Pomp and Circumstance, Pandemic Style

The Petticoat Junction Senior class of 2020 graduated yesterday in what I imagine can only be described as the most surreal experience of their young lives. They didn't get the ceremony on the football field of the High School. They didn't get the speeches by the valedictorian and school board president. They didn't get the two-by-two processional into the stadium. They didn't even get their actual diplomas-just empty covers and the promise of the diploma to arrive in the mail.

But, they did get a parade attended by a community that loves them and their families, which, I guess will have to do.

In true small town style, the parade included every type of vehicle known to country folk, including pickup trucks, classic convertibles, all-terrain vehicles, and, just to keep things exciting, a fire engine and a stage coach. Actually, the only small-town parade staple not represented was a tractor. I'm actually kind of surprised.

Anyhoodle, the kids are now officially graduated and, with any luck, will get their long-awaited Grad Night party at some point later this summer, mere days before they all disperse to the four corners of the globe in search of their future lives.

My thoughts, prayers, and congratulations go with them.

Recipes From the Porch: Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble

The rhubarb growing randomly in the back yard at New Job is finally ready to harvest, so, I decided to make a little something. I considered my grandma's strawberry rhubarb pie or my Mom's strawberry rhubarb cake, but, settled on my own recipe: strawberry rhubarb crumble.

I'm hoping the plant will continue to produce stalks for several more weeks, so, it is entirely possible that I will get a chance to make all three recipes, but, for today; here is the recipe for the crumble.

The Ingredients:

For the filling:

•  2 lbs. rhubarb stalks, sliced 1/2″ thick (about 8 cups)
•  1-1/4 c. white sugar, divided (and, not pictured. If you read here regularly, that won't surprise you even a little bit)
•  1 lb. fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
•  3 T. cornstarch
•  2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
•  1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

• For the topping:
•  1/2 c. unsalted butter, softened 
•  1-1/2 c. packed brown sugar
•  1-1/2 c. all-purpose flour
•  1-1/4 c. quick-cooking rolled oats
•  3 T. canola oil
•  1-1/2 tsp. cinnamon
•  3/4 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Toss the cut the rhubarb with 3/4 cup of the sugar and let stand for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. In another medium bowl, toss the strawberries with the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and let stand for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Using a large slotted spoon, transfer the rhubarb to the strawberries and discard any rhubarb juice. Add the cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla to the fruit and stir well. Transfer the mixture to a 9″ x 13″ baking dish.

Set aside.

For the topping, combine all the topping ingredients in a medium bowl. Using a pastry blender, cut the ingredients together until large crumbs form. 

Sprinkle topping evenly over the filling. Bake for 25 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 325° F. If the topping is browning quickly, tent a piece of foil loosely over the pan, so the foil is not touching the crisp. Continue baking for another 30 to 35 minutes, or until the fruit filling is thickened and bubbling quite a bit, and the topping is nicely browned. Let the crisp rest for about 20 minutes before serving. This is awesome served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of cold whipped cream. Store on the counter uncovered for up to a couple days. The topping will stay nicely crisp if left uncovered. 

It's good stuff, Maynard!

And, if you recognize that saying, you, too, are old as dirt.

Just sayin'.

At This Point, I Really Should Look Into Writing Prompts

The lack of posts on ye old blog here would indicate that I have nothing to say, which, ok, accurate. I used to be so much better at this, you know, back before my content all grew up and moved away. Speaking of which, I forgot to mention that the Man-Cub finished up his online classes last week and, by 5:00 this Monday morning, he was dutifully employed and living in Neighboring City in his sister's basement. I am readjusting to my empty nest, which, mostly just looks like buying slightly less junk food.

The Cub was more than ready to be finished with school; this distance learning nonsense did not sit well with him. In fact, if his college determines that they won't reopen campus for in-person instruction in the fall, he will most likely take a gap year. After watching him struggle through the last month or so, I would be completely supportive of that decision, despite the fact that it will be his senior year.

On the topic of seniors, Petticoat Junction is holding its' graduation ceremony this Sunday. It's going to look quite different from every other graduation ceremony in the school's history. How different? Well, it's going to be a drive-through ceremony, wherein each graduate and his or her family participate in a parade around town before having the graduate's diploma handed to them through the passenger side window of the car during a brief pause at the local park.

It sounds horrible.

But, Booster Club President Extraordinaire's daughter is a senior this year, so I am going to join the line on the parade route with my camera in hand and I am going to do my best to make her feel celebrated and loved.

As one does during the apocalypse.

Plus, what else do I have to do? It's not like I'm writing here...

...yeah, really do need those writing prompts.

The Mother of All Good Weekends

Happy Mother's Day, y'all! If you are a mother, I hope you've been spoiled appropriately. If you have a mother, and, you're fortunate enough to have been able to spend the day with her, then I hope you spoiled her accordingly. I missed being with my Mom today and I am very much looking forward to making it up to her at some point in the (I hope) not too distant future.

As for being spoiled myself, I can definitely vouch for the efforts of my offspring and their father. This morning, I awoke to a fabulous home cooked breakfast of bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns. I was also showered with gifts, including an awesome wine cooler, a bottle of wine to go with it, a live basil plant, gift cards to two of my favorite businesses, and a gorgeous bouquet of flowers. Then, later in the afternoon, Hugh planted a new hydrangea in my flowerbed while I sipped wine on the porch. I feel quite loved.

Of course, the most important thing is that I had both of the kids here with me to celebrate. Queen B arrived yesterday, and, we got to spend the whole day doing girlie things, including a visit to the local nursery, where we wandered the gardens in search of the perfect tomato plants (and, where Queen B picked up my basil plant and I eyed the hydrangea).

We were headed to Target, when we discovered that Marshalls had finally, finally opened again, and, let me tell you, friends; a celebration was in order.

I am now fully restocked on Sand + Fog candles, discounted make-up removing wipes, new undies, and a couple of new pieces for my wardrobe. Mama is happy. And, we all know that if mama ain't happy, ain't no one happy, so...

...all is well.

Thank God It's Friday Favorites

Friday is quickly becoming my favorite day of the week. Actually, Saturday and Sunday are my favorite days, but, since Friday shepherds them in, it gets the same status.

Today's Friday Favorites include a hodge-podge of things that have been making me happy, and, since happy is in short supply in these dark times, I'm taking what I can get.

#1: Takeout is still featuring heavy on the menu, and we recently picked up our favorites from the local Chinese restaurant. One of the best things about this is the portion size; we made two meals and a lunch out of this order.

#2: Last Sunday, I attempted to recreate the Monte Cristo sandwich that I had in a little diner last summer after attending a nearby Lavender Festival. I came close in my attempt, but, missed it by thismuch. I sure hope that we get to attend the festival again this summer, just so I can visit that little place again.

#3: After hearing about a zillion bloggers extolling the virtues of these self tanner drops, I decided to give them a try. I must grudgingly admit that they work.

I mix them with my favorite moisturizer, which, I suppose should technically be #4 on this list, so...
#4: Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing Cream. It's good. Really good.

#5: It occurred to me recently, that I had consumed more wine during the two months of this pandemic then in the six months before it, combined. I started to think I might have a problem, so I decided to lay off the wine. I'm drinking this sangria, instead. I feel better about my choices.

#6: This face peel is the bomb-diggity. I got the trial size in a past FabFitFun box and I like it so much, I just ordered a regular size.

#7: I'm not planting a garden this year, but that doesn't mean I don't want to play in the dirt. So, I picked up these bulbs and will be planting them this weekend.

#8: I'm also going to whip up some baked goods with the rhubarb that was growing wild in the backyard at New Job.

Strawberry and rhubarb is a favorite flavor combination from my childhood and I can't think of a better way to spend Mother's Day weekend than baking a memorable treat (I'm lying; I would much rather be spending it with my Mom, but, thanks to that fucking virus, that isn't possible, so, I'm making lemonade out of lemons, or some such bullshit).

And that's it for this week's sporadic-at-best edition of Friday Favorites.

When Is Hump Day Not a Hump Day?

When every day is exactly the same as the day before it...and the one after it...infinity.

Such is my life lately. And, while each day brings with it a fresh, new Hell; the day itself feels anything but fresh.

Perhaps you can relate. Perhaps you can't.

Anyhoodle, today is Wednesday, which, is a fact that escaped me for a large portion of the day, since, for some reason, I kept thinking it was Tuesday. I was quite pleased to be wrong about that, but also concerned about my mental acuity, which, appears to be diminishing at a rapid rate.

I'm blaming the 'Rona.

When Your Roots are a Casualty of the Pandemic

I finally have an appointment with my hair stylist! I'll see her on Monday, and, will say goodbye to my gray roots for another month. To say that I am excited about this would be a vast understatement, to which I'm certain some of you can relate (please tell me I'm not wrong).

Anyhoodle, the appointment comes not a minute too soon, as the cans of root spray that I have been using to color the gray are gasping their last breaths, and, I would really prefer not to have to shellac my hair every other day, anyway.

Lest you think I'm kidding, I put together a little pictorial of just exactly what I am dealing with, currently...

Wet

Dry

...that's...wow. The pictures are even worse than reality.

Not cool, old age. Not cool.

Anyhoodle, I have been alternating between these two brands...

Everpro Gray Away, in Lightest Brown/Medium Blond

Miss Clairol Root Touch-up, in Light Brown

...and there is really very little difference in the color.

Everpro, on the right (which is actually my left, but, whatever)

Miss Clairol, on the left (right)

There is a fairly significant difference in the formula, as it feels on the hair, however. The Everpro leaves a less tacky residue and takes less time to dry, while the Clairol sits heavier on the hair and feels sticky for quite a while after drying.

Both brands last for several days and both wash out completely with regular shampoo. Neither has had any negative impact on my hair; no breakage, drying out, etc., and, both have been a lifesaver (or, at the very least, a vanity-saver) during this pandemic.

But, damn, am I looking forward to seeing Miss Megan on Monday!!