Her specialty are meringues -- perfectly piped, crispy on the outside with a slight chew in the middle. The flavors of her meringues vary based on what extracts we have on hand - almond or lemon, vanilla or orange....
Three Generations
My great-grandmother became a mom at age 17, and she gave lots of motherly advice to my grandmother, who became a mom at 20. She called it a mother's "tough-love." She was able to pass on this motherly...
If you told my vegetarian, PETA-enrolled, 17-year-old self that in ten years I'd be using my bare hands to pick apart a beef burger for two toddlers, I would have straight up laughed in your face. I probably would...
Imagine a relationship. In the beginning everything is wonderful. Opening doors, buying gifts, a honeymoon so to speak. Then all of a sudden, things change. There is verbal abuse -- name calling; emotional abuse -- mind games, manipulation; and...
We lost our first baby yesterday. Our first fur baby, that is.
We adopted Rocco on August 28, 2004, when he was just eight weeks old. The humane society had an adoption day at a local pet store and my...
My favorite comedian, Jim Gaffigan, has a set where he introduces himself by stating that he has just become a father. Wild applause follows. He then clarifies that he just became a father for the fourth time. This time,...
The Food We Eat Tells a Story
It is a fact that families create valuable memories while sitting around a table and enjoying a meal together. I think any good Southerner would agree that many amazing family stories are attached...
My two oldest girls recently had slumber parties to celebrate their birthdays. They each have the sweetest groups of friends, and I adore their mamas. As they planned their parties, we talked about decorations, food, games, getting to swim...
“Three Momma!” my daughter pleads, holding three large picture books in her tiny hands. Her hair is still wet from her evening bath, and she smells lightly of lavender as I pull her into my lap in the white...
In the South, people always ask about your upbringing. It’s really just polite conversation. Who’s your grandma? Where were you raised? Do you cheer for Auburn or Alabama? Where did you go to high school?
That last question always gets...
In + Around Birmingham
Guide to Tea Houses in Alabama
Allow me to introduce one of my favorite types of establishment: the tea house. If you've been to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, you may...
