The French Baguette

And now it's time for another round of "Peenie Dislikes"! Today's topic of hatred? One of the most wonderful things in the world--the French baguette.

Imagine for a moment that you're in a strange city. It's below freezing out, the wind is blowing, you're not dressed warmly enough, and you're trying to find somewhere to duck inside. Suddenly, you stumble upon a charming little French cafe. You open the door and are immediately greeted with the delicious aromas of the two most complimentary things on the planet, the duo of deliciousness, the answer to every wearied travelers ills: a freshly baked baguette and a cup of hot soup. You order a cup of steaming French onion accompanied by a huge hunk of baguette to dip into it. You're in heaven, yes? Yes. Because what is more simplistically perfect than a bowl of French onion soup and a fresh baguette? Hmmm? Okay, if you're stumped, the correct answer would be nothing.

Well, if you disagree, then Peanut disagrees along with you. Disagrees wholeheartedly. If there's one thing that gets her more jacked up than politics, it's restaurants that offer no crackers or white rolls--only the French baguette. 

Today we went to Panera for lunch. Not a charming little French cafe, I know. But they make a durn good baguette--and bagel, for that matter! Now, Peanut has only recently been introduced to Panera. She likes it, but would much rather eat an egg roll at Oriental House or snag a sandwich from Chik-Fil-A. However, Panera's recently vamped up their menu--more greens, organic chicken, etc--so I've been trying to encourage the little nut to eat there more. It's just a healthier choice! She digs the soup and salads and the coffee, but becomes irate when there are no rolls or crackers to be had. Today's exchange with the cashier went something like this:

Peenie: Hi! I'd like a cuppa veggie soup and a small coffee.

Cashier: Sure! Would you like chips, bread, or an apple with that soup?

Peenie: Crackers, please.

Cashier: I'm sorry, we don't have crackers. Can I offer you chips, a baguette or an apple?

Peenie: I don't like those baguettes. Too hard. No crackers?! What kinda place doesn't serve crackers with their soup?!

Cashier: Um...well, we have chips? Chips are...kind of like crackers?

Peenie: What?! (Laughing) Chips are most certainly NOT crackers!

Katy: Peenie, just tell the lady what you'd like for your side. You don't have to eat it if you don't want to.

Peenie: Oh. Ok, I'll take the bread. But next time, I'm bringing my OWN crackers.

(A few moments later, at the table.)

Peenie: I don't like this bread. It's too durn hard!

Katy: Dip it in your soup, Peenie--that'll make it easier to eat.

Peenie: I don't like it. We should've gone to Oriental House.

...sigh.

I'll leave you with this:

Last Thursday, after we had eaten dinner, Peanut asked me what my plans for the evening were. I told her I didn't know--that I might put my pajamas on early, sip some tea, and read. What followed:

Peenie: Why don't you go out and DO something? Are you tired?

Katy: No, not too tired. Just feel like taking it easy tonight.

Peenie: I wish you'd go do something.

Katy: Alright, Peenie. Tell you what. I'm gonna go run around the neighborhood naked. What you think about that?

Peenie: I'll come right along behind you and do it, too!

20 Questions

Peanut likes to play 20 questions with me...at 7:30 in the morning. Every. Single. Morning. If I haven't emerged from my bedroom by 7:35, she'll come up to my door and say, "KATE??? Did you oversleep?!" In case you're wondering: I never have. So I'll answer, "No Peenie, I'm awake. At least...I am now." But of course she doesn't hear me. And she'll keep calling me until I come to the door and show her that I am, in fact, awake.

Those of you who know me pretty well know that I'm not a morning person. Never have been. Now, this doesn't mean that I'm mean or hateful before 8 am--just a little out of it. My brain takes a while to catch up with the rest of my body, and I'm kinda slow until I get that first cup of coffee. Peanut, on the other hand, wakes up at 5:30 and has about 3 cups of coffee before I walk into the kitchen, so by 7:30, she is JACKED UP. I enter the kitchen and it goes something like this:

"How'd you sleep, Kate?"

"What time you gotta be at work?"

"What are you gonna wear?"

"Is it cold out?"

"What are you gonna do at work today?"

"Do you have something to pack for lunch?"

"Do you need some money?"

"What time will you be home?"

"Do you have something to cook for dinner?"

"Do you need anything from the store?"

All of these, right in a row, before I can even answer them. I mostly just smile sweetly at her and sip my coffee. That usually does the trick, and she starts to calm herself down.

So imagine my surprise last night when she looked at me across the dinner table as we were talking and said, "Katy, why are you asking me so many questions all in a row?" Hahahaha! "Grand-apple doesn't fall far from the grand-tree", I said. She just grinned at me and giggled.

I'll leave you with this:

Not only does Peanut's telephone system play The Star Spangled Banner, it also plays Ode to Joy. Yep, apparently it's got a musical repertoire.

And speaking of musical repertoire(s), one of my favorite bands, the Avett Brothers, have a new album coming out on the 15th. Right now, you can stream it (and I'd recommend you do so) for free at NPR.com. I just started listening this morning, and I already have a favorite. It's called "Souls like the Wheels". It's lovely as lovely can be, and a perfect message for me at this time in my life--a time where I am trying to put myself and all my baggage on the back burner and focus on Peanut. Give it a listen. Here are the lyrics:

Souls like the Wheels

Souls like the wheels

Turning, taking us with wind at our heels

Burning, making us decide on what we're giving

Change this way of living

One little song

Give me strength to the leave the sad and the wrong

Buried safely in the past where I've been living

Alive but unforgiving

Let me go, let me go, let me go, let me go

One little girl

Bring me light from where I thought it was dark

Be the spark that has a chance to light a candle

Love that I can handle

Let me go, let me go, let me go, let me go

Let me go, let me go, let me go, let me go

Souls like the wings

Spreading out away from bad memories

Make us capable of taking off and landing

Alive with understanding

Let me go, let me go, let me go, let me go

Let me go, let me go, let me go, let me go

Pure Gold

This stuff right here, my friends, is pure gold.

THIS is a jar of my Paw's delicious pear preserves, canned around this time last year when he was still with us. Ask anyone in our family, and they'll tell you that these jars are precious, as there are only a few left. I've often thought about making some. It's a lovely thought, isn't it? Carrying on the tradition. But sadly, there are a few problems:

1. I THINK I know where the recipe is, but I'm not certain that it's the right one. I wish I'd asked him.

2. Paw's pears didn't come in this year. They must've somehow known that he wasn't going to be here to take care of them.

3. Peanut would go peaNUTS if I were to attempt to make them, and I'm afraid The Great Kitchen Debate would commence all over again.

4. I'm not Paw. And no matter how good (or bad) mine turn out, I know they'd never be better than his. Simply because he made them.

As I smeared some on my toast this morning at breakfast, I thought about how many years he made preserves (he made fig, too). Slowly and steadily churning them out, giving them to his loved ones, never asking for anything in return--as was his way in everything. I don't think I ever told him how much I loved to see all of the golden jars of them boxed up, how yummy I thought they were, how much I appreciated the hours and days and YEARS he spent on them. Yes, YEARS. He planted the trees himself and watched them grow. And then every Fall when the fruit was perfectly ripe, he harvested, washed, peeled, cooked, and canned. He loved it. And He loved the process, not just the product. Paw was a tortoise, not a hare. And the older I get, the more I want to be just that way, too. Slow and steady wins the race. Heck, slow and steady actually remembers and maybe even enjoys the race!

If I could, I'd give a jar of Paw's preserves to each of you, friends. But I can't. Because there'd be no way to send them, yes. And because there aren't enough to go around and I want to make them last as long as I can. But keep this sentiment: take this post and picture as a virtual jar of Paw's preserves from me to you. Go outside and enjoy the glorious Fall weather! And try to be more of a tortoise and less of a hare today--I will, too.

I'll leave you with this:

Last night, as Peanut sat at the dinner table sipping her chocolate shake from Chik-Fil-A (she did get a tooth pulled, so I had to oblige her junk food craving), she said:

"Katy, my teeth are missing that back molar already. They feel kinda shaky. Like something should be there that's not. Just like me without Paw."

Nightwatchman Pulls a Tooth

Peanut and I paid a visit to the Nightwatchman today--at his day job!

I think I've mentioned before that Uncle Toddie is a dentist. He has a beautiful practice right around the corner from Greenville's glorious Falls Park. Here's a pic of Camperdown Falls Dentistry, aka: workplace of some of mine and Peenie's favorite people: Toddie, Missy, Lisa, and Caleb. Side note: Missy and Lisa (shout-out), the funniest hygienists on the planet, would totally qualify as the two other "mouths of the South"--I guess this means that Edwards men have to have them at work and at home. You can't put a price on entertainment, friends! Life really is better with laughter. And there's a lot of that at this place:

We paid Toddie a visit today because the Peanut had to get a tooth pulled. Poor thing. It's just not her week--she also has to go get her foot (Oh, FOOT!) worked on this Friday. Lots of Peanut happenings. PAINFUL Peanut happenings. You wouldn't know it, though. How many people DANCE after they get a tooth pulled? Yes, I said dance--Peanut did a little jig. Don't believe me? Here she is, smiling, right afterward:

Wish I'd gotten a video of the little jig. Seriously the cutest (and strangest) thing I've ever seen. Anyway,  she's doing awesomely right now, but please pray she makes quick recoveries from both the dental appointment today and the podiatry appointment on Friday. Coveting your prayers, friends!

I'll leave you with this:

Stephanie Vestal (shout-out...love you, Steph!) asked me to interview Peanut on the subject of relationships. I believe this will have be an in-depth story for another entry, but I did ask her last night to tell me what she thinks makes a relationship work.

"Paw and I were best friends...and I'm so lonely for him now", she said. "We really trusted each other."

We're Still Alive!

Dear Readers,

I realize that the Peenie blog has been neglected the past few days. So has Peanut, unfortunately. Forgive me. My sincerest apologies (to both you and Peanut)! You see, I had quite a busy end to the week and a weekend out of town...

On Thursday, James and I went to the Grace Potter concert in Charlotte. Repeat after me: GIRL CRUSH. Sorry, James! But seriously. That woman is a total badass (don't tell Peenie I said badass) and I swear she has perfect pitch. If you've never seen her live, put it on your concert bucket list. Well worth the ticket price! 

Any of you watch Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on the Food Network? Well, James and I (really, James should get credit cause this was his thing long before I came along) have gotten in the habit of going to some of the places that Guy Fieri visits on the show. So far, we've been to 3 in Charlotte. Cabo Fish Taco, Dish, and The Penguin. The first two did not disappoint, but my advice to you on The Penguin? Skip it.

(Side note: I realize that this blog might be in danger of becoming not only the Peanut blog, but also a food and restaurant review blog, but I just gotta! Besides, Peanut likes food, so it totally relates.)

The Penguin. Cute diner ambiance, but they didn't have this certain spinach salad that we both had been eyeing on the online menu, had no Diet Coke, no chicken (???!!!), and we waited for 30 minutes for food that never came. Needless to say, we left. Walked to Fuel Pizza around the corner and had slices of ricotta cheese pizza with heirloom tomatoes and fresh basil. Noms. Obviously recommend. And after the concert, we made another visit to Amelie's French Bakery (I think we're becoming regulars there--which I don't mind IN THE LEAST), and split pain au chocolate and an autumn-inspired latte. What I have to say about those: my beloved Camino Bakery in Winston-Salem makes a better pastry (shout-out!) and the latte was a little rich. But I heart Amelie's. It's fun and French AND open 24/7, so why would you not go? Oui, oui! C'est si bon.

On Friday and Saturday, mother dearest and I transported flowers and cake from Greensboro to Blowing Rock for the wedding of my godbrother, Aaron, to his (now) wife, Courtney, who told me at the wedding that she's a fan of the Peenie blog! So, here's a shout-out to Court. You were a beautiful bride (Peanut agrees--I showed her some pictures), and both Peanut and I thank you for following our adventures and cheering us on! We're cheering you and Aaron on in your new adventure, too!

On Sunday, I met James (long distance may be sucky, but we're making it work the foodie way) in Davidson for lunch at Toast Cafe (not one of Guy Fieri's, but YUM), and then we went to the Renaissance Festival. Yep, we're nerdy and we know it. Don't hate. And guess what? Even though it was 1,000 degrees outside, still SO fun! Go, friends, go! Both 4th grade Katy and 25 year-old Katy say the Renaissance Festival rocks (cause that's how long it's been). 

So here's where Peanut comes into this weekend's events.

When I got home last night, she was sound asleep, but when I walked into the kitchen this morning for breakfast, the little nut practically jumped my bones cause she was so happy to see me! It was adorable.

"KATYYYYY! I missed youuuuu!"

So sweet. 

And I missed her, too--just in case anyone was wondering!

I'll leave you with this:

My brother, Mitch, has been nominated for homecoming king this weekend at Appalachian State. And guess who he wants his escort to be? PEANUT! And although I don't know if that will actually happen, how cute is that thought? Just picture the little 92 year-old nut in her leopard jacket with freshly applied Orange Flip walking Mitch onto that field. Makes me grin from ear to ear just thinking about it!

Junk Food Junkie

You'd never know it by looking at her, but Peanut is a junk food junkie.

She has a drawer full of Snickers bars in the kitchen that I happened upon last week. There's a ziplock bag of Oreos in the pantry that is quickly depleting. She's always up for an ice cream cone at Spill the Beans when we walk the bridge at Falls Park. She eats an egg roll almost everyday for lunch. Last weekend, we went to Mimi's Cafe and she ordered a patty melt and fries. On Monday, she asked me if I wanted to go get a milkshake. Last night, she wanted to go get cheeseburgers for dinner.

Oh, dear. 

But we didn't go out last night. Her little foot (Oh, FOOT) has been bothering her, so I made some soup for myself, and she ate her usual bowl of cereal. Except, last night, I learned something about her nightly cereal. Friends, she does not douse her cereal with milk. She fills the bowl with HALF AND HALF.

!!!

Yea. I'd been wondering why we've been going through half and half so quickly. I mean, I only put a little bit in my coffee at breakfast and she drinks her coffee black. That's certainly not enough to go through three quarts in a week! But a bowl full of half and half every night? Yep, that'll probably run you about three quarts-worth. Three quarts of half and half a week, a drawer full of Snickers bars, and a pantry stocked with Oreos. Throw in an obsession with applewood smoked bacon, and I think we've got ourselves a little junk food junkie: Peanut.

Here she is at the Olive Garden last week, after she had just eaten two breadsticks:

 

Doesn't she look happy? It's the junk food. And the leopard sweater that mom and I gave her. So chic.

The Trash Fairy

Peanut either has an aversion to or an obsession with trash cans. I can't quite figure out which.

 

This is the very small trash can in my bathroom. Actually, it's more of a wicker waste-basket. Or...it might be just a basket. Anyway, whatever it is, I use it for trash. You can't really put much in it, so I rarely do use it except for the occasional tissue or wrapper. But when it is used, something amazing happens--in less than an hour, it just magically disappears. I like to think that there's a little trash fairy that flits about the house from basket to basket, collecting the contents of each and converting it all to fairy dust. What a charming thought, yes?

In reality, the trash fairy is actually Peanut. Though I must say, she is pretty magical about it--cause I never see her collecting! She's a quick little nut.

Some more trash rules in the house:

1. There's no trash can allowed in the kitchen (oddly enough, the one room in the house where a trash can is absolutely necessary), only a trash bag that sits upon a chair and is swiftly taken down to the basement the minute it becomes halfway full.

2. Peanut gets EXTREMELY upset with me if she sees me dragging the large trash bins up from the street. Apparently, that's just "not something a lady does" (side note--ladies also do NOT, under ANY circumstances, pump their own gas). Nope, dragging the trash cans to and from the street is another duty of The Nightwatchman. Though, sometimes when the little nut isn't watching, I drag them back up to the house to help him out a little, maybe also encouraging him to look the other way should I ever miss another Peenie Curfew...

I'll leave you with this:

Last night as we were eating dinner and going over the day's events, Peanut told me about the telephone repairman that had visited the house earlier that day:

Peenie: "Katy! That guy stayed so late I thought he was going to spend the night with me!"