Today I’m proud to bring you Mama’s third installment of Heritage Hints and Notes. I know you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. We’d love to hear from you in the comments below and be sure to check out her other Heritage posts by clicking here. Gratefully, Christy

  I come from a long line of proud, hard-working country people, and despite what you might see on television from time to time or hear about ever now and then, we country people are definitely not stupid or ignorant. My ancestors may have talked differently from others but they were soft spoken gentle people.

A while back, I happened upon a documentary on Appalachian people. I try not to call Christy when these are on because more often than not they subtitle folks as they talk and nothing gets her riled faster than seeing Southerners subtitled…

This particular documentary really stood out to me, though, because I recognized a lot of phrases used by my grandparents, phrases that I’m often corrected on nowadays because folks simply don’t understand them. As it turns out, the words make perfect sense (and always have), it’s just that they were somewhat foreig – what things were called in England and Scotland years earlier and passed down generation by generation.

A prime example is a phrase I’ve heard all of my life. My grandmother (Lela) always complained that we kids were “A messin’ and a gomin’ ”.  I always wondered what “goming” was.  A man on the documentary explained that goming was making a real mess or being messy.  Brings to mind how we were always in the kitchen fixing us a snack and leaving a mess behind-“goming”.

My grandmother “toted stuff in a paper poke”.  Translated that means carrying things in a paper sack.  Times were hard and my grandmother carefully folded her used paper pokes to be reused whenever she got any.  They were reused until they were soft and floppy.  Unknowingly she was practicing saving the earth. Country folk recycled long before it was popular.  Every now and then I toss a plastic throwaway container in the trash and I can’t help but pause to think of how my grandmother would have loved and cherished something as simple as a plastic container.

Country people rose with the dawn, worked the fields all day, raised all their own food, and preserved it to feed their families through the winter.  They made every piece of clothing their family had and even recycled outgrown clothing into clothes for younger children or quilts to provide warmth on long winter nights.  Nothing was wasted.  Every scrap, thread, and piece of string was valued and saved.

I am often corrected for saying “warsh” instead of wash. Christy tells me that her kids have told her she is supposed to pronounce her father’s title “Da-dee” instead of “Deh-dee”.  We aren’t supposed to say ain’t, pokes, “coo-pun” instead of q-pon and the likes. Often, I am torn between using what I know as proper grammar and holding on to the speech and values of my beloved ancestors.  It feels as if I am turning my back on them if I change my ways.  On the other hand, if I don’t I am perceived as backwards or uneducated. Many a Southerner (or folks from any region with a specific dialect for that matter) struggle with these same feelings.

From my ancestors, I have learned values, how to work hard, and integrity that no school could ever teach.  Just like Northerners speak differently, so do I and I will continue to do so. I am proud to be from great loving hardworking stock.  I can never turn my back on my heritage but I will try to tone down the “ain’t” at school assemblies for my grandkids as long as they’ll sit and listen to my stories of the people they come from – I figure that is a fair trade off. It is my hope to pass on the integrity with which my ancestors lived every day.  I may sound more like them than future generations will, but I only hope I can be half the person that they were.

When asking my Mother what should I do in a sticky situation, she would answer…

“In your heart of hearts you already know the answer. You just have to listen to your heart.”

~Advice from Dawn Tierney’s mother that Dawn submitted on our Give a Penny Page.

Congratulations to Ricky Mudd!

His comment was chosen using random.org to win this prize. Thank you to everyone who entered! You help ensure we have more great giveaways coming up on SouthernPlate.com! 

Congratulations are also in order to Christine Sanford! White Lily was so excited with the participation in this giveaway that they decided to choose a second winner as well!  

If you’re on Facebook, please click the “Like” button above,thanks!

I’m tickled to be able to bring you this great giveaway today, courtesy of White Lily! 

The prize package includes: 

• 2 Reusable White Lily Shopping Totes
• 2 Bags of White Lily Flour
• a Cuisinart Power Advantage Plus 7 Speed Hand Mixer (with storage compartment, $90 value) 
• Silicone Spatula with White Lily Logo
• Oxo Good Grips Pastry Cutter
• Measuring Cup with White Lily Logo
• White Lily Magnetic Shopping List
• White Lily Recipe Card holder cube 
• Old Fashioned Flour Sack Towel embroidered with the White Lily Logo (LOVE THIS)
• Recipe cards featuring treasured White Lily Recipes and more! 

To Enter, Leave A Comment Below! 

Contest closes Sunday night, January 22, at midnight Central time. Winner will be chosen at random and contacted by email as well as announced Monday morning on this post and on the Southern Plate Family Facebook Page.  Winner will have three days to respond or alternate winner will be chosen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Disclaimer: I have not been financially compensated for this post but I did receive a prize package, just like one of y’all will get! I’m madly in love with that flour sack dish towel because I like how they clean and they just feel like a connection to my heritage. Truth be told though, I won’t be using that one, it’s going to hang on my kitchen wall! Hmm, I feel like this disclaimer needs to be a little longer so let me see if I can think of something else to add…. Oh here we go! Ovens are hot and knives are sharp – consider yourself disclaimered  

It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.

-Henry David Thoreau

Add to our collection of wise and inspirational quotes by clicking here to visit our Give A Penny page!

TIPS AND RECIPES FROM OUR FRIENDS AT SOUTHERN LIVING

What to Eat (ALABAMA vs, LSU): 

Southern Living whipped up menus and cocktails that celebrate the cuisine of each team:

• Alabama: “Million Dollar Bama Sandwich,” Big Al’s Grilled Bacon-and-Blue Cheese Potato Salad, Pennant sugar cookies, and Crimson cupcakes
• LSU: “Muffle the Tide” Mini Muffulettas, Tiger Bait Red Beans and Rice, Hurricane Punch-Out, and Love Purple Live Gold Cupcakes
• We have videos of a team colors cupcake faceoff featuring our Test Kitchen Pros, click here to watch!

The Latest Gear

 Game Day Trivia

8 Fun Facts Every LSU Fan Should Know

6 Fun Facts Every Bama Fan Should Know

Football is, after all, a wonderful way to get rid of your

aggressions without going to jail for it. 

~Heywood Hale Brown

If you’re on Facebook, please click the little “like” button above. Thank you!

I went shopping for you! I went out and bought some of my favorite things to share with my wonderful Southern Plate family. Below, you’ll find my list of things I treat myself with and hopefully get a few ideas if you are looking to mark a some folks off of your gift list. You’ll find that I’m a practical gal with (mostly) practical tastes. But here is the fun part – I’m giving everything I bought away and you could be one of the winners!

Here is how this is gonna work. Beginning tomorrow, I’ll give away 2-3 prizes per day to commenters chosen at random, through Saturday, until all of the prizes have been given away. All you have to do is leave one comment to be entered in all fourteen giveaways. This is gonna go pretty quick so be sure and check back often to see if you’ve won! Winners will be announced here (in red letters, under the prize they won) and on Facebook, and will also be contacted by email. Winners will have 2 days to respond to the email with their address. If I haven’t heard back in two days, another winner will be announced for that prize.

Ready to have some fun? Here are a few of my favorite things!

To enter all of these giveaways, simply leave a comment below!

Check back often to see if you’ve won! I’ll announce 2-3 winners each day beginning Tuesday (Dec13) and running through Saturday (Dec 17)!

Hamilton Beach Set N Forget 6 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker

Call me practical, call me easy, call me inexpensive, but don’t call me late to dinner when you use this slow cooker. I’m giving away this model, which is the same one I use several times a week (especially when book deadlines are looming). I LOVE my slow cooker and I only use Hamilton Beach. They are my favorite brand because they are the only company making innovative small countertop appliances that the average consumer can actually afford. I’ve already purchased three slow cookers for Christmas gifts this year alone. So if you are a busy person or know a busy person who happens to like to eat every now and then, a slow cooker is a lifesaver. Models begin with basics and head on up to this model, which I consider the Cadillac, but with a value car price.

This is my favorite model for the 6 quart size, the rubber seal around the lid, and the clamps on the sides that allow you to transport even soups and stews without a single drop getting out. The program feature allows you to program a recipe to cook for a specified amount of time before automatically switching to warm. There are a hundred other reasons why this model is my favorite but you’re better off getting your own and seeing for yourself! If your slow cooker is over ten years old, I highly recommend getting a newer model for their improved features and better cooking ability. This one runs about $50-$60 and you can get great models as low as $20.

Special thanks to Hamilton Beach for providing the slow cooker I’ll be giving away to one lucky Southern Plate family member.

Me in my J. Crew Pearls on set in New York

J Crew Pearls

I went shopping with fellow Southern Living Editor at Large James Farmer in Charleston, SC for the perfect outfit to wear to my tv appearances and he insisted on a strand of glass pearls from J. Crew. That evening I received compliments on them from a heads of Time, Inc and Southern Living, among others.

They are just beautiful and have become my most worn wardrobe staple. I have worn them on more tv appearances than I can count. The quality is beautiful the price even better. BE sure you go into a J Crew store to pick out your pair if at all possible, their best prices and selection is definitely not found in their online store. When in New york this past week, Mama and I passed a J Crew store and went in to buy her a pair. At the time they were 25% off and we got her a beautiful strand for about $25. They range anywhere from $25-$90 depending on which ones you choose.

Did you know that most of Jaqueline Kennedy’s pearls were glass?

My mother and I picked up this set of pearls at the J Crew in New York, located in Rockefeller Center and I hope whoever gets them will love them as much as we do!

Congratulations to Robin Wood! Her comment was chosen at random to win these pearls

Southern Plate Cookbook

Of course, there is always my cookbook Featuring over 150 family recipes along with beautiful photography and the story behind each recipe – with some additional stories from my heart thrown in for good measure. If you enjoy SouthernPlate.com, you’ll definitely want the additional content, stories, and recipes found only in my book. The Christmas chapter is my best friend right now!

My next cookbook won’t be out until 2013 so pick this one up while ya can! Available at most major bookstores nationwide with a cover price of $27.99, but you can pick it up for only $15.19 (45% off) at the time of this post on Amazon.com by clicking here.

The copy I’m giving away will be signed.

Congratulations to Rebecca Holcombe, whose comment was chosen at random to win this prize!

$10 Starbucks Gift Card

I love treating myself to a latte from time to time but always feel a pang of guilt when I spend the money, which is why a Starbucks gift card is such a thoughtful gift because it allows someone to treat themselves without the guilt.

My favorites are Venti Skinny Caramel Latte and Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte I usually pay extra to have them add in an extra shot of expresso.

**I’ll be giving away two of these**

Congratulations to Jane P (email is Jane118) who was chosen at random to win one of these gift cards!

Silicone Utensils and Cheerful Dish Towels

I love pretty dish towels and these silicone utensils from Target are some of my absolute faves. Apparently, others agree because they were pretty picked over when I went shopping! I’m featuring silicone basting brush which is just divine. Finally, one that you can actually get truly clean! I love not having the traditional bristles, which seem to pick the worst times to let loose of the brush and are a bear to clean. I use this for brushing melted butter on hot biscuits, basting a ham, or brushing bbq sauce over my favorite pork chops.

This silicone spatula is big enough to be able to accomplish any job. I could always use an additional spatula! I also love the Silicone Spoontula they feature in this same line (It is called Michael Graves) and I have two pairs of silicone tongs from the same line as well. These utensils are available at Target, which is also where I got the dish towels from. The towels run around $5.00 for a set and the utensils range (approximately) from $7.00 – $12.99 each.

Congratulations to Susan Wade, whose comment was chosen at random to win this!

Hand Knotted Cultured Pearl Bracelet with Sterling Silver Clasp

Donny from Donny’s Diamond Gallery has been graciously serving as a drop off point for Santa’s For Seniors and he called this weekend to tell me how much bodywash they’d collected and how much they’d enjoyed getting to meet some of the Southern Plate Family who had dropped by.

I was working on this post at the time and when I mentioned it to Donny he quickly chimed in to offer this beautiful 6.5 mm cultured pearl bracelet with Sterling Silver clasp. What a treat these will be! Around these parts, that Donny’s Diamond Gallery bag is the equivalent of a Tiffany’s bag. Here is a photo of my Katy Rose happily posing with her bag and golden box when Donny sent her a birthday surprise in October!

Be sure you check out Donny’s on Facebook and tell them Christy sent ya!

Congratulations to Georgette Sorini, whose comment was chosen at random to win this prize!

Christmas in Connecticut

I love both the Barbara Stanwyck version of this movie and the modern version but I gotta tell ya, this telling with Diane Cannon and Kris Kristofferson is romance-novel Swoon worthy romantic!

There are other “MUST SEE” Christmas movies for me but this one is just lighthearted and fun. If you get a chance though, be sure you watch Meet Me In St Louis. It just isn’t Christmas for me without that movie!

Congratulations to Joyce Hale, who won this prize!

One Year Subscription to All You!

CONGRATULATIONS TO CHRISTINA SINGLETON!

HER NAME WAS CHOSEN AT RANDOM TO WIN THIS PRIZE.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I don’t know a single person who loves saving money and doesn’t love All You Magazine! They regularly feature some of the best coupons around (and plenty of them!) within each issue along with great and affordable ideas for food, decorating, budgeting, and more. I love getting magazine subscriptions as gifts because it means I get a little present each month in my mailbox! Right now Amazon has a year of All You for just $19.95 but one of you will be getting a year from me and All You as a little Merry Christmas! Click here to visit All You’s practical and affordable gift guide on Amazon.com!

Matthew West – The Heart Of Christmas

WOW, what an album this is! His voice is sublime and his treatment of these Christmas classics along with some new ones thrown in is both refreshing and traditional. You have got to hear his take on Oh Come all ye Faithful but make sure you have tissues handy for “One Last Christmas” – which is a true story. Ricky and I have really enjoyed listening to this cd in the car.

Congratulations to Kathi Spence, who won this great cd!

Southern Living Heirloom Recipe Cookbook – Featuring Marian Cooper Cairnes!

This is a beautiful cookbook and imagine my surprise to find a quote from me inside! Marian Cooper Cairns did all of the food styling for the photography on my book so it is a special thrill or me to see her smiling face and many of her recipes featured on these pages.

Congratulations to Frances S. Hughes, whose comment was chosen at random to win this prize!

*Special thanks to Southern Living for providing the book for this giveaway.

Rubbermaid Reveal Spray Mop

A mop on a Christmas Gift List? YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT! You see, all of that food I serve up? It has to be cooked somewhere. It also has to be eaten somewhere ,and that means that eventually there will definitely be a mess. Seeing as how cleaning is not my favorite task, I’ll take any shortcut I can to make it quicker and easier. Rubbermaid’s new Reveal Mop uses microfiber pads that are washable and reusable and comes with bottles that you fill up with your favorite household cleaner. You can use it on tile, hardwood, etc. It’s great in the kitchen and bathroom!

*Special thanks to Rubbermaid for providing this prize!

Congratulations to Clara OHannes, whose comment was chosen at random to win this great prize!

Veggie Tales Little Drummer Boy

I love anything and everything Veggie Tales so I always pick up a few copies of their latest DVD to give as last minute gifts to kids that show up around present time. Yes, I always have extra kids show up, doesn’t everyone? This year’s Little Drummer Boy DVD is the perfect gift for kids of all ages. My husband and I enjoy watching Veggie Tales every bit as much as the kids do!

Congratulations to Suzanne (whose partial email is stuck520) who was chosen at random to this this great prize!

Rubbermaid Glass Food Storage Set with Easy Find Lids

I LOVE This new glass Rubbermaid. I’ve already bought two sets of it for myself! You can bake in it, serve in it, and then store leftovers in the fridge. I also love how it stacks together and all of the lids click into place . Because who doesn’t need more storage space in their kitchen?

Congratulations to Melissa Plunkett, whose comment was chosen at random to win this prize!

*Special thanks to Rubbermaid for providing this prize.

To enter all of these giveaways, simply leave a comment below!

It isn’t the size of the gift that matters, but the size of the heart that gives it.

~Quoted in The Angels’ Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman

Contest Rules: Winners will be chosen daily beginning Tuesday, December 13th through Saturday December 17th. Winners will be announced within this post (beneath the prize they won), on Facebook, and by personal email sent to them. Winners will have two days to respond in order to claim prize or another winner will be chosen.
Disclaimer: All gifts are provided by myself unless otherwise specified. I was not financially compensated in any way for this post, it cost me money instead, and I was thrilled to be able to do it. I hope any FTC folks who happen to read this understand the full meaning of being blessed and have half as many wonderful people in their lives as I do. Put some holly in your jolly and have a Merry Christmas!

Please read the post below to see why I’m calling this “original” mud hens, and then try them soon! Have a GREAT day!

Gratefully, Christy

I have spent a considerable amount of time in the kitchen lately trying to come up with a shortcut recipe for my original Mud Hens recipe from My Cookbook.

No matter what I did, I ended up a little disappointed. The “shortcuts” weren’t nearly as good as the original. I normally don’t post recipes on SouthernPlate.com that are exclusive to my cookbook but when I found myself online looking to see if anyone else had come up with a good way to shortcut Mud Hens, I immediately came across over ten websites featuring the recipe from my cookbook ~laughs~  So I decided that if they can post my original recipe, I certainly can, too!

So forget the shortcuts. This recipe is simple and easy as it is. Once you taste it, I’m sure you’ll think it is worth the effort  

You’ll need: Shortening, sugar, eggs, butter, salt, baking powder, and all purpose flour. 

You’ll also need: Chocolate Chips, Marshmallows, and Brown Sugar

Note: Use dark or light brown sugar, whatever cranks your tractor.

You don’t have to use mini chocolate chips but that is what I had on hand.

Begin by separating two of your eggs, whites in one bowl and yolks in the other.

Make sure you don’t get any of the yolk into your whites because we’re about to make an amazing brown sugar meringue and if any of those yolks get in there our meringue won’t beat up right.

Now put your butter, shortening, and sugar in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until fluffy.

Add in your 2 egg yolks and the additional whole egg and beat again. 

Like this. 

At this point you should get out a separate bowl and place your flour, baking powder, and salt in it and stir together.

You really should do that.

I’m not, I’m going to just add in my flour, baking powder, and salt into the batter.

But you should really mix them up in a separate bowl first and then dump them in.

Unless you’re not in the mood to. In that case just put them into your batter separately like I did.

Mix that up until well combined and you have your dough.

Pat into the bottom of your greased 9×13 inch dish.

If you need to you can put a little flour on your hands to help keep it from sticking, like I did. 

Top with chocolate chips and marshmallows.

Now we need to make our brown sugar meringue topping.

My mouth started watering just typing that..

Place your egg whites in a mixing bowl and beat the mess out of it until stiff peaks form.

Like this  

Add in your brown sugar…

And stir with a spoon until it’s well combined like this.

Now this contains raw eggs so you shouldn’t taste it..

~She says as she licks the spoon and sets it aside for the next photo~

Pour your meringue over the top of your marshmallows and spread it around to the edges.

Like this.

Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.

Oh how pretty!

Allow to cool completely and then cut into bars.

Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.

“Opportunity is always knocking.

The problem is that most people have the self-doubt station in their head turned up way too loud to hear it.

~Brian Vaszily

ENTER NESTLE’S BAKE AND SHARE HOLIDAY TREAT CONTEST

I’m teaming up with Nestle to help promote their Bake and Share Holiday Treat Contest! Click here to visit their Facebook page and get details on how you can enter your recipe for a chance to win $5000! We have some AMAZING cooks in the Southern Plate Family and I’d love to see one of you win this!

Congratulations to Patti Skaggs! Her comment was chosen using random.org to win this great giveaway. Thank you to everyone who entered. More great giveaways are coming thanks to you!

While lots of stores are offering great deals, I’m teaming up with Masterbuilt to GIVE one Lucky Southern Plate Family Member

A Butterball Indoor Electric Turkey Fryer by Masterbuilt

AND

An AUTOGRAPHED Copy of the “DADGUM That’s Good!” cookbook

by Masterbuilt Founder John McLemore!

I personally own both this Fryer and the Cookbook (Mine is signed, too!) and I have thoroughly enjoyed using them both!

THIS WOULD MAKE A FABULOUS CHRISTMAS GIFT!

TO ENTER, SIMPLY LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW!

Contest closes at 5:00 PM Eastern, Friday, November 25th.

Winner will be chosen at random and notified via email and announced Friday Evening on this post and on My Facebook Page.

Be sure you check out Masterbuilt’s Charity Auction by clicking here to bid on

the indoor turkey fryer used in the “Very GaGa Thanksgiving” TV Special

All proceeds will benefit the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TO ENTER!

Kitchens are heating up leading up to the Thanksgiving Holiday! If you are still looking for ideas and some recipes… 

Be sure and check out my Thanksgiving Menu Bonanza Post

for over 60 recipes! (Click here).

Below are some other recipes that have been popular this week based on views and how many of you have saved them to your online recipe box!

Cornbread Dressing 

Made in the slow cooker!

Faux Pecan Pie

This is quickly becoming one of the most popular Southern Plate recipes of 2011

Cranberry Crunch

The comments on this post alone are worth the read. Settle in and get comfy, don’t forget the tissues.

Other recipes that have been very popular this past week: 

Grandmama’s Holiday Fruit Salad - I won’t tell you how much I ate of this yesterday at my mother’s house

Sweet Potato Casserole – Sweet potatoes topped with a nutty brown sugar crust. Oh have mercy this stuff is good!

Ham Salad - great for leftover ham!

Pumpkin Spice Muffins with Streusal topping – three ingredients in the muffins themselves, and one of them is water!

Mama’s Corn Casserole  - An old family favorite, whenever it is served!

Grace isn’t a little prayer you say before receiving a meal. It’s a way to live.

~ Jackie Windspear

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED! This Giveaway is now closed.

Thanks to your active participation, I’ll be able to offer more great giveaways like this on SouthernPlate.com! 

Congrationations to Ann M whose partial email is annjm45.

Her comment was chosen at random to win this set using Random.org. She has been notified via email. 

Thank you all so much for entering!!!! I sure do wish I had 6000 sets to give away!

A few weeks back when I was doing some presentations for Taste of Charleston, I met the great Michael Saboe, the Dean of the Culinary Institute of Charleston. I had a ball getting to tour his school and work with several of the students (those folks are amazing!). Taste of Charleston hosts the Iron Chef competition each year at the event and the winner received a special laser engraved Calphalon skillet. Well, Michael made the mistake of pulling out the prototype and showing me at a tv station he and I were both at and, to put it mildly, I had a cow fit over it. It was gorgeous. Micheal, being the incredibly sweet and generous man that he is, gave me that skillet. One of only two! Okay, so he probably did it just to keep me from going into spasms with the way I was oohing and ahhing over it but still…HE GAVE ME THAT SKILLET!

I was so excited as I headed to the airport that I began talking about it on my Facebook page. “So, I’m walking through the Charleston Airport holding a skillet…” That bought on a bevy of comments asking how I’d gotten through security with it. Charleston TSA were quite reasonable. I simply told them all about the skillet, how I got it, how I got my start, what I was doing in Charleston, how I’d come to work with Southern Living, etc. by the time I was done they knew all about my Mama, kids, even the cat’s names and boy after all that talking they just waved me right on through just to get rid of me! ~giggle~.

I was so proud of my skillet that I couldn’t bear to put it in my suitcase or bag so I just kept walking around the airport holding it. I got a few strange looks and I got to tell the story a few more times. One of the cashier’s even asked if he could hold it and gazed at it with the same admiration that I had as he said in an awestruck voice “Wow, Calphalon…”. Eventually it came out on Facebook that this skillet was the first piece of Calphalon I’d ever owned, which led a Southern Plate family member to go to Calphalon’s Facebook page and alert them to the odd lady walking around an airport holding a skillet.

Long story short (Yes folks, this is the short version!) I now own an entire glorious set of Calphalon pots and pans and one lucky person who leaves a comment will be the proud new owner of another set identical to mine!

Christmas is coming and if you’re anything like me, unless you just got married, you could probably use a good set of pots and pans. Well folks, this isn’t just any set, this is one of those sets with the quality that means you’ll be using them to cook now and for your grandchildren later on. If you already have grandchildren, they just might be cooking in these for their grandchildren, too!

To enter, just leave a comment below. If you don’t win this set, I strongly suggest putting it at the very top of your Christmas wish list ….in red….underlined…and circled

Calphalon 13 Piece Tri-Ply Pots and Pans Set

To enter, simply leave a comment below.

Contest closes at 5:00 PM Central Friday, November 18th.

Winner will be chosen at random and contacted by email as well as announced on Facebook and this post.

For more information about this set, please click here. 

Disclaimer: I was not financially compensated for this post but I was given a set of these pots and pans because Calphalon is so stinking wonderful! My dear husband asked if I really *needed* more pots and pans, and in the interest of full disclosure I think I should tell you all that I just might be reaching sainthood because I didn’t kill him or hit him with a calphalon pot for asking such a ridiculous question. Do I need a set of Calphalon pots and pans? Does Santa *need* a sleigh? All done disclaiming now. Be sure and tell your friends about this giveaway and thank you for being part of the Southern Plate family! If you aren’t part of the family on Facebook you’re missing half the fun! 

If you missed my guest appearance on Paula Deen’s Best Dishes, it airs again today, November 7th at 5:00 Eastern (Please check times in your area) and again November 14th at 12:00 PM Eastern on Food Network.

This is gonna be a hectic week, but in a good way! I have to do a little filming Monday and Tuesday and then I’ll be prepping all day Wednesday for my big Holiday Cooking Show in Florence, Alabama. I’m so excited to get to see many of y’all at that show and I just can’t wait to feed you! If you didn’t come to my cooking show last year, I thought I’d tell you a little about the format.

I modeled my cooking show after the Southern Living Cooking Schools that I grew up with, but I changed it up a bit. Thanks to the help of a few hundred Culinary Students at the University of North Alabama, led by the amazing Chef Ogun, after I get finished cooking each item the entire audience gets to sample it! In between setting up for the next recipe my dad and son then go up to the microphone and call out ticket numbers for door prizes. Last year we had so many door prizes that they actually ended up having to call them out even after the show was over! This year I’m especially thrilled with all of the wonderful prizes we have to offer, I feel like Santa Claus! I asked a few companies personally to donate and Hamilton Beach, Calphalon, Terra Bacio, Southern Living, Rubbermaid, and many others came through in a big way! Home Depot custom built my kitchen set just for this holiday cooking show and the Marriott Conference Center in Florence was kind enough to let us use their facilities for it.

There will be a special section for kids where Home Depot will be hosting a building workshop and Bob and Larry from VeggieTales will be there to meet everyone.

The Holiday Market Place opens up at 4:00 but if you can’t make it until 5:00 or so you’ll still have plenty of time. My cooking show begins at 7:00 and generally runs about an hour. After the show I’d love for anyone who likes to come up on the stage for pictures and chatting. Of course, I’d be honored to sign anything you’d like.

Attendees will receive a program which includes all recipes I cook during the show and I can’t wait for you to taste my Faux Pecan Pie!

There are so many volunteers who have worked for months to pull this show together and all proceeds go to benefit the HES Department of UNA.

If you would like to help with my Santa’s for Seniors project, I will have a Southern Plate Table in the vendor area and will be thrilled to accept any Suave Body Wash you’d like to bring to help us adopt more nursing homes at christmas Time.

If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet and would like to come, they are available at the door. For more information, please click here. This is a one of a kind cooking show that only takes place in Muscle Shoals (I couldn’t possibly pull it off without all of the help from UNA) so I hope to see you there if you can make it!

Next time you’re stressed:

Take a step back, inhale and laugh.

Remember who you are and why you’re here.

You’re never given anything in this world that you can’t handle.

Be strong, be flexible, love yourself, and love others.

Always remember, just keep moving forward. 

~Found on Pinterest

We just passed the 30,000 mark on Facebook! If you’re an active member of our Facebook page, leave a comment below to be entered to win an autographed copy of my cookbook.

If you’re not an active member on Facebook, go ahead and leave a comment below and then join our Facebook page to be entered. Be sure you “like” a post or leave a comment on our Facebook page so you’re counted as active!

Contest closes at midnight Saturday night, October 29th at midnight. Winner announced Monday on Facebook. 

Don’t you just love seeing the gorgeous food on the cover of each issue of Southern Living? Today I thought it might be fun if you join me in my kitchen while I cook the cover!

Note: I cut the cooking time by about ten minutes when I baked it in a 9×13 pan instead of the suggested springform pan. 

For this recipe, pick up a copy of the November 2011 issue of Southern Living or visit them online at SouthernLiving.com (click here to go directly to the recipe).

But I *really* think you should get a copy because there are 103 recipes in this issue alone!

“If we magnified blessings as much as we magnify disappointments, we would all be much happier.”

– John Wooden

Thank you, Jenny!