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The Sweet Magnolias Draft

The Heart of the Table | The Art of Gathering

The Sweet Magnolias Draft


What’s worse than a bunch of gals getting together to kibbitz? It’s a bunch of gals getting together to draft their fantasy football team. It’s a trash-talkin’, elbow-diggin’, name-callin’ scene right out of the movie Sweet Magnolias.

I mean, it’s “bless her heart” on steroids.

A clipboard with a printed draft sheet resting next to a thick Sharpie pen, fresh tortilla chips, and a jar of spicy salsa

Oh, the catcalls from the table when I drafted Patrick Mahomes in the first round! Oh, the high-fives that went around the table when I picked up Robert Woods in the 6th round when he should have been snatched in the 4th. And the simultaneous, gentle nods of understanding when our dear friend picked up Baker Mayfield in an early round. We all understand her husband’s devotion to OU... Bless her heart, now that’s love!

"The only way to bring our fragile fantasy football bonds back from the edge of friendship destruction was to create a spread that satisfies both the winners and the losers. And that I did."
Melted sharp cheddar cheese stretching beautifully between a single tortilla chip and a massive platter of nachos

The dish that tamed the angry fantasy football beast and totally scored in overtime was my sausage and refried bean nachos. I mean, these are truly a punched-up bit of nacho cheesiness. I serve these on every game day, regardless of the success of my quarterback.

Just a little note of confession here... I am in two fantasy leagues, one with the girls and one with the family. Having scored a loser C- in my draft evaluation with the gals, I promptly drafted Baker in round two of the family league. Let’s just see how it goes... and bless my heart!


From the Memoir to the Kitchen

To bring this memory to your own table, explore the Master Blueprint for the hearty, loaded sausage and bean nachos that inspired this story.

View the Recipe in The Estate Vault