Tennessee Kinfolk on Christmas Day

My Dad was born and raised in Warren County, Tennessee, and most of the family still lives in Centertown.  I hadn’t been back to the Volunteer State since the summer of 2011, when I traveled to the family farm to spread my Dad’s ashes.  Being back in the area brought back bittersweet memories of when we finally put my Dad to rest. 

Needless to say, it was nice reconnecting with my Kinfolk.

A cow mailbox, a charming farm.

Fried pies.  Ridiculously tasty.  Heart attack on a plate.

Sitting down with the family.  Aunt Reba, Uncle Pug, and Uncle Junior (left to right).

Uncle Pug in his Sunday shirt. 

Uncle Junior and his big grin.  I love his smile.  He reminds me so much of my Dad.

With my cousins, Tim and Ronnie.  Good people.

With my Dad's brothers and sisters.  They are a spittin' image of my Dad.  And I adore the fact that all four of us are wearing plaid flannel.

Uncle Pug and Uncle Junior.

Sweet family.

A country cat. 

The family farm.

A sweet cake at my Aunt Ruby's house.

The headstone my Uncle Pug had made to commemorate the area where my Dad's ashes were spread.

Meanwhile, in Tennessee.

Back in Bama.

Cotton fields at the Tennessee/Alabama line.

Christmas Eve in Alabama

I celebrated Christmas Eve this year in Alabama, my hometown.  Needless to say, there wasn’t snow on the ground like there was in Alaska, but it was still a lovely holiday.  I cooked a herb-crusted standing rib roast (recipe below), and Mom did an outstanding job with the Christmas decorations.  It really felt like home.  And of course Momma was happier than a hog laying in the sunshine because I was finally home for the holidays.

My Momma, the goofball.

Donning my new frilly apron from Anthropologie.

Ta da!  The standing rib roast.

The holiday spread.  We are so blessed to have food on the table.

My tummy is grumbling just posting this photo.  Yum!

A Riesling toast.

Recipe - Herb-Crusted Rib Roast

This is probably the only time you'll see a recipe on this blog.  And this is also likely the easiest, tastiest, simplest recipe you've ever come across.

Ingredients
1 standing rib roast (4-5 lb)
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh ground pepper
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, coarsley chopped
1/3 cup plain bread crumbs
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Steps

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Season roast on all sides with salt, pepper, and garlic (wash hands). Place roast on rack in medium-size roasting pan. Bake 1 1/2 hours.
  2. Chop parsley. Combine with bread crumbs and rosemary.
  3. Remove roast from oven. Coat roast with mustard and then bread crumb mixture. Bake 1 more hour or until roast is 145°F (medium-rare) up to 170°F (well-done). Use a meat thermometer to accurately ensure doneness. Transfer roast to cutting board; let stand 10-15 minutes before slicing. Serve.

Carmen's Birthday Shindig

December 21, 2012, was an important day.  Yeah, I know what you’re thinking.  Mayan apocalypse.  Doomsday of all doomsdays.  The End of the World.  But it was also the 30th birthday of my best friend, partner in crime, confidant, and sidekick, Carmen.

It’s a challenge living so far away from a great friend like Carmen, but fortunately, I was in Alabama for her big day.  We celebrated in style with a 1920s themed “Murder at the Juice Joint” Murder Mystery Party.  I'm blessed beyond measure to have a friend like Carmen in my life. 

Happy birthday, Carmen!

Carmen (left) and me (right) in the third grade.  Notice the pink glasses and poodle bangs - all the rage in the 1990s.

Carmen and me at her 30th birthday bash.  There were no pink glasses or poodle bangs in sight.

Mobsters and flappers.

Our crew.

Believe it or not, but we're actually a pretty normal bunch.

Here's a GIF of one of the evening's more memorable moments.  The camera captured a normal group shot, then I tried to show off my trademark cheerleader heel stretch, then subsequently fell backwards out of frame, which was followed by the next shot capturing everyone else's surprised expressions.  EPIC.

Merry Christmas, Y’all!

Unlike Alaska, there’s rarely snow on the ground in Alabama for Christmas.  It still feels like Christmas though.  One of my favorite festivities in Huntsville this time of year is the Midnight Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. 

A stirring rendition of "Silent Night" began the ceremony and was followed by joyous hymns, a terrific sermon from my favorite pastor, Pastor Dennis Fakes, and then a quiet and peaceful communion was the cherry on top. 

But by far my favorite moment of the evening was the lighting of the candles.  At the beginning of the service, each visitor was given a small handheld candle when entering the church, and at the end of the service, as “Silent Night, Holy Night!” played, the lights were dimmed, all candles lit, and a remarkable peace transformed the church.  The congregation left the Sanctuary in silence and darkness, departing to the Christmas Day to celebrate the Christ child.

Thanks, St. Mark's Lutheran Church, for an outstanding celebration of our Lord and Savior's birth!

St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Huntsville, Alabama.

Festive decor in one of the most gorgeous churches in Huntsville.


Mom and I at the Midnight Candlelight Service.