If you’d like to read about my trip to Ecuador earlier this year with OCC, please click here.

Sunday

I leave tomorrow afternoon for the Dominican Republic to visit kids there and hand out shoeboxes of gifts to each and every one. The weight of the experience ahead is just now sinking in as I feverishly work to prepare so that the week away is easier on my family.

At home, I’ve made oodles of food and packed the fridge. My husband and son love Pizza Rolls so I made a dozen yesterday – they immediately ate four between them and it was all I could do not to panic and go get the ingredients to replace those (I’m so silly sometimes). Then I got to thinking about my daughter’s love of banana bread so I made two loaves and twelve muffins of that for her. I’ve made dirty rice and pre browned the beef for spaghetti sauce. I’m about to make some Christmas brownies to leave with them as well (I’ll be posting that recipe tomorrow before I leave). I’ve also made dirty rice and I’m putting supper in the slow cooker before I leave.

I’m really having a hard time leaving my daughter (my youngest) and she is taking full advantage of that! She keeps pulling me away to play Candyland “just one more time..” and we spent yesterday making Christmas ornaments, decorating a Gingerbread house, and working on a Christmas light display together for the front yard. After church today I’m going to try my best to squeeze in time to make dough ornaments with her but I also have to get all of her clothes together for the week (you don’t want to see what happens when my husband picks out her clothes), clean the house a bit, pack, get two posts written for Southern Plate, spend some good time with my son, and schedule posts for facebook during my time away. Toss in cooking Sunday dinner there and a trip to Wally world to get a few things I need to take with me, too.

It is so hard to leave my family but I know this is of God and it is His will that I go and I’m looking forward to my one on one time with him. Outside of my family is often a desert for me, and God has always called me out into the desert to grow closer to Him. There will be lots of others around. Pictures will show me amidst many, but is really trip between the two of us. Along the way I’ll look where he points and notice the details he whispers about in my ear.

I won’t reach the Dominican Republic until Tuesday evening, with an overnight layover in Miami tomorrow night. I’ll be doing my usual when going to a brand new city (Miami) and heading straight from the airport to my hotel until it is time for me to leave. Adventurer? Nah. I’ve got all I need in Alabama and after traveling a good deal in the past few years I’ve learned that every city has wonderful people and neat things, but my hotel bed, a book, and embroidery suit me just fine while I’m away.

I’ll meet the rest of the team on this trip at the Miami Airport on Tuesday and hopefully get to introduce you to Kathy then. She’s the Southern Plate family member who was chosen to accompany me on this trip. I haven’t had a chance to talk with her so I’m really looking forward to meeting her and watching her story unfold on this trip.

Wednesday, we deliver the 100millionth shoebox. Can you imagine? 100 million shoeboxes have been packed and 100 million kids have received these. You just have no idea the impact they make until you see with your eyes the tears of joy both from these kids and their families. It’s hard to imagine how a shoebox, sometimes with gifts that don’t add up to be more than $15.00, can have an impact great enough to change a life forever. To offer a hope and joy and to fill in the space that some may not have evern known was empty. We have a lot of emptiness here at home, most likely more than anywhere else in the world, but we tend to feel it is the responsibility of others to fill it or worse yet, we don’t recognize our true need and instead try to fill it with things and titles, ending up with a bigger emptiness than ever before.

In the midst of all of this, it’s wonderful to know that there is hope for all of us.

You know the thing that strikes me the most about shoeboxes and any other time we step up and do something to help others? The thing is, while it helps them, the person it helps most is us. Things like this, they change us the most. They open our eyes and expand our world view. They help us to realize how very much we have. They give us things to be grateful for that we never thought to be grateful for before. Rest assured that if you packed a shoebox or if you volunteer or donate to an organization, it does help people and it does make a difference for them – but I think it makes the biggest difference for us. This is something I’ve really just come to understand in the past few years.

On another note, an awesome twist to life happened today: I ended up with more shoeboxes than I can take with me. My daughter’s 2nd grade class packed nine and I can fit all of those, but I won’t have room to take the ones I packed myself. Her class shoeboxes take precedence because I want to be able to show the kids when I come home photos of the children who received the shoeboxes and to tell them about their lives and what the shoeboxes meant.

In the wake of this though, I thought I might need to wait until next year to send mine.

However, today in church, they announced that our church is joining together to pack shoeboxes to go to the children affected by Hurricane Sandy for Christmas. With mine packed with toys, candy, personal toiletry items, school supplies, and warm scarves that my mother made, they’re a perfect fit for kids in the Northeast United States at Christmastime.

God just thinks of everything.

Oh, one more thing. I’ll be updating this post as best I can while traveling. Oftentimes it will be updated from my telephone so if the photo size is odd or you see more type-o’s than usual, I ask for your forgiveness in advance. We’re not after any journalism or blogger of the year awards here. It’s just me and you going on one amazing trip. Thanks for traveling with me.

Gratefully,

Christy

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Ooh! Test pic. Gotta see how this phone upload thing works…

Monday
Today was a blur of trying to get packed and trying to get SouthernPlate taken care of. I woke up around two but didn’t get to work til nearly four and finally threw in the towel around eleven to go pick up some token gifts at Lifeway (for translators and such on the trip) and then to check both kids out of school so they could go with me to the airport and say goodbye.
There weren’t any tears shed at the goodbye, thank goodness. I took a lot of measures or avoid that and made a lot of promises . Good promises though. Getting on first plane now. Already looking forward to the spaghetti supper the kids always make me whenever I come home from a trip. Love y’all.
9:45 PM
Okay, have you ever bought cookies from the store that were stored in one of those plastic trays inside the package that kept them all upright and just slightly separated from one another? I felt like one of those cookies on that last airplane I was on. My knees were touching the back of the seat in front of me and I’m only 5″5′. When the lady in front of me reclined, I felt like I should massage her shoulders or something because she was pretty much in my lap. Lol.

I’m here at a hotel in Miami for the night. All of my flights went well and I leave for Santa Domingo tomorrow. I’m probably spelling that wrong… I was so glad I didn’t get any grief about my backpack being packed so tight because its mostly things for the kids and I was afraid one of the airlines would tell me it was too big. Y’all say a prayer that I can get it on all of my flights tomorrow!

Hoping to head to bed soon after a little reading. Thank you for being here.
Love,
Me

Heading to airport. I’ll be in the DR late this afternoon.

TUESDAY JUST BEFORE BED

Day one was spent traveling and getting to know our team. People from all over the country are here for the 100 millionth shoebox, including reporters, videographers, photographers, and more. Lots of folks from KLove, and of course J.J. Jasper from American Family radio. I say “of course” because a lot of y’all are already familiar with him and have been telling me to look out for him because he is such a hoot. You were right. He’s a hoot and a half. When we were getting on our bus today, the door fell off. No, I’m not kidding. So JJ proceeded to help put it back on. Halfway here, it fell off again, while we were driving. He hopped up and stood there, holding it in place for the rest of our drive.

It was just me of those moments. As JJ was holding the door, a young man who lives here and was with us leaned on it to help hold it in place. Now keep in kind the bus is mooooving and these folks drive like they do in NYC and this young man is leaning on a door being held in place by JJ that is NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE BUS. I looked at him and said “You need to get away from that door. Don’t do that, get away right now!” In my southern Mama voice. He might’ve thought I was crazy but he obeyed. It helps to remember that most men were raised by women and I don’t care how big the man is, if you pull out your mama voice when you need to, it usually works.

All of the people here are wonderful. It feels so good to be surrounded by people actively walking right in Jesus’ footsteps. I know this sounds crazy but it feels like I’m spending time with the original apostles. I know, I know, that sounds crazy but I’m just telling you how I feel. To be surrounded with people who are so actively walking in accordance to His will, to get to sit by people who so openly say “This is what God is doing in my life” with no Concern of playing it down or giving partial credit to coincidence or fate. It just feels so freeing.
Tonight, the head of OCC for the Dominican Republic spoke to us through a translator. He began by saying “I want you to know first and foremost that the Dominican Republic is a Christian country” being an American, I was surprised to hear that. So much of where we live consists of organizations and media stressing that we aren’t a Christian country. He went on to say that their national motto is “God, Fatherland, Liberty” and did you know that the Dominican Republic is the only country to feature the Holy Bible as part of their national flag? It’s right in the center, opened up to the book of John. Wow. Did you also know that they teach bible in all of their public schools here, are even required to? I was stunned.
Tomorrow is going to be monumental. The 100millionth shoebox and I get to witness it. Oh my. Seriously, God? Me? I’ll never understand why someone as lowly as me would be so blessed to know Him as I do. Why He not only puts up with me (a feat in itself) but uses me. I don’t understand it but I’m so very grateful for it.
A few people here are on their first mission trip. I gave them my advice gleaned from my first trip. “Cry in your hotel room every night and if you cry in the shower your eyes don’t swell.”
Think that sounds crazy? Just wait til I start sharing pictures tomorrow night.
I was hoping to share some videos with you but the Internet connection isn’t cooperating.
Maybe tomorrow. Good night. Love you. Thank you for being here

Wednesday night
————————

I’m typing this on my phone so please forgive the shortness. It was a long hot day filled with emotions. I got some good hugs in for all of you and ended up having a great conversation with a 15 year old girl who was using me to help improve her English. She asked if I had children and then was confused to learn I only had two. I asked how many folks usually had here and she said “at least five”. I had to shuffle for an answer and briefly touched on paying for college, car, etc. I was thinking of how expensive kids are but trying to come up with something that was different for us, because parents in the DR want their kids to go to college too but that doesn’t limit family size. Finally I remembered yesterday the speaker telling me that bible is required to be taught in schools here and this is a Christian country so I told her “We have to pay a lot if money for school for our children if we want them to be in a school where they can be taught about God”.
She answered “You don’t have public school?”
“We’ll yes we do, but they can’t teach about God in public school.”
She immediately said “Why?”
I struggled.
“We’ll, because some people will get offended.”
“Why?” She shot back.
Dang. This was hard. I was trying to come up with a kind way of saying it.
“Well, because some people feel it hurts their rights if we talk about God around them.”
“Why?”
Man, this was hard.
Then she added “Is America not a Chrustian nation?”
I winced. “Well, we were founded that way and there are a lot of Christians there but the government doesn’t want us to be considered a Christian nation.”

“Why?”

“Well, we have a lot of material things and money and people have turned to them for happiness instead of God.”
She shook her head in the same frustration I felt and I added “So you see, we have money in the states, but your country has real wealth.”
She smiled and headed out, without even asking for a shoebox, as she walked down the road with her friends

P. S. Mama always says that ladies don’t sweat, they glisten. Well, I glistened so much today that I had to hang my jeans and shirt over the shower rod to dry out. Can’t wait to tell you more about these gorgeous kids.

Wanna join me? Wanna HAND DELIVER your Operation Christmas Child Shoebox in the Dominican Republic?

Watch the video below or read this post to see how you can enter for a chance to do just that!

Earlier this year, I shared my journey with you as I traveled with Operation Christmas Child to hand deliver shoeboxes to children in need in Ecuador. I felt like you were with me on that journey and I am so grateful for your prayers and your ears as you let me share my experience with you. Seeing firsthand what a difference a simple shoebox packed with love can make in the life of a child changed me forever. Kids crying with joy over receiving small toys, pencils, even counting a toothbrush as their most prized posession,  opens your eyes to an entirely different part of our world.

These things changed me, but they also changed the children and that is thanks to people like you who took the time to pack a shoebox.

This year marks the 100 millionth shoebox that OCC has delivered to children all over the world and to commemorate this very special year, I’m teaming up with Operation Christmas Child to go on another invitation only distribution trip to the Dominican Republic, but guess what?

OCC is going to choose one of YOU to go with me!

One of you will get to join me on this life changing trip and HAND DELIVER your shoebox!

 TO ENTER: 

1. Fill a shoe box for a child. Be sure to include treats (small toys, double bagged hard candy, etc), school supplies (pencils, pencil sharpener, colored pencils) and personal hygiene items (soap, toothbrush, toothpaste). Most of all, put your heart into filling the box and make sure you add some things with special meaning to you.

2. Take a photo of the shoe box gift.

3. Send the photo and an e-mail telling us why your box is special and why you should get to go hand-deliver shoe box gifts with Christy Jordan to: occ@southernplate.com 

PRIZE:

All expense paid Operation Christmas Child distribution trip to Dominican Republic with Christy Jordan. 

The trip dates are December 4-7, 2012. 

 Entries must be received by midnight, November 2, 2012. 

For complete Rules and Details, see below.

After you send an email, I encourage you to share your photo on Facebook and Pinterest and ask your friends to pack a shoe box gift for Operation Christmas Child! Be sure to tag their page www.facebook.com/OCC_shoeboxes and if you’d like to tag me at Facebook.com/southernplatefamily , I’d love to read your story there, too!

The 4 finalists not chosen will receive one of the following prizes: Signed Scotty McCreery Christmas Album or an OCC Christmas Ornament Set

Questions and Help Packing Shoeboxes:

What goes in an Operation Christmas Child Shoebox?

*For a complete instruction sheet on how to pack a shoebox as well as printable labels to tape onto your shoebox denoting the gender and age range that it is intended for, please click here.

*Find a drop off location near you by clicking here. 

*For all other information as well as more details, photos, and more about Operation Christmas Child, please click here. 

*For a wonderful list of ideas to include in your shoeboxes, visit my dear friend Kelly’s post 101 Ways To Pack A Shoebox

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Watch a Video from my trip with Operation Christmas Child

Rules and Details

Entries will be judged on impact, photo, and story quality. The top 5 submissions will be selected by Christy Jordan and then sent to Operation Christmas Child to pick the winner. Entries must be submitted by Friday, November 2. Operation Christmas Child will select a winner the week of November 5^th. The winner will be notified by email and will have two business days to respond and claim the prize. If the selected winner cannot attend the trip December 4 -7, 2012, or does not respond and claim the prize, Operation Christmas Child will select another winner from the remaining top 4 submissions.  All winner selections will be final and in the sole discretion of Operation Christmas Child.  Residents of the United States 18 years of age and older are eligible to win.  Distribution trip has no retail value and no replacement prize will be offered to selected winner who is unable to attend on the prescribed dates, Travel expenses covered includes round-trip coach airfare, hotel, and meals while in the Dominican Republic. If an expedited passport is required, Operation Christmas Child will reimburse for expediting costs. Entrant warrants that it is the copyright owner of all submissions.  All submissions become the property of Samaritan’s Purse and may be used for any reason and in any medium in promotion of Operation Christmas Child.  This contest sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse / Operation Christmas Child, 801 Bamboo Road, Boone, NC 28607.  Your submission indicates your acceptance of these Rules. 

My Disclaimer: I voluntarily write posts about Operation Christmas Child. I am not receiving compensation for my participation, but Operation Christmas Child will provide for travel costs to the Dominican Republic for me and one contest winner. Regardless of who you are, what your station or lot in life is, and your religious affiliation or lack thereof, I firmly believe that everyone CAN change the world for the better, and we should all try. 

GSN ANNOUNCES CAST FOR “BEAT THE CHEFS,”

NEW ORIGINAL SERIES THAT PITS AMATEUR COOKS AGAINST THE PROS,

PREMIERING THURSDAY, AUGUST 23 AT 9:00 PM (ET/PT) 

Host Matt Rogers will be joined by

Professional Chefs Beau MacMillan, Antonia Lofaso, and Jeff Henderson;

Judges Christy Jordan and Brad A. Johnson

 Series will also feature celebrity guest judges,

including Eric Roberts, Cristina Ferrare, Julie Powell and Melissa Rycroft

(Santa Monica, CA) — July 24, 2012 — GSN (formerly Game Show Network) announced the cast lineup for its new original series BEAT THE CHEFS, in which amateur home cooks pit their recipes and their cooking skills against professional chefs.  BEAT THE CHEFS will premiere Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 9:00 pm ET/PT on GSN.

BEAT THE CHEFS is an hour-long show, in which everyday people who love to cook set out to prove that their family recipes are worth prize money and bragging rights.  Each week, the show pits homegrown talents against three professional chefs as they cook the same dish—from firehouse chili to Grandma’s famous chicken and dumplings—with one question in mind: Whose tastes the best?  A panel of critics will judge and decide if the amateurs can “beat the chefs.”  Hosted by American Idol finalist Matt Rogers (“Coming Home,”)  BEAT THE CHEFS is produced by RelativityREAL, with Tom Forman (“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”) and Brian A. Veskosky (“Deal or No Deal,” “Don’t Forget the Lyrics,” “Fear Factor”) serving as Executive Producers.

The BEAT THE CHEFS cast members include:

Host

The host of BEAT THE CHEFS is Matt Rogers, a finalist on the third season of “American Idol.” He is continuing his country music career, where he has been performing with various artists including James Aldean, Luke Bryan, and Granger Smith.  Rogers has hosted “Coming Home” for Lifetime and “There Goes the Neighborhood” for CBS.   He served as co-host for “American Idol Extra” and served as a correspondent on several sports and entertainment shows, including “The Best Damn Sports Show Period,” “Access Hollywood,” and “Entertainment Tonight.” Rogers also appeared on the ‘Idols’ edition of FAMILY FEUD.

Chefs

Known for his victory over Bobby Flay on “Iron Chef America” and as co-host of “Worst Cooks in America,” Beau MacMillan is executive chef of Elements restaurant at The Sanctuary resort in Arizona, named one of the “Top 100 Restaurants in America” by Gourmet.  MacMillan trained at the prestigious Johnson & Wales University and is acclaimed for his distinctive style, using the freshest ingredients to create American food with Asian accents.

Chef Antonia Lofaso is familiar to foodies as a fierce competitor and favorite on “Top Chef” and a finalist on “Top Chef All-Stars.”  After graduating from the French Culinary Institute in New York City, she began her career at Wolfgang Puck’s famed Spago in Beverly Hills and later went on to run the kitchen at Los Angeles hot spot Foxtail.  She currently serves as consulting chef for Black Market Liquor Bar in Studio City, California.  Her first book, The Busy Mom’s Cookbook, will be released in August 2012.

Chef Jeff Henderson was the first African-American executive chef at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, a sought-after public speaker and author of the New York Times bestselling memoir Cooked.  A former at-risk youth who turned his life around after discovering his talent for cooking, Henderson has proven to be an inspiration to others.  After apprenticing with renowned chef Robert Gadsby, he worked his way up through 5-star restaurants around the country, including the Hotel Bel-Air and L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, before landing at the 5-diamond Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas.  He will open his own restaurant in Los Angeles in 2013.

Judges

Renowned food and travel journalist Brad A. Johnson is the only critic in America to win both the James Beard Award and the Cordon Bleu World Food Media Award for restaurant criticism.  A global traveler with a refined palate, Johnson has visited every continent in search of the world’s finest cuisine, from the Michelin starred restaurants of Paris and Milan to the backstreets of Bangkok and the rainforest of Bali.

Christy Jordan, a ninth-generation Alabamian, publishes SouthernPlate.com, a web site dedicated to classic Southern recipes and quick and easy family favorites. She is also a contributing editor of Taste of the South magazine. Her first book, Southern Plate: Classic Comfort Food That Makes Everyone Feel Like Family, features the recipes she grew up with along with heartwarming stories of family and values that she has come to be known for.  Jordan attended the University of North Alabama, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics.

BEAT THE CHEFS resident judges Johnson and Jordan will be joined by a celebrity guest judge each week, including Academy Award^® Nominee and star of The Dark Knight,  Eric Roberts;  television personality, author and former host of OWN’s “Big Bowl of Love,” Cristina Ferrare;  Julie Powell,  author of Julie & Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen; and Melissa Rycroft, a finalist on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” and correspondent for “Good Morning America” and “Entertainment Tonight.”

~End of Press Release, Beginning of me talking with you ~

 This is one of the most amazing groups of people I could ever hope to work with, seriously! Everyone on the crew from producers, directors, to production assistants, makeup artists, and camera guys are so positive and sweet and I’ve never seen folks work so hard with no complaining whatsoever! They’re absolutely awesome and I am so very blessed to be able to work with folks of this caliber.

Below are just a few snapshots from the set. It’s difficult for me to get too many photos because I go in early and get right into makeup and then from there the day just kind of goes on until filming wraps for the day sometime around seven or eight at night. Most of these are ones folks snapped for me while we were switching out the set and had a quick minute but I’ll try to share more with you on my Facebook page as I’m able

First of all, yes, I am big time now because I have my own parking spot – as denoted by this cone

Of course, it would make me seem like more of a big deal if I hadn’t of squealed when I saw it and immediately taken a photograph but hey, I’m keeping it real.

Oh! and you remember that show in the press release American Bible Challenge? It debuts an hour before our show does and Jeff Foxworthy is the host. Well they’re filming it here right now as well, on the set next to ours! Met him tonight and he is just as nice as the day is long. We talked about tomato sandwiches and how much it is killing us that tomatoes are coming in so wonderfully ripe now but we’re to far away from our gardens to enjoy them!

In all of these photos you’ll notice my fellow judge, Brad A Johnson is cut out. That is because he has never before let an image of him be seen publicly and we’ll do the big reveal when the show premiers on August 23rd. At that point I’ll start showing you more pics from behind the scenes that include Brad. Right now I’m having to hold back a lot of pictures because Brad is in them. He’s a great guy and I’ve really enjoyed getting to work alongside him.

This is me and Ali Landry. She is a complete and total sweetheart and was just a joy to get to spend the day with.

Julie Powell of Julie and Julia fame. Super sharp person when it comes to food and extremely gracious! Another joy!

This is me looking like I’m important at the control panel.

This is me, Matt Rogers, and Melissa Rycroft.

Matt is the host and just a wonderful person, amazing husband, and awesome father.

Melissa was the sweetest person and we enjoyed chatting all day long!

This is me, Matt, and  Cristina Ferrare

It was a HUGE thrill to get to meet her and she did not disappoint. She is as kind and fun in person as you’d imagine!

Matt Rogers is a truly gifted person when it comes to hosting shows. He is able to engage the audience, keep it fun for folks, and do a class A job, but here is the truth about Matt…

We have to sit on set the entire time in front of the cameras but Matt only has to be on stage when he is talking. The rest of the time, he is over at the food table eating gummy bears. Seriously. 

Doing what we do, we often find ourselves very hungry but unable to do anything about it. Matt’s response is always “Well I can bring you some gummy bears if you want…” 

One day he fixed us a plate all by himself…here it is, lol.

 Note the gummy bears on top of pb&j squares, lol.

Oh my glamorous life! Tamami is doing my hair and I needed last minute hair spray right before going on stage.

She’s vertically challenged so I made it easy for her.

She said “Oh my goodness you don’t have to kneel!!” Like I was somebody! Lol!
I told her “Look I’m a mama, I’m always getting down on the floor to play with kids anyway.”

This is the ever sweet, always bubbly, and hard working Cassie. No idea how we’d do it without her!

And this is sweet Justin. Bless his heart, he has to keep up with me. Whenever I’m not on set he has to know where I am in case they need me on set in a hurry, so he does a lot of following me around – and I don’t stay in one place very long!

He is such a good natured person though and would just jump through hoops of fire if you asked him!

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That’s all for now! I’ve got to get some sleep because I get up at 4:30 to get ready for filming. I have three more days of filming this season and then I head home to my sweet sweet Alabama and my family, whom I’ve missed more than I could ever say.

After the first day here I said “God, you’re going to have to get me busy because I don’t know if I can handle being away from them.” and BOY did He ever deliver! This is very gratifying work though and I know the finished product will be wonderful. I can’t wait for you to see it August 23rd on GSN!

Thank you for letting me share all of this with you and most importantly, thank you for being a part of my life! I’ll try to post more snapshots later this week!

Gratefully,

Christy

Phil. 1:12

Image courtesy of Taste of The South Magazine

You can enter once each day!

Southern Plate just turned 4 and we’re expanding! 

Introducing:

Southern Plate Suppers

My column and complete dinner menu of exclusive recipes in each issue of Taste of the South magazine! 

 I’m thrilled to announce that I am now Contributing Editor for Taste Of The South Magazine.

Beginning with the September issue, I’ll have a full column and complete dinner menu of exclusive recipes in each issue of Taste of the South.

I’ve had such a wonderful time working with everyone at Taste of the South and am thrilled to find we share the same values in our work and our lives. Now, in each issue you can get a complete Southern Plate Supper menu, with never before published delicious and low fuss recipes to help you sit down to a wonderful supper with your family each night. Each Southern Plate Suppers feature will begin with a column from me, just like my posts do on SouthernPlate.com!

Guess what? They didn’t even put a limit on how long my column can be ~giggles~.

To Kick off the Birthday Week of Southern Plate and celebrate this exciting expansion, we’ve got some GREAT Giveaways!

I’ll be choosing THREE winners EACH DAY THIS WEEK beginning with Monday to win one of the prizes below.

Check out all of the wonderful prizes below! 

One premium Hamilton Beach Appliance given away each day this week! 

The wonderful folks at Hamilton Beach have been great supporters of Southern Plate since it first began so I’m thrilled to be giving away FIVE Hamilton Beach appliances.

A TWO YEAR Subscription to Taste Of The South given away each day this week!

AND

 A Bundle of Special Issue Taste of the South Magazines will be given away each day!

To enter, just leave a comment below!

You only have to enter once to be eligible for all prizes but additional entries (one per day) are allowed.

 Contest closes at noon, July 13th, 2012. Winners will be notified by email and have three days to respond or alternate winner will be chosen. One entry per day is allowed. 

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

Southern Plate Family Members

Can Get My Debut Issue FREE

To celebrate the debut of Southern Plate Suppers, Taste of the South is offering a special rate just for us!

If you’d like to receive my debut issue FREE , click below to order!

If you’d like to go ahead and subscribe, you will have a choice to on the link below at $14 per year with the bill me later option, and another $2.00 off if you pay when you subscribe – making it just $12.00 a year. Subscriptions are normally $19.00 with a cover price of $4.99 each issue on newsstands,  so this is a significant savings.

This offer is JUST for the Southern Plate Family so be sure you order it here in order to avoid paying full price. 

I know you’re going to love Taste of the South as much as I do! They feature recipes for cooks of all levels but the thing I love the most is that this isn’t a food magazine you buy, look at, and never cook anything out of. This is a food magazine you’ll actually use!

To enter all of my giveaways this week,

just leave a comment below!

Contest begins now and runs through Friday, July 13th.  

You only have to enter once to be eligible for all prizes but additional entries (one per day) are allowed.

 Contest closes at noon, July 13th, 2012. Winners will be notified by email and have three days to respond or alternate winner will be chosen. One entry per day is allowed.

Disclaimer:  No one paid me for this post but Taste of the South and Hamilton Beach are providing all of the prizes because they’re such nice people. Winners will be announced on this post, Facebook, and notified by email. Winners have three business days to respond to email or an alternate winner will be chosen. Now go leave a comment below so you can get entered and don’t forget to come back each day and leave another comment for an additional entry!  In the interest of full disclosure, I also want to confess that everyone in my family loves Mint Chocolate Chip Ice cream except me ~shudders just thinking about it~  So I seldom eat ice cream – because mint chocolate chip is nasty but that’s all I buy because they all love it. See the sacrifices I make for my family?  ~grins~

A few months back I drove down to Savannah, Georgia to spend the day filming with Paula Deen. We had a wonderful time and I found her kitchen to be one of the most comfortable rooms I’ve ever been in. The Episode we filmed airs this Saturday on the Food Network (click here to read times and please RSVP if you plan on watching).

What is Paula Deen like? Well she’s just like you’d think she is. She is gracious, kind, and absolutely beautiful inside and out. This is a warm hearted Southern Mama and Grandmama to the core. She is a generous person, heaping praise and thanks on all of those around her. She made me feel so welcome and we chatted about our grandmothers, life in the old days, and the joys of getting to be a Mama.

Blurry photo of us being silly

Now I want to tell you about her boys. They were both there, they were both as friendly as could be, and they were both so well mannered. I cooked with Bobby on the show and we had a great time. That boy could make a tree stump laugh! But the main thing that impressed me with her boys was that when each of them left, they went around to more than twenty members of the production crew and thanked each one of them by name and gave them each a hug. That speaks volumes to the kind of people they are and how they were raised. I always feel that my behavior is a reflection on my mother and so I do my best each day to be a credit to her. Bobby and Jamie definitely are.

I took my heirloom rolling pin to use in the recipe we prepared of my Mama Reed’s Nilla Wafer Cake and I also brought along some green stamps, tea glasses that used to be peanut butter jars (like my Mama Reed used) and an ad for the peanut butter that had come in them. We enjoyed chatting about them while we were filming.

The funny thing is, you know how Southerners really don’t hear our own accents? Paula said my Alabama accent made her sound like a yankee! ~giggles~ We all know that isn’t true but it was still funny to hear.

So yesterday on my Facebook page I asked if anyone had any specific questions about my filming with Paula and y’all came up with some good ones! Some are a bit more intense and some lighthearted. I’ll do my best to answer them below. I didn’t answer the ones that wanted me to ask Paula a question because I’m afraid I won’t be speaking with her before the show, and I left off some that ended up being duplicates (A lot of us want to know the same thing – but isn’t that always the way with family?).

April – How many sticks of Butter did ya’ll use during the show?

I think three but possibly four. As for my part in it, one.

Charles- Carol and I will be eating at her place in Tunica next week. Any free meals?

~Giggles~ It costs a great deal of money just to be Paula Deen – I can promise you that without a bit of reservation. I ate at her restaurant in Savannah and while I did ask her producer to get me a table there, I happily paid full price for my meal and would have never dreamed of letting her cover it.

Glenda – Will you be on her cooking show?

Yes. This Saturday. Here is the link on Food Network’s site.

I won’t be watching it when it airs though, I have an event at my kid’s school so I’ll let y’all see it first.

Ally- How did she get her courage to overcome Agoraphobia? Was it a strictly “mind over matter” thing? 

We actually talked about that during filming. I’m not sure if it will make it into the show. I haven’t seen the episode and really have no idea what it includes.

Her overcoming that is especially impressive knowing what all she has to go through in public nowadays. I think I’d be hiding in a hole…

Donna- How did it feel to be in the company of someone that has gone through what you are now going through? Did you say “I wanna be just like her?” Is she as wholesome as she seems on tv?

Donna, you hit the nail on the head. I felt like I was with someone who understands so much of what my life is like now, things that I can never speak about because folks wouldn’t understand. The funny thing is that once I was finally with someone who understood it, I didn’t even need to talk about all of the things I’ve encountered on my journey. It was just nice being with someone who has traveled the road.

As far as me wanting to be like her, I have nothing but respect and admiration for Paula, both for the road she’s traveled and for the character and grace she’s maintained through it all. But I’ve never aspired to be like any earthly person other than my mother. As far as being more like my Mama, I’ve still got a long way to go .

Paula Deen doesn’t put on any airs. She is exactly who she presents herself to be.

William – How was your cholesterol – before and after?!

I can’t speak to cholesterol but my heart was definitely in better shape afterwards.

Donna – I saw her on Dr. Oz and was so touched by her desire to quit smoking. I hope her journey is successful. Does she cook anything without butter? Hehe

She cooks a great deal without butter but the moment she stops using it on air there will be moment people shout with outrage that she’s a sell out.

You don’t get to a certain place in public life without learning that you can’t please them all and it’s best to just be true to who you are

Jim – Butter or margarine?

Paula is decidedly and determinedly butter only. She faces as much criticism for that as I do for my butter/margarine shifting. In the end I feel this should be to each their own. Your kitchen – your rules. I wasn’t assigned to judge

Debbie – Has Paula stopped smoking. I also saw her on Dr. Oz and saw the very vunerable side of her that you don’t often see of famous people on tv. I could see her hiding her fear (searching for the right word) with comedy. She had me laughing and then crying for her and her struggle. I can relate as I struggle with food but it just all taste so good! Tell her how much we all love her next time you see her. We love you too!

Debbie, thank you!! I love you right back, I truly do.

I can’t speak to whether or not Paula smokes. I can’t imagine she is able to be who she is, with the great demands placed on her time and having to live under a microscope, without having something she does just for herself though – no matter what that is. If I were ever in her shoes, I’d need a truck delivery of diet dr pepper each day just to get out of bed

Willie – Just tell her that we all love you AND her.

I will do that Willie – and Thank you!!!

Janet -Did you get to meet her sons and husband?

Yes Ma’am! I met both of her sons, cooked with Bobby and spent a good bit of time talking to him, but didn’t get to meet her sweet husband.

Amanda – She seems so nice on tv, I bet she is even nicer in person? my daughter always says look mom our friend is on tv!

She really is a sweet and dear woman.

John- I would love to know what color she uses on her hair…..Beautiful silver……...

Oh isn’t it? I wish I could tell you! I complimented her hair as well. She said “Well honey, I wish I could give it to you but you can only get this color by an ex husband and two grown kids.”

Latosha – Many years ago (1994 or 95) I worked at a place and Paula Deen was a client. We supplied to her. I was her customer service rep.. We had many conversations and she even offered me a job over the phone. I had no desire to move from South GA and didn’t know her. BOY!!! I should have took up the offer! We got along FABULOUS!

She’s such a sweetheart, isn’t she?

Lydia – Ask her to come to Huntsville and have a great big Paula/Christy cookoff and fun-filled day of fans just hanging out…..

I’ll do that! We’d have to cook together though, I don’t do “cookoffs” as I have a strict policy of never competing with my recipes. Competing is saying that you think your recipe or cooking is better than others and I’ve never felt that way. You’re every bit as good a cook as I am, if not better!

Angie - how long before you started breathing normally when you were taping? I would have been hyperventilating from sheer joy!

I was never the least bit nervous. I was nervous the first time I did tv at a little local station in Huntsville a few years back. Once I got that behind me people have just been people ever since and I always feel blessed whenever I get to spend time with folks on both sides of the camera.

Michelle – Are her boys as cute in person as they are on tv?

Nope. They’re cuter.

Malinda – is she as sweet as she seems and funny in person?

She is a gracious and kind person, with generous heart. As for being funny – She’s a HOOT!

Jean – What was one thing you learned from her and what was your favorite part of this whole experience?

I had one question I wanted to ask her. One thing that I felt only she could understand.

All of my life I’ve felt like I was the last puppy in the box. The one nobody picked. Folks just walked by and didn’t notice once the shiny, cuter puppies were gone. That has made the success of my website and book and, well, I guess me, hard to digest and wrap my head around at times.

I wanted to ask Paula “How do you handle being the last puppy in the box all of your life and then all of a sudden being chosen first?”

I didn’t ask her though. Once I was around her I understood. I think we’re both still the last puppy in our minds, and that is what makes us who we are. It was comforting seeing that.

Gwen – Do you think she will ever have a cooking show, “Healthy Cooking with Paula Deen”?

That’s an excellent question and one only Paula could answer, of course. Personally, I kinda feel like I know where it would go. Paula never asked to be the Paula Deen brand that she is today. The public put here there. They took a shining to who she was and what she represented, the fact that she cooked like so many of our grandmothers and then had the nerve to be proud of her cooking heritage to boot, and they put her where she is. Some people in that same public will happily crucify her for being the person they lifted her up for being. If she were to change now, they’d call her a sell out. But the great thing is Paula Deen has the rare character trait of being able to remain true to herself though it all.

Candace-  I have to wonder is she genuinely nice and sweet or put on? I do love Paula (not NEARLY as much as you, Christy..you’re the real thing…a Mama with young’uns and so forth) and have seen her somewhat get the “big head” over the years compared to what she used to be.

Candace you are so sweet. Thank you for such a wonderful compliment My younguns keep me hopping, that’s for sure!  This is a great question and I’m going to expand on it a little bit, beyond what you asked, to address other areas in which some folks might think she has an ego issue.

I didn’t find her to have a big head or ego at all. She’s just a plain old thing in person and doesn’t act as if she thinks she’s any more special than anyone else. She works harder than anyone I’ve ever seen.

As you get bigger, you have to form a natural insulation around yourself for the sake of your family and personal life and I can only imagine she has to have several layers. Sometimes you hear of folks running into her and saying “She didn’t even smile at me!” or the like, and it bothers me because I know on the other side of things, she may have been up half the night flying in, done tv, and radio that day, and then had a book signing where she was smiling and bright for three or four hours with hundreds of people in attendance.  Sometimes, not smiling isn’t the equivalent of a frown. It just means your face would like to take a breath.

Ann  - I’ve been meaning to ask but what were the cookies called that you took to the set then gave me the leftovers at the front desk of the Westin. They were absolutely fabulous.

I took two different kinds of cookies, Ann, and Paula and her boys tried them and liked them both! Dishpan Cookies and M&M Bar Cookies. I’m so glad you liked them and it was great getting to meet you!!!

So there you have it folks, the truth about Paula Deen. She is a hardworking, good hearted person who is also a devoted mother and doting grandmother…But I’m pretty sure that isn’t a startling revelation  

This contest is now closed. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Congratulations to:

1. Lucia Hames
2. Amy Oliver
3. Kathleen Thomas
4. Lisa Milby
5. Traci Collins (Traci, having problems getting an email to you. Please post on my fb page if you can so I can reach you)
6. Summer (partial email is summer2975)
7. Amy Van Eps
8. Christy Schoolfield
9. Linda Rickets
10. Stephanie Munson

I’ve emailed each of the winners with instructions on how to claim their prize. Please note that due to the size of the Southern Plate Family we do have some duplicate names so check your inbox if you see your name to see if it’s you. Have a WONDERFUL day!

Gratefully,

Christy

Today I’m thrilled to be running a giveaway for TEN Hamilton Beach

4 Quart Ice Cream Makers!

This is a great classic ice cream maker that you can just toss in your ingredients, add your ice and salt, and go!

Here are some of the Specs:

• Makes 4 quarts of ice cream, frozen yogurt, or sorbet
• Just add ingredients, ice, and rock salt — it does all the work and stops when ready — no stirring needed
• Over 20 recipes included: try the ones inside or create your own unique taste by mixing in candy, cookies, or fresh fruit
• Easy-lock lid

and here is my Dad getting the ice cream maker ready to go on the 4th of July.

This is the ice cream maker working away while the kids play in the sprinkler…

These are the happy kids eating Yoohoo Ice cream, which I’ll try to bring you the recipe for tomorrow or Thursday, soon as time permits!

In the meantime, check out my Easy and Eggless Peach Ice Cream recipe by clicking here!

You’ll have some happy kids with one of these!

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment below

and tell me your favorite ice cream flavor.

TEN WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN

Contest closes Friday, July 22 at midnight. Winners will be notified by email and announced on this post Saturday July 23rd and on My Facebook Page.

Winners will have 7 days to claim their prize.

“My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy the ice cream while it’s on your plate.”

~Thornton Wilder

Disclaimer: I have not been financially compensated for this post but Hamilton Beach is kind enough to provide the prizes to the winners. I don’t like to make milkshakes because my Daddy makes the best milkshakes in the world and I’d just as soon wait and have one of his. My entire family likes mint chocolate chip ice cream and guess what flavor of ice cream I absolutely cannot tolerate? Yup, mint chocolate chip. Isn’t life funny that way? My favorite flavors are cherry vanilla (with real cherries) and butter pecan. Spiders are creepy but not half as creepy as butterflies are to me and I wish I was in Disney World right now – but I want to be in the mythical Disney World that is 70 degrees with no crowds . All done disclaiming now!

Me and David Venable, on the set of QVC during my last appearance back in May

Dear Southern Plate Family,

I hope you’re all looking forward to a fun filled Fourth Of July Weekend!

My in-laws just arrived from the great state of Georgia and we’ve already enjoyed supper together and are now sitting down to a family movie night.

I wanted to take a few minutes to let you know that I’ll be flying out tomorrow evening to be on QVC Sunday during the “In The Kitchen With David” Segment, which airs from noon to 3:00 PM Eastern time. I won’t know what exact time I’ll be on during that 12:00-3:00 PM block until just before the show begins at noon but I’ll keep you posted on my Facebook Page. We sure are gonna have some good food!

If you’d like to tune in and don’t have QVC on your cable network, you can watch QVC live on their website by clicking here (look in the left sidebar where it says “watch live tv”).

I’ll be flying back home to good old Huntsville, Alabama shortly after the show ends and will arrive here just before midnight on Sunday, in time to enjoy July 4th with my family on Monday!

This is my second time appearing on QVC and I sure am looking forward to it! David Venable was such a hoot last time and he is every bit as friendly as you’d imagine him to be, and then some! He is on vacation right though, but I’m really looking forward to getting to hang out with Jane Treacy when she hosts in his place on Sunday.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and thank you for being such a great part of the Southern Plate Family!

Gratefully,

Christy

Welcome to another edition of the Southern Plate Digest! I had so many great submissions and I’ve been working on getting them all linked to the recipes most of the day today. I ended up only doing about half of them because my kids really want me to get off the computer .

I want to thank everyone on the Front Porch Forum and Facebook who contributed and I hope you’ll enjoy the comments and discover some new recipes below! Simply click on the recipe name to go directly to that post. While many of the recipes can also be found in my cookbook, some are exclusive to the cookbook and can’t be found online. These are typed in red.

Did you know that SouthernPlate.com has well over 400 of my recipes right now? Each with photos of every step. Anytime you see me post a link on Facebook or The Front Porch and can’t find it later, simply visit Southern Plate and use the search box in the top right corner or browse the index.

I’d love to get to chat with you sometime! I’ll be hosting a live chat on Thursday June 23rd from 7:00-8:00 PM Central time over on the Southern Plate Front Porch. If you’d like to participate, head on over and join! Membership to Southern Plate’s Front Porch is entirely free but each account is personally reviewed (to make sure you’re a real person) before approved so register today so I or one of our great Admins can approve ya! There are OVER 17,000 posts on the Front Porch already. We share recipes, stories about kids and grandkids, talk gardening, offer and answer prayer requests, and more! To register, just click here and look in the top right corner for the registration link.

Gratefully,

Christy

P.S. If you find that one of the links below isn’t going to the right post, please leave me a comment and let me know which one so I can fix it. I’d love to hear from you in the comments section in addition to that though! I really enjoy getting to read each comment left by you. Y’all know all about me and I want to know about you, too! Thank you for being such a wonderful part of the Southern Plate Family.

Now let’s see what Southern Plate Recipes you’ve been cooking up! HERE WE GO!

Kim Johnson – The very yummy Strawberry Pecan Bread and my Dad’s favorite Rise and Shine Biscuits.

Ruth Dennison – My friend made me the Mandarin Orange Frozen Pie, it was sooooo good.

Veronica Farrar – Absolutely love the chicken and dumplings.

Joanna From the Front Porch – In the last couple of weeks I have made the following: The Strawberry cake and the Butterfinger Cake for a few birthdays at work recently. They were such a huge hit! I have been asked by all grade levels to make all birthday cakes from her on out  Fire and Ice Salad for a teacher luncheon….everyone loved this too! Deep Dish Pizza and my step daughter says this is the best pizza ever!

SundayCook from the Front Porch -I made Kathy’s country casserole this week. It is so good and filling! The only thing I added was a drained can of Rotel for a little spice.

Terrigodawgs from the Front Porch – Squash casserole and Daddy’s coconut cake

Hope from the Front Porch – I made the No Bake Cafeteria Peanut Butter Bars. They were my favorite in school! I remember watching the cafeteria menu to see when we were getting them next. ~giggle~ They were so easy to make and they taste even better the second day!

beebee751 from the Front Porch – I made the Butterfinger Cake to take to a pot luck at church this Wednesday night. It was a big hit! I had to give the recipe to several people and told them about Southern Plate. I stopped last week and bought a flat of fresh home grown strawberries and I have made the Fresh Strawberry Pie and the Simply Easy Pound Cake to help use them up. With fresh home made whipped cream they both were delicious! My family loves the Chicken and Dumplings and I make them at least twice a month. Another favorite at our house is House Autry Pork Chops.

Jen from the Front Porch – Here are some of your recipes that I have used recently: Dishpan cookies, chicken and dumplings, vegetable salad with the shoepeg corn, slowcooker chicken/wildrice, fire & ice salad, broc/cauliflower salad with purple onion, vanilla wafer cake, mandarin orange cake (a makeahead for Easter, since we are working). Thanks for all the great recipes, Christy! 

Deb from the Front Porch- I made the laundry detergent today with the Fels bar soap and it smells so yummy! my bedding from the pad up is being washed. Can’t wait to go to bed, i love clean sheets enough to do them ~2x/week…this may make it more often! 

Sonya from the Front Porch - I make the kraut and weenies when I’m too busy to cook anything complicated! I like to mix half plain cabbage and half kraut so it’s less sour. The lemon chess pie is one of my husband’s favorites! He loves lemon and that one is easier than a lemon meringue pie! I made Daddy’s Coconut Cake for Easter- half as cupcakes to take to the extended family gathering and half as a 9″ single layer cake. I just happened to have all the ingredients!

Christy from the Front Porch – I have been reading your cookbook in bits and pieces and find myself laughing, crying, and feeling a little homesick. I can’t wait until my sister gets her copy – I think she’ll enjoy it as much as i do. The story you wrote about listening to the old folks was wonderful. I suspect the rest of the women in the family will be getting a copy for Christmas or sooner – they’re all there in your back yard. Have a wonderful weekend.

Kim Stone - I made your yummy hamburger steaks recently for my husband who LOVED them along with the fried cabbage! I also made your strawberry-pecan bread a few weeks ago for decoration at my church & everyone raved about it. Being a newlywed I need all the meal-inspiration I can get & SouthernPlate.com never fails to deliver!

Veronica Farrar – I know the lemon poppy seed bread was not yours, but it’s a hit here at home

Kristan Stanton – Well I’m always cooking the pb fudge iced brownies (its a no fail crowd pleaser-its also REAL impressive to be so easy!) I also made the mandarin orange pies and those were the easiest pies EVER! My 5 year old just might be able to make them Your orange cake with the mango necter so moist so good a refreshing summer dessert! I served the pie and the cake at the same function to give people options and they all had to have “a little sliver of both” which turned into seconds!

Kimberly Bird - Butterfinger Cake is a favorite around here now, I mean, it’s an addiction.

Veronica Farrar - The no bake cafeteria peanut butter bars are to die for!! I’ve renamed them the Reese Cup Bars!!

Sandy Combs - We’ve been eating lots of Texas Caviar this week. So cool and yummy. A great summer side dish.

Betsy Brown - Your coffee concentrate! It’s easy, delicious, and it’s saving me a TON of money! I make it strong and pour it over ice with milk. Delicious!

Marina Kutsch - The chicken stew was just what my sick teenager needed to feel better. When our guest from out of town got here late tonight I served them the rest of stew with grilled cheese sandwiches. They loved it.

Diana Casabar - That iced coffee was to die for!

Jeanine Wilson -Love the Crunchy Beef Casserole, hamburger steaks & the cubed steaks w/gravy were so good! OH that pimento cheese was awesome… great appetizer w/wheat thins!! I especially love the stories in the cookbook, very sweet…the CZ one.. Awwwww!!

Wendy Slopsema - I know I’ve used a bunch, but the ones that I have bookmarked are MeMe’s mashed potatoes, Thanksgiving Menu Bonanza, and your Holiday Fruit Salad! They were delicious! Whenever I want a recipe for anything, I first search your site before trying anyone else!

Bettielou Welch - laundry soap made it last night all ready washed 3 loads love it

Alisha Courtney - Fresh strawberry cake with cream cheese icing. Everyone loves it and asks for the recipe. One friend even said it was better than her Grandmother’s!

Jill Sanders - My family LOVED The Apple Doozie! Will definitely be a staple on my menu from now on and so easy!

Shelby Henderson My daughter and I made your corn casserole last night, and we are having your Chicken Planks tonight! My children love them with milk gravy. Thank you Christy & Southern Plate!

Susan Helton I keep a bowl of Texas Caviar in my frig at all times so good I eat it for a quick lunch.

Virginia Edmunds Hamburger steaks, tater tots casserole, pulled pork.

Joyce Kaiser Chocolate Sundae Cake…big hit with my family…thanks Christy!

Mary Harris My favorite all time recipe is the chicken chicken. It was delicious! of course, almost everything else I tried was wonderful as well. I have bought your cookbook and given it as a gift many times over!!!

Cara Burrows I’m making the strawberry bread today!

Judy  Blaise I made the fiesta chicken on Tuesday night and my DIL and Son really liked it. (My two grandkids even liked it!)

Julie Church My husband asked for chicken ‘n dumplings…”soon!” I love the ease of that recipe and he loves the down home taste!

Tiffany Huffer lots of strawberry shortcake. my 3 rd old loves the left overs for breakfast and i love making the homemade shortcakes and fresh whippng cream – YUMMY

Allison Saylor The baked mac and cheese, chicken and rice in the slow cooker, banana bread, banana pudding, and old timey butter roll dessert!

Beverly Baker I made the Cheesy Chicken and Corn recipe but my husband isn’t crazy about corn so I left out the can of corn and added a can of black beans instead. It was awesome!

JoAnn Walsh I haven’t done a lot of cooking lately, but I will share a comment from my husband about the chicken stew I made….”This is good, keep it in the rotation” which is what he says when he really likes something and he wants to make sure I make it again. He’s actually said that about quite a few things I’ve made from your cookbook. Thank you for the “no fail” recipes Christy.

McKenzie Crisp Made the Apple Snack cake and it was a HUGE hit!

Amanda Fierce Slow cooker BBQ! My family and co-workers can’t get enough. I love how easy it is with spectacular results every time!

Betty Solomon Nothing could be better as a summer dessert than your Fresh Strawberry Cake. I even put a few of the strawberries in the cream cheese frosting, completely ignoring your advice about how messy it can be! Yummy.

Anita Cannaday I live in Wisconson and waiting on our tomatos to grow for “Fried Green Tomatoes” … brings me back to my “Southern” roots ♥

Linda Watters I’ve made your thin boneless fried pork chops, like the ones that you make on a biscuit (minus the biscuit) several times and we really enjoy them. I had never bought them before I saw this recipe because I thought they would be dry and hard. Boy, was I wrong! They are tender and tasty and a quick meal. Thanks for sharing this recipe, Christy.

Darby DeFonzo Strawberry Pecan Bread is amazing….but lately I’ve been making those House – Autry pork chops. And last night I used the same recipe but substituted chicken breasts. Sooooo yummy! My girls had theirs on biscuits. Delish and SO EASY!

Tamara Harris My fav: fruit cocktail cake! I love the recipe on your website! It’s just like the one mom used to make. A great cake to make for those summer picnics and all year around!

Michelle Ryan Love, love, love the Vidalia Honey Vinaigrette Dressing over romaine lettuce, dried cranberries, pecans and chopped green apple. That is my go-to lunch and when I pack it for work, it’s easy not to be tempted to eat out every day. Yum!

Amanda Naff I have made chicken fingers, mashed potatoes, squash casserole and the fried chocolate pies. Not all at the same time though.

Debi Can I just list your cookbook as what I have been cooking? : ) Chicken Planks, Autry Pork Chops, Nilla Wafer Cake, Jordan Rolls, Squash Casserole, Tomato Melts, Fried Corn, Fried Okra, Home Brew, Home Brew, Home Brew and much more…. We Love It All!

Eve Ruth, the Manderin orange pie recipe .I made it earlier this week and it’s fantastic. Perfectly cool and refreshing and just right for summertime! I also made the strawberry pecan bread lately and it’s also very tasty!

Angela Woodie TONS AND TONS of the iced coffee…… my hubby and i are sooooo addicted…… Home Brew is AMAZING!!!!

Teryl  Shields OMW the berry cobbler is to die for! Since reading your cookbook (cover to cover in 2 days!) that one recipe is the one my family asks for at least once a week! Love, love, love the Southern Plate cookbook!

Teryl  Shields Also, had a cooking presentation to do for a culinary class I took in Fall 2010. Made the broccoli salad and won 1st place in the salad division! Thank you Christy!

Lauren Bobo I made the strawberry pecan bread, and it was AMAZING & easy to make!

Carrie Ivy The mandarin orange pie, fried cabbage, brownies w/ pb fudge icing, fried cabbage, cinnamon rolls, fried corn and did I mention fried cabbage?! There is no such thing as too much fried cabbage, love that stuff

Kelly Tagge ‎’Deep Dish Pizza‘ is so easy and dang good too! ‘Strawberry Cobbler’ recipe but I made it with what I had on hand which was blackberries. Ummm goooood!! All your recipes are made the easy way and you can always taste the love in each and every one of them. ;~)

Carolyn Fulton Rise and Shine and biscuits are great! So easy to make and yummy!

Jacquelyn Primrose The Mandarin Orange pie was a hit in our house. It was so easy to make and a bonus because it makes 2 pies at one time. Everyone loved it!

Shirley Reeves The Sweet and Sour green bean’s ….we just can’t get enough of them . They are so easy and yummy .

Gail Caler Ur Crock Pot Lasagna.. it was the bomb !!! my family and i loved it.. it was awesome.. I will never make Lasagna again in the oven.. I wrote the recipe down in my Southern Plate Cookbook, i will make it alot more times in the future.. Thank you for shareing that recipe.. it was great

Mumaw Beth You can win my heart over any day with peanut butter. The no bake cafeteria peanut butter bars are an 11 in my book.

Wendy K Duncan I would like the rerun of freezing tomato’s Please…..and canning salsa if any…..Thank you so much!

Cindy Reed Just got your book yesterday and marking off recipes to try. Today, tomato melts…have some fresh basil to use up..,mmmm

Lydia Cook Strawberry Pecan Bread-my husband’s favorite. We will be spending the next few days at the baseball fields with our boys, so I’m making it in muffin tins so that we can take some with us easily.

Angie Carter Just this week made your Taco Soup and Skillet Chili Bake from your “10 Favorite Quick and Easy Suppers”. Both were a hit…so easy and oh, so good!! Didn’t have to heat up my kitchen by using the oven either since they both were “stovetop” meals! Thanks!! =)

Connie Dockler Uhmm, Squash Casserole with Tillamook Smoked Cheddar Cheese is so, so good.

Rachel  Ashworth I fixed the mandarin orange pie. Absolutely delicious.

Judy Johnson The sweet and sour green beans….they were really good and so easy to fix. Didn’t have frozen beans so I used my home canned Blue Lake…..Yummy

Linda Meyers I made the zucchini bread recently which was delicious!!

Debbie Strum I guess you could smell that I FINALLY made your Butterfinger Cake! But you didn’t have to get organize a parade to celebrate the fact! I DO understand what all the fuss is about that cake, though! It IS deLISH! You looked pretty good in that majorette outfit, BTW! ~snickers~

Happiness keeps you sweet, trials keep you strong,

sorrows keep you human, failures keep you humble.

Success keeps you growing, but only family keeps you going.

Submitted by Susan Crane. Submit your quote by clicking here.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend and remember, it’s not the food but the faces around the table that make the meal memorable.

You don’t have to slave over a grill for tender and delicious ribs!

Pulled pork barbecue is pretty much heaven on a bun as far as I’m concerned and it seems every region has their own way of doing it. Where I am from, the barbecue is smoked and juicy, served as pictured here or with a little bit of clear mild vinegar sauce poured over it, perhaps some of our white bbq sauce. In my husband’s home its served slathered in a thick layer of sweet red barbecue sauce, like the bottled sauce you buy in the stores.

This recipe makes it easy with the help of a slow cooker.

Click here to get my recipe for Southern Style Pulled Pork BBQ in the Slow Cooker

(the link to the vinegar slaw is in the post as well)

You know, every time I grill out I end up with leftover hamburger buns. Now I get excited when that happens because this is the BEST french toast ever! Okay, sometimes I even go and buy buns just to do this with them ~grins~. Instructions for freezing also included .

Christy Jordan and Lindsay Bierman, editor of Southern Living. Photography by Robbie Caponetto

I’m excited to announce that I’ll be hosting Southern Living’s new Quick Fix Supper series – a whole cooking series designed to help you spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your family and friends.

Each week on SouthernLiving.com I’ll be bringing you a new cooking video featuring a quick and easy supper idea and some very cool time saving tips to help put some pep back in your kitchen step!

These recipes are simple, delicious, and very budget friendly. I know you’ll love them.

Below is a special sneak peek video. Stay tuned for more details!

This is yet another wonderful gift that has come to me thanks to my Southern Plate Family, so I hope you’ll tune in!

To help kick off our series, Let’s have a giveaway!

FIVE people will win a copy of

Southern Living’s Cookbook- Quick Fixes With mixes!

To enter, just leave a comment below!

I’d love to hear what your favorite go to ingredients are for quick fix suppers!

Enter today because contest ends at midnight on Saturday!

Winners will be notified and announced Monday on this post and on facebook.

Contest is now closed, thanks for entering!

Congratulations to the following (names and part of their email addresses included): Mitchi (mvn), Patricia (choirlady), Angel (dadul), JoAnn (oceanmist). They were chosen at random to win the Southern Living Cookbook giveaway! Thanks to everyone for joining in and watching the preview of my new Quick Fix Suppers Series!