Friday, May 29, 2009

The Carpenter's Grits Mill






This is the "Carpenter's Grist Mill" Built by Samuel E. Perry in 1703. On Moonbeach Rd, Perryville, RI. It is still a working mill. Using Whitecap Flint Corn. It is a water powered mill. The only one still in use in the state of RI.
The mills in Ri are said to be the first to make Jonnycakes. They were started and found out about by the early settlers. The Indians showed the basic consept to the Colonists. The Narragansett Indians called them "nokechick", they then went on to be called 'Journey cakes", then on to being called the Jonny Cakes".
These were made by taking the groung corn meal, scalding it with boiling water or milk. Sometimes adding or topping with butter, and or syrup, or molasses.
It is said that the Mill still provides much of the local cornmeal and grits of this area. I hope that you enjoy the recipies handed down from the indians. We are working on trying them all.

Brownbread-
(perfect to accompany baked beans,they say.)
1 c. jonnycake meal
1 c. flour
1 c.whole wheat or grahm flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
3/4 c. dark molasses
2 c. sour milk

Combine dry ing. in bowl. Add in Molasses and sour milk. (Stir in 1/2 c. raisins if desired). Fill a greased one-pound coffe can 2/3 full. cover with foil and elastic band. Steam on rack in pan for 2 hrs.(maintain boiling water level to bottom of cans). Uncover and cool. Serve in thick slices.


Cornbread or Jonnycake in the oven)-
(great for breakfast-add blueberries for extra flavor).

1c. meal
1 c. flour
2tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 c. milk
3 tbls. melted butter

Blend dry ing. together. In bowl mix eggs, milk, and butter-beat) Mix all together. pour in to 8in. square baking pan. 425 degrees 25 min.

Have fun and enjoy. Let me know what you think.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Memorial Day Weekend '09








First, I want to thank our Veteran's & Military and their families for their time and service. You all are so very appreciated.
Next to tell you about the great time we had in New Hampshire. It was fantastic, rain and all. We saw so many different things. We had started out driving up from RI to NH. We went up to the top of the state, about 50 miles from Montreal. We then rode over to check out some covered bridges, The other side of the river is Vermont. then thinking we were going southeast, we found out after we had been riding for about 50 miles that we were at the border of Maine. We then had to drive for an hour back to where we were staying. But... we had a great time. we started out going out on the canoe for a couple of hours (in the rain). A really cute small lake. While out on it we were rained on, saw a beaver lodge, watched the trout coming up and hitting the top of the water.
We then pulled it out when the rain got to hard. Loaded it up and off we went to find the covered bridges and such. We kept passing signs saying "Moose Crossings". So we kept our eyes out and before it was finished we saw three of them. A yearling, another younger male (that's the one in the picture), and a female. They are huge. the yearling was taller than me. The seconded waled over a fence that was by him. HUGE!
We saw three different bridges. They were each so unique. One at the border of Vermont.(In the picture), one in another town about 25 miles away. Surrounded by Lilac's. The next was on the other side of the state, painted bright red.
We went thru several state parks. (like the smoky mountain park road). It is beautiful. We followed a river thru two of them. Water falls, flowers, birds, train tressel's.... and so on. Then while driving thru one town (in the middle) we had a female turkey walk out in front of us, to run across the road into a hedgerow.
We came home thru Maine, down to Mass, to RI. We then seen a dead porcupine. I tried to get Lester to stop and get some of the quill's. He said no way they stink. I could have started a whole new thing at the knitting store!
Well to some it all up we had a great time! It's absolutely beautiful. Very much like northern Calf. I hope one day each of you can go see it.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Mother Goose...






Yes, I did say Mother Goose... Isn't she and the gosslings beautiful? I had a great time watching her. She let me get pretty close. But, I still didn't want to try her out either. There was another goose accross the pond from us. I'm not sure if that was another mama, or if it was the male. I know they sit on the nest too. They were to cute to watch. The babies would foolow along like they were all tied together with a string and about 2 inchs between each. Have a great time looking for more of the Lords gifts around you daily. I'll keep looking and send along what I find.

Monday, May 18, 2009

You may have heard of this man.





You may hear of this young man. He had made a huge impact on my life as a child. I had learned of him in 4th grade. He was part of what had brought me to crave and love our Colonial Haritage. I hope he make as much of an impact on you.
He was born in 1755 in Coventry,Conneticut. Number 6 of 12 childeren. A Yale graduate at 18 yrs. of age. A teacher with in the next year of his life.He then enrolled in the local militia though not of age. He was a speaker at one of the New London, Conn. Meeting House meetings and was quoted as saying, "Let us march immediatley, and never lay down our arms until we obtain our independence." This was the first recorded time the word inderpendence had been said about our early colonia times in a public meeting.
What courage it was for a young man of 20 to try to break the spell of colonial submission.
He then was commissioned as 1st Lieutenate. After a successful battle in Boston he then marched to Brooklyn, NY, and offered service with the rest of his regement. During this time Washington asked if anyone was willing to go in as a spy to recive information. The then youngest Captian broke the dead silence saying, "I will undertake it." Another leader pulled him to the side speaking to him, that it was not his line of duty, he was to frank and of temper to face these dangers as spy. He replied, "I wish to be useful and ever in kind of service necessary to the public good becomes honorable by being necessary. If the exigencies of my country demanda peculiar service, it's claim to perform that service are imperious."
He wasthen caught and taken prisnor by Gen. William Howe, and then marched out to an apple tree in Rutger's orchard. He asked for a bilble, was refused, and asked if he had any speech or confession to make, he was quoted saying, "I only regret", he said, "that I have but one life to lose for my country."
I'm sure many of you have figured this out. It was Nathan Hale, captian of the Militia army of Conneticut. As I had said he was but 21 yrs of age. Can we or will we leave as much pride for our country as our leadersin the Revolutionary War had?
This is a picutre of him and his homeplace where he grew up.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Spring in Rhode Island






Well as you can see...Spring here can be quite differnt from one moment to another. But as beautiful as ever. This is just the other day. We started out in bright sunshine, about 10:00,but with 40mph winds, about 60. The foggy picture you see is at about 4:00 coming back across the Narranganset Bay. We got on the bridge in sunshine not half way up we entered the fog... we had it till about 9:00 the next morning. You can watch it roll in from the ocean. Strange but beautiful at the same time. You can see the lilac's blooming my favorites of all time! I found some ferns budding out over at a pond we visited. I tried to get the budding trees. You would have loved the birds flitting all over the place. Oh to hear them sing.
We went out in the canoe it was a nice ride then it started to get to choppy. I'll post some more pictures later. We're having a really good time.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

My kids......




What a joy your childeren can be....yes, a joy. We had a hard last couple of weeks. We've as a mom say's grew and over came. Yes, I did. I had a housefull! I survived! Lester brought with him home three little strangers (haha) Emily, Miah, and Josh. We had such a good time. I had forgot what it was like to have childeren in the house. They were so good. Yes, I had to go show them off. Who wouldn't have? Then Lester desided to help withthe bed situation... you can see the hamicks he but up in Bri's run. I thought I would burst a gasket on that one. Then I thought who cares, who is going to use them but my family, get over it, and have fun. So I did! They loved it. I think Lester had more fun with them than anyone else.
Then you can see Bri and Tommy having fun. I love to watch all of them. I feel like I'm making a movie in my head that I watch over again later on and sit and laugh with myself about. Oh-no, I hear voices in my head...hee,hee.
Tommy has been something this last week. He went from the point of leaving for deployment, to breaking his arm, to we know nothing of what is next. They do keep you hopping.
I praise the Lord for my loved onesand family! Have a fun week end. I'll write agaqin later on in the weekend.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

It's chilly....




Hello to all from Newport,
As you acn see we have another chilly day out. But you can also see how it's changed from the last time I was here. This is the same place where we were feeding the birds and such in the snow. We are to have rain for the next week or so, and a high of 60. Wow, what a difference from Charleston,SC.
We do have alot of things in bloom. I love the flowers of spring. The animals seem thrilled too.
We brought our canoe up with us so when it gets alittle nicer out we'll go out and I'll get some more pictures for you.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

The last couple of weeks....

Hello Everyone, We've had a couple of crazy weeks latley. We had everyone at our house to say goodbyes to our son. He was getting ready for his diployment to Iraq. You have to understand I usually don't have big groups at my house. Basicaly I don't do well. To say it nicley.

First- Yes it was great! We had the three older of my grandchilderen for a couple of days. Then Ashley & Jesse followed along with the two younger ones. Then Mom & Dad came from KY for a week. Had a wonderful time with them except.... Mom went into the hospital for 2 days. A reaction to her med's. She's doing ok. Then all went home.

I thought things were going to quiet down...am I crazy? Tommy was on duty and broke his arm. About 2 inchs above his wrist. Both bones, now he needs surgury.

I've sense then came with Lester back to Newport, RI. We left Charleston, SC it was in the middle 80's. Got here and it hasn't been over 50. But the flowers are starting to bloom. So I get two springs this year. I'll download some pictures as soon as I get some. I left them all at home on the other computer. Have a blessed afternoon.