\nThis was in response to a remark I made on the Mullis emal list
\nasking if the Mullis women were very strong willed.\n<\/p>\n

\nHello Joe,\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\nYes, I think the Mullis women can be characterized as very strong
\nwith a wide streak of stubborness thrown in, definitely. I also think
\nthey had to be strong in order to raise all the kids they did while
\nliving on a farm. The work they did was phenomenal, when I think
\nabout it. My grandmother Stella also had a temper pertaining to
\ncertain subjects. But she was quick to laugh, too. Her sisters were
\nthe same. Each had a personality that was constantly bubbling just
\nunder the surface of some quite devilish (at times) smiles.\n<\/p>\n

\nI will also say that every Mullis I have ever known has been an
\noutstanding cook. I simply don’t know of very many people whose
\nskills can match theirs. Oh my, but my grandmother could take every
\nday vegetables and turn them into "gourmet sensations" so
\nto speak.\n<\/p>\n

\n \n<\/p>\n

\nAnd she could fry chicken that would put to shame anything I could
\never attempt. Oh- and her fried pies were to die for. Not to mention
\nher pear preserves and homemade biscuits. And she seemed to do her
\nkitchen miracles so effortlessly. Nothing ever ruffled her, it
\nseemed, where her work was concerned. I could tell that she took
\npride in her cooking skills, as well she should have. But she never
\nwent fishing for compliments (come to think of it, she never had to).
\nI’ll never forget the Christmas time I went to her house as a little
\ngirl and there sat a batch of homemade divinity candy on waxed paper
\non her kitchen counter. It looked like the kind you’d buy today in
\nsome fancy bakery.\n<\/p>\n

\n \n<\/p>\n

\nMy mother learned from her, of course, and I learned what I could
\nfrom Mama. But I will never be able to duplicate the kitchen
\nmasterpieces I grew up eating. I use my grandmother’s ancient and
\ndeep cast iron frying pan every day, but my summer squash and onions
\ndon’t come out nearly like my grandmother’s and mother’s did. Isn’t
\nit funny, the things you end up treasuring in life like this?\n<\/p>\n

\n \n<\/p>\n

\nSuzanne<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"