I am grateful to so many for their help in the creation of Y’all Come Over.
First to Amy Lyles Wilson. You will probably never know how much teaming up with you on these three books has inspired me. You have become family.
When I was growing up, our kitchen was warm and inviting. My mother welcomed others and enjoyed sharing the delicious meals she prepared. My own children always felt free to bring their friends home, and that tradition continues today with my grandchildren, Scott and Paige. I love it that they will ask me to send along their favorite foods to them whenever anyone I know is traveling anywhere close to their homes in Fayetteville, Arkansas, or Auburn, Alabama. And I love it that they bring their friends down to Charlotte to eat with Bill and me.
My son-in-law, Randy, and I share similar tastes in food. He grew up with a mother who was a true Southern hostess and great cook.
My husband, Bill, extends many “Y’all come over” invitations to our house. It might be to one person or twenty-one people. He genuinely loves having company. His late mother, Flora, warned me about that, but I love it.
It is my desire to uphold the dignity of those women in whose homes I have enjoyed wonderful meals. Their influence of the love and proper care of Southern food has made me want to pass on to others that same love and celebration of food and entertaining. To the late Mary Buckner, Judith Deihl, Virginia Adcock, and Norma Sims—what a legacy you left. I am so grateful.
I had the pleasure of working at Ingram Industries for twenty-seven wonderful years. This book would not have been possible without the encouragement I received there. My thanks go out to the entire Ingram family, Kathy Loftin, Craig Phillip, Mike and Deborah Lovett, Phil and Pam Pfeffer, Eleanor Deck, Tom Allen, and Robert Hardin, as well as all of the associates who ever told me they enjoyed something I made for lunch.
I am blessed with some of the greatest friends in the world. Thanks to Nancy Miller, Gay Taylor, Judy Redden, Judy Nicks, Sara Caudill, Betty Jean Hall, Betsy Duke, Bonnie Duke, Jennifer Carlew, Sue Drinnen, Cynthia Marvin, Linda Genella, Donna Brown, Sue Smith, Betty Nicks Smith, Luanne Greer, Paula Hill, Gwynn Kerns, Jean Smith, Stephanie Batey, and Margie Davis.
A special thanks to Heather Skelton, Mindy Henderson, Teresa Blackburn, and everyone at Thomas Nelson for allowing me to share my recipes and love of food with so many.
And lastly to the people of Charlotte, Tennessee, and Dickson County who have supported me in my efforts. I couldn’t ask for a better place to live.
—PC
With heartfelt gratitude to Patsy Caldwell, Bryan Curtis, and Kelly Sims: For the lunches, the support, and the inspiration. I could not have done it without you.
And to the fine people of Thomas Nelson, you have a piece of my heart.
—ALW