An Inspired Chat with Carolyn Stovall

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Carolyn Stovall . Check out our conversation below.

Hi Carolyn, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I am so blessed with joy and happiness. I enjoy life to the fullest.
I wake up happy, and I go to bed happy.

My grandmother raised me, and she had this attitude also. I don’t know if this is an inherited trait, or I acquired this trait from her.

I really think that a positive attitude in life can make a big difference. I always plan to do things that I enjoy, which really is a bonus to feeling upbeat. I plan a “Be Good to Carolyn Day.” Every woman needs to do this for herself. I go and get my hair done, my nails done, and I pick a favorite place to eat that I truly am delighted with the food.

I love to get in the kitchen and cook scrumptious food. My family loves that I love to do this.

I have many hobbies, so therefore, I never get bored. I love to design, and sew. I like to do oil paintings.

Think of something you liked when you were younger, and work on that again. It could be cooking, painting, playing the piano, or dancing. Everybody needs a diversion to enjoy life.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Carolyn Stovall, and I found great joy in creating my cookbook, “A Texas Gal Cooks.” My dream was to someday write a cookbook. I had always loved cooking new recipes, and making my own with experimenting with different techniques.

My husband’s Aunt taught me how to cook, and she was the best cook in the world. She had recipes that went back to the 1800’s. My favorites were her apricot fried pies, banana pie, lemon ice box pie, Texas pecan pie, and her turkey and dressing and holiday dishes.

Aunt Lena cooked a huge meal every day. She always had meat, several different vegetables from their garden, homemade rolls, and cornbread. She also had homemade jellies and jams from her fruit trees. The best part of the meal was her delicious dessert. She made peach cobblers from her peach trees, pies, cakes, and cookies. Also, she had fresh butter and cream from her cow, Bessie. That was a “WOW” for sure.
Aunt Lena cooked this huge meal at lunch everyday, and her grown children could invite whoever they wanted to bring home. She delighted in having guests. She always kept a couple of lemon ice box pies in the fridge in the summer, in case someone dropped by to visit in the afternoon. I was one of those visitors that loved to stop by and visit and get a slice of her delightful lemon pie.
All of Aunt Lena’s recipes are in my cookbook, so you will want to buy it to get her recipes, and mine.

I have just designed a cover and started a new cookbook. It is going to be a cookbook of wild game recipes. My husband and son always hunted a lot. I have perfected wild game recipes that are easy to make, and wonderful tasting.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My relationship with my grandmother, Lorie Emily Lewis shaped my life in so many positive ways. My mother was sick, and gave me to my grandmother as a newborn. My grandmother gave up her job as a Practical Nurse to take care of me. She was a 68 year old widow at the time. I really don’t know how that she did it, but she was the best gift that I was ever given.

Grandmother taught me so many things in life that have stayed with me for a lifetime. Grandmother was a true lady in every way. She taught me how to talk proper English, taught me impeccable manners, and grace.
Grandmother taught me respect and to honor my elders. She taught me to help others, and how to be polite. She taught me to be loving and caring. She taught me right from wrong. I guess, I did not realize it at the time, but she taught me self confidence, and independence. She always made me feel like I could do anything that I set my mind to.

Grandmother always took me to Church, and I could sing most of the songs by heart before I was 7.
She taught me to depend on The Lord.

Grandmother also taught me to make the best tea cakes ever. I still make those today.

I named my daughter Lorie after my beloved Grandmother, and my daughter named her daughter Emily after Grandmother Lorie Emily.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I don’t know if it was fear that held me back, but I never wanted to work for someone else. I owned a beauty shop, a variety and gift shop, and an ice cream parlor/soda shop.
Then I bought some rent houses that I did a lot of the repair work, painting, wallpapering etc.
I did a few jobs where I worked for someone, but I preferred to be my own boss. I like to have freedom to not have a rigid schedule. I always thought “Do what You Love,” and “Love What You Do. “

P.S. My soda shop recipes are over 100 years old, and they are in my book.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am very committed to my writing. My cookbook took a long time to write. I designed the covers, typed the recipes, and cooked my food and took pictures of it. It was truly a “Labor of Love”
I was so thrilled when “A Texas Gal Cooks”won “Best Cookbook” from the Texas Association of Authors. I live in a town of 1,400 people. That was a huge honor for a small town gal.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope that people would remember my kindness and caring ways.

I hope that my friends would continue to cook from my cookbook, and remember what a great cook that I was.

I hope that their grandchildren would read my two children’s books that I wrote. “Granny Ozark’s Treats” and “A Trip to the Famous Collin Street Bakery”
These are wonderful books about love, and caring and sharing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://atexasgalcooks.com