The Whatevers or The TRUTH Behind Lilydale

Hello and welcome back to this months adventure in creative storytelling with THE WHATEVERS. Here is my take for May…enjoy!

As I got older my parents decided to clear the air and explain how and why we left 125th St. in NYC to come to this strange little town called Lilydale. Now we had already lived there going on a dozen years and I was 17 year old, getting ready to go off to college the next fall. Although I loved living here it was strange in so many ways that I couldn't explain. This is when my parents sat me down to try and help make sense of it for me.

It all started the first summer we went to Lilydale, NY. It was only going to be for the summer and then back to NYC. Papa and Momma only took temporary jobs at  the Maplewood House, hoping to give all their children fresh air, sunshine, room to run around and just be kids. "IT" happened one day as Momma and I were walking down to Chautauqua Lake. We strolled past an orchard with a stone fence around it, it looked vaguely familiar to me. As we got closer to the fence I started jumping up and down, tugging on Mommas hand, trying to get her attention. Finally she looked down at me, incredulous that I was so excited, and she asked me why. When I told her, at that very moment everything changed. See I saw my Aunt Gertrude and Uncle Ernie sitting there on the fence. I saw them as clear as could be. I saw pretty pink flowers and circles of colors glowing around them, I saw the crisp white dress and the khaki uniform, but Momma couldn't see them. She stopped and knelt down to my level and very seriously said that it was impossible that I could see them.

"No Momma, I saw them. I really, really saw them. Aunt Gertrude was wearing a pretty white dress and Uncle Ernie had on a uniform." She said" impossible, that's impossible". Again I told her "no Momma, they called me by my name, they beckoned me to come over to the fence. They wanted to talk to me." Momma just froze, she looked again but I could tell she wasn't amused with my antics.

What I didn't know was Aunt Gertrude and Uncle Ernie had died in a car accident before I was born. What I had described to Momma was exactly like a  photograph that Momma carried folded in a hidden pocket everyday since the accident. She slowly pulled it from her pocket and carefully unfolded it…"Momma that's them, over there" I screamed but Momma didn't see them.

We walked slowly back to the inn, Momma didn't say much to me. In fact she barely said anything for several days except for when she was alone with Papa or when several of the town folks filed in and out like a secret meeting was taking place. I didn't know at that time what they were talking about but my parents had several big decisions to make.

After that my parents decided to permanently move to Lilydale. It seemed like I had become the talk of this little town. I found myself being bustled back and forth to different homes. At first it was fun but then I got tired of being asked all sorts of questions. I also got tired of my parents not seeing or hearing what I did but so many of other town folks did.

When the truth was revealed by Momma and Papa I was told that I had a gift, a gift that most people don't have or don't believe in. The reason we moved to Lilydale was because it had become quite evident that I had psychic abilities. Lilydale was known as The Town That Talks to the Dead. It seemed that I saw so many things that most others didn't and as I grew older this gift became stronger and stronger. I was OK when at home but in the outside world people looked at me quite oddly when I would see and talk to their relatives that had passed to the other side.

I knew I was different but now that the truth came to light I had to make a decision as to what I was going to do with this knowledge. I didn't have too much to say, it was too much to take in. Momma, Papa and I sat on the porch that night, not talking, just sitting and enjoying a cold glass of Mommas homemade Mint Lemon-Limeade.

MINT LEMON-LIMEADE

4-6 lemons, plus slices for garnish

3-4 limes, plus slices for garnish
1/3 cup fresh mint leaves
3/4 cup superfine sugar
8 cups cold water

Squeeze the juice from the lemons and limes over a strainer into a glass measuring cup (about 1 cup of juice).

In the bottom of a tall pitcher, use a wooden spoon to gently mash the mint leaves with 1/4 cup of the sugar. Add the strained juice; stir well to dissolve the sugar. Add the cold water and the remaining 1/2 cup sugar to the pitcher; stir well to dissolve the sugar. Taste for sweetness and add more sugar, if desired. Chill before serving.

Serve poured over ice in tall glasses garnished with a fresh sprig of mint, lemon and lime slices.

Before I sign off I want to share with you the stamps that I used for this project. My friends, Nathalie Kalbach and Catherine Matthews Scanlon, have designed stamps that have been produced and available for purchase.

                                                                                                

Here are links to the other creative stories about The Whatevers. Please stop by and see what these fabulous artists have created.

• Catherine Matthews Scanlon
• Cuchy Sanchez
• Nathalie Kalbach  
• Vickie Chrisman

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 for stopping by. Only 2 months left and I still have a lot of story left to share :)

The Whatevers or The Lilydale Quintet Debut

Welcome back to The Whatevers…our monthly collaboration in Creative Storytelling. Here is my story and project for this month. Also a fabulous recipe to share!

Spring really is right around the corner here in Lilydale, NY. The crocuses are peeping throughout the still cold ground and the ice on the lake is starting to melt. It is evident in the bustling around in town as preparations are being made for the return of most of the Lilydale residents.

It's a strange town because as soon as the residents return  visitors from all over the world come to visit. As I got older I learned the real truth about this town that I had grown to love…no longer missing the hustle and bustle of NYC.

I also could tell that seasons were changing when my Papa started rehearsing with four of his friends. Papa was, besides all his other jobs, also a musician. He played almost all the instruments and made sure his children played several instruments also. Our living room looked like an orchestra pit and one of us was always in there practicing. Papa loved to sing and had a beautiful baritone voice, he also was the director of this singing group. They called themselves THE LILYDALE QUINTET and performed often in the town gazebo during the summer months. Papa also directed the band and orchestra that played in the town concerts.

The LILYDALE Quintet were very serious about their performances. Papa would dress as a conductor and the other members in beautiful red and white striped jackets, neatly pressed white pants and a jaunty straw hat. I loved sitting outside the living room while the practiced as they figured out their harmonies and songs. They sang without background music and Papa called it  

'a capella'.

Of course there were always some type of tea bread that Mama would have waiting for them at the end of practice {my absolute favorite was Lemon Tea Bread}. They sat in the dining room eating and reminiscing about times gone by. I often would eavesdrop because I knew there would be some quiet conversations about Lilydale. I kept hearing words like spirits and mediums, readings and headings. My curiosity got the better of me and finally Mama and Papa sat me down and explained everything to me. Of course this will have to wait and I will tell you everything I learned.

 Here is the recipe: 

Lemon Tea Bread {makes 1 loaf}

1//2 c. butter, room temp.

1 c. sugar

2 eggs, beaten

grated peel 1 large lemon

1 ½ c. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

½ c. milk

½ c. chopped walnuts

Glaze:

¼ c. sugar

1/2c. fresh lemon juice

grated peel 1 large lemon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Grease a 9”x5” loaf pan

Cream Butter & sugar until light & fluffy

Stir in eggs & lemon peel

Add flour & milk alternately to sugar/egg micture

Blend in Walnuts

Bake 45 min. or until golden brown

While bread is baking make glaze

Remove bread from oven

Pierce bread & brush juice mixture evenly over top.

Cool 10 min., remove from pan & allow to cool completely

Make sure you read all the different stories that have been concocted by our group. Here are links to the other creative stories about The Whatevers. Please stop by and see what these fabulous artists have created.

Nathalie Kalbach

 http://wp.me/p3Cnxf-4ha

Catherine Matthews Scanlon

http://cmscanlon.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-whatevers-march.html

Vicki Chrisman 
http://vickichrisman.blogspot.com/2014/03/whatevers-two-march-2014.html

Cuchy Mc Sc

 http://la-almohada.blogspot.com/2014/03/whatevers-ii-team-of-month.html

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 for stopping by!

I really appreciate you taking the time. 

I know I need to catch up on my blog & I have every intention but LIFE just keeps happening ;)

The Whatevers or The Snowman's Ball

Hello everyone…are you surviving this very strange winter??? I'm here today to share my take on the Feb. version of The Whatevers.

"You can't get too much winter in winter." Robert Frost

It was one of those winters that just wore people out. Between the snow, wind and frigid temperatures that blew across Chautauqua Lake everyone was looking for some relief. There weren't many of Lilydale residents around as most traveled south to Sarastota, Fl. in Oct. and will return in the warmer spring months. The few residents that remained were full time residents that took care of the grounds and maintained the town.

Mama and Papa tended to the Maplewood Inn along with the surrounding grounds and gardens. They also looked after the staff who remained to keep the inn open for travelers. It seemed like those endless days would never end so Mama and Papa organized THE SNOWMAN'S BALL for the town folks. It was a great success with lots of great food and libations, along with music and dancing. Everyone enjoyed the party with lots of laughing and carrying on. Mama made her famous Hot Buttered Rum for the grown-ups and for the children Peppermint Cocoa with a peppermint stick to stir it with.

Papa dressed up as a snowman and Mama cut out silver snowflakes to decorate the ballroom. It was a wonderful time and after everyone left we caught Mama sitting on Papa's lap and it looked like the were in their own little world!

For that short time we forgot how brutal the winter had been!

Here's Mama's recipe"

Hot Buttered Rum Mix {Makes about 1½ quarts}

Ingredients:

½ pound unsalted butter

1 cup powdered sugar

1½ cup packed dark brown sugar

1 quart best-quality, vanilla ice cream, slightly softened

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons ground nutmeg

½ teaspoon fine sea salt

½ teaspoon ground cloves

¼ teaspoon ground cardamom

1½ teaspoon vanilla extract

1.    Combine butter and sugars in the mixing bowl, and beat until smooth and creamy.

2.    Add ice cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, cloves, cardamom, and vanilla, and incorporate well. 

3.    Scoop into a freezer container, cover, and keep frozen.

Hot Buttered Rum Directions

1-2 tablespoons Hot Buttered Rum Mix

1½ ounces Dark Rum or Spiced Rum

boiling water

whipped cream, lightly sweetened

freshly ground nutmeg

1.    Put a heaping tablespoon of Hot Buttered Rum Mix into an 8-ounce coffee cup, then add 1½ ounces of dark rum and boiling water to almost fill the cup.  

2.    Stir to dissolve the mix. 

3.   Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of freshly ground nutmeg.

4.  Sip & ENJOY!

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

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

• Catherine Matthews Scanlon
• Cuchy Sanchez
• Nathalie Kalbach {MIA due to computer issues} 
• Vickie Chrisman

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:

Thanks for stopping by. Stay warm and remember that spring will arrive…someday!

An InLinkz Link-up

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 ;)

It's WHATEVER Time or Who is Esmeralda and Why Does She Visit Lilydale?

Welcome back to The Whatevers. I hope you have enjoyed the stories and recipes so far. Let's take a look at the goings on at Lilydale, NY.

Who Was Esmeralda and Why Did She Visit Lilydale?

 I remember the first time I saw Esmeralda pull up in her brightly colored wagon. She was so different from all the others who came to visit at Lilydale. It was like all the colors in the world just got brighter and brighter, like the colors exploded and sparkled.

She pulled up in back of the hotel kitchen and when Mama saw her pull in she got a terrible expression on her face. She quickly wiped her hands on her apron and ran out the back door right to the wagon. The minute Esmeralda saw my Mama she fell from the truck and into Mama’s arms. It was such a curios sight because I never saw Mama act like that before.

They were hugging and crying at the same time. I thought Mama was happy but she kept looking around the yard to see if others had seen the new arrival. She was tense and nervous as she quietly spoke to this strange woman.  Esmeralda opened the small door to the covered wagon and out jumped two young girls, dressed in the most beautiful dresses I had ever seen in my life. Nothing compared to the simple dresses I wore everyday. They even had headdresses on that matched their dresses.

At the same time Papa came around to the back of the hotel and he too had this very strange look on his face when he saw the new arrivals. He quickly ran over to Esmeralda and grabbed her in a big bear hug but I could see he was also nervous. He quickly went to the horses and moved the wagon behind the barn where no one ever wandered while Mama ushered Esmeralda and her two daughters into the kitchen. They were speaking a language I had never heard before even though I heard both of my parents speak in different languages, Mama often spoke German while Papa spoke Italian and French.

Analetta and Rosella hid behind Esmeralda as they moved into the kitchen. They were as curious to see me as I was  to see them. Finally Mama brought them over and introduced us to each other. I would soon discover that Esmeralda was my Papa’s sister who many years ago had run off with a Gypsy Prince. She was never allowed to come back home but somehow Mama and Papa stayed in touch.

When the Gypsy Prince died suddenly Esmeralda started off hoping to find this place called Lilydale. She knew that Mama and Papa had finally moved to this strange place. Little did I know the extent of the entire goings on at Lilydale but I was soon to find out the real truth.

It was decided that Esmeralda would help Mama in the hotel kitchen but there was no room for them to stay. It wasn’t really a problem because the small wagon really was where they preferred to sleep; it was the only home they had ever known.

It was getting close to the hotel dinnertime and Esmeralda pitched right in to help Mama make her famous meat pies. Mama called them Bierocks but I called them delicious! All the young ones were sent to bed while Mama and Papa caught all the news with Esmeralda. I wish I could have stayed and listen because I could tell this story wasn’t over and that it really had just started!

Here's the RECIPE:

BIEROCKS/RUNZA {10-12}

Frozen bread dough or 16 ounces hot roll mix

1-1/2 lb. ground beef

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 cups cabbage, shredded

2 cups onions, chopped

1 shredded carrot {optional}

3 minced garlic cloves

OPTIONAL:

1 teaspoon caraway seed

1/2 lb Velveeta cheese, cubes or 1/2 lb swiss cheese, grated or 1/2 lb cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions:

Brown ground beef, onion  and minced garlic in skillet.

DO NOT DRAIN!

Add shredded cabbage & carrots, salt and pepper to meat and onions and cover. Stirring occasionally.

While cabbage and meat mixture is cooking, follow the recipe steps 1 - 4 on the Hot Roll mix. Don't form into shapes.

When dough is ready, pull off small balls of dough and roll out.

Place meat mixture into middle of the dough.

Fold the dough around the meat mixture.

Place on baking sheet and cook at 375 for 15 - 20 minutes, until golden brown.

Here are links to the other creative stories about The Whatevers. Please stop by and see what these fabulous artists have created.

• Catherine Matthews Scanlon
• Cuchy Sanchez
• Nathalie Kalbach  
• Vickie Chrisman

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:

Thanks for stopping by and spending some time with me. I'm looking forward to next month's Whatevers.