More Big News!!!

Wow!  This month has turned into a biggie let me tell you!  One of our weddings is featured on Style Me Pretty blog!!!  Check this out and please take time to read the words written from the heart of this precious bride.  This young woman is extra special to us as she and her family are long time family friends of ours.  Kayla and Emily have a childhood full of memories together.  To witness the love of her and her groom throughout the planning and wedding weekend was nothing short of breathtaking.  Her wedding reflected her personality perfectly.  We prayed and prayed for beautiful weather for this day and God was good to provide.  It was amazing.  I might have cried like a baby when I first caught sight of her in her wedding dress.  I've seen her grow and mature through the years into an amazing woman.  We were incredibly blessed to a part of this special time in the life of their family.

Oh my word ...

LSU Who?

On Saturday there just happens to be a Big Game in the SEC football world.  If you are a Georgia Bulldawg you know what I'm talking about.  Here's an interesting factoid for you:  The Georgia Bulldogs will become just the fourth team in the BCS era to play three top 10 teams in their first four games. 

So in honor of this occasion I'll share a little video that was created in 2011 by some UGA students, several you might recognize from Gainesville.   I think it still applies ... LSU Who?  Go Dawgs!!

It's Premier Week!

So I've told you how much I love this time for year for several days but haven't mentioned yet another reason for my love of September. The new Television Season!  It's Season Premier week and I for one, could not be happier about it.  Here are the ones I've been waiting for ....

1.  Last night's Castle.  D and I didn't discover Castle until the second season which prompted us to quickly go back and watch the first one. We've never looked back. We're into their 6th season now.   I thought the season opener was fabulous for several reasons:
a.  She said Yes! The last moments of  last season's cliffhanger left Kate and Castle in the park with a marriage proposal in the air.  I would have loved to see them tell Martha and Alexis the news but lo, that didn't happen.
b.  While set for the time being in D.C., the cast of supporting characters is new.  I liked it.  Of course, I miss Ryan, Esposito and Lanie but I have a feeling we'll get back to NYC eventually.
c.  Alexis has a new boyfriend from Costa Rico named Pi.  While I'm not crazy about his character, I love the interaction that Castle has with any of Alexis' boyfriends. 
d.  Apparently, Castle is going to die in 24 hours.  I doubt it.   He is the star of the show.   This is a To Be Continued so we really won't know until next Monday night.  It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

2.  Nashville: I can hardly wait for this season premier Wednesday night.  This is Season 2 of this fabulous show.   Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere are spot on as friends/enemies in this show set in the midst of the Country Music Capital.  I love the music, the guest appearances by country music legends (especially Vince Gill) and Deacon (he's my favorite).  The season ender left Rayna and Deacon in a very serious car crash.  I can't wait to see what happens.

3.  Big Bang Theory:  This continues to be one of the best written shows on television.  This ensemble cast led by Sheldon (Jim Parsons) is super talented and funny.  It amazes me when writers can continue to write scripts that are laugh-out-loud funny.  Season premier is Thursday.

4.  Modern Family:  Again, another awesome ensemble cast with great writers.  It's no wonder they continue to win Emmy awards for this show. 

5.  Scandal:  We've got to wait until next Thursday (October 3rd) to see what the Gladiators are up to.  This show is intense but totally worth it.  It takes D and I about an hour and half to watch this show because we have to keep replaying to understand what is going on.  There is no getting up for a snack during this one.  You have to stay focused.  Makes me wonder though, is this what our political system is really like?

6.  Dancing with the Stars:  Yes, I know, last week was the Season Premier but I just watched it on the DVR over the weekend so I got a late start.   It's a little different this year.  The show is only on Monday night (no results show on Tuesday) so everything happens on one night.  They dance and then one goes home.  Did it surprise anyone else that Keyshawn Johnson was the first to go home?  I thought he was good.  No offense to Bill Nye (after all, I love him as the Science Guy) but he can't dance.  He stayed, America?  Really?  It's a strange world we live in.

7.  Duck Dynasty:  Again, the new season has been on for about a month now but it never disappoints as good, ole wholesome entertainment.  I love those bearded boys.  Reality tv at its very best. 

8.  Revenge:  Oh, Revenge, how we have a love/hate relationship.  First season? Amazing.  We saw Emily Thorne as a focused daughter determined on avenging her father's imprisonment and ultimate death.  Second season?  Iffy at best.  The show seemed to lose its direction.  I couldn't decide if I really wanted to be a part of it or not.  I'm not willing to give up yet, though.  I'll give you one more try, Revenge, don't let me down.

9.  The Middle:  Okay, to be honest, I really didn't like this show at first.  However, D loved it.  He recorded on the DVR so I sat patiently while he watched it.  Gradually, I warmed to this show like no other.  It is the quirkiest, most unusual show you'll ever watch.  I've always been a Patricia Heaton fan so I guess it's no surprise I finally came around. 

10.  Shark Tank:  This is the best show.  I guess since I live with an entrepreneur who has started and owns several companies, we think this show is inspiring and fascinating.   It will renew your faith in the American dream.  You'll see men and women have amazing ideas and then become immensely successful (all with the support of the sharks, of course).  You'll see some things that are utterly ridiculous.  It's great television.

And that my friends is a look at my favorites.  The jury is still out on which new shows I'll like this season.  I'll keep you posted. 

The Weekend it was a Good One

Saturday it rained.  And then it rained some more.  I ran to the grocery store first thing because I had some cooking I wanted to do and after that, I didn't go anywhere the rest of the day.  The Bulldawgs played around noon so that took up the better part of the afternoon.  We continued the theme by watching Alabama play and then LSU well into the night.  It was great day for watching football and the rain. 

But then came Sunday. and oh, the beauty.  Weather perfection actually.  D and I rarely do this but we played hooky from church and went on a little road trip to the mountains.  We loaded up the girls, packed a picnic lunch and went in search of the perfect spot to enjoy the beautiful day.  And we found it - Tallulah Falls.  It is just a short distance from Gainesville actually but we had not be up there in years.  It was gorgeous.  We found a picnic table near the water on the opposite side of the bridge from the falls. 

The girls enjoying the picnic spot.

I realize the trash can looks the focal point of this photo but trust me, it wasn't. 

This is on the other side of the picnic area.   Look at Sadie.  She's a poser. 

After our little stop for lunch, we decided to drive on up to Highlands.  And oh, what a treat that always is.  There are some great stores in this beautiful little town and the photos below were taken at one of my favorites, The Dutchman.  This is pure eye candy.  I didn't buy a thing here, can you believe it?  But don't get the wrong idea, mind you.  I came home with some pretty things.  You always do when you go to Highlands. 

We rolled back into town about supper time and decided since we had the dogs we would go to our favorite dog-friendly spot, Skogeys.    They are so great.  They brought out water bowls and treats.  The girls thought that this was a restaurant just for them.  We didn't tell them any different.

Golf and Shopping

Well, I have been just useless since my brush with Paula on Wednesday.  I've told anyone who would listen and just about drove my own self crazy with my pure giddiness about the whole situation.  I just can't help but think about how we got to this point.  The ride with God is a wild one I tell you.  I'm just so very thankful for all He has provided in my life. 

But Wednesday afternoon, after I got my wits about myself, D and I got in the car to head down to Peachtree City.  The Georgia Food Industry Association's golf tournament was Thursday and D was playing.  So what was I going to do?   My assignment was to "greet."  In other words, that meant they had the perfect job for me.  I was to talk to everyone.  I'll just tell you something about this group, it's a pretty tight one.  These folks all work in the same world and are like family.  We've seen each other's families grow up, been a part of major life events and share a lot of common bonds.  So for me to get to talk to these folks, well, yes, I think I will. I'd love to.    The reason that we went down the night before is because we had to be at the golf course at 6:45 A.M. It was still dark when we got there.  The tournament started at 9:00 but we were there to help so that required an early call.  A very early call.  But once you're up, you're up; just grab some coffee and go with it. 

Anyway, someone looked all bright and ready to roll.  It was a beautiful day for such!

Friday morning I had to work but around lunch time I went to get Mother for a little shopping trip to the Lakewood 400 Antiques Market in Cumming.  We had so much fun.  D's birthday is next Friday so I was on the search for a great gift and I found it!  Check this out.  It is a cooler built into this custom built cabinet.  It's so cool and perfect for our deck.   I went ahead and gave it to him and he loved it! 

Mother always finds something she likes.  It is no surprise it was a pocketbook. 

We had plans to go to some friend's home for dinner on Friday night.  They are dog lovers just like us and were kind to include our furry girls in our dinner invitation.  So here are the girls ready to go!  We all four had a great time! 

A Dream Come True!!!!!

Oh my word, Wednesday ranks right up there with one of the best days ever for me!    After, of course, my wedding day and the birth of my children.   It was a dream come true really.  Are you ready for this??  I had lunch with Paula Deen!!! I sat beside her ... She ate off my plate ...  It was so much fun.  And let me just say, she was kind, gracious, and funny.  I honestly felt like I had known her all my life.   This is what she said to me when she met me "Crevolyn (pronounced correctly, by the way), it is such a pleasure to you.  I've heard so much about you."  What? excuse me?  Obviously, our friend Jeff had given her some background but seriously?

Here is how it all happened ... Darrell had a message on his voicemail at work from Jeff  who works for a local poultry producer, Fielddale Farms that there was an opportunity to have a "visit" with Paula on Wednesday mid-day at the Chattahoochee Country Club.  We immediately said - oh yes, we're there!!  We had no idea if there was going to be a ballroom full of people or exactly what.  Turns out, there were 10 of us in the room for lunch: my family; two of our JandJ associates;  Jeff; Paula's food brand manager; Paula and her husband, Michael.    That was it.  They wanted to talk to us (little ole us) about partnering with Fielddale's brand, Springer Mountain Chicken and Paula's brand.     Paula has been the spokesperson for Springer Mountain for about two years.    We already sell this product in our Limestone store but they are expanding the brand to include some of Paula's sauces, rotisserie chickens, rubs, spices and mixes.  All were developed in Paula's kitchen.  These should be in our stores very soon.

Honestly, I'm still pinching myself that this even happened.  It was such a thrill for me!  Here are a few photos to document this wonderful occasion!

We laughed that we may send this as our Christmas card this year.  We'll just have to photoshop E's husband in the pic!

This is Paula and I solving the world's problems.

Oh, funny story.  As we were talking, she mentioned a kind of corn meal that she loved but couldn't find.    Darrell told her that we had it in our store and she wanted to come by and get some.  We had her a little to-go bag ready full of her favorite!  This was taken in the parking lot at the Limestone store.

And that, friends and family, is how one perfectly ordinary day turned into a HUGE day in the life of this girl!  Love that Paula! 
And many thanks to our friend, Jeff who arranged this meeting! He's the bomb!

Fall is Definitely in the Air

This morning when I went out to walk the dogs, the air was cool and it was glorious!  It seems when you live in Georgia that you usually don't get cool mornings until maybe around mid-November so this is a welcome surprise.  I was feeling it so much that yesterday I decorated my house for fall.  My very special girlfriends were coming over last night so it seemed like a good time.   Thought I would share a few photos with you ...

Yes, I know there aren't any fall decorations in this room but I had to share.  This room just makes me happy.  Most folks would call it a formal living room but to me, it's not that at all.  This is my quiet time room.  This is where me and God meet and talk. 

Okay, a little more fall décor going on here in the dining room.