Thanksgiving, Texas Girl Style

When we lived in Texas and our kids were little, Thanksgiving was a time of making extra pies for neighbors and visiting Mom-Mom’s house with a few key items we had been asked to bring. Years went by with the kids and grandparents getting older and more of the cooking, along with the ‘when and where’ of Thanksgiving dinner, became my responsibility. It was a gradual change, which I didn’t mind at all, because I love cooking and sharing a meal with our loved ones and friends we consider family.

When Thanksgiving Day finally came, our friends always made it easier with combined dinners where all the cooking didn’t fall on one person; and fried turkeys gave the men something to do while holding a cold beer and trying not to set the house on fire with the hot oil (some good memories were made around that turkey fryer). Add a few state moves over the last five years for us, and our Thanksgiving celebrations have become a quiet day of football with our little family while enjoying a very casual menu. We do miss our big gathering of family and friends, but we usually see everyone around Christmas when they make the trek from Texas to visit us and play in the snow.

For this Texas girl, my Thanksgiving menu is casual and easy. It is about having a collection of food available that will allows us to nibble all day while watching football and without the burden of anyone spending too much time in the kitchen. At the beginning of the week, homemade pies in canning jars will be mailed back home so we can share a little homemade goodness with those we love. And for my little family now located up north and our new friends who will be joining us on Thanksgiving Day, my menu combines a Texas flavor with a little bit of traditional Thanksgiving. Each recipe will be showcased here, and I will also be available Wednesday from noon to 5pm MST, Thursday from 8am to 2pm MST, via Twitter, Facebook or Skype for last minute ideas, tips and tricks!

Food is Love…WH

Love Your Windows! Treat them Properly.

Let’s talk about windows.  Bright, happy, glorious windows.  If we’re honest I think most people will admit that they don’t give their windows due attention.   I want to provide some inspiration, as well as some great tips and tricks on hanging your fabrics correctly.  I have to admit that when I walk into a room, anywhere, I look at the window treatments… how they’re hung, the type of fabric{s} used, colors, etc.  Here are some favorites…

One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is hanging their hardware either too low or too close together.  How many of you have hung your hardware, just relieved that it’s level, only to hang your fabrics and find there’s a gap on either side of the window?  Admit it… it’s happened.  Window treatments are one of the simplest ways to maximize your wall height.  Hanging your hardware just a minute below your ceiling creates a dramatic effect that elongates an abbreviated wall.  Hang it at the perfect width {approx 3″ outside the window frame} and you create the illusion that your window is wider than it truly is, as well as utilize all that wonderful natural light.

A few tricks of the trade:

1.  The remnant section at your favorite fabric store can be your best friend.  If I can sew, anyone can!

2.  Please, please do not hang a 7′ fabric on a 9′ length!  Your fabric should touch the floor… pooling is optional.

3.  Your hardware need not be ornate.  Do stay consistent with scale and substance.

Make it Beautiful! ~ JB

A Chat Over Tea…It’s Good For The Soul #itsasouthernthing

As I travel and browse with girlfriends on shopping trips and sightseeing, I am always looking for that item I can not live without. Over the years, I have found some very interesting objects that have become a part of our family.  And though my husband swears we could have lived without many, I know he is mistaken.  On my recent trip to Door County, Wisconsin, with my new friend, Angela, and my youngest son, we stopped by a little consignment shop in Sturgeon Bay, right across from the Madison Avenue Wine Shop.

This little store is like many I have visited all over the country with a little of this and that, but mainly most of the items were left overs from a life or a move or a garage clean out. I always look and try to take the time to walk through the entire store, because you never know what you are going to find. A few years ago, in a store much like this one, I found an extensive collection of really old records and purchased all of them. At the time I really did not know what I was going to do with these records.  Fast forward 15 years, and with my father-in-law and my family over tea one night and after dinner, we pulled out the records. I was not aware that he knew most of the artists. We sat for almost two hours and listened to music he had enjoyed in his younger years. He knew all the words, so we laughed and he sang, and I was grateful for that purchase.

In these little thrift stores and antique shops I continue my search, and this store in Sturgeon Bay was just like all the others. I was ready to leave when something caught my eye. It was behind a few pots and pans and had my name written all over it. One of my favorite things to do is to have people over, so we can eat, visit and just enjoy time passing in each other’s company. Having tea or coffee is part of that ritual, so the silver sugar/creamer set with the matching tray was a good find for me to continue these rituals. And at under $5, I was even happier.

And a few days later, on this beautiful Saturday morning, my husband and I enjoyed a cup of tea with some banana muffins. We ate, laughed and planned our day. I enjoyed our time together even more, because we were together.  But most of all, because we were eating muffins from my mother-in-law’s china, which reminds us of her every day, and enjoying another great find from one of those little stores. A find that someone may have loved and enjoyed before us. Everyone should have things they love surrounding them, and I think this little item will a part of that love for many years to come.  My husband…he tolerates the prettiness and tries not to make it dirty.  Me…I am constantly reminding him to wash his hands and not be rough with the pretty things. We make a good team.

Do you have something you have found in an unexpected place that brings you joy or makes you smile? If so, we would love to hear about. Share the name and the address of the store where you found it. I may visit.  😉

Joy is contagious…share your joy today…

Big Hug…W

Hello world!

Oh my y’all are in for a treat!  We are so excited to be here, meet more fabulous women and share all kinds of goodies.  Join us daily for new recipes, funny tidbits of life, product reviews, etiquette advice, inspiration and who knows what else!  This is your home base for all things Southern.  You have questions?  Concerns?  Need a prayer?  Talk to us!  You can leave messages here, and you can email us directly at jwfoodanddesign@gmail.com.  You can also get fab It’s A Southern Thing TV at YouTube!  We’ll be posting cooking lessons, tips and tricks and much more!  Tell a friend, share an idea… we can’t wait to talk with you!
Work Hard…Be Nice…

Welcome ladies!

Joanna & Wendy