My Grandmother Burson (Nanny) was a hardworking woman who had the great
pleasure of owning the home of her dreams, Wakefield. She traveled with my
Grandfather Burson, a doctor in Wilcox county, Alabama, who was also the
doctor for the railroad to collect antiques
to furnish the home in Savannah, Charleston, New Orleans, Montgomery,
Memphis, etc. She particularly was fond of cut glass.
But the service of the delicious foods is what I remember best.
She served chicken soup in gold rimmed Limoges bowls. That
chicken's neck was probably wrung first thing that morning but he went
to his reward in elegant style. We drank sweet tea out of etched
crystal goblets and ate with silver cutlery. She grew her own
vegetables in the garden beside the house. The freshly picked turnips,
beans, peas, potatoes, collards, cabbage, tomatoes, etc swam in grease
from the fat back with which it was cooked. And it was always
served with delicious cornbread. Homemade desserts always awaited
in the pie safe in the breakfast room. Her recipes are listed
under Wakefield Recipes.
My Grandmother Gillis (Muddin) served foods every bit as delicious, but
in a humble home on mismatched dishes. My Grandfather (John Patrick
Gillis) was killed in an accident when the chains on a log truck broke and
he was instantly killed in the truck following. My mother was 13 with
four younger siblings, the youngest being 6 months old.
My Grandmother was 30. She took the insurance money and bought a house
midway between the Presbyterian Church and the school house. She never
remarried and she never forgot him. Seconds before she passed away,
she looked past those gathered around her, reached out and whispered,
"Pat?" Her recipes are listed under Downhome Recipes.
 Mattie
Martin (Mammy) came to work for us when I was five years old. She was
my best friend and the best cook I ever knew. She cooked for Dr. Moody
before coming to work for us and thought it her responsibility to make sure
we lived up to their standards. She made sure I knew how to set a
proper table..."The fork goes on the left of the plate with the napkin.
The knife goes next to the plate on the right with the spoon next to it.
Always put the meat on a platter in front of 'the Doctor'." Her apple
pie had the most delicious crust with cheese cut into it. Her banana
pudding, coconut pie, chocolate pie, egg custard, etc. have never been
equaled. Her recipes are listed under Downhome Recipes.
Proper Table Setting At Rest Finished Eating
  
Social Graces by Ann Platz and Susan Wales
 Hilda Ramsey was
one of the best cooks I ever knew. Her recipes, along with her
husband's Dowling mother's and relatives recipes are in the Ramseys and
Recipes section. When Robert (Attorney in Dothan) owned the
Houston Hotel, Hilda ran the restaurant. They were famous for their
shrimp salad and lemon icebox pie. They were the best in-laws a girl could
ask for.
Lunch Bunch
Mary
Alice
Bishop, Lonelle Jackson, Hilda Ramsey, Evelyn Davis, Pauline Parkman, Jerri
Chancey, Mavis Gwaltney, Charlie Capps, and Merle Bottoms belonged
to a Lunch group that met each Thursday for 43 years in Dothan, Alabama.
As members passed away others were added, including Elizabeth Allen and Rosa
Thomas. The rules for the group were:
1. Every
Thursday was set apart by every member of the group who never scheduled anything that
would interfere. It is only recently that the group has cut back to every
other week.
2. No one arrived early. The only exception was, perhaps, one designated
helper. Everyone else arrived punctually at the designated time. The scene
was set with careful preparation of food, flowers, china, crystal and silver
to make them special that day.
3. They lingered after the meal over coffee participating in the lost art
of conversation and friendship. Their recipes are found throughout the
recipe list.
. 
Out to Lunch Bunch
Inspired by Hilda and her group, we started our own group. Phyllis
Brackin, Jean McDaniel, Sharman Ramsey, Michele Buck, Barbara Blumenfeld,
Irma Youngblood, Pat Branch, Pat Renro and Kitsy Burns were among the
original group. As some moved away or went back to work, we have now
included Mary Hartzog, Martha Nix, Diane Enloe, Mary Andrews and Cynthia
Nowell. However, we meet only once a month. Their recipes
are also included throughout. Bunch
Of Old Broads
JoAn
Gramling, Julie Cheshire, Sharman Ramsey, Mary Darrah, Agatha Bennett,
Jane Prater, Jane Pope, Ann Logue, Dorothy Peterson, Nancy Wyatt and
Emmalyn Smith. Barbara Clemons was missing from that picture. Kathie
Clemons Bennett was a BOOB while she lived in the area. Day Logue,
Ann's daughter is currently a BOOB as is Kathy Walker and Kathy Parrish
Swigler. June Lloyd is our newest member. Being a BOOB is an
appellation many desire, but only few can acquire. This Bunch of old
Broads (BOOBS) are my dear friends in Panama City. There's some pretty
good cooks among this stellar bunch of women. They really enjoy
the entire process of the art of entertaining. Their recipes and
entertaining styles are in this section.
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