Bourbon and Black Eyed Peas

Last week was quite stressful for me.  You know those kinds of problems that have no solutions, problems you can't control anything about except how you respond to the situation.  Well, 3 of them hit at once so I decided I would make a trip to the liquor store to get a bottle of whisky.  My nerves needed settling the old fashioned way.  Naturally, you might say.

When I saw this bottle on the bottom shelf at the back of the store  I spontaneously cried "Awright!" and grabbed it.  I wasn't mimicking the cry this bourbon was named for mind you.  I reserve a loud "YEEEEEHAAWW!!" for that.  I was just taken back a few years when I saw it.  I had an uncle that kept a bottle of this under the front seat of his pick up truck.  He kept it for those times when he needed a nip of "Reebel Yell" as he called it (I suspect it was more than a nip sometimes-I mean what responsible sober adult teaches a 5 year old to shoot black birds out of a cherry tree with a .22?).  Now, for those of you from abroad might not know a Rebel was a southerner who fought in The Civil War for the Confederacy.  See that little guy on the horse?  He's a rebel racing into battle to kill him some Yankees.  You can read about the "rebel yell" if you  click here .

I visited the Rebel Yell website.  Boy was I happy I bought this stuff!

Gather your nerve. Throw out your fear.
Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey ain't for the meek.
This wheated bourbon evokes a free spirit,
reminding us that in this life we forge our own paths,
and we accept nothing less than absolute freedom.
To seize your destiny - that's true freedom.
That's the unforgettable taste of Rebel Yell.

I popped that sucker in the freezer.  I only drink my bourbon neat when in a drinking establishment.  It sounds sophisticated to order.  I say "A shot of your house bourbon please."  Pause....(and this is the important part).  You make eye contact and say "Neat."  This final touch lets them know you are serious about bourbon.  But if you aren't "puttin on airs" as we say then you toss aside such formalities and just say "Verna Mae (or insert your favorite southern name this one happens to be my teetotalling aunt), I need me a slug of that whisky up thar in the freezer."  Freezing it seems to take some of the burn away.  And let me tell you what.  There ain't nothin like that first drink of bourbon from a frosty bottle from the freezer.  I think the author of the above poem had a few shots prior to penning those lines.  It doesn't rhyme for one thing, but it sure does describe how it makes you feel a short while later!

This has to be one of my all time favorite labels on a bottle but I have to beg to differ with some of its historical claims.

I can agree it is brewed especially for the Deep South, but make no mistake Kentucky ain't considered The Deep South.  That honor is reserved for folks that eat rice with their blackeyed peas.  We are corn bread eaters here.  Rice is a grain and some folks put sugar and milk on it (much to the horror of those from The Deep South).  It also snows here on a regular basis unlike it does down south.  "Snowin down south" is what we southerners say to a lady whose slip is showing, well, in the days ladies wore slips anyhow.

The label goes on to boast about a feller named Weller (some of you might imbibe his more famous libation) who founded the distillery after The Battle of Chickamauga.  I'm no Civil War buff but after reading a few sentences about the battle it dawned on me Mr. Weller hightailed it up here to celebrate the victory and its likely one of his bunch may have even hanged some of my  relatives.  You see, Kentucky is south of The Mason Dixon Line which separated the South from the North so we sorta rode the fence during that time.  And as you might suspect not all Kentuckians were Rebels.  But history has made us a southern state (Thank God) and apparently we can certainly thank Mr. Weller for his part in that.

Nowadays it is politically incorrect to drive around with a horn playing "Dixie" and the Confederate Flag is considered a symbol of racism.  I lament that I really do, because I think it just shows how ignorant and stupid racist folks are.  They don't even have enough gumption to create their own song or flag.  They are so low they gotta go and steal one right off the pages of a history book and the lips of their great grandparents.  Slavery wasn't about hatred either, but I digress.  I guess Rebel Yell has such a small loyal following it hasn't come under the eye of Political Correctness and that is just fine with me.  Its a fine whisky if you like one that burns all the way down and makes you say "Whooooooo!" to cool off your lips.  When I'm settling my nerves I like to know I've had me a good slug.  I don't want any of that fine expensive bourbon you're supposed to sip by the thimbleful.  This is medicine folks!  And it works!!

After a good nip I peeped at the blackeyed peas.  Yup.  Time to put the cornbread on.

Cabbage was lookin good!

What do you wanna bet my great great grandfather who was hung from an old willow tree for suspected Union sympathizing ate like this?

Pretty darn good eats!

Those Deep South folks (bless their hearts) can keep their rice.  I want me some hot buttered corn bread!

After a couple of nips of Rebel Yell, a history lesson, and full belly of good food I forgot all about my problems and slept like a baby that night.

Cheers!

This-is-on-my-mind

Here is my contribution for this week's photo hosted by Rhonda over at
 Down To Earth .

I have done nothing to my garden plots since winter arrived suddenly in November after  I hauled several truck loads of maple leaves from my neighbor's yard.  The bags on the right are leaves from a co-worker that gives me all his yard waste for the compost bin.

I can't wait to get started!  In a couple of weeks I can plant some cole crops.  Here is a shot of the front.

Across the sidewalk is the "edible landscaping" plot.  This year I will expand it a bit since I received nothing but compliments on it last year.  The swing structure is in the foreground.  The swing is stored for the winter but will be coming outside soon. 

I watch it grow from my shady seat in the swing!

Lunchtime Art #2

Anyone that knows me knows that I spend a lot of time at the office.  I am fortunate that there are not rules here and I can make it a second home.  I am not a decorator, nor am I an artist in the traditional sense but I do like to decorate my area with random objects that I consider art.  These can be rocks or plants people have given me or stuffed toys.  For many years I kept a buddha on top of my monitor because I just wanted to have him there.  No other reason.  But after ten years and the arrival of two new monitors I gave him a new home on my table/desk.

This is his replacement.  A closer look......

I was at a store one day when I noticed a coin-operated-toy-giving-quarter-taking-machine.  I couldn't see anything at all in there I would not mind owning for 50 cents so I went to my vehicle and robbed my coin stash, popped the coins in and gave it a good hard twist.  This little guy popped out.  I'm not sure who was more amused, me or the cashier who was watching.

I love his roundness and his eager little black eyes.

He sat here at the edge of my monitor for a couple of weeks but today when I started writing this I moved him.

I think he likes symmetry better.  Or maybe that is just because its on my mind right now.  I don't get many visitors over here in my area and so far nobody has even noticed him sitting up there.  I don't notice him that often.  But when I look up from my work this is what I see....

I don't understand why calling someone a pig is an insult (aside from the fact they can be messy but most animals are).  My little pig is cute.  He brightens my day  and I would be willing to bet I'm the only one in the office that has a toy pig.  And I display him proudly and hope that whenever someone notices him they will smile.

Have a great day!  I hope you find some joy in something simple today!

Homemade Deoderizers

During the winter the house is shut up while it is cold outside and this year we have not had a break in the weather warm enough to open some windows and let the fresh air inside.  With three dogs I am concerned about the house smelling a bit doggy.  So a few years ago I found these recipes for air fresheners and they really work.  To make them you will need the following:

That is just plain old rubbing alcohol on the right, it is used to thin the fluid and keep the sprayer from clogging up from the sticky oil.  Tres importante!  (I realize that most likely isn't french or italian but possibly both~you get the point)  The little spray bottle holds 4 ounces and it is perfect for a double batch of the recipe.

I love essential oils and I keep these 4 stocked in my medicine cabinet in the bathroom for this purpose.

A closer look

I certainly need strengthening.  And uplifting too.  My house always needs cleansing and this old body, well some renewal is quite welcome!  Perfect.

Don't lick your lips!  Peabody, this isn't food.  This is to keep you from smelling up the house.

You too Uno!   And don't give me the evil eyes.

Now for the recipes:

Pet Blend

8 drops cedar oil
4 drops tea tree oil
2 ounces of water
dash of pure rubbing alcohol

Deoderizing Blend

6 drops bergamot oil
1 drop tea tree oil
5 drops lemon oil
2 ounces of water
dash of pure rubbing alcohol


Be sure to shake before spraying.  I use it as an air freshener and I sometimes spray it on a damp cloth and rub the stinky little chihuahua mix down.  I also spray it on their bedding.  They sniff and look up at me like I pooped in their bed so I figure that is a good thing.

If  you are interested in making some other natural products you can always check out Rhonda's site  at down-to-earth which has an ENORMOUS amount of information or for another natural alternative to freshen the house click here.  This fellow bloggie has a description of an air freshener that isn't a spray but easy to make and use.  Finally, another bloggie has some easy to make cleaners that may interest you. Just click here for those.  The final two links should take you right to the post with the information.  Rhonda's site you can browse for hours.

I hope spring arrives with some beautiful weather so we can get some fresh air and exercise!  How do you combat the stuffiness of winter and/or cabin fever? How do you use essential oils?

Lunchtime Art #1 Post Script

Here is the last black and white photo.

I ran out of time at lunch or I could have let in some more light and that would have helped.  But check this out!  Here is the same photo after it has been processed in Aperture by a friend (who is teaching me All Things Photography).

Pretty cool huh?  I am going to have to learn how to do this!