Popeye, Am I Too Analytical?

Now I ask you, am I too analytical?  Someone said that to me recently. I have never been accused of such before this.  However,  I take it as a high complement because I think of scientists and mathematicians as analytical, and they're really smart people. Just because I commented on Popeye having wee knees, do I deserve this title? Sure I do  Hey, maybe if I continue said analysis of life, might I be Jeopardy worthy?  Nah

( Image found on Pinterest.  If anyone knows the source, please contact me and I will give credit, of course. graciousjanemarie@yahoo.com)

St. Francis Mission Church Tea, Yulee, FL

copied from St. Francis website

     I was invited to speak at this lovely Ladies Tea the Sunday before Valentine's Day.  What with the frilly lace table clothes, floral patterned dishes, colored glasses, a light lunch of chicken over biscuits, grape and yogurt salad, strawberry shortcake and sharing tidbits about my novels, I was in my element.  The women were friendly and chatty and I will remember their sweet hospitality always. 
     Oh, they gave me a gift basket containing, in part, a St. Francis member-created cookbook, chocolate bars and movie tickets! 

Jane Marie Malcolm and crafts which tie into her Goodbye Lie series

Miss Ella, Breelan, Carolena Marie, Grammy, Peeper and even Aunt Noreen  from the late 1880s in  my Goodbye Lie series told me they would approve because they have similar teas quite often! -jmm

Ladies in hats! (photo by Lyndan)

Valentine Cracker Candy- Goodbye Lie Diaries - Miss Ella

Yes, there are crackers under the chocolate!

Late 1800s                     Fernandina on Amelia Island Florida

Miss Ella's diary entry:          You know how I love tradition, Jane Marie. When I move on to my Heavenly home, I want my children and grandchildren to remember the sweet treats we made together, the ones I have to hide from my husband, Michael. 

Miss Ella

   Here is my recipe for Valentine (or any time) Cracker Candy. It is very easy to make with handy ingredients. As usual, please translate my recipe, from my time into your

modern time, so your readers understand the proper preparation.

***

Jane Marie responds: Thank you, Miss Ella. My modern changes are listed in blue below. Ava, our granddaughter, helped me make your delicious crackers. You were right about hiding them.  I had Ava hide them from me! 

Miss Ella's Cracker Candy

Miss Ella is the Dunnigan matriarch in The Goodbye Lie series set on

 Amelia Island, Florida in the late 1800s. 

Crackers, plain (Saltines) - enough to cover your baking sheet in a single layer (one sleeve)
1/2 cup butter, melted 
1 cup sugar and a smidge of molasses, mixed (Or we used brown sugar alone with no molasses.) 
1 spoonful vanilla (1 teaspoon)
1 to 2 cups chocolate - shaved (1 bag of chocolate chips)

Miss Ella Dunnigan

Grease your baking sheet (with non-stick spray).  Cover your flat baking sheet with a single layer of crackers. Melt the butter. Add the sugar with molasses (or brown sugar)and boil while stirring for 2 minutes, maybe 3, as it thickens a bit.  Stir in your vanilla.  Drizzle over the crackers.  Bake in a hot (425 degrees Fahrenheit ) oven for 3-5 minutes. While still hot, sprinkle the chocolate over top and spread evenly as it melts. Let cool and break into pieces.   


*Did you know the name cracker, the edible kind, came about when a baker in 1801 in Massachusetts named Josiah Bent burned the biscuits and they made a crackling noise as they blackened! 

* Origin of the name cracker found online at tripsavvy.com - Crackers: Invented in New England. Thank you, tripsavvy.com - jmm

Goodbye Lie Diaries -Breelan's Idea for Valentine's Day

Late 1800s                                                               

Fernandina on Amelia Island, Florida

Breelan Dunnigan's diary entry for February: Here is a simple idea for your special Valentine or perhaps an anniversary gift.  The only cost to you is that of your time spent thinking about your favorite someone. Man, woman, child, friend, relative or grocer, if you want to get that personal, make a list of the top twenty, or as many as  you want, random things you know about your wonderful one.  Write then down in your best handwriting on a lovely piece of stationery.  Roll it up and tie with a ribbon. It will be a keepsake for a hope chest, too, for generations to read and get to know the person honored.  And there you have it.   

Happy Valentine's Day from my time to yours.

Breelan Dunnigan