Vessie Cole Callicutt

Today would have been Grandma C's 88^th birthday. I grew up just steps from grandma's front door and when I got home from school I would make a bee-line into her arms. Grandma was a strong, spirited and loving person. She always spoiled me and I always let her. She loved gardening, traveling and she was a top-notch cook. Throughout all those years I now know that many of the things I do and believe today are a direct result of what Grandma taught me. This post is dedicated to everything I learned from Grandma “C”.

1. Keep your house clean and tidy – you never know who might drop in
2. Select beautiful dishes of solid white – you'll be able to set the table for any season and the dishes will never clash
3. Sing a gospel song when you are sad – ain't nothing like an old timey hymnal to lift your spirits
4. Serve something Peppermint at Christmas (preferably a peppermint cake – it's really hard to beat)
5. Never be afraid to voice your opinion – if you don't no one else will....or can
6. Keep at least one pair of yard shoes by the door and never wear them inside (otherwise you'll have alot more cleaning to do)
7. You should never be bored – there's always something to pull in the garden or clean in the house
8. Drive fast and smart – speed is a good thing
9. Use a cream or lotion on your face at morning and night (this is a must do – Grandma's skin was amazing)
10. Always have dessert – it'll make any meal seem amazing if if your eating leftovers

This concludes my list. Although there are other words of wisdom I gained from grandma the thing I miss the most is her smile and her laugh. She really had a great one!

Today is a sad day for me.  My father passed away on January 3, 2008.  I will always view that date as one that changed my life more than any other single day.  I've decided to honor my father today by writing about him and sharing with all of the cyber world just how amazing a person he really was.

My father and I were very close.  Growing up I was a Daddy's girl through and through.  My father was a humble, generous, faithful and joyous person.  A joke and a smile was never too far away when you were talking to my dad.  He had a special ability to connect with people.  I think it was because my dad always saw each and every person as equals.  Looks, money, education, etc were never considerations of my father.  He used to say "people are people wherever you go" -- and he truly never saw things any other way.  He would sit and talk to anyone.  He had an uncany ability to find a common bond.  He could and did talk for hours with someone he literally just met.  He was a givin man.  He had a big personality and and even bigger heart.  Two of his most favorite sayings were "A stranger is a friend you have not yet met" and "Smile, it'll make you feel better".

Growing up I did not realize how much truth and sincereity were in his words.  Dad used to get upset with me if he dropped me off for school or picked me up from ball or band practice and I was not smiling.  Simple things like this were just a part of my everyday life with dad.  He was nurturing, encouraging, passionate and simple.  He was a one-of-a-kind.

Today, I just long to spend one day, one hour, one minute or even just one more second with him.  I know I am blessed.  Blessed that he is my father.  Blessed that I was raised by an ordinary man that was an extraordinary person.  Blessed that I have a family with deep ties.  Ties that bind no matter what. Today I am sad but for my dad I am smiling.  Afterall it always makes me feel better.

Frannie with our Christmas Tree

Today I am hosting Eric's family for Christmas lunch and gift exchange. Eric's mother, sisters and aunt and uncle will be staying the night with us along with their four legged family members. I have been working over the past few days to create the perfect holiday lunch. Some members of the family are vegetarian so I want to make sure everyone can enjoy an exceptional holiday meal. The menu I have decided on includes the following:

For Lunch:

• Beet and Walnut Salad with Cherry Vinaigrette
• Corn Pudding
• Fancy Green Beans (or Green Beans sauteed with cashews, onions and red pepper with an Asian honey glaze)
• Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes
• Honey Baked Ham
• Sweet Cream Biscuits

For Dessert:

• Chocolate Cherry Trifle
• Cranberry Crumble

This is the first year Eric and I are hosting his family for the holidays. It's something he has wanted to do since we moved in to our home (this is our third Christmas in this house). I am postively thrilled that everyone's schedules were able to accommodate a drive to Raleigh and an overnight stay. Now, I just have to hope I can pull everything together and make both Eric and my grandmother's proud!

Wish me luck.

Miss America Pattern Compote

Few things remind me more of my childhood than thick, heavy, depression glass.  When I was young I had no idea it was something special but I definitely remember seeing it in my grandmother's home as well as the home of many of my great aunts and uncles.  The story of Depression Glass is quite interesting.  Depression glass is so named because it was made in the United States primarily during the Great Depression — from the middle 1920s through the 1930s.  Although the majority of depression glass patterns were made in crystal, colored glass enventually became very popular.  In order of their popularity, the top depression glass colors were:  pink, green, amber-yellow, cobalt-blue, red-ruby, black, and amethyst.  The during its day the glass was oftentimes viewed to be “cheap” or “poor” glass because it was mass manufactured by machine, and often given away as a premium or promotional gift for buying a certain product.  It was also used as an incentive gift to get people to buy at a local store, and often could be acquired by saving coupons off of purchases.

American Sweetheart Pattern Platter

There are many patterns that were manufactured to contain all pieces needed for a full dinner service including dinner, salad and bread plates as well as cake plates, butter dishes, serving bowls, etc.  Beginning in the late 1960's American's began collecting depression glass.  Since that time the value has continued to rise.

Rose of Sharon Pattern Cup and Saucer

I have been collecting pink depression glass for a few months now.  I am planning to create an amazing French dessert station at my party.  To make it extra special I will be serving the french delectables on beautiful pink depression glass.  Some of my favorite patterns include American Sweethear, Miss America and Rose of Sharon.  I decided to mix and match patterns because I think it will create more interest.  How appropriate that my vintage Parisian wedding party will include some truly vintage serving pieces straight out of history.

Today my mom, sister and I hosted a couples shower for my brother Rodney. He was married on October 24^th in the mountains of Tennessee. It was a small ceremony so we decided to get his family and friends together and throw him a wonderful shower. My sister created a candy bar of Rodney's most favorite treats including Maple Nut Goodies, M&Ms and more. I was responsible for making the wedding punch and it turned out perfectly. I had to mix a second bath about half way through. Each of us contributed to the elaborate buffet.

For their wedding Donna had selected fall colors and they were married on an overlook in the heart of the Appalachian mountains. The scenery this time of year was all the decoration they needed. To keep with the theme we decorated the room in fall colors adding pumpkins and gourds and grapevines. I also made some cranberry cider candles for the occasion. We had lots of food and even more laughs. I am so excited for my brother and I wish him the best in his new life with Donna. Welcome to the family Donna!

The newest resident on Welland Court.  Eric and I have been discussing the idea of a new puppy off and on for a few years now.  We have one dog, Gracie, who is now 11 years old and the vet suggested that now would be a good time to introduce a new puppy while Gracie is still in very good health and full of energy.  Last night we drove to Cary, NC to meet our latest addition, Frannie, a Boston Terrier full of love, grunts and energy!  The folks at the pet store referred to her as "tripod" because she has three black legs and one white leg.  I looked at her and thought -- she is something special.  We named her Frances and will be calling her "Frannie".  That seemed like a great name since we will be traveling to France for our wedding and she is an early wedding gift to ourselves (the name also happens to fit her really well).  The poem below helps to describe how I felt when we met Frannie for the first time.

One Look at Her

Her eyes like diamonds they shine,
Her paws, her nails... like pearls devine,
That tail, that nose... and yes, that little whine.
One look at her, I must admit, she had to be mine.

That snort, that grunt, that pitchy little bark
And yes, you've guessed it, sometimes she'll even ...
She ain't worth millions, no priceless piece of art
One look at her, I must admit, she greedily stole my heart.

Welcome Frannie!

October 28, 1961. The car was washed, waxed and the tires were gleaming. Shoes shined, dressed in his Sunday best, he pulled onto a winding dirt road on his way to what would become the best day of his life.

Waiting at the house near the end of the dirt road she put the finishing touches on her makeup, put on her earrings and draped a necklace; all the while waiting patiently for him to arrive.

October 28, 1961. The day my Dad, W.E. Callicutt married my Mom, Alice Faye Nichols.

My parents were married at my mother's home place which is traditional in Southern weddings. Surrounded by love and supported by family they said “I Do” and a wonderful life together began. Mom's dress was white, street length and in pictures she was a beauty. Dad always loved remembering her that day and often recalled how amazing he felt when he took her hand in marriage. They went to the North Carolina mountains for their honeymoon and I'm certain the leaves were spectacular then just as they are today.

Mom and Dad were married for 46 years before dad passed away. They built a life together based on trust, love and respect and I feel so fortunate to have been born into such a blessed home. As I now begin to plan for my wedding in April it seems fitting that I look back on what my parents were able to build together. Dad's vow to always say “I Love You” even when things are rocky. His belief that giving a hug gets you 90% of the way towards forgiveness. Mom's unconditional love, support and dedication to a man and a family that could be more than difficult at times. Her unselfish willingness to make sacrifices all in the name of love. How lucky I am to have such a great example as I walk towards a life of wedded bliss. I know that Eric and I will be able to create something equally as special if we can just use them as our example.

In closing I would like to thank my Mom and Dad for teaching me about life, laughter and the true meaning of love!