Traci with questionable Santa
	Traci at Granny Rhyne's house for Christmas fixins
	Traci always asked for a guitar for Christmas (left 1970, right 1973). Rumor has it she often broke them while performing spectacular shows.

All of my holidays included going over the hill and through the woods to grandmother's house.

Well, we actually called her the good southern name of Mammaw, but every Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and sometimes Christmas Day we would trek (or drive) over the hill to my Mammaw McDonell's house.

Turkey and dressing with plenty of sage to burn our eyes always greeted us on the first step into the house.

Next up: Sensory overload!

With good smelling stuff here, there and everywhere, tasty food options were always overwhelming. 

Below are three favorite recipes that have been on the tables of many McDonell and Rhyne gatherings.


Mammaw's Dressing

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 2 medium chopped onions
• 2 eggs
• 4 tablespoons of sage (super hot, may want to cut this in half!!)
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 1 large bowl of crumbled dry bread (cornbread, biscuits, light bread, stuffing mix, etc.)
• 1 1/2 tablespoon pepper
• 1 1/2 quart broth

DIRECTIONS:

• Mix all ingredients and place in a baking pan(s). Depending on the thickness you like, it could be one large 13 x 9 pan or two smaller pans.
• Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes



Seven Layer Salad

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 head of lettuce, shredded
• 1 box frozen peas, thawed
• 1 bunch green onions
• 1 cup of mayonnaise
• 4-6 boiled eggs
• 1 8oz pack shredded cheese
• 1 lb of fried/crumbled bacon

DIRECTIONS:

• Layer ingredients in a rectangular or square container.
• First layer is lettuce, then peas, onions, mayonnaise, eggs and then shredded cheese.

• Let set a few hours in refrigerator before bacon is added last
• Note: One of my relatives likes to add some lemon pepper and garlic salt to the mayonnaise or you can just salt and pepper to your taste. 



Broccoli Casserole

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 packages of frozen broccoli
• 1 cup of mayonnaise
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 large or 2 small eggs
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 cup cheese crackers, crushed
• salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

• Cook broccoli, drain and put in casserole dish
• Mix together all of the remaining ingredients except cheese crackers.
• Pour mixture  over broccoli and sprinkle cheese crackers on top
• Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.
• Note: Mixing the broccoli with the cheese mixture is even better!