All Southerners are natural-born storytellers. Sharing our lives with others, whether they like it or not, is part of our collective DNA. We love a good tale and are instinctive reciters, great memory retainers, diary keepers, letter exchangers, and superfluous talkers. Ask the typical Southerner a question about a favorite food, and he or she is likely to tell you the entire recipe or the restaurant that serves the dish plus directions for how to get there. In general, we are often eccentric with a heightened sense of drama and frequently possess a terrific sense of humor, especially about ourselves, which helps to tell a good story. The slower sense of pace and accent all contribute to our reputation as a conversationalist. 'Fixing to' and the gift of gab are part of our mission to keep storytelling an integral part of our culture and entertainment.
Southerners are inherently more open and use these skills like a currency. We share our life narrative as trade for yours. By sharing it brings people together and keeps an ancient art alive, one story at a time. In that moment whether it is on a church pew, in a beauty parlor and at lunch counter, by inviting a person into your world, acquaintances become friends, and friends develop into family.
My grandmother was nicknamed ‘Radio’ early on in life. While she loathed the name, it never once gave her pause from incessantly talking. Her stories typically started out about a neighbor or relative but always morphed into multiple tales with never a proper ending; she would just pick up where she left off the next time you sat down beside her. While I’d give anything to hear her voice one more time, I know she is sitting on Heaven’s front porch and saving her best stories for me.
When you communicate with another person—even a complete stranger—something meaningful happens to you. Not only do you understand yourself better, but you are also, in some small way, understood. You establish a bond that is strong and immediate; you cut six degrees of separation down to zero. Stories keep us open and alive. They're the ramparts we build against isolation and loneliness. I guess that is why I decided to share my stories with you. Commonality is the foundation of humanity, and it is hard to judge someone once you’ve been invited to hear to their story. So come on in, and sit for a spell. My John Lewis Rolling Pin is just like my front door, always revolving. Here you are family…welcome home.
Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Rum Praline Topping
INGREDIENTS
For the Potatoes
- 5 large mashed sweet potatoes (peeled, cooked, and cooled)
- 1 cup sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt, room temperature
- ½ stick of butter
- 1 heaping teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoons rum (I used pineapple flavor)
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
- 1 ½ cups miniature marshmallows
For the Topping
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ stick butter melted
- 1 1/3 cup chopped pecans
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Boil sweet potatoes until fork tender. Drain and mash in a food processor. Allow to cool slightly.
- Combine brown sugar, flour, melted butter, and pecans for topping. Set aside.
- Mix sweet potatoes with sugar, salt, butter, vanilla, rum, eggs, pineapple, and marshmallows. Top with pecan mix.
- Bake for 35 minutes or until topping is browned. Serves 8.
