Seems like only yesterday I was looking back over the year of 2010. I really enjoyed the year in review post I did last January-so I decided 2011 deserved a look back too.
Once again I was amazed at the posts I had totally forgotten about. As I looked back through the year-the posts below were the ones that caught my eye.
January 2011
- The month of January was all about make do cooking-you know the dishes you make when the groceries are mostly gone and payday is still a few days away. We ate light bread, pinto beans, Granny’s homemade potato chips, cornbread and milk, and we even made microwave popcorn in a paper lunch bag.
February 2011
- Since we’d been making do with food-I started February off with a song about making do: Poor Man. Me and Pap are still crazy about that song. February was also the month I started my photo series Appalachia Through My Eyes. I worried myself to death over the series-I have a tendency to want things to turn out exactly as I planned them. The photo series didn’t turn out exactly like I wanted it too-but I think it’s been o.k. My plans were to do the series for a year and then move on to something else-but I’ve grown quite fond of it. I think I’ll continue with the series Appalachia Through My Eyes-but I won’t worry about it near as much.
March 2011
- March was a busy month-we made biscuits, swung on grapevines, burned the garden, and marveled at the maple blooms of spring.
April 2011
- Another busy month-full of the unlikely duo of dancing and ramps. Me and the girls made the trek back to Berea KY to celebrate the 75 Anniversary of the Mountain Folk Festival, and Charles Fletcher took us all on a Ramp Tramp.
May 2011
- The beginning of May brought me a greenhouse, the least May Pole Dancer, and the story of Maggie Collett Martin. The middle of the month was tasty with Granny’s Biscuits and chocolate gravy. May was also the month our 3rd Annual Planting By The Signs Test sponsored by Hometown Seeds got started-and I’m ashamed to say I haven’t even shared the results with you yet-and it’s almost time to start another test!
June 2011
- The Blind Pig Family went back in time and took you along for the ride. Pap showed us how to string greenbeans, and 2 Blacksmiths moved into my house.
July 2011
- Granny showed us how to make kraut in the jar, I learned a little more about Fred O. Scroggs (a fellow Brasstownian) by way of David Anderson, and as the corn began to come in we went with Pap to the cornfield.
August 2011
- This was the month my Ola Belle Reed and Little Cataloochee Baptist Church project came to fruition-with the story of Cora Lee Mease and the video of Undone In Sorrow. Other highlights from the month included going back to Hazel Creek with my good friend Mildred Johnson and telling you about the old biddies-better known as Queens of the Meadow.
September 2011
- As fall of the year arrived we had wild hazelnuts, pawpaws, chinquapins, molasses bread and pear preserves to eat. September also brought us the fun Week Of the Crow.
October 2011
- My Spooky October Series made another showing during 2011. The series was full of spooky tales from Blind Pig readers and a special edition Spooky Appalachian Vocabulary Test.
November 2011
- We started the month out with a sweet smelling plumgranny then filled our bellies with Granny’s Pumpkin Bread and a batch of lunchroom cookies. After catching a ride on a North Wind we finished out the month with a well written essay about the Leaves of November.
December 2011
- The month of Christmas started off with a heartwarming story about a pocket knife and ended with Interesting Weather Lore to guide us through the forecast for the coming year. Along the way, were 2 sweet voices singing O Beautiful Star of Bethlehem.
When I try to pick a favorite post for the entire year-its impossible. But the story of Cora Lee Mease and the video for Undone In Sorrow from the month of August would be hard to beat out of the top 5 for me. How about you-did you have a favorite Blind Pig & The Acorn post for the year 2011? Maybe one I mentioned above-or one I failed to mention?
2011 was a great year for the Blind Pig & the Acorn-and I know 2012 will be too. I hope you stick around for the ride!
Tipper
I cannot pick a favorite. Your posts are so interesting it is impossible for me to choose!
Oh my stars…here it is bedtime, and I nearly missed having my daily dose of BP&A, which melds ‘back in the day’ and today in a perfect way…I surely can’t pick a favorite, ’cause I would have to say I have 12 favorites…Looking forward to the next year’s blessings from Brasstown! You and your family are Treasures, Tipper..Thank you for sharing with all of us.
Tipper,
Wow! What a year it was and how fast it flew by! So many great posts in 2011, makes it hard to choose my favorite. Two come to mind: Don Casada’s Leaves of November and Jim Casada’s Christmas Pocket Knife story. So looking forward to many more great posts in 2012. So glad to be a part of the Blind Pig family!
Tipper,
I truly enjoy all your posts, but you know my favorite is the Cataloochee Project–though there are some close seconds. This blog feels like a conversation with a friend who is willing to say what he/she has to say the way he/she wants to say it without fear of being judged. It’s real Appalachian. I admire your persistence; I appreciate the nostalgic reminders–even the ones that bring tears to my eyes, and I like learning about things I’ve never even heard of!I know it’s a lot of work to keep up with something like this. I appreciate it, and obviously a lot of other folks do too.
I often start my day reading your posts, it sends me off with a thoughtful tidbit of local lore or a chuckle, and I so look forward to it. Thank you!
I don’t know if I can pick a favorite, but what I enjoy most about BP&A are the stories- stories about people and places. That said, I must mention the Cataloochee project. You had an idea, and it was brought to life!
Congrats on the book, as well. I hope to order at least one copy.
This year has been SO busy for me too, Tipper! I got the garden ready and then ended up not being able to participate in the planting by the signs project after all. I was so sad that I wasn’t able to share that experience with you this year! I can’t believe this year has gone by so fast – and already a new one has begun! I certainly hope this year doesn’t zoom by like the last, and I hope to enjoy more of your blog and your beautiful writing this year!
I totally enjoyed every bit of 2011 with you Tipper and your family.
Loved all your posts. Enjoyed the crow video you made. Spooky October is one of my favorites. Your book looks interesting. I am going to order it. I love pictures. Maybe you ought to do a recipe book. Nana
I didn’t discover you until this year, Tipper. Around the anniversary of Uncle Arley’s death, I googled his name & there you were-I was so impressed by your blog and your outlook on life here in “our” mountains. As the year went by, well, you gained a fan for life. 2011 was not a good year at our house-we suffered a lot of loss & a generous dose of trials & tribulations, too. Blind Pig was truly a bright light during a difficult period. Crooked Still singing “Ain’t No Grave”, pear blossoms, November leaves,& the Lil’ Catalooch video touched my heart. Paul’s “Down the Escalante” blew me away. I am so glad you are keeping Appalachia Through My Eyes-the picture of that logging truck on the two lane is fabulous. I can even carry on an intelligent conversation about crows with old timers. Last, but by no means least-VICKI LANE!!! Mitchell bought me the entire set for Christmas and says I haven’t spoke to him since! I’m really looking forward to 2012 & can’t wait to see what you teach me next-
This is SUCH a good blog — how can I choose a favorite book? Hopping over to check ut your book . . .
It seems to me always mildly shocking when a year comes to its end.
There are so many great posts and comments, there’s no way I could ever single out one, or even a handful.
You keep us so busy I hadn’t even realized that you haven’t posted the garden results yet!
Here’s to 2012 and another wonderful year with the Bling Pig and the Acorn!
What a great year in review. I remember these posts and how much I enjoyed them. Your photography is great.
Tipper, Happy New Year.
I couldn’t pick a favorite post. They are all my favorites. If I miss a day or two, I always go back and catch up right quick like. Your old recipes are wonderful and tasty, the photos of the woods make me want to move there and the pickin in the kitchen is the best there is anywhere. Please, keep up those excellent posts.
Terry
We’ve had a busy year, haven’t we!
I’m also partial to the Cora Lee Mease story post. It touched my heart in more ways than one.
I’m really glad you are continuing the Appalachia Through My Eyes series. I love your pictures as well as your perspective on them. You have a good eye for a photo and an interesting train of thought to go with them.
It’s really fun to be with you and see that light come on in your eyes when you spot a new perfect photo, like the little angel at Christmas.
It has been a good year!
Have so enjoyed your blog.
Feel like I’m part of a community when I read it and everyone’s comments. An added benefit, I’ve learned a lot, too!
As I’ve mentioned before, I share it with lots of friends–esp. the vocabulary quizes.
Keep up the great work….but don’t pressure yourself–keep it enjoyable for you, too.
Looking back I re-read yor post on Ramps, since it won’t be to long before they’re peeping through the ground I thought I’d mention my favorite which I don’t think anyone mentioned though reading Jim Casada’s articles I know he enjoys this didh too, I speak of Ramps and Branch (Bear) Lettuce Kilt with hot Bacon Grease, a little salt and the Bacon crumbled in. This dish with Cornbread and Milk makes a great Spring Tonic. The odor from the Ramp comes from it’s high sulfur content which fits in with one of the comparisons in an earlier response with early Champion Paper Mill since one of the discharges which made it so odiferous was sulphur dioxide.
I especially liked your grammar posts, how to stick the green beans and the video of the girls singing Oh Beautiful Star. But –they were all interesting!
Thanks for a great year of posts. They help us remember our North Carolina roots and heritage. Keep up the good work. We realy do appreciate it.
Tipper,
Wonderful year of posts…I can’t believe it is already 2012 either…
“Fun time when you’re havin’ flys”….Nope, that’s not right, that’s an old frog sayin’! ;<) .... It's "Time flies when you're having fun."...I got it! LOL I've enjoyed your blog from the beginning and enjoy every post. Thanks for all your hard work... and all those around that help make your blog a success.... Thank you Tipper,
Tipper,
Definitely the Cora Lee Mease story is the best for me,but I do
enjoy all your posts and the ones
who comment. I’ve checked out and
read many different blogs, but the
Blind Pig and the Acorn just fits
better. Thank you for all the Good
Times…Ken
Great recap! I think I liked the post about the pickles – mostly because I was fascinated by all the effort involved and curious as to how they tasted in the end. Wish I could try one!
There’s no way I could choose a favorite post – just too many; the music, the recipes, stories, vocabulary – well, you see what I mean.
Keep at it, Tipper, you’re a bright spot each day!
I can’t believe another year is over, but I’m excited for this new one! I enjoyed your look back on the year.
I look forward to reading your blog on a daily basis!! Thanks for another GREAT year.
oh i enjoyed reading your year in review!!
Reading your blog is like a breath of fresh air. A little slip of time where I can go back and remember. Thanks you so much. I look forward to another great year!
There are 2 times a day when no one is allowed to disturb me. When I am in the shower and when I am having coffee and reading your blog. Quit trying and just do what you do. It is perfect. I love learning new things from you and especially love being reminded of wonderful things that I have forgotten such as how to make a stack cake or when to plant something. But my absolute favorite post of the year would be your beautiful girls singing in the old church. It brought tears to my eyes. Please keep doing what you do. Thanks for a wonderful year of learning and remembering. Sandy
Tipper I think you did a wonderful job with Appalachia through my eyes. I look forward to reading every post. Your blog has always been one of my favorites since I found it. I’ve learned so much! And please enter me in the drawing for your digital book; it’s awesome! Hugs!
You know I’ll be sticking around … I love your blog and always find it informative, fun, interesting.
Tipper,
After finding your site last year I must say that I enjoy it tremendously. I have the pleasure of reading it each morning with my cup of coffee. I grew up in Gilmer County,GA and my ancestors came from NC via Scotland and Ireland. I love the fact that a lot of the sayings,music and customs of the mountain folk have carried over from the old country.Their lives were not always easy and they worked hard so their families would have better lives.I think we tend to forget about the sacrafices they made. Thank you for keeping it alive and reminding us that knowing who we are is knowing where we came from! I look forward to 2012 and reading the Blind Pig each day. Happy New Year and many blessings!!!
I also didn’t discover you until well into 2011. I intend to read many of the monthly posts I missed. I love your blog and look forward to it every morning., Like Ed, I was worried about you after your headache and the next day with not post! Doing a blog is a huge undertaking and it would be understandable if there was a day now and then when you just can’t git ‘er done. Best of everything in the new year. And many blessings to you and your family.
I wouldn’t know where to start priortizing my favorites. I enjoy all of them. I do have to say I like ones that include or involve a recipe of some kind. I’m always experimenting (with other folk’s recipes) I did like the Cataloochee church singing.
New to your blog, but will be a daily reader!
The blacksmith and I enjoyed reading along with you on 20111 and we look forward to 2012.
Blessings to you and your family.
Tipper: How busy you are – seemingly all the time! Wonderful ‘annual’ POST!
PLEASE show us your GREEN HOUSE! I have a friend who wants a green house so very much. I would like to show her YOUR GREEN HOUSE!
Cheers,
Eva Nell
As I read through your overviews, it brought back a lot of good memories of all you covered for the year. I think there were so many great posts, that I couldn’t pick out one I liked better than the other. May the new year bring some more fun posts.
I can’t pick a favorite post either. I have drooled over the food posts, delighted in all the music posts, had my memory of things long ago stirred, learned some interesting new things, met some fascinating new people, feasted my eyes on the beauty of the country side, and have been made to feel like a part of a wonderful family. I feel lucky to have made a new friend and look forward to all the shares you have for 2012.
Try not to skip a day. The other day you had a blinding headache and the next day no Tipper. I am sure I’m not the only one who was worried about you. I found you late in the year so I missed a lot but the Cora Lee Mease is my favorite out of those I’ve read. It got my curiosity cranked. Is Cora Lee a real person? I had to know so I did some research. She was real. I would like to know more. I’ve got to know more.
The Hazel Creek trip was also good for me because that’s where my Dad was working when he had a heart attack that led to his death in 1974. He worked to maintain the very trails and roads you walked on. He cleaned off and maintained the same graves you looked at 37 years later. Daddy thought it was a beautiful place. Maybe his spirit was there when you were. Maybe he saw you there.
Dear Tipper, I did not join in o your blog till Sept–for I did not even own a computer ever in my life till mid Aug. so I will tell you my favorite week was the week of the Crow but I do promise I will go back and read “all” that I missed. I must also tell you I look forward to your post each and every day–but do not allow it to become a burden to you or the JOY you have from doing it will be lost and your posts will reflect that-keep up the good work and congrats’ on being able to get a book published -I feel anyone who would receive it would be honored.
Happy New Year Tipper! BP&A has certainly brightened my year. I look forward to a glorious and blessed 2012 for you, your family and all the readers. Keep up the great work!! I thought about you last night, I fixed biscuits, toasted (melted) hoop cheese with sorghum and some bacon. Some folks would have scoffed at that supper but we thought it was the best meal ever, it was so good on a cold, cold night. You just can’t beat being Sourhern and knowing truly good food!! đŸ™‚
Here’s to a prosperous new year!
Ruthie
I can’t think of a favorite, but I look forward each day to seeing what you come up with. I am afraid that my creativity would probably run out of steam within a month of starting a site like Blind Pig. Thankfully, the ideas seem to keep coming to you, Tipper, and for that I am grateful.
I enjoyed all of them. Always start the day reading your post. Really like to see the pictures you put on here cause it makes the posts just come alive. All the posts are good and do love the music. You are a very talented person and am sure you can do whatever you set your mind too. Have a blessed year.
I remember most of these blogs…can’t believe 2011. Those calendar pages keep turning fast. . .
Tim-Thank you for the encouraging words! I can honestly say-I enjoy every minute of working on the Blind Pig & the Acorn : )
Blind Pig The Acorn
Celebrating and Preserving the
Culture of Appalachia
http://www.blindpigandtheacorn.com
I can not say which is my favorite because I enjoy each one, I may not comment on each one but I still enjoy them, usually start the day off by reading the post. Don’t pressure yourself so much to the point it may become a burden instead of an enjoyment. I know from reading this blog you started it because you wanted to tell about Appalachian life and it’s traditions and so on, and it has been very enjoyable but don’t pressure yourself to much because you may loose the enjoyment. It’s O.K if you skip a day or so then come back and share what’s on your mind. You have done a terrific job, and I enjoy reading it.