This time last year, my brand was being born. Jenn Sheets of Brown Cow Creative and I worked in tandem to make sure that it sent just the right message. I needed to define the whos, whats,whens, wheres, hows and whys of Corbin In The Dell. Forever grateful am I for Jenn’s patience, wisdom and creativity throughout our undertaking. It was then that I realized the importance of having more than one set of eyes on the creative process. Think of it this way. It’s just like picking out a party outfit for New Year’s Eve. You may know what you like, but you need someone with an objective eye to tell you if your butt looks big in said frock. Jenn hardly told me my butt looked big, but she did keep me on track.
It has been a long and sometimes hard road this year working the plan for Corbin In The Dell. I cherish every minute of my journey. Even the moments that put new grey hairs on my head, lines on my face and extra giggly bits on my figure will prove for the greater good. I am looking back and evaluating what went well and what probably never needs to be repeated. Take this last weekend of 2013 as a time for reflection. It is important to use realistic measurements of your 2013 activity and celebrate achievements. Equally important is a 2014 list of goals which will keep you honest, only if you write them down.
Currently at the top of my list is a social media/branding strategy for clients and Corbin In The Dell alike. These strategies will be fluid and adaptable.In the words of my friend and mentor Nancy VanReece and please know I am paraphrasing, “If someone tells you that they are a social media expert, run like hell from them.” (I doubt she really said run like hell, but you know how I am.) There is so much to learn in the still fairly new frontier of social media. One thing for sure is that it is not going away. Like your brand, a social media strategy should constantly evolve.
This year I have written a ton about my family. Y’all know how much I love them by now. It has been said that when you are learning to write, that you should write about what you know. I really don’t know what I would do without Mammeranem and Pank. They are the core of my whos, whats,whens, wheres, whys and hows! Over Christmas, Daddy told me that I needed to start writing about other people because folks are going to get tired of hearing about the Corbins and Logans. The past couple of weeks I have been sneaking you social media “tastes” about one of my 2014 plans, Nashville Loves Food. Come 2014, get ready to set the table because me and a few of my favorite folks are bringing the farm straight to the plate! I think Daddy would love talking shop with some of these folks….
Speaking of Christmas, I needed to break in one of my favorite presents. Mamma and Daddy gave us a few pieces of Lodge Cookware. During our anniversary trip this fall, Pank and I spent an afternoon at Riverplains Farm in East Tennessee. One of their crops is Non-GMO Indian Corn. I am loving their cornmeal and grits right now! Fun times were had this morning with my new cactus pan.
Hot Pepper Cornbread
1 egg
1- 2 cups buttermilk
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 cup cornmeal
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon minced pickled jalapeno
bacon grease or olive oil
preheat pan and oven to 450°.whisk egg and 1 cup buttermilk together. stir in melted butter. add all other ingredients except bacon grease. if the batter seems a bit thick, add buttermilk 1/4 cup at a time until the mixture is a tad thicker than pancake batter. let batter sit for 1/2 hour. using bacon grease or olive oil, coat the pan. heat until it sizzles. pour batter into pan and bake for 20-30 minutes. the sides of the bread will start to look a tiny bit burnt on the sides. that’s where the good stuff is!
