Mr. Bean on the Bean Fest

Hello followers! As you know by now, the Navy Bean Fall Festival is just around the corner! Can you believe it? Well, here’s another reason I know it’s super close: my fingers are freezing as I type this, I am wearing wooly warm socks, and I am wrapped in a fleece blanket! Chilly autumn weather can only mean one thing: NAVY BEAN SOUP!!

Today I have invited a special guest to the studio for an interview, and for those of you who are already rolling your eyes, you really already knew I could NOT resist! So, guess who’s here?? Mr. Bean! Heh heh. Now you probably know Mr. Bean doesn’t really talk. That I know of anyway. So I am going to interpret what I am sure is on his mind about our beloved festival. Ready?

NB: Mr. Bean! What a pleasure to have you joining us via satellite from the beaches of Sydney! So glad you could join us! I am sure you are aware of our upcoming Navy Bean Fall Festival in Rising Sun, Indiana. What are your thoughts in general about a festival lauding the wonders of the bean?

MB: Naturally, I celebrate all that is Bean. One day, I hope to make a film about Mr. Bean visiting Rising Sun. It would be a jolly classic, I’m sure!

NB: Would you wear a turkey on your head?

MB: Well, goodness, I bloody hope not! That’s unfavorable humor these days. I was thinking something more like Mr. Bean would explore his inner artist – be part of the artist commune you blokes have in town.

NB: Really? What about playing the harp? Are you aware we have a famous harp artisan in our midst?

MB: Yes, yes I did know! And that is right sophisticated of you! But, oh crikey, no! I’m no musician, and I am right sure Mr. Rees would clobber me about the head!

NB: Ohhh! Mr. Bean! Nobody clobbers anyone here in Rising Sun! We’re pretty friendly folk!

MB: Well, yes, I’ve heard that. Rising Sunners sound like just my cup of tea! Of course, I’d like to pay a visit to that floating casino of yours. Though I’m a bit fearful of spending time at the wonderful pub of yours – by the Legion? – and then I’d end up being detained at Her Majesty’s Pleasure! Well, I guess it would be at Mayor Bill’s pleasure – crazy bloke!

NB: Oh, Mayor Bill! He’d let you out of the pokey! And unfortunately, Mr. Bean, we are out of time!  We’re so grateful you took the time to speak with us today! Enjoy your vacation!

MB: Cheerio, Nadine! Do keep in touch!!

- N. Bean

Drama Bean!

Hello followers! I hope you have bean well. (Heh heh - I love bean humor...) Today, I am going to veer off the topic of beans, but fret not! I haven’t lost my passion for the legume, I just have to tell you a quick story. Ready?

Ok, so the other day, I got an email from a family member, and it alluded to the idea that I might be a tiny bit on the dramatic side. Well, you know how they say your family really knows how to push all the right buttons? I am here to tell you – embrace their critiques! And in this particular instance, I am encouraging ALL of you to embrace your inner drama bean!

For the day, here’s what I want everyone do: If someone tells you something that gets a little under your skin, well then just agree with them. Just to see what happens! Here are some examples:

Your best friend, Lenora, says: Martha, I think you are over-reacting just a smidge. Don’t you think you are being a little dramatic?

Your answer: YES I AM! (and say it with a huge smile – that’s the best delivery.)

Your kid tells you: Mother, I am really worried about your driving. Don’t you think you are driving a bit erratically these days?

Your answer: YES I AM! (and then add that you need extra points for knocking down telephone poles or little old people – like yourself!)

The very nice officer says to you: M’am, do you know how fast you were going? You were speeding.

Your answer: YES I WAS! (and then add with a big smile, I’d like my ticket, please, I’m kind of in a hurry.)

Ok, well, you get the idea? I’d like to hear back from everyone, too. Don’t you just want to see your best friend’s face when you respond? Or your daughter or son?? Oooo - and snap a photo if you can and post it up on the Navy Bean facebook page - that would be even better. Who’s being dramatic now?!! Ha ha!!

Well my point is, sometimes we just need to embrace the moment. So instead of getting mad, show ‘em what you’re made of! There is nothing wrong with being a little feisty now and then, right? As a matter of fact, being feisty is what landed me as the Bean Queen! Who else could make the Navy Bean so much fun?

Oh, and if anyone looks at your cross-eyed and ask what’s gotten into you, tell ‘em Nadine made you do it. And if they have a problem with that, send them to THIS Drama Bean! I’ll set them straight…

-Nadine the Drama Bean

PS: I hope you like the photo. I thought it fit the dramatic theme.

Technology and the Bean

Hello Followers!

Hope you all are having a splendid summer. Mine has been super busy; being the Navy Bean Fall Festival official blogger isn’t easy, ya’ know. I have appearances to make, photos to pose for, and lots of stuff I have to write. It keeps me spry!

By far my favorite activity of the summer, though, is keeping up with my nine-year-old grandson. He’s been hanging out with me here at Camp Nadine for most of the summer. I tell you what, I don’t know how you modern-day moms out there do it. The texting, the video games, the cartoons – it’s enough to make your brain go on technology overload! I mean, I am all for teaching our youngsters how to survive in our modern world, but I almost can’t keep up. (Notice I said almost.) The good thing is, he’s also taught me a thing or two about how to navigate around the web. Who knew Google had images? Now that was quite a discovery, I tell you!

But I am happy to report that he does take time out of his busy day to let me teach him a thing or two as well. He does enjoy my cooking (though he won’t say this out loud), and he has even expressed an interest in learning how to do it. Well, who better to ask than the Bean Queen? So I have taken advantage of a few moments to show him the finer points of our wonderful navy bean soup. (Come on, people! What else would I teach him?!) I admit, I am completely impressed with his ability to chop vegetables. Looks like all that Nintendo DS has at least taught him some dexterity! Excellent!

Unfortunately, my grandson is not a big fan of beans. Go figure. But it’s all good; I know it’s something he’ll grow into. After all, it takes a sophisticated palette to appreciate the texture and the fine flavor of our beloved navy bean! And at the end of the day, the best thing what we created was a fine memory.

So I am encouraging you folks to spend some time with your families cooking up a storm. You’ll be amazed with what you learn, and you might even discover something new about technology!

- N. Bean

Skulking About Town…

Hello followers! Some of you may have heard that I was gallivanting through the town last Tuesday evening getting my photo taken for a fun Navy Bean Fall Festival contest. Well, I am here to tell you that every word of what they said was true!

I had such a great time. It’s been a while since I have been able to have a little bit of fun like that. And I should probably tell you that my husband came along – he was the tall handsome guy skulking around with me. Heh heh. He’s not quite as into it as me – I love to go out and meet the people of Rising Sun! It’s almost like running for mayor – shakin’ hands and kissing babies. He’s a little more on the shy side, but then again, he’s an accountant. How else would we get together?? He’s a bean counter! (Pun intended!)

Anyway, I want to tell you about this fun facebook contest I have schemed up. I figure that one of the best ways to tell you about our town, and to test the knowledge (and loyalty!!) of my fellow Rising Sunners, is to go to some of our more infamous spots and tell you about them. But first, you have to figure out where I am. Ha! Not as easy as it looks!

Last week, I posted a shot of me (looking charming as ever, I might add) skulking about the outhouse that sits behind Rising Sun’s first post office. I was a little surprised that someone didn’t guess sooner, but that’s good, because now I feel extra sneaky! Anyway, I want you all to know that that cabin structure is actually a private residence now. There is a simply lovely woman who lives there, and of course I had to introduce myself. (How I didn’t already know her is beyond me.) She told me that because there is a sign in her window with the history, people think that they can walk on in. More than once, she has stumbled upon an unwanted, or unexpected rather, guest in her kitchen! Can you imagine? You come down in your skivvies for a morning cup of coffee, and HELL-O! Whooo-eeee-doggie! As an aside, you should check out her garden – stunning!

Ok – back to the contest! I’ll be posting photos on facebook throughout the week, and if you are the first to figure out my location, you’ll win a fabulous Navy Bean Fall Festival t-shirt! I’ll post a photo of the t-shirt later – they are a dreamy blue!

That’s it for now, followers! I’ll be seeing you soon – next time I am about town I’ll give you a shout out, look for me in my straw hat and my Navy Bean t-shirt. If you introduce yourself, I’ll buy you a soda!

-Nadine
(PS - in case you are wondering, the tall handsome hubby's name is J.D. Bean.

Rising Sun is our name – don’t wear it out!

Hello followers! Today I’m going to touch on the finer points of our fair town, Rising Sun. After all, if I’m asking you to come on out and join us for our beloved Navy Bean Fall Festival, y’ought to know a little bit about us!

Now, you’re not going to find a much prettier town than ours. Sitting on the banks of the Ohio River, Rising Sun is one of very few towns where you can actually see an unfettered view up and down the riverbank. No muss, no fuss! Just nature and our beautiful historic hometown! And speaking of historic, did you know that Rising Sun was founded two years before Indiana actually became a state? One could say that we were just a little ahead of our time!

Let me just run down a few of the many attractions we have here. Really, I could write an entire book about it, but I know you technology types and bloggers want to have your information quickly and efficiently. So I am going to make good use of your time.

First up! The Navy Bean Fall Festival! (Ok, people, what did you expect me to list first?! I am the official blogger after all!) The Navy Bean Fall Festival takes place on the weekend of October 8^th and 9^th, and we’ll have all the navy bean soup, rides, and music you can handle!

Do you like art? We’ve got it! Check out the Pendleton Art Center, as well as a myriad of other galleries and studios that artists here call home. You won’t find a more diverse and talented group of folks.

Or are you more of the new-age type? Let me tell you all about the Rising Sun Wellness Spa. It’s simply the best place to relax and get that well-deserved massage you city folks need!

And who doesn’t like the harp? Come meet Rising Sun’s very own William Rees at Harps on Main who has been making harps for beginners and professional for over 30 years!

For the animal and environmentalist in all of us, visit Red Wolf Sanctuary. Learn about the wonders of nature and the wildlife that lives all around us!

And did I mention the casino? So, if you are you more of the nightlife kind of person, the Grand Victoria Resort and Casino is for you!

Now, I could go on and on about the diversity of activities here. But I am more of the succinct type, and it’s probably best if you just visit the Visit Rising Sun website. You can find information on everything I’ve talked about and more.

So what in the world are you waiting for? Hop in your cars and pay us a visit!

And don’t forget to tell ‘em Nadine sent you!

-N. Bean

What's with the Navy Bean?

Good morning followers! First, let me introduce myself. I’m Nadine, or as my fans call me, Mrs. N. Bean. I’m a native of Rising Sun, Indiana and I have been elected to school our Navy Bean Festival fans on all things navy bean. I’m excited to be your hostess, and invite you to follow along as we head into the navy bean frenzy that we here in Rising Sun call the Navy Bean Fall Festival. I’m a little cantankerous at times, but I think you’ll understand – I have a tough job to do! The promotion of the Navy Bean is my mission, and I aim to passionately convert anyone and everyone I can to be a card-carrying navy bean fan!

Let’s start with a little education! What’s with the bean? The navy bean got its current (and very popular) name because it was a staple food of the United States Navy in the early 20th century. They are small, white beans and are perfect for making the staple of our festival – Navy Bean Soup. Just so you know, if you are interested in making our beloved soup, dry navy beans are best to start with and are available year-round in prepackaged containers as well as bulk bins. Or (heaven forbid), canned navy beans are also available year round at local markets, and will do in a pinch for you last-minute types.

The navy bean is mild-flavored, dense and oh-so-smooth! And here’s little piece of trivia: navy beans are one of 13,000 species of the family of legumes, or plants that produce edible pods. Combined with whole grains such as rice, navy beans provide virtually fat-free high quality protein. You just can’t go wrong with this bean, my friends!

So, that’s it to start! This blogging thing is new to me, and I am really looking forward to hearing from all of you for feedback and comments. Look for recipes and commentaries from me, and maybe even a few guest blogs from our Rising Sun dignitaries.

~ N. Bean