AUNT AUNEAN'S NUT LOAF BREAD (hic)

The ingredients

The recipe

The dough

 

The finished product

 

Aunt Aunean...Madge's (V's mom) older sister.  Aunt Aunean was married to Uncle Alymer Hollis.  According to Vannie, she was a fabulous cook.  She and Uncle Alymer lived in Bernice in a big old house at the end of a dirt road.  It was two-story and had a wonderful banister that Vannie said that she loved to slide down.  Uncle Alymer had a dairy farm with lots of cows.  He and Aunt Aunean had a big garden with peas, corn, potatoes, okra, green beans, squash, watermelons, and more.

 

Vannie said that she never saw Aunt Aunean take a drink of  "spirits".  She was a devout Baptist.  Not the same for Uncle Alymer.  But as you see in this recipe, a cup of whiskey is one of the ingredients. 

 

So.....when Vannie decided she wanted to try this recipe out of the old Green Cookbook, she had to find the whiskey.  (Green was Aunean's and Madge's maiden name)  She went to Super One in Ruston and walked all over the store.  In Lafayette, the whiskey is right up front, next to the checkout.  Finally, she asked the checkout lady, and she said, "No honey, only beer and wine are in the grocery stores.  You'll have to go west on the service road on the south side of I20.  Devine's will be on your left.  They have a drive-thru."

 

So....V headed to Devine's, hoping no one she knew would see her drive up to the liquor store.  This was getting more and more complicated.  The checkout lady was right...Devine's had a drivethru.  She told the man at the window, "I'm making my Aunt Aunean's cake and the recipe calls for a cup of whiskey.  Can I only buy a cup?"  The man probably was saying to himself..."Sure lady, that's what they all say."  Anyway, he sold her a VERY small bottle.

 

As the little red hen would say..."Now, it's time to make the bread."  All the ingredients went in the mixing bowl...the dough was put in the pans...the mixing bowl was licked and licked and licked (hic).

 

I bet you a dollar to a donut, Aunt Aunean didn't have to go to all that trouble to find a cup of whiskey.  Uncle Alymer made sure of that. 

 

 

ENJOYING THE TIME OF YEAR

All spruced up

Vannie with 2 Louisiana authors, Nancy Rust and Carole Stubbs

These ladies were at the Farmerville Library introducing their books...A Louisiana Christmas and What's Watching Me?  Vannie taught 2 of Carole's kids in Lafayette and Dave was in a play with the youngest.  Nancy taught in the gifted program in New Iberia.

V and D enjoying visiting with their old friend, Fran Robertson.

Fran lived in Lafayette and went to the same church as V and D.  She now lives in Dubach and is blessing the area with her pottery skills.

Cousins...Richard and Sue Elle Hobart...Sue is on Pearl's side of the family.

They live in Eldorado, AR

Amy and John Pesnell

Emmaus Party in Hico

 

V and D

Waiting for the Christmas Cantata at the Douglas Methodist Church...

Jimmy and Pat Miller, Stan and Patsy Bacle,  Lyn Baughman and Pearl

Dave is leading the way in...

Food  and More Food at the Choir Christmas Party

Sweets for the Sweet!

 

In and Out...In and Out...That's about what I'm seeing of Vannie and Dave.  Lots of friends to see and visit with...Lots of fun to indulge in...Lots of "in and out"

 Enjoying the Time of Year

KEEPING UP WITH PEARL

Douglas Methodist Church...Dave left back row

Dave's sister-in-law, Judy Harris...Friend, Sharon and "P"

 

D, P., and V (Farmerville Methodist Church Parsonage Party)

P and D...Dubach First Baptist Church...1st Baptist Farmerville sang their cantata

V, D, P, and Cousins Bennie and Regina Adams from Eldorado, AR

 

P all ready for the first "Tea".

Party Time

 

Yummy and the desserts were not even on the plate!

Dave at the piano...Guests singing Christmas carols

 

Jessie Reade (Jessie is Trudy Sue Bennett's aunt...V graduated from high school with Trudy)

Babs Miller Bryan

Billie Crow

Pat Pace (V's Cousin Janet made the stain glass roses on the door)

HRH (Her Royal Highness) Note the Christmas Sweater..She has 25 Christmas Sweaters.

 

Party till the cows come home!  That Dave's mom's motto...at least around this time of year. If she is not going to a party, she is hosting one at her house. This week Dave and Vannie have been getting up and getting dressed and heading to Farmerville.  "Pearl's Plans" are on the agenda.

 

They have enjoyed friends, family, and food.  I just hope when I'm 95, I can still get around as good at Pearl.  She just keeps on keeping on.

 

 

GRANNIES AND MORE

GiGi and Vincent

Vannie, Vincent, Madeline

Making Cupcakes

Madeline and T-Rex...I'm scared, but Madeline's not buying it!

Go GiGi

Vannie and Madeline

Christmas Cookies...Looks like the sugar count went up this week.

On the way to school...Vannie said that she and GiGi looked forward to this ride!

The Granny Knit Wits

Dave and his mom...Just another Gran

Well, we were in Bernice for just a few days, when Vannie got a call from Emilie (daughter that lives in Austin) that she needed a babysitter.  She had to go to Boston on business, and she would like for hubby Roy to go with her.  Dave already had plans with his mom, so he couldn't go.  A lightbulb went off in Vannie's mind...maybe Roy's mom, Jeanne Salvagio, would like to experience the joys of babysitting with Vannie.  Jeannie jumped at the chance...so plans were made.  Jeanne lives in Benton, LA, so it was right on the way for Vannie to pick her up to head to Austin.

They all left me high and dry in my spot behind the clubhouse last Tuesday.  I got these pics on my pc this morning.  Looks like everyone is having a blast!

Vannie said that she and Jeanne got some Christmas shopping done while the kids were in school.  Looks like the kids were in charge when they got home...lots of hugs, kisses, activities, baking.  Roy and Emilie are coming home today and Vannie and GiGi will head back to Louisiana tomorrow. 

Dave spent these past few days with his mom in Farmerville.  They had several parties to attend, so Gran's social life kept them busy.  I hope I'm that much of a party animal when I am 95.  They came by to check on me today.  I've been fine...just missing my folks.  We'll be all back together this weekend. 

SHALOM

I love when Dave puts this up during the Christmas season.

 

Merry Christmas

Can you see me all nestled behind the Clubhouse?

My new friend...a SOB (some other brand)

 

I can see Mrs. Ruth Hollis' house right out my bathroom window.

 

The tree's up and decorated.

 

Pie in the oven...Looks like Dave needs to wash the dishes.

 

The Old Baughman House in Farmerville...Now Edgewood Plantation

 

Party Time

Did you think I had jumped off a bridge or ran off the road or went to outer space?  I was so glad when Vannie and Dave got back from Lafayette, I guess I was speechless.  Well, I'm back.  We are all together again.  Life is Good!

I love my home in Hillsboro, Tx, but I was soooo ready to hit the road again.  When Dave started hooking me up to the truck, I started singing his praises. The weather was getting chilly and the leaves were falling off the trees, so I knew it was time to head east...to spend some time in North Louisiana...close to lots of memories for V and D. 

 We arrived in Bernice, LA (Vannie's hometown)  a couple of days ago...found our spot behind the old Clubhouse and nestled in for the month of December.  I LOVE this place...the leaves, the trees, the old Clubhouse.  Even though I never lived here, the memories just ooze out of Vannie and Dave.
Out my back window is Mrs. Ruth Hollis' house, down the road a bit is Ruth Glover's house, and around the corner is Vannie's Uncle Almer and Aunt Auneen's place.  These people aren't around anymore, but their spirits are still in the air.  I love hearing V and D talk about what "used to be".
Over there "used to be"...  and that "used to be" ....and uptown there "used to be" ... and on and on and on. 

Just as soon as we settled, the Christmas decorations came out of the box and before you can
"slap yo mama" I was all aglow.  Tree was in place, stockings were hung, wreath outside, angel in her special spot, and the "Shalom" plaque was in it's place across from the front door.  When guests walk in, "Shalom" is the first thing they see.  Ahhhhhh!  All of my stress is out-the-window.  I feel like I've been doing yoga.  Let's face it...this place is relaxing.  You are probably saying..."Gypsy, how can YOU get stressed."  Well, let me tell you...being pulled by a machine that is half my size... down a highway that is just wide enough for me, whizzing by HUGE trucks (some with gasoline, some with live cows and chickens, some with mail, some with all kinds of food, this list could go on forever) ...bumpy highways (especially when we crossed into Louisiana)...now do you see why I get a little stressed.  But all that is behind me for a whole month.  Just got to sit here and drink in the season.

V and D have already been partying.  They went to the Bernice Town Hall to pay the rent on our space.  While they were there, they ran into Bill Mitchem, the mayor and an old friend, Minor Patton.
Minor and Bill invited V and D to a party at Edgewood Plantation House in Farmerville.  The House "used to be" the old Baughman House.  It had been in disrepair for years until one day it was reborn.  A man and his wife bought the place and fixed it up and "viola" it lives again.  Vannie made a yummy strawberry pie to take to the party...They got dolled up...Amy and John Pesnell (Amy is V's niece) picked them up, and they headed to the party.  Lots of great food...people galore...music...dancing...a good time was had by all.

Tis the Season to be Jolly
Jingle Bells all the way
Up on the Housetop
Away in a Manager
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Oh Come All Ye Faithful
(Can I hear you singing?)

Shout a big "Hallelujah" for the Christmas Season...and, of course, remember the "Reason for the Season"...Jesus' Birthday!!!

SALOM

POETRY READINGS AT CARPE DIEM IN LAFAYETTE, LA

Is that Dave?  And who is that lady?

 

The Poet...Carol Rice

Vannie and a "theatre" friend, Bob Sidman

Carol doing her thing!

 

Wow...V and D are getting into the culture scene in Lafayette.  These pictures popped up today on my email.  Wish I could have been there.  I love poetry...Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, I love rolling down the road, with my big load...toad...woad...boad...foad...Oh, gosh, maybe I should keep my day job!  LOL

 

Dear Gypsy,

I wish you could have heard Carol read her poem about cats.  You know how you love cats.  Remember the cat, Tinker, in New Mexico.  He was always hanging around you. 

...And while we were at the Reading, our friend from Lafayette Community Theatre walked in.  Several years ago Bob Sidman played Dave's brother in the play, Shadow Lands.  Awesome play!  This was when Dave and I did our community theatre run.

Oh, and did I mention...the poetry readings were at Carpe Diem, a Gelato ice cream shop.  Need I say more...YUM! 

 

Hold down the fort in Hillsboro,

Love,

Vannie