BOOK REVIEW: The Sheriff's Secret Past by Tina Radcliffe

If you like small town contemporary romance with a unique cast of characters with their own style of kookiness, a touch of mystery, a sweet little girl, and an adorable dog named Bryon (Lord Byron), then you'll love Tina Radcliffe's first book in the Aspen Creek, Colorado series.

The Sheriff's Secret Past is sprinkled with lots of humor and highlighted by a sweet little girl and a precious pup named Bryon who comes into the heroine's life at the perfect moment.

Emily Taylor returns to Aspen Creek, Colorado; she is the "Spunky Kid" archetype heroine who is determined to bring back to life her newly bought newspaper business. Chase Taylor, the Aspen Creek sheriff is surprised to see Emily and he's immediately wary of her "nose for news" because he is harboring a secret - one that can make or break his career.

The characters who populate Aspen Creek are very unique and kooky, who will steal you heart and make you turn the pages of the story. You'll laugh at the Soul Sisters group of ladies and they will definitely warm your heart! At the end I didn't want to say goodbye and close the book.

I do hope Tina Radcliffe has in mind to write some of the other characters' stories, such as Harley's, Moss', and Hope's. On page 127 in the paperback book the conversation between Chase and Murphy will have you rolling with laughter.

This is an adorable romantic story and I want to read more stories from Aspen Creek! Check out Tina Radcliffe's website for Vintage recipes from the Soul Sisters and lots of news about the next books coming out in the Aspen Creek series......

I was gifted a print copy from Ms. Radcliffe and this review is my own thoughts. I highly recommend this story...Emily and Chase, the heroine and hero, are meant to be together and their story, as well as the other cast of characters, will stay with you long after you close the book!

Thunderstorms vs Cobwebs: A True Story

Southwest Missouri is known for severe weather—tornadoes, hailstorms, and straight-line winds that can strike at almost any time of the year. This year has brought an abundance of storms rolling through our state, sweeping up from Oklahoma and Kansas before tracking eastward. 

After living in the country for more than forty years, I now find myself living in a small town. And when the storm sirens begin to blare and whine, I get a little jumpy. 

 Actually, I get a lot jumpy. 

 As the sirens wail, my nerves shift into high alert. I become a whirlwind of activity, gathering my two cats into their carriers, stuffing necessities into my storm bag, and keeping a close eye on the radar as the storms slowly crawl across the television screen. Those moments always remind me of summer thunderstorms when my brothers and I stayed with our great-grandmother, Ollie. 

Ollie wasn't afraid of storms, but she respected them. Whenever threatening weather approached, she kept the television on and listened carefully to the forecasts. We kids watched and learned from her as she kept flashlights, quilts, and matches ready in the bedroom so she could grab them quickly if it was time to head for the root cellar. 

 While Ollie stayed indoors keeping an eye on the weather, we were usually outside running through the yard. We laughed, screamed, and raced around as the wind whipped through our hair. There was something thrilling about trying to capture the storm's energy in our young bodies as we ran like wild animals in circles around the backyard. 

When Great-Grandma decided it was time to go to the cellar, she'd call for us, and we'd hurry to her side. Sometimes we made the trip in pouring rain. Being the oldest, I always led the way, followed by my brothers, with Ollie bringing up the rear to make sure we reached the cellar safely. It was my job to unlock the cellar door and go down first. 

That's when the trouble began. 

I would unlock the old wooden door and stare into enormous sticky cobwebs stretched across the entrance. The webs billowed in the breeze like silver curtains, blocking the stone steps that disappeared into the damp darkness below. In my imagination, monstrous spiders lurked within them, waiting to leap out and sink their poisonous fangs into us. To my young mind, it was terrifying. 

My brothers would jump up and down, shouting for me to hurry and go down the steps. Ollie stood behind us holding the flashlight and gently coaxing me to brush the webs aside so everyone could get to safety. I wasn't about to break through those orbs of doom. Minutes seemed to pass as rain pelted us, thunder rolled overhead, and lightning flashed much too close for comfort. Finally, with plenty of screaming and protesting, I would force myself through the cobwebs and down those cellar steps. 

Once safely inside the cool, damp cellar, Ollie would light the kerosene lamp with fresh matches while my brothers and I bounced on the ancient spring bed. The earthy smell of the cellar filled the air. Rows of Mason jars lined the shelves, packed with freshly canned fruits and vegetables from her garden. As we waited for the storm to pass, Ollie entertained us with stories and hand shadows dancing across the walls in the flickering glow of the kerosene lamp. Somehow, she always knew when the storm had finally moved on and it was safe for us to return to the house and the fresh air outside. 

As I recall all those trips to the old cellar, I often find myself wondering why I didn't simply unlock the door and let my brothers go down first. Or why didn't we grab a broom so we could knock those icky webs away?  I chuckle at the thought. 

 And then I wonder, if I were faced with the same choice today, would I brave the ominous thunderstorm and stay in the house—or would I head for the cellar and once again face those frightening cobwebs? 

Years later, I inherited that kerosene lamp. It is a Bartlett-Collins glass lamp dating from the late 1930s or early 1940s. The white lamp fount is decorated with fired-on blue swallows and rests on a striking red glass base. Some of these lamps featured blue Scottie dogs, sailing ships, or floral vines. And mine still has its original, fully functional burner. Over the years, I've used it many times whenever thunderstorms knocked out the electricity.

I hope you are staying safe where you live and the storms do not cause damage. 

Giant Dandelions Hiding Among the Weeds

 

Giant Dandelions Along the Roadside

Driving through my hometown the other day, it was a typical southwest Missouri warm and humid day. I noticed huge white puffballs growing among the weeds along the roadside. Curious, I pulled my car over and went to investigate. There, standing among the grasses and roadside weeds, were clusters of larger-than-normal dandelions!

Being naturally curious, I snapped a few photos of the surprisingly large seed heads. I was tempted to step through the weeds and pick one of the puffballs to bring home, but the thought of chiggers and ticks lurking in the grass changed my mind.

Later, I researched my discovery and learned that these fascinating plants are called Western Salsify (Tragopogon dubius), though many people simply refer to them as Giant Dandelions. They are actually wildflowers, although they lack the bright colors we typically associate with wildflowers such as red, purple, white. pink, or blue.

Western Salsify thrives in disturbed areas, including railroad crossings, roadside ditches, fields, and meadows. Its yellow flowers resemble common dandelions but can be three to five times larger. They can be the size of golf balls to softballs! One of the most interesting facts about this plant is that its flowers open and close with the sun before they go to seed. Even more surprising, the shoots, roots, leaves, and flowers are all edible.

Like many gardeners and homeowners, we often think of dandelions as weeds and a nuisance in our lawns and gardens. Yet there are also people who intentionally grow and harvest them because every part of the plant is edible and rich in vitamins A, C, and K.

If you'd like to try dandelions as part of your diet, the roots can be scrubbed, roasted, and used as a coffee substitute. I've heard about folks using all kinds of roots to make substitute coffee in long ago days. The leaves can be eaten raw in salads or cooked as greens. Flower buds may be sautéed in butter or olive oil with onions for a tasty side dish. And those bright yellow blossoms? Many people describe them as having a sweet, honey-like flavor that adds color and interest to an ordinary salad.

Of course, if you decide to forage for dandelions, be sure they have not been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides. As with any wild food, wash them thoroughly before eating to remove dirt and insects.

Who knew that those giant puffballs growing along a Missouri roadside could be both beautiful and useful? Sometimes the most interesting discoveries are waiting quietly beside the road or growing in unexpected places, reminding us that nature still has plenty of surprises left to share. 

And perhaps God tucked these giant wildflowers along the roadside to remind us that even the things we overlook can have unexpected value.

For more information and recipes, visit these helpful resources:

• Treehugger: "10 Ways to Eat Dandelions"
• FoodPrint: "How to Eat Dandelions"

VINTAGE BITES: Summertime Vintage Recipes for Your Parties & Picnics

 

The month of June starts the season of outdoor activities and what's more fun than having a backyard BBQ or picnic in the park? Here are a few interesting vintage recipes I want to share with you. Notice the splatters on the old recipe cards from the cooks using them on the countertop as they made their goodies.....The recipes were loved and used over and over. I hope you enjoy reading the old recipes and maybe trying many of them out! 

Oven BBQ Chicken

          Jewish Apple Cake                                Yummy Apple Crisp

An old-fashioned BBQ from days gone by....

                                                        BBQ Hot Dogs aka Frankfurters

Preparing for the grand 4th of July party

                                                          Carrot Cake, who doesn't like it?

Pineapple Sheet Cake, another favorite

                                                        Pepper Jelly is so good! 

Lazy Day Cobbler, yum! 

 

                                                   Cucumber relish for those hot dogs....

Coca-Cola Cake is awesome! 

Chicken Casseroles are always easy 

                               And for all of you who have zucchini in the garden! 

And last, here are a couple of vintage recipes from my Grandmother Delva Black's sister, Nora Black. 

 Nora's Drop Cookies; there is no oven temperature or baking time, I would guess bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. 

Again, I would bake this Chocolate Loaf Cake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes. 

I love vintage recipe cards from long ago kitchens! Happy Summer eating!