Election Day

Today is local election day and the sheriff's race is the talk of the county.

Sunday my Uncle Billy was over for breakfast and he and my dad got to talking about election night when they were kids. The election officers would wheel out a big ol' chalkboard onto the courthouse steps and everyone in town would hang out on the lawn as the results came in. The person writing the results would get so nervous and that their chalk would shake as people hovered around watching them write each precinct's results over their shoulder. The kids would be climbing all over the banisters of the steps and the adults would be in deep discussions about serious local politics.

As they said this I got to thinking- I grew up here and have never seen this election night excitement? No way. And I had gotten a bachelors in political science but never seen this step of the political process? Not ok. So my family and I decided that on election night we would all go up to the courthouse and watch the results being written on this historic and famous chalkboard.

So tonight at 7pm the polls close and by 7:15pm we have made our way from the local Mexican food joint to the county courthouse. Only it wasn't what I had imaged- No one was outside. They were all in the lobby inside. And for the first time in probably 100 years there was no chalkboard - There were computer monitors. Talk about a let down. Not the 1960s throwback I had imagined but still exciting.

I loved watching the candidates hopeful faces watch those results scroll through on that monitor. Did you know a 13 yr old boy running for class president has the same hopeful look when looking at results posted on a library door as a grown man running for county commissioner looking at fancy and very official flat screen computer monitor? I knew I had seen some of those faces before. Haha.

Anyways- it was exciting to say the least. Rickety chalkboard or no rickety chalkboard. And when I left the sheriff's race was still neck and neck. Going to have to stay up to catch the 10 o'clock news for that one. ;)

Oh, then as I left this scene cracked me up:

Three older gentlemen following the poll results online on their iPad. Made me laugh at myself for coming for the chalkboard. Time's are a-changing. Even on this old courthouse square I guess.

Memorial Day

This Memorial Day I couldn't help but think about the two local boys we lost in Afghanastan last year. Watching two military processions with the soldiers' families, veterans and friends go through this little town this year left my heart heavy. They were each experiences that I'll never, ever forget and names that will be remembered here forever.

I saw a different side of small town life through each of those weeks. A side where everything turned red, white and blue with American flags placed every where one could go. I saw people respect the fallen and their families up- close and personal. Even if you didn't know one of these guys, you knew their best friend, their cousin or someone else who did. For each of these processions people lined the streets. There were more patriotic t-shirts than you could imagine and a somber silence that just came with respect and gratitude. One of the images that stands out in my mind is of little league teams standing with poster board signs that said "Thank you" in seven year-old handwriting. I also saw grandmothers crying from the backseat of black suburbans, heard taps played and witnessed people beaming with pride because of the sacrifice of one of our own local heros.

This Memorial Day I also think of friends who are holding down the fort while their husbands are away, of families who have been there and sacrificed a lot so their loved one could serve us and our country.

I also pray- I pray for those serving and those that have served. I pray for bravery, peace and protection, for those there and those that are home, and that God will keep installing in citizens' hearts the desire to serve.

And I am thankful, because no matter how bad people sometimes say things are here, we still live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Looking back on where I live and our boys from towns like mine, I am so proud. I've heard it said that more of our service men and women are from rural areas than urban, and I believe it. Down here we see a part of America that touches your heart and I am so grateful that some hearts haven't just been touched but have been called.

Addicting Granola

This is good stuff yall. 

I really, really like granola. And I've made homemade granola a few times before but I had never found a recipe that I liked. They were all too earthy, too nutty and just not enough flavor. 

Not with this recipe- It's perfect! So perfect that is addicting and should come with a warning label. I'm serious. It's good for you - lots of fiber and omega 3 - but eating a whole pan in one day is another story... So take that as your warning. :) 

Addicting Granola

1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats

3/4 cup silvered almonds

1/3 cup honey

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup raisins or some kind of craisin variety (The antioxidant blend is my fav!)

2 tablespoons of flax seed

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

2) Spread oats, nuts and flax seed in large rimmed baking sheet and bake, stirring often, until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. 

3) Meanwhile, stir together almonds, honey, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Add oat mixture and stir to combine. Spread mixture in same baking sheet and bake, stirring often, until mixture is dark golden brown, about 10 minutes. 

4) Transfer to bowl to cool. Stir in rasins. 

Wonderful with fresh fruit and yogurt or by itself! And remember, you've been warned! You'll love it!

Back and better than ever!

A few months back I started this blog super excited with stories to tell about life in my small town and what style looks like here... then my life became CRAZY busy. I did the worst thing a blogger could do - quit posting. I didn't think many people would notice - but I was wrong! I was so surprised when people started coming up to me in the grocery store, at church and at work telling me how they missed my posts and I was shocked - There are people out there reading this? Yay!! Then I got really excited.

So my life has settled down and Small Town Style is back! And it now even has its own domain: www.smalltownstyle.com (Easier to remember and more official!) I'm back too and boy, do I have things to talk about. You're going to get to hear about small town pageants, my secret chocolate chip cookie recipe (that will no longer be a secret), a little love story that has small town written all over it, a little about some of my favorite main street merchants, a few great fashion finds and my take on a million other things.

See, I have a list of things to share with you! And I'll post more often too! Check back soon to see what's up to bat first. :)