Throwback Thursday

Going way back to my high school days at Richmond Academy, Augusta, Georgia...11th grade.  That's me on the far right of the back row!  I had a "flip do!"  These uniforms were purple and white with a white script monogram "ARC."

Front row, left to right:  Marsha Teston, Cathy Caldwell, Vickie Cooper, Debbie Deloach, Terri McWaters; Back row, left to right:  Susan Giles, Donna Gibson, Candy Hughes, Dana Hawkins, and Janice Sessums.

Teresa Jane

Teresa Jane Printup Putnam
July 31,1952 - April 26, 2012

Yesterday my BFF Teresa Jane died...after ten years of battling lung disease, Teresa Jane passed away peacefully in her own bed...at home.  My heart is broken into a million pieces.  40 years of friendship...This girl was the best friend anyone could have ever wished for.  We met while working at J.B. White's {now Dillard's} at the National Hills Shopping Center in Augusta, Georgia.  I was working in the Gift Wrap department and Miss Teresa was in Cosmetics.  While gossiping during a break {probably about some snooty girl}, we became  fast friends from Day 1.  Through the years, Teresa proved to be a loyal and trust-worthy friend, even during some of the lowest moments of my life.  She remained loyal to me even when I made terrible choices...she always had my back!!!

After I started my blog, Teresa would tease me and say "Oh your blog readers think you wear those prissy outfits everyday...Let me put some photos from my scrapbook of you on your blog...so your readers can see how you really dress!"  Whenever I would visit her, we would wear our stretchy pants for days on end...

In her memory, I'm proud to show y'all how we really dressed when I went to Georgia...stretchy pants!!!

Miss Janice and Teresa Jane...wearing our stretchy pants...at Teresa' s home in Augusta.

This is one of my favorites photos of young Miss Teresa Jane {on the left} with her beloved sistah Barbara {on the right}  Barbara loved her so much!

Teresa Jane's home in Evans, Georgia.   Even though she was very ill, she loved to shop online and decorate her home.  Y'all may remember in the past I have featured her guest bath with the black and white Hollywood movie star photos and also her gorgeous kitchen redo.  We were talking about a new valance for her kitchen window just this past weekend, even though she hadn't even been able to walk into her kitchen for a long time, but she still wanted it to be pretty.  She wanted black buffalo checks with roosters to coordinate with her MacKenzie-Childs accessories!

The men in Teresa Jane's life.  Her sweet boy Stoney and the love of her life, her husband J.D.  Bless J.D.'s heart, he so lovingly cared for her until the end!  My heart breaks for them both.

Teresa Jane's son Stoney will be married to Miss Sarah on Sunday, May 27, 2012.

Yesterday, on the day of her death, I received this precious card in the mail from Teresa Jane...

Even near the end of her life and barely able to hold the pen,  my friend  was thinking of me...thanking me for the flowers I sent her while she was in the hospital recently.  

With tears streaming down my face, I truly thank the Lord for my friendship with Teresa.  May she gaze upon the Lord face to face, and taste the blessedness of perfect rest.  May angels surround her and saints welcome her in peace.  Goodbye my friend...

Third Sunday of Advent

It's the third Sunday of Advent and the third {rose} candle will be lit. The rose candle represents "Joy and Rejoicing" at the mid point of Advent.
I'm in Georgia right now visiting with my Mama and enjoying time with her during the Christmas season. I've been working on my "Christmas 2011 Bucket List" everyday...

Day #8...Sunday...I made Nutella Hot Chocolate. I don't think there's anything that doesn't taste great with Nutella. I added a heaping tablespoon of the chocolate goodness to 1 1/2 cup of milk. I heated this over the stove and kept whisking away until the mixture was blended. It was fabulous with marshmallows on top!

Monday night, I sipped Merlot from a custom-designed Christmas goblet. This goblet is part of a set which was hand-painted and gifted to me by my late friend Betty Marston. Miss Betty gave me these precious goblets the last time I saw her at my home near Memphis.

Tuesday night, I sipped Merlot...yes again...while packing for my trip to Georgia! This time I brought out my whimsical gingerbread men goblets.

Wednesday night, I spent some time with my best friend in Augusta, Teresa Jane. Peppermint milkshakes were our choice of beverage for the night...we stayed up late talking about the good times, bad times, and downright embarrassing times!

Of course, Teresa Jane and I both have the same LVs!!!!

Thursday night I spent relaxing at Mama's house...addressing my Christmas cards. Tradition. Must do these at Mama's house!

On Friday I decided to wear a "Tacky Christmas Sweater" for the day...It was okay 'cuz Mama likes the Christmas sweaters!

I wore these festive Christmas tree socks and green Revas...

We filled up the thermos with hot chocolate and headed out at dark to see the neighborhood Christmas lights.

On Saturday, I wore another "Tacky Christmas Sweater" with red suede ballet flats and candy cane Christmas socks.

We had lunch at The Swanson House in Perry...Mama and I both love this restaurant.

Mama...aka "Miss Pauline"

After lunch...we stopped at Starbucks for a peppermint fix...Peppermint Mocha and the Peppermint Cake Pops!

The Peppermint Pops have brownie cake fillings!

I'm looking forward to spending more time with my Mama and hope y'all are having a wonderful Christmas season!

Who Will Don the Coveted Green Jacket

Today's the final round of the 75th Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. As usual, I'll be camped out in front of the television! Yesterday, I finished my garden chores and fixed myself a traditional Masters lunch...pimiento cheese sandwich, potato chips, and an iced cold Miller Lite! Last night I prepared my traditional Masters Dinner...BBQ chicken, twiced-baked potatoes, The Green Jacket Salad, and french bread. Oh...and an Arnold Palmer! I helped husband with the chicken...wearing my yellow Willliams-Sonoma apron, my Masters visor, AND my weired green Revas!

You can view a blog post I did a couple of years ago, which featured my party, "Tee Time at the Masters" HERE. It's a golf-theme tablescape with recipes, party favors, placecards, Augusta National etiquette, et cetera. I was hoping the defending champion Phil Mickelson was gonna be wearing the coveted Green Jacket again this year, but it doesn't appear that will happen. I was also hoping my fave Freddie Couples {eye candy for the grown-up girls} would make a run for the win...now, I'm just happy that he made the cut! I will close with a very old photo of my friend Teresa Jane and me in front of the Clubhouse at the Augusta National...very early 80's! Happy times...with our Gucci pocketbooks in hand!

Don't forget that tonight at midnight is the deadline to register to win my Francesca Joy Palm Beach giveaway!