June 30, 2014

OKC Art



glass vase and flower

Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKCMOA) in Oklahoma City,  OK-


If you weren't sure where this museum is located, I think you have a pretty good idea after reading the opening line.
 
Three floors of fascination house five centuries of permanent art including European and American. As if this isn't enough, there is the Samuel R. Noble Theater showing all types of films Thursday through Sunday. How about a full service restaurant/café for brunch, lunch and dinner with dining and music on the roof 's terrace, available when weather permits. From educational to just interesting, the museum gift store has lots of gadgets plus tee-shirts and refrigerator magnets. The museum school teaches classes for all ages including drawing, painting, photography and how to blow glass!

Speaking of glass, here are some shots I took of the wonderful Dale Chihuly glass collection. (No flash photography is permitted, but it is fine to take pictures so long as you don't pop a flash.) While pictures can't capture the full beauty of these exhibits, if you are in the area, please make a point of stopping by the OKC Museum of Art. It will remind you of the beauty man is capable of creating.

glass tower

                                                                              
close-up of glass tower


part of long glass ceiling


golden birds
 
glass spheres in boat  
 


baby seals



multi-color wide-mouth vases?
 
For more info, visit www.okcmoa.com.

June 25, 2014

Goodbye Lie Diaries: Small Town USA

Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida
2014
 
Jane Marie writes:
 
   We love living on a small island in a small town.  The island part is wonderful for obvious reasons, like we’re located at the edge of the world on the Atlantic Ocean, for goodness sake!  The small town part is inviting and offers charm, friendliness, trust, easy access to every basic item we need, no traffic jams and it’s just plain homey. 
   One mini-event I witnessed is the perfect example of friendliness and trust.  I was at a local hardware store.  As I waited in line beside another customer, the customer said, “Put it on my bill.”
   The clerk replied, “Sure thing.”
   It was then I unintentionally noticed the clerk had made out the invoice to Henry, no last name, just Henry.  Where else but small town American?  Hopefully, lots of places around the world.  Hopefully …
 
   By the way, have you ever heard this?  The nice part about living in a small town is when you don’t know what you’re doing, someone else always does. -Anonymous
 
***
 
Aunt Noreen
Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida
1880s
 
Aunt Noreen writes:
 
   I am so glad to hear that our little Fernandina continues to be a fine place to live in your time, Miss Jane. I am proud to call myself  a Fernandiner.  However, when I think back to  Friday last and Mrs. Clapsaddle telling me at the park how Mrs. Ickles was talking about the widow Mrs. Misseldine who was seen at the grocery purchasing, not one, not two, but three watermelons, why I do not want to think what manner of men she may be entertaining.  Mrs. Fishpatcher said she was certain Mrs. Misseldine was donating them to the school, but I have my doubts.  Someone should find out if this is the case or not. If this activity is less than seemly, I will take it upon myself to lead a movement to shun, spurn and exclude Mrs. Misseldine from polite society.  It is women like myself who must keep our island a haven of decency for future generations.
 
 
Aunt Noreen is a featured player in Amelia Island's Goodbye Lie Trilogy, historical romance series set on Amelia Island, Florida in Victorian 1880s.

June 22, 2014

A Wedding Why

I am a traditionalist, weddings included. When you attend such a glorious event, you are usually asked by an usher if you are a friend of the bride or groom. Where does this practice come from, I wondered.  Come to find out, centuries ago, thieves would capture the bride to get hold of her dowry.  In order to protect her, the groom would have her on his left side so he had access to his sword with his right hand. 

Well, when you attend the ceremony, the usher will direct you to the left of the aisle if you know the bride and to the right if you know the groom.  My complaint with this arrangement is the guest is unable to see the expression of the bride or groom because the bride or groom has her or his back to said guest.  And yes, of course, you don't mind seeing the expression of the other person being wed, but, I for one, want to see the reactions of my loved one. Call me selfish...  Anyway, this is American, and if it means that much to me, I think I will be breaking with tradition in the future and sitting on the wrong side.  Go ahead call me a rebel.  I can take it! 

June 17, 2014

Goodbye Lie Diaries - Miss Ella's Cheese Toes

Fernandina, Florida
1880s

Miss Ella writes:


Miss Ella
   Mrs. Jane Kalem copied down this delight for me after I told her  how much I enjoyed it Tuesday last at our monthly bunco gathering.  Roll dice, eat, roll dice, eat.  Eating is way more than half the reason we play that game.  Anyway, her Cheese Toes recipe will be perfect for Sunday dinners and holidays. It’s rich and will be so popular with the family since we all love cheese. (Michael actually gives cheese up for Lent!)
 
   I got to thinking how so many of my recipes come from friends and relatives who have tried them and are proud to put their name behind their ingredients.  Oh, and potluck suppers, too.  At church, the orchid society, Aqua Verdi office parties, it is literally a treat to discover new recipes. Some I am able to have our chefs recreate to serve our guests on the passenger line.  I’ve never been one to keep my recipes a secret.  If it’s good, I want to share.  I can hear Peeper saying, “You might be awillin’ ta share, Miss Ella, but Aunt Noreena sure ain’t.  Why, she’s so selfish, she’d rather take it ta her grave than be generous with it.  Acourse, ya won’t find me awantin’ her recipes nor eatin’ anything she’s prepared.  I want ta live ta be one hundred years and it won’t be occourin’ ifn I ingest her rotten chow.”  Or something like that.   All I know is those two rarely miss an opportunity to speak ill of one another.  Hmm. I’m wondering if, unbeknownst to them, they deep down jab at one another because they find it entertaining .  I know we often do, when we can ignore the ugliness of their confrontations and just listen to their silly jousting.
 
Cheese Toes
Potatoes with skins left on, cut in one inch pieces, the size of a big toe, boiled until tender
1/2 cup melted butter  
Salt and pepper
1 cup sour cream
2 -3 cups sharp cheddar cheese
4 strips of  cooked and crumbled bacon
Large baking pan
 
Grease bottom of your pan. Drain boiled potatoes. Spread evenly in pan. Pour butter over potatoes. Lightly salt and pepper. Spread sour cream and sprinkle cheese and bacon evenly.  Bake for 20 minutes in a medium oven until cheese melts. 
 
(Miss Ella is the matriarch of the Dunnigan family in Amelia Island's Goodbye Lie Trilogy.  She is responsible for determining what is served on the ships of the family owned Aqua Verdi passenger line which runs up and down the east coast of the United States in this historical romance series.)
  

June 15, 2014

Father's Day

 
In the picture below, 'tis Himself, my father, as a little boy.  Despite the poor quality, he looks to be a little trickster.  Wearing what is probably a hand-me-down shirt with its too short sleeves and mismatched buttons, raggedy cuffed pants with long stockings, and having a boo-boo on the first finger of his right hand, his dress fits perfectly with that characterization. But you can see there is kindness in his eyes and he grew to be a beloved father, teacher and coach.  Those whose lives he touched are blessed for having known him, and his family even more.
 
I am wondering if, subconsciously, I made Nugget, the little hellion in my upcoming Amelia Island's Mark of a Man historical novel, similar to the child in this photo.  If I did, I think my daddy would be very pleased about it.
 

Happy Father's Day everybody!
 
 

June 14, 2014

Flag Day Today!

In 1777, the  Continental Congress announced the first official flag for the United States of America.  Every year, on June 14th, it is our privilege and honor to fly our stars and stripes as this is
officially Flag Day.

Additionally, 2014 is the 200th anniversary of our national anthem by Francis Scott Key, The Star- Spangled Banner!  I've said the title of the song for years, but until now, never slowed down a moment to think about it.  The word spangle is not used so much anymore, but according to dictionary.com, a spangle is a small, glittering...material, used especially for decorating.  Spangled means to be covered with fancy.  Every US flag may not be literally shining, twinkling, glinting and gleaming with sequins, golden fringe and such. Still, brand new from the package or tattered and battle worn, the red, white and blue, forever glimmers in the mind's eye and hearts of all who  love and respect her.

So if our flag isn't hanging outside your front door right now, think about getting one in time for the next patriotic holiday or, for that matter, for flying every day, as we do at our house. Join the patriotic party because, as Americans, you're always invited!  So are our millions of friends world-wide!

June 10, 2014

Goodbye Lie Diaries- Peeper's Mosquito Repellent

Fernandina Beach, Florida
2014
 
Jane Marie writes: 
    Dear Peeper,
    We have this program in our time called Facebook where folks from all over the world can write to each other about whatever they want.  There was a post from my friend Sandy Price on there on how to make mosquito repellent.  You cut a lime in half then stick cloves all over the cut side. I thought of you and wondered if you had ever tried this.
 
Peeper
***************************
 
Fernandina, Florida
1880s
 
Peeper writes:
     I ain't never tried that one.  I'm athinkin' it will work, being so odoriferous. How ya like that word?  Another thing that works ta keep the skeeters away is garlic.  I mash it and set it on both ends a the picnic tables when we're all out of doors.  We eat garlic, too, and since them bugs don't like it none, they pretty much spread the word amongst theirselves that our Dunnigan family ain't so good ta chew on.
    I also make a potion a apple cider vinegar and herbs I've been agrowin' and adryin'.   My favorite ones is lavender and mint and sage.  Whatever smells strongest.  I fill a jar with cider and stir in lots a them dried leaves, all crushed up, and let it set for a month with the lid screwed down real tight.  Add some extree water at the end a that time and it's good ta rub on your arms and legs.  Put a dab behind each ear as well. Oh,  I always have a batch of this brewin' in the pantry, too.
  

(Peeper is a featured character in the Amelia Island Goodbye Lie Trilogy set in Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida in the late 1880s.  She's never had an opinion she hasn't shared.  These Victorian novels are available at  Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/The-Goodbye-Jane-Marie-Malcolm/dp/0974918229/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1402457222&sr=8-2&keywords=goodbye+lie)

June 9, 2014

Three Ingredient Dessert

At a recent bunco* party, my friend, Emmie, gave me this easy treat she got from her friend, Freida. Quick to make and, just as quick, it's all gone! 

Freida's Angel Pudding Cake
 
 

You'll need:

1 ounce box of sugar free butterscotch pudding
8 ounce Cool Whip (fat free or lite)
1 angel food cake, store-bought
(pecans optional)

Mix the pudding into the Cool Whip.  Slice the cake horizontally into three sections.  Frost between the layers and then the top. (Place pecans on top if desired.) Eat at once or keep chilled on a covered cake plate.  If you want to frost the sides of the cake, too, buy two boxes of pudding and two containers of Cool Whip.

Enjoy!

*Aunt Noreen, a featured player in Mark of a Man, the next novel in Amelia Island's Goodbye Lie trilogy, plays bunco, a Victorian parlor game!

June 7, 2014

ATTENTION GraciousJaneMarie.com Peeps

Until further notice,
 the home of GraciousJaneMarie.com
 is now incorporated into 
this website/blog,right here at www.graciousjanemarie.blogspot.com/. 

We will continue giving details on upcoming novels, recipes, Jane Marie's silly Lucy moments, Hollywood Hearts, Martha Bear stories, The Goodbye Lie Diaries, articles from the Gracious Jane Marie archives, etc.  So stay tuned and share The Goodbye Lie experience!

Hugs and Blisses to all!

June 6, 2014

D-Day

D-Day, June 6, 1944, 70 years ago today, the Allies crossed the English Channel.  Landing in France on Normandy's beaches, they started taking back Western Europe from the Nazis.

I thought about all those brave men who fought and died for us and realized I didn't even know what the D in D-Day stood for.  With a little research, I discovered it means nothing specifically. Some say it stands for date or deliverance, but  it designates the beginning of  major military battles.  It's been around since World War I and has since come to represent the massive June 6th battle during World War II.  For security reasons, the exact day of battles was not used until the last minute so as not to alert the enemy when they might be attacked. Often the troops didn't know when they would attack until hours before. Another practical reason D-Day was used instead of an exact date was that battle plans were often hundreds of pages  long.  If a specific date was written on the plans and that date changed, then the plans would have to be rewritten.  

I'm glad I know what the D in D-Day means now.  Much more importantly, I'm glad I know it stands for freedom. Let's never forget to honor this very special time, not only in America's history but the world's.