Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt

I tend to pick up books that are set in the south. I guess I find them relateable. In Beth Hoffman's book, Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt, you will find Steel Magnolias meets The Help in this Southern debut novel sparkling with humor, heart, and feminine wisdom. Author, Hoffman's debut, a by-the-numbers Southern charmer, recounts 12-year-old Cecelia Rose Honeycutt's recovery from a childhood with her crazy mother, Camille, and cantankerous father, Carl, in 1960s Willoughby, Ohio.

After former Southern beauty queen Camille is struck and killed by an ice cream truck, Carl hands over Cecelia to her great-aunt Tootie. Whisked off to a life of privilege in Savannah, Ga., Cecelia makes fast friends with Tootie's cook, Oletta, and gets to know the cadre of eccentric women who flit in and out of Tootie's house.

If you are in the Fairhope, Alabama area.....Save the Date!

Author Beth Hoffman to visit Page & Palette on March 4th, 2010

Page & Palette
32 South Section Street
Fairhope AL 36532
251-928-5295

Weekend Reads: The Pioneer Woman Cooks & Blogging for Bliss

I was downright gleeful when I saw the package on my porch! Inside was my ticket to my weekend festivities. And boy, did I enjoy it. My books arrived! And all I had intentions of doing was to put my feet up, light some candles and dive right in......

Ree Drummond, the Poineer Woman. Love Ree. Want to be her BFF. Want to sit on the front porch of her farm house and watch the sun go down as the trailing light silouettes the marlboro man in the distance herding the cattle in. I want to sit in her kitchen and eat one of her homemade meals. One that might include her olive and cheese bread. Or her lasagne. Or real smashed potatoes. And pico de gallo....
But because I am still waiting on a personal invite from Ree (Ree, I am being so patient.) I can live vicariously through her newly published cookbook, "The Pioneer Woman Cooks, Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl." Ree began blogging in 2006 and has built the Pioneer Woman website into an award wining websire in which she shares recipes, and photography. She shares in funny detail about her transition from city life to farm wife.

It's not only a cookbook, its a picture book. One that will draw you in and convince you that manure and dirt are the good things in life. It chronicals ranch life, Ree's beautiful family, her adorable pooches and livestock and of course gives you photos of her meals so lifelike that you can smell the dishes she prepares. I LOVE this book. It's found a permanet resting spot on my counter in the cookbook cradle. And hello.....if there was ever a gift idea I would throw, it's this book. It's a must have for any kitchen-whether you can cook or not, like I said, a girl can dream.

Blogging for Bliss, which is penned by a very popular blogger, Tara Frey, of Typing out Loud.  There are so many great blogs out there,  literally for just about any subject. Tara mostly focuses on the type blogs that I frequent: personal, home decor, food and creative ideas. In the book she shares so many great tips. Wheather you are new to blogging or not, this is a good book to read. Inside the book, new bloggers will find a wealth of information rfom where to start to blogging terms and will walk you through blog set up. One of my must read blogs is Kim of Daisy Cottage fame. Kim's blog, Daisy Cottage is featured in the book, along with many other noteworthy blogs. If you haven't visiited Daisy Cottage before, I suggest you do. You are certain to feel at home at Daisy Cottage with Kim and her puppy Maggie as your host. I love the feature of having noteable blogs with their blog addresses. I highly recomended Blogging for Bliss!
After a weekend of good reading as well as some good rest...

Bring on the week! Hope you have a wonderful one ahead!
Sing, Dance, and LIVE out loud!
Hugs!
Leigh
PS- I did get a few other things done too...
Gingras Family
Sister Sledge
RTR!!!

Remembering, Plus:Finding Religion in all things southern: God, Family, Health and Good Eating.

Hi! Thanks for dropping by "the island" of Bloggeritaville. And thank you if you participated in Thrifty Thursday yesterday, or if you just dropped in, I am so appreciative of that.

Today is the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on America. I wrote a post a few years ago on my feelings and fears and I thought I would link it for today, as a remembrance. I poured my heart out on it, but I think it capsulizes what most Americans feel and remember about that day. September 11, 2001.

9/11/07 The Anniversary
You may click the large print above to read my post. While it is a post that is very personal to me, I invite you to read, because as Americans's I feel that is it emotions, no matter our diversity as individuals, we all can relate to.

My family was in New York September of 2003, not quite 2 years following the attacks. There was a huge sign on one building across from ground zero with this quote,
"The human spirit is not measured by the size of the act, but the size of the heart".
May there be peace.
(The photo below is on my son, Bama @ 13, on the grounds of Ground Zero, where so many that day perished. It was an emotional moment for my family as we visited. This photo really encompasses that time we spent there)

Broken. Hearts, but not our spirit.
We remember.

-----------------------------

I thought when school began that things might have gotten more routine. I am still waiting for that to happen. Everyone in our house, with the exception of Big Daddy had been sick the past two weeks. And you all know that when there are sick folks, a momma's job title expands to nurse, short order cook and clean up crew. This without a pay increase. No, we haven't had the H1N1, but some sort of fever virus. Sister Sledge is in day two of the crud, but she is showing signs of improvement. It seems to largely be a two day event.

I forgot to mention that last weekend, for the first time since he left for college a month ago, that Bama came home. He wanted to wacth the ball game on our big eyesore screen with his dad, since the game was out of town. It was so good to see him. He is soooooo happy at the University of Alabama. He has made many new friends and is relishing his newfound independance. It's a bittersweet thing for a mom. I am sooo happy that he is adjusting so well, and hasn't at all been homesick. At the same time I am a bit sad that he hasn't been homesick. LOL. I mean, I do like to be missed. But mostly I am sooo happy that he is so pleased and really motivated about his classes and professors.

And let it be said that he called his dad today and spoke to him not once, not twice, but three times. Me-,did I get a call? Notta. I was told they were discussing "sports". I feel blessed that they are so close though. This weekend my Bama is expecting a high school classmate to come into T- town and they are going to attend the season's first home game, and his first as a student of Alabama (he has been to other AL games, but not as a student). I imagine it will be a big weekend for him. He is really looking forward to it. ROLL TIDE!

(The above photo is over two years old, if he knew I posted it, he would kill me. But he doesn't. Smile)

Speaking of this weekend....

My blog friend, Tricia of The Boutelle Family Zoo, is hosting a carnival tomorrow called Inspire me Saturday.

It is quite a thinker, one of creativity, honesty and really gives a look at the make up of each blogger. I recommend that you take a look, and link up! I love to know more about people. You know what they say, everyone has a story....so check it out.

Finally. I want to invite you to my food blog, Plates and Places. Today's recipe is one of Big Daddy's favorite dishes, Beef Tips & Rice, it is so good and sooo easy! Plus, I have a book review of The Cornbread Gospels by Crescent Dragonwagon. I think it is time you find your religion. That's all I am saying....clcik over to read more about it.

Have a wonderful weekend. Spread the Love!

Author Richard Scott Releases Third Book

I had the honor yesterday of photographing my good friend Richard Scott. The photo session was for some media related material to be used for the occasion of his third book that was recently released titled, "SEC Football: 75 Years of Pride and Passion". This illustrated book celebrates the coaches, graduates, rivalries, and games that have made Southeastern Football one of the most storied conferences in all of collegiate sports. It is a beautiful hardbound book, and really a labor of love and passion that Richard has for sports, in particular SEC football. With the holiday season around the corner, this book would make the perfect gift for that hard to buy for armchair quarterback that is in your life. If you are like me.....men are the hardest ones to buy for...this book makes the perfect gift. But that is not to slight that many women who enjoy SEC football as well.

Richard's other books include:

Legends of Alabama Football:
(Amazon) With 12 national championships, 19 players and coaches in the College Football Hall of Fame, and a tradition of national achievement that dates back to the 1920s, the University of Alabama has secured its spot as one of the most successful athletic institutions in the history of American sports. Dating back to the days when university president Dr. George H. "Mike" Denny decided football would be the university’s ticket to national prominence, Alabama has produced some of the most legendary teams and players in the history of the game.
Many of those legends have long since passed, but standouts such as Johnny Mack Brown, Dixie Howell, Don Huston, Pat Trammell, and Derrick Thomas remain alive and well in the hearts and minds of loyal Crimson Tide fans. The legends of Tide stars such as Joe Namath, Ken Stabler, Harry Gilmer, Johnny Musso, John Hannah, and Ozzie Newsome continue to grow with time. None of those legends stands taller than Paul "Bear" Bryant, the former Crimson Tide player who returned to Alabama as head coach in 1958 and built a dynasty that rivaled any in sports, pro, or college. From Wallace Wade to Shaun Alexander and all points in between, Legends of Alabama Football chronicles the coaches, players, and events that placed Crimson Tide football on the national sports landscape.

Tales from the Auburn 2004 Championship Season:
(Amazon) How do you argue with perfection? The voters in the coaches and media polls can deliberate who's No. 1, the computers can spit out endless data to add to the arguments and everyone involved can ponder the merits of a playoff system, but some things aren't up for debate, especially the final perfection of Auburn's 2004 season. With a 13-0 record, an SEC championship and a Sugar Bowl victory, the Tigers know, "We're national champions in our hearts, even if no one else thinks so," quarterback Jason Campbell said. "No one can take that away from us." Nothing and no one, not the polls nor the computers, can take away what Auburn accomplished in 2004. Tales from the Auburn 2004 Championship Season is an inside look at the extraordinary character and the unique characters behind Auburn's undefeated season. "There's no doubt in my mind we left a legacy," safety Junior Rosegreen said. "They will never forget us. That's what it's all about."

Amazon.com says this about Richard:

Richard Scott is an award-winning freelance sports writer and editor whose work appears in a variety of sports-related outlets, including American Football Monthly, American Basketball Quarterly and USA TODAY.com. His first book Legends of Alabama Football, released in September 2004, earned him an invitation to participate in the "Alabama Bound 2005" author's conference. As a former college football and basketball writer for Birmingham (Alabama) Post-Herald and the Columbia (Missouri) Daily Tribune, Scott has covered numerous major events, bowls, championship games and tournaments throughout the United States, including and Auburn's undefeated 1993 season and Alabama's national championship victory over Miami in the 1993 Sugar Bowl. Scott is a native of Kansas City, Missouri, and attended the University of Missouri, where he attempted to play rugby and stay out of trouble long enough to graduate from the School of Journalism in 1985. Scott moved to Alabama and the Post-Herald in 1989 with the intention of staying two or three years and moving on. He soon developed a genuine respect for SEC football and its passionate fans. He now he lives with his wife Karen, sons Colin and Taylor and dogs Bo and Grace in Helena, Alabama, where he welcomes invitations to hunt and fish and attempts to avoid most college football discussions for the sake of peace and diplomacy.

(Photo by Leigh of Photographic Memories)

To purchase any of Richard's Books Click on the Title:

SEC Football: 75 Years of Pride and Passion
Tales from the Auburn 2004 Championship Season
Legends Of Alabama Football

Other Sources for Purchasing:

Sports Publishing LLC - Publisher
Amazon.com
Barnes&Noble.com
Books-A-Million
BookSense.com
Google Product Search

------------------------------------------------------------

Sharing Passion Through Writing

Richard Scott is one of those people who you consider yourself lucky to know. He is not only one of the kindest human beings you will ever meet, he is also one of the most interesting. He is passionate about whatever it is he sets his mind on, be it journalism, broadcasting, reporting in on a radio sports talk show, acting, teaching a middle school English class or continuing his education. He is a role model for everyone to do what you love and love what you do. Accept no less. Richard is also a chosen mentor of and by my son, Bama, who would love to follow behind in many of Richard's footsteps. Bama received some sage advice from Richard on what Bama hopes is a future in broadcast journalism. I had to share this photo of two generations of men that are passionate about their Sports and the preservation of that passion through words, be it spoken or written. I think they could've visited all night with one another but I had to pick up Sledge from cheer leading practise at cut their meeting short. When we got into the car to leave , Bama said, "There is more that I wanted to ask him...."

To Richard: Camp Richard Scott.

Ya'll need to do lunch.

Mind Expantions (Books and Movie)

Vacation is the best time to catch up on good books, informative magazines and even some good movies. I did just that recently on my beach trip. I loaded my bag (that Flo gave me) full of things to expand the mind. I wanted to pass some things along......



I recently won a full year subscription to the magazine Life:Beautiful by fellow blogger, Mrs Jules of Casa de Jules. Life Beautiful is a great new magazine with a great concept. It is much like that of Southern Living, Good Housekeeping (and specifically in this month's issue, Coastal Living) with a dose of Christian candor and inspirational verse thrown in. It is unlike any other magazine I have seen. Mrs. Jules describes it as, "This magazine is loaded with a wealth of goodness, including delicious homemade recipes, decorating bliss, vacation resources, inspiring life stories, tips on money management, on and on...and overall, a consistent reminder to "find God in every minute of every day". A great read, indeed!


Another of my favorite magazines, for those are locals, is Outdoor Alabama. It is chalk full of local wildlife and native plants. The photography is incredible. It also has a fun annual contest for photographers. I have posted before of local Paul Sansom's placing in last year's contest. If you are interested in the magazine or the contest visit the web site link above for more information.

Home Magazine is another magazine in which I got a free subscription. And you can too, anyone can! You don't have to win it!! Why pay for a magazine subscription for popular magazines, when you can receive one free? Go here. There are hundreds featured. Just sign up. That's it! I signed up for several. There is no limit. I did, however give them my email address that I reserve for junk mail. That way I do not clog my mailbox with spam in the case they sell your email address. You can find free email addresses online. When I am through reading, I will donate to the library or thrift store.


Yes, so I throw in a cookbook in my beach bag to read. What? Don't you read a cookbook on the beach? I love cooking. And I love eating. But I also love a good story, and as mentioned before on my blog (here, here, here, here and here)Lulu Buffets Cookbook, Crazy Sista Cooking, is my cup of tea. It features great recipes, along with interesting tales mixed right in. She (like her brother Jimmy) has the innate ability to draw in the audience with the skill of "seasoning" her tales with humor, leaving one wanting more. And she's fun!! You feel like you are sitting at a chair at her very kitchen table while she serves up some of her best food and stories (I am waiting on my actual invitation, Lulu!).
And, I am mentioning all of this because Lulu will be featured on Monday, July 28th on the Today Show on NBC. She will be cooking live in New York. There will also be a live feed from her restaurant in Gulf Shores, Lulu's Homeport Marina. Lulu will be on the Today Show in the third hour (9AM CST). Her restaurant doors will open at 8AM to guest on that day. If you are in The NY or Gulf Shores area, check it out. If you aren't as lucky, tune in on the television. Lastly, Lulu will be autographing copies of her book in Orange Beach....Lucy Buffett's Cook Book Signing, Orange Beach Library Friday, July 25 from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm.


Finally, an old book that has been in my library for so very many years, Alabama One Big Front Porch.

The author is my all time favorite author and tale spinner, the incredibly talented and inspiring Kathryn Tucker Windham. It has been some time since I last read this book. I grabbed it last minute as I headed out the door. I'm glad I did. If you love history, you will love this book. You need not be a local to appreciate the tales in the book. The way the book is written, I could just hear Ms. Windham saying the words in my head. It was if she were telling me the stories herself, in that unmistakable southern drawl. Oh, what I would give to sit on Mrs. Windham's front porch for a couple hours with her and a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade......But if you cannot do that, you will find her in her books.

Finally, my movie recommendation. It is a movie that I have been waiting for it's release for the past 16 years. Alex Haley's Queen. It is a movie that I watched, sitting on edge if my seat, cheering for the movie's main character, young Queen (played my Halle Berry), to prevail in a world of prejudice.

"There are two side to every story, the saying goes. For Alex Haley, one side was Roots, the towering chronicle tracing seven generations of his mother's family. The other side comes to the screen in Alex Haley's Queen, the remarkable history of the paternal side of the author's family.
Oscar and Emmy winner Halle Berry plays Queen, daughter of a slave (Jasmine Guy) and a plantation owner (Tim Daly). During the years of the antebellum South, the Civil War, Reconstruction and beyond, she searches for a home in two cultures of her heritage-and at times is shunned by both. But rejection and hate are no match for her unconquerable will. Ann Margaret, Danny Glover, Martin Sheen and Ossie Davis also star in this poignant, uplifting final chapter of the Haley legacy."
Honestly, this movie has stayed in my subconscious for 16 years. I have spent much of that time trying to locate it on the Internet. Finally persistence paid off, last week I searched and found that the movie had been released in January of 2008. I ordered it and had it by week's end. True, it's long (283 minutes) but keep in mind that the movie first ran as a miniseries on tv. Time will fly, though, for it is so captivating, it will draw you in for the haul. Never dulling, for even a minute. To me, it is Halle Berry's best performance. And---you do not have to have seen Roots to see this movie to understand it.
I ordered my copy from Amazon. It was $19.99-and worth every cent.

I hope you find these suggestions worthy of filling your beach bag. Enjoy!

Deep & Beachy Thoughts

The week lies ahead of me. A week with three kids, certainly several fights, and a goal.....get a J-O-B!! Bama. He has a couple small jobs, cleaning up once a week at Discoveringminds and bat boy at the Birmingham Barons.....but he needs a real job. I am determined that he find one this week. Let's hope his determination surpasses mine. (doubtful)

I go to the doctor today for my post op appointment. It will give me a ticket to resume all activities from life prior to the novasure procedure-and then some since no more Aunt Flo. Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!

It seems all have gone off to some wonderful local this week. Bama's friends Lex & Jose' are on the gulf coast (BEHAVING THEMSELVES), Andy is snorkeling in the Keys (sooo jealous), CW is in Italy downing some fresh pasta, Jessica is snow skiing in Colorado, Charnita also at the beach...I ran in to Miss Bossy Pants at Publix last night. She is going off to Indiana. She was telling me about hiking to Peavine Falls and back again. She is so funny! I think I will take the kids this week and do that. I am trying to come up with things to do so we don't all kill one another. Ideas?

Speaking of the beach, my parents decided not to spend mine and my brother's total inheritance and came home from their Parrot Flocking Party at the beach. They brought me a t-shirt. I wanted the t-shirt. I wanted to be there, but I got the t. It''ll do.

My mom also bought me a copy of Lucy Buffett's new cookbook, Crazy Cooking Sista. The recipe for the Bama Breeze last week came from it. Lucy was kind enough to sign it for me. I have had my head in the cookbook the whole weekend, pouring over recipes and alot of commentary by Lucy, Jimmy and friends. It is more than a cookbook, a great read. I highly recommend. This just might be my new favorite cookbook....in fact, IT is! Thanks Mom, for thinking of me! I LOVE it. I really do have the best parents.

So while all of you suckers are out combing the beach somewhere (UGGG!) amidst a sea of drunken teenagers, puke and long restaurant waits (smile), I will be at home cooking up some new rubbish for both the blog and for supper. Enjoy the week spring breakers.

90 Minutes in Heaven

My friends, Joy and Sharon, were telling me yesterday about the book, "90 Minutes in Heaven" by Don Piper & Cecil Murphy. The book was published in 2004, but I am just hearing about it. Go figure. In the book, Piper recounts the dramatic story of his ninety-minute journey to heaven. When a truck crushed his Ford Escort in a head-on collision, he was declared dead on scene. But a passing minister sensed that God wanted him to pray, so he reached through the wreckage to clasp Piper's bloody hand while he did so. Piper's incredulous voice speaks of what he believes he saw: heaven's luminous gates through which he could see streets paved with gold, as well as relatives and loved ones who surrounded him yet wouldn't let him pass through because it wasn't his time. For years Piper kept his heavenly experience to himself. Finally, however, friends and family convinced him to share his remarkable story. Piper also has another book that has been released, "Heaven Is Real" . Joy and Sharon raved about this book. It sounded like something I am defiantly interested in and whole heartily believe in. I am anxious to read it. Has anyone else read this book? I am on my way to the bookstore to get it right now!