Posted in Church, Music, Roots on April 15, 2014| Leave a Comment »
I love it in your room at night
You’re the only one who gets through to me.
My sister and I grew up with a family friend (we’ll call her G). She was a few years older than I, and we both looked up to her. She taught us how to put on makeup the cool way (glitter shadow, shiny lip gloss – basically everything sparkly). She kept us informed on who the hottest heartthrobs were.
She introduced us to The Bangles.
Posted in 31 Days, Food, Roots on October 4, 2013| Leave a Comment »
Today, I’m on a bit of a high, because a couple of lines from my post for the “I am from…” synchroblog were chosen to be part of SheLoves Magazine’s September zine. Also, my parents are coming into town this weekend, and I haven’t seen them since July, so I’m looking forward to that. I’m thinking a lot about heritage today.
Food is in my roots.
Growing up, we didn’t eat at restaurants very often. We were the sit-down-at-the-supper-table family. We were the five-kinds-of-pie-at-Christmas family. We were Baptist potlucks. We were homemade candy at Christmas and homemade jam in the summer.
In many ways, we still are all those things.
We grow food. Apple pies and canned peaches come from fruit on the trees out back. Pecans are picked and shelled, not bought. And some glorious day, I’m going to find a farm near me that grows Cream Crowder peas, which, until about two years ago, I knew only as MeMaw Peas.
Yesterday, I didn’t have a lot of time. I had a sandwich for lunch, and a frozen dinner at Kim’s that I ate while watching Parenthood.
But tonight, Mom and Dad are bringing tomatoes and peppers from the garden. They’re bringing Mom’s apple cake (dairy-free, so I can eat it without taking a pill). Tonight, we feast on foods that are homegrown and homemade.
That’s where I come from. That’s the place I’m rooted.
That’s what I miss every time I eat food out of a bag or carton.
Themes, observations, and lessons:
– The food I choose affects my sense of place in the world.
– In a pinch, frozen tikka masala is still pretty tasty.
– Even when I just have peanut butter and jam, at least the bread is good, and the jam is made from Mom’s blackberries.
Posted in Roots on September 25, 2013| Leave a Comment »
Linking up with She Loves Magazine
I am from Bunn coffeemakers,
From hair gel and stacks of well-loved books that tell stories and have stories of their own.
I am from a small reflection of the farm where I grew up, from the aroma of newly picked onions and fresh-shelled peas,
From dusty air and the big, big sky.
I am from cotton and wheat, from lavender and basil,
From the mesquites of homestead giving way to the redbuds of home .
I’m from homemade Christmas candy and stubbornness,
From MeMaws and Aunts pronounced like ants.
I’m from disagreeing (but not in front of company) and sharing recipes and really loud silent treatments.
I’m from look at me when I’m talking to you and be good and Rocky Mountain Rain.
I’m from Texas pride and the stoicism of being English, Irish, Dutch, Creek, and Cherokee, all at the same time,
From Southern Baptist discretion and cavatini and steaks cooked over mesquite or charcoal and chocolate pie with perfect meringue that I still refuse to eat because it is the texture of calf slobber.
I’m from conspiring to move MeMaw Sharp’s garden inside, from learning the hard way that people can’t kiss their elbows, no matter how much I wanted a brother,
From silly songs and fighting over the sweet spot on the couch and tattling and learning to be friends.
I am from heirloom quilts and solid furniture,
From twenty-four place settings apiece bought with green stamps,
From tractors and dirt bikes and so many cats,
From the remnants of family that follow me home and remind me that I am more than tolerated, that I am loved and kept.
Posted in Books, Denton, Food, Memes, Resolutions, Roots, TV on July 31, 2013| 8 Comments »
July was the month of long-time friends. I attended my 20th (!!!) high school reunion, so I got to catch up with who-is-where-and-doing-what and meet their kids (I repeat – !!!). I had dinner with a few people I hadn’t talked to in a while, even though they live right here in town, and I had some friends over for margaritas and build-your-own nachos. I saw my friend Michelle, who is stateside for a couple of months before she heads back to China. I had dinner last night with two of my former roommates Sharon and Margat and their kids. I said farewell to my friend Tomomi who moved back to Japan.
Good friends. Good times.
General Highlights:
I applied and interviewed for a full-time teaching position at the school where I teach, but it went to another candidate. It did me the favor of thinking about what I like about what I do and what I want to change about it for the classes that I do have, even if I’m still teaching in a part-time capacity. So while it was not the outcome for which I was hoping the most, it’s still okay.
I love wearing pearls.
I also love Ravelin’s black pepper and prosciutto loaf.
Denton. Just all of it. I’m so in love with this town in the summertime.
My Maggie is engaged! Yay!
And I love finishing summer conferences! I will be back in my building next Monday!
Books:
I loved The Paris Wife. I read it, then I promptly watched Midnight in Paris and bought A Moveable Feast. I just wasn’t ready to stop hearing this story.
I also read Snapper and The Cookbook Collector, both of which I enjoyed. I got a solid kick in the pants from You Are A Writer, so I wrote a lot this month as well.
My favorite book of the month, however, was Bread and Wine. In fact, this might be my favorite book of the year so far. Food-infused memoirs are my best book friends, and this one resonated with pain and joy and life and abundance and…I just want to read it over and over again and buy it for everyone I know.
I have started so many books (ten, in fact) that I hope to finish within the next couple of weeks, so I’m sure I’ll have something to say about them. A little Neruda, a little memoir, and some Blood, Bones, and Butter.
TV/Movies:
I started Season 5 of Doctor Who. I know Matt Smith is the Doctor, and he’s good at it, and he brings his own special something to the role. But did anyone else just keep waiting for the moment when he turned back into David Tennant? No? Just me, then? Okay. Never mind. I’ll just be over here, wearing my “I ❤ David Tennant” sandwich board.
Then She Found Me was a cute movie. I also heart Colin Firth.
Then I stopped watching Dr. Who because, again – why bother when there’s no David Tennant? – but also because someone sent me this video, forcing me to immediately go back and re-watch all of Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Such a good show.
And I know this is not a TV show or anything, but the Hump Day camel is my dad’s favorite commercial. You should see how he acts when it comes on.
Food:
Breakfast quinoa, specifically with good maple syrup and blueberries, is pretty much my favorite thing right now. It’s so delicious.
This cobbler was a big hit with Michelle, Tammy, and Matt. It was a big hit with me, too. I love peach cobbler, especially with peaches from Mom and Dad’s trees. Also…bourbon.
July always seems to be pie month (observe from back in the day). I made three different pies this month – strawberry rhubarb with gin in the crust, blueberry pie, and icebox lemonade-coconut milk pie, which turned out a little weird but still good, on account-a the coconut.
Pampered Chef’s Raspberry Habanero Sauce as a salad dressing. I can’t even…I’m getting teary just thinking about how amazing this was. I can hook you up if you want to experience it for yourself.
And the Twitter just informed me of something else I need to make immediately. Homemade honeycomb, dipped in chocolate!?!? WHAT?!?!?! I NEED IT!!!
The Intrawebs:
Clearly, this month I’ve gone from occasionally seeing Joy the Baker repinned on Pinterest to following everything she does online. I’m going to have to take up running again. Maybe kickboxing, as I can do that inside and thus avoid risking heat stroke. At any rate, something will have to be done to counteract this sudden spike in calories.
In other late-to-the-party news, I love Feminist Taylor Swift.
And I have loved Grumpy Cat since the beginning. But this one makes me laugh and laugh. And laugh and laugh. And…well, you get it.
This video – Geek Girls and the Doubleclicks – Nothing to Prove *nods*
Blog Love:
The blogosphere was on fire this month. If you missed them, go. Read.
Sarah Bessey – In Which I Thank the Duchess of Cambridge
Sarah Bessey – In Which I choose to be a feminist in the way that Jesus would be a feminist
Abby Norman – The Fix That Won’t (four part series – do yourself a favor and read them all)
Kelley Nikondeha via A Deeper Story – Her Dreads
Rachel Held Evans – Why I Can’t Stay Angry
Preston Yancey – When This is About Insecurity and Writing Books
Addie Zierman – One Small Change series
Hilary Sherratt – Dear Hilary: Honor is not in a Tan LIne
Leigh Kramer – Nashville Doesn’t Love Me
I’m sure I’ll run across ten more that I loved so much. If you wrote one of these posts, thank you. You made my month.
So, that was a lot. It was a good month. It was a good month for others, too. Read what they’re into at Leigh Kramer’s blog.
M. Suzanne Terry 
