Southern Discourse is a place where you can find simple southern family dishes, along with those special recipes and table settings meant to inspire you to make family meal time, weekends, and holidays something more! We’re bringing connection and friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith and grace from which true hospitality springs!
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I love all things southern, from the literature, to the food, the style, traditions, and, yes, even the weather. I love living here, eating here, and raising my family here. Below are just a few things that fuel my passion for the conversations here at A Southern Discourse.
As a dedicated educator, I taught college English for 11 years and in a homeschool tutorial for 6. I continue to teach the occasional class and privately tutor, working one on one with students or in groups. I believe that teaching done right is the ultimate share. A teacher shares her knowledge, her passion, her guidance, her time, her energy, her prayers, and her heart. I loved teaching, helping students recognize their own abilities and potential, showing them that they could do those things that they once thought they couldn’t. I loved being in the classroom and sharing a love for learning. I loved the students. It wasn’t always rosy, and it certainly wasn’t easy. But I loved sharing like that.
I also love to share food. I grew up cooking with my mom and my grandmother, both of whom are excellent Southern cooks. My grandmother was forever hosting events for our family. We would get together for desserts, dips, or dinners. And you could rest assured that if you were eating at her house it was going to be bigger and better than anything you ever had before.
Why have a simple strawberry shortcake when you can have an entire sheet cake turned into strawberry layer cake extravaganza! Why just have a baked potato when you can have a loaded party potato?
My pawpaw was a larger than life kind of guy, so I guess her food had to match. We would spend summer days with her teaching us how to make her exciting creations. It all felt so important, getting to help and learning all of her secrets.
I’m pretty sure this is why I love to cook and host get-togethers today. And I know it’s why I can’t just serve a normal piece of cake; I always serve a hunk.
Lastly, but certainly most importantly, I can’t share enough about my love for Jesus Christ. I have loved Him all of my Life. He is my Lord and Savior. Without him, none of this would be possible. Even though I gave my life to Him at the early age of six, I haven’t always known the truth about his unconditional presence and grace. Knowing how much my God loves me and is consistently present regardless of my inconsistent performance has changed the way I understand the Bible and my relationship with Him. As a result, I want everyone to know the joy and freedom of this type of relationship with Christ.
Besides teaching, cooking, and Jesus, there are A LOT of other things that I love to share about this Southern life! I have joked with my husband that I need several lifetimes so that I can do all of the things I dream of. Sometimes we play this game of “If you weren’t a ____, what you would be?” I answer with a list: “a writer, a florist… ooo! maybe own a nursery, a boutique owner, owner of an antique store, an interior decorator, a restaurant owner, a chef… ” He just stares at me when I answer like this. He is an engineer. He likes definites, certainties, boundaries. But after 21 years of marriage and 2 teenage kids, I think I’m starting to rub off on him. He’s getting that spark of adventure too.
Southern Discourse gives me a chance to share all of this and more with you. It creates a chance to share life’s journey with a community of others who have the same zest for life. I hope that you stop by often to share a little bit of yourself too. I’m looking forward to it.
Warmest Regards,
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