A Southern Life

Join Chari at Happy to Design for Sunday favorites and Charlotte and Ginger at Blogger Spirit for Spiritual Sunday and enjoy your Sunday!

It is Sunday and Valentine’s Day and the day before President’s Day and two days before Mardi Gras! Wow, that is a lot to celebrate! Thank you to Chari at Happy to Design for giving us an opportunity to post one of our favorite posts from the past and to Charlotte and Ginger to giving us an opportunity to post something that expresses our faith. What wonderful fun and inspiration we get from these outstanding ladies each week!

My favorite this week is from January 4th the beginning of Carnival season and the celebration of the Epiphany – an expression of faith. From January 4th:

Southern Carnival

As I mentioned yesterday, January 6th is the beginning of Carnival starting with Twelfth Night of the Epiphany. This is the celebration of the three kings visiting the Christ child.

While some see the Carnival season as one of drunken parties and debauchery, to many it is actually a time of celebration of faith and festivals that are attended with families.

I posted a recipe for King Cake yesterday. The King Cake is decorated with the traditional colors of the Carnival season.

Purple represents justice; green, faith; and gold, power.

It’s interesting to note that our Mardi Gras colors influenced the choice of school colors for arch rivals Louisiana State University and Tulane University.

When LSU was deciding on its colors, the shops in New Orleans had stocked up on purple, green, and gold material for the Mardi Gras season. LSU decided upon purple and gold, and bought much of it. Tulane (my husband’s alma mater) bought much of the only remaining color — green!

I love anything that helps us to brighten up the cold gray days of January. Although, I’ll have to admit, after the weekend snow, the sun came out today and the sun on the bright white snow was spectacular!

Today’s Lagniappe: Spicy Creole Shrimp Chowder
Something yummy and warming to make in your slow cooker.

1/4 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoons butter
1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
1 can condensed cream of potato soup
2 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 can white corn, drained
1 teaspoon creole seasoning
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 lb cooked small shrimp, peeled
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese

Saute onion in butter until tender in pan over medium heat.

In crockpot, combine the onion, milk, 2 soups, corn, Creole seasoning and garlic powder.

Cover and cook on low for 3 hours.

Stir in shrimp and cream cheese.

Cook 30 minutes longer, until shrimp are heated through and cheese is melted.

Stir to blend.

It’s a three-for Tuesday! Join these great blogs for more recipes and great ideas.

Balancing Beauty and Bedlam’s Tasty Tuesday

Blessed with Grace’s Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

The Gypsy’s Corner’s Three or More Tuesday

Late Winter and early Spring are a wonderful time to plant roses for great color in your garden this coming Spring. Wouldn’t a rose bush to plant make a great Valentine’s day present? How about one of these.

Belinda's Dream

Belinda’s Dream is fast growing with few diseases and blooms all season. A great combination and isn’t the pink color dreamy?

Felicia

I love the peachy pink tones in this rose. Intensely fragrant and beautiful!

And finally, one of my all-time favorites:

New Dawn

New Dawn is a fast growing climber that blooms in a beautiful pink that fades to a creamy blush. It puts on quite a show in the Spring and then fewer blooms throughout the growing season.

All of these roses can be purchased online at the Antique Rose Emporium. I have ordered from them and they are wonderful. They sell roses on their own roots which is wonderful. If you have ever had a rose die back to the roots and then grow out as the rose from the grafted root, you will understand why this is such an advantage.

Roses are always given the reputation of being difficult and fussy. They really are not. Get one that you love and be rewarded with the beauty of the wonderful rose!

I’ve shown you some of my favorite pink roses for

Pink Saturday with Beverly at How Sweet the Sound

It’s Valentine’s weekend. What are your pink plans?

Today’s Lagniappe:  Chocolate Covered Strawberries
My favorite Valentine’s Day treat!

• 1 pound (about 20) strawberries with stems, washed and dried very well
• 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

Rinse, but do not hull the strawberries. Drain and pat completely dry.

Put the semisweet chocolate into heatproof medium bowls. Fill medium saucepan with a couple inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off the heat; set the bowls of chocolate over the water to melt. Stir until smooth. Once the chocolates are melted and smooth, remove from the heat. Line a sheet pan with parchment or waxed paper.

This weekend calls for celebration! We have Valentine’s Day on Sunday and then Mardi Gras on Tuesday. I think I’m going to have to combine the two. How about a Sunday brunch for two? Oh, by the way, it is

With Designs by Gollum

Let’s start with

Eggs Hussarde
This is my favorite Brennan’s Breakfast. This is Emeril’s version

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/4 cup chopped shallots
• 1 tablespoon garlic
• 1/4 cup dry red wine
• 1 cup demi-glace
• 8 croutons (4 inches round and 1/2-inch thick)
• 1/2 pound thinly sliced country ham
• 8 thin slices of fresh tomato
• 8 poached eggs, warm
• 1 cup Hollandaise Sauce, warm
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley leaves

In a saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the shallots and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Saute for 1 minute. Add the red wine and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the demi-glace. Simmer for 2 minutes and remove from the heat, keeping warm. To serve, Place two croutons in the center of each plate. Lay slices of the ham on top of each crouton. Lay a slice of the tomato over the ham. Top each tomato with the poached eggs. Drizzle 1/4 cup of the Hollandaise over the eggs. Spoon the Marchand De Vin Sauce around the croutons. Garnish with parsley.

We can finish with something chocolate – I mean you have to have chocolate for Valentine’s Day, right? So, my vote is to buy some chocolate covered strawberries.

Today’s Lagniappe: Mimosas
Don’t forget the drinks. What fun to have champagne for breakfast!

Champagne
Orange Juice
Grand Marnier
Sugar
Strawberries for garnish

Pour a little Grand Marnier in a shallow saucer. Put a little sugar in another shallow saucer. Dip the rims of champagne flutes in the Grand Marnier and then in the sugar. Fill the champagne flutes halfway with champagne and the fill the rest of the way with orange juice. Cut a slit in a strawberry and place on the rim of the flute if desired for garnish.

Enjoy!

We have a winner of the Fabulous DonnaDots! The winner is . . . . Sarah at Hyacinths for the Soul! Congrats Sarah! Send me your mailing address and the pattern you would like and I’ll get it to Donna! Hope you all enjoyed Donna’s Fabulous DonnaDots!

The first piece of jewelry my husband ever gave me was a tiny little gold key charm on a chain. He said it was the key to his heart (is that sweet or what?). This year for Valentine’s Day, I set a table with that key in mind.

Valentine Key

A cozy table in front of the fireplace.

A little candlelight.

Our wedding china with cut out hearts.

Romantic layers.

Ready to dine with the love of my heart!

Wishing you all a Happy Valentine’s Day! Check out all the fabulous tablescapes today at

with Between Naps on the Porch

Today’s Lagniappe:  Savory Coeur a la Creme
A fabulous recipe by Ina Garten that is perfect for Valentine’s Day!

• 12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 lemon, zested
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 bottle chutney (recommended: Cross and Blackwell Major Grey’s)
• Crackers, for serving

Place the cream cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and whip until it is firm like whipped cream. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Beat on high speed until the mixture is very thick.

Line a 6-inch coeur a la creme mold or 6-inch sieve with a few layers of cheesecloth, allowing the excess to drape over the sides. Pour the cream mixture into the cheesecloth and smooth the top with a rubber spatula. Fold the excess cheesecloth over the top of the cream. Place the mold on a plate or suspend the sieve over a small bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.

When ready to serve, unmold the creme upside down onto a plate and pour the chutney over the top, allowing it to drip down the sides. Serve chilled with crackers.

Yesterday, I was writing about the monochromatic color of the snowy world. Well, Jim Gaston of Gaston’s Resort in Lakeview, Arkansas proved me wrong. He has such an eye for finding that spot of color in the midst of the snowy white.

Just waiting for Spring

Let's play

Getting cold feet.

At the top of Bull Shoals Dam looking down at the White River

Tall Grass in the snow.

Thank you Jim for once again reminding me what a beautiful area we live in! Wednesday Feb. 10th is the last day to enter to win the Donnadot give away. Don’t miss it! Be entered by 4:00 p.m. central time to have a chance to win 🙂

A little outdoor pic for Outdoor Wednesday with A Southern Daydreamer and Rednesday! with It’s a Very Cherry and today’s lagniappe is a great idea for Crockpot Wedneday with Dining with Debbie.

Today’s Lagniappe: Crockpot Chocolate Pudding Cake
Somthing chocolate-y and decadent to share on Valentine’s Day!

• 1 pkg. two layer chocolate cake mix
• 3 oz. pkg. instant chocolate pudding mix
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups sour cream
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup milk chocolate chips

Here we are in Arkansas having yet another snowfall! Okay, it was pretty the first couple of times, but I’m ready to see some color!

Snow in the tree

I’ve posted the above picture before and received many nice comments on my black and white photo, however, it is actually a color photo. Just not a lot of color.

Tree without snow

The picture above has the same tree in the background. This picture was taken during the summer. Much more color.

The sun shining through the branches of the same tree and others during the fall. The three pictures have such different looks for the same tree through the seasons.

So, as I look out today, it is back to a monochromatic world. Pretty for a while but I’m so ready to get back to a more colorful world! A winter wonderland is just wonderful – for a visit. Keep in mind I’ve always lived in places where you couldn’t even buy a snow shovel. Where I am living now is the Northern part of the South but it is still the South so this snow is just taking some getting used to. I’ll try to remember this cold when it is hot and humid during the summer!

Is it a winter wonderland where you live?

Today’s Lagniappe:  Pace Picante Marinated Beef Steak
From the Pace Picante Sauce website, something to warm us up!

Serves 6

2/3 cup Pace® Picante Sauce
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, crushed
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder  or 1 clove garlic, minced
1 beef top round steak, 1 1/2-inch thick (about 1 1/2 pounds)
Directions:

Mix the picante sauce, oil, oregano and garlic powder in shallow, nonmetallic dish or resealable plastic bag. Add the steak and turn to coat with the marinade. Cover the dish or seal the plastic bag and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Lightly oil the grill rack and heat the grill to medium. Grill or broil steak until desired doneness, turning and brushing often with picante sauce mixture. Discard any remaining picante sauce mixture.

Slice the steak into thin diagonal slices. Serve with additional picante sauce.

Balancing Beauty and Bedlam’s Tasty Tuesday

Blessed with Grace’s Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

The Gypsy’s Corner’s Three or More Tuesday

There are still a few days to enter to win the Donnadots. Check them out and see how to win at Donnadot Giveaway!

I haven’t had time much lately for projects that let me express my artistic side. I’ve been looking at some of my favorite projects today. One of the most fun projects I have done was for my mother and it was inspired by her Blue Danube dishes.

I love the teapot that goes with this set.

So, I thought it would be fun to take the shape and the pattern and make a wind chime with spoons as the chimes.

I took a wooden teapot form and cup that I found at a craft store and painted it white. I then downloaded the pattern of the china from a picture of the plate. In photoshop, I reversed the image and lighted the lines and then printed it out on a laser jet printer.

Did you know that heat will transfer what is printed on a page that was printed on a laser printer to a surface. Simply, place the printed side down on the surface and apply heat from an iron. The pattern transfers and then you go to the next step!

The next step was to paint the pattern in. That part was pretty painstaking and detailed. After the pattern was painted on, I used a light varnish to seal it.

Then, screw some eye-hooks in the bottom, drill holes in some pretty spoons and then attache them to the painted form.

It was a fun project and mama has it hanging in her dining room next to the hutch that holds the Blue Danube china.

Can’t wait to see all the other fun projects over at Metamorphosis Monday and all the other blues at Blue Monday. Get your week off to a great start by checking out Blue Monday at Smiling Sally’s and Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch.

Today’s Lagniappe:  Hot Ginger Tea
Soothing ginger with a little cinnamon, mmmmm!

• 3 quarts water
• 3/4 cup chopped pealed ginger
• 2 to 3 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
• Honey to taste

Simmer water, ginger, and cinnamon sticks in a pot, covered, 1 hour. Strain through a sieve into cups a serve with honey.

Join Chari at Happy to Design for Sunday favorites and Charlotte and Ginger at Blogger Spirit for Spiritual Sunday and enjoy your Sunday!

My favorite this week is just from this past Thursday because it is another chance to tell you about the DonnaDot give away and also to tell you more about my friend Donna Butler Douglas and her family. Her mom and dad are the wonderful Pete and JoAnn Butler. Outside of my parents, these two have been the most influential people in my life. They are wonderful and talented and very Godly people. They also have another wonderful daughter, Cindy, who is another talented member of this very talented family.

I do want to share another wonderful little tidbit with you this week. Pete Butler is the composer that wrote the wonderful hymn to Fanny Crosby’s memorable words – Redeemed. A well loved hymn from the Baptist hymnal I grew up with. I found a video of a this hymn being sung on YouTube and had to share it.

Here is the favorite post for Sunday Favorites. If you want to enter to win the give away, be sure to post your comment on the original post here

It’s Tablescape Thursday and we have a GIVE-AWAY! Oh, happy day!

My very good friend Donna Butler Douglas is one of the most talented people I have ever known. She is a very talented musician and composer and is just one of the most fun people you could ever know. Donna has started a new business called Donnadots. Even the name is fun. And, you know what you can use these dots in soooo many ways. Check out the tablescape that Donna put together using the Donnadots.

Even better, Donna has agreed to GIVE AWAY a set of Donnadots to one of the wonderful readers of A Southern Life! So, how can you win?

• Leave a comment on the original post for 1 chance.

• Go to http://www.donnadots.com and choose your favorite Donnadot and then go to the original post and leave a comment telling me what you chose for a second chance.

• Write about this give-away on your blog and then leave another comment on the original post telling me you have done that for a third chance to win. (If you don’t have a blog, email your friends with a link to A Southern Life and then let me know that you did that).

Next Thursday, the winner will be announced here at A Southern Life! It is that easy. I hope you enjoy Donnadots and whether you win or not, go get some and “Dot Your Day!”

Okay, check out what Donna did with some of the place card dots.

Perfect for Valentine's Day!

Hey, there are even dots on the plates.

What a lovely napkin fold for a Donnadot.

Love the silver heart holding the Donnadot.

The come in different colors!

Fabulous!

Here are a couple of other ways to use Donnadots:

Aren’t they fun? Good luck to everyone! Don’t forget to leave your comments to win your own set of 48 Donnadots!

with Between Naps on the Porch

Today’s Lagniappe: Donna’s Red Velvet Cake
This is Donna’s own recipe for Red Velvet Cake – one of her family’s favorites and perfect for Valentine’s Day!

Still looking forward to the Superbowl this weekend. Still rooting for the Saint’s!

Pink Fleur de lis

How about a PINK fleur de lis for The New Orleans Saints and Pink Saturday?

Pink Saturday with Beverly at How Sweet the Sound

What a fun weekend it is! The start of Mardi Gras parades, the Superbowl and Pink Saturday!

Today’s Lagniappe:  Spinach Dip
The perfect dip for a super Superbowl party. Serve with toasted baguette slices – YUM!

First things first! If you haven’t checked out the fabulous give away, you must go see it. The Donnadots are fun and you can continue to post to win through next Wednesday, February 10th at 4:00 p.m. Central

Fabulous!

Okay, the weekend is upon us. It is time for the Superbowl! The Superbowl is really, really fun when one of the teams you have been rooting for all season is in it. I’ll have to say, for me, otherwise it is not that interesting. Fortunately, this year, one of my teams is in! I’m rooting, of course for the New Orleans Saint’s. New Orleans is the city of my heart. I know not everyone love New Orleans like my husband and I do. As Louis Armstrong would say,”If you have to ask, you’ll never know.”

I remember living in Dallas back in the 90’s when the Dallas Cowboys really had a great team that was winning Superbowls. What fun that was. I even painted my fingernails half blue and half silver (in a diagonal) for a Superbowl party. Everybody was in a party mood and it was just a lot of fun.

Now, I’m cheering on the Saint’s. Hope you have a team to root for and some good food to enjoy.

Today’s Lagniappe: Hot Bean and Corn Dip
Another great recipe from Donna that is perfect for Superbowl munching and also great for

With Designs by Gollum

It’s Tablescape Thursday and we have a GIVE-AWAY! Oh, happy day!

My very good friend Donna Butler Douglas is one of the most talented people I have ever known. She is a very talented musician and composer and is just one of the most fun people you could ever know. Donna has started a new business called Donnadots. Even the name is fun. And, you know what you can use these dots in soooo many ways. Check out the tablescape that Donna put together using the Donnadots.

Even better, Donna has agreed to GIVE AWAY a set of Donnadots to one of the wonderful readers of A Southern Life! So, how can you win?

• Leave a comment on this post for 1 chance.

• Go to http://www.donnadots.com and choose your favorite Donnadot and then come back and leave a comment telling me what you chose for a second chance.

• Write about this give-away on your blog and then leave another comment telling me you have done that for a third chance to win. (If you don’t have a blog, email your friends with a link to A Southern Life and then let me know that you did that).

Next Thursday, the winner will be announced here at A Southern Life! It is that easy. I hope you enjoy Donnadots and whether you win or not, go get some and “Dot Your Day!”

Okay, check out what Donna did with some of the place card dots.

Perfect for Valentine's Day!

Hey, there are even dots on the plates.

What a lovely napkin fold for a Donnadot.

Love the silver heart holding the Donnadot.

The come in different colors!

Fabulous!

Here are a couple of other ways to use Donnadots:

Aren’t they fun? Good luck to everyone! Don’t forget to leave your comments to win your own set of  48 Donnadots!

with Between Naps on the Porch

Today’s Lagniappe:  Donna’s Red Velvet Cake
This is Donna’s own recipe for Red Velvet Cake – one of her family’s favorites and perfect for Valentine’s Day!

Okay, usually not a lot of snow in the South, but this year is a bit strange. We have had more snow than I know what to do with. Fortunately, some others in the area did know what to do with it.

And, something with a litle red!

We don’t have snow often, but fortunately,  when we do have it, we have fun with it!

Today’s Lagniappe:  Love Bites
Saw this on Home Made Simple and just love this idea for Valentine’s Day.12 large red globe grapes

1 log (4 ounces) goat cheese
1/2 cup shelled pistachios, finely chopped

1. Cut each grape in half. Cut a small slice off the end of each half to prevent it from tipping.
2. Using a small melon baller or a tiny spoon, scoop out any seeds and enough flesh to create a slight indentation.
3. Cut the goat cheese log into 24 equal pieces and shape each piece into a ball.
4. Press one side of each ball of goat cheese into the chopped pistachios.
5. Place the cheese in each grape half, pistachio-side up. Press gently to adhere. Serve on a small dish or a small decorative cake stand for an elegant effect.

Make Ahead Tip: Grape Cups can be prepared several hours in advance. Refrigerate in an airtight container, until ready.

A few outdoor pics for Outdoor Wednesday with A Southern Daydreamer and Rednesday! with It’s a Very Cherry.

Welcome February!!! So much to enjoy in February.  First of all, thank you so much to Kelee at The Katillac Shack.  She informed me this morning that I won a $20 gift card to Hobby Lobby from her great give-away post which honored her friend Colette. Go check it out!

Okay all of the February fun:

The Superbowl with the Saint’s (my pick) and the Colt’s next Sunday, February 7th.

Valentine’s Day on Sunday, February 14th

President’s Day on Monday, February 15th

Mardi Gras on Tuesday, February 16th

How could you not LOVE February? We are going to be celebrating all the fun here at A Southern Life all month, starting Thursday with a really fun give-away! Let the fun begin!

I’ll be posting recipes and other fun stuff for all the fun, so be sure to join in.

Today’s Lagniappe:  Warm Sesame Pork on Salad Greens
To start all of the fun and frivolity, a warm and yummy salad from Southern Living.

• 1/2  (16-ounce) package wonton wrappers
• 2  pounds  boneless pork loin, trimmed
• 3/4  cup  sesame seeds, divided
• 1  cup  vegetable oil, divided
• 1/2  cup  all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon  salt
• 1/2  teaspoon  pepper
• 1/4  cup  dark sesame oil, divided
• 1/3  cup  soy sauce
• 1/4  cup  rice wine vinegar
• 10  to 12 small green onions, sliced
• 1  (10-ounce) package mixed salad greens
• 1  bok choy, shredded

Balancing Beauty and Bedlam’s Tasty Tuesday

Blessed with Grace’s Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

The Gypsy’s Corner’s Three or More Tuesday