What happens when a small-town girl becomes a college Freshman with ambitions? This episode is one every parent, and Freshman will learn from!

In this episode of Family Tree Food and Stories, join co-host Sylvia Lovely as she recounts a pivotal moment in her life that intertwines ambition, family expectations, and an unforgettable dining experience. Raised in a humble background where college wasn't even on the radar, Sylvia's sudden declaration to pursue higher education led her to Moorhead State University. However, a seemingly simple luncheon turns into a memorable lesson in social graces when Sylvia encounters a dining dilemma that leaves everyone at the table in silent amusement. Discover how this hilarious and heartwarming story of a girl navigating her way through new experiences highlights the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone. Listen in to discover how a waitress's mentioned menu option becomes a cherished memory, reflecting the universal power of food to connect us all.

Key Learning Points:

• Overcoming familial and societal expectations and pursuit of higher education.
• The humorous side of navigating new social situations.
• The cultural significance of food in shaping and recalling personal memories.
• The power of stepping out of one's comfort zone to grow and learn.
• The importance of supportive communities in personal development.

Family Tree Food & Stories 🎙️🍲❤️ is a heartwarming podcast that dives into the profound connections we have with food, family, and those treasured memories. Each episode shares the personal stories of recipes, traditions, and stories created just last week or passed down through generations. You'll laugh 😂, cry 😢, and crave more delicious moments 😋 as your hosts, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely, celebrate the power of food and moments that shape our identities and strengthen our bonds with family and friends. Join us every week for uplifting tales that will leave you hungry for more of what happens next. Pull up a chair and enjoy the journey! 🍽️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦✨

#FamilyTreeFoodStories #NewPodcast #BookRelease #storytelling #storytellingpodcast #podcast #sharedmeals #foodstories #familytime #foodies #cherishedmemories #collegejourney #familyexpectations #humorousstories #foodmemories #diningdilemmas #highereducation #lifelessons #personalgrowth #overcomingobsticles #inspirationalpodcast #hardships #collegememories #growingupstories #familysupport #podcastsummaries #podcastfamily #podcast

Recipes From My 90-Year-Old Mom, and so Much More!

With our special guest, Freda Meriwether.

In this episode of the Family Tree, Food & Stories podcast, Co-Host Sylvia Lovely reconnects with her good friend, Freda Meriwether, who shares captivating and colorful food tales of her 90-year-old mother, Gloria Polly Medea Rice. The conversation spans Gloria's rich reputation as a 'character' in her community and her renowned recipes, particularly some that required a mad dash to grab it first in the backyard! Freda recounts their family's traditions, the small-town love and support Gloria receives, and the importance of preserving family stories. This heartwarming discussion highlights the intersection of family, history, and the culinary legacies that define us in ways we often forget until we remember and share them.

00:00 Introduction and Reunion

00:13 Freda's Mother: Gloria's Story

01:39 Life in Lewisburg and Family History

02:33 The Old Cemetery and Community Support

03:35 Gloria's Character and Cooking Secrets

06:29 Traditional Recipes and Cooking Methods

11:38 Reflections on Family and Heritage

13:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Additional Links

• Instagram 📸
• FaceBook 👍

Family Tree Food & Stories 🎙️🍲❤️ is a heartwarming podcast that dives into the profound connections we have with food, family, and those treasured memories. Each episode shares personal and shared stories about recipes and traditions created just last week or passed down through generations. You'll laugh 😂, cry 😢, and crave more delicious moments 😋 as your hosts, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely, celebrate the power of food and moments that shape our identities and strengthen our bonds with family and friends. Join us every week for uplifting tales that will leave you hungry for more of what happens next. Pull up a chair and enjoy the journey! 🍽️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦✨

About Your Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, an Omnimedia company that celebrates the rich traditions and connections that everyone has around food, friends, and family meals together. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

Tune in and discover the secrets and superstitions hidden in your kitchen cabinets—you might just find a new story to share with friends, family, or even a business colleague during your next meal.

#FamilyTreeFoodStories #NewPodcast #gransmasrecipes #meriweather #kentucky #daughter #familymeals #storietelling #storytellingpodcast #podcast #cherishedmemories #momsrecipes #family #foodie

Surprising Ways to Give More Thanks and Create a Better Thanksgiving Together.

Join co-hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely in this next episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, which focuses on Thanksgiving secrets, traditions, history, and more.

Ever wonder why presidents pardon turkeys? Or why cranberry sauce sparks family feuds? This Family Tree Food & Stories episode reveals the quirky history and hidden stories behind America's favorite feast day.

You'll learn the details behind:

• The real story behind presidential turkey pardons
• Why that cranberry sauce debate matters more than you think
• Ancient traditions that shaped modern celebrations
• Game-changing hosting tips from disaster-seasoned pros

From kitchen catastrophes turned family legends to clever conversation pivots that save dinner, we're sharing battle-tested strategies for holiday success. Learn how to transform traditional recipes, handle unexpected guests, and turn awkward moments into memorable stories.

Plus, discover:

• Ways to give back and give thanks.
• How to shed a few pounds before you dig into that meal
• Surprising side dish recipe additions
• Thanksgiving table talk to ingredient-challenged guests

Skip the usual holiday stress. Join us for laughs, surprising historical tidbits, and practical ideas to revolutionize your Thanksgiving playbook.

Share your story with us:

Do you have a story to share on the Family Tree, Food & Stories show? Send us your story to review, and you can win a chance to have your family story on the show! Here's the link to share your story with us now.

• Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!

Additional Links

• Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
• Instagram 📸
• FaceBook 👍

About Your Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, an Omnimedia company that celebrates the rich traditions and connections that everyone has around food, friends, and family meals together. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

Tune in and discover the secrets and superstitions hidden in your kitchen cabinets—you might just find a new story to share with friends, family, or even a business colleague during your next meal.

#thanksgiving #butterballhotline #turkey #turkeyrecipe #foodie #familyTime #tradition #storytelling #familyfoodstories #cranberrycauce #turkeydisasters #familytreefoodstories #familytreefoodandstories #gratitude #grace

The Ultimate Guide to Irish Traditions Worth Knowing ThisSt. Patrick's Day

Join Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely for a fun-filled St. Patrick's Day special on Family Tree, Food & Stories! This episode takes you beyond the green beer and shamrock decorations to explore different traditions that make Irish culture and St. Patrick’s Day unique.

☘️Ever heard of "drowning the shamrock"? You’ll learn about this quirky tradition: place a shamrock in the bottom of your beer mug, drink it down, and then toss this good lucky charm over your shoulder. Just try not to swallow it—unless you’re ready for another round! 🍻

You'll also hear about the Salmon of Knowledge, an ancient Irish tale where a simple thumb-lick after cooking a fish gave Fionn MacCumhall all the wisdom in the world. Yes, there can be a wealth of knowledge in our family food stories. 🌈

📱 Nancy and Sylvia then dig into a surprising TikTok trend where people explore different cultures through local grocery stores. Even stores in the same chain can uncover fascinating cultural differences depending on where you live and what neighborhoods you investigate. You'll never look at your local supermarket the same way again! 🛒

This episode is a fun blend of education, entertainment, and good old-fashioned Irish charm – yes, Sylvia is part Irish, but Nancy’s not. You'll laugh and learn something new, and we hope to develop a newfound appreciation for Irish traditions and your local grocery store.

So, grab your headphones, pour yourself a drink (shamrock optional but recommended), and join us for this delightful St. Patrick's Day celebration. If you enjoyed the show, please follow, share with friends, and subscribe at podcast.familytreefoodstories.com.☘️☘️☘️☘️

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 🍻

Want to hear more?

✨Click here to listen to all Family Tree Food & Stories episodes! Where every meal has a story, and every story is a feast.

Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail message.

Additional Links ❤️

• Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
• Instagram 📸
• FaceBook 👍

About Your Hosts: Nancy May and SylviaLovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, an Omnimedia company that celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals together. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

#stpatrick'sday #stpatrick #irishtraditions #drowningtheshamrock #beer #salmonofknowledge #Irishfolklore #superstitions #stpatrick'sdayfood #irishcelebrations #tiktokculturealtrends #irishrecipes #irishcream #irishbutter #celebratingirishidentity #family #traditions #cornbeefandcabbage #irishsodabread

Are there such things as lucky foods?

Have you ever wondered why your mom always tossed salt over her shoulder, whether it spilled or not? Or why did your grandmother say NEVER to cut spaghetti noodles? In this episode of Family Tree Food & Stories, co-hosts Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely pull the kitchen curtain back on some of the weird and most interesting food superstitions that still sneak into our family gatherings today. 🍀🍔

From the mysterious practice of keeping stinky fish scales in your wallet to the ancient art of using pasta-chewing shadows to predict your fate, these stories and traditions connect us through generations in ways we may not even realize.

Whether it’s a quirky habit you’ve kept alive or one you’re curious to know more about, these beliefs remind us that food isn’t just about flavor — it’s about love, luck, and the magic that brings us together with friends and family around the table.

Additional Links

• Instagram 📸
• FaceBook 👍

About Your Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, an Omnimedia company that celebrates the rich traditions and connections that everyone has around food, friends, and family meals together. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

Tune in and discover the secrets and superstitions hidden in your kitchen cabinets—you might just find a new story to share during your next meal with friends, family, or even a business colleague.

#foodie #familyTime #tradition #storytelling #heritage #recipes #mystery #goodluck #familytreefoodstories #familytreefoodandstories MBAOZtYLln2d2b6wWb1X