A few years back when my three boys were little and we lived down in Anderson County on an acre of beautiful, chicken-poop fortified black dirt, I grew tomatoes. Not just a few tomatoes. My husband put in 40 or more tomato plants, along with corn, various varieties of peppers, purple hull peas, and butterbeans.… Continue reading Save a little summer sun in your freezer: Freezing fresh tomatoes
What a miracle…a white Christmas in East Texas! I’ve lived in Texas for 14 years now, and though we’ve had snow at other times, we’ve never had an actual white Christmas….until yesterday. It was fun and so beautiful. It made the day even more special. Also, I got to feed kids and family… Continue reading Spiced apple-pumpkin bread with dried cranberries
Today I want to share with you some images of beautiful example of Beaux-Arts architecture in Anderson County, Texas. The Anderson County courthouse, located in the county seat of Palestine, is the fourth that the county has had over the years, replacing the third courthouse which burned down in 1913. I lived in Anderson County… Continue reading Who doesn’t love an old beauty?
This week has been a week for me to really walk down “old-school” lane. I love old things: antique furniture, dusty old books with the names of long-gone people scrawled inside the cover, old movies, old recipes, old homes, and the like. I lean toward the nostalgic. That’s why I’ve enjoyed this week. Now, don’t… Continue reading Fried Green Tomatoes and an Old Courthouse
Most of the time, it doesn’t take much to delight me. I’m happy with grand gestures, as most women are, of course, but I really enjoy little things that just add bright spots to any regular day. Saturday had quite a few of those bright spots, and I enjoyed each one. First I awakened to my… Continue reading Greeting the New Week: Little Things to Treasure
“One day I would have all the books in the world, shelves and shelves of them. I would live my life in a tower of books. I would read all day long and eat peaches. ” ~ Jacqueline Kelly I love words. Perhaps that’s why I have been an avid reader since I was three… Continue reading Peaches and Words
As I’ve browsed a handful (or two….or three handsful, perhaps) of times in the produce section of FRESH, our area’s nicer version of a Whole Foods, in my opinion, I’ve noticed people quizzically looking at some of the unique, exotic fruits displayed there. They almost seem afraid to pick them up, even! “What in the… Continue reading New Series: What Does One Do With All Those Exotic Fruits In the Produce Section? Day One: Dragonfruit
I have been having a fantastic time in the past year just walking through doors that are opening for me in “foodie” circles. It has shown me several things. For instance, if you love people, many of them will love you back. Also, if you do what you love doing, even if you are doing… Continue reading Savory Stuffed Tomatoes
“Peanut butter is the paté of childhood.”~Florence Fabricant Peanut butter feels, to me, like an old friend. Peanut butter was there for me on days when spaghetti-os weren’t available, and when mom was trying to make me eat canned English peas that I just couldn’t swallow. What kept me full and protein-fortified? What made my… Continue reading MamaSteph’s Outrageously Great Peanut Butter Blondie Bars
The Great American Peanut Butter Festival is taking place tomorrow, Nov. 13th, in Grand Saline! So much work is still going on to make sure everything is perfect for all of you: your families, your friends, and YOU! I hope you’ll be there, rain or shine, to enjoy the live music stage, the parade, the… Continue reading Cooking Up a Storm For the Great American PB Festival: Cookies!
In Mama Steph's Kitchen 