{lagniappe 1}

So here we go with Lagniappe. Forgive me, but I already had this created and so it was just easier. The great thing about these "leftover" posts is they really aren't leftovers. They are just suggestions on what to do to prevent them - but regardless, these are some ideas/recipes that I come up with when I have a "little something extra."

So here we go with the first installment.

Meal idea:
Roast Pork Butt
green beans
mashed potatoes

Now, don't be intimidated by roasting a pork butt. Seriously, it is like the easiest thing you will ever do. I use Tyler Florence's recipe off www.foodnetwork.com and you can get these cuts of meat on sale for a VERY good price. Basically, you season the pork and based on how large the meat is you will bake it in the oven for several hours on 300 degrees (mine are normally about 7 pounds and take about six hours). Seriously, the house will smell wonderful and the meat will fall right off the bone.

Your Lagniappe - now you are going to have LOTs of meat leftover and you can shredd it up and freeze it for BBQ sandwiches for a later date (and you can do this like the chicken - fave BBQ sauce in the crock pot). But here is a wonderful twist on BBQ pork... Eggrolls - WHAT? Yes, and they are easy and divine!


Photo courtesy of the Food Network

Grab you a bag of slaw at the grocery store - and any other veggies you like (sprouts, water chesnuts, etc.). You will also want to purchase egg roll wrappers - in the produce section. Throw your veggies in a bowl along with some shredded pork, toss with a little terriayki sauce and follow the instructions on the egg roll packaging. Fry them up and you are good to go - with your favorite dipping sauce of course. Add a little sticky rice and some peas and you are set. Seriously, this was SO good! I was also very surpsied at how easy it made it as well (thanks, Erica, from www.ericasbloggityblog.com for the recipe!).

Hope you enjoy your little something extra!

Playdate at the Park

We live right down the road from a wonderful park. It has a great play area for the kids, a walking track, disc golf, and even ponds for fishing. We relished in the Spring sunshine a couple weeks back with the Jones' boys. The kids played and played and we also had a picnic there. Charlotte also enjoyed getting to feed the fish. And, I must mention, aren't Charlotte and Jayden so cute holding hands. Those two are always hugging or holding each other. :)

M.E.A

Today marks an exciting day in the English household, Doug, my wonderful husband, has his last and final day of class for his MEA (Masters in Educational Administration). To say we are excited is a complete understatement. We as a family are thrilled, but I know that Doug is more elated than any of us.

Just wanted to give a BIG SHOUT OUT to the hubs and say CONGRATULATIONS on earning your MEA. We are SO proud of you and are excited to see where God takes us with your new credentials.

Just fyi... Doug is pursuing jobs as an assistant principal. Because we are not from the area we are open to leaving - I know sad! - so if you know of anyone looking for an A.P. please let us know both locally and elsewhere.

Hooray for Doug! Now, what is he going to do with all that free time... :) I am sure he will fill it up before he gives me the chance to fill it up for him. Ha! :)

Lollipops

I wanted to get these pictures posted of Charlotte is her dress that I won from www.lilliposdesigns.etsy.com. It truly is too cute and I just adore the lollipop design appliqued on the dress.

More photos to come... and those recipes that I promised. :)

April Updates

The camera is dead, my house is a wreck, and these little chicks just make me so happy. Find them here. So... I couldn't go into the weekend without giving you a little update.

At the first of this month I mentioned a few things that I wanted to do this month... southernsavers.com, etsy - posting more often, and giving you leftover menu options. Well... I have been busy with the first two a little more than the last, but I do have another leftover post coming soon - as well as some pictures of the dresses I made for Charlotte and myself, the kids, and more personalized products.

On www.southernsavers.com, I have been hard at it and look forward to seeing some numbers soon - the hubs keeps a spreadsheet of where every dime of our money goes. So I will seriously be able to tell you if we are seeing a difference since I started using this website. I am loving shopping at Publix by the way and in addition to loving it, I saved $60.00 bucks there last week - the best I have EVER done with coupons.

On posting more on Etsy, I nearly quit after one week because I didn't get ONE SALE! I kept at it and I have been so slammed I have had to post a little less because I haven't been able to keep up with the volume. So... they have made a believer out of me. Posting more works!!!

Lastly, I want your opinion on what to name my leftover segment. I have come up with three options: "Loving Leftovers," "Lagniappe - A little something extra" (if you have ever ordered with me I currently have "lagniappe" cards that I include when I have an overprint. I include the extras with the purchase. Wouldn't want them to go to waste.), or "Lasso Your Leftovers." Please tell me which you like. Whichever gets the most votes wins. :) Another Leftover post is coming next week, so stay tuned. :)

Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend!

Stained Glass

Isn't this window beautiful. This lovely stained glass sits in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church Batesville - my father's home town. This window means so much to me as it was placed their in memory of my grandfather, Ben Junior Moore.

I mentioned in my post about my trip to Mississippi that we went to my father's old church. My grandfather was a pillar in this church as well as in his community and I was struck with how much it meant to me to see that window in all its glory with his name graced below.

My grandfather would have never wanted the attention. He felt it was his duty to tend to others both in faith and in body. He was a physician and took great pride in his work. He "healed the sick" until the day he died and helped so many along the way.

One of the greatest things that I learned after my grandfather's death - when I was only nine - was that he helped a great deal of people - helped them get through school, saw them as patients and didn't charge them, gave money to not just organizations but to people in need. But we really didn't know about it - not even my grandmother - until people showed up at his visitation and funeral and told us story after story of how he had helped them.

My grandparents were also very much in love. As an adult I had the privilege of reading a love letter that he sent to my grandmother and he was full of passion for that woman. He was a World War II Vet and their young love- like so many at that time - was entwined in the horrors of that day.

I was struck while sitting in the service that Sunday morning with my grandfather's memory - wishing he could meet my children, know my husband, see some of the life he has given me. My grandmother, every Sunday, still sits in the pew that they have for years and ironically it is right next to this window. I was overcome with emotion almost feeling my granfather's presence and knowing that he was smiling down upon us.

You might wonder why this picture of Jesus coming unto the little children was chosen for his memory. My grandmother has always told us it was because of his passion for children - but most especially his grandchildren. How special to be cherished - and ironically, isn't that the story this picture tells of - Christ's love for His children. So while the window serves as a memory of my wonderful grandfather, it also repersents the ultimate story he would want to pass onto both you and me - that You and I are loved and cherished by our Heavenly Father!

A Little Luck...

We got it in this color


This is one of my favorites too.

I am a blog follower and I ADORE when blogs offer great giveaways - especially from designers I love.

I don't really believe in luck, but maybe that is because I am not usually a "lucky" person - meaning if there is a drawing I normally will not win it (we all know people that win ALL THE TIME. Seriously, how do they do it?).

I recently entered two giveaways and WON. I was thrilled.

One of the items I won was this adorable dress from www.lilliposdesigns.etsy.com. It arrived last week and Charlotte and I both love it. The great thing about this little dress is that it is eco-friendly - using repurposed fabric - which as a seamstress I can appreciate.

Jayme, the owner was just lovely and honestly, I would pick everything out in her shop. Too cute!


I have been in love with this set for quite some time. Is it too juvenile for me to use?


Would love these for Charlotte

The other item I won was from a web friend of mine. Stacy and I "met" through a friend that carried both of our products in her local store. I was doing aprons at the time and while we spoke over email we have never actually met. She also lives in Atlanta and has a wonderful line of stationery. She also has been so gracious in helping me with starting up my own line of stationery.

I won one of her 2010 calendars and a $25.00 gift certificate - of which I cannot make up my mind what I want. I love all of her things. Check out her site here at www.inkspotworkshop.com.