How to Sop Southern Style
Easter Lunch Table, ready to sop?
I broke bread to sop every last drop of gravy and roast beef drippings on my plate.
Two free entrées highlighted the meal, roast beef and chicken casserole. The Friday’s Easter menu also listed these items at no additional charge: gravy, mashed potatoes, rolls, macaroni and cheese, and the cream corn my daughter made.
The featured dessert? Honey Bun cake. A decadent delight swirled with brown sugar and cinnamon, topped with the perfect glazed icing.
Take Your Seat
Time to be seated. Our grandson, Foster, placed at the head of the table as an onlooker. A feast fit for a king laid before us. And we didn’t disappoint. Second helpings became the sport of the day. We each held our own—our eyes not much bigger than our stomachs—not this day. I sopped the last morsels of my meal.
March 31, 2016 at 9:47 am | Uncategorized
It’s Easter—Go Big or Go Home!
Celebrating special holidays and occasions, tossed with the memories they create, bring me joy. I’m enthusiastic about reindeer, flags, turkeys, balloons, party hats, fireworks, hearts, costumes—all of it really.
Especially. All. Things. Easter. Bunnies, bright-colored eggs, baskets, and assorted candy. This year, we’re set to go big. Here’s how.
We’re blessed with an adult son, daughter and son-in-law. Our blessings also include two small fur-babies—family dogs. We call them our little kids. In January, one of the greatest blessings happened. Our first grandchild, Foster, entered the world. Of course, he’s perfect. Absolutely wonderful.
One tradition I’ve kept in place over the years—the kids each have an Easter basket that’s filled with glorious items.
March 24, 2016 at 10:21 am | Uncategorized
Back in the Day: The Lost Art of Social Manners and Work Ethic
Paternal Grandparents-Robert and Bertha Clarkston
Back in the day . . . .
My paternal grandfather passed away before I had a chance to know him. But I was raised near the apron strings of my grandmothers and the worn work boots of my maternal grandfather.
There’s a phrase I heard from each of them, “Back in the day . . . .”
Back in the Day: Stories Told
Albeit, the phrase was often a precursor to what we think of as treacherous, uncivilized back in the day stories. Narratives of how they walked uphill both ways to school (strange how that works). When money was tight, a Christmas gift was an orange—the kind you eat, not an orange dump truck, or an orange dress.
March 17, 2016 at 10:10 am | Uncategorized
The 3-2-1 Battle Plan: 3 Warriors. 2 Arms. 1 Mighty God.
3 Warriors: Me, Elaine, Amy
“Karen, please pray for me. I’m in a real battle.”
The voice on the phone belonged to my sister-in-law. Amy and I married into the Friday family. We’re both from small neighboring towns in the southwest Virginia mountains. There’s other common ground.
Ministering side by side for the past eight years on the ladies leadership team at church. We’ve facilitated Bible studies together, community and global mission projects, and women’s events. Countless conversations about family and life filled our friendship calendar over the years.
Battle Talk
And we’ve discussed God and battles. How to fight spiritual battles. How to recognize the enemy’s schemes. What to do when the forces of darkness come against us. Reminding each other that God’s Word admonishes His people to stand firm, to not back down or turn back.
March 10, 2016 at 10:11 am | Uncategorized
Can We Talk the Talk AND Walk the Walk?
I ironed a long-sleeved shirt for my husband, Mike, to preach in. It would be worn with his cool preacher jeans. Ten minutes into the sermon, I noticed him fiddling with his left sleeve. A gesture that continued.
After the service, Mike explained that when he moved his arms something slid down his sleeve. It peeked out his cuff a few times. So, he tucked it back in.
The worship band made their way on stage for the last song. Mike went to the back of the room to identify the stow away. A dryer sheet with fabric softener. “Cling free” was noted on the box for static electricity.
The experience reminded me of clingy things and people. How we call kids clingy in a physical sense and adults clingy in an emotional way.
But there’s something I’d also read in the Bible about being clingy.
March 3, 2016 at 10:41 am | Uncategorized