A Southern Life

Usually, I like to made visits to A Southern Life happy and uplifting. Today, I’m just kind of sad. Last week I posted about the terrible consequences of the oil rig explosion on the beautiful Gulf Coast. Today, I am shocked at the pictures coming out of Tennessee of the horrific flooding. I have many friends and followers from Tennessee and I’m not seeing a great deal of coverage of this on the news. Here is what is happening to the wonderful people of Tennessee:

Downtown near the river.

Grand Ole Opry

Hard Rock Cafe - Nashville

Here is a picture inside the Gaylord Opryland Hotel before the flood:

Check out the inside after the flooding:

Please pray for our friends in Tennessee!

Today’s Lagniappe: Tennessee Sin
This is a wonderful and delicious recipe. Enjoy!

2 loaves round sourdough bread
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
8 ounces sour cream
1/2 cup chopped cooked ham or bacon
1/3 cup chopped onions or green onions
1/3 cup chopped red or green bell pepper
1/3 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Preheat oven to 350ºF.

Slice off top 1/4 of bread loaf. Hollow out bottom, leaving a 1″ shell. Cut bread top and other loaf into cubes. Bake shell for 12 minutes.

Beat cream cheese at med. speed with mixer until smooth. Add sour cream and beat until creamy. Stir in Cheddar cheese and next 4 ingredients. Spoon into bread shell. Wrap in foil and place on baking sheet.

Bake 30 min. Wrap bread cubes in foil & bake 15 minutes.

Outdoor Wednesday with A Southern Daydreamer

Last week, I shared a recipe for Lemon Thyme cookies that I made for lunch with a friend. I told you I would post more about that. My friend is the precious Christy Case Keirn from Macomb, Mississippi. Christy is the president of the National  Association of Junior Auxiliaries and the marketing directory of our local community college, Arkansas State University, Mountain Home. NAJA has some great cookbooks and, yes, we will have a give away of one soon. They actually used a picture of one of my tablesettings in their latest edition of their organization’s publication to publicize their latest cookbook. I’ll definitely be showing you which setting that was soon as well.

Anyway, today, I would love to share with your some pictures from my lunch with Christy.

It was just the two of us at my huge dining table so I tried to make it a little cozier with  kind of grouping everything in just one corner. We had chicken delight (see today’s lagniappe), salad with lemon vinaigrette, hot yeast rolls and lemon thyme cookies. To drink, we had lemonade spritzers.

Christy is such a fun friend, wish you could all meet her personally. So, what kind of tablescapes are going on today  for:

with Between Naps on the Porch

Today’s Lagniappe: Chicken Delight
Easy and delicious!

4 chicken breast, cooked and cut into small pieces (I usually use 5)
1 2oz. Jar pimientos
1 8 oz can sliced water chestnuts
½ cup slivered almonds
¼ tsp. Celery salt
dash of pepper
2 TBsp. Lemon juice
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup cream of chicken soup (or mushroom)
1 3 oz. Can onion rings

Mix chicken, pimientos, water chestnuts, almonds, celery salt, pepper, lemon juice, mayonnaise, and chicken soup. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with onion rings and bake for another 20 minutes. (Serves 4)

I’ve been looking back over past posts and came across one I wanted to share with you. It is from February 27, 2008. Just a little less than two months after I started A Southern Life.

I had no idea the impact blogging would have on my life or how many wonderful people I would get to come in contact with. I just thought I would share a little about my life and my thoughts about life and living and entertaining, etc. What has happened instead is that while I still share, I feel like I get so much more from everyone who visits here than I could possibly offer in return.

In this post, I share a story of a visit to Steven’s Point, Wisconsin. Every time I think of this story, I am reminded of the wonderful Bible verse from Hebrews 13:2

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

A Southern Life is now read in all 50 states and 103 countries/territories around the world! I am honored and humbled by that. Happy Sunday to all and a wonderful week to follow!
From February 27, 2008:

Southern Friends

I was looking at my blog statistics this morning and am happy to tell you that we have readers from 42 states and 12 countries reading this blog. Y’all are wonderful. The 3rd most visitors are from New York! Thank you to all you readers everywhere.

In my previous life, as I traveled for business, I found that there are wonderful, warm people all over the United States. I remember being at a little shop in New Jersey (where I bought my husband a big coffee cup that he still uses every day) talking to the store clerk. She asked me where I was from. I guess from my accent she surmised that I wasn’t from around there. We visited a little and I told her that the people from New Jersey had been very nice. She said “You’re kidding!” She was surprised that the people from New Jersey had been nice.

Now, you know, I love the South and don’t want to live anywhere else but I love visiting all over and meeting people from everywhere. I was surprised that we don’t have any readers from Wisconsin. Since they are not here, I’m going to tell a story on them. If you know anyone from Wisconsin, you can share this story with them.

I traveled to Stevens Point, Wisconsin to do some work for the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. I don’t remember the month but it was very, very cold. If I recall correctly, I was staying at a Hampton Inn. Because there was so much snow and it was so cold, I decided to walk across the street to a little pub for supper. Because I traveled alone so much, I was used to eating out by myself. I was seated and had ordered a drink when two ladies approached my table. They asked if they could visit with me a moment. Intrigued, I agreed. After being seated, they told me that they were local school teachers. They had traveled in Europe the previous Summer and remembered how the Europeans would invite traveling strangers to dine with them. They had discussed it among themselves when they saw me come in alone and had decided to do the same. They invited me to join them and their friends to share a meal. I was so surprised and pleased. I joined them and we shared good food in a warm place on a cold Wisconsin evening. Now, wasn’t that nice of them. I will always think of Stevens Point, Wisconsin as a warm and hospitable town thanks to those dear ladies. Who knew, Southern hospitality in Wisconsin?

Thank you to everyone who reads this blog. Although, I don’t know many of you personally, I count you as friends.

By the way, my husband is telling me I ought to write on weekends. I’m thinking about it, maybe just on Saturdays so I’ll still have a day off.

Today’s Lagniappe: Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup
I know it’s not Southern but telling the story made me think of it 🙂

4 Tablespoons butter
1/3 cup chopped green onion, green tops and white base.
1/4 cup finely chopped carrot
1/4 cup finely chopped cabbage
1/4 cup flour
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup good Wisconsin beer
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 cups half and half (“half and half” is half heavy cream and half milk), heated
2 cups shredded aged Wisconsin Cheddar cheese (use aged cheese for better flavor)
(if you wish, one pound cooked sausage in bite-sized chunks)

• Melt butter in large, heavy pan
• Add onion, carrot and cabbage
• Cook and stir over medium-high heat until onions and vegetables become translucent
• Stir in flour, cook 1 minute, stirring constantly
• Add broth, beer and mustard. Stir well until mixture reaches a boil.
• Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 30 minutes.
• Add hot half and half and cheese, and if you wish, cooked smoked sausage.
• Stir and warm gently until heated through and cheese is melted.
• 8 servings.

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

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

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:
not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

Thanks for joining me today. I woke up with that scripture in my head. It is a favorite and has brought comfort to me many, many times. Before I get to the past favorite post, there is an announcement to be made. As many of you know, in addition to this blog, my husband and I have another blog for his business (Wharton Website Design and Marketing). On that blog, starting tomorrow, we will be teaming up with Soldiers’ Angels to participate in the Valour IT project.

Many of our military who are wounded receive comfort by way of technology. The Valour IT project is a fund raising  effort to help provide the purchase and shipment of laptops and other technology for severely wounded service members. As of November 2008, Valour-IT has distributed over 2700 laptops to severely wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines across the country, and is now expanding its mission to include other technology that supports physical and psychological recovery. Every cent raised by this effort is used directly for the purchase and shipment of the technology needed.

The project is divided up by teams representing the different branches of the armed services to make it a little more fun. All of the money raised by the teams is for the same project. Wharton Website Design and Marketing has joined the Marine team! Go Marines.

If you would like to donate to the help and comfort of our military, please go to the Wharton blog and click on the Valour IT link on the top right.

How else can you help? Join the effort yourself by posting about this on your blog. Help us get the word out. This fund raising effort runs from October 26 through Veterans Day, November 11!

Let’s give back to those who sacrifice for us!

Okay, now to the Sunday favorite. Originally posted for a Memorial Day tablescape on May 27 (which also happens to by my birthday), this is a favorite for honoring those who have served:

It’s Tablescape Thursday with Susan from Between Naps on the Porch. Click on the pic to see more great tablescapes this week.

Once again we are visiting my friend Linda at The Cottage. Linda brought her white fiestaware and pictures of people in her family who have served in the military. She has pictures of family serving in every war since WWI. That is amazing. We set this table as a tribute for Memorial Day. We used her pictures on the table in decorative frames.

We added the apples for a little more color.

The pictures of family who have served in the past are a wonderful tribute.

Lots of red, white and blue and Old Glory on the table, too.

God bless America!

The Cottage is ready for Memorial Day.

Thanks Linda for sharing your wonderful pictures. Linda will tell us more about these sometime. For now, hope everyone had a great Memorial Day!

Southern Memorial Day

Today’s Lagniappe: Mile High Strawberry Pie
Summer in a pie shell!

Bring to a boil stirring constantly:
1 c sugar
3 tb cornstarch
3 tb light corn syrup
1 c water
Cook for five minutes until thick and clear.

Add:
1 (3 oz) pkg strawberry jello
Stir until dissolved.

It’s Tablescape Thursday with Susan from Between Naps on the Porch. Click on the pic to see more great tablescapes this week.

Once again we are visiting my friend Linda at The Cottage. Linda brought her white fiestaware and pictures of people in her family who have served in the military. She has pictures of family serving in every war since WWI. That is amazing. We set this table as a tribute for Memorial Day. We used her pictures on the table in decorative frames.

We added the apples for a little more color.

The pictures of family who have served in the past are a wonderful tribute.

Lots of red, white and blue and Old Glory on the table, too.

God bless America!

The Cottage is ready for Memorial Day.

Thanks Linda for sharing your wonderful pictures. Linda will tell us more about these sometime. For now, hope everyone had a great Memorial Day!

Southern Memorial Day

Today’s Lagniappe: Mile High Strawberry Pie
Summer in a pie shell!

Bring to a boil stirring constantly:
1 c sugar
3 tb cornstarch
3 tb light corn syrup
1 c water
Cook for five minutes until thick and clear.

Add:
1 (3 oz) pkg strawberry jello
Stir until dissolved.

You may remember getting to know Linda Howell previously. She is my good friend who is a great real estate agent and a fabulous actress. Linda invited me out to The Cottage last weekend where we sat at this beautiful table with her gorgeous china and visited.

The china is Montmery by Haviland. It was passed on to her by her mother. She says when her father was made enough money to buy something nice for her mother, he bought her this lovely china. It features pretty little forget-me-nots.

The crystal is over 100 years old. It belonged to Linda’s best friend’s grandmother and was given to her as a wedding present by her friend’s mother. Her friend has since died but Linda uses this beautiful crystal as a way to remember her.

See the pretty forget-me-nots?

Here is that special crystal I told you about - over 100 years old!

A lovely time on the porch with a wonderful view.

A nice, simple centerpiece.

Beautiful cups

Isn't the little bird pretty?

More of that lovely view from the table.

A special way to spend time with a friend.

Hope you enjoyed this tablescape and all the others at Between Naps on the Porch

Today’s Lagniappe:  BLT Pasta Salad
Something nice for a warm Spring day.
2 cups uncooked pasta
5 green onions, finely chopped
1 large tomato, diced
1/2 cup finely diced celery
1-1/4 cups good mayonnaise (Duke’s or Hellmann’s)
5 teaspoons white vinegar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 or more tsp pepper
1 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled (set aside)

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In large bowl, combine the pasta, onions, tomatoes, and celery. In small bowl, combine mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, & pepper. Pour over pasta mixture and toss to coat. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours. Just before serving, add bacon.

My friends Linda and Doris and I had a great time setting tables this week. We were at The Cottage, a great little store here. We found great pieces in the store to set a table. The owner of The Cottage is a great guy, but, unfortunately, he is looking to retire. If anyone out there would love to have a great place like The Cottage, email my friend Linda. She is a great real estate agent and can give you more information. You may remember her from a previous post titled, Southern Lady. If you missed that, go check it out. You will be hearing more from Linda later this month. So, on with the show!

We found this beautiful quilt for a table cover to highlight our dishes.

When I saw these blue hydrangea dishes, I knew they had to be on the table and, yes, they are for sale!

We called this table "In the Garden." I loved the cloche over the pretty little bird.

Aren't those great candle holders?

We couldn't decide which napkins, so, we used both!

How about this platter? Isnt' it gorgeous?

One last look.

This table was so much fun to do. Most of the fun was doing it with friends. Y’all check out The Cottage website. Everything on this table is for sale. I would love to buy it all myself! Thanks for visiting! Oh, I almost forgot. We had some really pretty glasses picked out to go with this but we forgot them! We must be getting old!

See the other great tables at Between the Naps on the Porch.

Today’s Lagniappe: Fried Green Tomatoes
Since we had a table called “In the Garden,” I thought a recipe for something from the garden would be good and Fried Green Tomatoes fit the bill!

• 4 to 6 green tomatoes
• salt and pepper
• cornmeal
• bacon grease or vegetable oil

Preparation:

Slice the tomatoes into 1/4 – 1/2-inch slices. Salt and pepper them to taste. Dip in meal and fry in hot grease or oil about 3 minutes or until golden on bottom. Gently turn and fry the other side. Drain on paper towels. A yummy Southern treat!

I was looking at my blog statistics this morning and am happy to tell you that we have readers from 42 states and 12 countries reading this blog. Y’all are wonderful. The 3rd most visitors are from New York! Thank you to all you readers everywhere.

In my previous life, as I traveled for business, I found that there are wonderful, warm people all over the United States. I remember being at a little shop in New Jersey (where I bought my husband a big coffee cup that he still uses every day) talking to the store clerk. She asked me where I was from. I guess from my accent she surmised that I wasn’t from around there. We visited a little and I told her that the people from New Jersey had been very nice. She said “You’re kidding!” She was surprised that the people from New Jersey had been nice.

Now, you know, I love the South and don’t want to live anywhere else but I love visiting all over and meeting people from everywhere. I was surprised that we don’t have any readers from Wisconsin. Since they are not here, I’m going to tell a story on them. If you know anyone from Wisconsin, you can share this story with them.

I traveled to Stevens Point, Wisconsin to do some work for the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. I don’t remember the month but it was very, very cold. If I recall correctly, I was staying at a Hampton Inn. Because there was so much snow and it was so cold, I decided to walk across the street to a little pub for supper. Because I traveled alone so much, I was used to eating out by myself. I was seated and had ordered a drink when two ladies approached my table. They asked if they could visit with me a moment. Intrigued, I agreed. After being seated, they told me that they were local school teachers. They had traveled in Europe the previous Summer and remembered how the Europeans would invite traveling strangers to dine with them. They had discussed it among themselves when they saw me come in alone and had decided to do the same. They invited me to join them and their friends to share a meal. I was so surprised and pleased. I joined them and we shared good food in a warm place on a cold Wisconsin evening. Now, wasn’t that nice of them. I will always think of Stevens Point, Wisconsin as a warm and hospitable town thanks to those dear ladies. Who knew, Southern hospitality in Wisconsin?

Thank you to everyone who reads this blog. Although, I don’t know many of you personally, I count you as friends.

By the way, my husband is telling me I ought to write on weekends. I’m thinking about it, maybe just on Saturdays so I’ll still have a day off.

Today’s Lagniappe: Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup
I know it’s not Southern but telling the story made me think of it 🙂

4 Tablespoons butter
1/3 cup chopped green onion, green tops and white base.
1/4 cup finely chopped carrot
1/4 cup finely chopped cabbage
1/4 cup flour
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup good Wisconsin beer
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 cups half and half (“half and half” is half heavy cream and half milk), heated
2 cups shredded aged Wisconsin Cheddar cheese (use aged cheese for better flavor)
(if you wish, one pound cooked sausage in bite-sized chunks)

• Melt butter in large, heavy pan
• Add onion, carrot and cabbage
• Cook and stir over medium-high heat until onions and vegetables become translucent
• Stir in flour, cook 1 minute, stirring constantly
• Add broth, beer and mustard.  Stir well until mixture reaches a boil.
• Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 30 minutes.
• Add hot half and half and cheese, and if you wish, cooked smoked sausage.
• Stir and warm gently until heated through and cheese is melted.
• 8 servings.

My friend, Linda Howell, is a true Southern lady. She is warm and gracious and funny. Linda is an actress. She is a National Chautauqua Scholar who performs as Laura Ingalls Wilder and gives stunning performances as a part of the We the People Players who perform War Letters by Andrew Carrol.

I attended a meeting with Linda where a woman started pretty much telling us how she thought Southerners were uncultured. Oh my stars, that was funny. Miss Linda smiled and told her she was sorry that was her experience and then went on to tell her about several of the talented, successful people from our small town. I’m not sure that the other woman got it, but she had just been told off in the quintessential way that only a true Southern lady can do.

Linda is fun. After going to lunch together one day in January, she was saying that we needed to have good luck this year. She said “I know where there is a buckeye tree! – Let’s go get some.” She said this as she was passing the turn off to my street. She continued to her friend’s house and there, sure enough, was a buckeye tree. We got out and found a few to keep for good luck. Unexpected little side trips like that are not unusual when you are riding with Linda.

It’s good to have good friends.

Today’s Lagniappe: Mediterranean Salad
The weather is warm this week and it puts me in the mood for a good salad.

1/2 lb. small new red potatoes
1/2 C. olive oil
2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1 crushed garlic clove
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground pepper
6 C. mixed salad greens
1 large tomato, cut into thin wedges
1 green pepper, cut into thin rings
1 small purple onion, cut into thin rings
1 cucumber, thinly sliced
1/2 C. feta cheese, crumbled

Directions

Cook the potatoes in boiling salted water about 25 minutes or until they are tender. Drain well, and cool to warm. Thinly slice and place them in a serving bowl. In a jar or measuring cup combine the oil, lemon juice, garlic, basil, oregano, pepper and salt. Mix well with a whisk or place the lid on the jar and shake. Pour over potatoes and marinate for 1 hour. Drain the marinade off into a measuring cup, and set aside the potatoes. Place the greens in a large salad bowl. Arrange the potatoes, tomato wedges, green pepper, red onion, cucumber, and Feta cheese over the greens. Serve with the marinade on the side for a dressing.