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june 2015

TEXAS FARM & HOME

VOLUME 5

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NUMBER 8

JUNE 2015 10 14 30 34

9 Rural Ramblings 34 History & Heritage 54 Texas Travels 58 Gardening Basics

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june 2015

IN EVERY ISSUE

SECTIONS

44 Recipes 51 Cafés Across Texas 67 Texas Events 69 Marketplace 70 Country As Cornbread

Show Business: Drive-In Theater one man’s dream A Lasting Impact: Life on the Chisholm Trail Visiting a Garden Paradise

San Felipe de Austin once a bustling city Summer Specialties

ON THE COVER

Enjoy this Blueberry Dutch Baby. Page 44. THIS PAGE

San Felipe de Austin Photos by Christina Stewart

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editor’s welcome

Christina Cutler Stewart

Dealing with unwanted guests I never saw the movie,

“Snakes on a Plane,” as I would never pay to see something as horrible as a snake slithering around a giant movie screen. Personally, I get the willies at the zoo when we enter the reptile house — I just can’t stand to look at them. We kill a few every year around the house, mostly chicken snakes stealing the hard work of our chickens. Wayne killed a copperhead a few years ago with a post hole digger, which did a great job of dividing the snake into smaller pieces; me personally, though, I don’t like getting that close to a snake. I don’t like using hoes or other garden implements, for me, I prefer a BB-gun. It is quick and easy and does the trick. A few weeks ago when Wayne saw me come into the house, walk to our bedroom closet and leave with my trusty sidekick, he knew I was on the trail of a snake without me even having to tell him about the problem — that either speaks to us about the depths of our relationship or that we have a lot of snakes around the place. In any event, one shot to the head from the BB-gun usually ends the snake problem and frees the chickens from their

distress and the egg thievery until the next snake shows up for a free buffet. We used to use golf balls in the nest and we invariably would come upon a sick snake. A couple of years ago we bought a couple of ceramic eggs and put them in a nest, two days later they disappeared never to be seen again. Just a few days ago we saw a first for us at the farm as we were headed out to go somewhere when we saw a couple of crows fighting at something on the ground. Upon closer inspection we saw the crows were attacking a chicken snake, really aggravating it. As we drove up the crows flew away so the snake started slithering away straight toward the horses. Both of our fat boys sniffed at the snake then walked away. Wayne kept an eye on the snake while I ran and got the hoe, I handed it to him and he dispatched the snake, removing its head from its still slivering body. We had to go so we left the snake behind. The next day, after church we saw a buzzard (vulture to all you non-Southerners) making a meal of the snake carcass. It kind of made me feel bad for the crows, because it seemed like they really wanted to make a meal of that snake, but we interrupted them, though I may be the only person out there feeling bad for a crow. Given the choice between a crow and a snake, I’ll take the crow any day, but mostly I just prefer a warm hug and a kiss from my kids, including my big kid Wayne. TFH

TEXAS

FARM & HOME MANAGING EDITORS

936-687-2424

www.texasfarmandhome.com

Christina Cutler Stewart, cstewart@texasfarmandhome.com Wayne Stewart, wstewart@texasfarmandhome.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Barbara Cook, Jolene Renfro, Lois Marie Guymer, Marilyn Jones, Randy Rollo

PROMOTIONS MANAGER/ ADVERTISING SALES

Linda Moffett, lmoffett@texasfarmandhome.com 512-966-9426

DISTRIBUTION SUBSCRIPTIONS

Randy Rollo, rrollo@texasfarmandhome.com Wayne Stewart, wstewart@texasfarmandhome.com 936-687-2424 or Texas Farm & Home, P.O. Box 130, Grapeland TX, 75844

EDITORIAL/SALES OFFICES: 202 South Main St., Grapeland, TX 75844. TEXAS FARM & HOME is published monthly by Nicol Publishing Company L.L.C., Copyright 2014. Subscription price: $24.95 a year (12 issues). Reproduction without permission of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited.

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june 2015

TALKIN’ TEXAS

Reader Mail H Reader Stories H Reader Opinions

HANDS-ON CLASSROOM A Reader’s Gardening Journey

OLD SAN ANTONIO ROAD A Reader’s Comment

Thank you for reminding me about the Old San Antonio Road. It passes through Caldwell and St. Mary’s Catholic Church is right beside it, the church’s location address is, 500 OSR. When I was little and we were leaving Mass, my Dad would tell me, “see the street in front of the church, many years ago missionaries walked this road from San Antonio all the way to Louisiana. Great memories your magazine gives me. Joe Rychlik

he Anderson County Master Gardeners have been busy during this past school year with a gardening project at Frankston Elementary School at the request of social studies teacher Shannon Johnson. Gardeners constructed three 4-foot by 8-foot raised beds filled with compost. Back in February onions, strawberries and lettuce were planted, followed by corn, tomatoes, squash, radishes and herbs. Marigolds were planted around the tomatoes to help repel tomato pests. During the spring months Anderson County Master Gardener Pam Denson taught lessons for two days, every month for fourth and fifth graders at Frankston Elementary. During the class Mrs. Denson taught the students about the plants, water conservation, the water cycle, garden location criteria, seed germination, soil types, photosynthesis and gas exchanges in plants. Once the garden began producing lettuce, it was harvested along with the radishes and salads with ranch dressing were made and the students allowed to sample it. 444

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TALKIN’ TEXAS

Reader Mail H Reader Stories H Reader Opinions A Reader’s Gardening Journey Continued Over the course of the semester students planted, watered and weeded the gardens. Extra produce grown from the garden was taken to the local Methodist Church’s food pantry — no vegetables were wasted. Mrs. Johnson applied for and received grants that paid for four new concrete tables and benches, able to seat a whole class. Flowers in the planter around the patio were purchased with a donation from the Frankston Garden Club; cedar planks were purchased from Cooksey Lumber Yard in Elkhart; Lowe’s in Palestine donated the wood for the raised bed frames, but also 14 garden trowels, fertilizer, starter plants and water wands; Iron Gate Feed in Palestine also donated some starter plants and seeds. TFH

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june 2015

rural ramblings

Wayne Stewart

Water, Water Everywhere! On a recent trip across the center of the state it seemed like every creek or river we crossed was out of its banks — quite a change from just four years ago when the state was bone dry and on fire. It is a welcome change to be sure as wet is better than dry — except for cactus farmers. Nevertheless, hay farmers across the state are going to have a hard time keeping up with the grass growth. Lawns show the effects of all the rain as well. It seems like 15 minutes after we mow the yard needs mowing again. This rain has had some crucially needed benefits for Texas, as just the other day I noticed on the news the Concho River near San Angelo flooded, helping to fill a nearby lake. While the flood made a mess, a local official had a big smile on his face as he noted just a few day’s worth of rain added years to the area’s water supply. There is an old saying that in Texas a drought ends in a flood. The saying is true, and probably is true in most states. Our brothers and sisters in California are likely wishing for a flood these days as the state is in the midst of an historic drought, to the point of severely limiting the use of water in the state. Farmers, too, are feeling the pinch, as water for crops is getting scarce. Farmers, though, are a hard lot to please — at least in terms of weather related issues. If it’s too dry, the crops won’t grow; too wet and they can’t get into the fields, and in many cases the plants can drown. As for our limited garden, well, we didn’t plant one this year. It was a bit wet to get into the fields, and by the time we could it seemed a bit late for planting — for me anyway as I don’t care to grow too much past the end of June as being in a field in the middle of July is not a fun prospect.

Being outside at all isn’t too much fun in July, somewhere around there though, is normally about the second cutting of hay in most fields. It’s hot, and nobody knows about hot until they haul square bails in the summer. It always had to be done in the heat of the day after the morning dew had burned off and before any evening dew happened to rest on the hay. Besides that, if left to sit overnight in a field the hay usually filled up with fire ants, which were much worse than a little heat. Most kids today will never get to experience such fun as hay hauling, because modern equipment like accumulators and loader attachments have turned hay hauling into an almost completely mechanized endeavor. Of course I know my forbearers noted the same thing as I look back at old hay baling equipment, and before that they would just pile up dried grass around a tall pole and fork it off from there — ingenuity has come a long way. I guess I’m getting older, because I am getting to the point to where I say things were harder, but better in the old days. The truth is, life progresses and in terms of living a moral life free from the ravages of the world — life is clearly harder these days than it has been in a long, long time. The great 19th century Charles Spurgeon once noted living a godly life amidst rampant sin was harder than facing the lions of the Roman Coliseum. While I don’t know if that is completely true, I see Spurgeon’s point and probably have to agree with him in a broad sense. In that vein, it truly is treacherous trying to bring up children in a world no longer believing in right or wrong and absolute truth. As we see the world crumble around us, we worry over our children, but we try to equip them to go into the world, yet be separate from it. Fathers, that is our job isn’t it? We must get them ready to withstand the slings and arrows surely to be thrown at them. In Ephesians 6 when Paul implores us to: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” For Father’s Day, remember we must work for our children in making sure they understand their place in the world. For everyone else, I urge you to find you place in Jesus Christ. TFH

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Show Business Gatesville Man follows dream of owning a movie theater

Story by ANGIE ALVARADO TAWATER

o simply say Gene Palmer loves movies is an understatement. And to say that he has brought thousands of others to love movies is a fact. For more than half a decade, 65 years to be exact, Palmer has been involved in the indoor movie theater and drive-in movie business. “As a young boy, I grew up in the country, and on weekends we would come to town and I would go to the show and visit the Coryell County Courthouse in Gatesville,” Palmer said. “I just liked movies. We lived in Seattle (Texas) in Coryell County when I was a boy,” Palmer continued. “It was 20 min-

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utes from Temple and Gatesville, so I grew up going to the movies on weekends. Back then I would watch Gene Autry and westerns in movie theaters… while I was there I always looked for jobs. I always would stop and ask the man at the movie theaters for a job,” Palmer recalled. “One day, I walked to the Ritz, an indoor theater on Main Street in Gatesville, and the guy there knew me by name because I was always asking for a job. He said, ‘Palmer, you want a job today?’ I said, ‘Yes sir, I do.’” His first job at the movie theater was to walk up and down the aisles selling sacks of popcorn for 10 cents a bag. “I worked there for a little while,” he recalled. But his young heart was in the drive-in.

“

The Last Drive In Picture Show is an original, old time, one-screen drive-in for the whole family. So many drive-ins closed because they got away from that.

”

“I watched them build that drive-in,” Palmer said. “And I wanted to work there so bad, but they gave me a job at one of their indoor theaters.” He didn’t have to wait long to get his chance at the drive-in. In 1950, at the age of 15, Palmer started working at the Circle S Drive-in when it opened. Back then, brothers Joe and Max Skelton owned the drive-in and four movie theaters in Gatesville, The Ritz, the Texas, the Palace and the Regal. “The night the drive-in opened in Gatesville, I called the owner and asked for a job. He gave me a job directing traffic and showing people how to work the speakers,” Palmer said. That was the beginning of Palmer’s love affair of sorts with the drive-in. The young man worked there until he was hired to run one of the theaters in Gatesville in 1955. Palmer learned everything about the business, from popping the popcorn and parking vehicles to purchasing movies and designing programs, first-hand. His love and knowledge for the movies only grew, resulting in his purchase of the drive-in and the theaters in Gatesville in 1964. Within a year, the theaters were closed, leaving only the drive-in. The name of the drive-in was changed to Town and Country Indoor and Outdoor Theater, since it also featured an adjacent movie theater. In addition to the drive-in and indoor theater in Gatesville, the Palmer family still owns and operates a 10-screen movie theater in Huntsville. Through the years, the entire Palmer family has been involved in the movie-theater and drive-in business. He passed his love of movies to his children, the late Audie Palmer, Dana Keith Palmer, and Natalie Palmer. All three of his children, who were named after famous Hollywood actors, have worked in the family business for years. Audie was named after World War II hero and actor, Audie Murphy. Dana Keith was named after major Hollywood actor Dana Andrews, and Natalie was named after the famous actress Natalie Wood. One of Palmer’s favorite aspects of the movie and drive-in business was buying the films to show.

“I got to pick the movies people watched,” he said. “I liked movies, so I really enjoyed buying them. It was fun.” That job now belongs to his daughter, Natalie Palmer. “She does all the books and film buying for Gatesville and Huntsville,” Palmer said. Palmer’s son, Dana Keith, manages the movie theater in Huntsville. The Huntsville movie theater has been a fixture in that community for more than 40 years. Admission prices

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Theater there have remained the same for years, $5 regular admission and $3 for matinees. Audie, who passed away 11 years ago, started working at the family’s movie theater in Huntsville. But like his father, his heart was in the drive-in. Audie soon shifted back to Gatesville to run the drive-in, a move that Palmer says played a big part in the drive-in’s success. He credits Audie’s knowledge, dedication and passion for keeping the drive-in

open and making it successful. “He was determined that the drive-in was the main thing, and it took a good turn,” Palmer stated. That is putting it mildly. Not only did the drive-in “take a good turn,” it did so well that on many Friday and Saturday nights, drive-in movie-goers had to be turned away due to the hundreds that packed the drive-in. “All the drive-ins started closing in the ‘80s,” Palmer said. “The drive-in in

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Gatesville started doing well, mainly I think, because we showed strictly family movies. We never showed R-rated movies. We would try to run a children’s show first and then show either a G or PG-rated movie. “We almost were the last drive-in picture show,” Palmer reflected. “Because they all started closing in the 1980s.” Another reason for the drive-in’s popularity and success was the reasonable admission cost. For decades, admission was $5 per vehicle, regardless of how many people were inside. A family of 10 could show up in a van and for $5, they could watch two movies. Admission to the drive-in went from $5 to $10 per vehicle in the 1990s. That price remains the same today, a bargain for families on any budget. “We get a lot of Fort Hood families,” Palmer said, adding that the Fort Hood Army Base is just a few miles down the road, south of Gatesville. “Our cliental comes from Waco, Killeen, Austin and other places nearby,” he added. Another change that followed was a name change. The drive-in became The Last Drive In Picture Show. “The Last Drive In Picture Show is an original, old time, one-screen drive-in for the whole family,” Palmer said. “So many drive-ins closed because they got away from that.” The Gatesville drive-in, accommodates 300 vehicles and features an indoor theater that can seat 200, a screening room where youngsters can sit and watch the outdoor movies and a full-service snack bar. When asked about the low drive-in and movie theater admission prices that are in effect at his locations, Palmer said he wants to give all families the opportunity to enjoy the movies. “Well we’ve made as much money as we wanted to and people are happy,” he said. “We’ve always operated so that families can afford it. So that they can come every week as opposed to once a month. “Many families can’t afford much (in terms of entertainment),” he continued. “We’d rather have them here every week, and see them happy. Being a family theater, you have to have family movies and right prices. Any business should have decent prices.” Both the Gatesville drive-in and the movie theater in Huntsville are open

Jennifer Warren, Dana Palmer and Malisa DeLeon, run the theater these days 364 days a year, closing only on Christmas Eve. Palmer’s grandson, Dana Palmer and his wife Jennifer Warren, now manage the drive-in, along with Palmer’s granddaughter, Malisa DeLeon. A niece and a cousin also have helped in the family business. Even Palmer’s brother worked

in the business along the way. “We’re probably one of the last original drive-in picture shows,” Dana said. “And probably one of the last drive-ins with a cinema.” Summertime is the busiest time at the drive-in, with families packing the place to capacity. They bring lawn chairs

and blankets, and settle in for a night of good, family-oriented movies. All the movies are current releases, something the Palmer family strives for. And that has kept people coming back. “We get a lot of regulars,” Dana said. “Some people have certain spots they like to park in. “The drive-in is pretty unique. It’s nostalgic,” Jennifer added. With the movie-theater and drivein business thriving in family hands, Palmer claims he’s, “trying to retire.” “I’m semi-retired,” he laughed, adding that it’s only a 40-minute drive from his home in Salado to the drive-in. “He comes up here at least once a week,” Dana smiled. The young man who started directing traffic at the drive-in 65 years ago, is still happy to do just that on any given night at The Last Drive In Picture Show. ——— The Last Drive In Picture Show is located at 2912 S. Highway 36 in Gatesville, Texas. For more information, call 254-865-8445. TFH

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A Lasting Impact Traces of Chisholm Trail still found across Texas

T t

Longhorn steers return to their pens following the latest in what is a twice-daily parade of the longhorns (for the enjoyment of tourists) in the Stockyards District of Fort Worth. Library of Congress

Story by WAYNE STEWART

n the years following the fractious Civil War, a hunger grew inside the nation for beef; a hunger that brought Texas to the forefront and spawned a statewide industry in the cattle drive along the most famous of these routes to awaiting railheads â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the Chisholm Trail.

It was during these years where the cowboy entered into popular legend; along with dusty trails, chuck wagons â&#x20AC;&#x201D; words sprang up in popular vernacular like trail boss and ramrod while inspiring countless songs, movies, books and a romanticized way of life. The cattle drives made towns in Kansas rich, but they also created a boom down in Texas, creating cattle barons and some well-paid trail bosses. Towns in Texas became prosperous and famous almost overnight.

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The Chisholm Trail The Remuda on the Chisholm Trail. Will Slade is standing at far right, the great-grandfather of Will Slade Paradeaux and grandfather of Will Paradeaux of Slade Saddle in Luling. Photograph courtesy of Slade Saddle.

1835-36 1845

The Texas Revolution

The United States annexes Texas as the 28th state

1861-65 1867

The American Civil War

Information provided by the Texas Historical Commission

Joseph G. McCoy establishes a cattle shipping terminal in Abilene, Kansas

1871

Approximately 700,000 cattle reach the Kansas railhead

1880-89

The Chisholm Trail era draws to a close during the 1880s

The last trail drive photograph. Photograph provided by Williamson Museum june 2015 TEXAS FARM & HOME

Chisholm Trail

The Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum in Cuero, above, chronicles the role South Texas played in the life of the Chisholm Trail as the main catchment area for the cattle headed north to the railheads in Kansas. Displays in the museum, such as the one below, chronicles the life of the men on the trail.

Places like Lockhart became synonymous with the Texas cattle trails, along with other towns like Cuero, Gonzales, Georgetown, Salado, Waco, Cleburne, Fort Worth and Red River Station in Montague County where the trail entered Oklahoma. Dozens of schools and streets across Texas bear the name Chisholm Trail, as it left its indelible mark on the state. The actual Chisholm Trail spanned from southern Oklahoma, through the then Indian nations up into Kansas near Kansas City. It was a trading trail first blazed by merchant Jesse Chisholm in 1864 in order to get his wagons through the territory. Eventually, though, the entire trail bore the traderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name as it connected the South Texas catchment areas where millions of cattle roamed freely to the railheads in Kansas towns like Abilene, Wichita and Dodge. It was a national pipeline for beef and from 1867 through 1886, finally ending with the January blizzard of 1886 in Kansas, which killed all the cattle in southwest Kansas. The burgeoning railroad industry also brought the age of the great drives to a close. There are two museums in Texas dedicated to the Chisholm Trail, one

in Cleburne and the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum in Cuero dedicated to telling the story of the importance the South Texas region played in providing the cattle for the trail and the northern markets. The museum also chronicles life on the trails and looks at individuals who helped make the trail famous, and became famous in their own right. It was a vast change

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from the years just after the Civil War when cattle in Texas were worth a mere $4 per head, compared to the going price of $40 in the northern markets. It was a visionary man from Illinois who changed the fortunes for many people. Joseph McCoy, a cattle buyer, managed to get the Kansas Pacific Railroad to lay track to Abilene, Kan. in 1867; McCoy then built cattle holding pens and sent word down to Texas through an advertising blitz about a reachable market for their cattle. In 1867 35,000 head of cattle made the trip from Texas to Abilene. By 1871 there were 600,000 cattle a year being taken to the markets at the end of the Chisholm Trail. It is estimated over the life of the trail 5 million Texas cattle made the trip. The Cuero museum chronicles this history along with telling the story of the forerunner of the cowboy, the vaquero, and their influence on the cattle industry in Texas. On the other side of the state is the Chisholm Trail Museum in Cleburne, located just south of Fort Worth. The museum is located near the Nolan River and was the site for the old town of Wardville, the first county seat of Johnson County. The outdoor museum features a one-room schoolhouse built much like a school from the mid1800s. It also features a log cabin building, a replica of the first courthouse in Johnson County. There is a

The Chisholm Trail Museum in Cleburne is a fun and interesting stop, providing an outdoor experience and a look at what life in general was like during the Chisholm Trail days, from a one-room schoolhouse, to a log courthouse, an old jail, and an Indian village, it depicts life in 19th century Texas. The museum is open to visitors every day with guided tours available. While at the museum, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss the Big Bear Native American Museum. Photography by Christina Stewart

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Chisholm Trail

Lockhart, Texas June 11-13

Newton Calvin Holman,18, on a cattle drive in 1883. He was later mayor of Taylor. Photograph provided by Williamson Museum.

Spend a few days every year celebrating the wild and woolly days of the Old West with its Chisholm Trail Roundup. This year’s roundup runs June 11-13 with barbecue and chili cookoffs June 5-6, rounding out a full week of fun and entertainment. Everything begins on June 5 with the championship chili cook-off. Then on Wednesday June 10, events kickoff with a cowboy breakfast around the courthouse on the Caldwell County Courthouse square; attendees are encouraged to wear their cowboy best and celebrate the heritage of the Chisholm Trail. On June 11-13 festivities move to Lockhart City Park with a carnival, rodeo, queen’s court coronation, food and craft vendors along with exhibits for kids and live music on two stages. Saturday’s festivities begin with a parade. Also, country music legend Steve Wariner performs at the Chisholm Trail Roundup, Rodeo and Music Festival. Don’t miss the great barbecue as part of the championship barbecue cook off. Of course visitors to Lockhart do not have to go to the festival to enjoy great barbecue as Lockhart is the undefeated barbecue capital of Texas.

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Caldwell County Courthouse, Lockhart small building housing a jail, a gift shop and a stage stop, with a stagecoach used on the 1939 John Ford and John Wayne classic “Stagecoach.” There are living demonstrations held throughout the year at the museum, which also is home to the Big Bear Native American Museum, a collection of Native American artifacts from different bands throughout North America, many of the tribes noted in the museum had an influence on the Chisholm Trail. Perhaps no place celebrates their Chisholm Trail history quite like Lockhart, a city that spends a few days every year celebrating the wild and woolly days of the Old West with its Chisholm Trail Roundup. This year’s roundup runs June 11-13 with barbecue

Photography by Christina Stewart

Chisholm Trail Roundup

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Photography by Christina Stewart

Chisholm Trail

As part of Georgetown’s yearly celebration of life on the Chisholm Trail, cattle are herded along the banks of the San Gabriel River, re-enacting the famous drives that once saw millions of cattle through the region. Chisholm Trail Days are held every year in October. Photography provided by Williamson Museum and chili cook-offs June 5-6, rounding out a full week of fun and entertainment. Everything begins on June 5 as the “BBQ Capital of Texas” holds its championship chili cook-off. The town also holds a horseshoe and softball tournament. Then on Wednesday June 10, events kickoff with a cow-

boy breakfast around the courthouse on the Caldwell County Courthouse square; attendees are encouraged to wear their cowboy best and celebrate the heritage of the Chisholm Trail. The events of June 11-13 festivities at Lockhart City Park get under way with a carnival, rodeo, queen’s court coronation, food and craft vendors

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along with exhibits for kids and live music on two stages. Saturday’s festivities begin with a parade that morning. On Saturday country music legend Steve Wariner performs at the Chisholm Trail Roundup, Rodeo and Music Festival. The barbecue cook off consists of applicants cooking three meats of brisket, pork ribs and chicken. The event is held at the Lockhart Chamber of Commerce. Of course visitors to Lockhart do not have to go to the festival to enjoy great barbecue as Lockhart is the undefeated barbecue capital of Texas. So enjoy true Texas culture while eating some of the best true Texas food around. Luling also was a popular stop along the Chisholm Trail and is just a few miles south of Lockhart. The free flowing waters of the San Marcos River provided ample water and grazing opportunities on the way north during the drive. South of Luling, on the other side of Interstate-10, Gonzales is full of

Photography by Christina Stewart

s -

Gonzales owes much of its heritage to the Chisholm Trail as ample cattle in the area bolstered the economic vitality of the town. Below, Salado also benefited from the Chisholm Trail and was a favorite watering hole on the long trip north out of Texas. Today Salado is home to a variety of artists and artisans, making it an inviting Central Texas destination.

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Robert Summers’s sculpture, “The Waco Chisholm Trail Heritage,” (ABOVE) is near the historic Waco Suspension Bridge (RIGHT), now a pedestrian and bicyclists’ bridge across the Brazos River in Waco. Cattle headed across the bridge were charged a toll of 5 cents per head, all of which helped to pay for the bridge, which at the time was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Today it is still an historical presence in Waco. FAR RIGHT: A sculpture depicts a cowboy on the Chisholm Trail in Clifton. Clifton, located northwest of Waco, was not on the main Chisholm Trail, but served an offshoot of the trail.

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Photograph by Randy Rollo

Chisholm Trail

Photograph by Christina Stewart

Photograph by Randy Rollo

grand, historic homes and a vibrant downtown, much of which was paid for by the lucrative cattle industry of the latter half of the 1800s. A trade that made many men rich, and helped towns become flush with newfound money after the hard days of the Civil War and Reconstruction, and no where is that more evident than historic Gonzales. On the other side of Austin, towns like Georgetown, Salado and Waco played their own part of the great cattle migrations. The famous suspension bridge at Waco, which at one time was the longest suspension bridge in the world at 475 feet, was a fixture of the Chisholm Trail as for a time it was the only bridge over the Brazos River, making it a popular spot for cattle herds headed north to Kansas. The bridge opened in 1869 and charged a toll of 5 cents per head of cattle, which helped to quickly pay off the $141,000 cost of the bridge. The bridge, along with the Chisholm Trail helped Waco become a commercial center for Central Texas. Today bronze cattle, being driven by cowboys, all works by Glen Rose sculptor Robert Summers, are a reminder of the part the trail played in the life of the bridge.

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Photograph by Christina Stewart

Chisholm Trail

A bronze sculpture at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center in Duncan, Okla. picks up the Oklahoma portion of the trail where Texas leaves off. The museum offers interactive displays, an action packed movie of the trail, plus other experiences of the live of a trail driver.

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Georgetown has its own Chisholm Trail Festival in October and features a small cattle drive through San Gabriel Park along the San Gabriel River. For those who want to venture a bit outside of Texas, visit the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center in Duncan, Okla. Exhibits at the museum include bronze statues of a trail drive; the Garis Gallery of the American West art exhibit; the T.H. McCaslan Jr. Experience Theater, where visitor get to experience the sights, sounds, smells and fury of a real cattle drive. Also not to be missed is the Campfire Theater where stories of the Chisholm Trail are told by the people that blazed it. Other exhibits feature an old general store, an interactive display area; ecosystem of the trail and personalities of the trail. To learn more about the museum, visit onthechisholmtrail.com. ——— In 2017 the Chisholm Trail celebrates its 150th birthday. TFH

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SAVE THE DATE

Texas Festivals

The Watermelon Thump Luling has a special love for a summer favorite

illed as the Watermelon Capital of Texas, no place celebrates the melon quite like Luling. A few days every June are spent in honor of this most venerated of summer treats. This year’s festival runs from Thursday, June 25 through Sunday June 28, that’s right, it is time for the Luling Watermelon Thump. Some of the events surrounding the festival this year include a rodeo on Friday and Saturday night; a seed spitting contest; melon eating contest; champion watermelon; a 5K run; carnival; queen coronation; food booths, exhibit market; watermelon carving contest; car show. Many want to see the champion watermelon, which is judged on the largest Black Diamond watermelon grown according to grower’s association rules. The top entries are sold at auction and in past years the champion melon has brought between $400 and $22,500 with some of the proceeds supporting student scholarships. Live entertainment can be found throughout the venues every day of the Watermelon Thump. Some of the entertainment includes the Josh Abbott Band; American Aquarium; Sam Riggs and the Night People with many more performing during the festival. Saturday’s events begin with the Texas Size Thump

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Parade with NBC’s Today Show member Tamron Hall, a Luling native, serving as the grand marshal. The Watermelon Thump has been a staple of Luling since 1953 when community leaders sought to honor local agricultural producers. The local elementary school was

Kaitlin Cappleman , 61st Luling Watermelon Thump Queen, Granddaughter of Ed Cappleman and Daughter of Bret Cappleman

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Watermelon Thump charged with giving the event its name, and the festival is still going 62 years later. The events of the Watermelon Thump begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday as the gates to the festival open and the champion melon judging begins in the Pavilion. The food booths, exhibit market and the carnival also open that day. To get in the mood for the rodeo, the Watermelon Buckin’ Bull gets the blood flowing. Friday’s events also kick off at 5:30 p.m. at 421 E. Davis St.; that’s when the Children’s Seedspitting contests at the spitway begins. Ruby Dee and the Snake Handlers provide the entertainment that night. The Thump Rodeo begins at

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7 p.m. at the Fairgrounds located at 2953 North Magnolia Ave. (Hwy 183 North) Saturday is the big day with the parade beginning at 10 a.m., followed by the watermelon buckinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bull; roving entertainment is provided by Wade Henry Juggler and Magician. Avoid fair food for a while to take part in the watermelon eating contests beginning at 12:30 p.m. with different age groups participating. The champion melon auction begins at 3 p.m. Saturday, so stop by and see what the prize melon takes home. After the auction the World Championship Seed Spitting contest begins at 4:30 p.m. The rodeo begins at 7 p.m. Saturday. Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events include the car show. Car show judging begins at 11 a.m. with the show opening to the public at 1 p.m. Live entertainment is held throughout the day Sunday with team seed spitting beginning at 4:30 p.m. Gates to the Watermelon Thump close at 9 p.m., bringing it to a close. To learn more about the Watermelon Thump and all of its scheduled events visit watermelonthump.com, or call the Luling Watermelon Thump World Headquarters at (830) 875-3214.

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A GARDEN PARADISE

Hempstead’s Peckerwood Garden saving rare and threatened species of plants

t is a place unlike any other around — a garden paradise grown from the dreams of a man seeking to conserve rare species of plants native to Texas and northern Mexico. Peckerwood Garden, located a few miles south of Hempstead on FM 359, about an hour west of Houston, continues to study different species of plants while exploring their uses in home and other landscapes, but the

Story by WAYNE STEWART Photography by CHRISTINA STEWART

main goal of the garden is to save and propagate rare species of plants — especially oaks, both from Texas and rare species from Mexico. The garden sprang out of the mind and dreams of John G. Fairey, an artist and an architect. Mr. Fairey wrote of the garden, “There are many ways to describe Peckerwood Garden: it is a collection of more than 3,000 plants including many rarities; it is a conservation garden containing examples of

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numerous threatened species, many of which are no longer found in the wild; it is a laboratory garden testing a wide range of ‘new’ plants and our Mexican discoveries. “It is a garden with a mission to encourage other gardeners to see a beauty in landscape that is consistent with our plants and climate; it is a pioneering garden exploring new plants and cultivation methods and aesthetic concepts for other gardeners. It is a

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garden that looks to the future, not to the past. “Yet, most essential, it is my studio, a place where artistic and horticultural research are fused to create an environment that stimulates all of the senses, including the most elusive of all, our sense of time.” In the early 1970s Mr. Fairey founded Peckerwood Garden, and since then it has become the largest collection of oaks many have ever seen. “He would go to unusual places in Mexico and bring back and propagate the species he found,” explained Bethany Jordan, office manager of Peckerwood Garden. “This has turned very much into a conservation and research garden.” The location of the garden also is of significance, Jordan pointed out, as it lies at the northern reaches of some of the Mexican plants, and between the East Texas and Edwards Plateau region, all near the Gulf Coast — a true crossroads of horticultural regions. Some of the species of oak at Peckerwood Garden are the only types of its species known to still exist, with more species of different types of plants being added to the garden constantly. The original garden was just seven acres, most purchased from Yucca Do, the famous succulent nursery now located near Austin. Over the ensuing years more land around the garden was added, and now the garden is 39 acres, and as Mr. Fairey noted, the garden was named after the plantation in “Auntie Mame,” and for the woodpeckers on the grounds of the garden. Peckerwood Garden founder Fairey went with another famous Texan to Mexico, horticulturist Lynn Lowrey on nearly 100 trips to Mexico, more specifically the Sierra Madre Mountains, in order to collect seeds and cuttings from rare and endangered plants. These trips and the plants he brought back gave him inspiration for his garden design. Gardens within the larger garden include a dry garden, containing succulents such as various varieties of agave, and different species of cacti. There also are shade gardens. Some of the key features of the garden include a pioneering garden, where other gardeners learn about new plants and cultivation methods; some of the plants included both Mexican

and Asian plants. It is a popular destination for landscape architects and designers from across the country, plus it educates on plants specifically selected for its ability to thrive in Texas. Different species of oak are scattered throughout the garden, “I always thought of oaks as kind of a boring tree,” noted Steven Ramirez, a docent at the garden. “It wasn’t until I came here that I found out how many there truly are and how interesting they are.”

Along with the oaks there are numerous magnolia, palm and cypress trees along with different conifers. Beneath many of these trees are numerous ground covers and surprisingly able to add beautiful color and texture to a landscape, while not being obtrusive or out of place in a hot and humid Texas climate. “This arboretum tries to preserve and make more of the limited plants there are of some species,” Mr. Ramirez said. “As long as people are aware of

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GARDEN PARADISE

what they have and the value of what they have, it will help to preserve more species.” Over the years Peckerwood Garden has shared many of its different cultivars with other nurseries around the country. Peckerwood Garden is a member

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of the national organization devoted to preserving the nation’s special gardens — the Garden Conservancy. The Peckerwood Garden Conservancy came into being in 1998 to preserve the garden for future generations and be an educational asset to its surrounding

Hempstead to hold 26th Annual Watermelon Festival

community. On select days throughout the year Peckerwood Garden is open to the public. Private tours also are given for the garden. To learn more about the tours of about open days at the garden, visit the website at www.peckerwoodgarden.org. TFH

xperience the best of what Hempstead has to offer when the city holds its 26th annual Watermelon Festival July 17-18. The festival includes a car show; quilt show; arts and crafts booths; barbecue cook off; dog show; cake decorating contest and much, much more. Classic cars will lead the parade beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, July 17. A movie matinee will be held as part of the car show at 1:30 p.m.; the movie is a car lover’s dream, “American Graffiti.” Also, don’t miss the Watermelon Quilt Show. Different categories include Texas themed quilts, open to all experienced quilters; others can take part in different levels of experience. The Watermelon Quilt Show is sponsored by the Hempstead Piecemaker’s Quilt Guild. It is a viewer’s choice show, no judges will be present at the show. For those with a sweet tooth, don’t miss the Watermelon Festival Cake Decorating Contest. It will be held at the Gazebo Park in Hempstead at 6:30 p.m. For the Dog Parade, don’t miss these dogs in costume marching through the streets of Hempstead, figure out which is the owner and which is the master. To learn more about all the events happening at the Hempstead Watermelon Festival, visit the Hempstead Chamber of Commerce website at www.hempsteadtxchamber.com <http://www. hempsteadtxchamber.com> , or give them a call at (979) 826-8217.

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TEXAS HISTORY + HERITAGE

Colonial Capital San Felipe de Austin once a bustling city on the banks of the Brazos

Story by WAYNE STEWART Photography by CHRISTINA STEWART

oday, a small parcel of land along the Brazos River lies quiet, minus a couple of buildings and a few visitors, but in the years and months leading up to the fight for Texas Independence, San Felipe de Austin was one of the most important cities on the frontier eventually becoming the colonial capital of Texas. In 1823, upon crossing the Brazos River, Stephen F. Austin, the famed

“Father of Texas,” gazed around the wooded countryside, saw the waters of the Brazos and decided to make that place his home. Austin wrote of the land around what was to become San Felipe, that it “affords the most beautiful location for a Town or settlement.” Soon after, San Felipe de Austin was the second largest city in Texas, second only to San Antonio. It was located at the Atascosito Road

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crossing of the Brazos River that connected San Antonio with Louisiana. The town grew as Texas grew with general merchandise stores, inns, taverns, blacksmiths, gunsmiths, watchmakers, tailors, cobblers, tinsmiths, bakers and other artisans setting up shop in the bustling community. San Felipe also had an attorney in town, a young man named William Barrett Travis.

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Some of the buildings in early San Felipe included a school that housed Texas first Sunday school, which was a log store also used as a Catholic church. The Texas Gazette established itself in San Felipe in 1829, one of the state’s first newspapers, also of note, according to the Texas Historical Commission, the first book ever published in Texas came from the press in San Felipe in 1829. The name of the community came from interim governor to Texas Luciano Garcia who sought to honor the work Austin was doing and a provincial Mexican government official Felipe de la Garza. For the Anglo settlers around San Felipe, it simply was known as Austin. The Texas State Historical Commission notes the importance San Felipe de Austin would soon play in the early settlement of Texas. Between 1823 and 1836

the settlement became the focal point for immigration into Mexican-controlled Texas, and was the site of Stephen F. Austin’s land office. Over this brief period many of the most notable people of Texas came through San Felipe de Austin to receive their land grants and establish their eventual foothold in Texas. During his time in San Felipe de Austin, Stephen F. Austin served as the political, military, judicial and economic leader of his colony and helped settle more than 1,000 families to Texas. As an empresario, or land contracOpposite page, a replica of Stephen F. Austin’s last home in Texas sits at the San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site, along with a statue of Austin and an obelisk honoring the historical significance of the community. june 2015

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HISTORY + HERITAGE

Today there are just a couple of buildings at the San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site, with the visitors center being located in an old general store, but plans are underway to build a large Visitor’s Center and museum across the highway from the current location. tor, the Texas Historical Commission documented Stephen F. Austin distributing nearly 6 million acres of land from his land office in San Felipe, with the first contract allowing him to bring in 300 families from the United States, they eventually became known as the “Old 300.” Additional contracts came through Austin in later years with him eventually settling 1,700 more families in Texas. Texas had other empresarios at the time, but none were as influential and integral in establishing a burgeoning Texas as Stephen F. Austin. By 1831, Austin had adopted as his personal motto, “The redemption of Texas from wilderness, fidelity and gratitude to my adopted country, and to be inflexibly true to the interests and just rights of my settlers.” Throughout this time San Felipe was a focal point for the settlement of the Central Texas region and as life progressed in the colony the settlers of

Texas bristled under an increasingly heavy-handed dictatorial government under Santa Anna, San Felipe became

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the center of the move toward independence. Austin’s original home in San Felipe was remodeled into a two-

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story house and rented out as an inn, known as the Whitesides Hotel. In 1835 the inn hosted meetings where settlers debated rebelling against Mexico. Between 1832 and 1835 Texans met in San Felipe for three “conventions” to discuss the colony’s future with Mexico. After the events in Gonzales in October of 1835 with the first shot of revolution being fired the Consultation was held on Oct. 16, 1835 in San Felipe where delegates were recognized and the process began to form a governing body for Texas outside the constraints of Mexico. On Nov. 7, the Consultation voted to establish “a provisional government upon the principles of the Constitution of 1824.” They also declared Santa Anna had dissolved the constitution and therefore Texas had the right to declare its independence. From November 1835 through March 2, 1836 — Texas Independence Day — San Felipe de Austin served as the capital of a Texas on the path toward independence. Unfortunately, Stephen F. Austin was left out of this governing body as he was sent to the United States as a commissioner, asking for aid from the U.S.; Sam Houston also was left out of the governing body as he was made commander in chief of a nonexistent army, according to the Texas State Historical Association. Still, the revolution progressed. The Alamo fell on March 6, 1836. When word reached Sam Houston he ordered a retreat. The militia of San Felipe chose to defend the river crossing against Santa Anna’s troops converging on the colonial capital. This small band forced Santa Anna to turn south and cross near Fort Bend. In the retreat the residents and defenders of San Felipe razed the

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HISTORY + HERITAGE an empire and receives the world’s applause how much is due to him who by unceasing toil lays in the wilderness the foundation for an infant colony and builds thereon a vigorous state.” ——— To learn more about San Felipe de Austin and the role the city, and its most prominent resident Stephen

F. Austin played in the life of Texas then visit the website www.visitsanfelipedeaustin.com. For even more, visit the historic site located in Austin County, west of Houston and just north of Interstate-10. The historic site is located at 15945 FM 1458, near the town of Sealy on the west side of the Brazos River. TFH

town to keep it out of the hands of the Mexican Army. After Texas won its independence some of its early residents returned, but most chose different places to settle. “It never returned to what it once was,” noted an interpreter at the San Felipe de Austin State Historical Site. “There is still a San Felipe, but today it’s just a small, sleepy community on the banks of the Brazos, but we’re hoping to put it back on the map again.” To do that, work is being done to construct a visitor’s center, across the street from the current historical site. The new center will feature 4,000 square feet of exhibits from San Felipe’s historic and storied past, and that of it’s most famous resident, Stephen F. Austin. Stephen F. Austin died on December 27, 1836, only living in an independent Texas for a few months, but as many historians have noted, no other single man worked so hard and can be credited as much with establishing a state as Austin. Austin himself admitted this, “The prosperity of Texas has been the object of my labors — the idol of my existence — it has assumed the character of a religion — for the guidance of my thoughts and actions.” Texas Historian Henderson King Yoakum wrote this of Austin, the words of which are etched onto an obelisk at the center of San Felipe de Austin, “If he who by conquest wins june 2015

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WHERE IN TEXAS? Do you know where this is? If you want a hint, go to the Texas Farm & Home Facebook page and look around a bit to find out where, and while you are there “Like” us.

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Food FARM & HOME

SECRET FAMILY RECIPE Daughter carries on father’s salsa legacy

or more than 20 years a secret recipe for a super tasty salsa conjured by Carol Cessna lay dormant, that is until his daughter, uncovered the recipe and began putting it back into production. “Dad wasn’t doing very well,” after the death of his wife, his daughter, Glenda Cessna Garcia recalled. “Me and my sister started making the salsa, and we would talk to him about it and he started getting better and take part in making it. It gave him something to live for again and now he’s ready to go to work.” This small operation of Mrs. Garcia and her cousin Gail Callihan is centered in a commercial kitchen on the old family property in Marquez, and she is using basically the same recipe her dad came up with many years ago before salsa became the popular condiment it is today. It was a recipe he modified from an old family barbecue recipe more than 60 years ago. “I did a lot of experimenting and added some spices to come up with it,” Mr. Cessna

said, still excited about his invention after all these years. For years he made and sold his salsa commercially, but as his wife became ill the salsa business had to be set aside,

though he did still make some for his personal use. Just last year, though, he let go of his secret recipe and finally passed it on to his daughter. “I started making it and would take it into my office… and people really enjoyed it,” Mrs. Garcia said. “And this is a God thing — I was on an elevator and had the salsa and a lady was asking about it and it turns out she was a buyer for HEB.” Through that contact and others she is working on having the salsa distributed by HEB, Whole Foods and Central Market. The kitchen also has been certified and all the FDA requirements for the salsa have been met. “I have to give the credit to God,” she affirmed. “He has june 2015

been in this the whole way.” It also has turned her dad’s life around, as while he is still in a Corsicana nursing home, he is excited to hopefully get out of it and head back to the kitchen and start cooking again. It truly is a tale of a special bond between a father and a daughter and the excitement builds when Mrs. Garcia notes, “He plans on making salsa once again, but this time with me!” ——— Cessna’s Sassy Salsa is made in three flavors, hot, medium and mild. It can be purchased online at www. cessnasassysalsa.com, or visit their Facebook page for more on them and their salsa. TFH

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FARM & HOME

Recipes

Chimichangas

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Steak BLT

SUMMER FLAVOR

Start the season with an eclectic blend of spicy but not too heavy food and as a bonus â&#x20AC;&#x201D; blueberries for dessert

Recipes by WAYNE STEWART Photography by CHRISTINA STEWART

oods for the summer should have a different flavor. They should have a bit of spice to them without being too heavy. Salads, salsas and small cuts of meat cooked on the grill are the order of the day when the temperature starts to rise. In this edition of Farm & Home we have put together an eclectic blend of recipes everyone should enjoy. We have chimichangas, baked in the oven, for a bit of South of the Border feel; truly getting into the summer spirit we offer up a Steak BLT surely topped with some avocado sure to make anyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mouth water a bit. Still too heavy, then try our grilled trout topped with a mango salsa, oh, and throw some bacon wrapped shrimp to make this a meal with flavors that explode on the tastebuds. Also, in honor of our friends over in Nacogdoches who put on the Texas Blueberry Festival, we offer a couple of desserts featuring these delicious berries.

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FARM & HOME

Recipes 1/2 to 2 inches from the edge. Spoon a few tablespoons of the chicken mixture in the middle of the beans, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do too much or it will be too hard to roll. Top with shredded cheese, adjust amount to personal taste. Fold each edge over, then roll tortilla and place on baking pan seam side down. Repeat for each tortilla, then brush with melted butter. Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with your favorite salsa, guacamole and sour cream if desired.

Grilled Rainbow Trout with Mango Salsa 1/3 cup olive oil 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt Rainbow trout filets 1 ripe mango, peeled, pitted and diced 1/2 red bell pepper diced 2 tablespoons chopped red onion 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced Juice of two limes Juice of one lemon Salt and pepper to taste

Grilled Rainbow Trout with Mango Salsa

Chicken Chimichangas

Cheese 1 tablespoon butter, melted

1 pound chicken 1 medium onion, chopped 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper 1 1/2 cups whole kernel corn 1 cup taco favorite taco sauce 1 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 can refried beans 12-inch flour tortillas 1 pound shredded Monterrey Jack

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grill chicken then shred and place in large skillet then add onion, bell pepper and corn, heat over medium heat about 5 minutes, until vegetables are tender. Stir in taco sauce then add spices, blending thoroughly, cook until heated through. To make the chimichangas, open can of refried beans, spread a thin layer of beans on the tortilla, keeping about 1

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Blend olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, basil, a teaspoon of black pepper and 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt and place all in a resealable bag. Add the fish filets and turn to thoroughly coat and refrigerate for about an hour. Make the mango salsa by combining the mango, bell pepper, onion, cilantro and jalapeno pepper in a bowl. Add the lime juice and a tablespoon of lemon juice and toss well. Season to taste with salt and pepper then refrigerate. Remove fish from marinade and grill filets until the fish turns white and is flaky, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Top with mango salsa and serve.

Bacon-wrapped Shrimp 10 bacon slices, cut in half 20 shrimp 1/4 cup olive oil 3 tablespoons chipotle pepper in adobo sauce 3 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon red chile flakes 1/4 teaspoon ground back pepper 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper Partially cook the bacon in microwave then pat dry on paper towels. Wrap the bacon around the shrimp and then run through with skewer to help keep bacon on shrimp. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a blender and pureĂŠ. Place shrimp on a preheated grill and baste with sauce. Grill about 5 minutes, turn and baste again, cooking another 5 minutes.

Steak BLT 12 slices thick cut bacon 1 -inch thick steak, Kosher salt Coarse ground black pepper 1/3 cup olive oil 1 red onion, chopped 2 sprigs fresh oregano Lettuce Tomato

Preheat cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Season the steak with salt and pepper. Grill the meat, turning once for about 6-8 minutes per side for medium. Remove from heat and let rest, then thinly slice. Cook bacon to desired doneness, place steak on bread, top with bacon, then add lettuce, tomatoes, chopped oregano sprigs and serve.

Peach Iced Tea 12 regular sized teabags 1 cup sugar 1 can peach nectar 1 lemon 4 fresh peaches Bring a quart of water to boil, remove from heat and add tea bags, letting them steep about 10 minutes. Remove tea bags then add sugar and peach nectar. Pour into 1-gallon pitcher and add water to fill, add in lemon juice and fresh peach slices. Serve over ice.

Peach Iced Tea

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FARM & HOME

Recipes Blueberry Coffee Cake 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup butter, softened 1/4 cup whipping cream 1/2 cup milk 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 cups fresh blueberries TOPPING 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 cup butter, softened

Blueberry Puffs

Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease an 8-inch by 8-inch pan. Cream together 3/4 cup sugar, butter, egg and vanilla. In a separate bowl mix the flour, baking powder and salt. Fold into sugar and butter mixture, adding 1/4 cup whipping cream (add a bit more milk if no whipping cream on hand) adding alternating with the 1/2 cup milk. Gently stir in blueberries and pour into greased pan. For the topping, combine the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and butter, combine until crumbly then sprinkle over the cake batter. Bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes, or until cake is set.

Blueberry Dutch Baby Pancake 3 tablespoons butter 3 eggs 1/3 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla 2/3 cup milk 2/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 cup fresh blueberries Powdered sugar for dusting Sauce 3 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon cornstarch 3 tablespoons water 1 cup fresh blueberries 1 teaspoon lemon juice

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Blueberry Coffee Cake Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Make the sauce by combining the sugar, cornstarch, water and blueberries in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until mixture thickens and blueberries are soft, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and set aside. For the pancake, melt butter in a 10-inch cast iron skillet. After butter has melted remove skillet from heat and set aside. Using a mixer, beat eggs until light and fluffy, add sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, milk, flour and salt to eggs and mix until blended. Gently stir in blueberries then pour batter into skillet with the melted butter. Bake in 425 degree oven for about 20 minutes, until pancake is golden brown. Dust with powdered sugar and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream then top with blueberry sauce.

Blueberry Dutch Baby Cut puff pastry up into 12 pieces then bake according to package directions. Meanwhile, mix a couple tablespoons sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla with mascarpone cheese. After pastry has cooked, pull each piece in half. Spread mascarpone on bottom half, add raspberries and top with other shell, add blueberries, then top with whipped beaten stiff with sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla. Then top with final piece of pastry.

Blueberry Puffs 1 frozen puff pastry 1 cup blueberries 1 cup raspberries 1 cup heavy whipping cream 1/4 cup sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla 8 ounces mascarpone cheese

Blueberry Coconut Bars june 2015

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FARM & HOME

Recipes

Blueberry Coconut Bars For the macerated blueberries: 2 pints of blueberries 4 tablespoons granulated sugar For the bars: 1 cup butter, at room temperature 2 cups granulated sugar 1 teaspoon salt 4 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 3 tablespoons sweetened cream of coconut 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes For the glaze: 1 cup confectionersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 teaspoons sweetened cream of coconut 2 to 3 tablespoons water 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Macerate the blueberries: Rinse the blueberries and place them in a large bowl. Sprinkle sugar over the berries. Mix briefly with a spatula and set aside uncovered for about an hour or so. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 9-inch by 13-inch dish and line with waxed paper leaving a slight overhang. Set aside. Cream the butter, sugar, and salt until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stop and scrape the mixer occasionally. Reduce the speed to low. Add the vanilla and sweetened cream of coconut. Mix until combined. Add the flour in two parts, mixing until just combined. Stop and remove bowl from mixer. Fold in the sweetened coconut flakes. Measure about 3 1/2 cups of batter and drop into prepared pan. Smooth out

Te xas Dining Guide

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with back of a spoon. Drop spoonfuls of macerated blueberries onto the batter and spread them evenly. Drop random batter by spoonfuls over the blueberries. Place pan in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is a golden brown and the blueberries are bubbling a bit. Remove dish from the oven and allow it to cool completely. Once cooled, using edges of waxed paper, remove from baking dish and set aside. To make the glaze, combine the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and cream of coconut and lemon juice. Add the water 1 tablespoon at a time and mix with a fork until the desired consistency is reached. Cut the bars into squares and drizzle glaze over the top. Refrigerate any leftovers. TFH

TFH

Cafés Across Texas

Story and Photography By Randy Rollo

Great Dining in the Texas Hill Country The Wimberley Café

imberley is a beautiful town located next to Cypress Creek, the Blanco River, and nestled in the scenic hill country of Texas. Surrounded by all this natural beauty visitors find the area charming and try to relocate to the Wimberley area permanently. This is the story of Mac and Robin McCullough. Eighteen years ago they moved from Dallas to Wimberley hoping to leave the frantic pace of the big city. Life is riddled with unexpected twists and turns and 18 years ago Robin could never see herself operating a restaurant. The McCullough’s decided to buy the Wimberley Cafe and the rest is history. Through a series of family events Robin became the temporary manager operating the cafe, but now 10 years later it is a labor of love. Wimberley Cafe is a community hub where everyone is welcome. They serve great food in a fun family atmosphere. The cafe is a family business that is operated by Robin, The Wimberley Café is a mainstay in this Hill Country Town with however several members of the family Mac, Marc, and Sissy help with restaurant operations. Michele, indoor or outdoor dining area. Some of the favorites are the Robin and Mac’s daughter operates the Sip! On The Turkey-Avocado BLT or the 7-A Omelette. Square, a coffee shop next door to the cafe.

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TFH

Cafés Across Texas

Robin and Mac McCullough, owners of the Wimberley Café. Enjoy a plate of Migas for breakfast all while enjoying a comfortable Hill Country day on the porch of the restaurant. Wimberley Café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Wimberley Cafe is a popular breakfast spot for all of the tourists that visit the area each year, but is also beloved by the locals who frequent the cafe early each morning, most of whom are greeted by name. As it is in most small towns across Texas, groups of friends and workers gather each morning to share breakfast, coffee, and local news. The Wimberley Cafe has an extensive menu that includes their spin on many Texas breakfast favorites. I chose to sample migas and the 7A omelette. The migas consists of two eggs scrambled with corn tortilla chips, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and topped with cheese; served with refried beans, hash browns, and two side tortillas. The migas were very good, a great mixture of flavor, not greasy. The dish has a clean, healthy taste that starts mild and allows customers to add sauce or jalapeños to build the heat to suit their taste. The 7A is a three-egg omelet with ham, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and cheddar cheese; served with a side of hash browns and toast. This omelette is a perfect mixture of flavors that starts with the taste of eggs, followed by the onion and bell pepper, then finishes with a deep rich a flavor of ham. The Cafe additionally serves up blueberry pancakes, which

are extremely popular, and often a weekend special. The Cafe staff is willing to substitute or add any ingredient to make the dish satisfying for customers, which is a lost art in the breakfast landscape of today. The Wimberley Cafe offers more than breakfast, they have a large lunch menu that includes daily specials that change each day. I sampled one of their most popular lunch items, the Turkey-Avocado BLT. This exceptional sandwich is made with sliced turkey breast, fresh avocado, thick sliced bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo on seven-grain bread; served with a side of potato chips and dill pickle wedge. The sandwich is an ideal blend of flavors that wakes up your taste buds from fresh avocado all the way to meaty bacon. The Wimberley Cafe offers lots of options for lunch including chicken fried steak, hamburgers, salads, soups, and a large selection of sandwiches. They offer gluten free items, vegetarian selections, and have a great kids menu. The cafe also serves homemade pies for desert, including rhubarb, which is the most popular pie. The dinner menu for Friday and Saturday has a number of choices, which include steaks, fish, chicken,

TEXAS FARM & HOME june 2015

pork chops, veggie plate, salads, and usually has a special not listed on the printed menu. They also serve Texas classics like hamburgers, quesadillas, and have a children’s menu for the little ones. If you want a glass of wine to go with that ribeye steak, they have several beers and wines from which to choose. The McCullough’s are very committed to the community and involved in Wimberley; Mac is a city councilman, Robin works with the Emily Ann Theater and Garden Room. Robin is also the chairperson for the Winter’s Eve Christmas Festival held the second Saturday in December. The Wimberley Cafe is located at 101A Wimberley Square, which is one of the first businesses that you see on the main shopping area in downtown Wimberley. It is open from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and it is open later (for dinner) until 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. There website address wimberleycafe.com or you can reach them at (512) 847-3333. Wimberley is a fantastic place to visit with lots of shopping and entertainment choices for everyone, and if you go there do not miss a chance at great food and great service at the Wimberley Cafe. TFH

Te xas Dining Guide

june 2015

TEXAS FARM & HOME

TEXAS TRAVELS

Glassblowing studio a popular destination in Grapevine

Story and Photography by MARILYN JONES

tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a bright sunshiny day when I walk into Vetro Glassblowing Studio & Gallery in downtown Grapevine. Light pours through the gallery windows illuminating the one-of-akind art pieces: vases, flowers, jewelry, bowls and wall hangings; vibrant oranges and reds and blues and every color in between. In addition to the vast array of art created on site, Vetro master glassblower and studio owner David Gappa also created a tourist and educational destination for anyone wanting to learn about how these masterpieces are made. The studio, which opened in 1999, is attached to the gallery. A small set of bleachers offers a place Glass blown creations of for guests to every size and description observe glassbloware offered in the gallery. ers at work while ABOVE MIDDLE: Glassstaying at a safe blower Spencer Crouch distance. Gappaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creates a glass flower. artists enjoy talkABOVE RIGHT: Glassing to guests and blower Spencer Crouch explaining what prepares glass to be made they are doing as into a flower. they make the art

TEXAS FARM & HOME june 2015

june 2015

TEXAS FARM & HOME

TEXAS TRAVELS

pieces. In addition to tours and demonstrations, Gappa has several special events throughout the year where guests can help create their own artwork. At Christmas, ornaments; Valentine’s Day, hearts; and Mother’s Day, flowers. This month, Vetro is helping dad celebrate with Father’s Day Beer Grab, June 20 from 2 to 5 p.m. In addition to learning about glass blowing and drinking crafted beer, dad will be invited to help create a pilsner glass or mug. The atmosphere is casual and friendly. Children are welcome. Vetro Glassblowing Studio & Gallery is located across the parking lot from the Grapevine Vintage Railroad depot at 701 S Main Street. For more information on events check the website at vetroartglass.com. For additional information about a getaway to Grapevine including attractions, restaurants, wineries, shopping and lodging, check the website www.grapevinetexasusa.com. TFH

What’s Online GLOBETROTTING

TEXAN

Road Trip to History and Hospitality By Marilyn Jones I love road trips and knew I was going to love this one when I picked up my car, a 2015 Mazda CX-5 courtesy STI – The Drive Experience Company, at the Jacksonville, Florida International Airport and headed north. The car, with all its bells and whistles, handled beautifully as I drove north on I-95 toward my first stop — Savannah. It had been at least 20 years since I visited this southern gem and I was anxious to see her again. It took some doing, but I finally found River Street Inn and checked in. The hotel is housed in a centuries-old

building facing the Savannah River and radiates the city’s history and charm. I headed out into the evening crowds and walked along the riverfront, stopping at shops and candy stores for a sample of fudge. The area was teeming with locals and tourists out for a night on the town. The buildings now housing the businesses once served as cotton warehouses, echoing the city’s long storied past. The next two days I headed out

to see the city. Fortunately there are three hop-on/hop-off tour companies: Old Savannah Tours, Oglethorpe Tours and Old Town Tours. I chose Old Town Tours and was pleased with the history I learned from the driver guide as he pointed out the sites. America’s first planned city, Savannah was established in 1733 by English Gen. James Edward Oglethorpe to serve as a buffer protecting the Carolinas from Spanish Florida and French Louisiana. The city is famous for its beautiful mansions facing 24 park-like squares, lovely architecture and southern hospitality. I got off at several stops including Forsythe Park, a gathering place for tourists and locals alike, and The Owens-Thomas House. Considered by architectural historians to be one of the finest examples of English Regency architecture in America, The Owens-Thomas House was built from 1816 to1819 for cotton

merchant and banker Richard Richardson and his wife Francis Bolton. The house tour takes guests into a time of opulence and luxury; only the finest will do. I enjoyed exploring several of the city’s famous squares and photographing the beautiful architectural design elements, browsing the many gifts shops along Broughton Street and having homemade soup and ice cream at Leopold’s Ice Cream, an institution in Savannah. St. Simons Island My journey continued south as I headed back down I-95 toward St. Simons Island and The King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort. The hotel was founded in 1935 as a seaside dance club by Frank Horn and Morgan Wynne. The hotel took on this name because the two men -- one tall and heavyset, and the other short and thin -- were called “the king and the prince” when seen together.

To view full story and more photographs visit WWW.TEXASFARMANDHOME.COM

TEXAS FARM & HOME june 2015

june 2015

TEXAS FARM & HOME

GARDENING BASICS

let’s get growing — tips for June

Dianthus

A Whiter Shade of Pale

(song by Procol Harum)

Story By Barbara Cook & Jolene Renfro Crockett Garden Club & Davy Crockett Master Gardeners

n the rush of a busy life, who has not enjoyed the serenity of a garden blooming in white? Portraying innocence, purity, and new beginnings, is there any wonder that white is the color worn by doctors, brides, infants being christened, and the color of the cloth used to cover the altar for Communion. Before this discussion of white flowers, let’s have a quick science lesson about how color is perceived. We see red in a rose because rose petals absorb all wavelengths of light except for red, which is reflected. Our eyes have cones in the back of the retina that are stimulated by that red wavelength and send the message to our brain, which inter-

TEXAS FARM & HOME june 2015

Night blooming jasmine

the sweet simplicity of white, which makes you feel cooler in the heat of the day, even if the thermometer says otherwise. After dark, out comes the night shift of white blooms, and the moths that pollinate them. Plant moonflowers

(related to the morning glory), datura (their flowers point up and they are sometimes called Devil’s Trumpet) and are related to brugmansia (their flowers point down and they are sometimes called Angel’s Trumpet), night blooming jasmine, flowering tobacco (nico-

Viburnum

prets the signal as the color red. White is thought of as the absence of color, but this is not true. Actually white objects are reflecting all the colors of the rainbow, and when our eyes take in all these wavelengths at once, our brain interprets them as being white. The list of plants that have white flowers is very long, especially if plants that have been hybridized to produce white flowers are included. But for this article, we are going limit ourselves to mentioning only flowers that are naturally white. Many boom by day and are a lovely excuse to stop, clear the mental clutter, and take advantage of a cool breeze in the shade of a summer garden. Even nicer are those that bloom at night, releasing their perfume as they reflect the moonlight. There is a white flower for every season to be enjoyed during the daytime. In the winter, snow drops and cyclamen brave the cold to give us bloom. In the spring, narcissus, hyacinths, camellias, iris, azaleas, dogwood trees, mock orange, and bridal wreath shrubs tell us that winter is over. As the weather warms, impatiens, ”White Christmas” caladiums, periwinkles, dianthus, daisies, abelia, bear’s breeches, petunias, peace lilies, swamp mallow hibiscus, ginger, oak leaf hydrangea, yarrow, salvia greggi, confederate jasmine, Virginia sweet spire, sand verbena, magnolia, viburnum, almond verbena, and white Lady Banks climbing rose produce their lovely white blossoms that are a relief from the brighter colors of summer. All have

june 2015

TEXAS FARM & HOME

GARDENING BASICS

Swamp mallow hibiscus

Datura

tiana), “Moon Frolic” daylily, yucca, night blooming cereus (a climbing desert cactus with snake-like stems), and “Sweet Autumn” clematis for moonlight magic. If there is no moon, white flowers can

still be very dramatic when spotlighted with some landscape lighting in the garden. The plants that have been mentioned above are certainly not all the plants in the world that produce white flowers, but are a nice cross section of plants for all seasons and all growing conditions; something for everyone that can be planted in the garden and enjoyed for their whiter shade of pale. A simple flower, That’s all it shall take. For another soul, To smile and wake. By Anitapoems

Cereus

TEXAS FARM & HOME june 2015

june 2015

TEXAS FARM & HOME

Summer Festivals