Good Books and Delta Koolickles – Southern Simmering

This has been an exciting, adventurous, and bittersweet week! My family and I traveled to Wichita, Kansas where my husband and I are currently stationed and welcomed him back from deployment! We had culinary adventures at places like Wyldewood Cellars, Yoder, KS (Amish), and even went 650′ underground to see salt mines! (Look for blogs about all of this later in the week.) My family has returned safely to Memphis, TN and I have been returned to my darling husband.

Of course, on the way back up from the South, I asked my mother, “What in the world am I going to write about in Kansas?! My blog is called Southern Simmerings for goodness sakes!” Shortly thereafter, fate intervened and I received an email from Patricia Neely-Dorsey, the author of two Southern inspired poetry books. She asked if I would consider reading her books and discussing them on my blog. Honestly, I was skeptical at first. The last thing I want this blog to become is too commercial, but I will tell you now….I have nothing but love for her and her books.

From a GRITS (Girls Raised in the South) Girl transplanted in Kansas, “Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia” and “My Magnolia Memories and Musings” take me back to my roots both in Memphis, Tennessee and Mississippi. Both books remind me of how I was brought up to be a “Steel Magnolia,” where I’m from, “Memphis,” and even the “Southern Comfort (Food)” my grandmother, mother, and I would make on Sundays.

Now, if you aren’t from the South, some of these terms may seem unfamiliar to you. Patricia Neely-Dorsey describes each place, person, and thing delicately and with care. Sit down and read poems like, “Front Porch (Hospitality Headquarters)” and “Talkin’ (Country) Southern.” You will be speaking with a Southern drawl in no time! 😉 You’ll bask in the warmth of her memories of Southern Hospitality. This is how we are raised in the South. While some may chuckle at “our ways,” all of these elements stirred together fill one’s heart with the love, passion, romanticism, and warmth of the territory below the Mason-Dixon line. The old South had its problems…and still does in certain areas; however, one cannot help but be haunted by the charms of its peoples…no matter what culture. With the blending of cultures, southern cuisine and culture became its own.

Here’s a taste of what you can expect from “Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia” and Patricia Neely-Dorsey’s latest release, ” My Magnolia Memories and Musings.”

SOUTHERN LIFE
From “Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia”
by Patricia Neely-Dorsey

If you want a glimpse of Southern life,
Come close and walk with me;
I’ll tell you all the simple things,
That you are sure to see.
You’ll see mockingbirds and bumblebees,
Magnolia blossoms and dogwood trees,
Caterpillars on the step,
Wooden porches cleanly swept;
Watermelons on the vine,
Strong majestic Georgia pines;
Rocking chairs and front yard swings,
June bugs flying on a string;
Turnip greens and hot cornbread,
Coleslaw and barbecue;
Fried okra, fried corn, fried green tomatoes,
Fried pies and pickles, too.
There’s ice cold tea that’s syrupy sweet,
and cool green grass beneath your feet;
Catfish nipping in the lake,
And fresh young boys on the make.
You’ll see all these things
And much, much more,
In a way of life that I adore.

This is how most Southerner’s remember their hometown. The trees offer shade to the brightest of sunny days and the smell of barbeque, fried green tomatoes, turnip greens with ham hocks or (the more modern way) smoked turkey tails, and pie for dessert are enticing. I myself can’t help but smile when I think of my mother putting a pitcher of sweet tea in the sun to make “sun tea.” She would later add ice and mint to make a refreshing beverage for those sweltering summer days. Oh, how Patricia Neely-Dorsey takes me back. When I am homesick and missing Memphis, TN, Olive Branch, MS or even the home of my alma mater, Columbus, MS, I read this poem and remember and then I cook the food I love for good measure! That’s what this blog is about, after all! Remembering our Southern heritage no matter where we are!

THE SPICE(S) OF LIFE
From “My Magnolia Memories and Musings”
by Patricia Neely-Dorsey

Sugar on Peas
Sugar on Grits
Sugar in Tea
And hotsauce
On EVERYTHING

NICKNAMES
From “My Magnolia Memories and Musings”
by Patricia Neely-Dorsey

“What’s his name?”
“Who…..
Pee Wee,
Peanut,
June Bug,
Dimp, Shine,
Bird, Snake, Rat,
Shortie, Buddy,
Mack?”
“Yeah…
But what’s his real name?”
“Beats me…”
“We just always call him that.”

Nicknames were especially important growning up! I was known as “Hal” or “Poss,” my cousin’s nickname was “Topher,” and his brother was known as “Charlie Boy.” Even my grandmother and her friends had names like, “Charlie, Ditsy, and June Bug.” Once again, Patricia has brought sweet Southern memories to the forefront of my mind!

bauble ditsy and junebug — Left to Right: Charlie, Junebug, and Ditsy have been friends since high school. They are all 87 years old!

Now, a very southern treat from mainly MS is very easy to make and one that children love. Kool-aid pickles are a colorful and healthy treat for kids of all ages in the south. So, order these precious books of poetry and fix up a jar of Kool-aid pickles, settle down under a shade tree with the kids and read to them while they munch on this delicious treat!

Delta Koolickles (Kool-Aid Pickles)

Ingredients:

11/4 cup of sugar (can use less if desired…such as 3/4 c or 1 c …to taste)
1 envelope of any flavored, unsweetened kool-aid mix (I used cherry!)
4 cups of water
1 jar (32 oz) of kosher dill pickles halves or spears

Directions:
Drain pickle juice from pickle jar and set aside. Stir together sugar, drink mix and water in a large jar or storage container that has a good fitting lid.

After this mixture is completely blended and drink mix and sugar are completely dissolved, arrange pickle halves in jar (I used a tupperware container since my jar was too small for the Kool Aid mixture.) so that all pickle surfaces are completely covered with kool-aid liquid and remaining pickle juice. Screw down lid and let sit in fridge for 24 hours …or up to a week. Remove pickles to eat. (You can make several different flavors (colors) of pickles, then arrange on trays for your “kids of all ages to enjoy.” Do remember to eat these outside though…the drink mix can stain good linens and Tupperware containers!

This recipe is great for teaching young children about food preservation and makes a great STEM experiment about Osmosis!