Edith (Vann) Espy

far right (with all but two of her siblings!)

#12

Edith (R) with her neighbor/cousin Lorene Solomon

Uncle Curt Solomon's backyard, and John White's garage

Deedee was what we called my paternal grandmother, Edith (Vann) Espy.

Four Generations: Melanie (a first cousin), Aunt Marilyn, Deedee and Grandmother Vann

All the artwork behind them was more than likely painted by Deedee herself.


with my sister, Leslie.

In a relaxed mode

The kitchen backdrop is ideal for my grandmother, Edith. She was a master of cooking. I loved her date rolls, boiled custard ice cream and brownies!

Aunt Marilyn supplied a few of Deedee's recipes.

Mother's Date Nut Roll

3 cups sugar                1 cup milk

1 box chopped dates      6 chopped cherries

1 cup chopped pecans    1/2 stick oleo

Bring milk, sugar, dates & cherries to a boil, stirring as needed to dissolve sugar.  When it comes to a boil, turn the heat down and cook until it forms a soft ball.  (To determine this, drop small drop of thickened candy into a cup of water; roll between fingers and it forms a ball).  Add oleo and set aside to cool, about 5 minutes.  Add the chopped pecans and beat by hand until stiff and it loses its shine.  Pour onto a wet tea cloth and roll cloth around it forming a log.  After roll hardens (sets up firm) unroll, dust with confectioners' sugar, slice and serve.  ENJOY!

   Boiled Custard for Homemade Ice Cream

   (Amount would fill a 4-5 quart freezer)

 

4 cups sugar                             12 eggs

½ gallon milk*              12 oz. can pet evaporated milk

2 TBLS vanilla

 

 

Beat eggs well.

Add milk and sugar.

Cook on Med. High, stirring almost constantly; cook until it coats a metal spoon.

DO NOT BOIL.

Cool and pour through a strainer (large).

Add vanilla.  If you choose to add cut up fruit (2 cups or so) do not add vanilla.

 

 

                                    (Smaller amount to drink)

 

2 cups sugar                             6 eggs

1 quart milk*                            6 oz. can pet evaporated milk

1 TBLS vanilla

 

Procedure is the same.

 

*whole milk probably works best, but I have used 2%.

 

Note:  This is so creamy and good.  Not many people “cook” homemade ice cream, but it is so much better than the stir & freeze type.  It is time consuming, but worth it to many.  Mother used to make this when we were sick; Aunt Grace still does make it.  Mother also used this for her banana pudding; she just layered vanilla wafers, bananas and poured this custard over.

And here's the brownie recipe written out by the late Bonnie Willis of Headland, and shared by her son, Marc.

1988