Sunday, August 24, 2008

One today is worth two tomorrows

So lately I've been having horrible luck with cornbread. It comes out looking like a brick of pale yellow cheese and tastes bland bland bland - even after I scooped in a handful of sugar. So if sugar won't help this medicine go down than I don't know what will. Apart from my ever-evolving domestic self I drove up to the Palmyra temple near Rochester, NY. Having traveled extensively I can say that there are few places on this earth as beautiful as upstate New York. If you ever get the chance just to drive through the finger lakes region I highly recommend it. This is the Palmyra temple:














I love to see the temple. Adjacent to the temple stands the homestead of the Smith family (cerca 1818) which borders the Sacred Grove where Joseph Smith as a boy of 14 years went one early morning to pray and ask Heavenly Father which church he should join. I have fallen in love with this place. On good days (when the mosquitoes are hung over or something) there is a wonderful stillness in the air and sunbeams shoot through the tops of the trees illuminating the rich green undergrowth below. You feel enveloped in the warmth of the deciduous canopy and by a still small voice of peace. It's a home away from home.

4 comments:

Rocketgirl said...

Hehe. Drunk mosquitos. I love your description of the Sacred Grove! I feel like I'm right there and I want to hop on a plane ASAP. Atlanta doesn't have the same kind of charm that the northeast does, but I just love the green that this side of this country has!

Anonymous said...

Please tell me you're making cornbread with molasses? It's the only way to go. Other than that, I'm not sure--but the cornmeal you use does make a difference... go to the crunchiest store you know of and buy it there. It's better. I promise. (Your sister says to act like I know you--I'm doing the best I can...just pretend my promise means something to ya, ok? :). Upstate NY is beautiful... as is VT, though no magnificent temples I'm aware of. --Eva

Jane said...

Such a poetic soul in an engineering body...is it okay if I have a little bit of a crush on you now?
(Sounds like the bread needs leavening. Try some fresh baking powder and/or salt. For a taste increase.)

Mrs Andy said...

Hi, thanks for the blog comment. I do appreciate it.

I was going to ask how you found me, but I see you know Reva, who is amazing.

We just went to upstae NY and Palmyra this summer, it was amazing, and we really enjoyed it. Next time, we're not going during pagent....too many Mormons. :) No, really it is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

As for cornbread here is my recipe:
1 1/4 C flour
3/4 C corn meal of your color prefreance (white, yellow or blue)
1/4 C sugar
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1 C milk
1/4 C oil -- (very important, will make a more moist bread)
1 beaten egg.

Method:

Add all ingredients and beat with a hand mixer till mostly smooth. Pour out into a GREASED (very important!!) 8" or 9" square pan. Bake at 400F for 20-25 mins or till a knife intserted in the center comes out clean.

Variation:
Add a can of green chili or jalepeno for spicy bread!