Biographical Tidbits
My husband, Brandon, and I have been married for almost 18 years. Though we don’t have any children, we love and spoil our two standard poodles. As a native Carolinian and a storm spotter, I named my dogs after two of the most powerful hurricanes to ever make landfall along the Carolina coast, Hazel (1954) and Hugo (1989). I was around for Hugo – and that storm kicked off my lifelong fascination with severe weather.
Brandon and I were born in the North Carolina piedmont, happily situated halfway between the coast and the beautiful Appalachian mountains. We spent our childhoods enjoying Lexington style barbecue (NOT “pulled” pork), which ONLY features chopped or sliced pork shoulders roasted over hickory and oak coals in brick or stone pits, a very subtle smoke profile, red slaw and real hushpuppies. We also loved eating fried liver mush, drinking cherry lemon Sundrops, watching Carolina vs Duke basketball games in class during the month of March, and soaking up wisdom from our grandparents and extended family members.
Like an heirloom, my passion for raising my own food and my love of plants was handed down to me from my mother and grandmother and her mother and her mother (who was born in Clay County in Middle Tennessee ). I come from a long line of gardeners who enjoyed being outdoors. I don’t know if they would be proud of my Certificate of Home Horticulture from Oregon State University, but I hope so!
My love for Alabama football comes from my Daddy, who fell in love with the Crimson Tide as a little boy watching Bear Bryant win, win, win. Brandon and I hold season tickets in the North Zone at Bryant-Denny Stadium and attend every home game and a good many away games. Roll Tide, forever!
Finally, I am absolutely in love with the Lone Star State. I am happiest on the western edges of the Hill Country, swimming in the Llano River not far from where Bear Bryant held his infamous camp for the Junction Boys. I also love to hike and explore Big Bend National Park and the high desert of West Texas, the only place I’ve ever seen the Milky Way. In fact, I just hiked about 14 miles to the top of the South Rim of the Chisos Mountains and camped there to celebrate my 40th birthday! I wouldn’t turn down a trip to the Gulf Coast around Padre Island, either. All of that is wonderful, but my absolute favorite thing to do in Texas is photograph the beautiful wildflowers and cactus blooms in the spring.
