April 20, 2018

Gone With The Wind

Television screen shot taken with my phone explains the poor quality

   I was watching Gone With The Wind with my twenty year old niece.  She had never seen it before and thoroughly enjoyed it. But, for as many times as I've watched that movie and even attended two GWTW costume balls in Atlanta and consider myself a Windie, that night was the first time I noticed the writing, arched over the front door of the church which reads: Peace be Within Thy Walls. As I've learned from my research, a church and its pews were/are sometimes used as beds for make-shift hospitals in times of war and crisis. How perfect to find these words in a house of love. Yet, it's very ironic that peace is so far away, during that gruesome and very sad time in our country. 

April 17, 2018

Family Friendly

Look what I came across on the internet concerning this blog:

Google Safe Browsing
GraciousJaneMarie.blogspot.com

Website status Safe
:-)  🙋
 Jane Marie

April 14, 2018

Bible Plants plus Goodbye Lie Diaries - Peeper


Present Day
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida

    My friend, Donna Lind, loves to garden. She
has shared her efforts with Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida, with plantings mentioned in the Bible. Below, find a few of the photos I took to show you. Situated near the entrance, in a flower box, beneath a large wooden cross, each has a corresponding sign beside it, giving its name and the bible verse where the reference can be found.  Thank you, Donna. With the Internet, the whole world can enjoy this wonderful project of yours. -                                                                Jane Marie





***
Late 1800s
Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida

Peeper
*(Grandmother) Peeper writes: Ooh, sowwie!  I will be adiggin' some holes and puttin' in some Bible plants, too, just ta remind me of the Good Book.  I will plant 'em near the path between our Dunnigan Manor and Duffy Pace sos every time that nasty Aunt Noreena walks over ta get some of  Miss Ella's treats or mine, she will see 'em. If we're lucky, just a mite, she will trip on a root and fall inta one a the prickiest ones. Alright, Lord.  I take that back. But maybe she might shut her mouth and not be so hateful, bein' reminded of the Word and all. 


*Peeper is heavily featured in the Southern Fiction series beginning with The Goodbye Lie, set on Amelia Island in Victorian times. She really doesn't like anyone referring to her as grandmother because she doesn't want to be treated in a delicate fashion.  Read all about the silly interaction between  Peeper and Aunt Noreen, next door. 

April 10, 2018

The Case of the Mysterious Droppings

Clearly, Abby feels no guilt or shame.
     Look at the photo on the right and realize this is the first thing I saw as I exited our bedroom that foggy Easter morning. Wearing my Sunday best, my tasseled shoes included, I prepared myself for the less than likeable task of clean-up. And since I  don't believe in embarrassing animals or humans, I didn't question Abby about the matter. But I thought the image of our Spokes Dog, standing in the middle of you know what, proved she was the guilty party.  Although she looked quite proud of herself in the picture, she knew better than to do her business in the house. In fact, it's rare that she does. Oh, a dust bunny suggested the Easter Bunny left us this remembrance of him, but I was not fooled.  Abby was the culprit, for sure.
     Or was she? Remember I mentioned my special shoes. They are dressy and comfy and I've had them for ages. They are some kind of silky fabric and have no signs of wear. I always try them on the night before an event to make certain my feet, over the years, haven't grown and I have that Cinderella wicked step-sister thingie going on. 
my beloved tasseled shoes
   So, back to Easter morning. I heard this odd clacking. Naturally, I looked about to find the source of the clacking. Then I remembered the previous evening as I walked around the house in my shoes. The lights were low, the TV was blaring and Abby was barking at the passersby outside. Hmm. The noise was enough to make we want to scream phooey!  This morning, the house was quiet so with an even cadence when I walked, the clacking noise sounded. When I stopped walking, the clacking stopped, too. Hmm, a second time. Could it be? By jingo, it sure could. When I raised my foot to look at the heel of my shoe, there was none!  At least, the rubber sole part was gone. The droppings were not from innocent Abby, but from my shoes! They were and still are so old, the rubber had dry-rotted!            Sorry Abs. If you could talk, I think you would happily give me a piece of your doggie mind.  I know you have a mind because when I lift your right front paw, you let me shake it. That's the best trick you do, next to taking food from my fingertips, of course.  
🎜Where has all the rubber gone? Long time passing🎝

April 5, 2018

Goodbye Lie Diaries - Miss Ella's Tropical Coleslaw



Late 1800s
Fernandina, Florida
   Miss Ella writes: As a little girl, I remember hearing the word koolsla, which means cabbage salad in Dutch. We, of course, call it coleslaw today. My family often requests it, particularly on hot days. I shred a head of cabbage, a carrot and dress it with a mixture of oil, egg yoke and vinegar. The unexpected ingredients I add to make it "tropical" are pineapple and peanuts.  I have had so many positive comments from everyone, I now serve this Tropical Coleslaw in the dining rooms of the ships of our Aqua Verde Passenger Line.  
*Miss Ella
     I am guessing Jane Marie's entry in these Goodbye Lie Diaries will be her present day version of this recipe.  I do hope you like it.  If not,  don't tell anyone this is my recipe.  You can say it's Aunt Noreen's and blame it on her.  She is  known for a lot of things, but her cooking is not one of them.   
   Oh my.  That was certainly less than Christian, wasn't it. Speaking or writing unkind words, no matter if they are true, is not to be done.  I will strive to do better.
***


Present Day
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, Florida

Jane Marie writes: There is a lovely woman at church, Donna Lind, who brought her version of this recipe to a potluck.  We all loved it, too, Miss Ella. Preparing food for my family that is similar to what you serve in your home or on your ships, keeps us close.  I love we can do this through the magic of electronics!

Tropical Coleslaw
1 16 ounce bag of shredded coleslaw mix (cabbage and carrots)
Coleslaw dressing- Add to taste using your favorite brand. I used Marzetti (on sale) or Marie's is good, too, I was told.
1 8 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained ( I liked the pineapple so much, next time, I will add the larger 20 ounce can, drained)
peanuts, lightly salted (Next time, I will try the honey roasted peanuts for an added touch of sweetness.)

In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients.  Chill and keep in the refrigerator. Serve as a side dish.  It was so good, I had a bowl (or two) as my main course!  

Note: I Googled pineapple grown in Florida and found they are not commercially grown here.  However, people grow them on their own property, like Miss Ella does.  Records show the earliest growth in the state was 1860. 

*Miss Ella is the matriarch of the Dunnigan family on Amelia
Island, Florida.  A featured player in The Goodbye Lie Series, she is a wonderful hostess, cook and often the only voice of reason with regard to her family's deeds and misdeeds.