Let's Be Like Southerners!

In the South ...


     ...y'all is singular. All y'all in plural.

In the South ...

     ...we know that grits comes from corn.
     We know how to prepare them and
     we know how to eat them.

In the South ...
  
     ...we know that tomatoes with eggs, bacon, grits, and coffee are perfectly wonderful.
     We know that red-eye gravy is a breakfast food.
     And we know that a biscuit under that gravy is the nearest thing to heaven.

In the South ...

     ...we know that scrambled eggs without Tabasco just ain't right.
     We also know that fried green tomatoes is a dinner food.

Let's Read Like Southerners!

God, Me, And Sweet Iced Tea

About the Book: In the South, nothing is more refreshing than a glass of sweet iced tea. Nothing, that is, except experiencing God in those small, everyday moments.

God, Me, And Sweet Iced Tea is a deeply personal collection of spiritual treasures designed to help readers experience new mercies each morning. Seasoning with insight and grace, this tender devotional points to the divine presence of God in everyday moments. Whether purchased as a personal resource or given as a heartfelt gift, God, Me And Sweet Iced Tea will help readers develop a daily habit of turning to God in those quiet moments of reflection.

About the Author: Rose Chandler Johnson, a Southern girl from a tiny Georgia town, is the author of the devotional blog, Write Moments with God. A devoted Christian and mother of six, she has been a teacher of English and French over the last 20 years. She looks forward to continuing her writing ministry in the years ahead.

Personally from Eva Marie: I met Rose Chandler Johnson at a writers conference about a year ago. I gave a keynote speech and happened to mention something about my hometown in the process. The mention had not been planned ... it was one of those "God Things" we like to talk about.

As soon as I was done with my talk, a woman about four-foot-nothing came sashaying down the aisle toward me, shouting, "Eva Marie! Eva Marie!" She sounded like an old neighbor calling over the fence. I thought to RUN ... but I stood firmly planted ... and was so glad I did. Turned out, she and I grew up not 15 minutes from each other nearly our whole lives. But it took a writers retreat outside of Chicago, Illinois to bring us together.

Throughout the rest of the conference, if you saw one of us, you saw the other. Or near about. She shared with me the hopes of seeing this book in print ... and lo and behold. Here it is.

I encourage you to draw near to God (always) with a little help from this book. Grab those ice tea moments along the way ... you won't be sorry.

A Little Something Extra:

19 Southern Sweet Tea Recipes: Southern Living  

Let's Think Like Southerner's!

Southerners know their Religions:  

1) Bapdiss
2) Methdiss
3) Football

Southerners know their cities drippin' with Southern Charm:

1) Chawl'stn
2) S'vanah
3) Foat Wuth
4) N'awlins
5) Addlanna

Southern Girls know their Elegant Gentlemen:


1) Men in uniform     
2) Men in tuxedos
3) Rhett Butler

Southern Girls know their Prime Real Estate:

1) The Mall
2) The Country Club
3) The Beauty Parlor

Random Thoughts From a Southern Mind

Something kind of cool happened the other day. Fourth of July ...

Not just the holiday ... but something that happened on the holiday. During our celebration.

Allow me to back up a little.

When our daughter, Jessica, was born, my husband decided to work his full time job and take on a part time job so I could stay home with her. Between the extra income and me not buying lunches out or paying for uniforms, gas, etc ... the money balanced out. Tight, but balanced. We felt that my being with her in those early years was worth it and we chose to make the sacrifices necessary.

As she grew from infant to toddler, she became part of my morning routine. Each morning, we went into the bathroom. I stood at the sink, she on the closed toilet lid where she watched me put on my makeup and my (as she called them) "ton-tacts." (contacts)

Of course she had to do the same. She had a set of "little girl" makeup (which was nothing at all, but she didn't know that) and an empty "ton-tact" solution bottle. As I put on my makeup, she put on hers, carefully imitating my every move. As I put my contacts in, so did she. I stood at the sink with the big mirror. She stood on the toilet with a little mirror, which I'd propped up on a shelf.

So, fast forward 30 years to this past 4th of July.

After eating, I went into the master bath to brush my teeth and freshen my makeup. About three seconds later, here came my baby girl (now with a baby of her own). She keeps a toothbrush at our house and on my side of the bathroom (which is bigger than the entire bathroom of her early childhood). She got it, applied toothpaste, and started to brush her teeth just as I finished brushing mine. Then we both touched up our makeup and brushed our hair, standing side-by-side, looking into one big mirror.

I glanced to her and smiled, remembering. She said something about "those days when I put my 'ton-tacts' in ..." and I knew she remembered too.

Precious memories come in the most amazing moments. And from the most amazing children.

Wednesday's Recipe of the Week

Yesterday I had lunch at one of my favorite Italian eateries, Papa Tony's. So, in honor of that fabulous meal, I thought I'd share with you a recipe I used to make for my family quite often. There was never anything left on the platter, so I must have done fairly well with it.

Chicken Parmesan

1/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs
4 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon oregano leaves, crushed
dash garlic powder
dash pepper
2 pounds chicken parts (I always used thighs, because it was a favorite with my family, but breasts should do well, too)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
dash paprika

Combine crumbs, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, oregano, garlic and pepper; roll chicken in mixture. Arrange in 2-quart shallow baking dish. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes . Turn chicken. Bake 20 minutes more. Meanwhile, blend soup and milk; pour over chicken. Sprinkle with paprika and remaining Parmesan. Bake 20 minutes more or until chicken is tender. Arrange chicken on platter. Pour heated sauce over chicken, served with rice. You may also pour the sauce onto the chicken during the last 20 minutes of baking.

Tuesday's Southern-style Tunes

Remember this?

Monday's Musings on All Things Southern

We had guests this past weekend. They arrived on Friday and left not ten minutes ago. Already the house is empty. A bit sadder for their departure.

Growing up I heard a lot about Southern Hospitality. My aunts and uncles, grandparents and neighbors all gave tribute to the term. I don't remember a time ever driving up to someone's back door and feeling a cold reception upon entering. Instead, the doors swung open wide, the host and/or hostess of the house stood, framed by the door. "Y'all made it," they'd say.

Dennis and our guest, Kenneth Jefferies, do some fishing

Or, "Come on in before the mosquitoes take you away."

There was always plenty to eat. Plenty of sweet iced tea to drink. Loads of conversation and laughter.

But there was something else, too. There was the feeling that you (the guest) actually belonged there. You were not a visitor. An un-welcomed interruption in a sea of busy days. Instead, your host/ess had anticipated your arrival. Washed the linens. Fluffed the towels. Made certain your favorite "this" or "that" was in the fridge. And when it was time to leave, there was a let-down of the heart."So sorry to see you go," they'd say.

Or, "Wish y'all didn't have to leave so soon."

Dinner out with our friends

They meant it, too.

We've just said goodbye to our friends LeeAnn and Kenneth. I feel sad. But I'm excited that--maybe because of our Southern hospitality--they said they'd come back.

We're already looking forward to it.

Wednesday's Recipe of the Week

We had a slew of folks at the house on Saturday. Kids. Grandkids. Friends. Friends with children. The house was hopping with activity, the lake was sparking in the late afternoon sunshine, the boat full of guests wearing life jackets, the conversation was nonstop, and the grill was smoking.

For dessert I served my "famous banana pudding."

I had not made it in a while, so I had to look for the recipe. When I couldn't find it, I nearly panicked. So, I went by memory, which served me well. You will not go wrong if you bring this to a picnic, a party, or serve it to your family.

You will need:


1 box vanilla wafers
5-6 bananas
1 small carton of whipped topping
1 small can of Eagle Brand (I always buy the nonfat kind)
1 large box instant vanilla pudding
Milk

Directions:


Mix vanilla pudding according to the directions on the box.
Fold together whipped topping and Eagle Brand.
Fold together pudding with second mixture.
(I typically slice the bananas into the pudding)
Layer pan with wafers, top with pudding, layer with wafer, top with pudding ...

Refrigerate 24 hours.

To die for!!! Believe me, they'll be scraping the sides of the pan!

Wednesday's Southern-style Recipe of the Week

I cannot remember a social event my mother put on in our living room that didn't include cheese straws. They were the best part of the event.

Well ... that and getting dressed up in my Mary Janes and gloves.

Cheese Straws

Ingredients


1 lb. sharp cheese, grated
1/4 lb. butter
1 egg
1 Tbs. cold water
1 3/4 cups sifted all purpose flour
1/2 Tbs. cayenne
1/2 Tbs. paprika

Directions


Cream butter and cheese until soft. Add egg and water; beat well. Sift flour, salt, cayenne, paprika together. Add in 3 additions, beat well after each addition. Chill dough 10 minutes. Pack in cookie gun and make long strips lengthwise on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 18 to 20 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Cut into 3-inch strips. Yields 8 dozen 3-inch straws.

Tuesday Southern-Style Tunes

I walked into the bedroom while the radio was playing and only caught one line of this song, that line being:

...don't you dare pledge allegiance, don't you dare speak of God.

Naturally, my first thought was ... "What?"

Then I caught another line: That's why I pray.


Since then I've heard this song dozens of times, loving it more each time. So, check it out and tell me what you think:

Monday's Musings on All Things Southern

I went to the Altamonte Mall on Saturday to meet with a friend. I hadn't seen her in four years; she's added a whole new person to her family since then and moved to a new home.

After catching up, we went our separate ways. I went first to The Happy Cow Company (to purchase something for my upcoming grandson) and then to Macy's. They were having a sale. I cannot resist at least looking at sales racks. (And, for anyone interested, I bought a shirt that was regularly $25 for $3. Amazing find!)

Anyway, I was meandering in the Ralph Lauren section where a small monitor played old country greats (with video) near the dressing room, I suppose for those waiting on customers inside the tiny cubicles with lying mirrors. I smiled as Johnny Cash sang, "My name is Sue! How do you DO?" followed by the familiar, "Hello, Darlin'..." I actually sang out loud, "It's been a long tiiiiime...."

My memory rushed back to Saturday evenings. 7:00 to 8:00 we watched The Lawrence Welk Show. "And a one and a two ..." As a dancer, I was inspired by Bobby and Barbara, hoping one day I could dance alongside them. (Okay, the truth is, in time, what I wanted was to be a backup dancer for Tom Jones ... but then he stopped his show and that dream went with the cancellation.)

Then came 8:00. And ... Hee Haw. Now, why I remained in the family room with Mother, Daddy, and Brother is anyone's guess. That first hour was bad enough. But the second ... Still, I have to be honest. I loved to watch Roy Clark play the git-fiddle (as we called it), and there was something pretty smooth about Buck Owen's voice (who, incidentally, followed Conway Twitty on the Macy's monitor). Not to mention, in those days, we just liked being with our family around the entertainment box! Or, as Mother called it, "The One-Eyed Monster!"

I moved away from the Macy's monitor to another section of the store with the words, "Hey, Grandpa! What's for supper?" bouncing around in my brain.

Which kinda left me wondering ... do you remember Hee Haw? If so, what was one of your favorite moments?

Wednesday's Recipe of the Week

Great-Aunt Edna's Homemade Ice Cream

Ingredients

8 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 gallon whole milk
1 can Eagle Brand milk
1 Tbs. vanilla

Directions
Blend eggs in a blender.
Take about 1 quart of the milk and warm on stove top. Add eggs so that eggs will be cooked well. Stir.

Allow to cool by placing in ice water for about fifteen minutes and stirring or by placing in the refridgerater for at least 24 hours.

In old-fashioned homemade ice cream churn: pour mixture into metal container, add sugar, Eagle Brand, vanilla, and the rest of the milk. Insert "beater bar." Place metal container in the "bucket," pack in crushed ice and rock salt (use the directions on the box of rock for best results).

Start churning and don't stop until ice cream reaches your desired consistency.

For fun, add fresh fruit or other flavorings. My absolute worst memory in this arena is the time we made "peppermint" ice cream. Tasted like Pepto-Bismol! Yuck!

Wednesday's Recipe of the Week (a day late)

Nana's Broccoli Casserole

Southerner's are known for their casseroles ... and their veges. This came from my mother-in-law. It was a favorite on Sundays and holidays ... and any other day we decided to serve it on my table.

Ingredients:
2 10 oz packages frozen chopped broccoli
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
2 eggs
1 cup mayo
1 cup crushed Ritz crackers

To Prepare:


Cook chopped broccoli until tender (about ten minutes), drain.
Add cream of mushroom soup, cheese, eggs, and mayo. Stir together and place in a buttered casserole dish. Top with crackers.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes.

Optional:


Shredded boiled chicken or turkey added to the casserole makes for a full meal!

Wednesday's Southern-style Recipe of the Week

More goodies from "Miss Betty's" Hand-written Recipe Book!


Apple Crisp


Ingredients


4 cups tart apples ( about 4 medium)
1/3 cup all purpose flour
2/3 cup milk
3 T sugar
1/4 t nutmeg
1/4 t salt
1 t cinnamon
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 t cinnamon

Directions


Grease a shallow, 6 qt. baking dish. In a small bowl, mix flour, milk, nutmeg, salt, 3 T sugar and 1 t cinnamon. Using a fork, mix in the butter or margarine until crumbly. In a large bowl mix 1/2 cup sugar with 1/2 t cinnamon. Add 4 cups of pared, sliced, tart apples. Stir until apples are coated with sugar mixture. Pour coated apples into the greased baking dish. Sprinkle crumb mixture evenly on top of apples. Bake on center rack at 325 degrees for 45 minutes, or until apples are golden.

[Tell me what you think about this recipe. Or, share one of your own. Doing so will enter you in this week's "book off my bookshelf" contest!]

Tuesday's Southern Style Tunes

Before the Super Bowl there was much speculation about what Madonna would do, how she would look, if her clothes would be on or off. There was talk about last year's performance and the years previous and how few really add up to the hype. (Did I just dream the nightmare, or was The Who the too-old-to-be-doing this entertainment a few years back?) 


Someone in my group said, "They ought to have a country artist give the half time show" and I piped in and said, "YEAH! GARTH!"

Here's why:

You gotta love the energy of this man!!!

(Not to mention his talent!)


Double-click to watch it on YouTube.
Respond with an OH YEAH!!! and be entered to win a book from my bookshelf!

Tuesday's Southern Style Tunes

WHEN I GET WHERE I'M GOING

You cannot be from the South and not recognize the amazing voices in this song (click title above). This is a video you will not want to miss. Don't take your eyes away ... there are lovely tributes to legacies now gone.

Thank you Brad and Dolly ...


[Don't forget to leave your comments on this video so that your name is entered into the weekly drawing for a book from my bookshelf. And don't forget your contact information. Someone two weeks ago missed her book because I had no way to contact her. --I'm learning, too! :) )

Wednesday's Southern Recipe of the Week

Clam Puffs

I grew up near the water, where the Atlantic meets the marshes of the land we call Georgia. My grandparents taught me how to fish when I was six-years-old. My mother said things like, "Oh, how I love going to the coast." I can still see her standing at the edge of the world, arms folded around herself, looking out over the water.

Summers were spent at the beach with my family when I was a child. With my friends when I was a teen. We'd pile into the back of a pickup and head to Tybee Island, CCR blaring from the cab. We'd body surf until we were exhausted and happy, then bake for hours with baby oil slathered all over our young bodies. I have the scars from cancer removal to prove it.

I knew how to "go" shrimping and crabbing and clam digging before I knew how to drive a car. One of my finest memories came from those high school days when a pile of us went to St. Simon's Island. We spent the day shrimping. We finished the day around a campfire and a vat of boiling shrimp. (We call this a shrimp boil.) I can still see the mound of shrimp shells tossed to one side. Hear the strum of someone's 12-string. The mellow voices singing "We Are One in the Spirit."

There's nothing like good seafood. Here's a recipe from an old Southern recipe book perfect for any cook, whether you can get to the coast to clam or not. Enjoy!

1 (3 oz) pkg. cream cheese
2 Tbs heavy cream
1 (7 oz) can minced clams, drained
pinch dry mustard
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp grated onion
paprika

Mix all ingredients except paprika. Spread on toasted bread round or saltines and pat in broiler for a few minutes until puffy. Sprinkle with paprika and serve piping hot. This mixture can be made up a day or two ahead of time, and spread and popped under the broiler at the last minute. Makes about 20 puffs.


Got any beach memories from your childhood you'd like to share? Do it here and register to win!

Tuesday's Southern-Style Tunes

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, please watch this video to the end.

Brad Paisley's "Welcome to the Future"

Leave a comment on how the life of Dr. King effected you for a chance to win!

Wednesday's Recipe of the week

Another recipe from Miss Betty's handwritten 1950s/60s recipe book!


Carrie's Three Hour Rolls


Ingredients


2 yeast cakes
3 T sugar
1 cup milk
1 cup warm water
1/2 cup shortening
Self Rising flout

Directions


Combine yeast cakes in a large bowl. Sprinkle sugar over yeast. Mix well. In a separate bowl mix the milk with the warm water and pour over the yeast. Sift in enough self rising flour to make a soft dough. Work in the shortening and knead well. Let stand 2 hours. Form into rolls and let rise 1 hour. Place rolls into a preheated, moderate oven of 400 degrees. Bake until golden!


My guess is that "Carrie" is Carrie Hicks, who was a "backyard" neighbor of my mother and father in the earliest years of their marriage. I loved this woman DEARLY! She was a delight to all who knew her! If I remember correctly, her grandchildren called her SIS ... and I often wrote about them in my 12-year-old diary, found recently. 

Monday's Musings on All Things Southern

This little bird was quite the model. 

My mother adored Christmas. Every year, when I arrived "back home," I was greeted by holiday smells and sites. Pine-scented candles flickered just inside the door. The scent of holiday baking wafted from the kitchen while the wood-burning stove (where a fireplace once stood) added it's own flavor of pine cones popping and sizzling, filling the room in warmth, both physical and emotional.

As soon as hugs were over and suitcases were put in away, Mother ushered me into her living room. There, before the wide picture window, stood the tree. Brightly lit. Heavily decorated. Presents clustered around the base.

"See my little birds," she would say. "I got them all on the tree."

Mother loved "little birds." She had dozens for decorating (she and I shared a love for the red bird), especially for the Christmas tree. One year, during the holiday, I decided to take walk around the lake. I spied several birds, took pics, and then came home and showed Mother. She instantly wanted me to take her to where I'd seen the "little birds."

The bird who waited for Mother and me to return.

So I did. All but one had already "flown the nest." Like a child seeing snow for the first time, she marveled at the one who hadn't.

Mother kept all her holiday decorations in the attic. Each year after Thanksgiving, my brother would climb the stairs and--one by one--would then haul tradition back down. Mother spent the day watching Hallmark Holiday movies (she and I talked through them) and decorated.

Her last Christmas was "decor-less." In November my brother fell about 20 feet from a tree, broke his back, and wasn't climbing anything for a while. Mother bought a very tiny tree "up town," one that could sit atop the television. She said to me, "I didn't get to bring my decorations down but that's okay. My children are more important than my little birds."

What a precious thought. Hadn't Jesus once said something similar?

Then she added, "I'll bring everything down next year. Just gives me more to look forward to."

Of course, we had no way of knowing she would never place a little bird on the tree again. After our Christmas spent together, my brother climbed those stairs, brought down the boxes marked: CHRISTMAS and we began to divvy up "the last of it." My brother said he probably wouldn't decorate the way Mother did and I do, so I took the majority of the items.

Yesterday, I started placing little birds on my tree.

"See my little birds?" I could hear her say. "Aren't they pretty?"

Yes ma'am, they sure are.