Our Family Secret

This week, I'm participating in the Blogtober Fest Challenge sponsored by Arkansas Women Bloggers. Today is the last day of the challenge.  The topic is Favorite Fall Recipes.


I live in the South, and come from a family of good cooks and good eaters.  That's really no secret--have you seen me? Our way of doing big family gatherings is that everyone pitches in to bring a dish. Really, this is cool because that way nobody gets stuck doing all the work--we can have up to 20 people at any time. I, however, have been given a pass on the cooking lately since we are always traveling across the state with three kids in tow...but I digress.

Our #1 most popular family dish is my Nanny's cornbread dressing. Now, don't get this confused with stuffing; this is most certainly not coming out of a turkey's butt. Nanny's dressing is not just made for traditional Thanksgiving dinner; we have it during regular Saturday lunches in the middle of May. We can be cooking steaks on the grill and someone will make darn sure that Nanny is bringing some dressing! It's really kind of odd.  But here's the problem: there is no recipe, and nobody can make it like her.

The first Christmas after the twins were born, we decided it was wise to stay home instead of hauling it across the state (for obvious reasons). My sister and her husband joined us here instead. Immediately, we realized that Nanny would not be here to make the dressing and neither would my mom. Well, my sister did not get the cooking gene, and I do alright, so I said I'd give it a shot.  I emailed my mom for some directions. I will share with you what I got in return (I swear, I am copying this exactly):

"How to make dressing....

I'm like Nanny in that I don't measure b/c that's the way she taught me. THE MAIN SECRET IS THIS--DO NOT OVER STIR AFTER YOU ADD THE BROTH OR IT WILL BE GUMMY.

Start with 1 cup of buttermilk and beat in 2 eggs by hand. Add corn meal mix, a little at a time, until it is still pourable...not real thin, but not too thick or it will be heavy when cooked. If you get too much cornmeal, add a little more buttermilk until you get the consistency you want. Bake until it's nice and brown on bottom. There are also directions for making cornbread on the cornmeal package, if you prefer precise measurements. (duh!)

Finely chop celery (about a cup or so) and an onion. Boil these in chicken broth until almost clear and tender. Meanwhile, crumble the cornbread into chunks in your baking dish. Mash 2 boiled eggs with a fork until very fine and add to cornbread. When celery and onion are done, dip out with slotted spoon and mix into cornbread. Sprinkle on the sage and some black pepper. Mix gently with fork or your hands. Once combined, pour on the turkey broth, a little at a time. Again, you can stir gently with a fork but be careful not to do too much...just until combined.

Here is where you taste a little to see if it needs more sage, pepper or if it needs salt. The broth is usually salty enough if you salt your turkey well.  Shake the pan back and forth to gauge how much broth is in it. You will most likely need to add some of the chicken broth that you used to cook the celery and onion.

It should be moist enough to move back and forth but not be soupy. If you get too much, you can dip some out and you will need to cook longer to dry it up. Normally, it takes about 30 minutes at 450 degrees. Cook until it's brown on top. Save any leftover broth in case you need to add a little when you warm up the leftovers (only if it's on the dry side).

Good luck! Let me know how it turns out......"


I bet you are wondering how it turned out. Would these directions work for you??  Well, I gave it my best shot. Because she warned me 62 times, I was so paranoid about putting in TOO MUCH broth that I didn't put enough! It turned out fairly well, but on the dry and crumbly side. Nobody complained, but only because they knew better. A sleep-deprived, cranky lady cooking her first solo Christmas dinner....just shut up and eat it!

The Unforgettable Moment

This week, I'm participating in the Blogtober Fest Challenge sponsored by Arkansas Women Bloggers. Today's topic is Fall Back--promote a post from the past.

With today's assignment, it was really a no-brainer on which post I would promote.  My twins are two years old now, but I still get asked the same questions today that I was asked when I was expecting.  Over and over, always the same questions. Today, I'm reminding the world just how we felt when we learned that our family was growing BY TWO!  Click HERE to read that post from February 2010. It's been a long time, but that memory will never fade. It was the single most shocking moment of my life.

If you are a new reader, or found me through the Arkansas Women Bloggers challenge, then you are in for a treat. If you know someone expecting twins, this might give you a little perspective on what's in her head.  And what not to ask her.

Along with my sweet five-year-old, I have two healthy, smart and active toddlers. They exhaust me, but they show me every day that some surprises turn out to be blessings.

First time at the park

Tradition, Habit or Strange Obsession?

This week, I'm participating in the Blogtober Fest Challenge sponsored by Arkansas Women Bloggers. Today's topic is Fall Traditions.

First, let me explain that my husband grew up in the tiny town of Yellville, Arkansas, a place I'd never been until I met him. In this tiny town, they have a fall festival called Turkey Trot; it includes a 5K race, turkey calling contests, a Miss Drumsticks beauty pageant and a parade. But the highlight of the festival has caused much controversy in the media in the past few years....they throw live turkeys from airplanes flying over the town square. Yes, you read that right. This little festival just celebrated its 67th year this past weekend, and we were there! Try not to be too jealous. I'm pretty sure this was my 5th year to attend, though I can't remember exactly.  

I will say that last weekend there was a collective heaviness hanging in the air around town, that I've not seen there before. I hate to tell this, but there were no turkeys hurled from planes this year. And, OMG....you would have thought someone died. It was the talk of the town all day, as the Turkey Trot regulars walked around with their necks craned toward the sky. After many years of complaints by PETA to the FAA, it seems that the turkeys have finally been spared. I, as an outsider, do not have this strange feeling of sadness that's apparently shared by those who have enjoyed this insanity for most of their lives. I can say that it was definitely a sight to see and I'm glad that I got to witness it, or I might not believe it myself. 

Here is a little Bramell family pictorial of Turkey Trots from the past. You can see how my kids grew and multiplied over the years.  Enjoy!

Big Sis, age 17 months at 2008 parade

Always fun during election years--2008

Look closely between the first two power lines--a turkey!

See? I did not make this up. Dude got a turkey!

I forgot to mention that the ones who are lucky enough to catch a turkey are expected to walk around the town square to show off his/her bounty.  

The twins' first Turkey Trot--2010
Clearly, they are not impressed.

2010--Big Sis, age 3

YSHS Band--2010

Bonus points for creativity--2012 parade float

My sweeties totally digging the parade--2012
Twins, age 2 and Big Sis, age 5

Sweet Nostalgia

 

 

This week, I'm participating in the Blogtober Fest Challenge sponsored by Arkansas Women Bloggers. Today's topic is Halloween Memories. 

 

 

Every year at this time, as the nights turn cool and the leaves turn beautiful colors, I think about the good times from my friend Buddy's birthday hayrides.  This was one event that I looked forward to every year.  I mean, look--I'm in my upper 30's and I still think about it EVERY. SINGLE. HALLOWEEN.  I grew up in a small, rural farming community without a lot  of commercialized things for us to do.  But God bless Buddy's mom, Mrs. Ruth, for letting 30-40 teenagers trample into her home each October for this party.  I don't know how many years Buddy had this party, but I'm pretty sure it was through junior high up until we started driving. 

Just imagine this--Buddy's house backed up to a cemetery, which is creepy on any normal day.  But the week before Halloween, you bet your hiney that place was scary! We'd start out in the yard around a big fire roasting hot dogs and drinking way too many Dr. Peppers. After dark, we'd all pile onto a flatbed trailer and go for a hayride through the cemetery.  Now, I have always been a big scaredy cat, but this hayride nearly did me in every year.  But I kept going back for more! Buddy's dad, cousins and various neighbors would hide out in the cemetery behind tombstones and trees in bloody zombie costumes....waiting to jump at us for a good fright. After the first year, we expected this to happen. But was it any less scary? Heck no!

Although I don't really remember, I'm sure some years I had someone to snuggle with or hold my hand.  But mostly I remember our whole gang huddled together and our shrieks echoing out into the dark, haunted night air. I remember once when some kids thought it would be fun to jump off the trailer and run back to the house. Well, I wasn't up for that, but also didn't want to get left behind in the cemetery. So, off I went into the dark.  I swear, my heart was beating in my throat as I was hurrying through the tall grass toward the dim lights from the house in the distance. I'd been here so many times, so why was I scared? And why didn't we ever bring flashlights?



Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
 

Image from Google Images--not Buddy's hayride.

After we all survived the hayride, it was time to hang out around the fire. We'd sit and chat, and watch the boys goof around.  Buddy's birthday is always during MLBs World Series. I have such cool memories of being the only girl hanging out in the family room watching baseball with all the boys and Buddy's dad. Maybe they thought I was cool, or maybe they thought I was weird. But I loved it!  Even now, when it's time for the World Series, I think about Buddy and those parties. I think about the friends that I grew up with, and rarely ever see anymore. These are all happy memories, and ones that I'll always have this time of year.

I looked for some photos of the parties to post on here, but didn't find any. I did learn that cameras back then were crappy; the quality of the photos I did find were very poor and dark.  So, if any of my WHS homies read this and have photos---please send and I will add to this post.  But I doubt any of us ever took our cameras with us, because we knew the zombies would get them!  Also, share some of your memories in the comment section; maybe I forgot something cool.

Fashion Fun: Is she Five or Fifteen?

This week, I'm participating in the Blogtober Fest Challenge sponsored by Arkansas Women Bloggers. Today's topic is Fall Fashion and Decorating. 

When I saw the topic for the first day's challenge, I will admit that I was a little stumped.  Fashion is not really something that I stay in tune with.  I wear what I have, what's clean and what fits; and the "clean" part is negotiable. So, then I thought about focusing on the "decorating" part of the topic. Hmmm....well sure, I have a few pins of great looking projects that I'll never get to.  I have some decent fall decor ideas, but with two little grabbers in the house, that will have to wait a few more years. Right now my fall decor includes Matchbox cars, baby dolls, coloring books and random shoes strategically strewn around the floor.  Top it off with a plastic pumpkin, and we're good to go.

I finally settled on Fall Fashion featuring Big Sis, the sassy 5-year-old in my house.  I talked it over with her and she was more than willing to help out.  At least if I can't be a fashionista, then my kid can.  

Above:  Check out this green corduroy jumper that I found last week at the Goodwill store, of all places.  I went in to look for Halloween costume pieces, and found this sweet GAP dress in perfect condition for three bucks.  Score!  Below:  Something we threw together from her closet. We actually bought the super cute knee socks from the LittleMissMatched store in Orlando way back in May, and have been waiting oh-so-patiently for fall weather to wear them.  Yay!

And, finally....my favorite of them all.  I never, EVER buy the girl expensive clothing.  Mainly, because she is still pretty clumsy, messy and generally rough on clothing. When I saw this sale online for Vintage Couture way back in the summer, I jumped! Y'all, this dress cost me TEN BUCKS (I think reg price was $70)!!  Oh, how I've waited for the weather to be right for her to wear it.  And I can't find brown tights anywhere, wouldn't you know.  Nonetheless, it suits her perfectly and we love it!

Obviously, nobody will ever turn to me for fashion tips. But I appreciate this challenge because it caused me to think outside the box....and have a GREAT time with my little girl, who won't be this eager to help for long.

BLOGtober Fest Challenge

Check in every day next week to see what's going on here.  I'm going to participate in a blogging challenge, issued by my Arkansas Women Bloggers friends.  That means I'll be posting on a new (assigned) topic every day next week.  This should be a real challenge, as finding the time to blog everyday is difficult.  But I am up for the challenge, and I want to do it!  I'll also give links to the other participants so you can see what ideas they have to share.  Happy Fall, Y'all!