Why Passed-Down Recipes Are So Important to Appalachians

 

Does food have a culture?  

Does culture have a food?

Have you ever thought about the foods that you eat?

In Appalachia, food is never just about what’s on the table. It’s about the people who prepared it, the land that provided it, and the traditions that gave it meaning. Passed-down recipes carry a special weight here in the mountains, where family and heritage are woven into daily life as tightly as a hand-stitched quilt.

A Connection to Ancestors

For many Appalachian families, a recipe is a living piece of family history. It might be written in faded ink on a yellowed index card, or it might exist only in memory, shared through countless retellings in kitchens warmed by cast-iron skillets and woodstoves. I have found many clippings of recipes from newspapers and handwritten note paper safely tucked inside an old cookbook of my Grandmother.  I've even done this myself.  Each recipe, each dish becomes a direct link to grandparents, great-grandparents, and even generations further back.   Think about your favorite meals that your Grandmother prepared and chances are that she learned it from her Grandmother.  All the while, keeping their presence alive through taste, smell, and ritual.  I can still smell my Grandmother's hot biscuits coming out of the oven.  A tradition I continue today.

Continue reading and explore more food traditions and let your appetite follow.

Genealogy and a 100 Year Home

 

Breathing New Life into a 105-Year-Old Bungalow in the Blue Ridge Mountains

By Sandy aka Appalachian Renovator | August 2025

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My husband and I recently took a leap of faith and purchased a 105-year-old bungalow tucked into the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia. This house, with its creaky floorboards, original stone chimney, and stories hidden in every corner, instantly stole our hearts. But let’s just say… it’s a project.  Actually, we made it a project.

We’re not just giving it a fresh coat of paint, we’re rolling up our sleeves for a full-on revival. Think modern comfort meets mountain soul. And because this journey is just too full of charm, surprises, and sawdust to keep to ourselves, we’ve decided to document every step along the way.

What’s On the To-Do List?

First up: adding a third bedroom. The original layout is cozy, but with family visits (and possibly a future studio space in mind), we knew we needed more room to breathe and grow. We’re being mindful of keeping the historic bones intact while also salvaging old doors and trim, and choosing finishes that reflect the bungalow’s original Craftsman style.

Next: a second bathroom. One bathroom just isn’t going to cut it, especially when the house starts filling up with muddy boots, weekend guests, and the occasional plumbing mystery (we’ve already had one). This new bathroom will bring not only convenience but a little vintage-meets-modern elegance with it.

And, of course, we can’t forget the Yorkies. Our furry family members need room to roam, so we’re installing a fence around the property. It’s a delicate balance—we want it safe and secure, but also something that blends into the rustic beauty of the landscape. Think wooden rails, native plant borders, and enough space for tiny zoomies.  Because we have a double lot, it's going to take a bit of time to dig over 40 fence posts.

Click to continue reading.

The Magic is Gone

 

There is Mud in the Water 

and the Magic is Gone.

Part II of II

I remember the thrill. Hours spent poring over census records, deciphering faded handwriting on old wills, and connecting the dots between generations. Genealogy was an all-consuming passion, a puzzle I was determined to solve. Then, somewhere along the way, the spark faded.

It's a common story in the genealogy community, yet it's rarely talked about. We often hear about breakthrough discoveries and unwavering dedication, but what about when the fire just… dies? If you've found yourself staring blankly at your family tree software, feeling more dread than excitement, you're not alone.

Read Part I

I feel after spending over 20 years of my life chasing ancestors, ghosts, brick walls, stories, and sources, I'm exhausted from having to constantly repeat myself on what and where Appalachia is and who Appalachians are. 

Mud in the Water by Gasoline Gypies.

52 Weeks: Oldest Story, The Cherokee Creation Story

 

this week’s theme is “OLDEST STORY.”   

The cherokee indian story of the beginning of the appalachians.  

Sometimes our oldest story is about where we are from and not about a particular person.  folklore is an important part of our stories.

The Cherokee Creation Story...

The Cherokee creation story tells how the world began as a big ocean, and all the animals lived in a place above the sky called Galun'lati. It was getting crowded there, so the animals wanted more space.

One brave Water Beetle offered to dive down into the water to see what was below. It swam all around but couldn't find any land. Finally, it dove to the bottom and brought up some soft mud. This mud started to grow and spread out in every direction until it became the land we call Earth.

Click on Read More for the rest of the story and a link to the video....

12 Photos: April 2025 Couples

  

April 2025

12 Months of Photos - "Couples"

Since April brings about our Wedding Anniversary (we eloped!), this month's Photo is myself and my husband, Mike, aboard the train headed to New Orleans, one of our favorite places.  

Our biggest joke is how much older Mike is than me.  I was in elementary school when he was entering high school but as adults, the age difference disappeared.

Train bound for NOLA, March 11th, 2025

The music video for this blog entry:  Nothin' but a good time by Poison.  

It's the way we met and the way we've made a life together for over 30 years.

Join the 12 Months of Photos at WikiTree.  Show off your Genealogy.

52 Ancestors Week 14: Language

 

this week’s theme is “Language.”   

Not all language issues are with source documents.  

Sometimes language barriers occur with accents and spelling in your own language. 

The Appalachian Dialect...

Appalachian English is American English native to the Appalachian mountain region of the Eastern United States.

The Unique Language of Appalachia: A Living Time Capsule

The Appalachian region, stretching from southern New York to northern Alabama and Georgia, is home to one of the most distinctive dialects in North America. Rooted in the early English, Scots-Irish, and German settlers who arrived in the 18th century, Appalachian English has retained many archaic words and phrases that have disappeared elsewhere.

A Time Capsule of Old English

I, for one, do not subscribe to the theory that Appalachians speak "Old English". 

It's been said that Appalachian speech is its preservation of Elizabethan English. Words like afeared (afraid), reckon (suppose), and britches (pants) date back centuries (and yes, we do say those words). The grammatical structures also reflect older forms of English, such as double modals ("I might could do that") and the use of a- prefixing ("He was a-hunting")—a feature found in Middle English poetry.

But, extensive research has been conducted since the 1930's to determine the origin of the Appalachian dialect.  Most would agree that it's an amalgam of Old English from original settlers, colonial 18th century English from the descendants of the original settlers, and a lot of Ulster-Scot dialect.

Without a doubt, Appalachians have always been taunted for their speech to the point of the Appalachian Dialect inferring poorness, laziness, and lack of education.  All of which is completely false.

Click on Read More to see samples on how Appalachians speak and what common words we use in sentences....

12 Photos: March 2025 Sports

 

March 2025

12 Months of Photos - Appalachia Style

"Sports"

My husband and son are golfers. The amount of golf talk in my house is truly overwhelming. The way their facial expressions change when discussing what happened on hole twelve depends entirely on the day, the club, and the weather.

But as a mom, I’ve supported my son by taking him to golf lessons five days a week and enduring the sweltering Georgia heat for his tournaments. When I say he has a natural talent, I’m not exaggerating. This isn’t just a proud mom bragging (though I am, and I do)—this kid is an insanely good golfer who rarely practices. He’d much rather just get on the course and hit the ball.

My son doesn’t allow me to share photos of him online—on social media, blogs, or videos. But he did allow me to share this one picture of him on the course.

This picture is especially dear to my heart. I used to pick him up from school with his golf clubs already in the car. We would head straight to the golf course, where he would play nine holes before dinner. Since this course didn’t allow him to drive the cart, I was always with him throughout.

Being a typical mom, I snapped pictures of him all the time. But this day was different. It was autumn in Atlanta—a beautiful day. When he reached this putt, I remember looking at the picture through my cell phone, and it nearly took my breath away. The moment was so peaceful, so silent, and so perfect.

Just a boy enjoying the game he loves.

The golf music video.  Tee it up!

Join the 12 Months of Photos at WikiTree.  Show off your Genealogy.

Appalachian Valentine's Traditions

Valentine’s Day traditions in Appalachia often blend heartfelt simplicity, creativity, and the strong sense of community and family that the region is known for. Every holiday is deeply rooted in the longstanding traditions and culture of Appalachians. While many customs align with broader, modern Valentine’s Day practices, there are unique Appalachian twists—practical in decades past and still cherished today.

As a culture, we tend to use what we have or craft something meaningful from what’s on hand. While modern Appalachians might occasionally hear “He went to Jared’s” or receive a special light blue jewelry box from that famous breakfast spot, Valentine’s Day has always been a more low-key affair in my family.

Click on Read More to read examples of how Appalachians celebrated Valentine's Day....

12 Photos: February 2025 Home

February 2025

12 Months of Photos - Appalachia Style

"Home"

That small snow storm in Georgia in 2017.  

(The one in 2014 was much worse.)

Being from the snowy parts of Appalachia, seeing any snow in the Atlanta Metro area—especially this much—is what you’d call a freak storm. Our home sits in an Appalachian county of Georgia.

I didn’t want to move to Georgia. I hated the idea. But if you were in the IT field in the early 2000s, Atlanta was a hotbed for jobs. The first few years weren’t great. It didn’t feel like this area was a good fit for us. But over time, we settled in, built a family, and made it our home. We were blessed to meet wonderful friends, throw fantastic backyard parties, and create a life that felt truly ours.

One of our favorite Saturday Night Live skits, ever:  
Weekend Update with the Atlanta Snowpocalypse from 2014.

One of my son’s favorite songs when he was younger was Home by Phillip Phillips. I hope it’s still a favorite of his and that he knows—no matter where life takes him—home will always be here whenever he needs or wants it.

Bonus since I mentioned my son... his pup, Tess, waiting at the front door for her best friend, Maggie, to pull into the driveway for a weekend visit.

Join the 12 Months of Photos at WikiTree.  Show off your Genealogy.