Sending Prayers to the Southeast

A tornado that ripped throught Tuscaloosa, Alabama yesterday was caught on film.

My thoughts and prayers go to our neighbors farther south who experienced a horrific series of storms and tornadoes yesterday, which caused widespread devastation. As of this morning, more than 180 deaths have been reported and that number continues to rise. Alabama was especially hard hit, with entire communities destroyed.

For the first time in several days, we actually have a reprieve from the rain here, and the sun is shining. We are blessed to have not awakened to the loss of loved ones or a dismantled home. May God be with these people during this difficult time.
Image from The Tuscaloosa News

Martha Hall Foose

I found my next must-have cookbook: A Southerly Course, by Martha Hall Foose.

This is Mississippi Delta-native Foose’s second cookbook, and from what critics are saying, a wonderful follow-up to her successful Screen Doors and Sweet Tea.

Foose has an acclaimed background, as noted in her bio, available on Octavia Books’ website:

Martha Hall Foose is the James Beard Award–winning author of the bestselling cookbook Screen Doors & Sweet Tea. Born and raised in Mississippi, she attended the famed pastry school École Lenôtre in France. She returned to Mississippi and opened Bottletree Bakery—a Southern institution in Oxford—and later, with her husband, Mockingbird Bakery in Greenwood. The former executive chef of the Viking Cooking School, Martha was a food stylist for the movie “The Help,” based on the bestselling novel of the same name. She makes her home on her family’s farm in Tchula, Mississippi, with her husband and their son.

Food stylist for "The Help" - how cool is that?? (Actually, I 'm probably the only person in the northern hemisphere who hasn't read “The Help." My mom has promised to lend it to me.) And, this is one of several references I’ve seen lately to the Viking Cooking School. Have you seen this place featured in other blogs, such as Urban Grace or Kendall Boggs (who, by the way, is friends with Ms. Martha)? My gosh, what a place! For foodies looking to take a cooking class, to those wanting to browse their in-house gift shop, Viking appears to be the Valhalla for cooks.

Anyhoo, back to Martha Hall Foose. She also was featured in the most recent issue of Garden & Gun, which is what got this whole cookbook-lust started for me in the first place. Check out the article about her, her family and the farm they live on in Mississippi. Life is good down on the farm.

Hmm, I think I need to take a food tour of the South. I may come home 20 pounds heavier and in need of a visit to the cardiologist, but it would be worth it, right? Who’s with me?
Images from marthafoose.com and Octavia Books.

Southern Flourish

We returned from Blowing Rock, N.C. last evening. It was great spending time with family and navigating the gorgeous grounds of the Chetola Resort. Now we have come down from the mountain and must prepare for the final packing for our big move this weekend. I think I’m in a certain level of denial about this. So, I'll continue to keep my head in the sand and focus on all things pretty and Southern. Sound good? Okay, let's go!

Props to my aunt in Charleston who recently made me aware of a fabulous new publication, Southern Flourish. Their slogan is: Simple. Chic. Modern. Southern Style. Sounds like many of the lovely ladies in Blog Land, huh?

From what I’ve seen online, it’s a fun lifestyle and shelter mag. The all-digital publication is staffed by editors and writers who live across the South, so they bring a combination of views from the many great states below the Mason-Dixon Line. And several of the contributors are some of our favorite bloggers, such as Style Court and Young House Love.

So, in a day and age where we've seen many of our favorite publications fold (RIP Southern Accents and Gourmet), it's nice to see the arrival of a fresh, new read on the periodical landscape. Best of luck to Southern Flourish - I'll check back often.
Image courtesy of Southern Flourish

The Best Barbecue - Who has it?

Okay, dear readers, I’m charging into controversial territory here…which part of the country has the best barbecue?

With Memorial Day coming up, friends and family will gather in backyards around grills and patios across the country to partake in good conversation, outdoor fun and plenty of food. Often, barbecue is on the menu. Many areas claim to have the best barbecue: Texas, Tennessee (Memphis specifically), eastern and western North Carolina, western Kentucky, just to name a few.

Personally, I like a vinegar-based barbecue, more North Carolina-style. There’s a little place in Duck, N.C., on the Outer Banks that has delicious barbecue. Hubby puts coleslaw on top of his barbecue sandwich, in traditional N.C. style.

In Kentucky, the city of Owensboro claims to be the barbecue capital of the Commonwealth, although, in my mind, the best barbecue can be found in the Paducah and Mayfield regions, my dad’s birthplace. It’s been many years since I had barbecue from that area, but I will never forget how good it was!

In Louisville, one of my favorite barbecue joints was Pepperwood, but it went out of business a few years ago. Fortunately, one of the co-owners took his smoker and is now selling his delicious food at the Frankfort Avenue Beer Depot. It’s a total dive and I won’t go in there by myself, but Hubby is brave enough to enter and order barbecue for take-out. The first time he went in there for take-out at 5 p.m., one man was calling a taxi because he was already too drunk to drive home; another man at the bar was talking about all of the pets he had accidentally killed. Umm, yeah. But, the barbecue is great!

So, I want to hear from you – where can you find the best barbecue?
Images courtesy of Martha Stewart Living and Garden & Gun

Charleston Green

If you’ve read my blog long enough, you know that I’m a big fan of Garden & Gun Magazine, and of their associate editor, Haskell Harris. One of her recent online features is about “Charleston Green,” a paint color that is said to have originated in the Holy City during or directly after the Civil War. Many-a-historic home in Charleston features this paint color, either on the shutters and/or front door. Read more on the origin of Charleston Green.

While our home features very traditional black shutters and front door (with a Louisville Stoneware name plaque – a must-have in these parts), I really like this color green. I bet it’s gorgeous on a white house (check out Haskell’s house on her blog). Anyone use this color on your own home?

Happy Friday, everyone! Our weekend is full of soccer, and, if we’re lucky, a house showing or two. Fingers crossed!
Image courtesy of Garden & Gun

Spoon Rings

Are spoon rings still the fashion these days? I remember in college many girls wore them, but for a long time after that, I didn’t see them. Perhaps it’s something that younger women in the South wear? Not sure.

Anyhoo, as I was perusing the Dixie Patches site, I noticed that they feature the “Grandmama’s Spoon Ring,” in sterling silver. It’s a sweet ring – really like the look of it. Of course, all of the gals featured on the site are probably between the ages of 18 and 21, so that’s likely why I haven’t seen spoon rings in a while!

By the way, thanks to everyone for their lovely comments on my Derby postings. You guys are so great!
Photo courtesy of Dixie Patches

Peace on Earth Y'All

Christmas was wonderful - we are so blessed to have such loving and supportive families. My house is now in the post-Christmas state of unwrap with toys, paper and bows strewn everywhere. I need to clean it up, but then that means Christmas is truly over and that always makes me a little sad. But, because I'm a purist, our tree will stay up through New Year's, so at least I'll have the twinkling lights for another week.

By the way, for my fellow Southern gal bloggers, I forgot to mention one of my prized-purchases at the JLL Hollydays market a few weeks ago. One of the vendors was selling long-sleeve T-shirts from a company called Sweet Tea. I purchased a green one with a red globe on the front that said "Peace on Earth Y'all." It's so fabulous! My Mom bought one for herself and my aunt who now lives in South Carolina. Sweet Tea features a number of T-shirts with fun southern sayings. So, if you're looking for a fun gift for the Southern Belle in your life, check out Sweet Tea's line of shirts.

We're heading into the last week of 2009 - I hope it was a good year for everyone and here's hoping 2010 is even better!
Image courtesy of Sweet Tea T-shirts

It's Giveaway Time!

Attention foodies, avid readers, Southern Belles and everyone in between: it’s time for my first giveaway!

I have been pondering about what to provide during my first giveaway as a blogger. Naturally, I thought of books, since I’m a writer and a voracious reader, and I know that many of you are, too. But, Hubby also pointed out how I like to discuss recipes and food with many of y’all, and how I tend talk about all-things Southern, often referencing Southern Living (A.K.A., "the Bible" for many ‘a Southern gal). So, I’ve brought all of that together and I’m giving away (drum roll):

Southern Living
All-Time Favorites Cookbook

It features more than 500 tantalizing recipes, gorgeous photography and would be the perfect addition to any kitchen. There are plenty of recipes for tailgating, supper clubs, cocktail parties – you name it. I’m really tempted to keep this one for myself, but I’ll be good and reserve it for this giveaway. :)

So, here’s the deal: The deadline to enter is Aug. 26. Leave your name and e-mail address in the comments section or e-mail it to me directly. Then, share a special recipe or dish that is near and dear to your heart. You don’t have to provide the entire recipe – I’m more interested in the story behind it. I think it’s always interesting to hear how food brings people together. I’d love to feature these stories in a future blog entry and I will definitely give credit where credit is due! (For privacy reasons, I won’t use last names or I can just reference your blog if you prefer.)

A name will be drawn at random and the winner will be announced in late August. Good luck to all of you!

Lazy days on the porch

Wish I had a porch swing to lounge upon on lazy summer Saturdays, lemonade in hand. I just love the creaking sound a porch swing makes, when you rock it back and forth with your bare feet. It almost makes the muggy days in the Southeast somewhat bearable.
Image courtesy of Southern Living.

Jane Pope Jewelry

In a recent issue of Garden & Gun magazine (don't be put off by the title - it's a fabulous magazine), southern jewelry designer Jane Pope was featured in a photo spread (pics above). I really like her designs - cool, modern shapes, yet they appear to be inspired by nature. For the longest time, I've been into silver, but when I saw some of her gold work, especially the rings, I was quite drawn to it. Not that I expect any Jane Pope jewelry under the tree this year, but it's lovely to look at nonetheless.

Photos courtesy of www.gardenandgun.com