Ivy Dishes

When I purchased The Bungalow in 2017, these dishes, the Franciscan Ivy pattern, were found in the bottom of the bright yellow cabinet. Because storage is at such a premium in the house, I boxed up the dishes and took them back to my home in Houston, knowing I would likely use them more often there. Until today, the dishes remained in that box, in my garage, waiting for me to actually wash and dry them and use them to set a lovely table. Finally, today, I did that.

I was motivated by the need to clean out my garage. There were too many treasures in there; many I had never enjoyed myself. So, I decided to open the boxes - one by one - and use the time-tested, declutter technique of “donate, sell or save” to decide what to do with all their contents.

Today, when I opened the box with these dishes and saw the pretty green ivy, it made sense to bring the box into the house and use them to set a seasonal table - with a nod, of course, to the Irish and that side of my family tree.

It was a fun project. I already had a few Irish decorations (like the shamrocks in the centerpiece) and the perfect shade of green goblets and linen napkins. The copper chargers, too, were already here, waiting to be set out and appreciated again. After all was completed, I was most proud of myself for finally doing the right thing by all of the ivy dishes.

Always curious, I opted to Google “Franciscan Ivy Dishes” and found out a lot about them.

First, I learned they were first produced in 1948 (an important year in my life) by California-based Gladdng, McBean & Co. They had only been in existence a few years when, in 1951, I Love Lucy had them on the kitchen table of Lucy and Desi Ricardo’s New York apartment.

After that, the Ivy pattern became a popular choice for everyday use by new brides all over America, throughout the rest of the 1950s and 1960s.

The ivy dishes will likely stay on my dining room table for awhile. And, afterwards, they will be saved to enjoy again and again in the years ahead. At some point, they might even be returned to The Bungalow.

Grace Episcopal Church

Recently, I attended the annual meeting of the Williams-Borden Neighborhood Association. It was held in the Parish Hall of the historic Grace Episcopal Church, located at 1115 36th Street.

The WBNA meeting gave me the perfect opportunity to visit the church for the first time.

Admittedly, the Parish Hall was a surprise. The building is impressive, not at all what I expected. The space inside is large and lovely. It features high, vaulted ceilings with exposed wood rafters. There are stained-glass windows all around. Immediately, I understood why the Parish Hall is a popular meeting place for our group.

Spending time in The Parish Hall made me want to take a peek inside the sanctuary of Grace, as well. I had heard often about its beauty, and I knew a bit about its history, including that it was dedicated as a National Landmark in 1975. Visiting this beautiful sacred place would be a memorable experience.

In 1884, wealthy Galveston businessman and philanthropist Henry Rosenberg and his wife, Leticia, moved their church membership to Grace Episcopal Church (due to a major disagreement). After Leticia’s death, Rosenberg married Mollie Macgill. Two years later, Rosenberg left a bequest of $30,000 to replace the Grace’s small frame church with the beautiful neo-Gothic building that stands today. Consecrated in 1895, the Leon limestone building was designed by noted architect Nicholas Clayton.

Mollie Rosenberg donated $10,000 of her own money for the church’s interior furnishings and many of its incredible stained-glassed windows. The magnificent hand-carved reredos and altar have been called “the richest ever been put in any church in the south.” Other gifts of “Aunt Mollie,” as she is still affectionately known, include the bronze statue of Gabriel, the brass pulpit, the bishop’s chair, credence table, chancel railings, clergy stalls and all the oak pews. Succeeding generations of Grace Episcopal Church members have added memorials, including bronze tablets, candelabra, hand-stitched linens and the Christos Rex in the chapel.

A survivor of the Great Storm of 1900 and Hurricane Ike in 2008, Today, it continues to stand strong in the Galveston community. It serves as a spiritual home for a large and diverse congregation.

100 Years

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This New Year’s Day is a very special one; it’s the 100th birthday of The Bungalow. The original owners, Sidney and Thelma Stubbs, took possession on this day in 1922.

Since I can’t be in Galveston today to celebrate this momentous occasion, I”ll not be blowing up balloons or hanging party streamers. Instead, I’ll be doing some online research. I want to find out what life was like back in 1922 and inside my whimsical little place.

I want to learn of the big news of the year and the music and movies most popular back then. I also want to know about the fashions, the prices of food on the table and the gasoline put in those trendy Model T Fords. Fortunately, all of this was very easy to find out.

In 1922, Warren G. Harding was the president of the United States and, from the White House, it was he who introduced the radio to his fellow Americans. Soon, listeners all over the country were swaying to the sounds of Al Jolson, Frannie Brice, Ray Miller and his Orchestra and Paul Whitman.

In 1922, theater-goers were watching Douglas Fairbanks, Gloria Swanson, Lon Chaney, Marion Davies Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Lillian Gish and Rudolph Valentino in silent films like Robin Hood, Oliver Twist, Blood and Sand, Manslaughter and Grandma’s Boy.

In 1922, the annual income for Americans was $3,143. A first-class U.S. stamp cost 2 cents; a gallon of gasoline was 25 cents. A dozen eggs was 39 cents, and a loaf of bread was a mere nickel.

In 1922, in Canada, insulin was isolated and used, for the first time, to treat diabetes. Amelia Earhart was flying around, setting the altitude record for female pilots. Wimbledon Center Court was completed and the Wimbledon Championships began. The Tomb of Tutankhamen was discovered in Egypt. The BBC (British Broadcasting Company) was formed, and the first issue of the Reader’s Digest came off the press.

In 1922, Prohibition laws in the U.S. were strengthened. The Lincoln Memorial was completed and dedicated by former President William Howard Taft.

In 1922, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was formed, and Mussolini and the Fascist party came to power in Italy.

In 1922, fashion-conscious women were wearing Art Deco style, felt hats and bonnets, chemise dresses, high heel shoes and fur coats. Their hair was bobbed! Dapper men were wearing custom-tailored suits, wingbacks, fedoras and newsboy hats. Their hair was shiny and slicked back.

In 1922, many now-famous individuals were born, including actresses Judy Garland, Betty White, Doris Day, Bea Arthur, Yvonne De Carlo. Veronica Lake and Ava Gardner. Also born in 1922 were a number of actors who enjoyed long and notable careers, including Telly Savalas, Carl Reiner, Darren McGavin, Jack Klugman, Jason Robards, Jackie Cooper, Sid Caesar and Redd Foxx.

But, most notably, those born in 1922 - like my own father - would earn the distinction of being part of the Greatest Generation. They lived through the Great Depression and never forgot it. Many fought in World War II. They made possible the freedom and affluence we enjoy today. They taught us about patriotism, answering the call to duty and risking all for the greater good.

Knowing The Bungalow was built for and lived in by men and women like that made me purchase the property. Daily, I am reminded of them; that knowledge continues to make me proud.

My Fig Tree

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When I purchased The Bungalow in 2017, there was an eight-foot fig tree adding its charm to a corner on the east side of the backyard.

Admittedly, I didn’t pay much attention to it at first, despite my Italian heritage and the significance of fig trees in our family history.

That changed when it was time to remove a rusty, old chain-link fence and have a cedar privacy fence installed. Sadly, one of the main branches of that fig tree was an obstacle to the new construction.

The fence builders suggested I simply have the fig tree cut down!

Little did they expect me to vehemently object, stop the work at hand and tell them more than they ever wanted to know about fig trees!

Little did they know the fig tree has always been a symbol of abundance, fertility and sweetness. Little did they know that the fig tree’s abundance of leaves and fruit make it a great shade tree (as little sun passes through their branches.). Little did they know that’s why so many Italian immigrants (like my grandfather) planted fig trees before they planted anything else in their gardens.

I told them, “Many varieties of fig trees originated in Italy, a country very dear my heart!”

I told them, "Fig trees produce delicious fruit. They can grow to heights of 15 to 30 feet; some of them reach up to 50 feet.”

The fence builders listened with more respect than interest but, finally, the crew boss offered another suggestion, “If you really want to save that fig tree, we could simply lop off that one large branch over there. The tree won’t look too good, but it should survive. But, it may not bear fruit for awhile.”

Without hesitation, I agreed to that plan! And, I’m glad I did.

Today, my treasured fig tree is still standing; it’s taller, fuller and prettier than ever! Yearly, it produces the sweetest fruit, and harvests are always plentiful.

As a result, I've collected a lot of recipes using figs. Most were found in Italian cookbooks. I’ve learned to make fig jam and fig chutney, fig pudding, pies and tarts. I learned to add figs to salads and how best to serve them with cheeses and meats and on pizzas.

I’ve also learned that ripe figs can be put in the freezer to eat (or cook with) later on.

Darlene's Shrimp

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Earlier this month, my son, Matt, spent a weekend in Galveston with me. His plan was to enjoy the slow pace of the island a bit and help me take care of a few minor projects around The Bungalow.

One day, he volunteered to run out and pick up some fresh seafood for lunch. His destination of choice was Darlene’s Shrimp Shack.

Matt had discovered Darlene’s on his last visit to the island and was eager to return and introduce me to the “best fried shrimp he’d ever eaten.” As it turned out, I couldn’t be happier. The fried shrimp were huge and beautiful and so, so good. Indeed, Darlene’s shrimp is, indeed, worthy of high praise!

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What you must know upfront: Darlene’s Shrimp Shack is not a restaurant; it’s a food truck. It sits on the west side of 61st Street, just steps away from Galveston Bay. It sells fresh jumbo shrimp caught daily by fishermen on its own shrimp boat. Darlene’s offers battered shrimp and “naked” shrimp (no batter), french fries, hush puppies. and canned drinks. That’s it!

The shrimp platters feature 10 gigantic shrimp, available in 10 delicious flavors. Already, I have my favorites: the Coconut Fried Shrimp and the Lemon-Pepper Shrimp top my list, but Darlene’s Garlic Parmesan Fried Shrimp and Barbecue Fried Shrimp are great too. And, I have no doubt the other flavors are just as amazing! (I’m eager to try them all.)

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Most customers drive up, place their orders at the window of the food truck and, in short order, take away to eat at home or at the beach. That is what I did the first time I went over there by myself. But, since then, I’ve gone back several more times and enjoyed dining out right there, sitting under the shady pavilion and on one of the picnic tables provided. The close-up view of Galveston Bay makes the experience all the more perfect.

Darlene’s Shrimp Shack is open Monday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Hours are extended to 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays.