Today might just be another Monday for you but for Angela Woodall Shepard — today is her birthday!  

Married to Patrick, a graduate of Clarkdale & MSU, an avid MSU fan & a wonderful blogger.

Happiest of all birthdays Angela!!  I hope your day is filled with lots of celebrating and and most importantly, love!!  Enjoy your day girl, my only wish is that I was in Jackson celebrating with you!!

(Angela is one of my favorite bloggers and you can read some of her fun adventurous posts by clicking here!)

Not your average chicken

A few years ago, my godmother gave me one of her recipes for a chicken dish she makes that I like.  She said she hesitated to give it to me because she thought I would never try it due to the ingredients used to prepare the recipe.  (You know somethings you eat, your better off not knowing what was used to make it.)   And she was right, it has taken me five years to get up the nerve to buy the ingredients (which there aren't many just a weird, to me, combination) and try it out.  

Today was the day to try it out.  

Would you ever put these three things together?

 Of course not but I bet you will consider trying them together, now.

Apricot Glaze Chicken

8 ozs of Russian dressing

1 envelope (1 oz) of dry onion soup mix

12 ozs apricot preserves

chicken breasts

Place chicken in a greased large roasting pan.  Combine salad dressing, soup mix and preserves and spread over chicken.  Bake at 300 degrees for 2 hours or until done.

Apricot Glazed Chicken, Green Bean Bundles, Loaded Mashed Potatoes and Texas Toast

The meal hit the spot and we will be using this recipe for the Apricot Glazed Chicken again, soon.

And if your sick of chicken — buy meatballs in your local grocery store's freezer section and pour the sauce over them in a crock pot and cook on low for a few hours.  YUM! 

NAP TIME!

Enjoy the rest of this rainy Sunday afternoon, y'all.

There's more to the voice

Yesterday, I introduced you to our 393 Magazine's Feb/March 411 female... and today I'm excited to reveal our 411 male for the same issue.  You can pick up your newest copy of 393 Magazine the end of this week or can view it online by clicking here.

If you live in the 393 zip code, I'm sure you've heard his voice.  And if your like me, you probably wake up every week day listening to him telling a joke or talking about his man cave on 97OKK.  However, his voice is not the only thing to love about this man.  Behind the microphone is a man who loves to have his face in the wind, can brew his own beer and probably cooks better than me. 

Photo property of 393 Magazine / taken by Wayne Rawson

This jack of all trades is Todd Rupe, otherwise known as Sharkey.  In the mornings he is making everyone's morning brighter on the radio and by the afternoon, he might just pass you on his Harley.  He loves his wife and two baby girls (dachshunds) and will never miss a chance to honor one of our own military men and women.

Be sure to listen to 97OKK every week day morning and you'll hear the voice of Sharkey — and pick up the Feb/March issue next week to learn more about the man behind the voice.

And if you think you can't get enough of him on the radio... he now has a blog!  You can follow his blog by clicking here!

Saving them... one dog at a time

Allow me to introduce you to a person who is truly making the world a better place.  She hasn't found a cure for cancer or been able to put an end to abortion, but she has saved the lives of many dogs who deserved a better life or were about to be euthanized before their lives have even really begun.

Photo property of 393 Magazine / taken by Wayne Rawson

This amazing young lady is Ashley Owen Hill and she is the Feb/March 411 female feature in 393 Magazine.  You will be able to read all about her at the end of next week when the new issue comes out, but I wanted to give you a quick preview of the photo and tell you how you can help her out with all the rescues she is doing.  

You may not be able to foster a dog or adopt one of the cuties on her blog, but you can help out with the many costs of helping each one of these babies by making a donation to rescue fund by clicking here.

The world could use more people like Ashley and I hope you will consider clicking here to read about some of her rescues and happy endings with dogs who have found forever homes.  Each story will pull at your heart but will also warm your heart at the same time. 

"I talk to him when I'm lonesome like; and I'm sure he understands.  When he looks at me so attentively, and gently licks my hands; then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes, but I never say naught thereat.  For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes, but never a friend like that."

 

Ignite the light & let it shine

Could we have asked for a more beautiful, warm your soul, kinda Saturday?  It's gorgeous outside y'all and I'm loving E.V.E.R.Y. single minute of it.   

This morning, I "had" to run to Meridian but I didn't mind because I had the sunroof open with XM radio blaring out of the car.  I'm sure the folks who looked over at me at the red lights were thinking, please turn that down, but I couldn't.  I was smiling from ear to ear, singing every note along with my current favorite station, XM 20.  Something about all the songs on there at the moment just light up my face and make me think of spring.

And speaking of spring... you would think it's here.  This, the 29th day of JANUARY, has this house with the windows and doors open.  I'm even doing some "light" spring cleaning, but I'm running in and out of the house enjoying the warmth of the sun.  I can't be shut up on a day like today.  In fact, I'm even blogging outside right now from the bench on the porch.  What a difference a week makes:  last weekend I had my uggs on and this weekend I'm wearing flip flops.  I love our Mississippi weather — ever so unpredictable yet always entertaining.

I just snapped this photo and hope it ignites the light in you and you let it shine!!

Happy Saturday, y'all!!!

Sinful to be this good

HELLLLLO, Friday!  I thought you would never get here.  But now that your here, please do me a favor and let the weekend s-l-o-w-l-y pass by.  I could use a nice long relaxing weekend after this crazier than normal, hectic work week.

To help kick the weekend off, I made a yummy dessert that is sinfully good but not that bad for you.  I figured after this week, something chocolaty had to be in the works.  It was quick and easy to make and you probably have just about everything you need already in your fridge and cabinets.  If not, a quick grocery store run and a few dollars of cash is all you'll need.

HUSBANDS DELIGHT 

(otherwise known to me as — SIN)

Crust

1 1/2 cup of self rising flour

1 1/2 sticks of mararine

1/2 cup of chopped pecans (optional)

Mix margarine, flour and pecans.  Press into a 9 x 13 dish and bake in a 350 degree oven until slightly browned.  (Usually about 12 to 15 minutes.) Cool.

Toppings

1 (8oz.) cream cheese softened

cup of sugar

Large Cool Whip

Large box instant chocolate pudding

Small box instant chocolate pudding

1/4 cup of chopped pecans (optional)

Using your mixer, cream the cheese, sugar and 1/2 of Cool Whip.  Spread over the cooled crust.  Prepare pudding by using the directions on the box and spread over the cream cheese mixture.  Top with remaining Cool Whip.  Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of  chopped pecans over the top.  Refrigerate for two hours and then it's ready to cut, serve and ENJOY!!

Note:  I did not use pecans when I made the recipe this time.  

Terry doesn't like any kind of nuts.  =)

And, to make this recipe "good" for you:  use fat free or low fat products.  I did and it tastes just the same without all the calories!

Things that make you... well, vomit!

It's my blog and I'll complain if I want to — you know why:  because it's my blog, my thoughts and my opinions.  The best part, you, who read my blog, read it because you want to.  You know what I like and because you know what I like to write about, you follow my blog.     

Now to my complaints.  (Which is not about blogs.  I think blogging is the solution!) 

FACEBOOK, oh how I love facebook.  It's part of my daily routine.  You know stalking the live feed to see who is having a birthday, eating something I might want to try or posting news that I may need to know.  And I love seeing pictures of the snowmen you built on your snow day, your babies first smile or the glorious pictures of your wedding day.  

However, I do NOT want to know that your child has "pooped in the potty 3 times today" or that your "flow is heavier than normal." It's also not the place to post other's business.  Did you ever think that maybe she wouldn't want everyone knowing that she is at "7 cm and still feeling no pain" and "she isn't really getting the feel of REAL childbirth" or that maybe we all have a rather expensive power bill and no we don't feel sorry for your "$385.00 Mississippi Power bill." 

Like I said, I think facebook is a great tool used in socializing and working.  But if you want to put EVERY. SINGLE. DETAIL. about your child, your job, your relationship, etc. might I suggest getting a blog.  That way the people who ACTUALLY want to read how many times it took you going into their room and comforting them before they fell asleep, can.  And people like me, who love children but think — you shouldn't have curled up in the bed with them every night since they were born... then you wouldn't be going through this — wouldn't have to be subject to reading this same status every night for five nights straight on facebook.  Yes, I think your child has a cute face but no one wants to see the same kind of picture of him in his diaper posted EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

Now, you may be thinking, why not delete this person off of my facebook?  Well, I guess I could but then I'd have to deal with getting the notification of them asking to be my friend, again.  (Yes, I have gone through this already and have 37, yes 37, requests right now on facebook for this very reason.)  Even some of them have sent a message along with it asking what happened, did you accidentally delete me?  NO, I didn't, I just got sick of reading your ridiculous statuses every day.  And those also include people cussing constantly.  I have clicked "hide all by ___" on a few people and may go back through the list to do it again.  At least they think we are still "friends" and I don't have to deal with reading "their business" all the time.

Facebook is and can be good thing.  One of my friends posted last night, "be careful what you write on facebook, you never know who you're influencing!!!"  This is very true and I take it to heart.  I try not to post something that I wouldn't want others to endure.

So, if your my friend on facebook, please think about these few simple house rules before posting something on facebook:

• Don't post a status that you will regret in the morning.

• Airing the "dirty laundry" in your relationship isn't appropriate for a status.

• Somethings are better left unsaid.

• Not everyone feels the same that you do so think before you post.

There are plenty more I would love to list but I think you get the idea.  For those of you who use facebook like I do, thanks — I enjoy reading your statuses, viewing your pictures and keeping up with our friendship through this site.  And thank you for not making me want to vomit, every day!

I didn't watch, did you?

Last night was the State of the Union and I have to be honest, I didn't watch.  I probably should have watched to see what is about to take place in our country through our politicians eyes but I found myself watching House Hunters on HGTV.  House hunters (I have a feeling) was much more interesting.  

The thing is — growing up, our family watched the State of the Union address to our country, together.  And afterward, we would talk about the state our country is in and the direction it was about to go.  It was a big deal and sadly, to me, it's not anymore.  I feel like it is more about the President telling us what we want to hear and then not following through with his words.  Not only with this President but it has been the same with others in the past.  I'm sure I'll be caught up to speed on what was stated last night through twitter, facebook and the news today.

It's Wednesday y'all!  We are half way to the weekend!!! 

A day in the life of Marleigh

Oh to have the life of a dog - especially ours.  She has it made!  

 

She sleeps in every day with her blankets and her binky.  

After a long day of "napping" she is ready to help me cook.

After dinner, it's play time.  Whether it's with "Humphrey" or us... she is always entertaining.

And the best part, she gets to do it all over again the next day.  

We both agree - she definitely has the life!

Product Review

A few weeks ago, I ordered a new hair product from Sephora and I love it!  For those of us with naturally curly hair, you know what a pain it can be to find the right product to use on your hair to make it curly, not frizzy, natural looking, not crispy looking or feeling sticky and icky.  And I'm so excited that I have found that product, at least for me.

Having naturally curly hair isn't something that most of us just love.  Most females with straight hair want curly hair and those with curly hair want straight hair.  But, I'm embracing my curls and the fact that I can get out of the shower and be ready to go in 15 minutes!  That's right, I love my hair straight and still wear it straight about half of the time but spending 45 minutes drying and then straightening it out with the chi takes all the fun out of getting ready in the mornings.  

I've been using the product a little under two weeks and love it.  My curls are soft to the touch not crunchy or sticky and the best part - I've gotten so many compliments on my new/old look.  Last week at our Style Statement photo shoot - Wayne Rawson asked to snap a picture of me and my curls.  Even though I was still sick... not to mention pale... I smiled (sort of) and said "cheese."

 So if you want to try this product that I've come to love, click on the Sephora link at the top of the blog and order it.

  Let me know if you try it and what you think... Cause I think you're gonna love it!!

ENJOY!!

New recipe: Loaded Potato Soup

 After being sick all last weekend and all of last week, the only thing I wanted to eat was soup.  And with the experience my mom and I had at O'Charleys last Monday after I got out of the doctors office... I decided that it was time to learn how to make my own loaded potato soup.  No need to put up with bad service when you can have the best service at home.  

I actually bought all the ingredients weekend before last and had planned to make it then.  However, after getting sick and not feeling like cooking last Sunday, I saved this recipe for today.  We had it for a late lunch today after I came out of my cough syrup coma.  

Loaded Potato Soup

bacon

3 lbs red potatoes, scrubbed

1/2 stick of butter

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

4 cups half and half

1 cup milk

1 cup chicken stock

1 lb. Velveeta Cheese, melted

white pepper

garlic powder

1 tsp of Tabasco sauce

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Dice the bacon and cook in a skillet until all the fat is tendered.  Drain the bacon and set aside until ready to use.  Cut the potatoes into 1/2 inch dice and put them in a pot with water to cover.  Boil for 10 minutes, drain and set aside.  

Terry thought I was cooking apples.  =)

Melt the butter in a heavy pot and add the flour, whisking constantly until the paste is smooth.  Gradually add the half and half, milk and chicken stock, whisking constantly.  When the sauce begins to thicken, add the Velveeta, whisking frequently.

Add the potatoes to the cheese mixture.  Season to taste with white pepper and garlic powder, and add the Tabasco.  Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.  

 

Pour the soup into bowls and garnish with the bacon bits and shredded cheese.

This hit the spot on this chilly Sunday afternoon.  It tastes just like OCharley's loaded potato soup, and the best part... there is plenty of leftovers!  

Enjoy!!

Thankful for my talents

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

Every day I am reminded of the many wonderfully, amazing talents He has bestowed upon me.  Some were revealed to me at an early age.  My talent for music:  singing, playing the piano and rhythm.  Some were revealed to me in high school and college.  My talent for art:  a creative mind, an eye for art and ways to show off that beauty in print.  Some are still being revealed to me.  My talent to be a best friend, lover and soul mate.  Every day, I use one of my many given talents but I don't always give thanks every day for the way I get to use them.  

Everyone is blessed with a voice.  A voice to speak and to communicate with others.  Some of those voices are blessed to be singing voices and some of those singing voices should be left to singing along with the radio.  From an early age, I was singing in the church choir, in school programs and then as I grew older and my voice matured... I was asked to enter voice competitions and had leading solos in concerts.  Along with that talent of singing, I was blessed with fingers that tickle the ivory.  At the age of three, I was sitting on my grandmothers piano and even though those "performances" weren't the ones I can give today, they were the ones that opened the door for my lifelong talent of playing the piano.  And while you don't have to have the talent of rhythm to go along with singing and playing the piano, it does help.   This week, I was asked to consider playing the piano at church, again.  I played for nine years full time before moving to Jackson and even though I can't go back full time, I like the thought of playing hymn arrangements for everyone to worship with.  And the best part is it is at my home church.  The church where I was brought up and raised and still holds a big part of me.

And my junior year of high school, he blessed me with more talents.  A talent for the arts.  I never knew that I would use these talents every day in my job like I do today.  There aren't many people who can say they love their job but I can.  I get to do the things I love and do the things I'm good at.  Being creative, taking photos, creating photos and making everything come together in one magazine that everyone can't wait to pick up every month.  The love and passion these talents have with me, go deep.  Seeing others faces light up when they see what has been created for them makes it all worth my while.

A few years ago, I wondered and even questioned if I could ever be that someone's love and soul mate.  In May 2009, that question was answered.  He did give me that talent.  He gave me the talent to love and comfort the one I'm with, to share in the joys and the sorrows throughout our daily routines and to give all of myself... the good, the bad, the ugly.  It's an amazing feeling to know that what we have is real.  And that even though every one thinks they know what is best for us... only He knows what is best for us.  Our timing is right and the only people we are concerned with pleasing is Him and ourselves.

Today, I was reminded that God also gave me a bountiful amount of talent in the best friend area.  The words from your lips made me realize that I'm who I am today and why we are still best friends today.  There has never been any jealousy because we were truly meant to be friends.  The support of friends and the willingness to accept those friends make having the talent of being a best friend the easiest one of them all.

God doesn't make mistakes.  He supplies us with the talents He thinks we will be able to use in honor of him.  It's up to us to use them and give thanks for them. 

 

Me and Teeth

I've got to admit, there is no love lost with me and the dentist.  I'm a huge fan of him just like I am the OB/GYN.  Yep, can't stand either one of them.  However, I can usually tolerate both.  

I used the same dentist from 1983 until about 3 years ago when he (Fletcher) retired.  And I will admit, I have some bad teeth.  Let me correct myself, my brother and I BOTH have bad teeth.  They said it was genetics and wanted my parents to have another child to see if their teeth was just as bad, fortunately my parents didn't that idea was too bright.  And in my love/hate relationship with the dentist, they have helped me through in some rough times.  I've had plenty of root canals, crowns, fillings, you name it - it's been done.  And a few months ago, one of my crowns came out.  Not a problem, went to the same dental office (saw the new/old experienced dentist, Scanlon) and had it re-cemented.  And on Monday of this week (to top off my doctors visit for strep and the bad sinus infection), I had a different crown come loose and I had to have it re-cemented today.  However, today's visit didn't go over so smoothly.    

Dr. Scanlon couldn't see me until next week but they knew the tooth needed to be re-cemented.  So they told me they would put me with the newest dentist in the clinic.  And today was the last time she will ever be in my mouth working again.  I know my dental history and can tell you when the last time something was done... I've had so much work done that even I can remember which tooth has had what.  However, she didn't believe me today that that certain tooth had already had a root canal on it and decided that an x-ray was needed.  Of course, I was right and the tooth DID have a root canal procedure a few years ago.  Needless to say, I will not be paying for that x-ray and she will not be handling any of my dental needs in the future.  It's true what they say, sometimes you don't know what you've got until it's gone.  And in this case, it's all about having a good dentist that you can trust.  I've had three good dentists in my life, Fletcher, Holly, and Scanlon.  Thankfully, Scanlon is still practicing and will be the only dentist in my mouth.  Now, let's just hope the crown she re-cemented stays in for a while until I can get in to see him.  

Can anyone here me screaming, "where's the weekend?"

We've made it through Wednesday, y'all!!

Well, it happened...

As many of you read on Saturday evening, I was feeling under the weather.  However, Sunday morning, I took a turn for the worst.  The best way I can describe the feeling is hot, boiling lava flowing down my throat eating away at the lining and every tooth in my head aching with a pounding headache.  Sounds painful and awful, right?  Well, trust me, it is and I wouldn't wish this on anyone.  

The one thing I didn't want to do was go sit at the doctor's office yesterday, but since I had a fever and continued to feel terrible... Terry told me it was time to go, so I went and sat in the waiting room with all the other sick folks for 3 hours.  Yep, 8:30 - 11:30.  Then I was finally called back and diagnosed with strep and a bad sinus infection.  After two shots, three prescriptions and advice on taking it easy and "resting" (which I still haven't been able to do) I was on my way.  I went to get my prescriptions filled at the CVS closest to Terry's office and let's just say the service was awful.  I take for granted the nice, attention giving staff at the CVS that I'm use to using.  And after an hour of waiting for them to be filled, I was regretting not driving all the way to the HWY 493 location for my meds.  

My mom was in town at the dentist and she took me to get some soup before I went home to "rest."  And if your seeing a pattern with how my day was going, you can only guess the way the lunch went.  We both ordered soup and salad.  I haven't eaten much over the past couple of days but the doc said I needed to eat to let the medicine do its thing.  The service was slow, my loaded potato soup only had two slices of potato in it and I never did get a refill on the only thing I was concerned about, sweet tea!  The rolls were another problem.  When we got there, they said the rolls were in the oven.  Not a problem, the fresher and hotter, the better.  ONLY we see the female manager on duty help herself to a seat with her lunch and a plate of 6 YES, SIX, rolls!  Now, if we hadn't have been waiting already for 30 minutes on rolls, it wouldn't have been a problem.  BUT, we had been waiting and it was another 10 minutes before we finally got some of the so called "fresh and hot" rolls.  When she brought the ticket, it had a survey on the ticket and little do they know - but my mother plans to give them an ear full.  

Seriously, what has happened to customer service these days!!??

After I got home, one of the shots had kicked in and I couldn't sleep.  Thankfully the pain meds helped with the headache and throat aching so I could sleep some through the night.  Terry was a trooper.  He made sure I was comfortable and was there for me whenever I needed anything.  

I'm happy to report that my fever broke after lunch today and I'm praying that means I'm on the downside of this mess.  I've missed my job these past two days and as much work as I've gotten done at the house, I've still missed two photo shoots and missed seeing our advertisers.  I promise as soon as I'm back to the normal "joy" I'll be around seeing everyone again.  Hopefully back at work tomorrow taking it easy and not getting anyone else, sick.

Hope y'all are having a great week and if you make a trip to O'Charleys anytime soon, I hope your service is much better than ours.  Stay well, y'all!

Do you love pets?

A friend of mine, Ashley Owen Hill, has started a new blog called Luck Dog Rescue Blog.  If you love animals like I do, you'll want to follow her blog.  Who knows, you might see a dog on there that is perfect for you or someone else you might know.   

The blog will host pictures of adoptable dogs, ways to donate and even foster dogs until they find their forever home.

If you are local, reading my blog and are in need of boarding services, Ashley is the owner of Lucky Dog Retreat.  My brother and  sister-in-law have used her three or four times now and they as well as Maggie, LOVE her!!

Louisiana Chicken Pasta

 One of my 2011 promises to myself is to... "try out and blog a new recipe every month."  Tonight was the night I picked and I was up to the challenge.  Well, I say I was - I felt horrible but cooked, anyway.  

I make a menu for our weekends during the week to be sure we have everything we need before the weekend begins.  Mainly because I don't want to spend my time at the grocery store wasting away my relaxing time.  So, since the menu and groceries were planned out... it was time to try out the new recipe, Louisiana Chicken Pasta.  (If you have ever been to The Cheesecake Factory, you can find this on their menu.  This is from my newest cookbook and happens to be our favorite entree at TCF!)   

Recipe for the Cajun Sauce:

1 small yellow bell pepper, chopped

1 small red bell pepper, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

 1 tsp red pepper flakes

1 tbsp butter

2 1/2 cups heavy cream

1 cup low-salt chicken broth

1/4 cup julienned basil leaves

1 cup grated Parmesan chese

salt and black pepper

 (Can do ahead) To make the Cajun sauce, saute the yellow and red peppers, garlic and red pepper flakes in the butter.  Add the cream and chicken broth.  Bring to a quick boil, then lower the heat and simmer until reduced by one-quarter.  Add the basil, Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper.  Simmer for a few minutes more, or until all the ingredients are combined.  Let, cool, then set aside or refrigerate in a covered container, gently reheat the sauce when ready to use.  (After I made the sauce, I kept it on low to medium heat until the rest was ready.)

Peppers, garlic, red pepper flakes and butter sauteing.

Simmering with all the sauce ingredients.

To prepare and cook the chicken:

 3/4 cup bread crumbs

2 tbsp all-purpose flour

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup milk

1/3 cup vegetable or olive oil (I used olive oil)

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1/4 inch thick)

Combine the bread crumbs, flour and Parmesan cheese in a shallow bowl.  Put the milk in a separate bowl.  Heat the oil in a large skillet.  Dip each breast in the bread crumb mixture, then in the milk and one more time in the crumbs, pressing gently to make sure the crumbs stick.  Saute until golden brown on both sides and cooked through til no longer pink.  Keep them warm until all are done.

Pasta:

1 lb bow-tie pasta, cooked according to the package

Parmesan cheese, for garnish

To serve, toss the cooked pasta with the Cajun sauce, ladle into individual bowls and top with chicken breasts.  Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.

Pasta with Cajun sauce.

YUM YUM... ready to indulge.

 
If you like spicy food, you'll LOVE this! Enjoy y'all!!

 

Saturday Road Trip

 While I do love a good road trip, today's was interesting to say the least.  The day started off like any other lazy Saturday morning... waking up to Terry saying, "are you ready to get up, yet?"  We had a lot planned for this Saturday.  A road trip to Alabama and back in time for an afternoon hunt.  (Which is where he is now, hunting for that big buck.  I'm home sick... the reason we went to Ala.)  

We skipped our weekly homemade Southern Saturday breakfast since we had lunch planned in the "big city" and off we went. After leaving the house, a few miles down the road we come to the sign...

 

 

The Alabama line is only a few miles from the house.

And if you read the sign and look around it, you would think they could at least clean up around the sign.  I would be embarrassed to have "beautiful" on the welcome sign when there is trash all around it.

On we go a few miles and we reach the city limits of Lisman, Ala.  However, we see blue lights ahead with two cars stopped.  We figured it was a license check but quickly realized it was not.  Do you know what Monday is?  Of course, it's MLK day.  So, why in the world would you have your MLK parade, TODAY!?!  Better yet, at 10 a.m. in the morning on a major highway.  I won't go into details about the parade to which we saw the entire thing during the thirty minutes of sitting still, in the middle of the road... but I will say, I guess I shouldn't have expected anything less from Lisman, Ala.  

The traffic starts to move again and on we go to our destination... 

 

We arrive in Butler and go to our first stop which was also the reason for our road trip, Mr. Discount.  I have been having some sinus issues over the past few weeks and nothing has helped.  The only thing that I know has and will help is...

However, you can't buy this over the counter in Mississippi without a prescription.  And while I'm sure your thinking why in the world go to Alabama for this when you can just go to the doctor for the prescription... well, I chose not to go sit in a waiting room with flu, strep and stomach virus victims.  Until today, I have had no other symptoms except a terrible, put you in the bed, kinda sinus headache.  So we decided on Wednesday that if I could make it til the weekend, we would drive over to buy the "miracle drug" in Ala.  After we purchased the meds we made our next stop - Village Jewelry and Gun Shop.  Terry has been looking to add to his already rather large collection of guns and looking for me another pistol.  

All that shopping got us kinda hungry.  And everyone knows where to eat while your in Butler...

 

We enjoyed a nice, fried lunch over looking the Tombigbee River.

On the way back home, we had a request from one of Terry's customers to stop at the local IGA to pick up some of this...

Apparently, this is also something Mississippi does not sell.  And since he wanted us to pick him up some Yuengling, we picked us up some, too, to see what the big fuss is all about.

What an adventurous trip it was and one we will both still be laughing at tomorrow and probably the next day.  Now, just waiting to hear if Terry gets a deer.  My brother shot an 8-point this morning and said the deer are moving... so I'm hopeful we will be cleaning another deer, tonight!!

Enjoy the rest of this Saturday, y'all!

One of Meridian's Best Talents

If you live in the area, at least once a week or more you watch WTOK to get the latest news, weather and sports info.  I may not see the six and ten o'clock news every day but I do try to at least watch one of them.  We may live in a small/medium size town but there is usually a lot of things going on in our area to report about. And it helps when your watching the news to have someone on the air who is a true Southerner with the right amount of high class flare.  

This person came to Meridian while I was living in Jackson and I had the pleasure of meeting her when I moved back.  We became friends in 2008 and have had some wonderful times together.  We are two complete opposites but have the most fun when we get together to talk and cook.  She's a night owl, I go to bed early.  She's a marathon runner, I'm a marathon grocery shopper.  She's a world traveler, I'm a country girl.  Yes, we are two complete opposites but when we come together we have lots to talk about.  

Lindsey came over last night to have dinner with Terry and I to catch up on what all is going on in her life.  It had been a couple of months since we had a chance to sit and enjoy each others company.  And just like all the other times before, we laugh, learn and love it!!  She really is a mess and we love to hear all about her adventures in her personal life and behind the scenes of her job.  You know, the "off the record" stuff.  

So, thanks for the laughs last night Lindsey and we can't wait to do it again, soon!

Our first picture of 2011 together.  Here's to many more!

Aladdin

Meridian Little Theater is hosting the youth production of Aladdin this week for area school children to attend and this weekend - it is open to the public.  I love going to photograph this event for the upcoming magazine.  I see so many of my friends children and they love being "popular" enough to be in the magazine.  I know - little kids crack me up!  

I won't share the pictures that are going to be in the Feb/March issue but I will share with you two pictures.  

Vashti (15) and Angeline (8) Graham's mom, Sheila, wanted to take a picture with me and the girls.  I use to babysit Vashti way back when and am very happy to see them turning in to beautiful young ladies.  So proud of who they are becoming.

And this is Hannah Mae... the oldest niece.  This is her second MLT play and I do believe she loves every minute of performing.  I spent the morning taking pictures of all the cast members but Terry and I will be going on Sunday afternoon to sit and watch the performance.  From what I saw backstage, it's gonna be a great show!! 

Break a leg, y'all!!!

Delivered Package

I love it when the UPS man comes to the house.  I know he is bringing me something I have been looking forward to - well, since the day I ordered it.  No matter how many times he stops in front of my house... I get excited.  He told me today that I'm the only one who greets him at the door before he rings the doorbell.  What can I say, he's been coming down our street, the same time, for four years... so I know when to expect him.  

I have a huge love for Sephora and all their wonderful products.  And for Christmas, I was given a few gift cards to this, my favorite store.  I placed my ordered and waited three business days for this...

which contained this...

My hair is naturally curly and since it is a lot longer than it has ever been... I needed a new product for these luscious locks.  I'm excited that my new curly head product is here (and the other things I ordered) and can't wait to try every thing out.