Monday, February 11, 2008

ARTIST AND VINEYARDS

DANIEL BOONE, FESS PARKER, ARTIST MABEL DAVIDSON

Daniel Boone was one of the first settlers to come through the Cumberland Gap along the Wilderness Road and into Kentucky.

Naturally, I wanted a recipe with a connection to him for my Kentucky Celebrity Cookbook. I have had some interesting results.

I received a recipe from Kentucky artist Mabel Davidson who is a descendent of one of the men who blazed the Wilderness Road with Daniel Boone. She was born in a renovated log structure once used as a stagecoach inn on the trail. As an artist, her work depicts a bit of Kentucky’s Appalachian Mountain Culture and her ancestral history. Originals, limited edition prints, mini prints, and note cards can be found at her studio.

Some have called actor Fess Parker of Santa Barbara, California an American icon. His portrayal of Kentucky frontiersmen Daniel Boone influenced millions of young viewers in the late 1950's and 60's. In 1964, Parker began filming his network television series, Daniel Boone. During six years as one of the highest rated shows of its time, Parker not only starred in the series but also co-produced it and directed five of its most popular episodes.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Mollie Sims/ W. Earl Brown

BATTLE FOR RED VELVET CAKE

Mollie Sims who plays Delinda Deline on television’s Las Vegas is from Boaz, in extreme Western Ky. She attended college at Murray State University. Naturally, I wanted a recipe from her for my Kentucky Celebrity Cookbook.

One of my favorite things to do is attend local auctions in this area where I also live. These are not fancy auctions. Just a mixture of everything you might find in a local estate.

This is also a favorite past time for Mollie’s mother. When I started working on the cookbook, I told her about what I was doing and that I would love to have a recipe from Mollie.

The following July 4th weekend Mollie was home for the holidays and came with her mother to one of Harris Real Estate and Household Auctions. Now you have to remember we live in a rural area and everyone knows Mollie so this was not unusual. She told me her favorite recipe was either her mother’s Red Velvet Cake or Spinach Quiche. She finally decided to go with the Red Velvet Cake, because it was the easiest recipe for her mom to remember.

As I have sent out request for additional recipes from various celebrities, authors, politicians, and places in Kentucky, I have sited examples of recipes I already have including Mollies.

About a month ago, I received and e-mail from W. Earl Brown who played Dan Dority on Deadwood.

He said, “I'll have to give some thought as to what I want to include, since Molly has already jumped on the Red Velvet cake (that is my killer-recipe-of-my-mom's that I use whenever the event calls for something special).

As it turns out Earl, his wife, and Mollie went to college together at Murray State University.

Well, I saw Mollie's mom this weekend at a local auction and told her what Earl had said.
She thought it was funny. Mollie’s mother e-mailed me the Spinach Quiche recipe this morning. I really appreciate both Mollie Sims and W. Earl Brown’s help with “The Kentucky Celebrity Cookbook.

I also received a recipe this morning from Oscar Winner William “Bub” Asman and his wife Jackie. Bub Asman has had 4 Oscar nominations and one win as Best Achievement in Sound Editing for:
Letters from Iwo Jima (2006).

I would still like to have more recipes from Kentucky artist, businesses, and tourist attractions.