Caroline Home and Garden

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Thanksgiving At Red Barn View 2013!

Sometimes when I type the year 2013, I just can't believe we are 13 years past the turn of the century. I am overwhelmed with thanks to the good Lord above for letting me see this Thanksgiving! I am reminded of how one of my favorite pastors, Antonio Clinkscales always begins his sermons "Give God some praise! He woke you up this morning didn't he?" This year my family will celebrate a little differently, making new traditions which I find exciting and also gives me a chance to cook some things I don't usually make and try new recipes.

Actually our celebration at Red Barn View will be a collection of new and old recipes, a brunch on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and I am using some VERY old recipes from the collection of my great, great, great, great, great grandmother, Anne Harrison Fitzhugh. Anne was the wife of the High Sheriff of Caroline, Thomas Griffin Thornton who was the most famous fox hunter of his day. His hunting exploits are featured in numerous publications and newspapers of his day. Anne was also the mother of eight children and presided over a household at the family seat called Ormesby just above Guniea Station here in Caroline. She married "Griffin" in 1795 when she was only 15 and he 20. Griffin was the son of Anthony Thornton who commanded the Colonial militia at the Battle of Yorktown and Anne's family, the Fitzhughs were famous Virginia patriots as well. Thomas Griffin Thornton was killed in 1830 along with his beloved horse by a man who he was about to serve a writ upon to come to court to answer for theft. His name is the first inscribed to be killed in the line of duty on the Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C.

Thanksgiving Hunt Breakfast at Red Barn View

The muffins, bread pudding, biscuits and pears have been adapted from old family recipes.

The Menu

Orange Nog Punch

Tomato Cocktail

Coffee and English Tea

Fresh Baked Sweet Potato Muffins

Apple Bread Pudding

Bourbon Poached Pears

Fruit and Cheese Delight

Hunters Egg Casserole or Eggs Chasseur

Baked Virginia Ham

Country Biscuits with butter and preserves

I highly recommend the Eggs Chasseur! Livers are not something you would eat all the time but very high in iron and once a year won't hurt. This dish is really delicious with very little seasoning, the small bullion cube provides all you need in the this recipe.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Genuine Caroline County Grown Pumpkins

A few years ago, I got into the new wave of pumpkin carving and collected all those wonderful new tools to do the intricate designs. I had great fun lining the walkway with my art work BUT it took forever! Then I had to throw my pumpkins away without using all the good stuff inside! Pumpkins are truly a "superfood" and I like to use them (and their cousins)for all kinds of baking this time of year. They provide a huge list of vitamins and minerals that we need for good health even if it is hidden in a bit of brown sugar. This year I made the yearly trek to Beazley's, located on 301 south and decorated without carving..... or almost. There is one great big Jack O Lantern on my front porch to light the way!