The WHATEVERS or Flossie and the Turnip Truck!

 Hello…hello. Welcome to The Whatevers 2014. Hard to believe not only are we in a new year but halfway through January. So let's get right to the story and take a look at this strange cast of characters we have living in Lilydale, NY.

"I never understood why people made fun of Flossie. I thought she was the sweetest little lady who always carried lemon drops in her pocket for all the children. Now I know it looked odd as her husband Fred had to use a wheel barrel to move Flossie around the small town but it didn't to me. Fred didn't care because Flossie was the love of his life. Flossie always had a knowing smile on her face.

Fred and Flossie lived away from the small village on a small farm that grew fresh vegetables for the town, turnips were there specialty. They came to town every Sat., at the same time, just like clockwork. They had to come down Melrose Place to get to the Maplewood Inn so they could deliver the fresh produce Mama ordered every week. The houses on Melrose Place were fancy, painted several different pastel colors and always decorated with beautiful banners and flags. You could hear the wheel barrel as it went over the brick road. People would come out on to their porches just to laugh and giggle as Flossie went by. Flossie would just grin and wave back like she was a queen.

When they arrived at the inn Flossie would jump off the wheel barrel and skip over to the little swing near the grape arbor. Most of the children were afraid of her because she spoke in rhymes and gibberish. I, on the other hand loved to sit with Flossie and listen to her stories. I didn't hear rhymes or gibberish I heard beautiful fairy tales about all the ghosts Flossie saw walking around Lilydale. Sometimes she would even talk to the ghosts as they approached her on the swing. Funny thing is I saw them too. Mama would always bring out lemonade and a loaf of freshly baked banana bread. It seemed like Mama wanted Fred and Flossie to be on their way and not stay long for a visit.

I never told anyone about seeing these ghosts because I thought no one would believe me. Little did I know that most of the residents of Lilydale saw them also. It was only later in my teens that the truth of why we moved to Lilydale came out.

My curiosity got the better of me and I finally asked Mama what happened to Flossie. Mama had a sad look on her face as she replied "When Flossie was younger…she just fell off the turnip truck!" And that was it.

RECIPE:
{This is a recipe that I have had for years. I found the recipe on Cooks.com}

BANANA-JAM BREAD

1/2 c. shortening 1 c. sugar 2 eggs 1 c. mashed ripe bananas 1 tsp. lemon juice 2 c. all-purpose flour 1 tbsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 c. strawberry jam 1 c. chopped pecans Preheat oven to 350°F.Cream the shortening, gradually adding sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine banana and lemon juice. Stir into creamed mixture. Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Add to creamed mixture, stirring, just until combine. Some lumps may remain. Stir in jam and pecans. Transfer batter into 2 greased and floured 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 3 inch loaf pans. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean.

Here are links to the other creative stories about The Whatevers.

Please stop by and see what these fabulous artists have created.

Catherine

Cuchy

Nathalie 

Vicki 

If you would like to play along it's not to late to join in. Here are all the details that you need to know.

Here is how it works ~

• Vicki, Cat, Cuchy (Carmen), Nathalie and I have made a one-year commitment to each other and picked twelve photos with Whatevers whom we will give a story.
• Every month – if possible always on the 15th –  each of us will do a post with an individual story that goes along for us with the same photo.
• If you want you can play along and we will have the photo for you to download and show us your version of The Whatevers. The photo will be posted at the end of our blogposts- not on Facebook!
• There is no rules to the story itself- it can be funny, sad, uplifting, breathtaking- WHATEVER
• There is no rules on the length or the form of the story- it can be a short sentence, an essay, a poem or a soap opera – WHATEVER
• There is no rules on the artform you choose – it can be a scrapbook layout, an altered art project, an artjournal page – WHATEVER
• Here is a rule though: if you take the photo you have to link back to us and show us your story.
• These pictures are from our personal stash and are for personal use for you only! If you want to use them for a publication whether a book or magazine in print or digital form please ask for permission!
• If you want to participate we’ll have a linky list for each Whatever Post.
• You can also join our The Whatevers -Facebook Page

HERE IS THE PHOTO FOR THIS MONTH'S WHATEVERS:

Thank you so much for stopping by. Have a great rest of the week ;)