The Beginning
Growing up in East Tennessee was some of the best memories I have. I had wonderful parents who were hard working and were good role models to me and my three sisters. They disciplined us fairly when we needed it but even when the punishment was tough we never ever doubted their love. One of my sisters, Debbie was severely mentally handicapped after having seizures when she was a baby and as she got older and harder to care for she became the priority of each one of us. There was never a dull moment once she woke up each day. We only hoped she didn't wake up before anyone else or we would all pay dearly because she was very destructive. If she was up before daddy or mom she would go into the kitchen and open all the cabinets and empty everything within reach and pour it out into the floor. Sugar, flour, dish detergent, milk, cereal, whatever was there it would be in piles in the floor and counter tops. Today she is still that way. Now that mom and dad are both gone to their heavenly home my sister now lives in a Sertoma home. Before she passed away mom asked me to be my sister's conservator and I am but the wonderful caregivers at her home now have to watch and care for her 24/7 to keep her from opening cabinets and emptying bottles and boxes. I tell about this only to let you know my parents took care of me and sisters even though Debbie demanded so much care and attention. After Daddy died Mom continued to care for Debbie on her own even though it meant she was pretty much confined to home and depended on others to come stay with Debbie to allow her a few hours away to go grocery shopping each week or to doctors appointments. Only when mom became so ill with cancer and was unable to care for Debbie did she reluctantly and tearfully give Debbie up to go live at the Sertoma home.
While I adored both my parents and I was close to both of them this series of stories and blog posts will favor my sweet mom. My mom passed away in January 2011. She was loved by all who knew her and she touched so many lives and made a lasting impression on each of them in one way or another. Growing up we didn't have a lot but we had enough. One thing that stands out in my mind is that momma never had much but she never complained. I can't ever remember a time she wished for something she didn't have. She was content with what God had given her and felt rich even though she really only had what she needed. She was never shy about telling of God's love and even though she didn't get to go to church on Sunday she tithed regularly to help spread God's word through television ministry and local charities like KARM and St Jude's Children's Hospital. She read her Bible and listened to God's word on tv.
Mom was adored by her girls, her grandchildren, great grandchildren and their friends who were always welcome at her house. Mom was well known for her cooking. I remember one of my sisters always had to tell her coworkers what all mom had for Sunday dinner every Monday morning. They would Ooh and Ahh as she announced each tasty dish. Her grandson's would often show up with friends in tow hoping for the privilege of eating at her table. Many were regulars. As we all grew up and as the grandchildren grew up each would call on mom when they needed advice on preparing meals themselves. "Mom, or Mamaw" as the grandchildren called her, "how do you fix your roast? How do you make Chocolate Torte? Every Sunday she went all out for dinner. On our birthday's she would always ask each one of us what we wanted her to fix that Sunday. Each of us had our favorite dishes but every meal was AMAZING as my son would say. It's funny and we all laugh because mom would always say "It's probably not fit to eat."We all laughed and teased her and told her it was slop and we ought to just throw it all out. What I would give for some of her slop right now....
Even though Daddy always claimed to have taught mom to cook (he was a very good cook as well so it could be true) she came from a family of women who are some of the best cook's I know. I remember Sunday dinner's at Mamaw Cordy's when we were growing up and there were so many people we ate in shifts at the table. It was all good. Mom's sister's cook good too!
In each one of my post's I will share a recipe or menu from mom's famous and well loved tables. Because it is Christmas time this one will be an old fashioned cake recipe. I remember her making this from the time I was a little girl. She always made it when fresh oranges were plentiful at Christmas. I hope you enjoy it.
Cream butter then add sugar and mix until smooth. Blend in eggs one at a time. Add orange rind and vanilla, mix well. Sift 3 1/2 Cups flour, baking soda and salt together into a bowl. Add to first mixture slowly alternating with adding buttermilk. Mix until well blended. In separate bowl mix 1/2 Cup flour, dates and pecans together then fold into cake mixture. Pour into prepared greased and floured cake pan and bake at 325° or 350° for 1 1/2 hours or until done. (stick toothpick in center and should come out clean)
For Topping Sauce:
Blend together 1 Cup Orange Juice, 1 1/2 Cups Sugar, and 2 Tablespoons Orange Rind. Poke holes in top of cake as soon as it comes out of oven and pour sauce over cake while hot.
While I adored both my parents and I was close to both of them this series of stories and blog posts will favor my sweet mom. My mom passed away in January 2011. She was loved by all who knew her and she touched so many lives and made a lasting impression on each of them in one way or another. Growing up we didn't have a lot but we had enough. One thing that stands out in my mind is that momma never had much but she never complained. I can't ever remember a time she wished for something she didn't have. She was content with what God had given her and felt rich even though she really only had what she needed. She was never shy about telling of God's love and even though she didn't get to go to church on Sunday she tithed regularly to help spread God's word through television ministry and local charities like KARM and St Jude's Children's Hospital. She read her Bible and listened to God's word on tv.
Mom was adored by her girls, her grandchildren, great grandchildren and their friends who were always welcome at her house. Mom was well known for her cooking. I remember one of my sisters always had to tell her coworkers what all mom had for Sunday dinner every Monday morning. They would Ooh and Ahh as she announced each tasty dish. Her grandson's would often show up with friends in tow hoping for the privilege of eating at her table. Many were regulars. As we all grew up and as the grandchildren grew up each would call on mom when they needed advice on preparing meals themselves. "Mom, or Mamaw" as the grandchildren called her, "how do you fix your roast? How do you make Chocolate Torte? Every Sunday she went all out for dinner. On our birthday's she would always ask each one of us what we wanted her to fix that Sunday. Each of us had our favorite dishes but every meal was AMAZING as my son would say. It's funny and we all laugh because mom would always say "It's probably not fit to eat."We all laughed and teased her and told her it was slop and we ought to just throw it all out. What I would give for some of her slop right now....
Even though Daddy always claimed to have taught mom to cook (he was a very good cook as well so it could be true) she came from a family of women who are some of the best cook's I know. I remember Sunday dinner's at Mamaw Cordy's when we were growing up and there were so many people we ate in shifts at the table. It was all good. Mom's sister's cook good too!
In each one of my post's I will share a recipe or menu from mom's famous and well loved tables. Because it is Christmas time this one will be an old fashioned cake recipe. I remember her making this from the time I was a little girl. She always made it when fresh oranges were plentiful at Christmas. I hope you enjoy it.
Orange-Date & Nut Cake
- 1 Cup Butter or Margarine
- 2 Cups Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Grated Orange Peel
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
- 3 1/2 Cups Sifted Cake Flour
- 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 1/3 Cup Buttermilk
- 1/2 Cup Sifted Cake Flour
- 1 Cup Chopped Dates
- 1 Cup Chopped Pecans
Cream butter then add sugar and mix until smooth. Blend in eggs one at a time. Add orange rind and vanilla, mix well. Sift 3 1/2 Cups flour, baking soda and salt together into a bowl. Add to first mixture slowly alternating with adding buttermilk. Mix until well blended. In separate bowl mix 1/2 Cup flour, dates and pecans together then fold into cake mixture. Pour into prepared greased and floured cake pan and bake at 325° or 350° for 1 1/2 hours or until done. (stick toothpick in center and should come out clean)
For Topping Sauce:
Blend together 1 Cup Orange Juice, 1 1/2 Cups Sugar, and 2 Tablespoons Orange Rind. Poke holes in top of cake as soon as it comes out of oven and pour sauce over cake while hot.
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| Mom | Dedicated to Momma with Love |
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