genealogy

18 Aug 2015 – Introducing My Father’s Side of the Family

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My father’s side of the family was very colorful – to say the least!  There was always excitement, but not the kind that my mother’s side of the family appreciated.   🙂

I remember all of my uncles very well.  In fact, along with my father, they were the ones that created all the excitement!  More on that later.  Let me tell you about them.

My grandmother, Rosie Lee Kennedy, was born in 1912 to Winslow Kennedy (age 28) and Onnie Kennedy (age 33 – still researching maiden name) in Marengo County, AL.  Rosie was a single parent with four boys – Cecil was born on 26 Jun 1931, Roland on 25 May 1932 (my father), Roosevelt on 3 Sep 1934, and Tonzie (we called him Charlie) on 18 Aug 1935.  In the 1930 census, Rosie and her children lived with Winslow and Onnie; however, by the 1940 census, all four sons were living with their grandparents, but Rosie was not.  I have not found Rosie in the 1940 census yet.

In the 1950s when my father was in high school, Rosie asked Roland to join the Army to help pay for bills.  As you know, the money my father sent to his mother was used to get his brothers out of jail on various occasions.  Rosie probably asked this of my father because her oldest son Cecil was always in trouble and not so dependable.

I was six years old when my family moved to Chicago.  Every summer we visited Rosie.  She was an excellent cook!  I remember eating the best homemade biscuits, fried corn, fried okra with tomatoes, collard greens, cakes, etc.  All the vegetables were fresh, not frozen.  Unfortunately, I have no recipes, and neither does my mother.  So sad.

The chicken and other meats were fresh as well.  One visit, we went to my grandfather Tonzie’s house for dinner.  At this time, Rosie and Tonzie were divorced (or separated).  There was a big meal prepared for us to include fried chicken.

The chicken that was on the table, started out his day running on the farm.  Someone grabbed it, rung his neck, plucked the feathers, and fried him up.  Fresh, fried chicken looks good but tastes nothing like what we are used to today.  That evening, I could not eat my chicken – it was just too fresh!

On one occasion while visiting Rosie, the brothers were out having fun.  When they returned, Charlie got out of the car, and slammed the door too hard.  It was Roland’s car, so he started screaming at Charlie who pulled out a knife and threatened to cut Roland.  Roosevelt joined the fight by threatening to shoot one of them with his gun, and Cecil was too drunk to care.  Needless to say, all four brothers were drunk!  Rosie, Onnie, my sisters and I were inside the house, peeking out the front room window.  The adrenalin was racing through my body because if shots were fired, I was afraid they might find us.  I was scared to look, but very interested in the excitement.

A variation of this scene was repeated every summer we visited!  Regardless of their actions, I loved each one of them!  The excitement left me with stories to tell my friends about how I survived my summer vacation!

A picture of Rosie is located below.  She is seated on the sofa (next to the lamp) near my sister Andrea.  My brother Roland is also in the picture.

 

Picture taken September 1976. Front to back/left to right - Roland, Anrea and Rosie Kennedy.

Picture taken September 1976.  Front to back/left to right – Roland, Andrea and Rosie Kennedy.

 

Between The Dashes

17 Aug 2015 – Granddaughter Visit – Summer 2015

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I enjoy being a grandmother!  It’s especially nice when my granddaughter (Taylor) can spend time with her great-grandmother (Alice) as well.  Taylor is actually closer to Alice than she is to me.  Alice kept her, while her mother worked, until she was 5 years old.

We always enjoy Taylor’s summer visits.  The time flies by.  This summer, Taylor attended basketball camp, various library programs, movies, nature walks, photography opportunities, new restaurants, and travel.  See some highlights below:

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Granddaughter (back row in pink top) at basketball camp

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Granddaughter with SWAT Team member

Taylor Decorated These Cupcakes!

Taylor Decorated These Cupcakes at the Library!  She ate them on the way home!

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Granddaughter at Movies with the family

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Granddaughter on nature walk – getting our photography groove on!

 

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Nature shot near the Potomac

Taylor, looking forward to your visit next summer!

16 Aug 2015 – Aunt Jean Flagella’s Biscotti

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Ingredients:
  • 6 eggs
  • 1 stick melted butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp. orange extract
  • 1 tsp. lemon extract
  • 1/2 tsp. almond extract
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 1/2 tbsp baking powder
  • 5 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 cup silvered almonds (if desired)
Instructions:
  • Mix all ingredients.
  • Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Spray cookie sheets with non-stick spray (I use the butter spray) or line with parchment paper.
  • Flour your hands & shape the dough into 5 parts. Flour a wooden board or counter top.
  • Form each portion of the dough into logs ( 10×1 1/2 inches wide).
  • Place on cookie sheets no closer than 3 inches a part.
  • Bake for 20-25 min. or until golden brown. Rotate the tray after 10 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven let them cool to the touch. Cut the cookies with a serrated knife 1/4 inches.
  • Place back in the oven  for 20 minutes until dry and crisp. Cool and store in tins.

13 Aug 2015 – My Sister – My Hero!

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My sister Andrea is special to me because even though she is six years younger than I am, I have learned so much from her!  She is wise, beautiful, and kind-hearted with unlimited potential and determination.  I have so many fond memories of her, but this post will focus on just one.

Andrea lives in Florida.  She is the mother of four beautiful children, all of which have college degrees!  That’s impressive in itself.  In addition, the children are all close in age so Andrea had four children in college at the same time!  Can you imagine that?  Andrea didn’t do it on her own, she has a loving husband who is an exceptional father!  Prayer is at the foundation of everything they do!

Andrea was a surgical technician for about 18 years.  She was in high demand from so many surgeons she worked with, but her true passion was to become a registered nurse.

The video below captures the graduation speech by none other than my Sister!  Join me in congratulating Andrea!

 

Andrea is working full-time as a registered nurse in Florida!

Between The Dashes

11 Aug 2015 – Grandma Flagella’s Honey Cookie Recipe

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Thanks so much Joanne!

Ingredients:

  • 4-5 cups of flour
  • 6 eggs
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 pound of butter melted and cooled
  • 3 1/2 tsp baking powder
Honey Mixture:
  • 2 cups honey
  • 2 tbsp apple jelly
  • 1/2 cup white wine or pink Catawba
  • Bring to a boil and then shut it off
Directions:
  • Beat eggs, add sugar and mix well.  Then add the melted butter and mix well.
  • Add flour and baking powder to mixture slowly, mixing well by hand and with a wooden spoon until soft to roll like a pie crust.  Roll out on counter top or wooden board.  Cut into strips.  Using the tines of a fork, press the long edges of each strip, and make one loop to look like a bow.
  • Deep fry until golden brown, remove and drain on paper towels.
  • Then place cookie strips in the honey mixture (from above) and put in a crock by layers. Sprinkle each layer with cinnamon and chopped walnuts. Cover the crock with a dish and aluminum foil, place in a cool dark place for at least 2 weeks.