Outdone by a Georgia Cracker

comments ( 0 )
June 11, 2009  posted by Janis
 

I have to confess that after many years of supremacy, I have finally been outdone in the matter of Daddy’s old fangers. One of my many Georgia cousins, Cynthia Rudd, whose great-great-grandfather Demonsthenes was older brother to my great-great-grandfather, Hortenscious, claims that one of her uncles had his foot cut off in a train accident before the war, and kept it in a jar in her Grannie’s cellar, where it still resides, to this day. In a Jar. In the cellar. 
 
Remind me to never volunteer to clean out any of my Georgia cousins’ houses when their time comes. Finding a home for all of Aunt Izzy’s Jesus pictures was a chore. Finding a home for a foot in a jar, near about impossible. Cynthia also sent me a picture of some of our Georgia kin who migrated to Oklahoma before they were done, including one of her Uncle Fat, below. I can only say that in Cracker World, you can never have too many Uncle Fats. 
                                     
Uncle Fat, Grandad Ash, Uncle Bunk

Uncle Fat, Grandad Ash, Uncle Bunk

Moshe’allah, at last

comments ( 0 )
May 14, 2009  posted by Janis

Sorry it’s taken so long to get the great bragging picture posted, but I didn’t want to stir up the waters of envy during Lent. Here is photographic evidence that, yes, I know Pat Conroy. It was taken at our signing at Baystreet Trading Company in downtown Beaufort, and I appear to be either talking or making a very superior face. You know: just out there doing my part to help the struggling writers of South Carolina; letting them tag along and sign with me.

 

DB, Pat and Janis, Beaufort, '09

DB, Pat and Janis, Beaufort,

 

While I’m on the subject of photographic evidence, here is picture of Daddy and his two old “fangers” which were cut off in a childhood accident and saved in moonshine, till that happy day they are reunited with the rest of his mortal remains. When he took them out yesterday, he noted that the moonshine is finally, after almost 80 years, getting low, and asked my brother to get him a refill. Jay asked if Everclear would work. Daddy said he preferred raw shine. I guess it is the secret to really long-lasting pickled fingers.

 

Daddy and his fangers, May '09

Daddy and his fangers, May

 

What can I say? Viva la Cracker.

Pineapple Dump Cake

comments ( 0 )
April 20, 2009  posted by Janis

Here’s a cake/cobbler confection you can make for Mother’s Day that is simple to make and easy on the palate; so easy that a budding child cook can lend a hand and take pride in their first dessert. Mama used to make a similiar recipe, though this one is from the kitchen of a young cracker beauty from Jacksonville, Selina M, who has youth, beauty, and a good cake recipe. You don’t get much better than that. This recipe calls for pineapple, but you can substitute canned cherries or blueberries, or if you’re really old-school, fig preserves.

 

Pineapple Dump Cake

 

20 ounces can crushed pineapple

1 yellow cake mix, unbaked

1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

1 cup unsalted butter

Cool whip or ice cream

 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Spread pineapples on greased (or Pammed) 13 x 9″ pan.

3. Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over pineapple, then sprinkle layer of pecans.

4. Cut butter into 1 tsp slices, and arrange over top.

5. Bake cake for 50-55 minutes.

6. Serve with Cool Whip or ice cream.

Turnip Green Soup

comments ( 0 )
April 20, 2009  posted by Janis

One of the great perks of life on the road is the ability to snatch up really great recipes. For your consideration: a fine Turnip Green Soup, courtesy of a fine Southern lady, Rosamond K, of Panama City. Make this with corn bread and your life will be complete.

 

Turnip Green Soup

 

1/4 lb ham bone (or cup or so of leftover baked ham)

1 can turnip greens

1 small chopped onion

1 green pepper, chopped

1/4 lb white bacon, cut into 1/2″ pieces

1 can great northern beans

1 clove chopped garlic

4 small diced potatoes

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Cook ham in two quarts of water for 30 minutes. Add greens and beans. Cook 30 minutes. Add sauteeded onions, garlic, pepper and potatoes. Cook on low/medium heat 20-30 minutes, till potatoes are tender. If too much water boils out, add more as needed. Serve with pepper sauce.

Easter Miracle for Your Consideration

comments ( 0 )
April 1, 2009  posted by Janis

Faithful readers of my blog might recall the sad story of Austin, our yellow coon hound, who was felled the first week of December by a raccoon bite. After many long months of nursing, feeding, rolling and - yes - prayer, our sweet yeller dog has just this week begun to stand on his own skinny legs. Just in time for Easter. If the timing of this small canine miracle has escaped you, I recommend to your reading the last few chapters of any of the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke or John, King James Version (of course.)

 

I understand there are a few readers who are checking the blog regularly for pictorial evidence of the signing with Pat, and I can only apologize. Many readers in line took pictures, but I was too busy being, for once in my obscure life, a bona fide Celebrity Writer. That is: a writer who had a line waiting when she arrived; a line that engulfed the store and stretched outside; that grew disorderly when it didn’t move properly. Pat’s presence was possibly the motivator behind this brief phenomena. I just enjoyed it while it lasted. To the kindly folk who took pictures and promised me copies: go get your camera and upload my pictures. When Lent is officially over, I intend to cast off my false modesty and enter a Glorious Season of Bragging.