Christmas
Merry Christmas from the new kitchen
After spending the last 10 years writing a weekly newspaper column, it seems strange not to write my usual Christmas story. Now that the weight of a deadline has been lifted, I’ve been able to focus on a few other projects like . . . a Christmas BOOK! Yes! Plans are underway, so we’ll see…
Read MoreMabel the Christmas dog
Mabel slept beneath my boy’s baby beds, listened while they learned to read, and ran along beside them through the swamps and gullies of Mobile Bay on wild adventures.
Time travel to the best night ever
If anyone invents a way to time travel without messing up my hair, I think I’d like to go back to the night of great contrasts, where darkness was shattered by blinding light, stillness was cracked by shouts and boredom was shaken by excitement. I’m captivated by the familiar story of shepherds keeping watch over…
Read MoreFollow the Star party
The year I thought I would definitely win the Mother of the Year award, I decided to secure the trophy and crown by throwing a little Christmas party for my boys. I convinced my husband to dress up in an old Mardi Gras tunic and tie a folded tablecloth around his head to make…
Read MoreA real Charlie Brown tree
I can freak out over a Christmas tree like no one else. Other things may get (literally) swept under the rug, but for some reason, my tree has to be perfect. I poke and fluff each branch daily up until about 11pm on December 24th to make sure it is the loveliest tree of all.…
Read MoreTwo stories — one front page!
For those of you who have been reading my blog for a long time, you’ll remember this story about my husband’s grandmother Mimi. I love it so much, that I’ve rewritten it (I had to shorten it actually) and am using it for this Sunday’s column, which happens to fall on Christmas Day. I’ll…
Read MoreFairhope’s Magical Christmas Parade — 2016
It was so exciting doing the live broadcast with Mark Swalley on WABF 1220 AM. We were perched on the balcony at Page and Palette Bookstore, which was a great spot to watch. The pin on my hat is my husband’s grandmother’s Christmas bells. There were over 50 groups and organizations that participated in…
Read MoreThe Southern Christmas Queen
You know her well. There’s at least one in each family and several in each neighborhood . . . the ultimate Southern Christmas Queen. Not content with only one measly Christmas tree, she’s been washed and redeemed by the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future, and isn’t happy until every single surface is glittering…
Read MoreTime to choose the gift wrap
I realize we’re celebrating Independence Day, but as a good Southern woman, I have to get my act together and decide on a wrapping paper theme for this coming Christmas. Last year, I foolishly believed my husband when he offered to take care of wrapping the gifts, and as God is my witness, I ended…
Read MoreGood Grief! We love Tiny Trees
Good grief! Charlie Brown’s Christmas has now been poked by politics as President and First Lady Obama gave their interpretation of the true meaning of Christmas. Just before the 50th Anniversary broadcast of the popular cartoon, the message from the first couple was aired to millions of viewers. Mrs. Obama – “The (Charlie Brown…
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