Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs

This makes a fine beef stew or beef barbecue. Give it a try. Season ribs on both sides with 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. In large nonstick skillet, heat oil over high heat. Add ribs.
Cook, flipping once, until browned, about five minutes per side. Transfer to slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low until beef is tender, about eight hours or overnight.
An easy variation is to omit the veggies and vinegar, replace beef broth with 1 cup beer, 1 cup barbecue sauce and 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard. Continue with recipe as directed. Makes a barbecued pork dish.

Yesteryear

I’m sitting on my front porch this morning enjoying a cup of coffee as my mind wanders back in time to a spring morning in May of 1955.
My father, my three brothers and I were heading to Sharps Chapel to help our grandfather, who we called Pap, plant his tobacco crop.
Pap was getting old and couldn’t work as he had in the past.
Dad stopped at Bill Graves’ General Store in the Chapel, pulled up to the only gas pump, cranked up three gallons of gas to the top and let gravity put it into the tank of his 1932 Ford Model A Truck.

After the fall: Some leaf science

By Steve Roark
Volunteer Interpreter, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
Tree leaves are most appreciated when they go through their fall color blitz that we enjoy every year. But they should also be appreciated for all they do throughout the year, including creating food and fiber through the miracle of photosynthesis, and through their death their provision of a raw materials needed for next year’s growth of new leaves. Going from dead leaves to nutrients that can be taken up by a tree requires an amazing recycling system.

Whitestone Country Inn - A Wonderland Complete with White Rabbits

Nestled in the historic community of Paint Rock, Tennessee, alongside Kingston Tennessee, exists a wonderland fit for royalty known as Whitestone Country Inn.
You don’t have to trek through a rabbit hole to get there, but with all the choices of what to see and do, you may think you have; especially after you catch sight of a friendly white rabbit.
The room choices boast breathtaking views of the lake, pond, meadows, and sometimes, all of those. With so many options for exploring the property, you won’t want to spend the day inside.

Fall Bluebird House Cleaning

The Smoky Mountain Homeschool 4-H Club met at Big Ridge State Park on Tuesday, October 24th. The club started the meeting off with Mr. Bill Morgan giving a demonstration on how to build a bluebird house, how to maintain it, and why bluebirds are beneficial to our environment.

Study finds “considerable uncertainty” around effectiveness and safety of analgesics for low back pain: part I

There is still a lack of high-certainty evidence on the effectiveness and safety of commonly used painkillers (analgesics) for short bouts of low back pain, finds an analysis of the evidence published by The BMJ.

Tree Fishing

If you know my daughter Sara, then you know how much she loves to fish. I can see why since she grew up fishing with her daddy. As for me, I went along on a fishing trip when I was kid. I thought it was going to be a fun adventure. Boy was I wrong.

Sunrise . . .Sunset

I came today in my archives across a pamphlet of great historical interest to me. Mr. Clifford Stiner, prominent Union County resident, was the author. The pamphlet reveals Mr. Stiner’s occupations/hobbies/interests as historian, pilot, politician, newspaper editor, and author.

Coconut dream bars

Here is a different coconut bar cookie. You should have all the ingredients in your pantry and fridge. Substitute pecans for the walnuts, if desired. Mix all together until well blended. Press in bottom of lightly greased 9 by 13 inch baking pan. Beat eggs until light with mixer, Add sugars, salt and vanilla.. beat well. Add nuts and coconut. Spread over first mixture in pan. Bake at 350 F. for 15 minutes or until just set. Don't overbake. Cut in bars or small squares while still warm. Makes 3 dozen.