From Lake Livin’ to Country Club Crashin’

It was a great Labor Day weekend, spent with friends and family. The first part of the weekend we drove down to Lake Cumberland to stay with friends at their lake house, and enjoy boating, cooking out and just taking it easy on the porch.

The kids had a ball and actually got in the water for a bit. We had a scare Monday morning, though, when our two-year-old took a tumble down the concrete steps at the house and scraped and bruised the right side of his face. We’ve been calling him “Raging Bull” ever since. I had been expecting something to happen – Little Guy has no fear. It’s pretty sad when you visit a place and the first thing you think is “Where is the nearest hospital?”

We then ventured back home on Monday and transitioned from fleece and hiking boots to Lilly Pulitzer for the annual Labor Day bash at my mother-in-law’s club. The kids were in heaven with the pony rides and carnival games. Both were so excited to ride on a sweet little pony that Miss E. named “Della.” We then enjoyed the buffet and finished most of our meal on the patio before the skies opened up and poured rain. Luckily, we were able to quickly grab a table in the dining room. So, after catching up with some old acquaintances, it was time to head home and get ready for bed. I feel like I need another day to recover from the holiday. Whew!

Hope everyone had a great Labor Day. The pools are closed now. Pack away the beach towels and swimming suits. It’s time to seriously think about fall!

The Garden & Gun Club

Attention fans of the fabulous magazine Garden & Gun: the Garden & Gun Club has arrived.

According to G&G publisher Sid Evans, “Somehow this magazine has always felt like the greatest club on earth, a place where there’s always an interesting conversation going on, the food is sublime, and you never know what great artist or writer is going to walk into the room.” To capitalize on that feeling, the club has been established and features three different membership categories from which you can choose: the Adventure Society ($35), the Sporting Society ($100) and the Secret Society ($500 and limited to 1,000 members).

So, for those of you who adore this publication as I do, you may want to consider joining the club and taking advantage of some great discounts at a variety of restaurants, hotels and merchants across the South. Plus, they’ll send you some cool swag, like a car decal, tote bag and more, depending on your membership level.

I hope everyone has a fun and relaxing holiday weekend. Take it easy and soak in the last days of summer. Enjoy!

P.S. – If you subscribe to G&G, but haven’t received your latest issue (I’m still waiting), apparently there was a snafu at the printers (this is according to a Facebook entry on G&G’s fan site). Supposedly the new issues are on their way.
Image courtesy of Garden & Gun

Fry 'em up

I promised myself that I would start eating healthier and walking more in the evenings, in hopes of losing a couple of pounds. But also just because I need to make healthier choices. Cut down on the soft drinks, bread and other high-calorie items, and get back into a regular exercise routine.

So, what did we do for dinner last night? We ate at a local home cookin' place near our house and I had a BLT on sour dough bread. And, the tomatoes were FRIED GREEN TOMATOES.

Damn they were good. I'll start tomorrow, I promise.
Image courtesy of Simply Recipes

Happiness in a Cup

The Pumpkin Spice Latte has returned to Starbucks for the season. Can I have an amen?
Image courtesy of Starbucks

Food Stories - The Final Chapter (for now)

Thanks again to everyone who entered the Southern Living cookbook giveaway and shared their delicious recipes and charming stories about family, friends and good home cooking. Thought I’d share the last three stories with you. Bon appetite!

TLM at Teresa Bug shared this delightful story.

I would love to add that cookbook to my collection!

Food is such a huge part of my family that I am having a hard time coming up with one recipe. We have so many traditions (chocolate pie at Thanksgiving, egg strata on Christmas, ribs and BBQ Pork Butt in the summer, the list goes on) One thing that my mom has always made every summer and has now become a shared experience with the whole family is pickle relish. It isn't nearly as sweet as what you buy in the store and it is the perfect touch to potato salad, hamburgers, macaroni salad, hotdogs, etc. One day it will probably be my job to make it.

Molly Lou Gifts

The lovely Mrs. Molly Lou shared this wonderful memory of one of her grandmother’s recipes. And, yes, please send along the recipe. It sounds great!

Thanks so much for doing this...I am so excited about this giveaway and think it is a fantastic idea. I am really finding my love for cooking and just adore Southern Living. Everyone has a story and food is such a way to bring people together and make those stories and memories.

I think my favorite recipe is my grandmother's homemade macaroni and cheese. My grandmother is such a fantastic woman and has lived quite a life. She grew up on a farm in the Midwest with just her father, after her mother died of typhoid fever; and then went on to raise two children alone after her husband died when my mother was just 8. She is so strong and has such a fantastic work ethic. She makes the best macaroni ever. I have tweaked it over the years by using reduced fat cheese, skim milk, and a little less butter. I also combine cheeses and use two different cheeses most of the time. My mother never made this growing up as she isn't much for macaroni and cheese, so it was always so special when I went to visit my grandmother. I remember the first time she let me help her make it for a big family dinner...she was making a triple batch to feed the masses. I felt like such a "grown up" that I was able to actually help and not just watch.

Every family has one recipe that seems to be passed down through the years and I hope that my children will one day make it too. I know it's a winner because Picky Pete, I mean, my son, will eat it. :) I am happy to share the full recipe if you want it. Thanks again for doing this...this was a fun little trip down memory lane.

Queen Bee Swain

Queen Bee Swain has offered up twist on the traditional grits dish, which I love. If you do get the recipe from your Nan, Queen Bee, please send it along. Garlic, cheese and grits – you can’t go wrong there!

I am going to have to call my Memphis bred and raised Nan- her garlic cheese grits are my hands down fav Southern food! She only makes them on holidays now and I do not know the recipe, which is a good thing because I'd be the size of a barge if I did- basically just grits with cheese, butter and garlic!

Picking the 'Right' School

The other day when I was home sick from work, I watched a documentary on Showtime called "Nursery University." It followed five New York City families who were all vying to get their progeny into one of Manhattan’s exclusive nursery schools. We’re talking pre-K and under, folks. At $20,000 a year and up. Uh, huh.

I was entranced by this program because Hubby and I will be touring schools this month to decide upon a kindergarten for Miss E. next year. I thought I was being a bit over-anxious about this process, but after seeing these parents, I’ve decided I must be so low-key, you’d hardly think I had a pulse. What lengths these people went through to get in the door, on the right waiting lists! They jumped through hoops, trotting their children out like trained ponies. They hire consultants for thousands of dollars, just to get advice on how to get their kids in the "right" school. I could not believe this. I had always heard that the world of Manhattan private education was cut-thoat, but this was CRAZY! I’m guessing that they assume if their child gets into "the" nursery school then they’re a shoe-in for Harvard? What the what?! So, if your child doesn’t get into the first choice, is everything down hill from there?

After watching this program, it made me thankful that I don't live such a pressure-cooker lifestyle. My kids are bright and will get a good education. My husband and I will work hard to help them attain that. But, at some point, you have to step back and look at what's best for your life and that of your children. Not what you think society is pushing you toward.

Is anyone else going through the school search with for their kids right now? Be it pre-school, grade school, high school or college? Would love to hear your stories!
Image courtesy of the documentary "Nursery University"

Henry Brown Bags

Ever have one of those days where you’re working like mad, taking care of everything from the kids to meeting deadlines at the office, and you think to yourself, “You know, I should really buy myself a present.” :)

I know, completely self-indulgent, but last week was tough and I needed a boost. So, what did I do? I ordered a new purse from Henry Brown Bags. HB is headquartered in Lexington, Ky. and features super-cute designs. I’m a sucker for buying local, so I felt the need to support the economy by buying from a Kentucky gal (I can really spin this, can’t I?).

I was in a boutique the other day that carries a few Henry Browns, but I didn’t see a style I liked. So, I went online and ordered the “Mimi Large” in green (see above) and decided to have it monogrammed. Well, a few minutes later I get an e-mail response that says Henry Brown is changing up their colors (they haven’t had a chance to update their Web site), and that particular green is no longer available. Ugh. So, they sent me a PDF of the new color line for fall in case I wanted to change my order.

Now, I’d hate to jump the gun on Henry Brown, so I won’t attach the new color line in this post. But, the colors are great, as are the matching interiors. I will say that I changed my order from green to their new “Dijon” with the interior lining in “Eloise Blue.” So, as soon as my present-to-me arrives, I’ll post a photo. Can't wait!

Have a terrific Tuesday, everyone! We have a three-day weekend coming up. Yea!
Image courtesy of Henry Brown Bags