You never heard of Walsh Salad? That’s because “Walsh” is a family code word. We have these wonderful friends named Walsh, who were growing their own produce in their back [space] yard (I hate backyard — HATE it) before it was cool. So, if we have a salad made entirely or mostly from our own produce, it’s a Walsh Salad.
Here’s a picture of this one. It’s mostly lettuces and baby spinach and green onions and asparagus from our garden, so it qualifies. It also has organic red peppers from the store, black olives and artichokes from cans, all slightly wilted with vinegar, sugar, and hot bacon grease from local organic bacon.
Not bad, children. Not too shabby.
Other beloved acquaintances and their eponyms (words derived from their names):
Ora Mae: To wash dishes inadequately. Example: I sure Ora Maed that spoon; put it back in the sink and get another one.
Mary Ann: To clean something and put it back in the box after every use. Example: I Mary Ann the waffle maker and rice cooker because I don’t have room for them on the counter.
A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: Is there something you do or say or eat that reminds you of a particular friend?
MA
Red Tash
May 9, 2012 at 9:20amWhen I worked for a public accounting firm, one of my supervisors told me about a time he and some other auditors ran into an audit team from a rival accounting firm, at lunch. Yes, such things exist. CPAs are weird that way. Anyway, one of the rival accts was putting his tray away at the trash/tray “thingie” before leaving the restaurant, and he slipped and got food all over his expensive suit. Of course my supervisor and his team were obnoxious and laughed the other guys out of the place with red faces. After that, whenever someone slipped, the supervisor would refer to their action as “Pulling a Melhiser,” after the name of that other firm. I still call it that, too. And there’s a hand gesture (not rude) that I do with my kids that I call “The Toombs” because that same supervisor named that after a former co-worker. Who knew CPAs could be so much fun? 😉
Marian Allen
May 9, 2012 at 3:49pmI knew! I’ve worked in accounting, and the bad rap accountants have of being dry and dull is pretty much opposite of the truth. lol
Jane
May 10, 2012 at 12:18amDarn! I can’t recount my two best sayings from my family heritage of spot-on remarks! (Because they are too rude.) Marian, you know which ones I mean.
But…….Here’s a joke: The family has guests to dinner. Every question from the guests about how clean (or NOT) some piece of dining ware may be is greeted with the answer, “It’s as clean as three waters can make it.” Reassured, the guests continued to dine. Only afterwards does the family’s dog answer to its proper name: “Three Waters.”
Marian Allen
May 10, 2012 at 8:00amJane, how long have you been reading this blog? And you still think your family expressions are too rude for it? As long as you present them tastefully, you know. Remember my motto: “To hell with anything unrefined.”
Marian Allen
May 10, 2012 at 8:01amOh, and that joke is always good for a delighted, nose-wrinkled Eeeeeewwwwwww! from the kids at any table anywhere.
Jessica Foster
May 10, 2012 at 3:48amOh that’s clever. I don’t have any cool words for things like that, but I should start. Thanks for sharing.
Marian Allen
May 10, 2012 at 8:05amIt keeps memories close and alive, Jessica. Mom and I get “Grandpa plates” at pitch-in dinners. When he got beyond going through lines, one of us would make up a plate for him and bring it to him. Ask him what he wanted, and he’d say, “Oh, a little bit of everything.” So that’s a Grandpa plate. 🙂
kathy parr
May 16, 2012 at 4:28amAs i read the ingredients, i find it very healthy and full of anti-oxidants, such as garlic and asparagus, they both are having a vast array of anti-oxidants that could help our body be as clean as possible on the inside, asparagus, a natural blood sugar regulator. I will be starting to gather ingredients and make some addition, for my children to savor it without thinking what the ingredients are.
Marian Allen
May 16, 2012 at 9:27amHi, Kathy! We’re practically vegetarians around here, so we get lots of anti-oxidants and healthy foods. I hope your children like the salad as much as our grandson did!
Jennifer Erwin
May 17, 2012 at 8:45pmI haven’t been very good with eating raw lately, the weather has been so cold and wet but after reading your article with green foods I am back in the zone! Salad for lunch, I had forgotten how much I love it! Thanks Marian you are an inspiration!
Marian Allen
May 17, 2012 at 9:52pmWe got some GOOOOOD Bibb lettuce from the farmers’ market Saturday, and we’ve been grazing on that. 🙂 We’re not Raw Food people, but we do love salads!