2024 52 Ancestors - Week 2: Origins

There are so many things I can think of for the #52Ancestors prompt of "Origins", but I typically think it is best to write about the first thing that comes to mind.  For me, that was the Origin of my last name, Slaughter.

Slaughter isn't an especially common last name and I love that. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Slaughter ranked at #1,295 in terms of most common U.S. surnames. About 9 people out of every 100,000 in the U.S. have that last name.

The Slaughter family name has its origins in Gloucestershire, England, where it was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.  The name originated from the Old English word "slohtre", which means "muddy place".  

Just over a mile from Bourton-on-the-Water are the twin villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter. The name comes from old English 'Slohtre', which has nothing to do with killing things and means, simply, 'Muddy place'.

Today's villages are far from muddy places. They are the epitome of idyllic, civilized Cotswold charm. Straddling the banks of the River Eye, also known as Slaughter Brook, the two villages have remained utterly unchanged for more than a century with no building work taking place at all since 1906.

It isn't known to be a touristy spot, but I have traced it back that my family first came from here.  The only attraction is a restored nineteenth century flour mill in Lower Slaughter, where the River Eye meets the north-west corner of the village. The mill was last used commercially in 1958 and its tall chimney cuts an imposing figure. The chimney is made of red brick, in sharp contrast to the other buildings in both villages, which are made from the traditional Cotswold stone. The mill features a giant working waterwheel and has a tea room and ice cream parlour for visitors.

The mill was originally part of Lower Slaughter Manor, which was built in 1658 for the High Sheriff of Gloucestershire. The Manor is now a grand country house hotel.

Lower Slaughter is home to the pretty church of St Mary. The church and its impressive spire were re-built in 1867 but some arches between the nave and the south aisle date back to the thirteenth century while the church of St Peter's, in Upper Slaughter, is a historic Norman church with parts dating from the 12th century . Francis Edward Witts, who wrote 'Diary of a Cotswold Parson', was rector of the Slaughters from 1808 to 1854.

The less-visited Upper Slaughter lies, as its name suggests, minutes upstream from Lower Slaughter. The cottages around the square were reconstructed by the famous architect Sir Edward Lutyens in 1906. The River Eye flows between neatly-mown grassy banks and is crossed several times by quaint old bridges. There are charming stone steps leading into the river which must have been built to enable villagers to more easily get water and a tiny Methodist chapel dating from 1865 also nestles by the brook. It is now used as a pottery.

My ultimate dream is to visit Upper Slaughter and Lower Slaughter to see where my ancestors came from and to stay at the beautiful Slaughters Manor and have afternoon tea there with Battenberg Cake and nice hot cup of Assam Garden Tea.

2024 52 Ancestors - Week 1: Family Lore

Back in 2018, I started the 52 Ancestors Project, where you are given a weekly prompt, and you write about it.  Needless to say, I wasn't very diligent in keeping it up, so I am going to try to give it another go this year.

Week 1's Prompt is "Family Lore"

The first story that popped into my head is the story about my paternal great-grandmother, Dora Donahue Thomas (1884 - 1951).

Dora was my father's maternal grandmother. 

As it goes, when Dora was very young, her parents, who were both \Indigenous People (some say Cherokee and some say Seminole, so it is unsure). They had to leave their land were made to go to the Oklahoma Indian Territory, at the time. They wanted Dora to have a good life so they asked a local doctor to take her.  

The doctor, E.P. Webb and his wife agreed. Dora lived with them the rest of her life and never saw any of her biological family again.  

I never knew how much of this was true but my research shows me that it does appear to indeed be the case and several other relatives (who've I only met through my research and were on different family lines) had told me the same story.

I've never been able to find any birth records for her but that isn't entirely uncommon in 1884 and certainly isn't uncommon for Indigenous People.

My dad remembered that she had very long hair that went to her ankles and she wore it back in a bun.

I do wish I could find out more about her, but sadly, I think I found the end of the family line when it comes to here.  

She is buried, along with my great-grandfather, James William Thomas, in Campground Cemetery in Holmes County, Florida

2023 Year in Books

2023 was apparently my year for re-reading books.  I decided to re-read the Harry Potter series.  The first book, I finished in a couple of days, but boy, that last book was a LOT longer than the first one and it took me a while to finish it.  I also re-read "The Firm" because a sequel is out (next on my list after I finish my current book that reading).

I see so many of my scrapbooking friends books and boy, they read a LOT more than I do...One of them read (or listened to) over 800 books!!  Many read 100 or more.  I can't ever see me reading (or listening to) that many books in a year.  In fact, I hit a record this year with 25.  That is a lot for me!  I can't imagine how you get through 800 books a year, they must be super short books or you are reading/listening practically all day long.  I would love to read 30 books this year, but set my goal at a realistic 15.

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December 2023 Project Life

The holidays are not easy for everyone.  Christmas and New Years are difficult for me since my dad and brother passed.  My dad was in the hospital from Oct 31st until Jan 13th.  His birthday in Jan 16th.  My brother passed on Oct 29th and his birthday was Jan 1st, so the holidays just feel empty.  This year I tried to focus on the blessing in my life.  It helped a bit.  I know my dad and brother wouldn't want us sulking, but it is hard to sit around the holiday table when they are missing from it.  

Our family is small, but Christmas dinner use to have my parents, my 2 siblings, my sister-in-law, neice, her husband and now she has a daughter.  Now, usually it is my mom and I having dinner together.  Dad and Billy are no longer with us.  My sister usually stays home to take care of the pets (which I am so grateful for).  My sister-in-law is in Minnesota and my niece and her family are in New Zealand.  It's hard sometimes...but I am so grateful for my family, even though we can't always be together and what an incredible blessing that I can spend Christmas with my mother!!!  My friend Susan was able to join us this year for Christmas too, so that was nice. 

Bittersweet moment this month: My beloved dentist and his assistant retired.

A highlight this month...my friend's daughter got married!! I'm so happy for her and her groom is one lucky fella!!

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Some Crafty Gifts I Made This Month

November 2023 Project Life

 My goodness...I have really gotten behind on updating my blog.  Here are my November 2023 Project Life pages.

A big highlight of the month was that I got to meet Micky Dolenz of the MONKEES!!  I've been a Monkees fan as long as a I can remember, so practically my entire life!  I did have an interaction with Micky, Davy and Peter once at the Hotel Rivinia in Atlanta, but I wouldn't exactly call that a "meeting".  I saw them in person and they signed a few things for fans.  Of course, I've seen them several times in concert, but unfortunately never all four at the same time.  I saw Davy, Peter and Micky 4 times and I saw Micky and Mike once (a few months before Mike passed).  

It is a bit sad that all of them, except for Micky, are gone now.  

Another part of the hightlight of meeting Micky, 3 members of R.E.M. were also there, since Micky was promoting his new album, "Dolenz Sings R.E.M." - Michael Stipe, Peter Buck and Bill Berry were all there.  At one point I turned around and Michael Stipe was literally standing right behind me.  It was a fun day.

You can click on the photos to see a larger view.

Millionaire Bars

I saved this recipe onto Pinterest, I don't even know how long ago.  I have wanted to make it for a long time (probably years).  Well...now that I am retired, I have a bit of time to bake now. Bake, without rushing, that is.  It is nice just to spend a quiet, relaxing Monday baking and trying a new (to me) recipe.

I don't exactly know why these are called Millionaire Bars, but my guess is because they are so RICH!! Boy, are they rich...but so, so good.  This is a keeper. 

There are a few steps involved, but all and all, it is a pretty easy recipe. I give it 10 out of 10 stars.  I hope you enjoy them.

Millionaire’s Bars

Makes about 3 dozen bars, adapted from Eats Well With Others

Ingredients
For the shortbread:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup sugar

For the caramel:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 tbsp light corn syrup
• 2 (14 oz) cans sweetened condensed milk

For the chocolate:

• 8 oz semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 tsp light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• fleur de sel or sea salt for sprinkling

Instructions

1. To make the shortbread, preheat the oven to 325.  Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.  In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt.  In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.  With the mixer on low speed, blend in the flour mix until just incorporated.  Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan and press into an even layer.  Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden.  Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
   
   
2. For the caramel, combine the butter, sugar, corn syrup and sweetened condensed milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter is melted.  Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to a simmer, stirring constantly.  Continue simmering and stirring until the mix turns an amber color and thickens a bit.  Pour over the shortbread layer as evenly as possible and allow to cool completely and set by chilling in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.
   
   
3. For the chocolate layer, in a double boiler, combine the chocolate, corn syrup, and butter over simmering water.  Heat, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is fully melted, and the mixture is smooth, pour evenly over the caramel layer and use an offset spatula to smooth it out.  Allow to cool for a minute or two and then sprinkle on the fleur de sel.  Chill, covered, until ready to slice or serve.

October Project Life

 I had a milestone birthday this year...How is that possible? I visited Summerville, GA twice and made 2 different birthday cakes for my Summerville friends that were having birthdays.  I was born on my mom's birthday, so I went to FL to spend some time with her. I managed to do a little bit of painting and saw MJ: The Musical.  The Broadway show was the first in a series, my sister bought me the entire series as a retirement present.  The gift that keeps on giving.  I love it!

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