My Life on a Plate

When I was a kid, I grew up in a community called Spillcorn, a small community in Marshall, North Carolina. Most people who lived there were poor Appalachian people, and a majority of them were farmers. Most of the food we ate was raised, planted, or gathered on my grandparents' farm. My family lived in a small three-room house that had a kitchen, living room, and a bedroom. My grandmother lived not far away from us on a 55-acre farm where she raised livestock. She also had gardens, fruit trees, and honeybees. These recipes that I have gathered together are made up of things that we raised on that farm. They are some of my favorite recipes. I hope they bring you as much enjoyment as they did my family. This recipe book is dedicated to two very strong women who were a great inspiration to me as I was growing up. They are my Grandmother Stella Gosnell Norton and Anna Mae Norton Robinson. Two women that I love and miss very much.