Things I Love

Here, in no particular order, are some things that I love:

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Strawn's Strawberry Ice Box Pie

Strawn's Ice Box Pies

September 18, 2016

I grew up in Shreveport, LA.  There is a place in town that is absolutely iconic: Strawn's Eat Shop.  The original shop was opened in 1944 and is still doing business in the same location.  Now there are two other locations in the Shreveport-Bossier City area.


I began eating there as a lad, and I eat there often when I pass through town.  My grandmother
loved a burger, fries, and a piece of strawberry pie.  Taking Grandmama to Strawn's is a memory that

Original Location on King's Hwy

all of her children and grandchildren cherish.

After my engagement in May, we met my family at Strawn's to celebrate.

I'm telling you: don't pass up a chance to enjoy the simple pleasures of Strawn's Eat Shop.

The strawberry ice box pie at Strawn's is perhaps the best, and the freshest thing you may every eat.  I don't know anyone who doesn't love it.  When I show someone Shreveport, it's never without a trip to Strawn's.

Strawn's Peach Ice Box Pie

If you're not convinced, consider that Strawn's pies have been featured in Southern Living in 1994, 2003, and 2009.  Pretty cool, huh?

But wait, there's more!!  Not only do they do it with strawberries, but when peaches are in season, they make peach ice box pies.  While the rest of the world marks the passing of another year with Christmas, or New Years, or something else, I mark the passing of another year when the peach pies come in season at Strawn's.

Fiance' tried it not long after we met, and she's an absolute convert.  It's now her favorite thing to eat.  If you ever pass through town, do yourself a favor and find one of the three Strawn's Eat Shops and have a piece of pie.  I will guarantee that you'll not be disappointed.  In fact, if you try the pie and don't like it, contact me in the comments and I'll arrange to pay you twenty dollars.

It's that good.

TheCurmudgeon ________________________________________________________________________________

Opening Day of College Football

September 3, 2016

It's time again for college football!  Today is all of the holidays rolled into one.  What a fantastic slate of games on opening weekend!  Pundits are calling it the best opening weekend in history, and I think they're right.  It's certainly the best opening in our lifetime.

If you don't love college football, I'm sorry.  You're really missing out on one of the best things in life.

My fiance' wasn't too sure about college ball when we met, but she's now seen the light.  It's the most exciting sport in America.  The most unpredictable.  The rivalries the most fierce.  The back stories of the players and the coaches the most interesting.  And it's just the most fun.

A big screen TV, a recliner, and a few sandwiches and you're set to enjoy Christmas in September.

Geaux Tigers

TheCurmudgeon

















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Elmer's Washable Glue

August 30, 2016

I don't know who Elmer was.  I wish I did.  I'd like to shake his hand.  I figure that he's probably dead by now, but I'd even be willing to shake the bony remains of his hand.  He did the world a great favor when he made his white glue.

It's cheap, readily available, washes out of anything easily, and adds tremendous precision to many sewing projects, esp. quilts.

I would like to think that you have all found ways to incorporate glue basting into your toolbox, but I know that is probably unrealistic.  Perhaps someday I'll do some tutorials about how I use it.  In the meantime, there are quite a few tutorials out there about it.  Search for it on YouTube.

It's a weapon worth wielding.

TheCurmudgeon
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The Bayou Bengals

August 28, 2016

As I said in A Mother's Heart, it's the time of year when we are thinking about college football.  In The Things I Hate thought for today, I talked about the Arkansas Razorbacks so it's only fair that I talk about my Tigers here.

The Tigers are looking good for the season.  Most of the team from last year is coming back.  Brandon Harris will hopefully look more comfortable and mature as quarterback.  Are there enough superlatives for Leonard Fournette?  And a new defensive coordinator should allow the incredible talent present on the team to play to it's potential.  It should be an exciting season.






All we have to do is win every game and all will be well, right?  As always, all of the SEC west teams have very tough schedules, so we all take a beating.  Any team could lose on any given Saturday.

Just remember that purple and gold are the colors of royalty.  Need I say more?

TheCurmudgeon
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Mary Ellen's Best Press

August 27, 2016

If you've not tried best press, you should do yourself a favor and do so.  I got some a few months back from my LQS on the advice of everyone hanging around the register.  I kind of had to... all those gals had me trapped.  I'm glad they shamed me into it, though.  It's just the best.  (Get it? Best Press).

Now, I usually buy it from Amazon.  Try it, you'll not be sorry.

TheCurmudgeon


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