What happens when you return home after avoiding it for so long? Celebrated author Frances Mayes has traveled to Italy and lived in California after “escaping” the South. After a visit to her hometown, she picks up her life and moves her family back to the South in her newest memoir Under Magnolia.
Today From Left to Write members talk about home, family, and elusive memories as we discuss Under Magnolia by Frances Mayes:
- Jennifer Wolfe of mamawolfe shares memories of her grandmother, a woman who loved roses, baking shortbread and Point Lobos, California.
- Christina Yother talks about going home.
- Elaine from Connor and Helen Grow Up is reminded that home might be deep within, sometimes, you know you will never go back.
- Nancy at The Real Nani writes a series of vignettes from which a theme emerges.
- Jane T. talks about having different homes around the world at live like it’s shark week.
- Kelly of Cupcake Kelly’s writes about how it is not the building that makes the home, but the people in it.
- Jenn from Momma on the Rocks recalls finding herself in a place far from “home” that turned out to be a better fit than home itself.
- melanie at tales from the crib wonders if she’ll ever have a story for a memoir
- Farrah from Fairyburger talks about how much of an influence your past + upbringing can have on your future.
- Jennifer from Me, Myself and Jen opens up about her childhood and shares what makes up her home and family.
- Thien-Kim of I’m Not the Nanny learned how to embrace her “y’all.”
- Taylor at The Quiet Moments is transported back to her childhood every time she smells English boxwoods!
- Liza from (a)Musing Foodie offers her foodie destination bucket list.
- Angela of Cowgirl Runs is looking forward to sitting down and enjoying Under Magnolia.
Pick up your copy of Under Magnolia: A Southern Memoir (now in paperback!) and tell us what you think. Have you ever lived in the South?
Follow Frances Mayes via her website, Facebook and Twitter.
About The Author
Thien-Kim
Thien-Kim is Editor of From Left to Write. She sneaks in her reading time late at night after her family is sound asleep. She also writes at I'm Not the Nanny.