble) the noodles into small pieces and add the other ingredients in bowl. Mix together Oil, sugar, and vinegar in a separate smaller bowl to create a dressing, whisk until thickens. Mix the dressing into the salad mixture and serve immediately. (HINT: Wait until ready to serve to add dressing with slaw mixture, don't ask just do it)
Very easy to double, and not that hard to transport, just put dressing into separate container and when ready to eat mix in dressing.

 

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Sandpipers & a Sandpiper Cocktail

        I am not a big bird watcher, its not that I have anything against birds, unless they are doing their dirty thing on my clean car. I enjoy seeing beautiful birds full of color and birds with unusual markings. I enjoy seeing majestic birds such as Hawks and our national Bald Eagle. Then there are Penguins and Puffins, we will just not go there, as everyone is aware Penguins are my kind of bird (besides they waddle they don't fly). But in general to me you see a bird once, ok, that's nice I saw it,,, really don't care if I see it again. So to write this week is a little surprising to me. But then again, it fits the recipe really well so well will stretch just about anything for a story.
        Im talking this week about Sandpipers, those funny little birds that run along the waters edge, darting in and out of the incoming waves as they roll up on the shore. Now I did a little research (am and I mean little) but discovered that there are 89 different species of Sandpiper birds. Honestly I would have a hard time telling you the difference between a Greater Yellowlegs and a Lesser Yellowlegs, or a Willet and a Little Stint, or a Dunlin and a Sanderling. Now a few of them I could guess at, but my point is I am not an Ornithologist, by any stretch of the wing, (oops sorry). But the Cape seems to be littered, inundated with these birds. I have sat on my blanket for hours just watching these feathered friends run back and forth between the jetties looking for water bugs, sand bugs and small marine invertebrates and a host of other goodies. These things also eat insects and small spiders and other nasties that seem to get under our (human) skin or on our nerves. These little feathered fellows are really pretty cool and a great help to controlling the flying pest problems. They are quite incredible in what they do for the eco-system and and around the areas the live in. It amazes me to watch them search the sand for something to eat, dipping their specially design bills in and out for the sand to find what they are looking for to eat.
         My father has a picture that hangs in his "Cape Cod" room in Michigan, that is a painting lithograph done by Donn Devita of Dennis and the old Warden Hall Gallery. There are three or for birds all lined up seeming to be looking for there next snack. Every time I see this picture it brings back the memories of just sitting on the beach, with the warm summer sun shining down. The sound of light waves lapping up on the shore and not a care to worry about. Just me the sun and the Sandpipers. And what else is the Cape all about then pure relaxation, were tomorrows hustles and bustles are always tomorrow and the worries of yesterday seem so long ago. All this from a picture of Sandpipes, yes birds running up and down a beach, on a sunny day, on Cape Cod. So go to a beach and go bird watching and let your cares fly away,,, on Cape Cod.      

Resources for Sandpipers:
www.virtualbirder.com/vbirder/onLoc/onLocDirs/CAPECOD/bg/BNMSB.html - The Virtual Birder
http://www.capecodconnection.com/capecod/ccbirds.htm - The Cape Cod Connection


      So this weeks recipe is a 2 for one the first is a Sandpiper Cocktail found only in about 3-4 general bartender recipe sights but all are the same. The second is probably the more popular of the two and found in more then a dozen of my bartender websites that being a Flirting with the Sandpiper. Since I found so many of the second while searching the first I figure lets get really schnookered and go with both.

          Sandpiper Cocktail                  Flirting with a Sandpiper

• 1    oz         Cherry Brandy              1/2     oz    Cherry Brandy
• 1    oz         Light Rum                     1 1/2  oz    Light Rum
• 3    oz        Orange Juice                 3        oz    Orange Juice
• 1/2    oz    Grapefruit Juice            2        Dashes of Bitters (Orange is preferred)

Put all in a shaker with ice, shake        Put all ingredients into a highball glass
then strain into a cocktail glass            filled with ice. Stir Well, no garnish.
Garnish with a cherry.

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Harbor Memories & Elderberry Pie

    One of my favorite past times was and still is going to different harbors and walking and up and down and looking the sights. I have mentioned before our family trips to Falmouth and to the band concerts. We would always leave early so that we could go down to the harbor and walk up and down the boardwalk and look at all the boats and yachts. I used to dream about being able to be on one of them or owning one someday. The people on the boats were all pretty much sociable and would wave to us kids walking by and gawking in at them. Then there were the sailing yachts and schooners that were parked out in deeper water There were 2 masted and 3 masted boats with lines for jibs and occasionally there would be a 4 masted there. All in beautiful colored hauls and looking so quant like a post card picture.
    Another favorite harbor has been Wychmere Harbor. Still one of the most photographed harbors on the Cape. We would go to Thompson's Clam Bar (still in my mind had one of the best Stuffed Quahogs around made with bacon in it) and sit in the dinning room and watch the boats come in and go out of the harbor. Over the years even after Thompson's has closed I enjoy stopping at the pull off on Rt 28 and just looking out over the harbor at the beautiful picturesque sight especially at sunset when the light is reflecting off the water and boats just seem to float on glass. My wife has gotten after me for taking too much time or asking don't you have enough pictures yet, while the kids would keep saying "come on Dad lets go, we want to go to Chatham."
    A couple years ago my wife and I went to Woods Hole and walked over to the bridge leading into Eel Pond and was able to enjoy looking at all the boats there. Then walked down the street to see the fishing boats and coast guard boats parked in Great Harbor.
    Then for a great contrast is the small Harbors over on the North side. The small inlets with the dingies and day sailers and smaller power boats and then there is Sesuit Harbor over in East Dennis with its own charm and character. I could go on and on Wellfleet,  Provincetown, Orleans, then lets not even get started with Chatham. There are so many harbors to go boat and people watching. So many picturesque scenes to take photos of or paint on canvases, and so many wonderful sunrises and sunsets to enjoy over gorgeous harbors. Take time and go visit some of these harbors, meet the people, those who make their living from the sea and those who like living on the water. You will find some wonderful times and memories made when you check out old time Cape history through all the Harbors on all sides of Cape Cod.
       
    Ok tis the last week of the month so its dessert time, and I am back to my favorite, PIE. This weeks recipe comes from my wife's grandmother on a 4 x 6 handwritten card.

    Recipe of the week: Elderberry Pie

•     2                      pie crusts (one for bottom one for top)
•     2     cups        Elderberries
•     1     cup          sugar
•     3     Tbls        instant Tapioca
•     1 1/2 Tbls     lemon juice
•     2    Tbls         butter

    Mix all ingredients (except butter) together, and pour into pie crust. Cut butter into bits and dot  the top of the pie. Take 2nd pie crust and cut into strip and lace across the top of the pie. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until done.

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Spring Sprung & Pork Chops with Wine & Mushroom Sauce

    Tis the week that Spring gets sprung and thoughts that fancy our hearts and minds turn to warmer times. Easter is in the air as daffodils start to think about poking their greeny little sprouts out of the ground. The flower gardeners go hunting for those bargains on prized Danish multi-colored tulip bulbs to make their cottages look quaint.
And spring is the time that we who do not have the privilege of living on the Cape start the planing of this years pilgrimage. For those of you who live there near-year or year round it isn't quite the deal. But for those of us who can only dream, it gives us hope that we will last through these final couple weeks that winter will not let its bony grip off of as we start to plan our trips.
    I watch as many webcams as I can of different places on the Cape. I watch the weather and for hints of warmer times to come. I look for recent pictures posted of places on the Cape that we frequent, and let my mind wander back to days gone bye when sunshine filled the sky and there was no snow on the ground. I see the water and its dark deep color and can only image how cold it is, then remember those summer months when cold becomes refreshing cool. ( Yes I saw the pictures of the Polar Bear swim in Falmouth, yes it was for a good cause but personally I think they were all nuts).  I see the people walking up and down the streets of Chatham, in there coats with hats and gloves, then remember those warm sunny days with crowded sidewalks with everyone in shorts and Cuffy T shirts and sandals. Yes a shameless plug, but it is amazing even here in Ohio walking in our malls or even at church you can spot one of their apparels a mile away. Even when my wife and I were at Disney in January it was all I needed to strike a conversation with a couple of folks about things of the Cape.
    With spring now here its almost real, as plans take shape and hold. As pictures and cams will come to life in just a little time. So as these day do start to warm, and flowers start to bloom. I am already making my plans to visit once again, and go to those old stand bye places. But also I look forward to adding new and exciting finds to my list that over years will also become old stand byes. So let spring, sprung upon us and warm those cold cold beaches. Cause I am planning for my trip to a Warm and Sunny Cape.
    Happy Easter to all and have a wonderful start to Spring especially to all those of you on the Cape.

    This weeks recipe is one of my own. Not overly hard to make and can be added to or lessened very easily. If you like pork chops and mushrooms I think you will like this.

    Pork Chops with Wine & Mushroom Sauce

•     4                           medium size pork chops
•     1          Cup          mushrooms (button will do, Shataki if you have them or mixed)
•     1          Can         cream of mushroom soup 10 3/4 oz size
•     3/4     Cup         White table wine
•     1/4     tsp            basil
•     1/4     tsp            marjoram    

    In a large skillet brown your pork chops (use a little butter or olive oil). Once the chops are about 3/4 done remove from pan. Spoon out if any grease leaving any drippings behind. Add mushrooms, and saute slightly, till they start to relax, then add cream of mushroom soup, basil and marjoram, and reduce heat. Add white wine and mix until smooth and bring to a simmer. Return pork chops to pan and spoon mixture overtop. Cover and continue to simmer till pork chops are done. Remove and garnish with a little parsley if desired.  (Great side dish would be Oven roasted Asparagus or sautéed Brussel Spouts w/slivered Almonds) 

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Sound Views & Hash Brown Casserole

       So the blizzard of '08 for the Mid-West has come and gone and the 16 - 20 inches that fell over last weekend have already given way to warmer temperatures. The difference between the cold and the warmth, kind of remind me of the the war that is raging on the Cape with the wind farm. So what does this have to do with my memories.

    Well lets see, why I have been coming to the Cape for the past 42 years. The beautiful beaches, the gorgeous sunshiny days, the warm Nantucket Sound waters, and that fantastic view. Fantastic view, did someone say View,, did someone say they were gonna mess up MY VIEW. Hey wait a minute, I have been coming to the Cape for 42 years and now you are going to mess with my VIEW,,,,, ok. Lets see I am already seeing the fishing pylons sticking up out of the water all along the horizon. And what about those cargo ships that I have to endure crossing the Sound way out about,, oh say there. And all I am hearing lately is the complaining of high energy costs from the vendors I support. Then there are those that have all the money in the world that when the campaign fits their need and pocket book will jump onto any band wagon for their own good. Ops did I say that, sorry, this is a memory blog.
     The views from the shore have changed over the years, just as the views on the shores have changed. I have grown accustom to year after year (taking for granted) the views that were there in past years, sometimes to the point of until it was too late. These changes include manmade as well as nature made changes. Some have been good at least for the economy of the Cape during the building boom, some have been bad as it claims Cottages and Camps from our sights. Some changes have forced changes in our historical landmarks to be relocated, and other just disappear as the wind blows and sands drift by.
    My point here is changes are going to happen, we all seen them though different eyes. Some will focus on a view of the sun rising off the horizon of the Sound and the opportunities that this issue brings to the Cape. Others are viewing it as the sun setting on only what was and as charges that will be so indelibly unreversible and irreconcilably damaging that they can not give way to any good that could come out of this change of view. Its is not time to quite bickering and backbiting (ok, I understand this is Cape politics we are talking about) and step back and look and the BIG view. And set our sights forward to views that will move the Cape forward in more ways then a some tooth picks sticking up out of the water on the horizon of OUR Cape Cod Sound. Lets remember the past by remembering to look forward as well. Long live Cape Cod and the forward opportunities that view before us.
   
    This weeks recipe comes from my Father in law's wife. This is a very tasty potato dish that can frozen ahead of time. IF there are only 2 or 3 of you, you may want to cut in half or  make two casseroles and freeze one for a later date. This recipe will serve about 10 moderate eaters or 5 - 6 big eaters.
    Recipe of the week: Hash Brown Casserole

    1        3Q     Casserole Dish
    2        lbs     frozen hashbrowns
    1                  stick butter cut in half
    2        C's    shredded cheddar cheese
    1/2    C       chopped onions
    1        tsp     salt
    1/2    tsp     pepper
    1        pt       sour cream (2 cups)
    1        can    cream of chicken soup
    2        C's     crushed cornflakes

    In 3 Quart dish spread frozen hashbrowns evenly and pour 1/2 stick of butter over potatoes.
    Mix: Shredded cheddar cheese, chopped onions, salt, pepper, sour cream and cream of chicken soup together and pour mixture over the potatoes and smooth to the     edges. Then mix remaining 1/2 stick of butter (melted) with crushed cornflakes (this can be done by hand), then spread evenly over potatoes. Bake 1 hour @ 350     degrees. If frozen ahead of time then bake at 1 1/2 hours @ 350.

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