Appalachian – aTransParentMom

Sarah is in the house!! woot woot 🙂 We are going to have a blast today!

Before we get started, scoot on over to Amazon and pick up a FREE copy of Appalachian Serenade.

Sarah’s books feature characters who seem to have the ability to perform one of Christ’s miracles. In the first book, Miracle in a Dry Season, it’s feeding the 5,000 and in the second, Until the Harvest, it’s healing. The third manuscript, currently being revised, is The Secret of Being Content featuring a character with the gift of tongues.

Let’s play!!!!

Ok. I have the dumbest smile of all time.

The rules are simple. I ask Sarah some random questions. She replies and then I give my answers. Each winning answer is worth one point and I get to decide whose answer is better.

It’s my blog.

Here we go!

1. Have you ever visited a big plantation home?

Sarah –I worked at Biltmore Estate, America’s largest privately owned home, for more than six years. I was in the public relations department working with media outlets from weekly newspapers to HGTV and National Geographic. It was a blast! Plus, I got to unhook velvet ropes and go into rooms–ever under the watchful eye of security–but still. I’ve been on the catwalk in the Library and on the balcony in the Banquet Hall–not to mention in some VERY interesting, behind-the-scenes areas. The attached photo is from my first summer there–my husband (far right) and I (bringing up the rear) went horseback riding for a Southern Living photo shoot. Such fun!

Charity – Oh, yes! I think my favorite was the Vanderbilt Mansion in Rhode Island. It’s called The Breakers.

Of course, I wasn’t as fancy as you…I was just a simply tourist. I didn’t get to do all the “behind the scenes” stuff or ride a horse for a SOUTHERN LIVING photo shoot!!!!

— Definitely Sarah!

Charity 0 / Sarah 1

2. What was your childhood nickname?

Sarah –Sally, which is a traditional nickname for Sarah. My dad was just about the only one to call me that–mostly to aggravate me!

Charity – Well, it was a toss up between “Bows” (My best friend at the time was “Buttons”…Yes, I did want to jam pencils in my ears when I heard it.) and Chirpidee. I don’t know. Weird.

My nephews and nieces currently call me “Aunt Churd” (rhyming with “turd”). I have 18 of those sweet little things!! (nephews and nieces, not turds)

— I get it. Sally is nothing!!!

Charity 1 / Sally 1 😉

3. What’s the perfect smoothie have in it?

Sarah –Root beer and vanilla ice cream.

Charity – uh…? Smoothie? lol

No, no, no…It must be full of cabbage, spinach, strawberries, mangoes, pineapple, avocados, etc…

— Root beer…*shaking head* I get that!

Charity 2 / Sarah 1

4. Have you ever had a backstage pass to any concert or show?

Sarah –When I was in college I asked to go backstage at a Glenn Yarbrough concert. I know, I know. Who?? I listened to a lot of my dad’s music so I was 20 or 30 years behind my peers. Mr. Yarbrough was very nice although I think he was mostly wondering what someone my age was doing at his concert! Go on-line and find a recording of Honey & Wine. Sigh.

Charity – Ok, so I couldn’t find that exact song, but it still had “honey” in the title!!

— I have to concede this point because I haven’t ever been backstage…

Charity 2 / Sarah 2

5. Have you ever driven a tractor?

Sarah –Growing up on a farm I spent my summers in the hay fields. I was pretty good at stacking bales, but the pinnacle of accomplishment was driving a tractor pulling a loaded wagon of hay. I could stop on a hillside for the guys to load bales, then ease it on up the hill without jerking off even one bale–eventually. The first few times weren’t that pretty, but getting hollered at by sweaty guys who have to restack bales is excellent incentive!

Charity – Woh. I am impressed. Ok, “Sarah is woman. Hear her roar.”

— Sarah!!!

Charity 2 / Sarah 3

6. How do you strive to bring God the most glory in your life?

Sarah –I try to love people when I don’t find them all that lovable. I try to see them the way God does–as the apple of His eye. It can be really hard, so this is definitely a work in progress for me!

Charity – ❤

— God wins!

Charity 2 / Sarah 3

7. Best Southern Recipe?

Sarah –To eat or to cook? If it’s eating, I’ll take John Fleer’s sweet tea brined fried chicken at Rhubarb in Asheville, NC. If I’m cooking, I make fabulous collard greens and stone-ground grits with cream. Of course, I’m not really Southern, I’m Appalachian, which means I can also make excellent fried squirrel with gravy. Serve it up with biscuits and I’ll make a convert out of you!

Charity – 😮 I am not so sure that you would…

(link in pic)

So easy and sooooooo yummy. I want it for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

— Tie

Charity 3 / Sarah 4

8. What’s your favorite season? Why?

Sarah –I used to say autumn. I love that bittersweet time of year when nature puts on a show before giving itself over to winter. But as I get older, and like winter less, spring has become my favorite. I can’t wait to get into the woods in March and April to see what new, green thing is poking up through the leaf litter. And the wildflowers! Bloodroot, trillium, dwarf iris, showy orchis, lady slippers–seeing them is like running into a friend you’ve been missing. I love to walk the trails calling out their names.

Charity – Ohhhhh. I am in love with Autumn. ❤ ❤ ❤ Pumpkin EVERYTHING! ahhhhh!!! Pumpkin candles, Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls, Pumpkin Whoopie Pies, Pumpkin Decorations, Pumpkin Chili, etc… Plus, the holidays are in the air. ❤