Love Me ~ Like That (37 page)

Ingredients

1 cup white sugar

2 T flour

1 T unsweetened cocoa powder

1¼ cups milk

1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

1. Combine everything except butter in a heavy saucepan. Bring to boil, stirring constantly to prevent scorching.

2. Once boiling, cut the heat down and stir for a minute more (it will get pretty thick rather suddenly). Take off heat and stir in butter.

3. Pour over biscuits. I tear my biscuit up in a bowl first and then pour it over.

Recipe by Southern Plate at
http://www.southernplate.com/2009/05/chocolategravy.html

My Papa made this for breakfast, all the time, but he used water instead of milk. Like most people of that generation, there wasn’t any measurements wrote down, he would always say ‘that much’ and show me an amount he had put in the pot. He was the one who cooked breakfast, so Granny could sleep in a few extra minutes.

https://play.spotify.com/user/1273789225/playlist/4Rx8ciDH5cSXSTBodRPWkI

Give It All We Got- George Strait

Amazed – Lonestar

Southern Girl – Tim McGraw

The Mona Lisa – Brad Paisley

Boondock- Little Big Town

Who I Am With You – Chris Young

Sugar- Maroon 5

Just a Moment – Falyn

All Of Me- John Legend

Sweet Home Alabama- Lynard Skynyrd

Love Like Crazy – Lee Brice

Thinking Out Loud – (Country Version) Dylan Scott

Wow, I really wrote a book! Who would have ever imagined that, not me. I’m just a small town girl from Decatur, AL.

I have so many people to thank that helped me make this dream a success. I’m sure if I got down to it, I could fill another book. I know this will be long, but hey, it’s my first book. I know my Granny and Papa would have been so proud of me for this accomplishment. I wish everyone could have known them, they were awesome to grow up with.

I first need to thank my husband Jason for putting up with me for twenty-three years. Believe it or not, I know it has been a hard job at times to get along with me. I love you, I cross my heart. I never chased you down the mall, please quit telling people that.

Brett, I love you. Thank you for teaching me new things all the time. I have a fresh outlook on life because of you. You are always so kind and it makes my day to talk to you. Hurry home because you are greatly missed. I even miss your pranks, I bet you never thought you would hear me say that.

Braxton, you have always been the bright spot in my life. You have the biggest heart (and the laziest bone when it comes to cleaning your room) and you’re the most loving person I’ve ever met. I love you, I won! You give me the best hugs, and I don’t want you to finish growing up. Can’t you stay with me forever and be a little boy again?

To my editor and friend Lorrie Anson, you will never know how much your help is appreciated and your friendship is valued. I’m so thankful we met. You’re my word genius.

Amy Wiater, thank you for being a dear friend and stepping up when I became consumed by this book. I owe you more than this thank you. Thank you for simply being you. I’m so fortunate to call you my friend. I double checked your last name.

To my writing partner Dawn Stanton, thank you for keeping me focused and motivated, I couldn’t have done it without you. You made this journey fun, who knew that suggestions through Facebook Messaging could be so helpful. That’s what we do!

Kay Lindy, you are my rock girl. We are in this together and we got this. Thank you for listening to my doubts and my pity parties. #TeamRindy2016 for the win!

Rick Veal, thank you for all of your help, tweaking (no not twerking) and beyond. You even made me love vampires and trust me that was a feat. You’re my book guru now!!

Melissa Shank, there isn’t enough words in the English language to express what you mean to me. Thank you for sharing with me your first-hand knowledge on Grapefruits, and educating me on that fine quality video. You rock with your ideas! I know one hundred percent, I would have never had the courage to write a book if we hadn’t have met. You are the sister I never had. (You’re my joke!)

Kathy Isaacs, thank you for letting me go on and on about this book and reading and rereading. Thank you for making me part of your family, I love all of you! I appreciate all the confidence you have in me, when many times I didn’t have any in myself. Thank you for loving my kids too, that means the world to me. Thank you for not judging me for my sometimes poor decision making skills.

Denise Veach and Cindy Wilson, it is true what they say that true friends can go months or even years without talking and pick up where they left off… we never miss a beat. Love you girls. Denise, also thank you for reading and rereading.

Donya Claxton, meeting you was another great point in my life! Thanks for reading and all of your help. You’re an amazing friend and I feel a kindred spirit in you.

Dina Littner, wow! Who knew when we met, you would be helping me so much. It was supposed to be the other way around. Thank you for all of your help. I can’t wait to actually meet you one day. You rock!

Maggie Adams, I’m so glad that I came across your book. I not only love your writing but I love you too. Thank you for being a great friend and fellow freak! Don’t change anything about your books, I love them just the way they are.

A.D. Eliis, thank you for opening my eyes to the world of indie writers, and becoming a dear friend to me. I love your books, keep writing great heartwarming stories. You inspire me. Thank you for showing my son that he is truly a gift.

Jude & Platypire Reviews, you’re the first blogger who took a chance on a newbie indie author. You’re a great sounding board and you’ve answered so many questions and taught me so much. You’re such a blessing.

Mom, thank you for giving me a love for reading, love you much! I know we didn’t always get along when I was growing up, and I’m sorry that I’m just as hard headed as you! Neither of us like to give in very much, thanks for letting me win most of the time. You got your wish, I have a child just like me.

Dad, thank you for being all the things I needed and always being proud of me. I’ll always be your baby girl. Love you. You’re the best daddy a girl could have ask for and I’m so glad you chose to be mine.

Dusty, love you. You’ll always be my little brother, thanks for reading and encouraging me. I wish we could go back to when you were little and dance to the Beach Boys. I miss when you thought I was cool, maybe one day, I can get to that status again.

Uncle Robert, thanks for sharing stories about Papa and Granny. I love you, your favorite niece!

My cousins, thank you all for being great friends growing up.

Marty, I love you like you are my brother even if you did try to kill me when I was five by running over me with your bicycle.

Angel and Troy, I always felt like you were more like my niece and nephew. I wish we ALL could go back to how things were before Granny passed away.

Liz, thanks for being a friend, “cousin” and sounding board. Plus all the other stuff that is way too long to mention.

Mercedes, I love and admire your strength. If I lived closer, your boys would be rotten.

Sidnee, you are a turkey and I know I’m your favorite cousin.

Niketa Little, you are a sassy mess. You will be a character one day. So glad we met.

To all of the authors in Waking Up Indie Authors, thank you guys for your support and answering the million questions! There is way too many of you to name, but please know, I appreciate each and every one of you.

Beta readers, bloggers and reviewers, thank you to everyone who helped me! Much love to you all!

Vic, thanks for being a great cover model. You’re beautiful, inside and out and Kristy Rodgers, thank you for taking an awesome picture.

Deb Jones Diem, thank you for giving my book once last look and being an apostrophe nazi.

Last but not least, my real life Lizzie! Thanks for being my inspiration for my Lizzie. You’re an amazing young lady. Stay true to yourself. Stay sassy, you’re perfect just the way you are! Don’t ever change for anyone, if they can’t accept you for who you are, then they don’t deserve you.

Thorns & All

Renee Kennedy grew up in Decatur, AL and has been married to her high school sweetheart for 23 years. She currently lives in the Houston, TX area with her husband Jason, her son Braxton, and one very spoiled Yorkie, Chico. She also has one son that is serving our Country in the military, Brett.

She loves living in Texas but she’ll always be a Bama girl and that is where her heart remains. Renee has always been an avid reader but never dreamed of writing a book, until reminiscing about her grandparent’s love story, Bailey’s story popped into her head. Her grandparents played a significant role in her life growing up, so sharing a little piece of them with the world, helps keep them alive in her heart.

When she is not reading or writing she loves to cook and try out new recipes. You can often find her hanging out with her family and friends or stalking her own favorite authors.

Chico, her mini Yorkie, runs Renee’s house and her so his every need must be catered too, after all he is her 3rd baby.

Goodreads:
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