While in Mississippi, after the New Year was rung in, my dad and his friends had themselves an old-fashioned hawg killin’. I call it “The Event”. From the actual killing to the butchering, they did it all. They wanted to again experience something of their childhood. They wanted their children and grandchildren to see something they’d only heard about in horror stories.

My dad, aka the Frank, the conqueror of pigs, is the one walking towards the pots with the bucket. I love him beyond reason….

So, here is how you go about a hawg killin’ folks. A quick disclaimer, some of the pictures might be a little…well, I guess much for some.  Just want you to know before you keep scrolling down.

First, well, you have to kill the hog. It was explained in the days leading up to “The Event” that there are several ways of killing a hog. The easiest, and method chosen on this day, was to shoot the hogs and then slit the throat. Gruesome…yes. But it’s the way our forefathers got bacon and pork chops so let’s not judge too much.

My dad killed the first two and since he’s not much on killing things he asked our friend Chuck to do the last one. I could write a book on my adventures with Chuck and my dad…but those are stories for another time and this is just another chapter in that book.

After they are dead, the hogs are placed in this here barrel with scalding water in efforts to begin the hair removal process. And the hair MUST be removed in order to have cracklin’ later on.

 The hog is then moved closer to the pots of boiling water.

 Burlap sacks are soaked in the pots and then placed on the hog to keep the hair soft.

Then you scrap the hair off using a large bladed knife. This took an extremely long time. A painstakingly long time.

 After all the hair is removed, the insides, or chitlins, are removed…

and the hog is cut in half. The man with the saw is my family doctor, Dr. Bryant. Oh, the things he and my dad come up with to do. They have a molasses mill in the process of being built, along with the sugar cane growing in a field, in hopes of making their own molasses. We all dream of drizzling that molasses on top of a stack of pancakes one day…one day.

 The hog is then moved to the butcher table, where the good doctor and one of the town judges proceed to chop him up. Hmmm…tenderloin. After a hard day of work, the men closed up shop and returned the following morning. They made sausage and put hams in salt boxes, which will later be hung to smoke. It was two very hard days, which my dad vows to never again repeat. But they can watch it over and over because…

Walt Grayson from WLBT news in Jackson came to film “The Event”. I grew up watching him do the weather and going around Mississippi reporting on the Natchez Trace in Fall, historic sights, farming, festivals, etc. He can now add hog killing to his list of things he has seen and recorded. You can’t imagine how I had to hold it together when he drove up, but I did it. It turned out way better than the Pioneer Woman incident I can tell you that. Luckily, we had enough warning that he would be there and I was able to get all the crazy out the night before.

 “The Event” made its way onto the news the week after it occurred. When it gets posted online, I’ll put it up.

And now you know how to kill a hog should you ever get the notion.

Waitin’ to eat some fresh bacon,
MacKenzie

Faith, trust, steadfastness…words that have been on my heart a lot the past month or so.

It started when a friend and I memorized James 1:3 together.

For some reason I felt compelled to memorize more than just that one verse. I had no idea why at the time.

James 1:3-8:

I just smiled. I pictured God giving me a wink. In that moment he was not only reassuring and teaching me but He was also answering a prayer. A prayer, nonetheless, for wisdom and to better understand the concept of steadfastness.

Steadfastness in this verse means endurance, perseverance, stand firm.

 It is the testing of my faith that will bring about steadfastness. And as Wesley, my pastor, said, it is not God that is testing us. We are tested because of sin. Sin is what makes me lean on my own understanding. Sin is what makes me waiver in my faith. Sin is what makes me question.

But sin doesn’t get to win. It doesn’t get the last say so.

While I don’t welcome trials, I am learning that it is in trials that I better see the face and feel the touch of God Almighty. I pray that in trials I will remain steadfast and have the peace that He has left for me. That peace which will surpass all my understanding. And in remaining steadfast, I am leaning on Him instead of myself, which will result in Him directing my path…which leads right back to Him.

The following poem was written by myself and a high school friend for a project in English at some point in high school. Although it is several days past Christmas, I wanted to share it with you.

Cap and Nana got a new puppy.

Gingernut fell head over heals.

But, really, who wouldn’t?

Goodnight,
Mother of a puppy-lover

We made it to Louisiana…and I am going to boast a little bit here. We made it in record time. We made a 850.46 mile trip in 13 hours. Yes folks, you read that correctly. We made a 15 hour trip in only 13. Whoop-whoop!
No speeding was involved while I was behind the wheel.

When we set out I decided to download some comedy podcast to keep me awake when it was my turn to drive, and I stumbled upon the Christian Comedy Chicks.

I found myself laughing out loud at times, so loud in fact I was afraid I would wake the sleeping peeps in the truck.

The Chicks are Jessica Ramirez and Laura Mae Poore, best friends who joined forces to make a powerful touring and radio comedy duo. But they are more than comedy. They are encouraging and uplifting and real and I was hooked after the first fifteen minute podcast.

They got me from Anderson, South Carolina to somewhere in Alabama. Then from Philadelphia, Mississippi to Ruston, Louisiana.

You can check ’em out  on their facebook page or on their website. 

You know your friends love your kids more than you when not only does one of them dress up like Michelangelo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles because they were on your daughter’s birthday party guest list but when she goes to the mall to ride the carousel…on Saturday…that would be the Saturday before Christmas.

Webster’s dictionary defines a disciple as one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another.

Jesus’ definition of disciple is much more complex. It has more depth, more dimensions than just the teaching of doctrine. 

So how does Jesus define disciple? 

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household!” Matthew 10:24-25

A disciple is one who “[goes] and [makes] disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that [Jesus] commanded [them]….” Matthew 28:19

“Whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:35

“Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Mark 2:17

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.”  Mark 8:34-35

Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them [the disciples] “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.” Mark 9:36-37

Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:41-45

Jesus to the disciples, “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.” Mark 11:25

“In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.” Mark 12:38-40

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Who ever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. Treat others the same way you want them to treat you…Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge and you will not judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give and it will be given to you.” Luke 6:27-31; 36-38a

Explaining the parable of the sower Jesus said, “But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.” Mark 8:15

“Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lamp stand, so that those who come in may see the light.” Mark 8:16

When speaking with the Samaritan woman, “But an hour is coming, and how is, when the true worshipers will worship the Gather in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24

After washing the disciples feet Jesus says to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. for I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.” John 13:12-15

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

“He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” John 13:21

These are only a few of the ways Jesus defines a disciples. There are countless parables and other teachings in the gospels, not to mention all the teachings found in the Old Testament and letters written to the churches. 

I am learning so much about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. As I crave more and more of Him, I learn more about Him and the beauty of living in His richness.

So, what have I learned so far? 

Jesus is calling me to be a forgiving, loving, humble, obedient, serving, worshiping, full of His light, bearing fruit, merciful, following, teaching, baptizing, self-denying disciple. 

And that is only the surface. 

I can’t wait to learn more. 

And then to begin to be transformed by the Holy Spirit to look more like the One who saved me. 

MacKenzie

I awoke with anticipation and excitement. The day had finally arrived. The day in which I would meet The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond.

The day started normally – other than the excited butterflies zooming around in my stomach. Right before lunch, however, I noticed evidence of superhuman strength lying on the office floor. What could it be, you ask?

It was…it was…

 my glasses. My new glasses…broken. Just in case you can’t fully appreciate the damage caused by brute strength, I’m providing you another angle.

One guess who did it. Here’s a hint: his name starts with a C, ends with a B and has an L in the middle.

This was not a good sign for my day.

But I would be defeated. Not today. No, not today. 

After lunch my adventure began. I went to pick up The Fierce Beagle and we were off…well, almost. We had to drop the baby beagles off at her mom’s house. Then we had to go back to the Beagle’s house. On our way to get gas the Beagle realized she forgot her phone…back to her house went. Finally we were able to get gas. And one last stop back at her mom’s to drop off something and off we went!

Luckily, there were no incidents on our trip down. We were so happy to have some time in which we weren’t wives and moms, only worrying about ourselves. It was the first time in a long time we could carry on conversation without a baby on our hip or a child needing help going to the bathroom and eat wherever we wanted without worrying if there will be anything for the kids to eat or whether it’s too girly a place for our husbands. This doesn’t happen often, so we reveled in it.

Upon arriving at the mall, the Beagle, who is more knowledgeable about the world of books and signings, suggested we go buy our books and get our line number. I was given number 158 and the Beagle was given 163. Not too bad. We had to be back at 5:00 – an hour before the signing started.

We went in search for a Christmas gift for Gingernut  and then hunted food. For we were ravenously hungry by this time. The BBQ Fritos, Dove bar, and Arnold Palmer tea on the way down had done little to nothing to curb our appetite. So after much searching, we settled on The Tavern at the Mills. It was a great choice.

 I had brisket with mashed potatoes and veggies. As PW would say, it made my skirt fly up. The brisket was so tender you hardly needed a knife. The vegetables actually had flavor and were cooked to perfection.

The Beagle had pulled pork, fries, baked beans, slaw and a salad. The fries…the fries were amazing. I know this because she generously shared one.

It was getting close to 5:00 and it was all I could do to not go find the waitress, put my money in her hand and tell her to hurry it up because I had somewhere to be.

We raced back across the street to the bookstore, where they had already started calling numbers to line people up. Luckily our numbers had not quite been called, but we barely made it. As we made our way to the back of the store to join the other fanatics in line we noticed a very long line that started at the customer service desk and stretched out the door. The Beagle noted, “Those people are waiting on line numbers.” Good call Beagle for getting our numbers early.

We found our spot in line a little after five and stood for the next hour and a half almost in the same spot. It really wasn’t so bad. Number 158 may sound bad but compared to number 400, I was in good shape.
Here’s our view from where we stood, waiting for her arrival.

Finally, finally, we heard screaming and clapping. As I caught a glimpse of her I began hitting the Beagle in the arm, I’m sure leaving her with a big fat bruise this morning.

There she is….AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!! I began laughing like a hyena, except that I don’t think hyenas snort. I couldn’t stop. But then the line didn’t move for almost 30 minutes and I my excited, nervous laughter calmed. Then finally, finally, we began to creep forward.

This is me rounding the last bend before I will actually be able to talk to her! AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!

We decided that the Beagle would go first and I would take the picture. The Beagle, one who thrives under pressure and doesn’t have to lock up any form of crazy like me, spoke of pecan pie. She and Ree had a lovely little chat about it.

Then it was my turn. Before I begin with my interaction with Ree, allow me to tell you what I wanted to say to her.

Hi Ree. I first heard about your website from my friend Shannon when we were in Italy. We made the apple skillet cake one night at her apartment and I was hooked! And now we have a whole group of people who come over for Sunday lunch and 8 times out of 10 we eat something that is from you. 

Here’s what actually happened.

I smiled like an big fat idiot because I could do nothing else. You see, my brain ceased working the moment we made eye contact.

Ree: Come close and we’ll get a picture.

I say nothing!!

Ree: Thanks for coming.

Me: Thanks for coming to Charlotte. WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ree: Do you live in Charlotte?

Me: No, I live in Winston-Salem

Ree: By the end of this I am going to know the entire geography of North Carolina

Me: Blank stare, smile, and no words

Ree: Thanks again for coming.

That’s it folks. THAT….IS….IT!!! My mind went blank, absolutely blank. Here this woman was who I have wanted to meet for about five years talking to me and I SAY NOTHING!!!

But I do have a picture with her.

And I do have a signed cookbook.

Dignity…oh, no…there’s none of that left. But I can live with the picture and cookbook until next time when I will totally redeem myself.

Still trying to find my voice and brain this morning,
MacKenzie