Hey Sunday Letter friends. We survived another week.
And what a terrible week it was, here in the United (um, Divided?) States of America. I continue to remind myself that we are all human, that we all have more common attributes than differences. I’ve always believed this, but man alive, I’m beginning to doubt it.
My One Little Word—faith (in people)—which I announced last week, is dangling by a gossamer thread. In fact, I think I’ll change my word to grace. I’m going to need more of it.
It’s horribly ironic to me that the attack on the Capitol building happened on Epiphany, a day that claims hope in the midst of despair.
Goodbye Christmas
We officially said goodbye to Christmas this week. (At our house, we honor the whole 12 Days of Christmas😊.)
I always find it to be a little sad, putting away the bottle brush trees and other decorations I’ve collected through the years. This year was so odd, it seemed Christmas barely happened at our house. On the flip side, I LOVE reclaiming my house after the holidays. It doesn’t take long for a collection of anything to get on my nerves. January means clean, empty surfaces, rearranging shelves, breathing again.
When do you put away decorations? Or, did you skip decorating altogether in 2020?
Annabelle and the Doodle Bug
Doodle Bug (aka Gracie) has been part of our family four weeks now. I’m guessing by now, Annabelle realizes she is here to stay.
A few highlights from the past week:
Gracie learned to race up the stairs. She still can’t get down, which provides a few seconds of respite when some of us (all of us) are trying to do something (anything) without her underfoot.
Gracie practiced walking on her leash up and down the driveway and in the backyard. A+ for effort.
Tuesday, Gracie ate a Styrofoam packing peanut before I could chase her down and pry it from her shark teeth. Evidently it came out okay…
She has lots of nicknames already, a favorite being, “Gracie No!”
Annabelle napped with Gracie TWICE, a huge thing in our schnauzer world. And, they are definitely playing together more, which thrills Gracie to her incredibly energetic core.
Book Reviews!
Announcement: I’m bringing back my monthly book reviews in 2021. For several years, I blogged about the books I read each month. I stopped doing this a while back, and I’ve missed those posts. Once again, book reviews will become a regular end-of-the-month thing on the blog. I hope you are excited about this.
If you missed my recent blog post about my Favorite Reads in 2020, click HERE. I’ve included a GIVEAWAY for an Audible copy of American Dirt, so be sure to check it out.
📚 📚 📚
Fresh Apple Cake
I made this cake for Thanksgiving, and I have been meaning to share the recipe since then. Seems I’ve been a little distracted.
This is Mrs. Hunkapillar’s recipe. Mrs. Hunkapillar lived in Keiser, Arkansas, when I was growing up. She was known not only for her fun-to-say name, but also for her baking prowess—this recipe in particular. Years ago, when Momma gave my sister and me cookbooks of favorite recipes for Christmas, this cake was included. A few things I’ve learned about old recipes—they aren’t always specific. Common terms have changed. Things that were “understood” aren’t obvious now. (For example, I recently made a recipe that called for one small can of Pet Milk. Today’s baker must ponder how many ounces was in a small can of Pet Milk in 1972?)
So that you enjoy the full experience of Mrs. Hunkapillar’s Fresh Apple Cake, I am attaching a copy of the recipe as typed by Momma. If you decide to make it, please realize this involves more than setting aside time to bake a cake. It’s a cooking challenge. The instructions are minimal.
One of my favorite parts: “Grease and flour long flat pan.”
Good luck. Success means a marvelous cake.
Things Momma Says:
“I hid all my chocolate from myself. Then, I found all my chocolate.”
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Thanks for reading, Sunday Letter friends. I know many of you access my Sunday Letter via Facebook, but I hope you’ll consider joining my email list HERE. If Facebook goes away—and anything could happen at this point—you’ll continue receiving blog posts.
Here’s to a calmer week ahead. Stay safe everyone. And please mask up.
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
I’d stick with “Faith,” Talya – it prevailed on that Day of Epiphany, for on that very same day when legions of thugs attacked our Capitol, the Congress, while under attack, completed its’ Constitutional duty to officially memorialize the Will of the People in declaring Joe Biden to be the duly elected President of the United States of America. Faith in our Democratic Republic, and the desire of people to do good, will carry us through. I’ve never had an adopted word for a year, but you can bet your boots my 2021 word is “Faith.” Thank you.
Thanks, Don. I know you’re right, so maybe I’ll concentrate on two words this year. How’s your writing going? Hope to see you again at HP someday!
When I see a Sunday Letter from my favorite author, my world seems to settle down. This week has been so disturbing, but I have found my chocolate, I have picked my “one little word”, and God’s in his heaven, ❤️❤️
Thank goodness for chocolate!
I really missed my week at HP last summer: it’s always refreshing to see you folks and take advantage of quiet times. I finally finished and had my Homeless Stories project (Five Old Guys) published, so I’m finishing a collection of short stories now. Stay safe, and hug a dog or two.
I missed it too. I just ordered your book. Somehow I missed that it had been published! Can’t wait to read it.
Thanks, Talya, and I’d welcome any thoughts or comments regarding my book. And, where are you with Number Three?
I finished the first draft and am now on to editing.
The world is better when I read the Sunday letter! Thank you for writing it. I enjoyed the end of year book list.
Thank you, Cathy! I hope you find a new favorite book.
Oh, you have Schnauzers! That will keep me coming back to your blog, for sure. I have a three-year-old Schnauzer named Gabe
Schnauzers are the best! We lost our first Schnauzer, Lucy, last summer. SO SAD:(((( Gracie is doing her part though. Never a dull moment.
I’m a “take it down Christmas the day after” person when possible. But I save a few winter/snowman decorations plus my cozy wildlife, fairy lights room. Much needed after the week’s events; I was able to reflect on all things positive in my little sanctuary. I must add that while I was quite young, I was aware of how crazy the world was back in 1968…perhaps crazier than now ( except no COVID, rather crazy political and unrest times). That gives me perspective that the United States will balance out again…I surely hope and believe.
I took my Christmas down on New Year’s Day when I had a full time job at the bank. Now, I don’t feel that urgency. I remember how crazy the world was too, and I know this too shall pass. But constant news feed keeps it at the foremost of everyone’s attention.
I always enjoy your blog. It’s fun to keep up with Gracie’s antics! I’m so glad you are resuming the book reviews. I have read many good books on your recommendation. My biology teacher in the late 1960s at Phillips County Community College (now Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas) in Helena was a Mr. Hunkapillar. I wonder if he was related to your mom’s apple cake friend.
I wonder!? Probably so. Small world, you know.
Hi Talya, Im always interested to see what you have to say. My little word is actually two words. I admit that I heard a retired general say this as he wound up his short speech. Here is it. Help someone.
Perfect two words, Lou Nell.
I’m so glad for the start of fresh new week. Last week started well with Christmas put away on Monday and the house cleaned Tuesday. Then Wednesday hit with it’s unbelievable events. I’ve been working through my disappointment and feelings of outrage ever since.
Reading your thoughts on the events and seeing the pictures of your adorable girls lightened my spirits. Annabelle always charms me and that Gracie is a caution! What fun!
I didn’t have the self control to hide my chocolate from myself. Although it looks decadent, I’d have to leave the coconut out of that cake!
John wasn’t excited about coconut either, but it really takes a back seat and allows the gooeyness to come through I think. It’s been a crazy year. I hope we can get together in 2021.
Thank you for your booklist, I’ve shared it, and so true…what a week. On to this new year with hope, chocolate 😊 and reading your Sunday letters this year will be gifts to my soul…as they were last year…so love apple cake…what a gift this recipe you shared! Happy new year 🌹
Thanks, Lisa. I appreciate your thoughts!
I stared reading and fell in love with your blog/post and especially your book reviews shortly after reading The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee. I am in my 70’s and an avid reader. Gracie Lee is at the top of my list (all time). I have given it to so many friends and will continue to use it as a go to gift. I noticed we read a lot of the same books so I love seeing your reviews and recommendations. Thanks for brining it back. I am almost finished with Gene Everywhere and can’t wait for book 3.
Thank you so much Linda! I hope you are enjoying Gene. Have you seen the 2nd edition of Gracie Lee? It’s illustrated:))))
I haven’t seen it but will definitely look for it!
My husband did one illustration per chapter. Adorable if I do say so!