Southern Fried Sundays

Today is my grandmother's 83rd birthday! Both my blog name and my Sunday series pay respect in a way to my granny. Growing up, every Sunday we went to Sunday School and then to church. After church we headed to Granny's house where she had lovingly prepared a good ol' southern fried meal for the family. She did this faithfully and sacrificially. She made everyone who came to her house feel special and welcomed.

Those Sunday's helped shape me into the southern gal I am today. I'm all about Jesus, family, good food, and a dose of southern hospitality.

Happy Birthday, Granny! Thank you for your example!

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling." 1 Peter 4:8-9 NIV

What childhood traditions helped shape who you are today?

Have a blessed week!
~Southern Fried Gal

At HOME Saturdays

Time to start feathering the nest for spring! Here's how I'm using my Southern Living at HOME products to welcome the upcoming season.

Nesting Tables (pg 49, spring catalog)

Cottage Garden Platter (pg 18, spring catalog)
Ornate Iron Art Bookstand (pg 45, spring catalog)
Bistro Votive Holder (pg 8, spring catalog)

Santorini Urn (pg 25, spring catalog)
Renaissance Hurricane (pg 17, spring catalog)

Santorini Bowl (pg 25, spring catalog)
Bountiful Iron Stand (pg 66, spring catalog)
Carriage House Lantern (pg 10, spring catalog)

Are you already decorating for spring? I know it is still a month away but I can't resist - especially on bright, sunny days like today.

Like the products you see? You can order them through me! Or even better you can earn them for FREE by hosting a home, catalog, or BLOG party! March Hostesses can earn a Mystery Box with up to $175 in additional FREE products! Holler at me for more details!

Warm Wishes!

~Southern Fried Gal

Fudgy Cookie Bars

I've been on a baking kick as of late. I think it has something to do with getting creative with the ingredients we have on hand and finding something to do on the many snow days we have had the past month. PLUS February always makes me crave chocolate!

The Fudgy Cookie Bars recipe from the April 2007 issue of Southern Living magazine requires ingredients you probably have on hand, is fairly simple to bake and its results are extremely rich and gooey.

I love the three layers that bake up - a flaky, crispy layer on the bottom, a fudgy layer in the center, and a nutty layer on top. Perfect for a game night gathering or church potluck! Please enjoy!

Fudgy Cookie Bars

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
• 1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (12-oz.) package semisweet chocolate morsels
• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Preparation

1. Combine first 3 ingredients in a large bowl; cut in cold butter pieces with a pastry blender or 2 forks until crumbly. Press mixture onto bottom of a 13- x 9-inch pan.

2. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes. Remove pan, and place on a wire rack.

3. Stir together condensed milk, vanilla, and 1 cup chocolate morsels in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until smooth. Pour mixture evenly over prepared crust, spreading to edges of the pan. Sprinkle with chopped pecans or walnuts and remaining chocolate morsels.

4. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack 1 hour or until completely cool.

Note: Store bars in airtight containers up to 1 week. You may also freeze bars up to 1 month.

Submitted by Gloria Adams, Beckville, Texas
Southern Living, APRIL 2007

At HOME Saturdays

Today's featured Southern Living at HOME product is our Cyprus Footed Bowl (pg 62, spring catalog). It is only one month until Spring officially begins and I have brunches, showers, and weddings on the brain. Check out these ideas from our amazing design team for styling a centerpiece that is perfect for your spring gathering!

Edible Centerpiece

Floral Centerpiece

Cablescape Centerpiece

Are you planning a spring gathering? What themes and colors are you planning to use? How would you change up this idea to meet your needs?

Do you enjoy this weekly feature? If so please let me know. And help me spread the word. I would love for this to be a weekly conversation and sharing venue for all our lovely products.

~Southern Fried Gal

DIY Princess Party

My talented friend, Joanna, created the cutest Princess Party for her three year daughter. I am super excited to share these ideas with you! Everything from the favors, the cupcakes, and even the photography is Joanna's handy work. Warning: Be prepared to hate her after you see all she has done! But in a nice way, of course.

Let the festivities begin!

Handmade Crowns

Joanna saw similar crowns online and decided she wanted to make them herself. They are crafted using flannel fabrics and fusible interfacing for stiffness. Joanna used a blanket stitch (and has the bloody fingertips to prove it). Her sister did the embroidery. I found a fantastic blanket stitch tutorial over at Futuregirl Craft Blog in case you want to give these a try.

Adorable Princess Cupcakes

On my goodness! Aren't these the cutest things ever? I'm trying to figure out how to make these work for my boy...DH probably won't approve, though. Joanna confesses she found the idea in a cupcake book she received as a gift from her sister-in-law. Other than the robe she claims they are not too terribly hard to make. I love all the details - even the coordinating cupcakes on the shelf below!

The Reward

And here's the biggest payoff for Joanna's hard work. Great job, Mom!

Doesn't this make you want to go host your own Princess Party? My dad always called me a princess. Hmm...do you think thirty-something is too old for this birthday theme?

Thanks, Joanna for letting me brag on you! Do you have a project you want to share? I would love to feature your project. Let's chat! You can find me on Twitter @southrnfriedgal or shoot me an email!

I'm linking to the following parties...

• Kimba's DIY Party
• Hoosier Homemade's Cupcake Tuesday
• We Are THAT Family's Works For Me Wednesday (and she's sharing tips for raising strong-willed children today. The Good LORD knows I need to bookmark that post!).

~Southern Fried Gal

Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Cupcakes

This is the cupcake that brings back wonderful childhood memories. Church socials and birthday parties were a big hit in my book if I could score one of these little dandies. On the surface it appears to be a boring, chocolate cupcake. No frosting.

But slice into this tasty treat and find a wonderful chocolate chip and cream cheese surprise! I always thought there was a labor of love to create these tasty treats. Imagine my delight when I found the Self-Filled Cupcake recipe in the Oxmoor House Cake Mix Miracle Cookbook. It follows suit with my little effort and big WOW philosophy.

Self-Filled Cupcakes
(Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Cupcakes)

1 devil's food cake mix (I swear by Duncan Hines)
1 8oz package cream cheese, softened (I use 1/3 less fat)
1/3 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels (I use mini chips)

Prepare cake mix according to package directions . Spoon batter into paper-lined muffin pans, filling two-thirds full. Beat cream cheese and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add egg, beating well; stir in chocolate morsels. Spoon 1 heaping teaspoon cream cheese mixture into center of each cupcake. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool on wire racks. Store in refrigerator. Yield 2 dozen

And here's a little tip - free of charge. A small scoop is the best way to add the cream cheese mixture. Perfect amount and perfectly centered every time!

One more tip. You can follow this recipe and substitute spice cake for the devils food cake and omit the chocolate chips for a different spin on this tasty treat. I discovered this last fall when I was craving the Starbucks pumpkin & cream cheese muffins.

I'm linking this post up with...

A Southern Fairy Tale's Mouth Watering Monday.

Balancing Beauty and Bedlam's Tasty Tuesday.

Hoosier Homemade's Cupcake Tuesday.

Be sure to head over and check out other yummy recipes!

Happy Baking!

~Southern Fried Gal

Southern Fried Sundays

BBC's Sunday School Class did a My Gifts for Jesus project for Christmas. I didn't get a chance to post about it then. I was excited when I realized Valentine's Day fell on Sunday this year. I knew it would be the perfect opportunity to share.

BBC brought home a wrapped gift box with a tag...

To: Jesus
From: BBC

Inside we found...

My Gifts for Jesus

Heart Shaped Eraser (Give your heart to Jesus) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Matthew 22:37

Pipe Cleaner Person (Love OTHERS) As I have loved you, you must love one another. John 13:34

Toy Wrench (Let Jesus be the BOSS of your life) Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples." John 8:31

Picture of a Clock (Make TIME for God) Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Mark 1:35

Paper Doll (Take care of your BODY) You were bought with a price. Therefore, honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:20

Army Man (STAND UP for Jesus) If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory. Luke 9:26

Plastic Fruit (Let your ACTIONS show that you love Jesus) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22

Bible Bookmark (OBEY the Bible) Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. John 14:21

Fishing Worm (TELL others about Jesus) "Come follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

Thank You Card (Tell God THANK YOU every day) Looking up to heaven, he gave thanks... Mark 6:21

Towel (SERVE God always) I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you. John 13:15

Light Bulb (Let your LIGHT Shine) Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Out of everything on this list the most important is the very first gift. Have you given your heart to Him? It is my prayer that you have.

Happy Valentine's Day!

~Southern Fried Gal

At HOME Saturdays

An appropriate weekend to share one of the many reasons to LOVE Southern Living at HOME. As a Consultant and/or Hostess, you can enjoy our beautiful products for FREE!

I get giddy when I come home to one of more of these babies...

I can't wait to rip into into and see what goodness awaits! This time I scored our...

Brand New Heritage Wall Art
($54.96, pg 75 spring catalog).

Large Galveston Hurricane
($79.96, pg 37 spring catalog)

Brand New Filigree Iron Candelabra
($39.96, pg 55 spring catalog)

Damask Wall Accents
($39.96, pg 18 spring catalog)

And finally two more Drake Firefly Lanterns
(small lantern inside, $29.96 set of two
Pg 13 spring catalog)

If you are keeping track that is over $240 in FREE products!!! February is Double Hostess Dollars month! There is still enough time to host a home, catalog, or blog party and earn your own FREE products!

Even better, want to earn FREE products and CASH to boot? Take a look at our opportunity in February to be eligible to earn four FREE products plus other awesome rewards. Check out this post for more reasons to all in LOVE with Southern Living at HOME!

Already have a consultant? Contact her to learn more. Don't have a consultant? I would love the opportunity to visit with you via email or phone. No pressure or obligation, promise. Contact me today!

One last update. Remember this little product combo? I promised I would share what I did with it for Valentine's day. Here ya go...LOVE my HOGS!!!

Hope you are having a lovey, dovey, happy, sappy weekend!

~Southern Fried Gal

Rumor Has It...

Word on the street is that Little Rock will be getting an Anthropologie store in the very near future. Woo Woo! I first saw it on Twitter and got a little more scoop from Little Rock Mamas.

I heart their stores. They are filled with lots of...

and funky home decor items. I'm looking forward to fresh inspiration for my frugal creations.

And their bedding is the best. Especially their quilts. Check out this display from their Vegas store. I wanted to curl up in this bed so badly. I resisted and instead snapped a picture for those days when I want to daydream...

I can't wait to be inspired! Do you love Anthropologie, too? Tell me about your favorites!

~Southern Fried Gal

Snow Days

We finally got our fair share of snow this week. Wrote a little post about it. Like to hear it, here it go...

HUGE Snowflakes

Some Ice, Too

BBC and Me

Did I REALLY just post a pic of me without makeup?

My Snow Dudes

Please note our Snow Dude has five fingers on each hand. We had to search high and low for that. His left hand looks like it is throwing up gang signs. Oh that child of mine!

Snowball Fight!
Claiming the High Ground...

Sweet Little Birdie Tracks,

And Bunny Tracks, Too!

We followed the bunny tracks all over the yard looking for the burrow. We didn't find it. Wascally Wabbit! Probably a good thing with my curious boy.

Well that's our story and we're sticking to it!

Hope you are safely enjoying your weather - whatever that may be!

~Southern Fried Gal

Easy Valentine's Day Centerpiece

This Valentine's Day centerpiece is super easy to assemble and provides lots of WOW factor! BONUS - I was also able to do it on a frugal budget.

For this project I used...

• One dozen red roses (on clearance at Walmart for $5)
• Square glass container (I used lg Soda Glass, pg 61)
• Wire cutters (scissors work, too)
• Glass pebbles (so cheap)
• Water with plant food (from roses)
  
• Large white platter (on hand)
• Four votive holders with tea lights (on hand, not pictured)
  

Total out of pocket for this project: About $7

To start, remove leaves from stems and tuck roses in upside down in glass container.

Snip stems flush with top of glass container. Remove flowers and fill bottom with an inch or so glass pebbles. Add water to just the top of the pebbles. Tuck roses into container.

To complete the centerpiece, center on a white platter and sprinkle petals from the three remaining roses around. Tuck plain glass votive holders with tea lights around. Simple and stunning, don't you agree?

After I photographed this I tied a white ribbon around the vase and put it on a pedestal in the guest bath. A perfect touch of elegance in there! You could do this with any shaped glass container. I don't know why I have bridal showers on the brain - these would be perfect for that as well. I have a few variations in mind that I plan to try as we get closer to spring.

I got this idea from a guest speaker in Vegas on our leadership retreat. I wish I could remember his name so I could give him proper credit.

I'm linking this project up with the following CREATIVE bloggy friends...

Hoosier Homemade's Valentine Party.

Cottage Instincts' Make it for Monday.

Cheri's It's So Very Creative.

Making the World Cuter.

The Girl Creative: Just Something I Whipped Up.

The Twice Remembered Cottage: Made Your Monday.

Kimba's DIY Day with The Cupcake Tower.

Somewhat Simple's Strut Your Stuff and Valentine Strut Your Stuff.

Happy, happy!

~Southern Fried Gal

You may also enjoy these posts...

Lantern Ideas - January through May

Easter Centerpieces

Kid Friendly Valentines

Southern Fried Sundays (late edition)

Wow-one week until Valentine's day. This verse came to mind last night...

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 NIV

I wrote it on the memo board in my kitchen. God wrote it on my heart many years ago. It is my prayer that he has done the same for you!

Have a blessed week.
~Southern Fried Gal

At HOME Saturdays

Greet friends in style and get more bang for your buck when you change out the Willow House Drake Lantern (40959) seasonally and display on an entry table or in the powder room!

Here are some ideas for January through May...

January Drake Lantern

For some reason I use berries in January. I think it is a nice transition from Christmas to winter. This year I layered a ring of berries and greenery inside the lantern. I replaced the glass insert with our Drake Firefly Lantern (41208).

From here I shopped the house to find ways to transition the lantern each month. You may not have all this on hand but hopefully this inspires you to take what you have on hand!

February Drake Lantern

If you have been around my blog long enough you will recognize this trick. I wrapped the glass insert with scrapbook paper that has swirly heart cutouts using double-side tape. Then I placed a candle inside and filled the inside bottom of the lantern with red hots.

March Drake Lantern

Last year I bought some shamrock gel clings at Dollar Tree. They are the perfect accent for the glass cylinder with a candle inside. I also think it would be cute to put gold coins around the bottom of the lantern but I didn't have any of those on hand.

April Drake Lantern

For April I skipped the glass cylinder all together and layered faux fern and a sweet flowered vine in the bottom of the lantern. Next I tucked a birds nest with two little eggs inside. I think this is my favorite look. Very me!

May Drake Lantern

For May, I was inspired by all the wedding showers that will be upon us before we know it! I had previously made the lavender ball for my grandmother's 80th birthday celebration. I grabbed that and a bit of springy greenery to layer in the bottom. A tapered candle and voila! I think this one would be best with fresh flowers and my plan is to revisit this idea in spring with real flowers. PLUS it would be less flammable!

What other ideas do you have for this versatile product?

~Southern Fried Gal

p.s. You can find these lanterns and more in my Willow House Online Store! PLUS February 2011 is DOUBLE HOSTESS dollars month! It's a great time to host a home, catalog, or online party and earn twice the FREE product! If you already have a consultant, contact her today to book your party. Don't have a consultant? I would love to serve you. Let's Connect!

Show Your At HOME Style Party

Welcome to the Show Your At HOME Style party for 2010. The plan is for this to be a regular feature on this blog so we will have one place to gather for inspiration and ideas for our Southern Living at HOME products.

Oh and I'm hosting a giveaway! The lucky winner will receive a Southern Living at HOME product valued at $30 or more! I am leaving this party open over the weekend to close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, February 7.

Everyone that links up will automatically be entered into the drawing. Don't have a blog? You can visit the online catalog and let me know your favorite product and how you would use it in the comment section for an entry. Spread the word about the party through Twitter or Facebook and leave me a separate comment with the link to your shout out for additional entries!

Without further ado, please link up your posts and pictures! I can't wait to see your ideas!!!

~Southern Fried Gal

p.s. For additional inspiration check my At HOME Saturdays series that is published weekly.