Correction.....

O.k. change what I just said about Jesse and Lula living close to Rehobeth when the picture was made. Joe tells me that they lived in Holmes County, in the Eleanor community, close to Bethel Baptist where they are buried.
Jesse was, as far as we know right now, killed on the bridge north of Rehobeth School on Rehobeth Highway.

Working on Family Tree

Wow what an exciting week I have had. My cousin Niki helped me locate my grandmothers cousin Joe Watford and he has been working on the family tree also and had a lot of information to share with me. Joe and Fran Watford are the children of my Grandmother Luvern's Aunt Alma Viola English.....sounds complicated. Joe has filled in the blanks for me all the way back to the names of my Great, Great, Great Grandfather and Grandmother, Rev. Elie English and Martha E. Yarbrough born in 1848 and 1850 in Georgia. They are buried in Bethel Cemetery between Bonifay and Graceville.
I am adding all of this information to the family tree I am working on. Soon I will be able to share that with you too. Joe helped identify the childeren and gave me Lula's name, it was a missing piece of the puzzle.

Left to right

Allie B. English, Jesse E. English,father, Effie Mae standing next, Lula Anderson English seated Alma standing next to Lula, Ruby in front of Jesse and Anderson is in Lula's lap. Anderson was born in 1912 and he looks to be around 1 year old so we are guessing that this was taken around 1913.

I'm not sure where the house was located but in 1926 Jesse was killed while walking home, on a bridge on the Rehobeth highway. We think it was the Bridge north of the school before Piney Grove Church.

So I am guessing again that the house was not far from Rehobeth.

Trautman Family Farms in Stoughton, Wisconsin hit the note today!

I woke up this morning and started working on the family tree some more.  Actually I should say TREES. I have over 200 names listed now. Mianly in the Lott and Peacock and the Holland and Sims Families. I actually have a lot more work to do on the Hollands. So by the end of the day I may be around 300 strong! It's amazing to me and I love all the stories I am hearing.

I have been thinking about the coming fall season and I get quite excited because this is my favorite time of year. It's been so hot this summer I promise to never complain about being cold this winter! I am planning to spend some time up in Rabun Co., Ga. this fall. I have been mapping out some farms, vineyards, and wellness centers to visit with Lee Ann. I am most excited because Lee Ann, my daughter, is back in school at Auburn to complete here studies in Horticulture. I think she has a very bright future ahead of her in horticulture, organic farming or green house management what ever she chooses. I have long told her to choose a career that pertains to something you love. If you don't love what you do every day you are not happy. Momma's love to see their babies happy!  That's why we live and breath everyday.

I have been trying to get up everyday and name all of the things that I am grateful for and I have been feeling much better and life has been going a little smoother. 2008 proved to be the worst year of my life and I am still trying to pull myself up by my shoe laces. At least now I am in a squat position! I'm up off the floor and out from under the bed! The latter stages of grief maybe.

Well this morning as I was searching for farms in Rabun Co. I found http://www.localharvest.org/  ....Organic farms within 500 mile radius of New Orleans were listed. Well I started clicking on farms guessing where they might be based on mileage listed as distance from NOLA.  I hit upon a farm site in Wisconsin. I want to share todays blog from Trautman Family Farms with you all. Mr. Trautman, or Mrs. not sure, summed up my thoughts and feelings completely for me today. He tied it all up in nice neat little package for us. If you read this and you agree please go to his website and comment to him. 

www.localharvest.org/blog/15556/entry/an_explaination_a_mission_a


Trautman Family Farm (stoughton, Wisconsin)


The Grass-Organic Life in Wisconsin!


25 Aug · Wed 2010

An Explaination, A Mission, A Passion and a Question

I have, over the past few days, specifically, made it a point to be grateful. To look around me, and reflect, how beautiful life is, and how many gifts I truly receive each day. A friend of mine, Tim Williams, told me this, he learned it somewhere, that if you start your day by being thankful for five things, you will have a great day. I read quite a bit of Dr. Wayne Dyer, and he is big on gratitude, too. And I have seen, in people I respect, and desire to be more like, that they, too, spend more time in gratitude than 'the norm'. The opposite of gratitude - is complaining - about - everything.

Because the world around us, the culture we've built, is one to bitch about everything. Nothing is right. If an alien - a spaceman - came down and secreted himself amoungst us, it would be easy to see how he might report back, "these people are miserable, what a terrible place this planet earth is". By how we talk - how we talk about the problems, endlessly; I look at it anymore that people actually entertain themselves bitching about the world around them. But somewhere along the way, I moved from being just like that, to desperately wanting to ask, at the end of a good long scather about - oh - healthcare, the economy, the housing market, jobs, Iraq, Afghanistan, pollution, the government - I desperately want to ask - "so what are you DOING about it?". I don't ask - because I know the dumb stare I'll get - and I'm fearful then that I'm making them uncomfortable. No one wants to feel uncomfortable now, do they? So then I'm marked - I won't play nice and join in the fun; bitch about it all, nod my head in agreement, and be confident that the problem lies completely outside present company. We, ourselves, are blameless. "Nothing I could do!". It's the rich. It's the corporations. The government. Not our decisions - the ones we make every day - but someone else, somewhere else, out of reach of us.



Somewhere along the way I accepted in myself that I am changing the world. As I sit here now and breath in and out, I am changing the world. By such a tiny amount - but how do I know - that perhaps I was given gifts - that I have been ignoring the signs, the encouragements of those gifts for a lifetime - that God - has been so gently, so persistently been trying to convince me to use, when instead, I deny them. And I bitch. A significant amount of time in a life. And by accepting that as my culture, our culture, I look at the world in a different way - I fill it with bad, because that's all I talk about, hear, see - I invite it every day through the news, the conversations I have with people. I make - I - Make - the world a little worse place.



Or, I choose to make the world a better place. To reject the idea that the world is a bad place at all. That somehow it fits someone elses agenda - manipulation of me - to buy something, to not do something, to do something - to live in fear, and make stunted ill informed choices - including doing nothing - in fact, that being the most often - doing nothing - feeling slighted if one second of my oh-so-earned leisure time is infringed on - becoming so incredibly self involved in the trinkets, the baubles, the nothing of a lifetime. A new car, a vacation, a new electronic device, a new amusement; advertising tells us daily how we cannot be happy unless we do THIS. Buy THAT. And we are on the treadwheel for life - never quite getting there - to contentment - to satisfaction, because then we lose the will to buy, we might find the energy to do something that helps one another, rather then the one another purchasing a service for that, buying a device for that, supporting a candidate that says he will provide that for free.



Somewhere along the way this beautiful farm of ours changed me, as much as I changed it. Perhaps the faith I had in nurturing it, putting all my good intentions, all my hope into what I absolutely convinced myself could be a better future - and did the same with my children; that I would not accept 'that's how kids are today', that 'the education system has failed us' and on and on and on - I took responsibility, I took consistent action, considerable sacrifice over time, and I have done so long enough to see that it does work, it doesn't have to be 'that' way one tiny bit.



It's so easy to say, I'm just one person. I can't do anything. But now I train myself to think about all that I do - I ask myself this question: "So what if everyone thought that same way, would it be a better or worse world?". I can talk myself into thinking - boy what a monkey's uncle I am - everyone else is 'doing it' - and here I am denying myself that thinking I'm changing the world - and I can convince myself very easily if I let me - that the smart play is to go along, get what I can while I can, it's a dog eat dog world out there, no one's going to look out for me if I don't - but it's not true at all.



As my mind has changed, I have attracted into my life, beautiful, giving people. The rate of change has increased; my appreciation and belief in the wonderment of it all - and the radical humility that I didn't do this - but my creator - God to me, perhaps it's Buddah or Allah or even Nature - just something so powerful beyond yourself that defies explanation.



If I allow myself to be happy then I am; if I insist on being unhappy I am, if I decide there is nothing I can do there isn't, if I do, there is, if I choose to make my life about service to others I will, if I decide that it's all about me and my needs then that is what it will be.



I choose love.



I choose service.



I choose to surround myself with people that want more than anything to make a better world for their children - for your children - for everyone's children, and I will not be convinced otherwise by any one or any thing. I will stumble, I will fall, I will cry more than I ever thought I would, but I will also feel joy I never knew I could. I will give even when I know the receiver will show no gratitude. I will give a thousand times - if only to know the chance exists that it will help - I will be smart - and know that I want to do the most good in this life - and so I've got to learn, adapt, and grow, and be more efficient - choose my words better, feel humility deeper, speak from the heart more often.



I choose love.



Who will join me?


I say yes how about you?  Let Mr. Trautman know if you will join him.

www.localharvest.org/blog/15556/entry/an_explaination_a_mission_a

Peanut Cake Recipes

I tried the cake that was the 1953 Peanut Festival Winner. Wade and I are not crazy about it. The texture of the cake is odd it's not dry but it looks dry. The icing didn't turn out too good. I think because it was pouring down rain outside on Sunday I will retype that recipe and elaborate a little on the directions. I took a picture and will post that too. The batter made 6 10" layers. The icing was plenty to cover with some left over.
I'm giving it away if you are in the neighborhood come get some!
Later,
Kaye

White Peanut Cake Recipe

I am preparing to make one of the pnut cake recipes, previously posted. After studying them both I am going to try the White Peanut Cake. The layers and the frosting sound yummy. I remember granny making this cake. It was usually devoured the same day! All of her boys loved to eat.
This recipe won the National Peanut Festival best peanut recipe award in 1953. It uses all crisco in the layers no butter and 10 egg whites. Also buttermilk and crushed peanuts in the cake layers and the frosting. The layers should be real fluffy and light with 10 egg whites. I will post a picture and let you know how it turns out. I was real tempted to use a premixed butter cake mix.....but I'll go all the way with the egg whites, buttermilk, crushed peanuts and soda! Later....

Saturday August 21, 2010

This roast beef with brown gravy recipe has been used in our family for a long time. Granny taught me the secret to smooth gravy is to add hot water. When I first made gravy it was always lumpy and thick. I asked Granny for the secret because her gravy was always perfect. She said it takes practice and hot tap water......
 If you are making a milk gravy or white sauce put the cream, milk or other liquid in the microwave for about 30 sec to heat it up just a little then add it to your roux slowly and use a whisk to stir.

Top Round Roast Beef with Gravy

3 -4 lb. rump roast

Morton's Nature Seasons

Salt

Black Pepper

3 Tbsp oil. olive oil or vegtable oil

Enough flour to coat roast

3 heaping Tbsp flour

2 cups Hot water

Place roast on plate and Salt and Pepper roast and season with nature seasons. Let stand for 20 min.  Cover roast with flour.

Place 3 Tbsp of oil, in cast iron skillet on medium high. When hot add roast and brown on all sides. Rinse plate and when roast is browned on all sides return to plate. In skillet add 3 table spoons of flour. Stir until browned. Add hot water slowly stirring constantly. Using Hot water will keep flour from clumping together. I usually use a wisk to stir once I add the water. Gravy should be thin. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.

Add roast to skillet with gravy and cook in 350 degree oven for 1 hour for medium rare.

Serve with rice or mashed potatoes.

Tuesday August 17

Rev Elie English born Sept. 27, 1848 died July 28, 1912. This is the oldest and largest headstone with English name. I am guessing that this may have been Allie B.s Grandfather. That would make him my Great, Great, Great grandfather.

This is the church sign. You can see how hard it was raining!

waiting.......another one of the rain.....

Rain stopped coming down but yard was covered in water. Good thing I had flip flops on!

This is the plot where Elie English head stone is.

There are 4 markers on a plot just below and to the right of the Elie English plot. I am guessing the original headstones were destroyed and these were put in thier place by the church. Allie B.s Bible has her father listed as Jessie E. English. This could be his grave I guess.

M English next to J Ed

G. English next to M. English

N. English next to G. English

Allie B.'s new head stone and grave stone. My Mom, Patricia and Mickey Wayne Holland replaced the old cover this April. It was caving in.

This picture didn't turn out too good but it read E. E. and was in the Plot designated to Elie English. Large plot designated by broken concrete post. But the only stones were Elie and E. E.

Ok that is all I have for today. Except I am going to post another recipe. This is an Orange pound cake. Again I have not tried this one yet. But it looks like the recipe was used many many times.

V.F. is vanilla flavoring. I remember Granny dissolving confectioners sugar in fresh orange juice and drizzling that on top.  I would guess about 1/4 cup juice to 1 cup confectioners sugar.  It should be thin.  I will try this one soon and give you update........Later...... I'm in Auburn and I have to help Lee Ann organize her kitchen cabinets!

Looking for the Childree Family

If anyone knows how to get in touch with Aunt Rosa Lee's son let me know. I have a vauge memory of where they lived in Opp. I went there once with Granny and Grandpa many years ago. Granny told me that Aunt Rosa Lee, Allie B.'s sister, had her family geneoly written down. I want to know who Allie's mother was. Jessie E. English was her father.  Today I am going to stop in Bonifay at the church where Allie is buried and see if I can find Jessie E. English and see if his wife is buried next to him. I'll send pics and more information on that stop tonight.

Peanut Cake Recipes

Kim,
There are two recipes, the first one is probably the one she made the most.  When I get back from Auburn I will try this one out. Let me know if you do.

This was a winner of the National Peanut Festival Oct. 1953 Mrs. Robert Gwaltney of Dothan. Sounds delicious!

Both of these recipes look like they were used many many times. I remember Granny's peanut cake being absolutely wonderful!

Allie B.'s Children

This is Henry with all of his children Eddie Lee, Eunice, Louise, Luvern, seated Betty Jean, Henry and Bonnie

Allie B. and Luvern

I found a negative stuck in the side of a box and had it developed.  Turned out to be the only picture I have ever seen of Henry and Allie B. together. I don't have it here with me now but I will get it on here soon.

I never met Allie B. I knew Henry though we went to Ruskin, Fl. close to the Tampa,  to visit him several times and he came to visit us at our house at Big Creek and at Granny's. He raised minature Shetland Ponies at his house in Ruskin. His brother Houston raised tomatoes in Homestead.

This looks like Aunt Eunice

This is definitely Eunice in front of orange tree.

This is Aunt Eunice with daughter Nioka. It looks like her house in Bib City, outside of Columbus.

Eunice not sure if its Eddie Lee or Perry Lawrence her husband, Nioka's father but I think it's Eddie.

My Granny, Luvern and Nioka in Granny's living room on Cottonwood Highway.  You can see a picture of Aunt Betty on the book shelf.  I have that bookshelf. Bob made it in High School Shop.

Aunt Bonnie with Benny Wayne and Kims Dad, Ben Riley, and I think that's Bob on his lap.

Aunt Bonnie, or Granny? I don't know but I love this picture. The more I look at it it looks like Granny.

Aunt Bonnie....somebodies birthday.

Aunt Bonnie

Henry and Eddie Lee in Granny's living room on Cottonwood Highway

Uncle Eddie and somebody that didn't make the cut!

Louise Sims school pictures from Madrid, Al.

Aunt Louise and Faye her daughter. Faye's birthday! Great happy picture Aunt Betty is in background.

Louise and Betty looking like movie stars! Beautiful girls.

Aunt Louise taken the first day she worked as a nurse in Marianna, Fl.

 Betty Jean Sims

Allie B.left, brother Anderson, and Rosa Lee right and Anderson's wife behind.

Luvern, with the man I don't know, Aunt Betty left next to Granny and I don't know the other little girl. She may be Anderson's daugther.

 Aunt Betty with Aunt Eunice's husband holding naval oranges or grapefruit.

I think this is Allie B. as a baby not sure though.

Aunt Bonnie, cute purse!!

I may be wrong on some of these pictures and if I am please correct me!

Aunt Bonnie and Benny Wayne

Anderson and his wife.

Anderson in the Phillipines WW II

Not sure must be one of Anderson's friends....?

Rosa Lee and Tully Childree....I think....

Anderson and his wife and baby

Eunice

Eunice Sims and her husband

Ok that's all for now.   See you guys later this week from Auburn. Have a good week.