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24 Oct 2015 – Italian Black Pepper Cookies

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Solo-on-a-plate
Ingredients:
  • 2 to 2/2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 3 teaspoons fennel seeds
  • 4 eggs
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 cup cooking oil
 Directions:
  • Put flour in a bowl, make a well & add the oil, eggs, salt, fennel seeds, black pepper, and baking powder.
  • Mix well with a wooden spoon to form a large ball, then just take a pinch at a time & twist or braid also can roll into balls. Can make them large or small.  Place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
  • You may frost with powdered sugar icing if you wish.
Directions for Powdered sugar Icing (makes a lot so you may want to cut in half):
  • 1  box of powdered sugar
  • A few tablespoons of milk
  • 2 teaspoons lemon or anise flavoring
  • Combine sugar, milk and flavoring in a medium bowl, stirring well until you dissolve all the sugar – (I use a whisk)

24 Oct 2015 – Wakes In The Home

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Rose-flowers-21391136-600-600

When my mother Alice was growing up, wakes were actually held in the homes. When a family member died, the funeral home prepared the body, placed it in the casket, and delivered it to the home.  During the wake, friends and family would come to pay their respects.  The wake was a celebration of life with food and drink.

My mother remembers her great-grandmother (Laura Washington) and grandfather (Joseph Brown) having a wake held in their home.  Based on the time of the funeral, the body would be delivered to the home the day before, and be available until an hour or two prior to the funeral which was held in the church.

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19 Oct 2015 – Ella Brown Thomas and Emaline Brown

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Ella Brown Thomas

Ella Brown Thomas is my 3rd great-aunt (Mother’s side).  It is rare for me to have a picture going back six generations!  She was born in 1844 and died in 1944.  She is the daughter of Emaline Brown who was born in 1832.    I don’t know much about Ella Brown, but I do know that her mother was Emaline Brown.

When you are researching african american ancestors in the 1800s, it’s a challenge because the records are extremely scarce.  I was able to find limited information on Emaline Brown, mother of Ella Brown.  She had a savings account on 2 May 1872 at the age of 41.  At the time, her parents were dead, but the records show she had nine children:

  • Peter Brown
  • Margaret Brown
  • Simuel Brown
  • Ella (pictured above)
  • Elixander Brown
  • Thomas
  • Willie Brown
  • Carrie
  • Millie

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09 Oct 2015 – Thomas Coleman

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Thomas Coleman

Thomas Coleman

Thomas Coleman was born 2 Jan 1901 in Mobile, AL.  He met Isabel in Chicago, and she became the love of his life.  I’m not sure where they married, but he took the train to Mobile to introduce his new wife to the family.  Isabel was so light-skinned, she passed for white and they made her ride in the front of the train.  Thomas went to the back of the train.

Thomas Coleman worked as a Pullman Porter on the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio (GM&O) Railroad.  He directed guests to their rooms in the Pullman car, served drinks, cleaned, and helped people with their luggage.

 

Library of Congress Pullman porters, known for their white jackets, played an important role in luxury train travel for a century.

Library of Congress Pullman porters, known for their white jackets, played an important role in luxury train travel for a century.

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4 Oct 2015 – Italian Sausage, Potatoes, Peppers and Onions

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Ingredients:
  • One pound of Italian Sausage hot or medium
  • Four medium potatoes peeled and quartered ( I like the golden or red potatoes)
  • One medium onion sliced thinly or to your preference
  • Three to four sweet peppers sliced length wise medium (any color you prefer)
  • Olive Oil (enough to coat veggies and brown sausage)
Directions:
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Coat vegetables with olive oil and set aside
  • Brown sausage in a cast iron skillet coated lightly with olive oil on medium flame.
  • When browned, remove from the heat.
  • Add onions, peppers, and potatoes.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add a small amount of water to skillet cover with lid.
  • Place cast iron skillet in a 350 degree oven for 45 min depending on your oven.
  • Check at 30 min and stir the ingredients leave the cover off and continue cooking until the potatoes are brown.