Someday far into our future when we finally end these vagabond days, I hope we settle by the sea. Born of the land, in the rich dirt of the Mississippi Delta, and having lived my life in the middle of this continent, I may have been misplaced. Oh, I do love country roads, and flat lands of cotton, rice, and soybean fields. And there is little that puts me closer to God than digging in the dirt in a backyard garden planting seeds and celebrating them as they sprout and grow.
I also appreciate the forests and the mountains – the rarefied air is incomparable, and the great vistas will stir a person to fall on their knees in awe. Conversely, there is something wonderful about city life. . . the buzzing hubbub, the great mixing bowl of cultures, the access to amazing foods and art.
Beyond all this wonderful stuff, I yearn for the sea. There is an element of the great waters that cannot be imagined or experienced anywhere else in the world except by the sea. The ocean, so immensely powerful, can capsize a vessel in its fury, destroy a beach or a wharf in its anger, and yet, in its peace, the sea can gently wash shells upon the shore and can sing soothing sounds that no choir can emulate. The sky casts its colors on the sea or perhaps the sea lends its colors to the heavens. No matter the source, when the sea is green it shines from aquas to jade and sky blue to deep inky indigo. But the sea’s true sister is the sun. As the two join hands in a morning sunrise or evening sunset they conjure awe, and dreams, and paint a heavenly scene even Monet nor Rembrandt can capture.
My heart is happy by the sea.
The sun has come out here in Spain . . . at least it does every few days now. While the skies are frequently hazy with fog or sand from North Africa, there are some crystal-clear days too. A dry sunny day changes everything. Making up for lost time, we have been busy going and doing, making hay in the sunshine!
But I will talk about those days later.
This story is about sour cream.
Sour cream, this luscious condiment that I have often taken for granted, is not made or sold here. Only the folk of just a few European countries and the US appreciate its smooth, tangy flavor. We Anglos are the only ones who use it often and love it. Stan and I like a dollop of it on steamed broccoli or atop a bowl of soup or spicy chili. It also is heavenly when incorporated into a quiche, but that tops a well-baked potato better than real dairy butter and real sour cream. At dinner I have been known to give away or save most of my steak to concentrate on enjoying the requisite large fully cooked baked potato, forked fluffy, well-salted, buttered and topped with an extra-large spoonful of sour cream. I always eat the whole potato, chewy skin and all.
Since no sour cream is found here, one must improvise. I found a DIY recipe, and it works!
It is unbelievably easy and tastes pretty much like top supermarket brands.
To a clean pint glass jar, just pour in one cup of heavy cream, add one-quarter cup of whole milk, and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice or white vinegar, all at room temperature. Cover the jar and shake it well. Remove the lid and cover the jar with a paper towel secured with a rubber band, then let the jar rest on the countertop for 24 hours. Next day, give it a good stir. Voila! Sour cream!! Replace the lid to the jar and refrigerate before using. The instructions say it lasts for two weeks in the fridge. Mine will never make it that long!
We are having baked potatoes tonight!
Your turn of a phrase as well as your photos are pure poetry.
Betsy, you were the first to comment. I am thrilled beyond belief that you liked my story and my thoughts. Sending great love to you, Mark and sweet Jenna.
Descriptive writing at its best Janie! Need you to join our Memoir Writing Group! Miss you. We have checked flights repeatedly and nothing is below $2200 basic cabin, even flying into Barcelona. 😢 Will keep looking.
Probably best-we are doing some maintenance on the house right now.
Hope Greg has fun as he gets his theatre done!
Mary, Dr. Mattson, professor of English Education at Georgia State University, thank you! This touches my hearet!
Your writing is joyous!
Karen, I cannot tell you how happy your sweet, simple comment makes me. It is like your arrow hit the bullseye! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
I’ve so missed your beautiful descriptive writings! Love this one so much!
Just made a baked potato with store bought sour cream, but, I will try your recipe! Love new ideas! missing your guys!
Betty, you dear woman!!! Thank you! Thank you! You do my heart good! You always do. I love you.
Janie, today’s post is your most poetic yet! I read it several times and could almost smell and hear your descriptions. Obviously, many of us felt the same way.
Reita, your comment thrills me beyond belief. Yes, I was born under a sun sign but I know I, you, and many of us are in love with the sea. Thank you my very artistic friend!!! I am glad you are there to read my stories.
Raised in that same delta environment, I moved to the beach as soon as I got a passport out of the South. Florida, Rhode Island, California, Tahiti, and Sydney, Australia. The sea is where we come from. My soul yearns to return as yours does. Health puts us in the desert but it’s only a 2 hour drive to the sea.
Yes, sour cream is dreamy. Don’t forget Mexico. They love it as much as we do. We put it on our tacos last night. Yum.
Yes, yes! Glorious sour cream! It is a must on tacos (yum . . .tacos!), and I love a dollop on an omelet or scrambled eggs.
I love that you, like me, love the sea. We are family by blood!
Just love this you guys!
What Gorgeous photos…
Your adventures are so heartwarming!
Thank You,
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte! I love that you are reading my stories about our adventures. I hope your health improves very soon. I am worried about you, my girl!
Never before have I heard such a loving ode to sour cream! Love and miss you, my friends!
Hi Gail!! Great to hear from you and yes, I do love me som sour cream . . . especially when it is hard to find!
Hope you two are well and happy!!!
My heart is happy by the sea💕👍
Yes! I never tire of it! As my cousin remeinded me, we came from the sea!