I finished my last show for the season Thursday night in Aiken, SC. I hope you were there because if you weren't, you missed a great event. That was the first show in Aiken, SC in 3 years. It was a great success and we almost doubled the attendance from 3 years ago. There were lots of booths and entertainment. I got to listen to the sounds of South Boundary, which were beautiful and then ELVIS took the stage. I can't believe I had Elvis at 2 of my shows this year. I am a very lucky girl. He was alot of fun, so thanks to Jason!
My backstage assistants were very sweet and hardworking. I want to thank all of them for helping me make the last show a success. They really do make my job alot of fun. 
They were so helpful and kept me supplied with hot tea because I was having some issues with my voice. They were so sweet to do that for me. Thanks a bunch! I also had the pleasure of having a Taste of Home Field editor help me on stage too. Ruth Marie is awesome and has been a field editor since 1996. She is a very sweet woman and LOVES food! I hope she enjoyed the experience and will be back to help again next time.
I want to say that I have had a wonderful season and it has been alot of fun. Thank you to all of my media partners, volunteers, audience members, blog readers and new friends for making the season one never to forget. It was a joy working with all of you and meeting all of you. Your love of food is what keeps the program alive and keeps me excited to be on stage nigth after night. We all share a common love that will never will be broken, the LOVE OF FOOD! Thanks again and I will see you soon! Happy Cooking!
MEMORY: I was in culinary school and one day we were having a "clean out the fridge and pantry" day. The professors told us to make whatever we wanted to clean out the fridge and pantry. If it was in there we could use it. So my best friend wanted to know if I would make her some tomato gravy. Some of the guys had decided to make biscuits and she wanted gravy. Well we did have everything and so I asked if it would be ok that I do this. Well the professor wasn't from the south and had no idea what tomato gravy was, so it interested him. So the student then became the teacher. He stood over me as I made the gravy and kept asking me if I needed to add this or that and I kept telling him, "NO". It wouldn't have been tomato gravy if I added all of the stuff he wanted me to add. I finally just had to tell him to watch and learn. Well, tomato gravy consists of flour, oil, water, tomatoes (canned, fresh, frozen-whatever you have) and salt and pepper. I got it finished and he loved it. My best friend was so happy too. I have even made tomato gravy for her for a Christmas present. I have since started making it for one of my media in Florida. The show coordinator's grandmother used to make it and he had not had it in years, he is originally from Alabama. So I now make it the morning of show setup when I am in Sebring, FL. I have introduced the concept to lots of non-southerner's throughout the years. It has been well recieved.
QUOTE: "It's all gravy from here on out. We're just going to enjoy the experience." Coach David Gerrish