Willow House Wednesdays: 3 Day Southern Living at HOME Sale

We are discontinuing some Southern Living at HOME products between now and July 31 to make way for all the fresh, new products for the launch of Willow House in August!

Cottage Garden Collection & Carriage House Lantern

A few of my favorite items are on this list so I wanted to make sure I let you know about these so you can get them before they are gone! These items are available on a first come first serve basis.

Renaissance Hurricane

Several items are on the low inventory list and could sell out any day. So to help you get the products you want before they are gone, I am offering a sale for 3 days only...

For all orders placed between now and...

Wednesday, April 28th by 2:00 PM CDT, save 20%,

or by Thursday, April 29th by 2:00 PM CDT, save 15%,

or by Friday, April 30th by 2:00 PM CDT, save 10%.

Santorini Decorative Bowl

This sale is exclusive through me as an independent consultant and applies to all items available in the Spring 2010 catalog and not just the retiring items. For details on how to order please contact me at j.fryar@comcast.net with the subject April Three Day Sale.

~Southern Fried Gal
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Have you heard? Southern Living at HOME and Entertaining at HOME are joining to become Willow House on August 1, 2010!!! Be a founding consultant in this awesome new company!

April Where Have You Gone?

I have spent a good deal of time in April (and March, too actually) driving back and forth between my home town and my current town. I won't bore you with the details but it has been an interesting time to say the least. I am a little road weary this week and I'm WAY behind on correspondence, projects and blog posts (OK, basically everything). I will announce the winner from the UBP giveaway this week.

While in Alma, I helped out at Rags Consignment. This interesting piece came in. I call it when DIY turns to ONYD (Oh No You Didn't)!

I mean - I'm with Nester and her "It Doesn't Have to Be Perfect..." mantra but shouldn't you at least try to fudge it so the feathers are close to the same length where they meet back up?

This last weekend BFF was in Houston so I house sat and watched these little devils. Aren't they precious? The white one (Oscar) makes perfect lumbar support and the black one (Otis) keeps feet toasty and warm at night.

Anywho, I still have several projects in the works (remember my AD(DIY)D?). Take a look at this photo - do you notice anything different about my kitchen? I've got a decent sized project going on in there that I hope to finish and share soon.


I still want to get one of the bags framed to hang in the kitchen. I have two large stretched canvases that I have plans for in the den. There's the project for the white frame. And many, many more! I've got to get busy (or just stay home a while)!

What projects do you have piling up around your home?

~Southern Fried Gal

Southern Fried Sundays

The grass withers and the flowers fall,
But the word of our God stands forever.

Isaiah 40:8 NIV

Photo Courtesy: Heather Powell

Spring Tablescape

You knew it was just a matter of time before I built a tablescape around my favorite spring centerpiece! I want to give this centerpiece every excuse to stay around as long as possible! Please join me for a look at what I pulled together...

I visited Silks-a-Bloom here in Little Rock a few weeks back and they had put together a tablescape on a bed of sheet moss of all things! I figured if they could get away with that then I could use grapevine wreaths as chargers. Not nearly as messy!

I have a thing for dinnerware and serving pieces. And I like to mix and match them. These dinnerware pieces are all retired from Southern Living at HOME.

The cloth is 2 yards of fabric I got about four years ago. I was going to recover my breakfast nook chairs but didn't have the heart to cut it. That fabric has been used all over my house and in my presentations. Love it!

I also like using the tidbit sized bowls - perfect for a small cup of soup. Sometimes I will bake individual desserts or dips in them as well. Very handy!

This Gallery Collection flatware is beautiful and feels so nice in your hand! It is based on an antique design and still available in the spring catalog.

I cannot get enough of these darling Drake Firefly Lanterns also available in the current catalog. They are just so stinking cute! And if you are feeling generous, they also make nice favors for friends to take home after the party.

I hope you have enjoyed my spring tablescape. Now I need to have some folks over to enjoy it!

What unusual items have you used in your tablescapes?

Happy entertaining!

~Southern Fried Gal
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Be sure to head over to Between Naps on the Porch for more tablescape inspiration!

Saturdays with Southern Living at HOME Is Now Willow House Wednesdays: The Right Place at the Right Time

Have you ever wished you were at the right place at the right time? Today could be your lucky day! I really feel like that is where we are with Willow House. I am so excited and re-energized about our new company and I want to share it with anyone who will listen!

If you haven't heard the news, Southern Living at HOME and Entertaining at HOME are joining forces to become Willow House. Although the official transition isn't until August, now is the time to join this cutting edge company at the ground floor! That's right - YOU could be a founding consultant!

Of course we are offering amazing incentives (how about the Marisol Wall Clock for FREE) for new consultants. Really these incentives are just icing on the cake. I'm living proof that anyone can work this business with success and joyful fulfillment! That is worth more than a free clock any day of the week!

This really is a once of a lifetime opportunity! Shoot me a note (j.fryar@comcast.net) if you want to learn more!

Excited!

~Southern Fried Gal

Willow House Wednesdays is replacing Saturdays with Southern Living at HOME and At HOME Saturdays. This series is mostly to share product ideas. I promise this will not be a place for a weekly sales pitch. I'm just so darned excited about our opportunity this week and I want to shout it from the mountaintops!!! Thanks!

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Southern Living at HOME and Entertaining at HOME are joining to become Willow House on August 1, 2010!!! Be a founding consultant in this awesome new company! Everyone who qualifies to join my team by the end of June gets special privileges that won’t be available again. Let's chat!

Southern Fried Sundays

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener."
John 15:1 NIV


Photo Courtesy Heather Powell

At HOME Saturdays:Host a Beautiful Shower

The following GORGEOUS photos of a shower using our Southern Living at HOME & Entertaining at HOME product line were shared by fellow Arkansas consultant, Mabel Coleman. Thank you, Mabel, for allowing me to brag on your a bit!

I love that our new Mario Batali Italian Stitch Dishes (pg 7-10, spring catalog) lend themselves well to a chocolate/pink AND/OR chocolate/blue color theme. That makes them dream products for hosting wedding and baby showers!

This dessert table is perfection! It has the three details needed for a beautiful display: the height of the iron stands, the color of the dishes and food, and the differing textures. I especially love how the fabric softens the iron.

The main food table is equally dreamy. The two areas are tied together with the same fabric. You know I LOVE our Galveston Footed Hurricanes (pg 37, spring catalog). Here it is dressed with a simple bundle of spring flowers.

Iron stands mixed with our creamy Villa Stoneware (pg 53, spring catalog) bring both height and interest to this display. Isn't our new Galveston Square Serving Stand (pg 72, spring catalog) so adorable? Host a May party to save 60% off this piece!

We also find more of our iron stands, Italian Stitch dishes, and a natural twist on our Renaissance Hurricane (pg 17, Spring catalog) on this side of the display - simple and beautiful.

Don't you get this feeling this was a special shower? I imagine each guest walked in to a magical atmosphere and left with warm and wonderful memories. I wasn't even there and those feelings were evoked in me!

Our products are truly an investment that can be used over and over again to wow friends, welcome family, and pamper guests.

What was your favorite display from this shower?

By the way, have your heard the news? Southern Living at HOME and Entertaining at Home are joining to become Willow House!

I am going to move this product feature to Wednesdays and the new title will be Willow House Wednesdays. I'm excited about our new company and this new Wednesday feature. Look for more exciting news this coming Wednesday!

Have a blessed weekend!

~Southern Fried Gal

Southern Fried Finds

Good Friday morning! It has been a beautiful week here in Arkansas! The red buds and dogwoods have finished blooming for the most part and now the azaleas are starting to make their show. These are from a local friend's backyard. I swear she could charge visitors to come view her landscaping - beautiful! Thanks again Heather for letting me brag on you!

If you have been over here much this week you have probably heard about Southern Living at HOME and Entertaining at Home's exciting news! We are joining together to become Willow House. I had my first party last night since the news and added as many new team members - very fun!

This week I joined Amanda over at Serenity Now for her first ever Dishing It party. Over 90 girls joined the fun. While the linking is closed it is still a great way to meet new girls. I know when I get off work this evening I'm grabbing a cup of cream with a splash of coffee and making some more rounds including responding to all the sweet comments I have received this week.

And finally, I want to share what Twice Remembered Cottage had to say in her Monday post. I admire her so much for knowing what she wants from her life and her blog. Very inspiring!

Well that is what's going on in this little Southern Fried world. What's going on with you?

Have a blessed weekend!

~Southern Fried Gal

Willow House: Simply Great Opportunity

Have you heard? Southern Living at HOME and Entertaining at Home have joined together as Willow House! We are excited about our future!

Have you always wanted to be in on a ground floor opportunity but never seem to be in the right place at the right time? Today is the day your luck turns around!!!

Check out our opportunity and then contact me at j.fryar@comcast.net to learn more. Everyone who schedules a 20 minute phone chat between now and Friday, April 23rd will go into a drawing for FREE product!

What are you waiting for?

~Southern Fried Gal

Southern Living at HOME To Become Willow House!

I am super excited to share the future of Southern Living at HOME and Entertaining at HOME. Today we lay claim on the future as we combine to become Willow House in August 2010! I am so in LOVE with our new name and can't be more excited than I am today about our future!

We'll still have beautiful, high quality products.
Our mission will remain the same!

Our vision is incredible and I can't wait to share it and more in the weeks to come! Now is your chance to become a founding consultant in this amazing new company.

Have you been looking for a FUN way to earn extra income? Do you need more GIRLFRIENDS in your life? Do you desire to be identified as someone other than MOM? If so I encourage you to explore this new company with me to see if it is a good fit. It takes about 20 minutes to go over the opportunity by phone.

Everyone who schedules and holds a 20 minute information chat between now and June 30, 2010 will go into a monthly drawing for a FREE product! Contact me today at j.fryar@comcast.net to schedule yours today!

Excited!!!

~Southern Fried Gal

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Southern Living at HOME and Entertaining at HOME are joining to become Willow House on August 1, 2010!!! Be a founding consultant in this awesome new company! Everyone who qualifies to join my team by the end of June gets special privileges that won’t be available again. Let's chat!

Southern Living At HOME Spring 2010 Discontinued Items

The following items are currently available for order but they have been marked to be discontinued from the Southern Living at HOME 2010 Spring Catalog. We do this to make room for fresh and exciting new products!

These items are only available for order while supplies last! I listed the page numbers so you can find each product easily. If you see something you have always wanted, please place your order today so I can do my best to get it for you.

To place your order please contact me at j.fryar@comcast.net with Spring 2010 Order Inquiry as the subject. I will respond with specific directions on how to place your order.

Thank you for your business! Happy Shopping!

~Southern Fried Gal
Director, Southern Living at HOME
Independent Consultant

Very Low Quantity

41243 Astoria Versatile Caddy – page 44

40742 Bountiful Bowl - page 66

41138 Carriage House Lantern 10- page

41251 Chesapeake Bottle Opene23r - page

41231 Chesapeake Salad Servers – p23age

41067 Cottage Garden Platter - page 18

40958 Drake Lantern Hook - page 12

40977 Elegant Stone Serving Stand - page 8

40925 Estate Caddy - page 68

40799 Estate Hand Towel Stand - page 28

40999 Estate Towel Holder - page 68

41227 Estate Wall Hook - page 68

41034 Filled Candles - Calm - page 56

41035 Filled Candles - Natural - page 56

41106 Francesca Frames - page 26

41072 French Garden Bird Feeder - page 50

41159 Galveston Serving Stand - page 31

40840 GP HP Pet Bowls and Stand : Siena - page 75

40833 GP HP Spoon Rest: Siena - page 43

40967 Jackson Square Tray - page 66

41154 Juniper Vase - page 49

41224 Luminous Red Wine Glasses - page 13

41225 Luminous White Wine Glasses - page 13

41147 Orleans Vase Set - page 13

41160 Pavilion Wall Art - page 26

40804 Renaissance Hurricane - page 17

40854 SL Party Cookbook - page 15

40851 SL Slow Cooker Cookbook - page 45

41198 SLAH Signature Candle: Mango Nectarine - page 56

41199 SLAH Signature Candle: Pineapple Cilantro - page 56

41112 SLAH Signature Candles: Cinnamon Spice - page 56

41132 SLAH Signature Candles: Cran. Vanilla - page 56

41261 SLAH Signature Reed Diffuser: Calm - page 56

41260 SLAH Signature Reed Diffuser: Cran. Vanilla - page 56

40806 Tole Painted Pots - page 72

40926 Ultimate Message Center - page 38

40805 Verona Olive Jar - page 72

Somewhat Low Quantity

41156 Ashford Bedside Set - page 29

41283 Bordeaux Trivets - page 65

41105 Cambrian Wall Plaques - page 15

41164 Chesapeake Appetizer Set – page23

41245 Damask Wall Accents - page 18

41071 Estate Waste Bin - page 38

41033 Filled Candles - Bliss – page 56

41013 French Garden Wind Chimes - page 50

41217 Gail Pittman Hand-Painted Canister—Siena - page 75

40527 Gail Pittman Ruffled Bowl: Siena - page 43

41188 Galveston Planter - page 50

41189 Galveston Shelf - page 50

41252 Galveston Step-out Candelabra - page 62

41190 Galveston Wall Art - page 50

41191 Galveston Wall Art and Planter - page 50

41192 Galveston Wall Art and Shelf - page 50

40937 GP Bountiful Pitcher - page 66

41219 GP HP Cross - Siena - page 43

41143 GPHP Siena Square Casserole- page 43

52058 Italian Stitch Small Serving Bowl - page 7

41233 Jackson Square Lidded Urn - page 62

41241 Luminous Accent Plates - page 13

41269 Luminous Accent Plates, set of four - page 13

41213 Mansfield Sconce - page 26

41210 My Masterpieces Art Portfolio - page 38

41004 Olive Jar Trio: Green - page 18

41006 Olive Jar Trio: Yellow - page 18

41027 Olive Jar Trio: one Green, Yellow, and Red - page 18

40893 Patina Wall Tiles - page 17

41248 Petite Accent Tray - page 26

40899 SL Busy Mom's Weeknight Favorites - page 20

41266 SL Comfort Food - page 40

40505 SL Light & Easy Comfort Food - page 45

41200 SLAH Signature Candle: Vanilla Fig - page 56

41259 SLAH Signature Candles: Autumn Trio - page 57

41111 SLAH Signature Candles: Glistening Pine - page 56

40943 Two-In-One Iron Stand - page 43

Somewhat Higher Quantity

40860 Bountiful Iron Stand - page 66

41165 Chesapeake Flatware: 5-pc Place Setting - page 23

41166 Chesapeake Flatware: 5-pc Place Setting, s/4 - page 23

41066 Cottage Garden Bowl - page 18

41069 Estate Canister - page 28

40929 Gallery Spreaders - page 35

41021 GPHP Café Mugs, set of two - page 43

41025 GPHP Café Mugs, set of four - page 43

40948 GPHP Salt & Pepper -Siena - page 43

41023 GPHP Trivets, set of three, Siena – page 43

41148 Luminous Martini Glasses - page 13

41076 Manchester Trivet Trio - page 45

40996 My Birthday Memories - page 38

40708 New School Memories Album - page 38

41005 Olive Jar Trio: Red - page 18

40867 Petite Arrange-It-Easy Vase - page 26

41054 Petite Bud Vases - page 26

41157 Renaissance Candlesticks- page 17

41136 Santorini Decorative Bowl - page 25

41128 SL Fix it and Forget It Slow Cooker Magic - page 20

40984 SL Incredible Chocolate Recipes - page 40

41046 SL Quick and Easy Weeknight Meals - page 20

41337 SLAH Signature Candle: Resort Trio - page 57

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Have you heard? Southern Living at HOME and Entertaining at HOME are joining to become Willow House on August 1, 2010!!! Be a founding consultant in this awesome new company!

Dishing It With Amanda

Hello friend! Glad you could make it today. The weather is warmer than usual in Arkansas for this time of year so grab a glass of fresh poured (from the bottle, I just dressed it up to make it look fancy) lemonade and have a seat!

Amanda over at Serenity Now is hosting a different kind of party today. We are dishing it - or getting to know one another a little better. If DH knew what we were up to he would call it a hen-pecking party...

Anywho, Amanda asked the following questions and I'm going to do my best to answer them without boring you to tears...so without further ado, let's get to dishing it!

How long have you been blogging?

I officially started blogging in August 2008. Here's my first post, bless its little heart...

I decided to be more intentional about my blog in January of this year. I really love the creative outlet and all the new friends I'm meeting!

Tell me about your blog's title. Why did you choose it?
I wanted my title to reflect my crazy personality, pay homage to my southern heritage, and be something memorable. I was stuck on using dream in the title because for the first time in my life I really felt like I knew what it meant to realize my dreams.

DH suggested a LOT of funny names (he's crazy, too) one of which was Chicken Fried Dreams. Just a quick switch by yours truly and the name was born. Perfection. It describes me in so many ways...

What do you blog about?
If you stick around long enough you'll find a little bit of everything on my blog (door decor, home decor, recipes, mommyhood, etc.) For pictures and more detail, my blog content is summarized best in this post.

What is your favorite thing about blogging?
Oh come on, now...I can never choose just one favorite thing! A few of my favorites are new relationships, a creative outlet, parties, continual creative inspiration, and helping & encouraging others. Oh and I REALLY like getting nice comments (just keeping it real)!

Why did you start blogging?
I used to be a lurker and I followed a few local bloggers. From there as I had time I would follow their links to other interesting blogs. Before I knew it I was laughing, crying, & praying with people I had not met but everything about them was real to me.

I realized I was building REAL relationships. As an independent consultant for Southern Living at HOME (SLAH), I am in the relationship business. SO, I connected the dots between the two worlds.

My original mission statement was...

...do a little SOUTHERN LIVING and realize my dreams of staying AT HOME!!! My mission is to help women create warmth and beauty in their homes, encourage them to open their homes to friends and family, and inspire them to dream a little bigger.

I feel like I've grown into my blog over the past couple of years and I like the direction it is heading. It's not exactly what I had in mind when I first started but it's exciting to grow and still hold true to the original mission.

There were a couple of other questions but I figure I've bored you enough talking about me. I want to know more about YOU!

Are you joining the party? You can check out the details on how to join the fun here. Let me know in the comments so I can come check it out! If not - how would you answer these questions?

~Southern Fried Gal

p.s. Don't forget to enter my giveaway!

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This post linked to the following:

Mexican Lasagna

This is another recipe that came together as a result of getting creative with what I had on hand. I am capturing the recipe because it was surprisingly De. Lish. Us!

Mexican Lasagna

Ingredients
1 lb lean hamburger meat
1 can tomato soup
1 can rotel
1 cup water
1 8 oz block cream cheese
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
1 egg
2 Tbs taco seasoning
1 cup refried beans
flour tortillas
sour cream (optional)

Preparation
Brown meat in skillet. Add next three ingredients to pan and simmer for 10 minutes. Mix cream cheese, a third of the cheddar cheese, egg, and taco seasoning together in a separate bowl. Cut flour tortillas into 2 inch strips (to mimic lasagna noodles).

Assemble and Bake

1. In a 9x13 baking dish, spread just enough of the sauce to cover the bottom. Add a layer of tortilla strips. Spread half of cheese mixture over tortilla strips and cover with 1/3 of sauce.
2. Add another layer of tortilla strips and spread refried beans over top. Sprinkle one third of the cheddar cheese over beans.
3. Repeat step 1.
4. Add final layer of tortilla strips and cover with remaining sauce. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top.
   

Cover with foil and bake 40 minutes at 350. Remove foil and bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese begins to brown. Remove and allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with sour cream. Enjoy!

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I know there were a few ingredients in there that probably made you scratch your head. I wasn't sure if it was going to turn out or not. DH could not get enough and I was VERY surprised at how tasty it was. I have already shopped for the ingredients to do it again AND I would totally serve this to company.

What new recipe have you created by cleaning out the pantry?

~Southern Fried Gal

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I'm joining Jen over at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam for Tasty Tuesday!

Thrifty Door Decor Update

Pulling into the driveway this morning I was inspired by this...

So I yanked the fake daisies out of my door bucket (that I got free for hosting a Southern Living at HOME Party).

Searched for something to line the bucket...

The cheaper the better because they squish a little easier.

Grabbed a cutting instrument from the garage.

And voila - a fabulous new (and FREE) greeting for guests. It took me no more than 15 minutes to gather everything and pull this together. I only used three or four clippings because they were so long I could make them go further. I wasn't too greedy. I also love that the yellow flowers match the pollen haze on the door - nice touch, eh?!

I'm going to have lots of fun with this door bucket. Please let me know if you get sick of it (or if you would like to have one of your own)!

Do you have a favorite item that you switch out on a regular basis?

~Southern Fried Gal

p.s. Ms. June, If you are reading this, thank you for growing these beauties and letting me take a few here and there!

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Joining the following parties...

Southern Hospitality: Today's Thrifty Treasures

The Girl Creative: Just Something I Whipped Up

Sumo's Sweet Stuff: Market Yourself Monday

A Soft Place To Land: DIY Day

Southern Fried Sundays

This is the {most beautiful} day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 NIV

Photo: Courtesy Heather Powell

I am so excited about the ULTIMATE Blog Party for 2010. I'm joining all the fun and you should, too! If you are new around here I'm a wife and work-at-home momma to a very active six year old, dubbed BBC (Boo Boo Chicken). I'm also a Director for Southern Living at HOME and in my spare time (giggle) I like to do stuff and write about it here.

My whole life I have been a Jill of All Trades and Master of None - so why should my blog be any different? Just like the Arkansas weather, if you don't like what you see out here today, stop over again tomorrow because you'll probably find something you'll like!

Here are some of the things you will find on my blog...

1. I Adore Door Decor! If there is one thing that I'm really known for it's my door decor. I change it out at least once a month. I find folks driving very slowly and goose-necking to look at what I've got going on my door!

2. I Love to KISS (Keep is Simple Sisters, that is) In this day and age who has time (or money) to fuss and muss? I share simple (and mostly frugal) ideas for decorating and entertaining that have lots of WOW factor.

3. Who's That Pretty Girl in the Window There? I'm a reforming people pleaser. I'm quirky with a dry sense of humor. I've always had to watch my weight. With all that going on, I have finally found after 30+ years that I've just gotta be me! So over here I try to keep it real. You may find pictures of fungus as art, coffee cups under cloches, little birdie tracks in the snow, an unfinished project, OR me without makeup. It's just me being me.

4. A Chip Off the Ol' Block... My high-energy, crafty and creative six year old son loves to do whatever his momma is doing. I swear I need to spin off a blog just for him! Together we share kid friendly ideas for projects, recipes, gifts, etc.

5. Thank You for Being a Friend! In 2010 my goal is to connect more than ever. I like getting to know different people and being inspired by others. That's the main reason I started this blog. I have met so many amazing people! Here are some actions I'm taking to help keep me accountable to my friends and followers in 2010:

• New Series: Southern Fried Finds features new and old bloggy friends.
  
• New Series: At HOME Saturdays focuses on ideas for Southern Living at HOME products.
• Southern Fried Sundays series as a way to share faith and love
  
• My goal is to visit and comment on everyone that leaves a comment here.
• TWITTER-aholic! Follow Me @southrnfriedgal . We'll chat. It'll be fun!
  

To all my Southern Fried friends, thank you for sticking with me along the way! And for all you newbies, thanks for stopping over and checking me out! I hope you will consider following me on this Southern Fried journey!

Blessings to you!

~Southern Fried Gal

p.s. Enter My $50 Southern Living at HOME Giveaway!