Birthday Wishes Stella Parton, My Stardust Sistah

May 4th is the birthday of my “stardust sistah,” Stella Parton. Born in a holler in the Smokey Mountains, she has traveled the world many times, entertained Presidents and heads of state, raised her son Tim, and been the best friend you could every ask God to send your way. Stella is in the middle of the mix of a dozen children raised with a lot of love but not a lot of money. A member of one of the best known families in entertainment, you can read more about her stellar career or order a book or cd at her website.
To me, Stella Parton is just made of the right stuff. She has exquisite tastes, a contagious laugh, flirts like nobody’s business, and Lord can she tell a joke. Someday she might share with you the one about “Oh that’s nice!”
Stella was a television star with her sister Dolly when she was seven and two years later made her radio debut. She still loves the gospel music and comfort food she was raised on. She doesn’t like watermelon so her Daddy always bought her a candy bar when the others were sent to the melon patch. She picked her share of blackberries in the summertime growing up and made lots of cobblers.
She loved Bible School and all the crafty stuff, then the bake sales on Saturdays to raise money for the church. Like most in her family, she loves macaroni and cheese and says some of the Partons eat enough they have to take a nap to get over it. Isn’t there just something about comfort food?
Her Mama’s banana pudding for Sunday dinner was her favorite. And they all loved chocolate. Her Daddy was a beekeeper and like she says, “You haven’t lived until you’ve had a bee get caught in your hair and sting you real good!” Her Mama would doctor it up with a dab of snuff and she’d cry because of the Garrett Sweet Snuff on her scalp, but was reassured that it would just make her hair grow.
When she was a senior in high school, her FHA club was selling Krispy Crème doughnuts to raise money. Stella twirled around Sevier County in her little “64” blue Corvair coaxing people to buy several dozen as they were just as good thawed out. She admits that’s Not True! But it was a good cause and she ended up the yearbook with a doughnut in her mouth.
Her first paying job was as a car hop at Dan’s Dairy Dip and she saved every dime to buy clothes. Now she’s one of the best dressed on Music Row and has utilized her knowledge of hair and makeup to help women who need a boost build their self esteem.
Stella can cook, sing, pray and preach with the best of them. Her spirituality is a blessing she has shared with many of us over the years. Birthday celebrations are her favorite and I hope you will join me in wishing this blonde a happy birthday. She’s on Facebook, My Space or leave her a note at www.stellaparton.com.

Yellow Cake with Fresh Blueberries
“I think one of my favorite cakes I remember was made by my cousin, Gladys Boling. It was a yellow cake with fresh blueberries cooked in it. She let us eat it straight from the oven with fresh homemade butter. I will always remember that taste as long as I live.” Stella
2 1/2 cups unbleached flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 sticks butter, room temperature
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
2 large eggs
1 cup sour cream
FILLING
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup blueberries
TOPPING
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Stir together flour, baking powder and soda. In large bowl beat together butter, 1 1/4 cups sugar, vanilla and lemon peel. Beat in eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in sour cream until well blended. At low speed gradually beat in flour mixture until blended. Spoon about one-third of batter into greased and floured 9-inch tube pan. Sprinkle with one-half of the Blueberry Filling (below). Repeat layers. Spread with remaining batter. Sprinkle with Topping (below). Bake on rack below center in a preheated 350° oven for 30 to 45 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in center comes out free of batter. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Loosen edges and around tube and turn out on rack to cool completely.
Blueberry Filling: Stir together 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 cup blueberries.
Topping: Stir together 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STELLA - love, All of your Murphy Family

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