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James & Isabella Wood and Family
James and Isabella Wood Scottish immigrants, James and Isabella Wood, arrived in Texas in 1851. They, and their children, contributed to the success of Hill County and are an important part of Texas frontier history. James Wood (b. 1799) and Isabella Riddell (b. 1806) married in 1830. They had ten children. One child, James (their first son to be named James, another would follow) drowned in their native land of Scotland. When they immigrated to Texas in 1851, they traveled with their nine children: Margaret (b. 1831), Jane Mason (b. 1832), Hugh (b. 1834), Isabella (b. 1835), Christina (b. 1836), Martha (b. 1838), John (b. 1841), Jeanette (b. 1848),…
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The Art and Angst of Adding Additions
The Thing About Old Houses Old houses are either tiny or spacious. Neither likely have enough closet space. That is just the way it is. Our house was on the tiny side and it was not ready for 21st century living unless we were ready to do some serious lifestyle adjustments. I was keen, at first, to try and fit into my ancestor’s home. I soon came to the realization that there was not enough space in our historical home and that we would have to consider adding an addition in order to make the house functional for us. Our commitment to the old house complicated attempts to design an addition. We had a basic…
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Do You Need an Instant Pot? Yes!!!
New Gadget or Must Have? I love a new kitchen gadget. I bought one of those things that peels, cores, and spiral slices an apple about twenty years ago. I have used it about five times. It works great, but I just don’t need to peel, core and spiral slice apples all that often. I have some other things that have ended up in the bottom of a drawer, taking up space. Jerry has been trained to question my need of a new gadget because I love them, and then I leave them…in the drawer. That was probably his first thought when I said I needed an Instant Pot. “You…
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Scallops in a Lemon, Anchovy and Basil Reduction
I’ve Said This Before, But… A great recipe is a thing of joy. Scallops in a lemon, anchovy and basil reduction is one of our favorites and for good reason. It is easy to make and puts any restaurant meal to shame. The lemons give a bright burst of citrus acidity to the scallops. The anchovies provide an earthy saltiness. The basil give the dish a bit of color and a nice herbal punch. We have altered it over the years to suit our tastes. Don’t be afraid of the anchovies. They make the meal. Be sure to have all the ingredients prepped prior to beginning. This meal cooks too…
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Who Has Time to Make Bread? You Do!!!
Bread Making Tradition Nana made yeast bread most Sundays and every holiday meal. Her Parker House Roll recipe (pictured above) was especially delicious. Buttery brown tops that were just the right mixture of soft and chewy. So good in fact, that my mother would grab another roll with honey instead of dessert. I took it for granted that, like other things she made, that I would be genetically blessed with her ability. Nope. Suddenly, I was grown, and living far away from home for my first Thanksgiving as a married woman. To make things more interesting, my in-laws came to celebrate that holiday with us in our one-bedroom apartment. The…