OK readers and fellow bloggers I need your help! I am one of 5 finalist in the Hotel Monteleone contest to win a trip to New Orleans and stay at the Monteleone.

As you, know New Orleans is my home and my beloved Hotel Monteleone is my heart! Please click on this link Hotel Monteleone Finalist and "like" it,  that is how you vote! Thank you  so very much! I love you all dearly!

For those of you that follow me on Facebook you know I was contacted and asked to participate in a cooking show. They are looking for more people to get the show up and going!


This is the cooking show I was asked to participate in. They are looking for more people that would like a chance to be on the show. If you are interested here is the info. Contact me for more details if you need them!


CALLING ALL HOME COOKS!
It's time to fire up your burners and break out your favorite recipes!
GSN (Game Show Network) and the producers of THE GREAT FOOD TRUCK RACE, are thrilled to bring you BEAT THE CHEFS, an exciting new cooking game show that celebrates REAL people who make great food! BEAT THE CHEFS gives talented home cooks the chance to go up against some of the best chefs in the business, battle it out in the kitchen, and win a BIG CASH PRIZE!
We are scouring the nation for passionate home cooks from all walks of life. Are you a great cook despite never having been formally trained? Whether you are a chili cook-off champion, the queen of the bake sale, or just a whiz in the kitchen, now is your chance to see if your signature dish has what it takes to compete with our professional chefs! Gather up two of your family members or best friends as your sous chefs and pick the dish that you know will leave the judges begging for more!
We are looking for fun, outgoing teams of all ages. If you love to cook, have a competitive spirit, and think you have a winning dish, email us at: beatthechefs@rrstaff.com. Please include your name, age, current city, contact info, photo, two proposed teammates (and their photos), description of your signature dish!

Well, I have been saying it was time, I have tried to convince myself it was time. I think it is time! I have missed blogging, the problem is that once you stop it is so difficult to find your way back. I think I'm in that place finally! Not sure how this will geaux or what direction. With the addition of Pinterest and Facebook Blogging is sort of changing. 

I am ready to embark on this journey if you are ready to geaux with me. 

Just to update you since I left you last, we have moved and settled into Gulf Shores and life as beach bunnies. 

The children The Princess now 13 and The Prince now 5 are thriving and loving life! 

We recently had the opportunity of a lifetime to play with two

White Bengal Tiger Cubs

The Princess attended Sailing Camp

And we had the chance to spend some time with Liz (and her family) from 

The History Channel's

Swamp People

 VBS and Youth Week, our Summer has been BUSY so far.

We have, of course, managed to squeeze a little of this in though

Well, see y'all tomorrow.

Thanks for dropping by Y'all!

It has been so very long since last I posted. I have missed all of you so. I seem to be doing a better job posting on the facebook page so be sure you are following us there as well.


Thoughts of a Bama Belle

There you will of course see many pictures of the things we are up to as well as products we HIGHLY recommend! Thanks for reading and don't give up on me.Ii am finding my way back to blogland. In the meantime check out some of our fave  Halloween ideas here

There will be some new ones coming!!!

Thanks for dropping by Y'all!

Pirate Tales of Tablescape Thursday and Foodie Friday

It has been a long time since last I participated in Tablescape Thursday.

 It excites me that I have the opportunity to do so today.

We are sharing a Pirate Theme

my son's 4th birthday to be exact

The place settings are decked out with gold chargers covered in jewels.

Place cards and all the "effects" of a pirate

Treasure Chest cupcakes are bursting with Pirate loot

No Pirate party is complete without a Pirate ship cake

Pirate's Gold (cheese balls)

Cannon Balls (Whoppers)

Fountain of Youth Punch

Lollipops handmade from chocolate

Thanks for letting me share this post for

 Tablescape Thursday and Foodie Friday!

Thanks for dropping by Y'all!

Salsa recipe contest!

Be sure you start sending your recipes in! We will have our fans vote on their fave.

See our Facebook Page for all the photos and recipe vote tallies!

Thoughts of a Bama Belle

If you tweet, or link to us OR you are a fan of ours on Facebook you will earn an additional 10 votes.

 Do all three and you get an additional 30 votes!!!

The prize has not been revealed yet,

BUT you do NOT want to miss out on your chance to win it

~ trust me!

Thanks for dropping by Y'all

Foodie Friday ~ Kentucky Derby tartlets RUN FOR THE ROSES

 Welcome to Foodie Friday

We are of course celebrating

The Kentucky Derby!

So put on your best hat, polish the julep cups, and pick your favorite horse

 we are making

 Kentucky Derby Tartlets!

Semi sweet morsels

1 beaten egg

3/4 cup of brown sugar

1 TBL butter

1/4 cup bourbon ( I recommend using only about an 1/8)

1 cup chopped pecans

mini pie shells

Mix all ingredients except the morsels in a bowl. 

In each pie shell place several morsels.

Spoon pecan mixture over morsels.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes

Allow to cool and enjoy with a traditional Mint Julep.

Here is a fantastic recipe from

The Grand Hotel

in Point Clear, AL

This mint julep is named for the legendary Bucky Miller, who worked at the Grand for six decades and who was famous for his mint juleps.

The FAMOUS Bucky Miller's Mint Julep

6 fresh mint leaves

*1/8 teaspoon simple syrup

Crushed ice (never cubed Y'all)

1 3/4 ounce 80 proof bourbon (Bucky used Walker's Deluxe We use Maker's Mark)

1 sprig mint leaf, sprinkled with powdered sugar

1 maraschino cherry

Place mint leaves in a 12-ounce glass with simple syrup and small amount of crushed ice. Muddle the ingredients in bottom of glass.

Add crushed ice until half full. Then add bourbon. Continue to muddle ingredients and add ice until glass is almost full and ice is pale green.

Garnish with powdered mint leaf (sprinkle powdered sugar over dampened leaf) and a maraschino cherry.

Add beverage straw and serve.

*Simple syrup: Simple syrup is a mixture of half hot water and half sugar; dissolve sugar in hot water and cool.

Well, y'all be sure to drop by and see Gollum for more Foodie Friday recipes!

Thanks for dropping by Y'all!



Can it be? BLOGGING!!!!! Foodie Friday Blogging!

I am beyond excited about the fact that I am once again in a place to come back to blogland. How i have missed all of you so. your emails and friend requests on facebook have been so endearing and I adore each and every one of you. It is because of you, that I am once again at home in the blog plantation. So let's get started!

I thought nothing was as wonderful as coming home as coming home to comfort food! That brings Shoney's Strawberry Pie to mind. Y'all my mother has had this recipe circa 1970s It is just as fabulous today as it was back then!

SHOPPING LIST:

2 pie crust ( you need to prebake)

12 oz 7UP

7 TBL corn starch

2 cups of sugar

2 pts of strawberries (washed, trimmed, and sliced)

1 small pkg of strawberry Jello

one container of Cool Whip

mix sugar, cornstarch, and 7UP in a saucepan and cook until thick. And I mean thick Y'all.

Then mix in the pkg of Jello. Remove from heat. Add strawberries.

When mixture cools, pour into pie shells and chill in refrigerator for a couple of hours (until set)

top with Cool Whip and enjoy!

ENJOY!

Y'all be sure to stop by and see Gollum for more Foodie Fridays!

See Y'all soon.

Thanks for dropping by Y'all!

A mother's heartache. Out with the old and in with the new.

As the year draws to a close

 and we move into a new decade,

there has been a move in our home as well.

My little girl spent last night packing.

 She carefully boxed up all the small traces of the little princess that once resided in her room.

Gone are the ribbons that gracefully hung from the ringlets of the little girl that once twirled across the hardwood floor.

Small piles of scarves and cardigans are all you will see now.

Gone are the two baby dolls that were carefully stashed in the bottom of the closet so no one could see.

Designer boots and high end flip flops now occupy this niche.

The top shelf of the bookcase is no longer home to the teddy bears to whom she always told her secrets. Now pictures of her and her friends, snapshots of the memories they are making,  fill Ted E. Bear's cozy spot.

How wonderful and exciting these times are,

 but how excruciatingly painful for a mother as well. Is it truly possible to hurt so much and yet still be so excited?

 These precious conflicts of emotion have been reserved for mothers I think.

 One of the many blessings of motherhood.

I believe their purpose is to force us to our knees.

That we will cry out to Father God for only He really understands the torment and elation of seeing your children grow into adults.

Imagine what it must have been like for him with Christ.

 What was it like for him with you?

Well, no matter how grown she becomes, for our purposes here at the Blog Plantation, she will now and forever be referred to as

 The Princess.

 After all, I still have hope.

 I did find a box of tiaras in her bottom drawer.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Thanks for dropping by Y'all!

Well, Christmas is almost here

(Picture taken at Bellingrath Gardens the Magic of Christmas Tour)

Highly recommended by the Blog Plantation!

Things are quite hectic around the blog plantation as I am certain they are at all of your homes as well.

 I am making the resolution to blog on a regular basis after the first of the year.

 I hope  all of you will bare with me until then.

Much love to all!

Thanks for dropping by Y'all!

Martha's Vineyard the ultimate preppy style

A precious friend of mine turned me onto this clothing line several months ago

 and I am TOTALLY addicted!

The ultimate clothing for those who enjoy the "preppy" style.

Vineyard Vines

 has quickly become the clothing we live in!

Be sure to check them out!

I just know you are going to think they are precious!

Thanks for dropping by Y'all!

Foodie Friday Witch Puddles

BOO!

Happy Halloween!

This edition of Foodie Friday

(hosted by Gollum)

 will include some of my favorite foods

we have made for Halloween over the years.

It will also include the most requested "witch puddles" or "melted witches"

So let's start there!

Careful the goblins are out tonight!

These puddles are easily made with your favorite foods!

1 bag chocolate chips

1 bag white chocolate chips

bag of stick pretzels

1 fruit roll up

1 package of Oreo cookies

1 small bag of Bugles

4 TB Crisco

Melt bag of chocolate chips and 2 TB of Crisco in a microwave safe bowl  until smooth. Then dip bugles until covered in chocolate. Place on a sheet wax paper. Set aside. Cut fruit Roll Ups into strips fraying the edges on one side. Then dip tip of pretzel into remaining chocolate and wrap strips around the ends. Set aside. Next melt white chocolate and 2TB of Crisco in Microwave until smooth. Spread "puddle" shapes onto wax paper and QUICKLY place an Oreo cookie and "broomstick into the puddle. Now you will need to dip the open end of the bugle into remaining chocolate and set on top of the Oreo.

VOILA

You have melted witches!

Next we are "spooking up" chili by cutting out shapes from sliced cheese

Now breakfast is THE most important part of a little goblins day.

How about Pumpkin Spice "spider web " pancakes?

Follow your favorite recipe and pipe onto the griddle in a spider web pattern

Frankenstein must have escaped the lab and landed in the kitchen!

Here a little food coloring, icing, and imagination turn a round cake into a

 FRIGHT!

Mummy Dogs have been around for thousands of years!

Cut strips of linen (crescent rolls) and wrap

 around a hot dog to really give your

creatures of the night something to chow down on.

Well that is it for Halloween 2010!

Thanks for dropping by Y'all!

BOO!



Foodie Friday Champagne/ mimosa cupcakes

It is Foodie Friday!

Unfortunately with so much going on it will be a quick one!

I have to get in there and bake cookies for the fire department field trip in the morning!

 

Mimosa Cupcake Recipe

•3 cups cake flour

•1/2 tsp salt

•1 tsp baking powder

•1/2 tsp baking soda

•1 cup (2 sticks) butter

•1 cup sugar

•1/2 cup + 2 tbsp frozen orange concentrate

•3 eggs

•3/4 cup plain yogurt

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix together the flour, salt, baking soda and powder and set aside. In a medium sized bowl, cream the butter until smooth then add the sugar and cream together. Once the butter and sugar are creamed add in the orange juice concentrate. Mix in one egg at a time. Add in flour mixture 1/3 at a time. When flour is thoroughly mixed, mix in the yogurt. Batter will be slightly lumpy, but should be smooth kind of like pancake batter. Divide the batter evenly into lined cupcake tins and bake for about 15-20 minutes. Allow to cool

 

 

Champagne Syrup

•2 cups champagne

•1 cup powdered sugar

Bring the champagne and powdered sugar to a boil and let them reduce about half way. Don't expect it to get thick. It will be liquidity. Poke holes in the cupcakes and drizzle in the syrup. Let it absorb into the cupcake and add more. Keep adding to taste

*To make champagne cupcakes just use a white cupcake recipe and add the champagne syrup step!

Be sure to stop by and see Gollum for more Foodie Fridays!

Thanks for dropping by Y'all!

Saints, Bless You Boys!!!

You don't have to be around here very long to know that we are Saints fans.

We were supposed to attend the game on Oct 3

 but due to some conflicts we have had to reschedule.

HOWEVER, the sweet folks over at the Saints organization

 shipped the children their Saints kids membership packets.

 I knew they were a classy group!

The children were super excited and truly racked up!

Backpacks, stickers, pencils you name it.

They will be so ready for the game in a couple of weeks!

The Prince can often be heard running around the house saying

GEAUX SAINTS or BLESS YOU BOYS,

 but the other night while saying prayers,

 just before he said Amen he let out a HUGE

WHO DAT?

Let's hope God is a Saints fan!

Thanks for dropping by Y'all!

Something so charming has to be TOTALLY southern

If you are like me you grew up with a Mother that was always eager to get the latest publication of

 Southern Living.

 Yes, it was truly a staple in every southern woman's home.

As a southern woman with my own home to run, I too have always enjoyed Southern Living.

 However I have discovered a new passion.

 One that will in fact make you retire that subscription.

Garden and Gun

It is indeed the epitome of southern grace and style.

The name is just what you will find inside.

Gorgeous homes with elaborate decor.

Cooking and wine.

The best of southern society.

Hunting and elegant country living.

I think you will be forever devoted to the absolutely stunning publication.

As you hold it in your hand images of dove hunts and southern gentlemen sipping bourbon, debutantes making their way onto the national social register, and children running barefoot through fields of green will fill your thoughts!

Enjoy my precious readers and as always

Thanks for dropping by!

It is almost time for The Boys of Fall

Football speaks to my very soul. I was raised on it. As were most of us here in the south. When I wasn't on the Dallas Cowboy sidelines cheering for my Daddy, I was cheering for the Saints on TV. Years later I was in the stands cheering on my little brother. As I watch this video, my heart is stirred and tears stream down my face. I look forward to watching my own son strap on the pads and take his place among this legacy that is The Boys of Fall

Foodie Friday! Baby Doe's has a secret!

One of the most beloved of restaurants in Birmingham, AL

closed it's doors several years ago

Baby Doe's

One of our favorite dishes was their

FAMOUS BEER CHEESE SOUP!

The recipe was very secret.

Many, many years later

 my  Mother has agreed to allow me to share.

6 cups milk

2 (12 ounce) cans of beer, divided

2 (16 ounce) jars plus 1 (8 ounce) jar of cheese whiz

1 (10 3/4 ounce) can of chicken broth, undiluted

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

3 dashes of hot sauce

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Combine milk and 2 1/2 cups beer in a large Dutch Oven. Cook over low heat until thouroughly heated, stirring constantly. Add cheese spread, broth, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Coook over low heat until thouroughly heated stirring constantly.

Combine cornstarch and remaining beer, mixing well. Add to cheese mixture; simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened. ( DO NOT BOIL).

Yeilds 4 quarts

Hope you enjoy!

 Be sure to stop by Gollum and see more Foodi Fridays!

THANKS FOR DROPPING BY Y'ALL!

Wasting away in Margaritaville!!

I know that I am not blogging as normal, life for me has not returned to normal.

Think it might be time to redefine normal?

 Anyway, I so appreciate all of you reading and checking in on me.

I promise I will be back on a normal blogging schedule soon.

I appreciate all the prayers for my grandmother.

We are prayerful for the best, and God's will.

Cancer is certainly a terrible thing in itself, add Alzheimer's well you can imagine.

As most of you know my family relocated to Gulf Shores in April.

 So we are living the oil spill first hand.

I wanted to THANK Jimmy Buffett for his amazing concert to help all of us down here!

Here is the Princess at the concert with a very cool VIP

We had a great time!

Thanks for dropping by Y'all!

Foodie Friday!

WOW I am so excited to share with you the pictures this week!

We celebrated the 3rd birthday of the Prince.

It was Golf themed and here it is

The cake

The cupcakes

Traditional Arnold Palmer Iced Tea

All the food

Traditional food from the Master's calls for chicken fingers

Hand painted cups for the children

More party details to come.

Hope you enjoyed Foodie Friday this week!

Be sure to stop by and see Gollum for more

Thanks for dropping by Y'all!

The Prince turns 3

The Prince is celebrating his Birthday today as we speak!

(He actually turns 3 tomorrow)

We are having his party right now

Here was how the invite read

Birdie, Bogey, Hole in one...

It is our little Pro's birthday,

so please "swing " by for the fun!

Saturday June 19, 2010
*Can't Par-Tee?

at 2:00 PM

Contact his caddy

xxx-xxxx

I will have pictures after the party!

Thanks for dropping by Y'all!