by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Dec 7, 2017 | Appalachian, Family, Food, holidays, Memories
Once upon a time Christmas was simpler. Preparations didn’t start before Halloween, presents were homemade, food was based on what was in season, and decorations came from nature. Or so I hear. All of that could be me romanticizing a simpler, POORER time in the...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Nov 16, 2017 | Appalachian, Family, Food, Friends, holidays, Memories, Reading
It’s almost holiday time in West Virginia. Oh, sure, there’s Thanksgiving and Christmas, but the REAL festivities begin on Monday. The first day of deer season. Many schools are out all week because, well, no one would come if they were open. Teachers, students,...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Nov 9, 2017 | Appalachian, Food
I’m having a launch party for The Sound of Rain this evening. Because the book is set in WV and SC, refreshments will include a table of WV treats and one of SC goodies. Which means I absolutely HAD to include some WV pepperoni rolls! These rolls are so common...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Oct 30, 2017 | Appalachian, Family, Food, Friends, Memories
I LOVED Halloween when I was a kid. I’m still pretty fond of it even today. But when I was little it was all about playing dress up and eating candy. I was one of those little girls who wanted to be something pretty. An angel, a princess–something pink and sparkly....
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Aug 24, 2017 | Appalachian, Food, Friends, Nature
Early signs of autumn are showing. Ironweed and Joe Pye weed blooming along the road. Cooler nights. A few leaves beginning to turn. And . . . apples! Oh, such an abundance of apples. We’re blessed with a neighbor who has five apple trees all burdened with fruit...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Aug 10, 2017 | Appalachian, Family, Food, Nature
It’s a running joke with my husband and me. I say shoo-make. He says soo-mak. Clearly he’s wrong and just enjoys aggravating me. Oh, I know, I know. If you look up the “official” pronunciation it says that either soo-mak or shoo-mak is...
