Hey y’all!
Wow, it's been a minute. I have missed connecting with you. Apologies for the length of time since my last blog post, but the end of 2023 was a little crazy—book festivals, podcasts, TV and radio appearances, book clubs, and even being featured on a billboard in Times Square in New York City. I promise to get back to regularly sharing stories, updates, and, of course, recipes with you soon. In the meantime, I've got some exciting news that’s happening next week.
Local On 2–WKRN Nashville
I will be a guest on Local On 2, a lifestyle show highlighting events, businesses, and inspirational people in and around Music City, Middle Tennessee, and Southern Kentucky! You can catch my segment on Monday, February 5th, at 2:00 p.m. CST, where I will discuss Where the Grass Grows Blue and delve into the journey of becoming a debut novelist after the age of fifty with hosts Larissa Wohl and Laura Schweizer.
I hope you can tune in! If you can’t, check out their website for the replay.
Galentine’s Book Signing—You’re Invited
Save the date for a special Galentine’s Day-themed book signing event at You’re Invited in Belle Meade on Wednesday, February 7th. Join me for an afternoon filled with sweet treats and sips. If you're looking for the perfect Galentine’s Day gift or just want to say hi, swing by to pick up a signed copy (or two) of Where the Grass Grows Blue.
📅 Date: Wednesday, February 7th
🕑 Time: 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
📍 Location: You’re Invited at 5133 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37205
I cannot thank Anna Peebles and the incredible staff at You’re Invited enough. They've been steadfast supporters of my book since day one, and I'm grateful for their enthusiasm and warmth. This is the most adorable store, one of my favorites. Check them out here.
Even though this is a short blog, I will end it with my customary Three Things I’m Obsessed With and a recipe that, while not found in my book, is a Kentucky family favorite.
Three Things I’m Obsessed With In February:
Capote’s Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era by Laurence Leamer. I read this book in one day. I couldn’t get enough, and better yet, it’s a new FX series starring Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Calista Flockhart, Demi Moore, and Tom Hollander. Get out the popcorn!
Pickleball. I know I’ve written about this before, but I’m really starting to play. A LOT. Over the holidays, I was one lucky mom to get the chance to hit the courts with my children and their friends multiple times. Don’t ask me who won. I’ll never tell but it begins with the letter H.
Baby Bear Soup. Last month, we finally experienced a significant snowfall here in Nashville—nearly nine inches—that shut down the entire city. I was ecstatic that a sizable contingent of my children and their friends were "stuck" at my house for a few days, meaning I could prepare multiple feasts for them. One of my favorite recipes to feed a crowd is my Granny Gibbs' Baby Bear Soup. It's the ideal winter supper and tastes great, even better the next day. It's a cute name too, though oddly enough, I have no idea why she called it that. It's something I've been making for years. It’s a Cummiskey-Turner-Gibbs favorite.
Baby Bear Soup
1-2 package(s) of cubed stew meat
1 onion, diced
1 bottle of tomato juice (Campbell’s)
1 tsp. garlic powder
2 cans of Veg-All, drained
1 can of peas, drained
1 can of carrots, drained
1 can of lima beans, drained
1 can of corn, drained
1 large potato, diced
½ can tomato sauce
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried oregano
½ tsp. white sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
Sauté the meat, onion and garlic powder in a large soup pot in olive oil until the onions become translucent. Then fill the pot with warm water and boil until the meat is cooked through (usually 10-15 minutes). Drain ½ the water and add the tomato juice, followed by the remaining ingredients. Bring it to a boil, then turn it down to a simmer. Let it cook for 1–2 hours until the potatoes are tender. Serve with cornbread or grilled cheese sandwiches. *It’s better the next day.
What are you loving this month? A recipe? TV show? Book? Share below in the comments!
Until next time…