A Place to Reminisce

There's a place for us,

Somewhere a place for us.

Peace and quiet and open air

Wait for us

Somewhere.

                        -Stephen Sondheim

On July 25, 2013, we found our Somewhere, a place of peace and quiet, Merry Mount.  Five years! The property located near Mount Sterling, Ohio in Madison County, is approximately three acres and contains a farmhouse, a barn, and a garden shed.  Surrounded by “big sky” and a thousand acres of corn and soybeans, the location provides spectacular views.
  

Today is a day to reminisce.  We all live through a perpetual motion picture, but certain moments frozen in photos provide snapshots of the now that become the past.  While there are many wonderful snapshots from the past five years from which to choose, what follow are a selected few.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I did as I prepared them for this blog post.

There have been many special occasions during the past five years.  Here are a selected few.

Solstice Table 2017

I have the great joy of sharing Merry Mount with Rett.  She is an amazing lady and we relish our time together enjoying the bounties of Merry Mount.

Rett has many talents, but she certainly could be a poster woman for the “garden to table” movement. Here are a few selected photos and one recipe.  Enjoy!

Risotto with Asparagus, Peas and Basil

4 C chicken stock
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 T olive oil
8 shallots, finely chpped
1 1/2 cups arborio rice
1/2 cup white wine
12 oz asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2 inch lengths
1 cup fresh peas
finely grated zest from 1 lemon
1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
large handful of fresh basil leaves, torn
salt and pepper to taste

Heat stock in saucepan until almost boiling; reduce heat and keep until barely simmering.

Heat butter and oil in heavy Dutch oven. Add shallots and cook 1-2 min until softened but not browned.

Add rice and stir with a wooden spoon until the grains are well coated and glistening, about 1 min. Pour in the wine and stir until it has been absorbed.

Add 1 ladle of hot stock, stirring until absorbed. Repeat. After 10 min, add the asparagus peas and lemon zest and mix well. Continue to add the stock at intervals and cook as before, for 8-10 min until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is al dente.

Add reserved stock, Parmesan, basil, salt and pepper. Mix well. Remove from heat; cover and let rest for 2 min.

Spoon into warmed bowls and top with basil and grated Parmesan.  

Tomato pie

Rett is a “Master Gardener” and she so enjoys her flowers.

What is in a name?

A place called Merry Mount. Why a place name? To some, it may seem pretentious, but in our enthusiasm, we reveled in our excitement over “living a dream”. 

Most often, a place name designates a location, but sometimes the people that occupy the place and the events that occur there give added significance to the name.  Consider Mount Vernon, Benbulbin, Bredon, Capricorn, Nohant or Howard's End. Each place has either historical significance or has inspired artistic expression or both.

So we conclude our photo journey with the folks, friends, and family that live and/or visit Merry Mount.

Immediate family left to right: Simon, Kris, Joy, Rett, Eva, Caroline, and Jess.
Christmas Eve morning 2017

Woliver family marks[persons]: Jess, Caroline, Simon, Kris, Pat, Rett, & Julie

Two Peas in a Pod: Joy & Eva

Granmama, Eva, Paddy, & Joy

The Robinson Girls: Connie, Caroline, Rett, & Paula

The Porch Crew: Vivi, Jim, Dave, Rett, Stu, & Mary Anne holding Lily

Long time special girlfriends: Rett, Sandra, Vivi, & Mary Anne

Dear Friends: Robert, Lee, & Rett

Dear Friends: Laurie, Mark, & Rett

Great neighbor, fellow gardener: Lynda & Rett

Great neighbor: Dave holding newly born Domino

But wait, the coda for this blog post must be four sunsets.

CPW