Green Tomato Festival

Last weekend I drove up to Juliette, Georgia...this is the town where the movie "Fried Green Tomatoes" was filmed.  They were having a Green Tomato Festival and since I've always wanted to see where the location, this was a great time to enjoy good food and look around.

I parked right next to the famous railroad tracks seen in the movie...I was very careful not to let my feet get stuck!  This is a busy track...trains are flying by every hour.

My first stop was to have lunch at the Whistle Stop Cafe.  I got there early and beat the festival people.

The movie "Fried Green Tomatoes" definitely put Juliette on the map and tourist still flock to this little town to enjoy the good Southern cooking at the Whistle Stop Cafe.

The menu is full of Southern favorites and the sweet tea tasted just perfect served in a mason jar!

The fried green tomatoes are a must!  They were excellent and are served with a special radish sauce.

I decided to also get the vegetable plate...macaroni and cheese, collard greens, field peas, and corn bread...all delicious!

After lunch I strolled the little main street of Juliette...it was truly like stepping back in time.  Just like in the movie. Vocalists perform at the Opry House.  Isn't it adorable?!

The shops are very quaint and offer antiques, foods, clothes, and souvenirs.

This was my favorite shop--The Whistle Stop Train Depot...full of repainted furniture, gifts, and lots of cute Southern stuff.

I bought this cute little lamp with a burlap shade...it's the perfect reading light next to my seat on the sofa.

I absolutely adored this movie.  It's a toss up as to who was my favorite character, but I guess I have to chose Kathy Bates.  The scene with her in the parking lot of the Winn Dixie...my all-time favorite!

I'm gonna watch it again tonight...for the umpteenth time!

Who was your favorite character in the movie?  Is it one of your all-time favorites?

Poise, Style, and Grace

What is poise?  It is a way of moving that shows a graceful, dignified, and self confident manner. Never underestimate good posture.  Sit up straight.  Watch the way you walk. Princess Grace had impeccable posture.

What is style?  It's the personal touch that you put on everything--your home interior, your fashion wardrobe, and entertaining.  It's important to develop your own style...your "signature style."  Your "signature style" is what makes you unique; stay true to yourself and your creation will be unique.  Find a signature style and stick to it.  Princess Grace loved pearls, scarves, sunglasses, Hermes bags, and her trademark white gloves.  She knew that her hair looked best pulled off of her face.  She is a style icon.

What is grace? Having the confidence to handle any situation with poise. Princess Grace undoubtedly received "Princess training" before she became the wife of Prince Ranier. Her upbringing in high society of Philadelphia paved the ground for Grace's future life as a lady full of grace.

Fall Fashion Show and Luncheon

Joyce Carlton started her career in interior decorating back in 1979.  After working many years in the design industry, she opened up a boutique shop in historic downtown Perry, Georgia.  I have shopped at Impressions by Carlton over the years when I traveled to the area to visit my Mama.  Now that I'm living here, Carlton's is definitely at the top of my favorite-places-to-shop list!

Located in picturesque and quaint downtown Perry, Impression's by Carlton offers fine ladies clothing, designer jewelry, pocketbooks, gifts, and design services by request.  Joyce is just the sweetest thing ever...the epitome of a Southern lady!

So I was excited to get a ticket to her luncheon and fashion show held this past week at the Southern Bridle Farms, just south of Perry.  I had forgotten about this place, but sweet memories came flooding back when I drove up...Mama and I dined here several times over the years.

Of course Joyce added her creative, welcoming flair to the entry.  The arrangements were beautiful!

A closeup of one of the arrangements by the front door...  Over the years, I have purchased many silk arrangements from Joyce and they are all still beautiful today...all of them classic and traditional Southern-styled.

The tables were adorned with natural fall foliage and flowers...

Joyce is so cute and very fashionable...and, she has THE sweetest Southern accent!

There were so many beautiful Southern ladies who modeled Carlton fashions...I'm including some of my favorite pieces here.

  This lady had the sweetest, genteel demeanor about her.  I loved the tartan blouse with the yellow cable knit sweater...classic and timeless!

This was my absolute favorite outfit and I bought it.  Look at how cute she looks!  Fingers crossed that I look half as cute!

Loved this lady and the royal blue poncho with a gold fabric necklace!

This outfit was a super hit with everyone...leather vest, fur vest, suede pants, and adorable boots!

I adore this poncho/shrug.  The color was fabulous and looked great with the long sleeve paisley tee and tan suede pants!

I almost bought this coat!  Still debating...loved it.

"HERE'S WHAT I WORE"  The Mudpie dress is hot pink and navy with a contrast patterned cowl neck...very comfortable and the price is good too!  My purse, earrings, and shoes are all Tory Burch.

Stop in and visit Joyce at Impressions by Carlton, 912 Carroll Street, Perry, Georgia, 478.987.4511...just off I-75 south of Macon, Georgia.  Tell her Miss Janice sent you!

Say Goodbye to your Southern Accent?

Recently I read an article in the Macon {Georgia} Telegraph "Gosh Dang.  What is wrong with a Southern Accent?"  I discovered while reading the article that there's a book out entitled "Say Goodbye to your Southern Accent."  The book's authors, Jennifer Adams and Joanna Chapman run a firm called Atlanta Accent Management.  These ladies are helping Southerners lose their Southern accents, and they are based in Atlanta...of all places.

  

Lord have mercy, this all reminds me of the scene in Gone With the Wind when Rhett and Scarlett are riding through a burning Atlanta...

Rhett tells Scarlett, "Take a good look my dear.  It's an historic moment, you can tell your grandchildren about how you watched the Old South fall one night."

 I cannot believe that people in the South want to lose their Southern drawl.  Learning proper grammar is one thing, but losing your Southern accent?!  When I lived outside the U.S., I had to enuciate my words better so that people could understand me.  One day I called home and my Daddy said "Why are you talking like that?"  I said "Like what?"  He said "Like a Yankee!"  I said "I'm NOT talking like a Yankee!"  But I guess that I had lost a bit of my Southern accent...not intentionally!  You can bet that I regrouped and went back to my Southern way of speaking.

Apparently, there a lot of folks who love a Southern accent!  Read this article Hey Y'all: Southern Accents Voted Most Attractive.  There are also books that teach you how to speak Southern..."How To Speak With a Southern Accent" and "The Dixie Dictionary."

The author of the above mentioned newspaper article, Mr. Dick Yarbrough, goes on to talk about his successful career...with his Southern drawl and all!  I can tell y'all that I never had any complaints about my Southern accent during my working years.  Of course, I was often asked "Can you just talk for us?"

So what do y'all think?  Would you try to change your accent or do you think practicing proper grammar is sufficient?

Fountain of Juice

I took a break from eating Southern comfort food this week and stopped in at the Fountain of Juice in Macon.  The first thing I noticed was that it seemed to be a popular place and the staff was super friendly!  

The FOJ uses fresh organic ingredients and they support local farmers.  That's a win win for me!    It's a great spot for a casual lunch. 

The pico de gallo is awesome and it's healthy, minus the tortilla chips, right?!

This is their menu at the Vineville Avenue location.  I'm so happy to find this spot for casual lunching.  

Of course my eye went right to these containers of pimiento cheese.  I must try one of their pimiento cheese sandwiches on a future visit!

I had the vegetarian minestrone soup, with a salad, whole grain bread, and a refreshing green tea.  It tasted very fresh and delicious!

The temps in Middle Georgia have been in the 80's this week, so "Here's What I Wore."  The shorts, blouse, and sweater are all Ralph Lauren and the pearls are J Crew.  The ballet flats are by Cochni.



Getting ready to head to Tallahassee for the Florida State - Wake Forest game tomorrow!  Hope y'all have a wonderful weekend.