by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Feb 6, 2020 | Appalachian, Family, Love, Memories
I recently had my grandmother’s engagement ring restored (thank you Andy at Marthaler Jewelers!) It now sparkles like it must have when Grandpa bought it more than 60 years ago. The ring is VERY special to me. Grandma Burla was Grandpa Rex’s second wife....
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Nov 28, 2019 | Appalachian, Family, Food, Memories
I like Thanksgiving almost as much as Easter. It combines gratitude with amazing food and those are two of my favorite things. And Thanksgiving at our family farm has long held a special place in my heart. When I was a kid, Thanksgiving most years centered on my Mom’s...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Nov 7, 2019 | Appalachian, Family, Memories
I’ve written potbellied stoves into a couple of my stories. You’ll still find them plenty of places in Appalachia and I have direct experience with two. Our one-room church had a potbellied stove on each side of the sanctuary. It was a deacon’s job...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Oct 24, 2019 | Appalachian, Family, Food, Memories, Nature
The apples have fallen, the pumpkins are getting carved, and the leaves are turning orange and yellow and red. Must be time for the nut harvest! Of course, if we don’t hurry, the critters will beat us to it. Growing up on the farm, we had walnuts, chestnuts, and...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Sep 26, 2019 | Appalachian, Family, Food, Friends, Memories
We had friends over for supper on Sunday and I didn’t serve bread. It took nerve, I know. Whether you serve biscuits, cornbread, or light bread, there should ALWAYS be bread on an Appalachian table. Maybe because it helped simple ingredients go a long way. Maybe...
by Sarah Loudin Thomas | Sep 5, 2019 | Appalachian, Family, Memories, Nature, Waiting
When my brothers and I were little we had a “play-house” inside a HUGE rotted out stump. The tree had fallen long ago, but the shell of the stump remained and it was big enough for all three of us to get inside. It was cool and mossy and taller than I was....
