There is an old saying that “All good things must come to an end.” Fourteen years ago, on July 13, 2006, The Shelbyville News contained my first “Cooks’ Corner” column. Others had written it before my turn started, and it was amazing to me that the newspaper agreed to accept articles from an inexperienced author. Until then, the only steady writing I had accomplished was putting together devotions and sending them to people by email. I was thrilled to be…..
Another holiday is coming up, and sometimes I find it hard to face the idea that there will be someone missing at my Thanksgiving table. I remember the first meal my family had together after my husband graduated to Heaven. Things got quiet when we bowed our heads for the blessing of our food, but this time the silence wasn’t broken by the voice that usually offered our prayer. I am not sure who stepped into the void; the main…..
Remember the cartoon character Popeye? The one who was “strong to the finish” because he ate his spinach? October must have been his favorite time of year, as it has been designated as National Spinach-Lovers’ Month. I learned to eat many different types of greens when I was a child. It seemed like my mother loved them all. Kale, collards, mustard, turnip greens, and even pokeweed were often served as side dishes at family mealtimes. Notice what is missing? Spinach. …..
Bob, my late hubby, used to tell me that I was a creature of habit. He was oh, so correct. I have my routines, and I feel out of sorts when they are interrupted. I have even passed up things I really wanted to do because I was too comfortable in my regular schedule. However, sometimes I manage to interrupt my usual sequence of events and sandwich in something out of the ordinary. I recently realized it had been way…..
September is National Honey Month. As I was looking through my recipes that include this sweet substance, I couldn’t help but be reminded that for me, the sweetest thing in life is the presence of God. I love the ways He shows up to remind me that He is there, even in the little things. I mowed my grass on Friday afternoon, wanting to make sure that I accomplished that task so I could stay inside most of Saturday. Besides,…..
One of the most memorable vacations of my childhood was a trip my family took to Oklahoma in 1968. It seems so very long ago – and that’s because it was – fifty years, to be exact. We made our journey in August, headed for the Kiamichi Mountain area. Two parents, six children (ranging in age from thirteen-year-old me down to my youngest brother, who was almost four), plus luggage, a tent, and other camping and food supplies were loaded…..
One of my favorite things of summer is fresh cucumbers right out of the garden. My plants have finally started yielding their produce, and I am thoroughly enjoying the bounty. For the past several years, I have planted the pickling cucumber variety instead of their longer cousins. I love the flavor; to me, they are a little sweeter than the others. A few years ago, when my granddaughter Vivian was staying with me for a couple of days, she was…..
May is hard for me to deal with. I love the beauty of late spring as it bursts forth in flowers; however, my allergies do not. I always feel draggy and tired and wonder if something is wrong with me; thinking about it reveals the problem: it’s May. The month is even more difficult for me since my husband’s death as it holds the anniversary of both our first date and our wedding. So here I am in the middle…..
September has arrived, and with it came my daughter, Molly. She was on her way home to Illinois from New Jersey, where she has been living since December, having been on active duty assignment with the Air Force for the past several months. Although eager to see her husband and children, Molly gladly spent a couple of days with her mother. How much can you cram in two days, especially when you have recipes you want to try, and not…..