Welcome to the Blog Plantation Y'all

Our family welcomes you and thanks you for stopping by to visit. We are delighted you have taken a few minutes out of your day to spend with us. We are Joe and Jessica. We have two children and one very regal beagle! We post often and it usually includes details of our Christian faith; life here in the South; entertaining our family and friends; tales of our travels; as well as the daily adventures of having two children. Oh, and our passion for Alabama Crimson Tide Football!
Grab a mint julep, relax, and enjoy the site. Don't forget to leave us a message. You can click under any blog entry to do so. We love to hear from our guests.
(Also, please remember that all writings and pictures are the sole property of the blog plantation and it's authors and may not be duplicated, unless otherwise noted. )

Thanks for dropping by Y'all!




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What time I am afraid I will trust in thee
Psalm 56:3

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Wednesday, March 31, 2010

The Plantation is moving!

The Blog Plantation is moving in REAL LIFE
Where you ask?
Here:



And here

Yes, here too!

We are relocating to the Gulf Coast.
In about a week.
We are so excited!
Sorry I missed 
Outdoor Wed
Tablescape Thurs
I will TRY
for Foodie Fri
I will be back full time VERY SOON!
Love to you all!
Thanks for dropping by Y'all!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

My butt hurts. What?


I have posted this around Easter since the beginning of the blog.
This has lead some very interesting
searches
right here to the Blog Plantation.
All I can say is 
really?
Come on!
LOL
Hope you all enjoy!

Thanks for dropping by Y'all!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Foodie Friday

It is Foodie Friday!
Thank you so much for joining me.
I decided that as we are about to begin 
Holy Week 
I would share some 
Easter ideas.
You are actually going to get three today!
First,

The cupcakes I teased you with earlier

These are really quite simple

Start with cooled cupcakes
Ice with green icing
(I looked everywhere for my tip 
to make it look like grass and could not find it!)
Place a PEEP Chick or Bunny 
in the center
decorate with jelly beans
then add roped licorice

as the handles.
Let me share a tip

I noticed as the day wore on the handles became limp and soggy.
Some fell off and some just laid down around the cupcake.
I think they pull a good deal of moisture from the cupcake.
So that being said,
wait until just before serving to put the handles on.

So how about

Resurrection  Rolls?

We made these for years 
when I taught preschool
I still make every year with my children 
because it helps them grasp
the meaning of Easter


They are REALLY good too!

 1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough
8 large marshmallows
 Melted butter
 Cinnamon/sugar mixture

Directions:
Give each child one triangle shaped section of crescent roll. This represents the tomb.
Each child takes one marshmallow which represents the body of Christ.
Dip the marshmallow in the butter and roll in cinnamon and sugar mixture. This represents the oils and spices the body was anointed with upon burial.
Lay the marshmallow on the dough and carefully wrap it around the marshmallow.
Make sure all seams are pinched together well,
or you will loose your marshmallow
Bake according to package directions.
Allow to cool
Break open the tomb and the body of Christ is no longer there
Next up
Easter Cookies
I have not made these in years, 
but a friend of mine recently reminded me of them
(so I had to borrow this picture).
To be made the evening before Easter
1cup whole pecans
1tsp vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible
Preheat oven to 300 degrees
(this is important, don't wait till you're half done with the recipe!)
Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. 
Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was Beaten by the Roman soldiers. 
Read John 19:1-3.
Let each child smell the vinegar. 
Put 1tsp vinegar into mixing bowl. 
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. 
Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to vinegar.  
Eggs represent life.  
Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. 
Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. 
Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. 
Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, 
and the bitterness of our own sin. 
Read Luke 23:27.
So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. 
Add 1 cup sugar.
Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. 
He wants us to know and belong to Him.  
Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed.  Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes
of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. 
Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Fold in broken nuts.  Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.  Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid.  Read Matthew 27:57-60.
 Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. 
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. 
Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. 
Read Matthew 27:65-66.
GO TO BED!
  Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.  
Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. 
Read John 16:20 and 22.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.  
Notice the cracked surface and take a bite.  
The cookies are hollow! 
On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.  Read Matthew 28:1-9.
Be sure to stop by and see
for more Foodie Fridays!


Thanks for dropping by Y'all!

Tablescape Thursday!

                                                            It's Tablescape Thursday!
This week is a surprise birthday party
that I did for a friend of mine
It was a Mardi Gras Theme


 I cut out Fleur De Lys and put everywhere
wrapped all of the utensils in napkins and tied
with a ribbon


ice buckets for the bread

Purple Green and gold 

You know I never forget the chandelier



Even the punch was purple

Be sure to stop by and see
more at
Thanks for dropping Y'all!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Outdoor Wednesday!





I am so daydreaming about the Sea and Sun!












For more outdoor Wednesdays be sure to stop by and see Susan
At 
Thanks for dropping by Y'all

Monday, March 22, 2010

The Prince of the Whispering Woods

The Prince recently had a photo shoot with a local photographer.
Marcie's  work is truly amazing. 
She has allowed me to share this proof with all of you.
I wish it could be more, but you have to settle for the one.

This is the Whispering Woods Session
She offers so many
her current promotion is the
Mermaid Lagoon
I must tell you, if you have little ones or grandlittle ones, 
and you live within 6 hours of the Birmingham area, 
you NEED to contact her.
Fairytales and Fireflies
Her phone number
205-581-0200

I am having such a difficult time making choices for prints! 
If you do book with her please let her know I sent you.

She does your standard photography as well,
not just these breathtaking sets.
We have one last day of Spring Break
so I will see all of you Tuesday!

Thanks for dropping by Y'all!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Who got Pampered?

 Many thanks go to 
for sponsoring this giveaway!


PAMPER ME WINNER IS
...................................... ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
PAIGE B!

If you will please email me with your contact information I will get this out to you!
Thank you to everyone that participated we have another giveaway starting
in a week or so.
Be sure to watch!
In fact, we have a lot of Vendors wanting to sponsor
us here at the Blog Plantation!
So, there are going to be some 
FABULOUS PRIZES
Thanks for dropping by Y'all

Friday, March 19, 2010

Cupcakes? Easter baskets? hmm?

The children and I spent the afternoon making these

Easter Basket cupcakes.

You will get the complete step by step on next week's 
Foodie Friday
I just had to give you a sneak peek!
Thanks for dropping by Y'all!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Foodie Friday

I have been asked so many times for this recipe,
that I thought I would share. 
Perfect during Lent.
A southern classic.

Shrimp and Grits
This is my mother's recipe 
She has made this for years 
and to date, it is the BEST I have ever had!

For the Grits:
Box of Chicken Broth
1 pt heavy whipping cream
2 cups yellow grits
1/4 tsp garlic powder
salt to taste
Bring Chicken broth, garlic powder, and cream to a boil. 
Stir in grits, stir.
Cover reduce heat and simmer for about five minutes.
Salt to tast and if too thick add a touch of cream.
Set aside.

Shrimp:
Peeled, raw,  clean shrimp
TBL bacon drippings
Cajun seasoning ( Tony Chacher's)
fresh green beans
minced garlic (to taste)
finely chopped tomato
finely chopped onion
1/4 cup white wine
pat of butter
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
capers
Dust shrimp with Cajun seasoning and set aside
add bacon drippings to skillet and sautee green beans
until they turn a darker green.
Set aside.
Add garlic and shrimp cook until the shrimp become pink
DO NOT OVER COOK SHRIMP
Push aside in the skillet.
Then add tomatoes, onion and a touch of butter.
Deglaze adding white wine
Then stir together with the shrimp and simmer.
Add 1/4 to 1/2 a cup of cream depending on the thickness


To serve layer first
Grits
Shrimp mixture
criss cross a few green beans
sprinkle with capers

I often will serve in martini glasses for parties
without the green beans although
you could



I hope you will enjoy as much as we do!
Be sure to stop by and see Gollum for more


Foodie Fridays!
Thanks for dropping by Y'all!




Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Tablescape Thursday!

Tablescape Thursday!

This week we are getting ready for our Easter Brunch

Here is the entire room

Don't forget to decorate the chandelier!


The table will be full of food
Buffet style


I found these adorable Easter basket bowls
last year at the Dollar Tree

I adore the Carrot candles I found at World Market


A little Heather for Spring

All the children love to wear this hat

Don't forget our giveaway HERE for details !


See more Tablescape Thursdays
at

for more Tablescape Thursdays!

Thanks for dropping by Y'all!

Outdoor Wednesday!

This weeks Outdoor Wednesday
  The Princess and Sister Sledge ( Leigh's daughter ) took a  trip to Mentone. 
Leigh took all of the phenomenal pictures
and you can see more of her work at Photographic Memories.
And see her write up here
And by the way Leigh is having a giveaway!
It ends tomorrow so HURRY!

much laughter bounced off those Mountains
Our tweens look much older than they should!

As you can see they had a great time! 
The girls are such good friends 
and it warms my heart!
This is what being young is all about!
Wholesome good fun!
Thank you to Leigh and Sister Sledge
for including the Princess!

Don't forget about our giveaway here 

You so want to be pampered!


Be sure to stop by Susan's
for more Outdoor Wednesdays!
Thanks for dropping by Y'all!

Monday, March 15, 2010

Give it away... give it away... give it away now! and Alabama Bloggers

WOW today is a busy day! 
First, I have contributed for the first time to Alabama Bloggers
I am so excited. 
It is a  SUGAH YOU CAN DO IT!
So be sure to check it out.
Also Don't forget the give away.
Gourmet bath products

Go here for more details

Thanks for dropping by Y'all!