 |
| Aunt Reba's Thanksgiving Rolls |
Jim and I spent ten days in Madisonville, Tennessee between Knoxville and Chattanooga in the log home of his Aunt Reba and Uncle Ted, wonderful hosts, who made us feel completely at home. Our beds were in the ample loft with its own bathroom. The other occupants are Reba and Ted’s two cats, Jill and Little Girl, two gentle creatures, who enjoy looking out of windows and investigating whatever is going on at any time. The log home is on several acres of land and is so remote that our cell phones didn’t even work there. I loved the quiet country setting and early mornings sitting on the huge porch watching the creek and the woodland.
Each night we all played pinochle (double deck), canasta, or Scrabble at all of which, Jim’s Aunt Reba is a gracious but formidable opponent. Uncle Ted is a very sharp player of pinochle, and I was pleased that he was my partner for two games. We all listened to music in the evening while engaging our brains in those delightful games, not bothering about TV.
At Thanksgiving dinner there were nine of us, Jim having prepared the eighteen-pound turkey and cornbread/sausage stuffing. I made a spinach/cheese tart and cranberry chutney, Reba made sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, rolls, and green beans. Dana, one of the other guests, baked three pies, cherry, pecan, and pumpkin. The evening was filled with entertaining and informative conversation, and I made some new friends among the guests.
We went into town the evening of the 26th for a “Small Town Christmas” gathering with carriage rides, antique stores, lots of live music (Reba, an accomplished singer, performed in the Christmas gazebo for twenty minutes to the great pleasure of the crowd).
On the 27th after church (First Methodist Church of Madisonville), Reba, Ted, Jim, and I had a delicious dinner at the home of the minister, Braxton Cotton and his lovely wife, Lindie and their Great Pyrenees dog, and their two cats.
It was one of the most ideal weeks I’ve spent in a long time. We were there for part of the Christmas holiday last year. The people were so friendly and interesting, the food was excellent, and as Jim and I drove down the winding road away from Ted and Reba’s log home, I took with me the hope that we would be invited to go back for another visit soon.
Each night we all played pinochle (double deck), canasta, or Scrabble at all of which, Jim’s Aunt Reba is a gracious but formidable opponent. Uncle Ted is a very sharp player of pinochle, and I was pleased that he was my partner for two games. We all listened to music in the evening while engaging our brains in those delightful games, not bothering about TV.
At Thanksgiving dinner there were nine of us, Jim having prepared the eighteen-pound turkey and cornbread/sausage stuffing. I made a spinach/cheese tart and cranberry chutney, Reba made sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, rolls, and green beans. Dana, one of the other guests, baked three pies, cherry, pecan, and pumpkin. The evening was filled with entertaining and informative conversation, and I made some new friends among the guests.
We went into town the evening of the 26th for a “Small Town Christmas” gathering with carriage rides, antique stores, lots of live music (Reba, an accomplished singer, performed in the Christmas gazebo for twenty minutes to the great pleasure of the crowd).
On the 27th after church (First Methodist Church of Madisonville), Reba, Ted, Jim, and I had a delicious dinner at the home of the minister, Braxton Cotton and his lovely wife, Lindie and their Great Pyrenees dog, and their two cats.
It was one of the most ideal weeks I’ve spent in a long time. We were there for part of the Christmas holiday last year. The people were so friendly and interesting, the food was excellent, and as Jim and I drove down the winding road away from Ted and Reba’s log home, I took with me the hope that we would be invited to go back for another visit soon.
JB
