Thursday, January 7, 2010

Comfort Food for the King

The King of Rock and Roll would have been 75 on January 8, 2010. And while I just missed Elvis’s heyday as a performer, I live in a place where it is hard to escape his influence or ignore the milestone. I live in place where the King of Rock and Roll will be alive and jiving in the hearts of thousands of vigilant fans this weekend. Turn your volume on for one of my favorites!

elvis_presley_on_stage

Elvis has millions of dedicated fans and thousands of them will converge this weekend at Graceland the estate he called home. Special tours of the home, stables, and Meditation Garden where his body rests are planned. Priscilla and Lisa Marie will be on hand to speak. The first time I toured the home I felt as if I had stepped back in time.

Graceland_Entrance

These are the gates that lead to the mansion. This weekend the gates will open for fans to get a glimpse into the life of the man who made girls cry with his music, his eyes, and the infamous pelvic moves.

Elvis home

The home, once a showplace for the area, is hardly a mansion by today’s standards. Its white columns are typical of the understated elegance many southerners love. The grounds are beautiful and well-tended.

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Understated elegance ends at the door. Only the downstairs is open to the public and it has been left just as it was when Elvis lived here. Elvis loved to entertain and make music with friends and fellow musicians here. That’s a console television to the left of the baby grand piano. Look at the clock hanging above the fireplace. That shape is very much back in fashion now.

1278918-The-Jungle-Room--Graceland-1

The jungle room made famous by Mark Cohn’s song “Walking in Memphis” is my favorite and is said to have been Elvis’s also. This was probably his “man-cave” and yes, that is green shag carpet on the floor. I wish these walls could talk :). But, I am linking to Michael Lee West for Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum. So what does Elvis have to do with food?

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We have about an inch of snow on the ground today with bone chilling temperatures---a good excuse for me to stay in and nest with comfort food. I thought of what is supposed to have been Elvis’s favorite food—grilled peanut butter and banana sandwiches….it’s a comfort food from my childhood too. I sliced sourdough bread and spread it with a thick mixture of peanut butter mixed with honey. Top with banana slices. Grill on top of the stove with real butter, preferably in a black iron skillet. A tall glass of cold milk goes best with this. I swear I almost heard him…..did you? Thank ya…thank ya very much.

elvis

Elvis Aaron Presley.

January 8, 1935-August 16, 1977

Click on the Foodie Friday button on the sidebar for instant transportation to see what’s cooking at Designs by Gollum. Thanks Michael!

25 comments:

  1. What an American Music icon and he was so cute. Thanks for the tour as I have not taken a tour myself. Funny how things come back into style but glad shag carpet is not back as I had orange (what was I thinking?) Sandwich looks delicious and no wonder why he gained weight and they blamed it on drugs and I say it was one too many of those sandwiches:)
    Joyce

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  2. What a fun post. When I was growing up my mom was a huge Elvis fan so we always had his music playing. Then when I had my own kids my mom would pull out the old records for them. One year I asked my 7 year old son...where would you like to go on vacation...certain he was going to say Disney as that is all he ever talked about...well, to our surprise he said Graceland!!! So Mickey Mouse had to wait another two years as we headed to Memphis!
    Her certainly changed music and diets for many who were introduced to that famous peanut butter and banana sandwich.
    xx
    Karen

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  3. Any excuse to eat is good!
    One inch.too funny!
    My friend loves Elvis..she went just to see Graceland..loved it!

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  4. Well, Elvis made his appearance on TV when I was a young teen but my parents wouldn't let me watch it. lol I never did care for much of his music... but on the other hand... that grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich sounds awesome.
    Love your posting!
    Karen
    Ladybug Creek

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  5. When Elvis "left the building" for the last time, it was on my birthday. I remember him every year! Walking in Memphis, the Mark Cohn version, is one of my favorite songs. Thanks for the pictures. Our family toured Graceland a few years ago and I loved it!
    Hugs,
    Renee

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  6. I liked some of his music and some not so much.
    Toured his home in the mid 80's and you are right - by today's standards, it is not a mansion. I don't know what I expected, but did not find it there.
    Stay warm.

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  7. I am not a huge Elvis fan but my daughter was. Although she never got to visit Graceland, she always wanted to.

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  8. Wow, 75! How the years have flown. I love all his songs and I used to watch his movies when they were on tv back in the 70's, loved every one of them:) Thanks for a lovely post. Love that sarnie!

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  9. Loved the music & movies of his younger days. Thanks for the reminder.

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  10. When Elvis died, his body lied for viewing in the entry hall of Graceland and was open for the public. My aunt from Texas and I waited in line for 8 hours to see him. I was 17 years old, and it was a very hot August day. People were fainting, and several had to be taken by ambulance due to the heat. We did not even have water with us or get out of line to go to the bathroom. Crazy, huh?

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  11. There is nothing like "Walking in Memphis" by Marc Coen. One of my all time favorites. This post was a real treat. I didn't know about the peanut butter and banana sandwich, but am going to try it now. Hard to believe he is dead Thanks for the recipe and music. --Delores

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  12. A character in my new book is Elvis-obsessed.

    Bandwidth stepped up to the plate, no pun, while I was working feverishly on the book/s. He was totally sick of my Deadline Cookery.

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  13. My daughter shares his birthday. And I can honestly say I do remember where I was when I heard the news that he died. I was around 10 years old and it really stands out in my memory! Enjoy your day!

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  14. I must tell you that, in 1956, when Elvis made his debut, I sneaked out of town with several friends (senior in high school) and came to watch him in Lubbock, Texas (where I now live). I grew up with him, so to speak, and was in love, just like every other teen girl. To this day, I love his first THAT'S ALRIGHT, MAMA with BLUE MOON OF KENTUCKY on the flip side. I had every single one of his early hits, all on 45 records.
    I made the tour of his home in the early 90's and loved every minute of it. I hope some day to go back and take some of the grandkids...the girls would love it.
    Thanks for the memories...
    A wonderful post..
    xo bj

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  15. Susan, it never ceases to amaze me that such a huge volume of Elvis fans turn up for the anniversary of his death as well as his birth date. Of course, I've taken the tour, and I've been there when people dressed as Elvis and crying women held candles in lin at the gate! I always wondered if he had lived a longer life, would he be so famous? I've never eaten a grilled p'nut butter and ban. sand. I'll have to try it! Thank you so much for posting my party button. (I'd love to go to the new S.A. store with you - I just have to leave my car on Poplar!) laurie

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  16. this is the closest I will more than likely ever get to touring this wonderful place! thanks for posting!

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  17. Mum was a fan right from the start. I didn't get it until I saw THAT video of him singing Hound Dog in half tempo. Ooooh yes, I understand now! My 11 year-old daughter is now a fan, so three generations.
    Thanks for the pics of Graceland. I'll pass them on to Mum.

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  18. We all need a little comfort food on a cold day. I loved hearing him singing "I'll be home for Christmas" even this year.

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  19. This was a wonderful post and I think the peanut butter and banana sandwich added the perfect touch to Foodie Friday. Have a really great day.

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  20. mysterymeatloaf.blogspot.com/

    so funny that you are showing sandwiches today, just found a ckbk with a whole section of sandwiches! (who knew)

    Sounds like you had a great time at the King's abode!

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  21. That explains the Elvis movies on TCM. I stumbled onto "Blue Hawaii" earlier today. My step son (34) commented that he got his moves from Michael Jackson ... oops MJ must've gotten them from Elvis. He sure shook the world, didn't he? I used to watch all his movies and just adored him in my younger years.
    Thanks for stopping by my blog. Yes, I was watching the competition at the Rosebowl yesterday. An interesting game...although we lost ... at least we ralleyed. I didn't check but I figure you're on the 'Bama side? Congrats if so. Hope you'll come by again. I thought I'd stopped by your blog before, I see you follow "5 Minutes...(Natasha)" maybe I did come by one day? Ah, yes. You're in my "favorites bar". I just have not come by in a while. Hope to stop by again! Thanks! Jenn

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  22. Even after all these years Elvis's music is stilllll fabulous....What an awesome entertainer.

    I don't remember seeing Graceland before and it isn't even close to what I imagined. I thought it would be a HUGE white mansion. You're right, hardly a mansion by today's standards. Compare that to Aaron Spelling's mas!

    I love peanut button and banana sandwiches too.

    Often, for Elvis birthdays PBS will have a weekend devoted to him. I hope that's the case this weekend too!

    Warm blessings,
    Spencer

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  23. He will never be replaced! I remember going through Graceland a number of years ago...the billard room with all the paisley fabric and the media room with the bright yellow and navy blue!
    I'll pass on the PB & bananas - I'll take your word for it!
    Great remembrance post!

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  24. what you did to your bonus/media room, Susan! It really looks comfy-cozy & your posters look great on the wall. I have a half of my downstairs set up with a sofa & TV for the grandkidlets, but I have quilts on the walls instead. :D
    BTW, I think PB&B sandwiches are yummo!

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