Who was the Lady in Red?
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Who was the lady that wore this beautiful vintage red raincoat?
Estate Sales tell you a
story of the people or person who lived in the home. As I wander from room to room, many hints of the past are
still there. Was it a couple? Did they raise their family at this
home? Had they lived there a long
time?
Many times I feel
sadness. I see old love letters
written from a soldier at wartime to his love back home. Sometimes there are old black and white
photos of couples and families.
Often you can tell the
occupant's occupation, as there are mugs or awards from an employer. Some companies are still in business
and some are from a time past.
Hobbies and collections are
evident. Sewing and/or crafts,
doll collections, bowling trophies and golf clubs. I have even witnessed a home with rooms and rooms of Native
American items complete with several tee pees out back. What was this person's connection?
My favorites are the homes
where it appears the families were raised in the 40’s or 50’s. The home are smaller, the garage is a
one car. More than likely
the basement always has a room that is designated for gatherings and
parties. The concrete walls
and floors are painted with a rug over top. There is always a bar and bar stools. Sometimes there is a very old stereo
for dance music and usually a card table.
Occasionally there is very heavy slate pool table. I leave with a sense of family and good times of past.
So who was the lady in
red? Who was the lady who wore
this bright red raincoat? She had flamboyant
style. Her clothing in her closets
was bright and stood out. She was not married, as there was no evidence of male
clothing or belongings. She was an
artist. The home was filed with
art supplies, painting and pottery. She loved to entertain and play the piano. There was a huge kitchen and baby
grand piano in the living room.
Her ceilings were high and the home was airy and full of light.
But then the Lady in Red’s health became poor. It was evident by the marks in the carpet, that she could no longer climb steps and had installed a staircase lift.
I think the Lady in Red would have
served martinis and appetizers in grand fashion. I have added a Crab Salad Canapes recipe below from one of my favorite sources www.marthastewart.com. I can imagine the Lady in Red serving these with Cosmopolitan martinis to her guests.
I think I would like to have known the Lady in Red
Ingredients
- 1 orange bell pepper
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons whole-grain mustard
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1/2 baguette or ficelle, cut into 1/4-inch-thick pieces
- 1/4 pound jumbo lump crabmeat, picked clean
- 1/2 celery stalk, strings removed, cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices
- 1/2 small carrot, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-long matchsticks
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh marjoram leaves, for garnish
Directions
- Heat a grill to hot, or turn on the broiler. Cook bell pepper until it is completely charred, turning so all sides cook evenly, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer warm pepper to a small bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside until cool.
- Using your hands, rub off charred skin. Slice pepper in half, and remove seeds and stem. Cut pepper into diamond shapes that are slightly larger than a piece of baguette.
- Using a wooden spoon, mix together butter and two mustards in a small bowl until well combined. Spread a generous dollop of mustard butter on each slice of bread.
- Place remaining ingredients except marjoram in a medium bowl, and toss to combine. Place a pepper diamond on each piece of bread, and top with a mound of crab salad. Garnish each canape with several marjoram leaves, and serve.
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