Sunday, October 18, 2009

another weekend - by: jonah

Hey Everybody!


Mom says you guys love it when I take over her blog, so here I am. Aren't you so happy? That picture up there is from Friday night. Mommy, Daddy, Kathryn, and I went to Ham's to celebrate Kathryn's birthday. It was this past Thursday. Mommy says to tell you I was a complete nightmare. But I'm not going to tell you that. Let's just say there's a reason I don't have a picture of me and Kathryn to show you. It could be because I cried my eyes out the whole time we were there and nothing Mommy did could make me happy. I couldn't rightly say.

Then, on Saturday, Mommy left me with Daddy for four whole hours. Can you believe she would do something like that? Who does she think she is? Her own person or something?

But anyway, she got to go out to lunch with a friend and then she went to a radio station and got to do a radio show. I'm pretty sure she talked about me the whole time, so I guess I'll forgive her for leaving me.



Here she is with the two ladies who hosted the show.



Boo Mama joined them on the phone, as well as a lady named Renee who has a blog called budgetsavingmom.com. Mommy says she has a blog about saving lots of money and coupon and rebate tips. I said, "What's a rebate?" She said, "Nevermind."



Mommy felt like it went really well, but she was nervous at first. She said she got really nervous when Ms. Luann said, "Hurry! Put on your headphones! We're in the Cone of Silence." Mommy said, "What the heck is a Cone of Silence?" I told her it's not nice to say heck.

And this is me at the Chicken Stew.



I know. I know. I'm adorable. Mommy loves her little Russian Baby.

You guys don't know what a Chicken Stew is??? Don't feel bad. Saturday was my first one. Well, Mommy says I went last year when I was in her tummy (and she was mentally unstable), but I don't remember that.

Anyway, allow me to educate you.

From Wikipedia:

Southern chicken stew is a traditional dish from North Carolina. It is a type of stew consisting of parboiled whole chicken in a cream or milk based broth, butter and seasoned with salt, pepper and other ingredients. Traditionally, the stew is served in the late fall and winter months. Often the term "chicken stew" refers to an event or gathering where the dish is served.

Recipes for southern chicken stew vary slightly from person to person, but it is usually made by first cooking a whole chicken by boiling or parboiling, allowing a rich broth to form. The chicken is then removed from the pot and the meat is pulled from the bones or cut off with a knife. The skin, bones and fat are removed as well. Sometimes boneless, skinless chicken breasts are used instead of a whole chicken. A thickening of flour and milk or cream is made and added to the broth. The chicken is then added back into the liquid along with salt, pepper and butter or margarine. Various other ingredients may be added to the stew according to local tradition; a more common addition is varying amounts of Texas Pete hot sauce.[1]

The stew varies in color from white to pale yellow, depending on the amount of butter or margarine used. It can vary in thickness from very thin and soup-like to thick and creamy. Saltine crackers are commonly served with chicken stew, either on the side or crumbled into the bowl.

Because of its low cost of preparation and reputation as a local comfort food, chicken stew is often served at large social gatherings such as church fellowships, family reunions and community fundraisers. It is a tradition at these gatherings to prepare the stew in a large cast iron or stainless steel pot, often outdoors over an open fire. Bowls of stew are sometimes complimented with coleslaw, rice or grilled cheese sandwiches. In North Carolina, "chicken stews" are usually held during the colder seasons, with most events occurring September through December.

So now you know. Mom said she had NO IDEA it was mostly a North Carolina thing. She says she sure is glad she lives here. She disagrees with the above statement that it can be thin like soup. That is totally wrong, she says. She thinks it should always be really milky and creamy. Mom also says that Chicken Stew is more than just a food. It's so good, it's the name of the event too. You don't say, "I'm going to a Taco" or "Tomorrow night we're going to a Pizza." BUT you DO say, "This Saturday we're going to our annual Chicken Stew." It's the dish itself, bonfires, cold weather, hanging out with friends outdoors, and making Smores (PLEASE tell me you have experienced Smores!). It's a Fall Tradition.

Here are my best bud, Jude, and me.


We are adorable. Jude is the coolest. Mom is so happy she finally got Jude to laugh at her. She has been trying for his entire 11 month existence to get him to think she's hilarious. Before Saturday she liked to refer to him as Jude the Unimpressed. But now, he thinks she's pretty funny too. I had to have a little talk with him. It worked. I think he was intimidated by the hat. You just can't argue with the ears.

These are my friends, Mason and Maddie.


They are both wonderful. Mason is especially in love with me, and he always comes up to me and says, "Hey Baby Jonah." He prays for me every day. I can't wait til I'm old enough to play over at his house.

Here are me and Ms. Gina.

Did you know that Ms. Gina called into the radio show and made Mommy cry on the air? She is so sweet. She loves me a lot too.

And finally, here is my mom and me. This is after she switched to my other hat because the blue one wasn't staying on well. This one is a really cute one that Cousin Todd and Cousin Keila gave me over the summer. Mom thought it was the cutest thing ever.
Well, I better go now. It's waaaay past my bedtime. Mom says she'll have to teach you guys the right way to make sweet tea in another post. She says I can't talk about that because I'm not allowed to use the stove yet... or drink tea, for that matter.
But she says to tell you to seek out a North Carolinian and have yourself a good ol' Chicken Stew before Spring. You might just decide you want to move here. You'll be putting your house on the market by April. Consider this fair warning.
Oh yeah, we made it to church this morning. HOORAY! I made it through all the beginning songs AND about ten minutes of the sermon before I got tired and Mom had to take me out in the lobby. And it went really well, overall, until I had a big ol' gusher all over myself, the chair in the lobby, and Mommy's dress pants. Luckily we were going straight home afterwards, so it didn't really matter. Mom says it was TOTALLY worth it... just what the doctor Jesus ordered. :)

36 comments:

Janel said...

I'm so glad that you made it to church today - AND that you cleared up that Chicken Stew thing - which, by the way - sounds AMAZING!

I love all those pictures of you - you sure are a cutie and I really think that you get cuter in every picture.

I really want to hear the radio show that your mommy was on - but I don't know where to find it, think you can find out for me??

Anyway - just wanted to tell you AGAIN how adorable you are!

Janel :)

Soldier Mama said...

I so look forward to your posts. I am so happy that you were able to get out with your friends this weekend and with Jonah! He is just so adorable and full of personality...Even though, he isn't that old yet!! I love him!!! Jonah is trully blessed to have such a wonderful mommy and daddy! I am so glad I found your blog!!

Kim and Asa said...

Hey Williams family! I gave the advice about the puke cup a few weeks ago! Seriuosly, you have to carry it with you everywhere! :) Asa's sunday school teacher knows it is a bad morning when he comes in with the big ole orange cup in tow! Still they love my pukey little boy! :)

www.caringbridge.org/visit/asawilson

Sewconsult said...

So wonderful that Jonah could explain the Chicken Stew. He is so cute!
Beckie in TN

Joanie said...

This chicken stew sounds fabulous! I don't know how I never experienced it during my 4 years at Wake. So what other ingredients are usually added? Do you put veggies in it, or is it mostly just chicken?

emily ebeling said...

I am so happy that your mommy was able to spend a few hours away from the house (not to say that she wouldn't miss you, but really... sanity is important)
You do look absolutely adorable in that hat. 'course, I am a sucker for hats. and stripes. and cute, blue-eyed babies.
May God continue to bless you and your cute little self!

Em (and josiah, too)

1 Chronicles 16:30-32

tremble before him, all the earth!
The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!"
Let the sea resound, and all that is in it;
let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them!

Summer said...

Ok, the fact that you linked really confusing terms like knife, and saltines truly means we are soul sisters. I clicked on each word just for fun. Anyway, I've said to much....

kg said...

Jonah, you are the cutest! And a chicken stew sounds wonderful! Think we will have to try it! So glad you let your mom go to church this morning. You got to share your sweet face with the people at church too!
Have a good Monday!

Anonymous said...

Jonah should definitely hijack your blog at least once a week. He's a very good writer :) I just met a girl from North Carolina this past week. I will have to ask her if she can make some Chicken Stew. Sounds good to me!

Also very glad to hear you made it to church!

~Amy

Tricia said...

I am glad you were able to make it to church today. I hope it lifted mmommy's spirits a bit. :) We occaisionally EAT chicken stew here in the midwest, but I am sure I am one of few people in this area who knew just what it meant to go to a chicken stew. If I dwell on that too long, I will miss it and get all misty eyed. I should probably think about something else. There really is nothing that says fall like going to a chicken stew, though. Glad you got to go. God bless.

Rebekah said...

I think Jonah is the best blogger in the world. He captures my attention. (wink)

Laura A said...

Jonah, I'm so glad to see your sweet face! Wish I could have heard your mommy on the radio, but will hook up to the podcast whenever it's ready.

We don't have Chicken Stews in Texas, but they sound REALLY yummy! We definitely have sweet tea, though - it's a must-have!

My sweet Caroline has gone to bed, but she will love looking at your pictures tomorrow. She loves you very much, and so does the rest of Team Anderson!

Hope you and your mom and dad get lots of rest this evening!

Love,
Laura

Ryley @ That's My Family! said...

forehead = pure awesomeness!

great job guys.. man he's so cute!

Alison said...

Great to hear from you Jonah!

Can you tell Mummy that us poor Australians have no idea what 'smores' are, let alone this whole chicken stew and sweet tea thing. I'm glad you all had a good time though.

Jennifer said...

So in addition to your son being completely adorable, he's witty - Jonah is in our prayers all day every day.

Stacy K. said...

Jonah, I absolutely love both of your hats. The chicken-stew is a must try. I'll have to post it when I try making one. Love you!

Mimmy said...

Jonah, you and Mommy need to get your heads together for something other than kissin' and write a book about EB and how it affects your days. It would be a wonderful help to other mothers and you put such a cute flair on it that EVERYBODY would want one to read. Don't forget.

Love you to Heaven and back,
Mimmy

Jess and Krissy said...

Glad you guys had a great weekend AND made it to church!

PS Jonah is, as always, the cutest thing ever!!!

Michelle said...

I love when Jonah writes! He's so cute! Never heard of a chicken stew, but I do love some S'mores and sweet tea.

jess said...

Okay, I am in NY and we have lots of cool stuff...really...but the chicken stew sounds awesome. I really think I need to go south for my next vacation!

Anonymous said...

You really do need to entertain the idea about writing a book, you know, since you have so much free time and all. But seriously, you have a way of drawing the reader in regardless of what you are talking about. Love the pic's from this weekend. Go to Facebook when you get a chance and check out the cute pic I posted of Jonah. Hope you have a good week, Love!

Lindsey Sowers

Maile said...

Jonah-
Thanks for sharing about your weekend. I'm glad your Mommy had some time for herself and that you made it through church. I don't blame you for lasting through the music and not the sermon. I don't always last through the sermon either and I'm 26.
Anyway, please ask your mommy where you got your adorable chubby cheeks shirt. My son has chubby cheeks too and he needs that shirt.
Hope you eat well this week.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a God Send. Hope the week ahead only gets better.
prayers always,
2shoes

Cristin said...

So glad you had a wonderful weekend and you were able to go to church! AMEN!

What would us southerners do without chicken stew? Or in our family we call it "Chicken Mull".

Yummy!

As always, praying for you and your beautiful family!

Lisa said...

Gezzz now I have a hankering for some Chicken stew....Mr.Jonah is sure looking more adorable every day!!!

Ani said...

I had never heard of chicken stew, but it sounds yummy!
Love the Jonut pics, he has the most expressive eyes!

Tiffany said...

So, so, so sweet!! I have never heard of chicken stew either! Sounds yummy! What a precious little guy!

Claire said...

Yay Jonut!

And now, I may have to plan my own Chicken Stew. In London, England.

Cxx

Kirsten: said...

Jonah - you are the cutest! And I love your Chubby Cheeks onesie!

Mindy said...

lSo now I want a recipe for chicken stew! I tried to find one but they didn't same as what you were talking about... do you have one? Can you link me up to one?

Unknown said...

It is always a fun pleasure when Jonah is authoring the blog! So happy to hear you made it to church. This is an answer to prayer.

I live in Western Washington, but I know what chicken stew is. I didn't know it was an event, but I do know what it is and that cream and butter are a must in it. Like you, I love it creamy. We ate it with unsweetened cornbread.

My grandmother always had to make two giant mason jars of tea because my dad and I didn't drink sweetened tea, and everyone else in the family did. My cousins all think I'm weird, still to this day!

Love the pictures. Jonah is the cutest little man.

blessings, mari

Unknown said...

Mason and Maddie are the names of my two labrador retrievers! :)

Rene said...

What a great post Jonah! I love chicken stew too. Smore are my favorite treat of all times. Tell your mommy I had fun being on the radio with her on Saturday, and I LOVE her blog!!!

Unknown said...

I think "When you have once seen the glow of happiness on the face of a beloved person, you know that a man can have no vocation but to awaken that light on the faces surrounding him; and you are torn by the thought of the unhappiness and night you cast, by the mere fact of living, in the hearts you encounter." Family website

Sandy said...

Love it when Jonah "takes over the blog"...he is quite talented . . . just what Jesus ordered! :)

Love & Prayers from Stokes County
Sandy Moore

Kirsten said...

Oh...wow. That chicken stew sounds amazing... I bet you'll be chowing on it next year, Jonah!