Literary Friday: A Redbird Christmas *plus* a Very Special Christmas Recipe

When I picked-up a copy of Fannie Flagg's latest book entitled The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion from the store, the saleslady asked me if I'd ever read Flagg's A Redbird Christmas.  When I told her I had not, she said that it's one of her favorite Christmas stories, and she rereads it every year during the holidays.  Well, I had to find a copy, and I'm so happy I did!

Deep in the southernmost part of Alabama, along the banks of a lazy winding river, lies the sleepy little community known as Lost River, a place that time itself seems to have forgotten...

I must admit that I enjoy Fannie Flagg's books.  Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe is one of my all-time favorites, and not just because of the Alabama setting.  A Redbird Christmas isn't set in Birmingham, but rather L.A. (that's Lower Alabama)….Baldwin County, to be exact.  Baldwin County is located across the bay from Mobile on the Alabama Gulf Coast.  Lost River is a sleepy little community with the population of 108, and is practically run by the Mystic Order of the Royal Polka Dots Secret Society, a group of middle aged and senior women who enjoy secretly decorating community Christmas trees and matchmaking.  Their rivals in a nearby community are the  Polka Dotted Swiss Society.

Up in frozen Chicagoland, Oswald T. Campbell has been given a dire diagnosis of emphysema.  His doctor doesn't believe that he can handle another Chicago winter and the threat of pneumonia and suggests he head South for his health.  An old brochure for a health spa and fishing camp in Lost River, Alabama intrigues him, so he calls the sleepy Alabama town for some information about the spa.  One of the Polka Dots, Frances, answers the phone at the community center and tells him that the spa has been closed for years, but he can find a room to let.  Oswald leaves Chicago for L.A. and acclimates well to the climate and culture.  He befriends a heart-broken thirty-something grocer with a pet redbird (we call cardinals redbirds in Alabama). The redbird was rescued after young boys shot it a few times with a BB gun, and the little bird becomes the town mascot with his tricks and antics.  

This story is so sweet.  It's a story about faith, love, and miracles.  I don't want to give away more spoilers, but you'll laugh and cry happy tears.  It's neat how a little redbird with a crippled wing can bring a community together and heal broken hearts, bodies, and spirits.  Plus, there are nineteen recipes from several of the book's characters, and most of them are holiday recipes. *squee*

{of course I had to try one}  ;P

It's snack time!

Gingerbread

(Patsy's Favorite)

Ingredients:

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

1 t ground cinnamon

1 1/2 t ground ginger

1/4 t ground cloves

2/3 cup water

1/3 cup shortening, melted

1 c molasses

1 egg, beaten

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl;  mix well.  Combine water, shortening, molasses, and egg.  Mix well, and stir into flour mixture.  Pour batter into a greased 9-inch-square pan.  Bake for 35 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Serve warm with Lemon Sauce.

Serves six.

Lemon Sauce

Ingredients:

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 T all-purpose flour

1 cup water

3 T fresh lemon juice

pinch of salt

2 T butter, cut into pieces and softened

Directions:

Combine sugar and flour in a small saucepan;  mix well.  Stir in water, lemon juice, and salt until smooth.  Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar melts.  Reduce heat and boil gently 1 minute.  Remove from heat and whisk in butter, 1 tablespoon at a time.  Serve warm or at room temperature.

Yield:  1 cup

I crosshatched the top of the bread so the lemon sauce could be pored into the bread.

I was skeptical about the lemon sauce, but it was fantastic on the gingerbread.  Both should be served warm.

I also thought I'd participate in Freda's Friday 56 @ Freda's Voice.

Frances, trying to be tactful, said, "Well...he's a cute little man, with cute little teeth, and of ourse he has that funny accent and..."

"And what?"

Frances laughed in spite of herself.  :He looks like an elf."

"good Lord."

from A Redbird Christmas, pg. 56

Have you read any Christmas books you'd like to share with us?

Until next time…

Happy reading!

Ricki Jill

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