My First Christmas Tree

Rachel HauckRachel Hauck, Southern Memories Leave a Comment

I’ve always loved Christmas. When I was little, my parents made it kind of magical for us and that fit just right with my DNA.Those early years included trips to the grandparents for Christmas dinner. More presents. Fun with cousins.Even after we moved away from the family for Dad to go to seminary in Oklahoma, Christmas still had a magic for …

Being Thankful

Rachel HauckRachel Hauck, Southern Memories Leave a Comment

I’m grateful for… Peanuts, Charlie Brown and the Gang. And oh, for peanuts wrapped in chocolate. For sweets. For ice cream and frozen Snicker bites. For friends Family Songs of praise My little green convertible The squirrels I feed every morning Neighbors who ring my door bell so our dogs can visit Writing Novels Those who read them! Southern Belles. …

A Year of Thankful Thoughts

Rachel HauckJulie Cantrell, Southern Memories Leave a Comment

2012 has been a big year for our family. It’s also been a hectic, no-second-to-spare whirlwind trip around the sun, so it’s nice to pause for a moment and count our many blessings. Let’s take a glance back across the months. January: My daughter turned 14, and my son turned 11. I’ve seen too many loved ones lose children at …

Homeless in the Big Apple (and a Thanksgiving memory) by Beth Webb Hart

Rachel HauckBeth Webb Hart, Southern Memories Leave a Comment

Hope you’ll enjoy this true-story vignette.  It took place in 1996 and remains one of my favorite autumn and thanksgiving memories. Homeless in the Big Apple             When I landed in LaGuardia Airport with two suitcases and an acceptance letter to graduate school, I had no place to call home.  My plan to live with a friend had fallen through …

If only in my dreams…by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson

Rachel HauckShellie Rushing Tomlinson, Southern Faith, Southern Memories Leave a Comment

I’ve been so tempted to parrot the other belles with this dream job question. I so identified with Lisa’s powerful post. I was phased out of my all-time favorite job of mothering, too, although I’m further removed from that shocker time-wise. I didn’t realize how time had dulled the memory of those very raw emotions until Lisa brought them back …

Dream Job by Beth Webb Hart

Rachel HauckBeth Webb Hart, Southern Memories Leave a Comment

I always wanted to be a grown-up.  Even as a little, little kid.  Maybe it was because I was the oldest child in the family and considered myself a second Mama to my siblings (much to their great annoyance, I assure you.)  Maybe it was because I wanted to put on high heels, wear makeup and spray that stuff on …

Guest Books by Beth Webb Hart

Rachel HauckBeth Webb Hart, Southern Memories Leave a Comment

Is there anything more romantic than a guest book?   Those decorative journals in beach homes, mountain houses and B&Bs that record days and weeks and years of memories, thoughts, vacation highlights, and even drawings by kindred spirits from all over the world who have spent a few days in the places that we love.              My grandparents used to own …

A Lesson in World Peace and Warring Siblings by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson

Rachel HauckShellie Rushing Tomlinson, Southern Memories Leave a Comment

World leaders could learn a thing or two from my mama. She had this thing she did whenever she caught her stair-step girls squabbling. The offending parties would have to sit under the kitchen table with our arms around each others’ shoulders as if we would not have much preferred choking the other party down to her knees. We were expected to …