Sunday, July 25, 2010

G.R.I.T.S. ROCK Giveaway!!!

Yes, we are G.R.I.T.S.--Girls Raised In The South! And, we do love grits y'all!!! Grits is a comfort food that has helped many a Southerner through tryin' times. Grits are "King" at the Waffle House and they are also a favorite on the tables at wedding receptions, funeral receptions, and posh Southern soirees. Just like the other well-loved Southern comfort food--macaroni and cheese, grits is a Southern lady's blankie!

Exactly what is grits? Grits is made of hominy and hominy is the dried kernel of corn after the hull and germ have been removed.

My giveaway is all about Grits!!! I love grits prepared any style...plain grits with real butter, grits with cheese, or shrimp & grits. When The Queen of Southern Cuisine, Paula Deen was married, the classic combo of shrimp & grits was served to guests at her wedding in martini glasses. Now my daddy would have said that was too high-fallutin' for him!!! I love it though...shrimp & grits served in a martini glass! I prepared Paula's recipe last night and we all loved it!!!


Here's some proper Southern grits etiquette for all y'all who live outside the South:

~Grits should always be served on a plate...along with your eggs and bacon and eaten with a fork; unless they are served alone, then you may use a bowl. Of course, they may also be served in a martini glass for a posh presentation!
~Grits are always eaten with a fork, 'cuz they should be thick enough not to run through the tines.
~Never put syrup on your grits--this irritates us Southerners to no end!
~Don't even think about putting sugar on your grits!!! Good Lord.
~Ketchup on your grits?...no ma'am, that's very Waffle House!
~Don't you dare eat instant grits...don't you dare!
~Don't call grits "cream of wheat"--again, very irritating to Southerners!

Recipe for Paula Deen's Shrimp & Grits:
2 servings cooked grits
2 tblsp olive oil
1/2 cup diced tasso ham*
2 tblsp diced onion
2 tblsp diced green peppers
20 medium to large shrimp, peeled and de-veined, with tails on**
1-2 tblsp white wine
1 cup heavy cream
Salt & pepper
Green onion tops, chopped
*Tasso ham is a cajun ham found outside of Louisiana. You can substitute salt pork, pancetta, or prosciutto.
**Miss Janice takes the tails off the shrimp before serving

Cook grits according to package directions; set aside and keep warm. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add tasso and saute until crisp. Add diced vegetables and saute until onions are translucent. Add shrimp and saute for 30-45 seconds, or until pink. Remove from the pan and set aside. Deglaze the pan with a little white wine. Slowly add the cream and let reduce until thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add grits to martini glasses and spoon the shrimp & sauce on top. Enjoy!

The Giveway...
First up, I'm giving away an apron just like the one I'm wearing today. It's too cute y'all! I get a LOT of compliments on it everytime I wear it!!! G.R.I.T.S. is printed in large pink and green letters and "Girls Raised In The South" is printed below in smaller pink and green letters. Pink & Green...Southern and preppy!!!

Next...I get so many emails from readers asking advice on 'How to be a Southern belle'. To help y'all start Southern Belle 101, I'm offering these two books by Deborah Ford.

"The G.R.I.T.S. Guide to Life"...The unspoken rules and rich traditions that makes Girls Raised in the South so unique! If you're not from the South and would like to learn more about being a Southern girl, this is the book for you. Or maybe you were raised in the South and now you live Lord-knows-where and just need a refresher course on Southern traditions. Love this book y'all!

Another book by Deborah Ford, "Puttin' on the G.R.I.T.S., A Guide to Southern Entertaining"--is a must-have for those who want to know how to be the perfect Southern hostess. From Potluck to Thanksgiving Dinner, this book has all the tips & ideas to help you plan the perfect social event!
It wouldn't be proper of me NOT to include some grits!!! And, they are Dixie Grits. Yes ma'am they are!

*Please note that I'm not giving away Jean Paul y'all...just the grits sitting next to him!!!



Rules for the Giveaway:

~For one entry--you must leave a comment on this post.
~For two entries--you must be a follower of my blog or let me know if you are a new follower.
~For three entries--you must post about my giveaway on your blog.
~For four entries--you must be a follower of SocialGraces101 (that's me y'all) on Twitter or let me know if you are a new follower.
~For five entries--you must tweet about my giveaway.

Good luck to everyone! I'm taking some time off be be with family this week. This giveaway will end at 12:00 midnight E.S.T on Friday, July 30th and will be announced on Saturday, July 31st.

134 comments:

  1. What a great giveaway! Love everything about it :)

    I'm a follower :)

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  2. Well I have never tasted grits in my life. I don't even understand what they are. Off to google. :)

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  3. That apron is soo adorable I am definitely a GRIT and I love grits too!

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  4. I am also a long time follower of your blog!

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  5. I follow you on twitter, my twitter name is KimberlyLParker just so you have proof!

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  6. I just tweeted about the giveaway! 4 entries sounds nice!

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  7. What a fabulous giveaway! I am follower that especially loves your "what I wore posts". I'm also a lover of grits--especially cheese grits.

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  8. Miss J --I always love your givaways (they've sometimes inspired me to buy the books when, aw shucks, I didn't win!) Anyway as pink and green is my favorite combination....perhaps it will be my lucky day! Count me in and count me twice please. I'm a follower.

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  9. What a lovely giveaway!

    I am a follower and am now following you on twitter as well!

    I do love grits :)

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  10. Great giveaway. I love the apron!!!

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  11. I am a faithful follower! I read those books a few years ago, very good and funny! I would love to own them and the apron!

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  12. I do love grits!! I was raised in the South and even though my children are being raised in the Pacific Northwest (for the time being) they certainly know grits! What a fun giveaway :) I am a follower on blogger and twitter (seaandtea) :)

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  13. Well, since I already have the apron and the books I guess I shouldn't be in your drawing girlfriend. haha I did want to add something about grits. I love grits!! I love them with lots of butter, salt and pepper. Yummy!!!

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  14. What a nice giveaway! I have never had grits but I am going to have them for sure the next time I am in the US!

    I am a follower!

    I posted your giveaway on the sidebar of my blog!

    I follow you on Twitter!

    I tweeted your giveaway!

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  15. What a great giveaway!!!! I love the apron!!!

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  16. It feels sooo good to be amongst people that love grits as much as I do!! I now live in Maryland and everyone looks at me like I'm crazy!!! I am a new follower and new to following you on Twitter!! (Sonya_burton) Anyone else mix their grits with their fried eggs? Thanks bunches!!

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  17. Love this giveaway! I'm a follower of course :)

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  18. What a wonderful giveaway! I would love to win. I am a true southern gal! I have been a follower of your blog for a long time and love all of your posts! You inspire us all! :-) Have a great Sunday!
    DD

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  19. My mother is a GRITS.She always says that you can take the girl out of the south but not the south out of the girl.
    How cute this apron and items are.

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  20. This is a GREAT giveaway! I am a follower of your blog AND on Twitter. I also tweeted about your giveaway. I am on Twitter as @Sweet_Tea_in_TN. Thank you!

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  21. LAWDY MERCY!!! That Waffle House comment has just about killed me!! too freakin funny!!!

    Love this giveaway sweetie!
    xo

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  22. I am def. a follower of you blog -

    -love following your tweets (they make me smile)

    I also tweeted about it!

    Put it under my giveaways!!

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  23. How Fun! I follow your blog and I follow you on twitter of course !

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  24. I looove grits so sign me up for this adorable giveaway!

    I am a follower, am commenting and will share on my blog; http://southernlillylover.blogspot.com/

    P.S. I only wish you were giving away Jean Paul! I adore him!

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  25. What a cute apron would love to win, and I am a follower Miss Janice.

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  26. I follow Miss Janice on all your Southern ways.

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  27. Oh I love this giveaway! So creatively southern! I'm a follower of both your blog and your tweets (and I, too, love all your southern ways!)

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  28. Oh my word, what a fun giveaway!! Just one question, who has ever put syrup on grits?! I haven't even heard of such a thing. Sugar, I have heard of, consider it blasphame, but have heard it. I have been reading your blog, but just became follwer and am following you on twitter (4kidlets), as well. Will tweet about this givaway in just a moment and will blog about in the morning(mylifethroughpink<.>blogspot<.>com). I believe that's 5 entries. Again, thank you for such a fun giveaway.

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  29. Miss Janice,

    What a wonderful giveaway! I remember the first time I tasted grits...I had moved from the North to the South and a darling girl from Georgia realized I had never had the experience of grits. She was so excited to be the one to introduce me to them and insisted that she prepare them for me the 'correct way'. Salt, pepper and butter. I was in heaven. She me promise to never eat them any other way and I never have....they are a staple in my 'temporarily' northern pantry.

    Thank you, as always, Kathleen

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  30. Miss Janice,

    What a wonderful giveaway! I remember the first time I tasted grits...I had moved from the North to the South and a darling girl from Georgia realized I had never had the experience of grits. She was so excited to be the one to introduce me to them and insisted that she prepare them for me the 'correct way'. Salt, pepper and butter. I was in heaven. She me promise to never eat them any other way and I never have....they are a staple in my 'temporarily' northern pantry.

    Thank you, as always, Kathleen

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  31. I follow you on Twitter, here, and I'd love to win, even though I do have the books ;-) I promise I'll pay them forward. One of my best friend's daughter has an essay in Deborah Ford's book! xoxo

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  32. What a great give-away! I am a relatively new follower, too! Thanks, Miss Janice!

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  33. Sign me up...I am grits fanatic and a follower! xx

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  34. I love my grits! I had to explain what they are to my New York husband and his mom! They had no idea what they were. Also, enter me in for all 5 entries!

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  35. I forgot to say that my twitter name is Southernmommie.

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  36. G.R.I.T.S. Rock and so do you Miss Janice! I'd follow you anywhere. xo

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  37. You know I'm a GRITS through & through, but sometimes I make instant grits for the children. :( I'm a semi-slacker remember! I'm a follower & I follow you on Twitter too.

    I think I'm going to do a GRITS-themed Bunko next time. Cute idea, huh?

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  38. I love grits, especially with lots of melted butter . . .Yum. You are definitely linked to my blog . . I love
    you Janice. Lisa Hood

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  39. Love your blog post - very cute. I am glad I now know the proper way to eat grits!

    misaacmom at gmail dot com

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  40. I would love to win your GRITS giveaway. The South is always so romantic to me. I've only been able to visit the South, never lived there but really need to learn to be more like a Southern girl. Living here in CA we have a lot to learn :)

    Hugs,
    Joanne

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  41. I am a G.R.I.T.S. soooo I need the apron! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  42. I am a follower too. Thanks for the giveaway. Crossing fingers and toes. Would LOVE the books!

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  43. Posted it on my blog too. Need all the chances I can get!!!

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  44. What a fun giveaway! I must admit, I'm a southern girl who's never had grits that I've actually liked. I mean I've not tried them since I was a little girl, but I HATED them back then... :P

    - I follow your blog.
    - Posted about your giveaway on my blog (http://dcgopgirl.blogspot.com)
    - I follow you on twitter!
    - Just tweeted about your giveaway too.

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  45. Hi Miss Janice! What a fabulous giveaway. I posted about your giveaway today, on my Monday Manners post. Thanks!

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  46. What a great giveaway! I put these books on my Christmas List already! As you know, I'm a follower! And I just posted about your giveaway! 3 for me!

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  47. I heart grits too! I make good ole regular grits, I have a grits souffle recipe, yum. And my shrimp and grits have a homemade creole seasoning to die for. Of course cheese grits are a norm in our house too!

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  48. Plus I follow Miss Janice always.

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  49. I am already a "follower."
    I will tweet about the giveaway @ BellaMellaMel.
    Cheese grits are the best!

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  50. Thank you so much for the chance to win our household staple!

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  51. 1) Love this giveaway!

    2) I'm a new follower :)

    3) I'm also following you on twitter

    4) And I will tweet about it!
    twitter: julieemayo

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  52. How fun :) Thanks for such a great giveaway!

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  53. I've been a follower for a couple of months now, and I've really enjoyed reading your blog :)

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  54. 1. i'm now a new follower!
    2. i'm commenting on this post

    i LOVE grits :)

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  55. Oh Miss Janice, you have outdone yourself (AGAIN!). I'd just love to win! I follow your blog, and I follow you on Twitter. I posted about the giveaway on my blog sidebar, and I tweeted about it, as well (I'm @ABCmrs). I think that covers all 5 of my entries! Thank you very kindly!

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  56. Yes I am a follower. I love the apron and I love grits, especially with eggs and bacon.

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  57. Yes I am a follower. I love the apron and I love grits, especially with eggs and bacon.

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  58. Yum, love grits and butter!

    I'm a follower of yours :)

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  59. Miss. Janice - Oh how I love my grandmother's grits. Although I'm all grown up and married I'm just too scared to make grits myself...

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  60. What a great giveaway Miss Janice!

    1st time i ate GRITS was on a trip many years ago to Nashville...
    loved them...i put a pat of butter on them...

    ~victoria~

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  61. of course I'm a follower Miss Janice...I love (envy) your lifestyle and the things you write about...said it before...wishin i was your neighbor yall...

    ~victoria~

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  62. and i'm mentioning your giveaway on my blog :D

    ~victoria~

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  63. What a great giveaway! I would definitely wear the apron with pride!

    I am a follower!

    I posted your giveaway on the sidebar of my blog!

    I follow you on Twitter!

    I tweeted your giveaway!

    ~ Tracy

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  64. OH Miss Janice
    I just love your blog, I use it for incouragement, Im a Southerngirl at heart, raised by a Southern Lady in the north. My husband and I are working toward move to the south where my roots are, and you a beacon to me. Thank you Martha

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  65. OH Miss Janice
    I just love your blog, I use it for incouragement, Im a Southerngirl at heart, raised by a Southern Lady in the north. My husband and I are working toward move to the south where my roots are, and you a beacon to me. Thank you Martha

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  66. Oh Miss Janice
    You are a beacon to me, you keep me coming back for more daily. Yes I am a follower! Martha

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  67. hey there miss janice!
    this is such a cute giveaway, and i would look just divine up north (and be true to my roots) wearing this apron in my boston kitchen! ;-)
    i'm a devout follower ... 2 entries, please and thank you! ;-)

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  68. Hi Miss Janice,

    Years ago, one of my college professors traveled up north and she ordered a bowl of grits for breakfast. The waitress replied, "I'm sorry, but we don't serve chicken food here." Can you believe that?? I know that one of the many reasons southerners are so much happier than everyone else is all of the delicious food, including those tasty grits!! Thank you so much for the giveaway.

    I am a new follower.

    Donna

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  69. LOVE IT.....
    Southern Girl, Born and Raised...
    SOSO, MS...
    Would love to win this.... :)

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  70. Yep I am a follower....
    HOpe I win... :)

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  71. This is such a heartwarming blog! I am now officially a follower. <3

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  72. I am now following you on Twitter, and have tweeted about this giveaway! (sweetteabelle)

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  73. You are so cute! This follower loves it... and can't wait to hear who wins!

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  74. Hope I'm not too late to say that I always follow Miss Janice! Why is that? Well it's all the super classic stylish clothing, the great southern posts (since I'm homesick for the South). Also I've been drinking decaf iced tea all summer- geesh now I have to go make a bunch of grits (which is no problem since I love them with my eggs).

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  75. Thanks for the chance to win such a great giveaway. Of course I am a follower!
    Thanks for stopping by Applejack Lane and visiting with Lemonade on the Lawn.

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  76. Yum, grits! Great giveaway!

    Blog & Twitter Follower

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  77. I love, love, love that apron! If I don't win I need to know where I can purchase one. Please enter me twice because I am now a new follower.

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  78. i love grits....and was raised in the south...
    thank you for the great giveaway! :)

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  79. I am a Southern girl at heart and think the G.R.I.T.S. apron is darling. You have such great taste!! On a separate topic, I would be interested in knowing what charitable activities you participate in. No doubt you are in involved in many worthy causes and I would be interested in knowing your favorites. Mine focus on children with disabilities.

    Tricia

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  80. What a great giveaway! I would love to read more about how to be a southern belle.

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  81. What a great giveaway,Love the apron....I would love to try the grit...thanks for sharing...Pat H

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  82. I am of course a follower....Pat H

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  83. I have always wanted to be a southern lady! I have been a follower for a while now and I loves ya =)
    denicescandles(at)gmail(dot)com

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  84. I have blogged about this giveaway in my Fantastic Finds post
    denicescandles(at)gmail(dot)com

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  85. I have been a loyal follower on twitter
    denicescandles(at)gmail(dot)com

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  86. I have tweeted this giveaway! Have a great week Miss Janice =)
    denicescandles(ata0gmail(dot)com

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  87. My mouth is watering over your shrimp grits recipe! I could live on grits I love them so much!!

    I love your website & blog and will now follow you on Twitter!

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  88. What terrific prizes! Thanks for the opportunity to win

    nblexp at gmail dot com

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  89. I'm a new follower on GFC

    nblexp at gmail dot com

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  90. I follow you on twitter
    c5519

    nblexp at gmail dot com

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  91. Dear Miss Janice,
    I am a Southerner and I love being one. I think I just love every thing there is to being Southern. And the older I get the better I like our southern ways.
    I move to Charleston, SC from Richmond, VA almost five years ago. I went to a play reception and guess what?? I was served Shrimp and Grits on martini glasses. It was the best Shrimp and Grits I have had to date. The gravy was cooked with Tasso ham,,but it had no green pepper or tomatoes. It is still the way I like my Shrimp and Grits.
    Lovingly,
    Mary

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  92. I love grits!!! My favorite!

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  93. I am also a new follower of your blog!

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  94. I grew up in Alabama and love me some grits!

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  95. I am now following on twitter! mrs_mfc

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  96. There are few things better to me than Grits and Grillades at the Queen's Supper after a Carnival Ball. Oh, and I'm following you now. Your blog, and your twitter updates. I'll be tweeting about the contest soon.

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  97. What an AMAZING giveaway Miss Janice! Grits are right up there among my favorite foods... count me in!

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  98. And I'm a loyal follower :)

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  99. All this talk about grits made me hungry, had them for dinner last night with our fish. Would love to try some new grits recipes. Found my way to your blog through Shannon's Webbisode's blog.

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  100. I'm a new follower to your blog, but a follower nonetheless. LOVE IT.

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  101. I'm posting about your giveaway on my blog.

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  102. Fabulous giveaway! Following your blog now as well as your twitter! Look forward to reading your posts!

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  103. I just love your blog! I eat grits with butter and salt with my eggs, biscuits and gravy breakfast. Grits with sugar or sweetener of any kind are known as Yankee Grits around here!

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  104. Mmm, those grits look mouth-watering! I am a Yankee who married a southerner and had my first taste of shrimp and grits at a wedding reception in South Carolina, in Martini glasses with pats of butter on top, and I've been hooked ever since!

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  105. I love it all!! I am a follower and a GRITS!!

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  106. Oh, Miss Janice, I jus loves me some shrimp 'n grits! YUM!
    and...I'm a follower!
    love, Cheryl

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  107. You are just so cute in the apron!! Great giveaaway!

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  108. What a wonderful giveaway. I am a follower of your blog, and twitter - so I think that is 3 entries.

    Thank you for hosting such a generous giveaway.

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  109. Dear Kathleen,
    You are officially entered into my giveaway, per your e-mail request! Thank you for all you sweet words:)
    Miss Janice

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  110. What a great giveaway! Love, love, love GRITS. I just made Shrimp and Grits last night for dinner....yum! I love your blog and will be back. Stop over for my giveaway:)

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  111. Dear Miss Janice,
    I'm a "misplaced" southern belle, born and raised in the midwest. I would love some more sweet southern-ness in my life! Please enter me twice into your fabulous give-away (I'm a follower).

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  112. I love it! Great giveaway! :)

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  113. Yes, thank you, Miss Janice. I'd love your G.R.I.T.s giveaway. Just because I now live in Chicago does not mean that I am not still a southern girl. Don't get me wrong, I love Chicago but they don't know much about grits or G.R.I.T.s around these parts. When I return to Virginia each October, I have to have grits at least once a day--sometimes twice. And, yes ma'am, I am a follower.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  114. I blogged about your giveaway here:

    http://livingabeautifullyblessedlife.blogspot.com/2010/07/kicking-off-weekend-right.html

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  115. I must confess, I believe I have committed a crime.... I love my grits with butter and...... SUGAR! I love Cheese grits, and The Croakers Spot in Richmond has some that are to die for... but grits with a little butter and sugar is how my Memaw use to make them for me when I was little. Yummy... like dessert.

    I'm a follower.

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  116. That apron is so cute!
    We eat grits a lot here in our house! I think they are a great side to serve with fish.
    I am a follower too!

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  117. Miss Janice, I know you said to eat grits with a fork, but what is a girl to do when she's served grits that won't hold up? In my mind it would be rude to refuse them, but to eat runny grits....*shiver*

    The apron is just too cute!! And I am a blog follower!

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  118. Lovely giveaway.
    I love grits with eggs. Just delicious.
    I'm a follower too.

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  119. Oh, Miss Janice, I do love grits but I do use sugar and butter. Now stay calm, some of us in the south do love them that way. lol
    Your apron is adorable!

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  120. You are such a doll. I have all the grits book and love everyone of them.
    You can have a tea party any time you want to in my dining room....
    xoxo

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  121. Hello again, Miss Janice: I'm celebrating one year of blogging and have a small giveaway. Please stop by and add your name to the "pot" if you like.

    Have a wonderfully proper weekend.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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