I know my childhood wasn't perfect, but when I look back I don't often think of the sad or difficult times. Maybe it's simply a function of time, but more likely it's maturity. Our lives weren't fancy or especially privileged, but I had many more good times than not, and as I write this I get a little misty remembering summer nights on Cornwall Street, the street where I grew up. If I was lucky we would be cooking out, which was one of my all-time favorite activities. Our grill was very simple and we used charcoal. If there were gas grills they were too fancy for us. The menu was usually hot dogs and hamburgers and dessert was watermelon and some-mores. After I worked at making the perfectly browned marshmallow -- I was obsessed with getting the marshmallow evenly brown all around -- I often collected fireflies. Then and now, a perfect evening.
Thanks, Mary and Mazola
I was reminded of summer nights fifty years ago thanks to my blog buddy, Mary at "One Perfect Bite" and the folks who make Mazola corn oil. The Mazola folks are the gracious sponsors of a wonderful "Summer Grill" giveaway, which Mary hosted on her blog. My winnings arrived yesterday and I was delighted to see the great new barbecue tools, apron -- underneath the tools -- and a large bottle of Mazola. Mazola was a mainstay in my mother's kitchen. I don't do any grilling at home -- tiny apartment with no backyard -- but a lot when I'm visiting my Breezy Point friends. We do simple menus, hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken kabobs and my favorite, corn cooked on the grill.
Sweet, local corn -- perfect for grilling!
What are your summer grill favorites? Are there other some-mores fans in Buttercupland?
If you enjoy food blogs, I think you would really enjoy a visit to "One Perfect Bite." Today's recipe is a wonderful cold soup from Spain that is calling out to me.
Today was a beautiful summer day in New York City. I enjoyed the sky -- blue, blue, blue -- the company of a friend and the quiet of my apartment. Sweet summer day!
As always, thanks for visiting. Wishing you many sweet summer days.
14 comments
How wonderful that you have sweet summer memories of your childhood! I remember, on occasion, corn on the grill. Usually it was boiled in water on the stove, though.
Congratulations on that win!
Congrats on a lovely prize! Your memories are much like mine. Hot dogs were always a favorite and can you believe I was in my 20's before I heard of some mores!!! I did love roasted marshmallows and also, watermelon - eaten on a folded sheet of newspaper!
What a wonderful giveaway. congrats on the win. grilling out at our house was always fun too. But we never had smores, just toasted marshmallows.
Loved this post! I share some of the same sweet childhood memories. What a nice prize you won. It's always fun to win something...:) Have a blessed Friday!
Hugs, Vicky
I almost forgot, I wanted to thank you for your swet comment on my blog. You are showing up as a no reply commenter, so I couldn't reply by e-mail. Just wanted to let you know...:)
I remember cookouts on charcoal and catching fireflies (we called them lightening bugs) in the summer time. Hamburgers and hotdogs always tasted better off the grill.
Its nice to think on the happy memories. It sounds like you have many! I've never had a toasted marshmallow... I wonder what I'm missing.
I like the new look of your blog. I also agree with you about the childhood and how you forget. You can remember, but it is not in the foreground anymore.
Now that corn looked so good was that a farmers market? Thanks for all your care.
Fantastic, congratulations! I love the idea house and your photos are awesome!
Neutral Interior Design
Dear Carol, I've been enjoying local sweet corn on the cob. Slathered with butter and sprinkled with salt and pepper--it's my favorite summer food.
I tend often to remember the hard times of my growing up so I need people like you to remind me that most of the days were good. Thank you. Peace.
Buttercup, The last three days here have been heaven. Today it was so quiet here. No traffic noises, no machinery, no wind...just the sound of our water features. Heaven. Butterflies all over. I am loving this. My favorite thing on the grill is a burger..I want it done though.LOL. I was wondering about your friend at Breezy Point. Wishing them well. Glad you had a great day. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
We are enjoying corn, more corn, and even more corn (grilled with Wegman's basting oil, dried spices and topped off with chili powder).
We also have tomatoes, more tomatoes, and even more tomatoes.
We come from the same generation, Carol, we did not have a lot of material things, but we had fun and were free of the fears that most children have today.
Congrats on the great give-away, Carol!
Fireflies! They weren't hardy enough to exist in my high-altitude hometown ... but spotting them while on summer vacations was such a delight. Simple pleasures, for sure!
My summer nights growing up in Maine were very similar to your. We always had charcoal grills too. :). My Dad would always say.. 'time to start the coals deah!' To my mother in his Downeast Maine accent! Lol. I love corn on the cob! My parents grew a big veggie garden in the backyard. Corn, potatoes, tomatoes, green beans, peas.. And we had a badminton set set up in the side yard. And after dark, yes! Fireflies! Thanks for this post. It brought back such beautiful memories. I agree with you. Because I've matured a lot over the years, I tend to remember the good too.
Post a Comment