Today’s post was written by Chatter.
Last night for supper I decided I wanted to make a cake of cornbread. I could have called mom but I realized I could just visit Blind Pig and The Acorn to find the recipe I grew up on.
That got me to thinking about what a treasure trove of information the blog is for our family.
Mom always thinks of it in a broader sense. Although many of the readers are in the Appalachian area others are located around the world. I know she rarely if ever considers what her writings mean to her family.
The blog is a road map of sorts of our family’s life. Although mom keeps it centered on the subject of Appalachia, she also shares our family life. It’s a documentation of mine and my sister’s lives. From our mud pie days till graduating college. We can even see the progression of our musical endeavors.
Other members of our family benefit from the blog too. Of course the first thing that comes to mind are all the videos of our family making music. You can see our cousins and us literally growing up in the videos not to mention the joy of having all the videos of Pap now that he’s gone.
I’m not the only member of mom’s family who goes looking for her recipes. My cousin April and her husband Zach love to cook and often use the recipes on the blog. At Thanksgiving they were telling us they made mom’s rolls by following along with the blog post and the video she made about them.
The amazing thing is if time continues as it is the blog will be there for future generations of our family like April and Zach’s son who will be born in a few months.
Chatter
Chatter, you do are so lucky that you don’t even know how lucky you are! I have a momma that will not even speak her parents’ names or memories. I know absolutely nothing about my grandmother – she died the year before I was born – and I have only seen a few photos of her, from other relatives. My granddad died when I was 10 & my momma won’t talk about him either. I have no recipes, heirlooms, stories, nada… One of my younger cousins wanted to order a custom made pie plate that they would print recipes on. She, & I, asked all of the aunts (there are 7) if they had any cookbooks/recipes from their mother. Nothing. No one saved anything. I just about cried. My cousin could not have the gift made for her mother. Her mother was only 8 when my grandma died & doesn’t really even have memories of her mom. My husband’s family has the same type of thing going on. My real FIL had cut off all contact with his family when he married my MIL. My hubby never met either grandparent on that side. We don’t even know his grandmother’s name, because my MIL would not tell me so that i could put it in the family tree of my daughter’s baby book. My husband has since cut off all contact with his family & they are our neighbors. My 2 daughters have grown up knowing nothing of major sections of their family. My husband came to me with no baby photos, blankies, heirlooms, etc…I have 2 recipes from his mom & that is it. My girls’ real grandfather is dead now & they do not remember him. They see their grandmother at the store they work at & it is as if they are waiting on a stranger. Cherish what you have and make sure you do the same for future generations. Pass on knowledge, love each other, share, keep traditions alive, try not to close off parts of you that cause pain, but deal with it, so you can remember the good times.
This is just precious. ⚘ Thank you!
I knew Chatter was Corie but it has taken me years to figure that out:) I know – you would think I would just ask, but must be that stubborn Scotch-Irish ancestry in me that thinks I should know it:) Corie I commend you on showing your love for your family and your faith. That is the way I always felt about mine but you don’t always see that in the young people of today. Regarding the Cornbread – I’ve heard my Mother call it a cake of cornbread too. What is extra sweet is I actually see pots and pans Tipper uses that look like the very ones my Mother always used and some have been passed down to me.
I watched the vlog on “ya all” taking a walk up the mountain with the skiff of snow you received the other day and really loved seeing the little creek flowing down and around. It brought back a memory the time you had a big snow and I got to experience a walk up the mountain with you. It was a winter wonderland! I was a Daddy’s girl growing up so I followed my Daddy as he hunted squirrels, and even later when I was grown and following him along with my grown sons following an old creek that ran through and around the old place where he grew up. Your creek has a lot more stones, small and large in it, but at our old place in NE MS the creek bed is sand. I see beauty in both.
I made a cornbread cake by accident back in High School Home Economics class.
I put Waay too much sugar in it, but… everybody in the class wanted a piece when they heard the Teacher say that & they loved it !
I think it was one of the best cakes I ever made from scratch.
Seems there’s one in every family. That person who knows, loves & shares the family history. The stories, the people, the places, the food, passing down what is often forgotten by others.
Like you, my Mom was that person for our family & I try my best to pass everything on to my children. Even with all she shared about the past, I still find myself wishing I could speak to her now to find out more.
Your Mother is a treasure. Listen & remember and pass it on.
Chatter, I’m so glad for you and your family that you appreciate this family trove. Passing on family stories is not just history, it may also be lessons taught, skills shared, connections made. I have a friend who has a scrapbook she keeps for each of her children and grandchildren – these are works of art and have demanded hours of dedication since hers is a large family. I have written family stories which accompany some of my recipes and give these to family members as they marry. I also have had as many family members as possible share something special they remember about each child as they turn 13 and maybe offer some wisdom and advice as well as include print pictures – this is another way to share memories. Quilts were like “fetishes” with each piece spurring a discussion with my great-grandmother or now-a-days, a memory for me.
We can’t all be as thorough as your mom but we can do some little thing to give our offspring a connection to their past.
The best part comes when you realize the younger generation appreciates it. I bet your Mom’s heart is just glowing now!
Sure hope you post the potato salad recipe.
What a sweet tribute to your mom and the work she is doing! The blog and the videos are a treasure trove that you all will enjoy now and in the years to come. It’s so wonderful that it has grown like it has.
What a wonderful post to your mama. I just love her blog and utube videos. As someone who came to appreciate her Appalachian heritage later in life, y’all just make me happy.
P.S. I love you and your sister’s blog too!
A day without Blind Pig and the Acorn is like a day without sunshine. Chatter you, your mom and everyone in your family work so hard to provide us with wonderful blogs, videos, recipes, music and history. I enjoy every day and so thankful for all of you. Keep it coming!!!
You wrote an excellent article, young lady (Chatter)! Family heritage is important to remember and to pass down to the next generations. I wish that I had more family heritage, from family who have gone Home already. I have enough, thankfully. That’s one reason that my website (https://www.appalachianirishman.com/) exists — family heritage. God’s blessings to all y’all, in His service. This website is a way that your mother serves God, as others and you do also.
What a great testament to your Mom and your family’s legacy as many of us continue to be blessed 🙂
What Chatter says is so true. Tipper had no idea when she started writing a blog it would have readers all over the world but her family now and many generations to come. They will reflect on all her stories, family traditions, family history, music and recipes to enjoy. She didn’t just write a blog, she is writing a legacy.
Y’all are so blessed to have your mom’s blog and the YouTube videos to look back on! The more time passes by the sweeter it will become
You have a very cool mom! I know she is pleased by your article.
Sweet tribute!!!!
Chatter, is that Corie or Katie, and do you have away of keepin who’s who straight, in reference to who is Chatter and who is Chitter…hahaha either way, what a proud-momma-moment, right? Nothing brings a momma joy like hearing their children happy about their childhood and up bringin! I love that you girls take so much from your parents, in times when so many your age do just the exact opposite of their parents just to standout, to prove they can, just to rebel a bit I guess. Anyway, I can see no better example you could ever follow, so good for you girls!
Lorie-Corie is Chatter and Katie is Chitter 🙂
Chitter, I am certain this post has warmed your mothers heart and brought a little tear, give her another hug.
First off let me congratulate April and Zach on the new baby coming soon to their house! That is indeed the most blessed news one hears! Then I must confess your mom’s cornbread recipe has made my life and those around me better because it’s perfect cornbread! Before my cornbread was flatly lack luster and now I THROW DOWN that cast iron skillet with a golden raised cornbread cake any Hillbilly woman would be proud to serve- I know I am!!! YOUR DEAR MOTHER IS INDEED WORTH HER WEIGHT IN GOLD!!! Tipper and just your whole family are fantastic and we all through these hills and about the world all think the world of you all even though most of us never met you. My life is all the richer for knowing Tipper. I’m thankful for finding her blog.
I am reminded of the old “This is Your Life” and “What’s My Line” TV shows. (Well before your time.) As you say Chatter, your life is documented in BP&A. But in a larger sense, BP&A (and other sites like it) document Appalachia in the transition to and life within the digital age of the 21rst century. Jointly they are recording history like a diary while it is being made. There is a kinship with Joseph Hall and Foxfire, to name just two. While we here are living within the details of it, we can’t hardly grasp the larger picture but it will be told in song and story by and by.
Chatter, you have written a well deserved tribute to your mother. I have been a member I guess for over over 2 years and look forward to the blog each morning. My wife cooked all the meals for supper while I would cook breakfast each day. Most of the time dinner was just whatever we could round up- think sandwich. Since her death, I have been struggling with supper and have been using some of the recipes. I used the Deer Hunter’s oyster stew recipe last week. The name April was my daughter’s name, she too has passed away. I also love seeing the closeness to each other in your family, my wife’s family was like that, my family was as close as possible but did not live close to one another. I hope the BP&A will be around for many years to come.
A wonderful tribute to your mom and your family.
Beautiful words of the value of family memories. Scrapbooks, videos, pictures, stories. Stories are usually the best as it stirs up personal memories that are relatable. You wrote of how it affects your family and what a treasure it is. Your so right about importance of past history but the personal effects for your family are tremendous. Just like the scrapbooks I used to make. The ones with just pictures are fun to look through BUT the ones with stories written next to the picture (why all the people are laughing, or why were the kids all wearing pajamas) make all the difference and are the most treasured of the scrapbooks. You are so blessed to appreciate growing up in a home that treasures history!
So true, Chatter. Blind Pig and your Mom’s work has become such a part of our family I sometimes forget how amazing an endeavor this blog is.
My kids grew up listening to your family play music on YouTube and more that once the recipes have saved us from one more pizza delivery. Alex often says “Let’s make something off Blind Pig.” Way better than the food Network.
This site, you and your family are an important part of preserving Appalachian culture.
Thank you for this wonderful reminder.
It’s a sure treasure for all of us! Your sweet momma is the one who encouraged us to write about ” I am from” and I read it at my sweet momma’s home going. I’m forever grateful to be able to share our story with our family.
I also go to your Mom’s blog for recipes. It is a cooking resource
Chatter, such a thoughtful and wonderful post and tribute to your Mom and the Blind Pig and it’s readers. I often refer to TBP for recipes, or just re-read my favorites, and go through the archives and read some older ones before I started following y’all in 2014. I enjoy the blog, the music, the recipes, and hearing about your family as well as the comments.
You’re right about the blog and the channel, it’s a wonderful record of you family life little things you may forget are right there for you anytime you want it how great is that! And talking about following along with you mom when she makes a recipe I do it all the time, that way I feel like I’ll get it right. I want to make her pralines do bad but I haven’t hit the nerve yet I’m afraid I’ll mess them up. But I have made many other things all are great! Especially Aunt Lees bread and butter pickles, just the best. You girls and your mom are doing a great thing for yourselves and fir us as viewers and we thank you. Keep doing it!
I have no doubt what Tipper started with The Blind Pig and The Acorn will carry on to later generations! It’s a beautiful heritage now well documented! The Blind Pig is now certainly the center of all our lives at The Blind Pig and The Acorn.
Tipper, I remember when you were looking a name for this new blog? Out of that, The Blind Pig was born and just look how it has grown!
It is amazing!
Just waking up this morning to read this special writing by Chatter and trying not to cru. Your family is such a blessing to me. Thank you so much for sharing your life with us.
I love this! Recipes passed down through the family bring back a thousand special memories!
Chatter, you referred to the cornbread as a “Cake of Cornbread’, whereas. I would have referred to it as a
“Pone of Cornbread”. Now I find out that pone is actually a type of bread instead of being a descriptor of the shape of the baked bread.
Cornbread vs Cornpone – What’s the difference?
cornbread | cornpone |
As nouns the difference between cornbread and cornpone is that cornbread is bread made from cornmeal while cornpone is a form of cornbread made without milk or eggs.
And, the site navigation is so well organized, so it makes it easy to go search what’s on your mind. It is a treasure box for sure. We just bought the stuff needed to make our own yogurt this week. I’m also on the lookout for some rich pine.
Chatter, you for sure have your Mother’s gift of sharing. I have been following the ‘Pig’ for a bit now and learn something daily. Rather than deleting the post, I have been saving them in a file to return to. This type of sharing is something other families could learn from. I for sure can remember things my Grandparents and parents and other relatives say, but have not the actual sound of their voice. Thanks
It’s a treasure trove for many of us!
A day without Blind Pig & The Acorn? ? Never!
That was sweet
And I think it’s great that you girls are leaving a living record of your thoughts and experiences on your own you tube channel. As a long time reader of your Mom’s, it is definitely a treasure trove of inspiration, motivation, and stepping into the past with so many commenter’s who share their life and family history, too. Thank you for taking the time to share all that you do with us!
Donna. : )