Country Drive

Dan-the-Man and I took off for a wonderful country drive this Saturday. Various c.d's where selected for the drive, sunscreen lathered on, cold beverages to enjoy and off we went. Top down on the bug-de-doo we hit the Highway and had Styx blasting in the bug (when those bands are etched in your memory from High School, you have to rock out sometimes). I had 3 or 4 Farms for us to visit in Missou-RAH, and it's always an adventure getting to them, especially when the address starts as "RR 1", you know you will be on some gravel roads hoping that map quest doesn't fail you! Of course we always come upon the loveliest homes in the country, especially when passing through small country towns that make me wish we lived far, far away from the bright city lights. Above is my dream fence and flowers, just as cute as a button. We changed gears and were listening to Italian instrumental c.d by now as we floated through the country roads, watching the fields change from one patchwork of farmland to the next...Heavenly!

We stopped at Beckner's Orchard and Farmer Beckner had some healthy looking produce. Although the big sell is peaches, his candied onions were to die for. He said they are so sweet, you can eat them like an apple. His favorite sandwich isn't a BLT, it's a BOT (onion). We had some in our garden salad for dinner and they were out of this world!

Here's another beauty of a stand....oh they had trouble items! Fresh baked breads, cinnamon rolls, produce and all sorts of little canned things you just can't say no to. We bought the best blueberry syrup and had them on pancakes Sunday morning. Three ingredients....blueberries, sugar and lemon juice....just the right consistency and so yummy!

Missouri believe it or not, has some excellent wineries. We stopped at two that day and found a new favorite Baltimore Bend . Everything we tasted was delicious! After we had the bug loaded down with a whole watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes, cucumbers, bread, cinnamon rolls, honey, blueberry syrup, salsa, pickles, salsa, wine, and did I mention salsa? (someone has an addiction ....DAN!) we headed home. Now, if only i could find a job where I could get paid for scouting out the best roadside stands and wineries. Public Television DO YOU HEAR ME????