The Peach Stand, Fort Mill SC

I didn't work in a store or do any waitressing during High School. Thanks to my parents, it was my job to focus on school, to do well and to propel myself into college. The summer between graduation and before leaving for college, I worked at Filasky's Farm about a mile up the road from my home on Long Island. The memories are indelible! Burlap sacks filled with Silver Queen corn, piles of squash, rows of dewy berries, peaches, tomatoes and potatoes, a huge rotating metal bin filled with fresh lettuces and produce. That summer I learned what it meant to be a "good tired" from a day of physical work. I like the feeling. A bunch of us stole a huge watermelon for my 18th birthday. Somebody got a massive syringe from a veterinarian, and we took turns injecting the melon with vodka, covering up the needle holes with duct tape. My first DIY project. I'm terrible at lying. I paid for the watermelon the next day...in more ways than one. Good times!

Roadside stands still catch my eye, and I like them for what they represent and for their simplicity. Plywood and 2 x 4s, handpainted signs, chicken wire. Some stands still operate on the honor system, where from sunup to sundown you put money for veggies, firewood, cut flowers, etc...into an old coffee can, mason jar or metal cash box.




The corner of Peach Lane and Hwy 160, Fort Mill

Peach trees

The original Peach Stand was built in the '30's by the Springs family. It's a landmark and is open seasonally for peaches and produce.

There's a weathered Bible on the shelf. It does not seem out of place.

The old Peach Stand was moved across the street to make way for the new building in 1976. It's a gas station, restaurant, ice cream parlor, butcher, bakery, produce market and SC products gift store. They'll ship nationwide.
Visit http://www.peachstand.com/ for more info.

I took some snaps, and they have great stuff but I really like the feel of the old stand better!

I picked up some housemade italian sausage, and took a spin through the original part of Fort Mill on my way back home. Another tiny town, stuck in time. It reminds me of Long Island's North Fork, or the Hudson River towns. The 60's architecture mixed with federal and victorian styles. Quaint, with that "worlds away" feeling yet within striking distance to a city.

Main Street. About 30 buildings, some empty storefronts. One pub, antiques shops, a men's clothing store, City Hall. It almost feels like a movie set.

I love the lettering on the roof.

This is the kicker...fried chicken gets top billing over gasoline.

I'll head back to Fort Mill in May for strawberry picking, and maybe to catch the parade through town.

Small towns keep it real. Level & Plumb.

Bosky Acres

I know. I ask too many questions. But, it's because I'm endlessly curious and I like to understand origins and meanings. What are and where are bosky acres?

Turns out they're off the beaten path, and down a long gravel road. In Waxhaw, NC.

Last weekend I treated myself to an on-the-farm class led by culinary expert Heidi Billotto at Bosky Acres Farm in Waxhaw.  (No, my readers, I'm not finished exploring Waxhaw!) Michele Lamb, farmer/owner and Josh Villapando, "Wine Schnerbly" at The Common Market in Charlotte, rounded out the talent.

Heidi, Josh and Michele

Before I get to the meaning of Schnerbly (pronounced schner-blay), I will point you to Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' where Michele got the inspiration to name her farm, "Bosky Acres." Ceres asks,

"Who with thy saffron wings upon my flowers

Diffusest honey drops, refreshing showers:

And with each end of thy blue bow dost crown

My bosky acres and my unshrubb'd down,

Rich scarf to my proud earth; why hath thy queen

Summon'd me hither to this short-grass'd green?"

The Bard does wax poetic, doesn't he?

For someone who's been in the wine biz for 25 years, Josh is totally self-effacing and non-affected. Hence, he is the self-titled Wine Schnerbly...the polar opposite of a snooty sommelier. He brought 5 wines for our group to taste and to buy at very reasonable prices. We quaffed 2008 Monte Maria Barbera d'Asti, 2010 Primaterra Primitivo, 2009 Fairvalley Sauvignon Blanc, 2007 Cecchin Merlot, and 2010 Trinitas Moscato. All cost between $7.99 and $12.49 per bottle, with discounts for 6 or a case. Great deal!

Yay for the schnerbly!

Bosky Acres Farm is ALL about goats. They produce the purest local chevre, in all it's unripened glory. After you experience Michele's chevre, you will bypass the tangy, compressed white log of goat cheese in the supermarket case, with its expiration date 6 months out.

When I tasted truly local brie cheese in the Loire Valley, it was very yellow and a bit runny. After I was assured I would not have to be medivac-ed to Paris, I dove in. The brie was incroyable and decadent. Now, mass produced brie tastes to me like plastic wrapped in chalk. I'm not ruined, I've been saved! I eat less cheese now, but I invest in really good cheese.

To find out more and where you can buy Bosky Acres cheese and Michele's other goat milk based products around the Charlotte area, visit http://www.boskyacres.com/

Light, airy, smooth and super dee-lish!

Michele oversees 25 or so female goats and 2 bucks (it's the farm version of "The Bachelor") and this past kidding season she birthed 70 kids. Wow. The kids are removed from the mother within 30 minutes, so that no bond can be formed. Awww. It sounds harsh, but it's a business...and that's the reality. Most of the kids are sold and a few are kept to replenish the herd. We were very lucky that our class was held on Feb 25th--we got to see, hold and bottle feed the 10-day old kids. They're adorable...like little puppies, and their ears are like velvet!

"Are you my mother?"

Heidi rocked the polka dots...

After we all got blue ribbons for milking a goat, we petted the dawgs and bottle fed the babies, we headed back in to watch Michele make a 2 gallon batch of chevre (she usually processes 50 gallons at a time...6 days a week!) Interesting facts~~goat milk has more butterfat and it's naturally homogenized.

The curds separate from the whey (it drips into bowls)... a bit of salt is added and the chevre is

ready to be portioned out. Pasteurization for the daily production happens in a sterile tank, but Michele employed a shorter home-version process for our small batch. The whey is donated to a neighboring farm, and fed to the pigs. Nothing goes to waste!

While the cheese was setting up, Heidi led a goat cheese cooking demo while Josh poured the wines.

For more information about Heidi's classes, visit http://www.heidibillottoblogsrestaurants.blogspot.com/ or write to Heidi at hlnc@carolina.rr.com

For more info about The Common Market visit http://www.commonmarketisgood.com/ or write to Josh Villapando at josh@commonmarketisgood.com





Italian stuffed mushrooms with goat cheese fondue.





Rounds of chevre, with herbs, lemon zest, sun dried tomatoes and EVOO...a spectacular marinade that's great for goat cheese or feta.

Roll the marinated rounds in panko, then lightly pan sear and serve over salad!

Spinach and goat cheese Cannelloni, with diced tomatoes and bechamel sauce.Wow.

We had sauteed green apple slices with goat cheese caramel sauce, and toasted chopped hazlenuts. Sorry no pix ;-(

T'was another wonderful day...learning something new, meeting like-minded neighbors, sipping and supping, and having a peek inside a working farm that's closed to the public. I like stepping behind the ropes.

Life is good, Level & Plumb!





Ile de la Cite, Paris

It's been a little more than a year since I was in Paris. Today I found a bit of vintage Paris in the Sleepy Poet 'antique 'mall' in Charlotte, and I was transported. I'll get to that, but first...

I saw Paris as a 21 year old backpacker, and on this last trip I saw the city with older eyes, and with credit cards in my pocket, rather than rationed traveler's checks! I was able to wander around neighborhoods without a schedule of monuments to see. I paid a bit more attention to the small details that give a city its character. I particularly loved revisiting Ile de la Cite...considered the heart of Paris. Pont Neuf (New Bridge) which spans the Seine was rebuilt in 1607 (new!) to link the island to the Left and Right Banks.

Paris architecture is, in a word, stately. Ancient limestone buildings have gorgeous carvings and gargoyles, sculptural copper downspouts, huge wooden or metal doors and old brass hardware. The city looks well ordered...despite the drama that plays out in any urban center. The shops are colorful and so, well, French!

I especially enjoyed strolling around the little streets, away from the touristy mob at Notre Dame. I love to see the locals going about their day-to-day.

This shop was closed (out of business or moving?), and there was a handpainted note taped to the door.

Le chien lunatique!

In the butcher shop window below, beyond the chicken with their feet up in the air...the metal plaques caught my eye. I thought, "I'd love to have those." The plaques...not the chickens.

My friends Cindy and David visited Paris last year, and Cindy took a very similar photo...at the same butcher shop!

Scroll forward 14 months...and here's where I was transported back to Paris. I was poking around the Sleepy Poet vendor stalls today and what did I see?

A pile of 10 plaques!

 They are agricultural prize plaques circa 1980's-2005. The plaques measure 7" or 10" across. I love the lettering and the colors complement my kitchen perfectly! They were originally priced at $25 each, marked down to $15 each. The stall was unmanned, so I called the vendor on his cell and asked the best price for *ahem* "whatever the metal things are with french lettering"...and he said $10 for each. I knew exactly what they were, and I felt that $10 was more than fair.

I'm going to hang 5 each down the outside panel of two cabinets...on either side of the kitchen. I love finding little bits and things that have a story behind them. Old silver, sporting trophies and medals, watch fobs, skeleton keys, etc... Fun conversation pieces!

I Googled "French agricultural plaques" this afternoon and was thrilled to see that they are selling for $25-$85 each plus shipping via Etsy.com, eBay and they are featured in a few blogs!

http://myfrenchcountrybrocante.blogspot.com/2011/11/agricultural-prize-winner-plaques.html

Whooot--I got a great deal!! Paris came full circle today.

Life is good~~La vie est belle, Level and Plumb.

Mais oui!!

Lifetime Guarantee

Lifetime guarantee. That seems like an overstatement. Is anything really guaranteed? And what is a lifetime? Is it my lifetime, or the life of the product I bought? Is the company still going to be around if something goes wrong and I want to chat about that guarantee? Will I be able to prove that I bought the thing?  Why should I buy an extended warranty? Doesn't the company think the product is going to last? It's brand new!

There's a company that does have a lifetime guarantee, and they stand by their founder's words. Eddie Bauer's company creed, stated nearly 100 years ago, still holds true today.

"To give you such outstanding quality, value, service and guarantee that we may be worthy of your high esteem.™"

I bought a small red canvas duffel bag in the early1990's and I've used it for the gym, for weekends and as an airplane carry on.

I started noticing that the rubber coating inside was rubbing off on my clothes...and the rubber bits were hard to brush away. The bag is 20 years old, it was getting grody and I thought it wouldn't do well in the washing machine. I was going to toss it, when I remembered the "lifetime guarantee."

It doesn't look too bad here, but the entire inside was peeling. I had a hard time getting the rubbery stuff off a black velvet turtleneck...whaaaa!

Just for yucks, I went online and started a realtime (text) chat with customer service. I explained the situation, told her I bought the bag on Third Avenue in NYC (the store has since moved), and I said that I didn't have the receipt. She advises customers to keep Eddie Bauer receipts indefinitely, because of the lifetime guarantee. Note to self!

Customer service was coming at me left and right, and I liked what she was saying. "I'm sorry about the problem you had with the bag. We know things will have some wear over time, but we don't ever want someone to look at an Eddie Bauer item and be unhappy with it."

I was given a few options, and I chose to go online to order a new bag. I was sent a return sticker via e-mail so I could ship the old bag back to them at no cost. A merchandise credit would be sent in 10 days.

They no longer make the duffels in canvas, and they didn't have red...so I ordered the small bag in nylon, in the red, black and gray plaid. The fabric is hefty, it has roomy pockets and it came with a roll top ditty bag, which is great for camera stuff, makeup or other loose items. The plaid complements the red rolling bags I have from LL Bean (another company that makes good stuff.)

Today I received a merchandise credit for $21.45. Not sure how they came up with that figure...but I'm happy with it. The new bag was $40 + $5 for a 3-inital monogram. May as well live large! I probably paid $30 for the original duffel in 1991, I used the heck out of it, and it didn't cost me anything to send it back.

Eddie Bauer, you are a man of your word. It's nice doing business with you.

Souper Bowl Saturday

Tomorrow night the New York Giants will face off against the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. Do I care about football? Not really. Will I watch? Yes, but only because my "hometown" team is playing. It's a great excuse for a nationwide party...and supermarket shelves will have been emptied of beer, salsa, guacamole fixin's, ribs, burgers, cheese, chips, and cakes shaped like footballs. I'm going to a party close to home, and I'm bringing dessert. Go, Giants!

Because my friends and I like to zig a bit when everyone else is zagging...four of us had a Souper Bowl dinner tonight. We each made soup, and we had a casual evening sampling and chatting over wine.

Amy set a lovely table!

And she baked an apple pie. Mmmm.

Each place setting had some Valentine's Day chocolates...very sweet!

We had one small serving of 4 soups...in mugs and small bowls.

Amy's Red pepper soup---very light and refreshing!

Tammy's southwestern Turkey and white bean was nicely spicy! We cooled the kick with a dollop of sour cream.

Ann's Beef Barley was deelish, and the broth was very light. Kale chips with sea salt on the side.

I made French Onion soup and forgot to take a picture...so I'm borrowing this image from the test batch I made earier this week.

We left a little room for Amy's Apple pie and vanilla ice cream.

And we didn't talk at ALL about football.

Life is good, Level & Plumb.