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What Would Suzanne Sugarbaker Do?

June 28, 2014, 11:38 am
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All the pageant drama this week has me thinking of one of my favorite episodes of Designing Women, with Suzanne Sugarbaker...in real life, she got to keep the Miss Florida crown.


Delta Burke, Miss Florida 1974
My favorite Miss Florida ever!

Do y'all remember this episode?



There She Is

From Designing Women, 1989
While preparing for Charlene's baby shower, Julia, Mary Jo and Charlene are surprised by a visit form Audrey, the Director of Pageants for Miss Georgia U.S. Audrey has been trying to reach Suzanne to tell her that an error has been discovered in the balloting for the 1975 pageant. As a result, Suzanne was not Miss Georgia U.S. 1975, and she now must give her crown to the rightful winner, Donna Jo Carnes. Audrey tells the women to be sure Suzanne attends the ceremony the following day so that she can give up the crown to Donna Jo.
Knowing how important the Miss Georgia U.S. title has been to Suzanne, the women are worried about how to break the bad news to her. Trying a gentle and indirect approach, they begin to ask her questions about the pageant and specifically about Donna Jo. Suspicious about the questions, Suzanne wonders what is going on. The women are forced to tell her that not only is she not Miss Georgia U.S. 1975, but also that she must personally hand the crown over to Donna Jo, her archenemy from the pageant. Suzanne swears that under no circumstances will she give up the crown and title. Crediting Julia with instilling in her the confidence to win the title 15 years earlier, Suzanne insists that this same confidence will, somehow, help her retain her title now. Just to be sure, however, Suzanne has her maid, Consuela, put curses on both Donna Jo and Audrey.
Having successfully brought Suzanne to the ceremony, Charlene and Mary Jo meet Donna Jo, a very bitter first runner up whose life went nowhere after the pageant. As the ceremony begins, Audrey announces that she has managed to find one of the original judges from the 1975 pageant, an 80-year old Jim Cline. A confused Mr. Cline realizes then and there that Donna Jo was not the original winner and confesses that she had bribed him with the best night of his life. Amidst the ensuing chaos, Suzanne is once again crowned Miss Georgia U.S. 1975.

The scene where the ladies finally tell Suzanne about having to relinquish her crown takes place off-camera. She then sits in shock during most of Charlene's baby shower.

 Anthony is running errands for the ladies to help them prepare for Charlene's baby shower. 
CHARLENE: I'm sorry you can't stay for the shower, it's just one of those all girl times.
ANTHONY: Believe me, Charlene, I understand perfectly. It's absolutely alright. I go to all-boy parties sometimes, and we have those little tiny sandwiches with the crusts cut off, and then we play word games where the prize is a biscuit cutter, so I've had my fill.
SUZANNE: They can have that crown when they tear it from my cold, dead scalp!!
CHARLENE: You do know that we're here to take you down to the hotel for the ceremony...
SUZANNE: Yes, of course. I'm almost ready. Just let me touch up my makeup.
JULIA: (suspicious) Ok, Suzanne. What's going on?
SUZANNE: You know, Julia. We're going down to the Marriott to see those pageant people.
CHARLENE: (relieved) Oh, Suzanne, this is great. Yesterday, when you said that stuff about your cold, dead scalp, y'know, and then you ran out to the parking lot and threw yourself on the ground kicking and screaming, and then you crawled to your car with dirt and saliva all over your face, and then you drove away peeling rubber.......we thought you were upset.
MARY JO: Silly us.
SUZANNE: Yes, well I talked to Consuela, and I'm better now.
ANTHONY: Uh oh. I don't like the sound of that.
JULIA: I'd like to think that this means you and Consuela had a soul-searching chat, and you re-evaluated your priorities and realized crown, or no crown, you are who you are -- but I have a feeling I'd be disappointed.
ANTHONY: I have a feeling it's more like little dolls, straight pins and chicken parts.
CHARLENE: Did Consuela make a Donna Jo Carnes doll?
SUZANNE: Yes, and she also put a curse on that Audrey woman too, and I wrote down on this piece of paper a hundred times It will not happen, so you all can just go ahead and laugh, but I know in my heart it's just not going to happen.
JULIA: Suzanne, you're just making this harder on yourself. Now I've talked to Reese, and apparently there's no statute of limitations on this thing, and there's nothing we can do here.
SUZANNE: When I was a little girl, you told me, "Suzanne, if there's anything in this life you want to be, you can be it. All you have to do it want it enough." That's how I won that contest in the first place -- I wanted it more. All those other girls were running around saying, "I don't care who wins. I just enjoy the camaraderie and meeting all the other girls from all over the state of Georgia." I didn't give a flip about meeting other girls. I can meet other girls any ole time. And maybe they didn't mean it, but they said it, so a little tiny bit of them did mean it. I never said it. Basically, I just said, "I want that crown to be on my head." So I'll just go down and talk to these people and explain it all to them, and they won't take my crown. They can't because......because you told me I could be whatever I want to be if I just want it bad enough. And I want to be Miss Georgia......for the rest of my life.
The group is waiting on the ceremony for Suzanne to relinquish her Miss Georgia crown to Donna Jo Carnes when Bernice comes into the room dragging a portly woman behind her.
BERNICE: Look what I found in the ladies room.......
CHARLENE: Oh Bernice, put her back!
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Gone With The Wind 75th Anniversary

July 1, 2014, 4:14 pm
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I've been watching "Gone With the Wind" on this rainy day and sippin' a Scarlett O'Hara cocktail...the most genteel  Southern drink evah--it's the drink of the Old South.



On this day in 1936, Margaret Mitchell's "Gone With the Wind" went on sale to the public.


This year is the 75th anniversary of the film "Gone With the Wind." I grew up watching this movie over and over and over.  I still love it today and each time I watch it, I find something else to love about it.  

There are so many scenes from the movie that I love and tons of lines that I favor.  Here are a few of my favorites:

"Fiddle dee dee. War, war, war. This war talk is spoiling the fun at every party this spring. I get so bored I could scream." 



    "Melanie! She's a paleface mealy-mouth ninny and I hate her!."



 

Scarlett:  "Who's that?"
Cathleen:  "Who?"
Scarlett:  "That man looking at us and smiling.  The nasty, dark one."
Cathleen:  "My dear, don't you know?  That's Rhett Butler.  He's from Charleston.  He has the most terrible reputation."
Scarlett:  "He looks as if..as if he knows what I look like without my shimmy."


Scarlett:  "Sir, you are no gentleman."
Rhett:  "And you Miss are no lady."


             Prissy:  "I don't know nuthin''bout birthin' no babies." 


"Take a good look my dear. It's a historical moment. You can tell your grandchildren how you watched the Old South disappear one night."





"Frankly, my dear. I don't give a damn."

And these photos with Mammy helping Scarlett get dressed for the Twelve Oaks Plantation's barbecue...



Mammy: "You can't show yo' bosom fo' 3 o'clock." And..."I has told you and told you that you can always tell a lady by the way she eats in front of folks like a bird, and I ain't aimin' fo' you to go to Mr. John Wilkes's and eat like a fieldhand and gobble like a hog!"

And this one is my very all-time favorite!
"Great balls of fire. Don't bother me anymore. And don't call me Sugar!"


The saddest...
{After the accident}  
Mammy:  "He went out and shot that poor pony, and for a minute, I thought he was gonna shoot hisself."


Recipe for Scarlett O'Hara Cocktail:
Pour 2 ounces of Southern Comfort into a glass.  Add a dash of lime juice and fill with crushed ice.  Add 4 ounces cranberry juice and stir.  Garnish with a lime wedge.

What's your favorite line from "Gone With the Wind?"
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Flag Etiquette

July 3, 2014, 7:48 am
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Flag Etiquette

STANDARDS of RESPECT
The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. They are:
  • The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
  • The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
  • The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard
  • The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
  • The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
  • The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
Note: Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, June 14th. Many Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, and Girl Scout Troops retire flags regularly as well. Contact your local American Legion Hall or Scout Troop to inquire about the availability of this service.
Displaying the Flag Outdoors
When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.
When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag - of a state, community, society or Scout unit - the flag of the United States must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.
When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag's union should be farthest from the building.
When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor - to its own right.
..The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger.
..No other flag ever should be placed above it.
..The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.
When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.
Raising and Lowering the Flag
The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night.
The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.
Displaying the Flag Indoors
When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other flags should be to the left.
The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities, or societies are grouped for display.
When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other flag.
When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag's union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag's own right, and to the observer's left.
Parading and Saluting the Flag
When carried in a procession, the flag should be to the right of the marchers. When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. When the flag passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag and salute.
The Salute
To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.
The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem
When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music.  The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting.


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Rules in the South

July 5, 2014, 12:59 pm
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Loved this recent article from Country Outfitter about rules in the South!  I added my $.02 after each one.


There are rules upon rules in the South. Some spoken and some unspoken. It can be hard to keep up with all of them, and depending on where you live in the South (ahem, Mississippi), you might adhere to some rules more than others. Here’s a list of some old school Southern rules you may not know or have forgotten.
1. Miracle Whip is tacky. Only Yankees eat it.
If you’re going to make chicken salad for a luncheon, you might want to avoid the Miracle Whip if you’re in the South. While this unspoken rule is fading out of relevancy, it’s one many Southerners espoused a couple generations ago. I’d never heard this rule till recently. I blame that on the fact that I’m one-fourth Yankee since my grandmother grew up in the North. Gramma may not have been born here, but as the saying goes, she got here as fast as she could.  Why would anyone buy Miracle Whip?  I agree, it's tacky!
2. Never reply to a formal invitation in anything other than black ink.
I know it’s tempting to pull out the 24-pack of multi-colored gel pens you bought at Target to reply to that wedding invitation of your younger cousin, but please don’t. Just because you’re relieved she’s not going to be an old maid (since she’ll be 23 next year) doesn’t mean you can throw etiquette out the window. She probably would’ve told your grandmother anyway. Save yourself that phone call.  Number one rule:  R.s.v.p.  and do it correctly.   Correspondence etiquette is important y'all!
3. Don’t dress your baby in anything other than pastels for the first year.
Babies should look like babies, so avoid solid bright colors and stick with the light blue or light pink, depending on gender. If I’m honest, I don’t adhere to this one with my own kids. I think I have an aversion to pastels, but this one is still good to know for situational purposes. If I didn’t know it, I might buy my best friend (who has deep Mississippi roots) a bright red and blue Ole Miss onesie for her baby shower this month. She’d act pleasantly surprised and thank me (after all I crossed football lines since I’m an Arkansas Razorback fan and she’s an Ole Miss fan). Inwardly, though, she’d make a mental note to take it back and get something hand-smocked and, preferably, something monogrammed with her baby’s initials.  Yes ma'am, there is a dress code for infants!
Side note: She might keep a bright red and blue onesie if it had the traditional mascot, Colonel Reb. It’s hard to find anything with the traditional mascot ever since the black bear replaced Colonel Reb in 2010.
4. When approaching a door at the same speed as another person, it’s polite to step back and let the other person go first.
Men give deference to women with this one, and younger people stand back for older people. However, if two people of the same age and gender are walking towards a door at the same speed, this rule could cause a politeness standoff with neither party wanting to be rude to the other. Time to stick your boots in the ground, make that other person go first. Always win a politeness war. Always.  I wish more people would follow this rule!  Remember to say "Thank you" when someone lets you go first.
5. Younger people should stand up when older people enter a room.
I can’t say I’ve always stood up when my grandparents left the kitchen and joined me in the living room. But, I’ll say this. If my Grandaddy ever asked me to stand when he entered the room, I’d do it. He fought for our country in World War II, raised three kids on a cotton farm, learned to fly an airplane after his kids were raised and makes his own fishing jigs. For all that and so much else, he has all my respect.  Please teach your children to respect their elders.
6. When walking as a couple, the man should always walk between his woman and the street.
This one probably has its history in days of old when the man would walk on the side closest to the street, protecting his woman from getting muddied by passing buggies or hit by vehicles. This rule has probably been lost with the invention of the sidewalk. Now, perhaps these days as the genteel Southern belle spirit is fading away a lot of men don’t want to put themselves between traffic and an angry woman. Do you remember the Dixie Chicks song “Goodbye Earl?” Yeah, it’s just not safe anymore.  You can always tell when a man has been raised right...he walks closest to the street when he is with a lady.
7. Chewing gum in public is tacky.
Keep the Bubblicious at home. Chewing gum is especially rude at business meetings, church, school, or really anyplace where someone might see you. Cows chew the cud, not good Southerners.  If you are chewing gum, you better be underneath the bed with the bedroom door locked!
8. Southern women don’t gossip.
If you are going to talk about someone’s less desirable traits, always precede your remarks with “bless her heart” then you can pretty much say what you want. For example, you might say, “Bless her heart, her Mama never taught her not to chew gum in public.”  I'm okay with this, but just make sure you are not making fun of people when you say "Bless her heart!"
9. Men should take their hats off when they come inside
Taking your hat off is a good personal hygiene rule. This one I get. Southern men love their hats, and when you wear your hat every day in the Southern heat, it tends to get sweaty and smelly. I kid you not; my husband has worn the same hat for the last 15 years. His sister gave it to him in high school, and he wears it all the time. My 3-year-old calls it “Daddy’s stinky hat.” I’m fine with him only wearing it outside.  Yes sir!
10. Wait until everyone is served before eating
Our family’s rule growing up was similar to this. We had to wait until after the prayer before we could serve ourselves each other. The five of us kids waited like ravenous wolves to hear that “amen” before digging in. It felt like a matter of survival with that many kids. We were just too unruly; bless my Mama’s heart.  Proper dining etiquette dictates that you not touch a thing on the table until the host/hostess {parents} are seated.  At that time, your napkin is placed onto your lap.  Once the host/hostess begins to eat, so may everyone else.
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Miss United States Pageant 2014

July 6, 2014, 9:10 am
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More pageantry tonight y'all!  It's the Miss United States pageant and also the finals for the Miss Teen United States.  Steven Roddy, creator of The Pageant Planet is an emcee.  I have followed him for years on Twitterand LOVE him!  Stephanie McGrane of Pageant Live --love this site, will also be emceeing.


Candiace Dillard, Miss United States 2013 will crown her successor tonight.
Candiace Dillard, Miss United States 2013

These are thegirls competing for the title of Miss United States:

These are the girlsI'll be watching in the Miss United States competition:
Miss Alabama
Miss Arizona
Miss Colorado
Miss Delaware
Miss Georgia
Miss Iowa
Miss Kentucky
Miss Louisiana
Miss South Carolina
Miss Wyoming



Lexe Richardson, Miss Teen United States will also crown her successor tonight.
Lexe Richardson, Miss Teen United States 2013

These are the girlscompeting for the title of Miss Teen United States:

These are the girls I'll be watching in the Miss Teen United States competition:
Miss Alabama
Miss Delaware
Miss Florida
Miss Kentucky
Miss New Jersey
Miss Ohio
Miss Oklahoma
Miss South Dakota
Miss Tennessee
Miss Texas

You can register HERE to watch the finals of the Miss Teen United States and Miss United States tonight at 8pm.

*EDIT* The event starts at 7:45pm!
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Dinner on the Grounds

July 8, 2014, 12:16 pm
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James Farmer is a Southern gentleman who looks way too cute in his signature gingham shirts...he's a gardening expert, floral genius, interior designer, and a gourmet chef.

I just got my hands on his latest book...Dinner on the Grounds.


The book is full of his much loved Southern recipes; clockwise...
When James and his sisters were little, their grandmother would make these adorable "ants on a log" for treats.  How cute are they?  There are celery stalks with cream cheese and chopped green olives and some with peanut butter with apples and raisins.  Then there's my favorite...Devilish Deviled Eggs.  These sound perfect with the Wickles Pickles Relish!  I'm a fan of okra prepared any ole' way, but his Roasted Okra recipe is must-try for me.  Lord have mercy, he includes loads of topping ideas for grits...and I'm liking the idea of adding crumbled sausage, sliced mushrooms, baby shrimp, crumbled bacon, and chopped green pepper.

I must admit that I've never heard of an Olive Oil Cake.  This recipe intrigues me because it doesn't call for any sugar at all...just honey.  The name is "Honey Lemon Olive Oil Cake." In the bottom photo, it is served with and Amaretto Peach Bake.  Be still my Southern peach heart!  Peaches and amaretto liqueur...I'd love this tonight!

I first fell in love with James' tablescapes in Southern Living magazine.  Dinner on the Grounds includes more beautiful settings...love this blue and white tablescape under the tent.

Buffalo check tablecloths--always a winner!  Love the tablecloth, the chairs, the flowers, and the centerpiece!

I'm off to drool over the beautiful pictures and great looking food in this book!



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Cell Phone Etiquette

July 9, 2014, 8:42 am
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July is National Cell Phone Courtesy Month, founded byJacqueline Whitmore, of The Protocol School of Palm Beach.

Cell phones have become an integral part of our lives.  With all the apps available on our phones, the little gadgets are becoming indispensable and we use them to connect with the world.

These are a few reminders about Cell Phone Etiquette:

~Turn your cell phone to the "Manners Mode" {silent/vibrate} in public places;  i.e., meetings, churches, restaurants, and public forums.

~If you are expecting an important phone call, if possible, let others know and step away to receive the call...it's an etiquette faux pas to have a phone conversation in front of others.

~Don't talk loudly on the phone in a public place...it's a phone, not a megaphone.

~Don't use vulgar language and don't talk about personal information in public...think before you talk!

~It's inappropriate to use a cell phone in a public restroom...it's tres tacky!

~Don't talk on your cell phone when you are paying for purchases.  I see this happening all the time...it is so disrespectful to the cashier!

~Texting and driving is against the law in most states and has proven to be very dangerous...don't do it!
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Happy Birthday to Krispy Kreme

July 11, 2014, 8:46 am
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Happy 77th Birthday to Krispy Kreme Doughnuts!  



Growing up in Georgia I would go door-to-door every Saturday morning selling boxes of these doughnuts for cheerleading uniforms or other fundraisers.


Seriously, how sweet would it be to wake up to this darling truck scooting around your neighborhood...selling Krispy Kremes door-to-door?



The "Hot Now" sign is what separates Krispy Kreme from other doughnut chains.




 The most famous and best-selling is the Krispy Kreme original glazed, so light and airy--200 calories with 11 grams of fat...and not the good kind either...and a whopping 10 grams of sugar.  It will take a jog of 22 minutes or a walk of 53 minutes to burn it off.  But it's worth it!



Can't get to the local Krispy Kreme when the "Hot Now" sign is on?  Pop the doughnut into the micro for a few seconds and it's a melt-in-your mouth treat--almost like getting one from the Krispy Kreme store when the "Hot Now"sign is on!

Walmart now carries the Krispy Kreme Iced Coffees...in mocha and original glazed.  Unfortunately, these have been very difficult for me to find and I've searched numerous Walmart stores in Florida and Georgia.

Many, many more years Krispy Kreme!
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Miss Florida USA Pageant

July 12, 2014, 8:45 am
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Tonight is the Miss Florida USA 2015 pageant, live from Hollywood, Florida at 7:00 - 9:00 pm.   Of course, I'll be watching.  If you live in South Florida, you can view the pageant on WPLG or WTVX.  If you live outside the area, you can watch the live stream atnews4jax.com.

Brittany Oldehoff, Miss Florida USA 2014 will be crowning the new Queen...She is gorgeous!

Brittany was the 4th runner up at Miss USA 2014.

The 5'11" brunette beauty was a model on Season 7 of "Project Runway" and she was one of my favorites in the Top 5 at Miss USA.  I thought she would be Top 3 with Miss Georgia and Miss Nevada.

Brittany says that "she's naturally thin and focuses on weight lifting at the gym." Of course, she avoids carbs and eats mostly protein and vegetables.


These are my favorites that I'll be watching tonight...in no particular order, of course!
Miss North Broward County, Connor Boss
Miss Cape Coral, Amanda Cardoza
Miss Leon County, Kendrea Crite
Miss Palm Beach County, Anh Do
Miss Emerald Coast, Ashleigh Lollie
Miss Miami Shores, Kerissa Nelson
Miss Orlando, Christina Nicholson
Miss Coral Gables, Leeza Ovalle
Miss Space Coast, Rachel Stacy

Miss Central Florida, Kailyn Perez

Miss Florida Keys, Melissa Ramirez
Miss Tampa Bay, Stephanie Ziajka


Miss South Miami, Kassandra Montandon

Miss Fort Lauderdale, Glenda Pietri
Miss West Broward County, Melissa Ziegler

and...

Miss Pensacola, Tristi Bond



Good luck to all the contestants!


*Edited*
Congratulations to Ashleigh Lollie, the new Miss Florida USA 2015.

Con
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Game of Crowns

July 13, 2014, 10:01 am
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Meet the cast of the new Bravo TV show "Game of Crowns." I'm not sure if this show is Toddlers and Tiaras for the married woman--but whatever.  The reality show follows six pageant wives competing on the "Mrs." pageant circuit.  From trophy wives to pageant moms, these ladies will stop at nothing to win pageants.

I never watch any of the Real Housewives' shows, but you can bet I'm going to be watching Game of Crowns!

Pageants solely for married women...I love it!



Here's a peek at the ladies you'll see on the show:

Shelley Carbonne, 41 year-old mother of 4 and former Mrs. Connecticut America and Mrs. America 2011.  She's writing a book "Please stop calling me ma'am." Lord have mercy, why?  Beautiful lady!


Lynn Diamante, a 40-something year-old pageant lifer...Mrs. Rhode Island after being Miss Rhode Island 20 years ago.  Lynn loves Louis Vuitton and she's a classical pianist.  Okay, I like that.  What do y'all think of the hair?

Leha Guilmette, 34 year-old Mrs. Rhode Island 2013, loves horses and is obsessed with Disney.  Very pretty.


Susanna Paliotta, 40 year-old pageant mom, 2 daughters, pilot, and animal lover.  She was Mrs. Rhode Island United States 2013.  I like her.

Lori-Ann Marchese, Mrs. Connecticut 2013 is the youngest and a fitness consultant and trainer.  She works out a LOT.

Vanessa Sebastian, a breast cancer survivor, was Mrs. Connecticut 2012.  She is a Nurse Anesthetist and is married to the part-owner of Foxwoods Casino.  So we know he can afford all her expensive evening gowns!


Tune in tonight at 9:00 p.m. on the Bravo Channel.  There will be pageant drama for sure!
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The Pimento Cheese With Soul

July 15, 2014, 4:02 pm
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I grew up eating pimento cheese sandwiches...made by mama and daddy.  We carried these sandwiches to school, on road trips, and served the Southern delicacy on open-faced sandwiches at Mama's parties.  Along with loving the pimento cheese sandwiches at The Augusta National golf course, I also developed a liking to The Fresh Market's pimento cheese.  Well, now I'm obsessed with the Palmetto Cheese...regular, bacon, and jalapeno.  I have to admit that the Jalapeno is my favorite.

Palmetto Cheese is the pride of Sassy and Brian Henry.  They enjoyed batches of Sassy's original recipe at Braves tailgate gatherings in the 1990's.  In 2002, the Henrys moved to Pawleys Island, SC to take over the the historic Sea View Inn.  It is there that Palmetto Cheese became a favorite appetizer for low country shrimp boils served on the inn's oceanfront porch.

Who is the lady on the lid?

Vertrella Brown
{From the website}   Vertrella Brown began producing batches of Sassy's recipe in 2003 for delighted guests at Sea View Inn. Her image personifies the soulful flavor that is embodied in this unique, southern recipe of pimento cheese. And this is why we refer to it as "The Pimento Cheese with Soul". 

The first retail container of Palmetto Cheese was sold in 2006 at a local seafood store in Georgetown, SC.  Today, Palmetto Cheese has grown from a local favorite into the most sought after pimento cheese on the market today.
So yes, it pays to enter those contests on Facebooky'all!  I replied to Palmetto Cheese's post and said that the Jalapeno is my favorite and they sent me 3 containers of their Palmetto Cheese...It is so good!


A few weeks ago we entertained friends for Happy Hour and I served the Jalapeno Palmetto Cheese with crackers and chips.  Everybody loved it.





I'm always craving grits and the other day I prepared my grits with some of the regular Palmetto Cheese and grilled shrimp.  Delish y'all, trust me!


I added more of the Palmetto Cheese on top of the grits...yummy!


Palmetto Cheese Grits and Shrimp
2 cups grits
4 cups water
1 cup heavy cream
1 tblsp salt
1 cup Palmetto Cheese with Bacon4 large shrimp
Garlic
Olive Oil


Sautee the shrimp in a pan with a bit of olive oil and garlic and set aside when done.  


Boil the water and then remove the pot from heating element and add the grits and stir.  Then add the cream and salt, stirring until there are no lumps.   Cook the grits on low until done, about 10-15 minutes.  Add ¾ cup of the Palmetto Cheese and stir.  Place the grits into a bowl and add remaining Palmetto Cheese on top.  Garnish with shrimp


Tonight I decided to make some Palmetto Cheese Cornbread to go along with our chicken and dumplins, lima beans, and turnip greens.




Recipe for Palmetto Cheese Cornbread:


1 box Jiffy Corn Muffin mix
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
2 tblsp. vegetable oil
1 cup Palmetto Cheese with Jalapeno

Grease pan with the vegetable oil just until hot.  Place cornbread mix into large bowl.  Add egg and stir.  Add the milk and the excess oil from pan.  Add ¾ cup of the Palmetto Cheese and stir all ingredients very well.  Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes.  When cornbread has cooled a bit, add the remaining pimento cheese to the top.

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Benne Wafers

July 18, 2014, 4:59 pm
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Benne Wafers


Have y'all triedBenne Wafers?  They are a staple in the Southerner's cookie jar...a crisp, sweet, wafer-thin cookies with a delightful flavor.

When slaves first came to the coastal areas of Georgia and South Carolina, they brought with them their most valuable possession, a little handful of the benne seed, which they believe held for them the secret of health and luck....seeds of good luck!  Planted near the slaves quarters of early plantations, benne became a traditional part of the "Old South." 


Mama and I are enjoying Benne Wafers and milk this afternoon.

These wafers are made by the Byrd Cookie Company in Savannah, Georgia.   I bought some of the cookies in the cute vintage tin.  The orginial Benne Wafer tin was first introduced over 50 years ago and due to popular demand, it has been brought back.


Byrd Cookie company also makes Benne Bits...these are filled with aged cheddar, spices, and toasted benne seeds.  They are the perfect Southern treat.









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Party Etiquette

July 21, 2014, 11:36 am
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If you love parties like I do, make sure you practice "Party Etiquette" so that you'll be invited back!

 
R.s.v.p.  If you don't R.s.v.p., you are committing a huge etiquette faux pas and will surely be taken off the host' party list.  Also, do not bring an uninvited guest.

Don't arrive early.  The host will be busy with last-minute preparations and will not have the time to entertain you.

Bring a gift to the host {champagne or wine}.

Greet your host and say thank you for the invite.

Mingle with the other guests.  Don't be a wallflower.

Don't overindulge in alcohol and don't eat like you are a starving field hand.

Remember to practice good dining etiquette skills.

Offer to help clean up.

Don't overstay your welcome.

After you have said your goodbyes to all the guests, thank your host before you leave.

Remember to send a thank-you note to your host.  The. Next. Day.

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Miss Warner Robins Pageant

July 25, 2014, 9:40 am
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Miss Warner Robins and Miss International City, Georgia Scholarship Pageant...a preliminary to the Miss America pageant is this Saturday night and I'm excited to be able to attend.

Miss Warner Robins, Miss International City, and the teen queens from both did so well at the Miss Georgia pageant back in June.
Miss Warner Robins, Miss International City, and Outstanding Teens 2014
Olivia McMillan, Miss Warner Robins Outstanding Teen 2014 and Miss Georgia Outstanding Teen 2014; Michelle Johnson, Miss Warner Robins 2014 and 4th runner-up at Miss Georgia; Miss Courtney Walker, Miss International City 2014 and 3rd runner-up at Miss Georgia; Miss Sarah DeLoach, Miss International City Outstanding Teen 2014 and Top 10 at Miss Georgia Outstanding Teen.

Good luck to all the contestants who will be competing on Saturday.  I can't wait to see the beautiful gowns and the talent all the girls will bring to the stage!
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Happy Birthday Jackie Kennedy

July 28, 2014, 5:19 am
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Happy Birthday to Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, born this day in 1929.  Here a few of my favorite photos of America's Queen.
1951, Vogue Magazine, Double strand of pearls and white-gloved hands


What must have been one of the most special days in the life of a lady who surely had so many!
Perfectly poised in pink and a double strand of pearls
1962, conducting a tour at the White House.  Perfection.
Jackie O, the style icon




Jackie O...The working girl


In her later years...stunningly beautiful

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Miss America's Outstanding Teen

July 31, 2014, 7:59 pm
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Olivia McMillan, Miss Georgia Outstanding Teen 2014

Olivia McMillan is a 17 year-old student at Northside High School in Warner Robins, Georgia.  She is a classically trained vocalist and delivered a beautiful rendition of "Nessun Dorma" and won Miss Georgia Outstanding Teen 2014 back in June.  Now she's competing for the title of Miss America's Outstanding Teen!

Along with the volunteering for the Miss America partnership program of the Children's Network, Olivia's platform is the Sibling Support Project, for siblings of medically fragile and special needs children.  Her brother Max has autism and bipolar disorder.

This young lady is beautiful and talented and she's my pick to take the crown!



*EDITED*
Congratulations to Olivia.  She is the new Miss America's Outstanding Teen!!!

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Tipping Etiquette

August 8, 2014, 10:33 am
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When checking out of a hotel recently, I got tip dizzy!  I tipped room service for my breakfast, then I tipped the lady who cleaned my room, the gentleman who took my bags downstairs, the gentleman who retrieved my car from valet.  Lord have mercy, this tipping just doesn't end. 

Many workers do rely on tips as the major part of their income, but in today's world, it seems like everywhere I go there is a not-so-subtle tip jar.  I really believe that I tip out of habit now instead of rewarding special service.  To be honest, I find that I tip people who really didn't deserve it...just to be nice. You know...the waitress who was having a bad day or maybe she just doesn't like her job--yes, I tip those people.  Of course I tip 20% at Starbucks for my $4-5 coffee beverage...because there's a tip jar on the counter.  I'm so use to tipping at Starbucks--the other day I ordered a Starbucks inside Barnes and Noble. I didn't see a tip jar, so I asked the Barista if he accepted tips.  He said "Yes, we do, but we are not allowed to keep the jar on the counter." So I tip there too, even though there's no tip jar.  At the gym, we had a beverage bar and of course they also had a tip jar.  Everyone wants a tip!

Do you wonder who to tip and how much?

Here are some tipping guides {pre tax}:
Waitstaff at a sit down restaurant 15-20%
Waitstaff at a buffet 10%
Take out food server 10-15%
Bartender 15-20%
Restroom Attendant $2
Valet $1-$5
Hotel Maid $2 per person per day
Skycap/Bellhop $2 for the first bag and $1 for additional bags
Taxi Driver 15-20%
Spa Workers 15-20%
Hair Salon--Some people like to tip the shampoo person, the color person, and the hairdresser seperately.  I would leave 15-20% of the total bill and request that the tip is split among those who served you.

When should you withhold a tip? There have been a few rare occasions that I did not leave a tip at all. When a person is very rude to me, I will not leave a tip.  If someone gives me service that is not good, I will tip less than the recommended amount.

Do you just tip out of habit, maybe to save yourself embarrassment or do you tip according to the service you receive?

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Miss Warner Robins Pageant

August 11, 2014, 2:30 am
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A belated congratulations is in order for the winners at the Miss Warner Robins/Miss International City Pageant.  I attended the pageant a couple of weeks ago and can say that it was such a professional event.  The girls were not only beautiful, but talented also!

Here are the new Queens:

Miss International City 2015, Charlene Bibeau and Miss Warner Robins 2015, Betty Cantrell.  Both of them are gorgeous and talented ladies!  They were my favorites to win.

The teen winners...again, beautiful and talented young ladies!  Miss Warner Robins Outstanding Teen 2015, Kelsey Hollis and Miss International City Outstanding Teen 2015, Lelyn Stewart.

"HERE'S WHAT I WORE" Lilly Pulitzer'Janice' dress, Ralph Lauren shoes, and Tory Burch clutch.

The emcees for the pageant were two beautiful ladies...Kimberly Hilliard Sharpe, Miss Warner Robins 1989 and her sister Kelli Hilliard, Miss Warner Robins 1991.   {They did an awesome job!} Along with the judges, the emcees received goodies from a local bakery in Warner Robins...Wilson's Bakery.  They talked on and on about how delicious the treats were that they received.  Of course, I had to stop in to check the place out for myself on my way out of town to see my friend Joy in Tybee Island.

Wilson's Bakery is located in an old strip plaza on Watson Boulevard...the main drag in Warner Robins.

They have a variety of goodies to choose from and I took quite some time deciding what to get.

I settled on these to take to Joy's...The doughnuts are covered in chocolate and nuts y'all.  Lord have mercy, we had them for breakfast the next morning and they were delicious!  Wilson's is well-known in Middle Georgia and loved for their finger cookies--the ones on the right-hand side in the box.  They are definitely good too.


Today I'm traveling to my new home in Warner Robins, Georgia.  I'm ready for this new phase in my life and happy to be going back to the land of my birth...the Deep South.  Y'all pray for me...I'm gonna have a hard time resisting Southern cooking on a daily basis.
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Row Boating at the Dining Table

August 13, 2014, 9:13 am
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Are you guilty of row boating at the dinner table?

Here is an example of what not to do...When you place your flatware onto the plate and onto the table at the same time, that is row boating.  This is a dining etiquette faux pas y'all.



Once you pick up a piece of flatware at the dining table, it should never touch the table again.


 Here are some displays to help you remember where to place your flatware while dining:

In the American Style of Dining, the food is anchored with the fork, tines down in the left hand and cut with the knife in the right hand. The knife is then placed on the upper right hand side of the plate, with the cutting edge of the knife facing the center of the plate. The fork is switched to the right hand and the food is conveyed to the mouth with the fork, tines up. This is the style of dining most Americans are familiar with.


"I am resting" (American style)

"I am finished" (American Style)


In the Continental Style of Dining, the food is anchored with the fork, tines down, in the left hand and cut with the knife in the right hand. The food is conveyed to the mouth with the fork, tines down down, in the left hand, while the knife is still held in the right hand.


"I am resting" (Continental style)

"I am finished" (Continental Style)



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Getting Gameday Ready

August 25, 2014, 7:58 am
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