North Georgia Flooding

It rained in Elljay.  Rained is an understatement.  Poured, doused... flooded.  Simple and so accurate.

I wasn't there to witness it, but apparently 4 inches of rain fell in just a matter an hour or two the very early morning of Christmas Eve.

I was in WV trying to spend time with family for the holidays when we got the terrifying call...

This is our store, Christmas Eve.

It has not flooded this bad since 1938.  The Cartecay runs directly behind it so there is always a chance, but I never expected it for real.

Thankfully we didn't actually flood.  It was waayyy too close for comfort, though.

Here is a few other pictures of the area.  Heck, it was so bad that even Atlanta reports came up to report.

Top is a park-- it is also known as the Apple Festival grounds.  Beneath that is the chicken plant in town.

There was pure destruction all around.  I can never be thankful enough that someone or something took mercy on us that day.

Mammaw's Spiced Gumdrop Cookies

My mom was visiting when she mentioned how much my dad loved his moms spiced gumdrop cookies.  My dad's mom is Mammaw.  She has no other name.  Well, she does, but not to me.

Anyway, Mom hooked me up with Mammaw's recipe so I baked a batch for her to take home to my dad.  I hope he thought to take some to my grandparents....

The recipe.  Easy to read, yes, but there is the whole fact that there are no instructions. Basically use baking common knowledge, dries together, wets together.  Mix together.  

 If I had to to this all by myself who knows what would've happened.... But it was Okay.   I had my mommy there coaching me to success.


There is something you much know about me... I, *hackum*, suck (?) at baking.  Yes.  Yes.  That word is a perfect description.

See, baking requires to much accuracy.  I like to throw a bunch of stuff together to see what happens--- to me a recipe should be a guideline.  Baking is not forgiving.... of anything.

Nevertheless, I baked a very successful first batch.  I halved the recipe and still had PLENTY of cookies.

I wish I took some pictures, they were quite beautiful.  I tried one and didn't care too much for it.  The cookie part of it was soft, moist, tasty.... but the spice drops were not something I enjoy.

Really this recipe would be a good base for anything-- chocolate chips, etc.

I would love to know if you try this recipe out.  I am sure Mammaw would love to hear about it, too!