Grits Cafe

Way down yonder in the land of cotton...one of my favorite songs y'all!  When I'm driving to Mama's house in Georgia, I love looking out at the cotton fields, which are everywhere!  It always makes me feel so at-home.

Of course, I love grits too.  On my last visit, I read about the Grits Cafe in Forsyth, Georgia just up the road from Mama's, so I just knew I had to check it out.  If you are driving south from Atlanta on I-75, you will find the small Southern town of Forsyth, Georgia about 60 miles south of Atlanta and just north of Macon.  The courthouse is the first thing you notice when you arrive at the town square.  It was built in 1896 in the high Victorian Eclectic style.

Across the street from the courthouse is the Grits Cafe.


Lord have mercy...welcome to Southern cooking done right!


The original building was destroyed by a fire back in the spring of 2012.

Thank goodness the establishment was rebuilt after the fire!

Y'all, I could NOT decide what to order in this place.  They have a wide selection of "creatively fun Southern food!"  There was the Grits Martini--Grits, shrimp, bacon, and shitake mushroom cream.

The Fried Green Tomato Napolean--with the tomato, jumbo shrimp, and remoulade sauce.

The Charleston Shrimp and Grits--no explanation needed.

I decided on the BLFGT--Bacon, lettuce, and fried green tomato sandwich.  Everyone around me was eating one and let me tell you, this sandwich does not disappoint!  It was well worth the extra jogging I had to do later in the day.

As I was eyeing the plates the waitstaff were delivering to other diners, I got the feeling bacon is their "garnish of choice" at the Grits Cafe...and I'm okay with that!

I am definitely going back to the Grits Cafe when I visit Mama again.  I also want to award them my "FIVE SILVER SPOONS" award for their friendly service, nice decor, and ambience.

  If you are traveling I-75 between Macon and Atlanta, Georgia, the Grits Cafe is located at 17 West Johnson Street in Forsyth, exit #187 off I-75.  You can contact them at 478.994.8324.  

Pumpkin Deviled Egg Plate--Southern Lady Must-Have

You "Might be a Southern Lady" if...you have deviled egg plates for every occasion--egg plates for all the major holidays, egg plates to-go, and fancy, high-fallutin' egg plates--they are all de rigueur!

So, of course I have a pumpkin-shaped egg plate for autumn!

Southerners love deviled eggs.  The deviled egg is the perfect party food and a beloved staple at Southern events.  Nobody can eat just one...they are most definitely the first food to go at a party! Whether you are attending a baby shower or a bridal shower, a picnic, tailgating party, funeral reception, or potluck meal...if you want to be the belle of the buffet, show up with deviled eggs!

Southern ladies have recipes for all kind of deviled eggs--crab stuffed, Tex Mex, Tomato Basil, et cetera.  Last night I prepared some deviled eggs, using a very simple recipe...

Simple Deviled Eggs:
1 dozen eggs
Mayonaisse
Grey Poupon Coarse Ground Mustard
Salad Relish
Salt and Pepper
Paprika

I boiled the eggs, let them cool, then peeled and sliced them in half.  I scooped out the yolk into a large bowl and added the mayo, mustard, relish, and salt and pepper.  I didn't add a certain amount, just what I thought tasted good!  And, just 'cuz I like it, I sprinkled paprika on top of each one.

I served Harney Tea's African Autumn tea with our supper...it's the perfect beverage for this time of year.  I LOVE this tea!

My OOTN:  Black tee, with black leggings, and an autumn half-apron from my "Prissy Apron Collection."  And...pearls, of course!

Etiquette tip:  How to eat a deviled egg:
Deviled eggs are finger foods and only served at Buffets, Picnics, Tailgates, and other informal casual settings.  When eating finger foods, remember to follow the three-finger rule...Use the thumb, middle, and index fingers when picking up the food with your fingers.

If you are standing up at an event, sit your beverage on a nearby table and and hold your plate with your palm underneath.  Take a couple of bites of the egg...don't put the whole thing in your mouth at once and please don't slurp out the yolk--Lord have mercy, that would be tacky!

I'm busy today getting my Halloween treats together for the youngins on Wednesday.  Y'all have a great week!!!

April Friendship Gifts

Quick, get the milk...my April "Friendship Gifts" are perfect for dunkin'!
Annie's Whole-Grain Graham Bunny Crackers...These little crackers were a no-brainer for my Springtime "Friendship Gifts!" Made in the shape of bunnies, they are the perfect snack for children and grown-ups. I found them in chocolate, chocolate chip, honey, and cinnamon.
The cute little polka dot cello bags and "Happy Easter" toppers came from Hobby Lobby.
Easy peasy and a healthy treat to enjoy with a glass of milk! Hop Hop! Happy Easter!

You Might be a Preppy Lady

...If your beverage containers and beverage container adornments match your outfits or party themes!

It's no secret that I love to be all matchy-matchy! So, I simply must match my koozies and glassware to my outfits and my party themes.

This is my latest acquisition...the Red Solo Cup koozie! Monogrammed, of course.

I'll be wearing a lot of orange this Spring and Summer and this adorable orange koozie has a monogrammed grosgrain ribbon. Perfect! Can't wait to use this one.

Here's some pink and green cuties...these are my standbys!
Of course, my Lilly 'Frisky Business' bottle koozie coordinates with my Lilly 'Later Gator' lunch tote.
Wearing pink and green and holding my Lilly 'Hibiscus' thermal mug full of coffee...
A cute monogrammed koozie covered in the Lilly 'Summer Fling' pattern...
The 'Summer Fling' coozie is a must to use when I wear this Lilly 'Summer Fling' shift
A white stadium cup with my monogram in black...
I use the classic cup when I wear khaki shorts, black polo, and Burberry accessories.
LOVE this monogrammed bottle koozie...
I always carry it when riding my bike!
These cute "Drinks Well With Others" cups were cute to serve iced peach tea on the porch...
Love my pink stadium cup, monogrammed in green...perfect for a hot toddy!
I used these cute styrofoam cups "Cheers Y'all" to serve Peppermint Milkshakes...
Again to serve hot chocolate to Christmas carolers.
The Redneck Wine Goblet...a must have for Southern girls on the go! This goblet is such a conversation piece:)
"Weekend Waterford" styrofoam cups...I use these all the time, just because!
Monogrammed wine goblets. I like to buy acrylic wine goblets from Walmart or wherever and add the decals to coordinate with my table decor...
"Coastal Crystal" styrofoam cups...living in South Florida, these are very popular at social gatherings!
I served iced tea in blue tumblers at this luncheon on the porch, but served the cocktails in the "Coastal Crystal" cups above...
This is a Lynn Whelan Lilly-fied 'Derby Day Low Riders' koozie...
It's a must when I wear the Lilly 'Derby Day Low Riders' shift!
The Lynn Whelan Lilly-fied 'Millionaire's Row' bottle koozie looks so cute with...
The Lilly 'Millionaire's Row' capris...
I'm constantly looking for cute beverage accessories to match up with my outfits or themes. And...I have been known to create a theme around a , koozie, cup, or goblet!

Happy Fat Tuesday!

Jean Paul has certainly been into Mardi Gras this year and he's ready to "Let the good times roll!"


No party this year *sigh*...But, I've certainly been trying to bring the spirit of Mardi Gras to my table! Over the weekend, I prepared Bayou Sausage Muffins and served Cafe Du Monde lattes.
I added Jimmy Dean "hot" sausage and it was just the right kick to this Bayou bread mix!
For dinner, I added some Jezebel'd Deviled Eggs to my menu...
Three teaspoons of Jezebel Sauce and some Sassy Seasoning Salt added to the egg mixture spiced up this Southern favorite!
Jezebel'd Eggs. Arthur Court deviled egg tray. Oh-so Southern!

Chardonnay Hour...Now y'all know my wine goblet and accessories MUST match the theme of the day...Chardonnay and King Cake!
Happy Fat Tuesday to you. Hope you are enjoying some wondering Cajun food today and maybe some beignets...or at least a slice of King Cake!