Celebrating Women's History Month with a Book Review & a Giveaway: "Southern Fried Women" by Pamela King Cable

I am excited to share with you my first book review for the readers of The Southern Fried Bride. My first book review is a wonderful piece of Southern literature from a visionary female author. It is probably no surprise that I am a fan of Southern literature. March is "Women's History Month" and I believe in the spirit of celebrating women's history all through the year. I have the honor of living in the vicinity of Seneca Falls, New York, location of the First Women’s Rights Convention, held in 1848 (did you know this is also the model town for the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life"?) and home to the Women's Rights National Historical Park with its wealth of information on women's history.

I was so excited to receive a copy of the book "Southern Fried Women" by Pamela King Cable to review for you. I believe with a book title like that, it was surely meant to be for The Southern Fried Bride to review it!

Living in New York now, I dearly miss the "Southern breeze" that I believe comes with the geographic region of the South, blowing about the distinct hospitality and the distinct personalities that abound in this region. I believe these are among the characteristics at the heart of a Southern voice, and I believe Pamela King Cable is a delightful Southern voice. The author herself is an example of a woman following her heart, ending a medical career spanning 20 years to fulfill her dream as a full-time writer and speaker. I was delighted to find out this book is being taught as part of Southern Studies in some high school classrooms.

In "Southern Fried Women", she weaves a collection of short stories set in the South together to transport the reader to balmy, slower days of a Southern yesteryear, set in several different timeperiods. The subjects run the gamut of emotions. You'll find stories invoking everything from love, faith, innocence and forgiveness to guilt, racial conflict, tragedy and death. At the forefront of each of the stories is the theme portraying the strength of Southern women and by the time to turn the last page, you will have seen a menagerie of Southern women emerging as survivors.   

Beautiful sepia-tone pictures included with the short stories and an eye-catching vintage-style book cover, add to the experience of reading this book.

The characters she gives life to through her hearty storytelling are classic Southern personalities come alive through who will resonate with many readers. The names alone invoke such a reminiscent feeling. Names such as Gideon, Thirl, Aunt Sye, Noah and of course, since this is the South we are talking about, there has to be a Reverend. You will find many of the characters' faith in God at the forefront of the stories.

I smiled with delight when I read the name of one of the communities: Needmore, North Carolina. My late Grandma Cleva grew up in the Needmore community in rural Cherokee County, Oklahoma and this name immediately invoked my memories of sitting on Granma's knee as she told me stories of her childhood growing up in the Needmore community. As I read this particular short story, I immediately began to see so many similarities between the two communities of the same name.

Each of the short stories was a wonderful literary journey, but the standout story to me personally, was  "Beach Babies", which in her true writing style, invokes so many emotions within the confines of the story. The story involves Pentecostal raising and two young women with independent spirits. I began laughing heartily when reading the first paragraph of the story. During the course of the story, I was full-on crying at the beautifully written story.

I highly recommend this book as a Southern journey of the senses. "Southern Fried Women" is also an ebook available on Amazon for Kindle, iTunes and Barnes and Noble.

In celebration of March as "Women's History Month", one of you will WIN your own copy of this wonderful book!

To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment below and tell me, in celebration of "Women's History Month", a woman you admire. Entries will close on Monday, April 2 at 11:59 pm EST. Winner will be announced on Tuesday, April 4 at 8:00 am EST. Winner must contact me within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen. Good luck!

FTC Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book "Southern Fried Women" for the purpose of reviewing in my honest opinion. I also was provided with a copy of the book to give away to one of my readers. All opinions expressed in this blog post are my own.

Spring Entertaining Giveaway

Splash of Pink, a Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store I shared with you in my last blog post, made me over the moon when they graciously and generously offered to host The Southern Fried Bride's Spring Entertaining Giveaway! If you love Lilly and home entertaining like me, then I think you're going to flip for these prizes!

The winner will receive a Lilly Pulitzer spring entertaining prize package valued at $128! Prizes that will all go to one lucky winner are:

a melamine serving tray



 set of 4 plates

set of 4 tumblers

and an acrylic pitcher

You will enter this giveaway differently than you have entered my giveaways in the past. Entries in my giveaways will now be done through a method called a "giveaway app" and this method of entry is an example of using an app to conduct a giveaway. Here are the steps for you to follow:
To enter, go to "The Southern Fried Bride Entertaining Giveaway" tab on the Facebook page for Splash of Pink here. The SFB giveaway page will look like this:

Become a fan of Splash of Pink on Facebook by "liking" their page, then enter your e-mail address in the box and you are entered to win!

Entries will close on Friday, April 6 at 4:00 pm EST. Good luck!

For more information about Lilly Pulitzer home entertaining accessories available at Splash of Pink, including each of the prizes in this giveaway, you can visit their Gifts and More section of their website here.

FTC Disclaimer: Splash of Pink is providing a prize package valued at $128, consisting of a serving tray, set of 4 plates, pitcher and set of 4 tumblers for this giveaway. The opinions expressed in this blog post are my own.

One of my timeless favorites: Splash of Pink, a Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store

I first discovered Lilly Pulitzer as a college sorority girl back home in Oklahoma. I was immediately taken with the amazing artistry of each print and the dazzling design of each piece. there was not a store within where you could buy Lilly, so finding a Lilly store that offered mail order was the next task for me. The very first Lilly store I came across was Splash of Pink, a Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store which at the time was "far away in Connecticut". Westport, CT to be exact.

Right away, I could tell this store was special. I remember the amazing customer service, the friendly staff I would deal with over the phone while ordering and the customer-oriented feel, and this was to a person living so many miles away from the actual store. I couldn't help but think if they were that friendly to a faraway customer, how wonderful they must be to customers who live in the area who visited the actual store location. Years have passed and this Oklahoma girl moved halfway across the country to New York, where Connecticut isn't so far away anymore. My love for Lilly has only grown over the years and I have never forgotten this store and their customer-driven service. It remains one of my favorites. I have always wanted to see the actual staff at Splash of Pink and I was so happy when they graciously provided me with their picture, each clad in Lilly with bright and shining faces.

Between now and Easter Sunday, they are offering free shipping on all orders over $50.

It probably will not be a surprise to you that besides the clothing, one of my favorite Lilly lines has always been the entertaining accessories. When I became a newlywed, this brought a whole new dimension to my appreciation of the unique and classic prints available from Lilly Pulitzer for home entertaining. As each season arrives, I look forward to seeing the new Lilly pieces available at Splash of Pink. This spring is no exception, with a bevy of bright-colored delights for your gathering in two delightful patterns: trademark pink and green in "luscious" and a pop of blue joins the mix for "nice to see you". 

Isn't this acrylic pitcher gorgeous? This is the "luscious" design, dazzling in pink and green, and perfect for filling with one of my party punches to serve guests out on my patio now that spring weather is here! I love the fact that they are dishwasher safe, BPA and lead free.

This one took my breath away: the matching melamine serving tray. Not only a serving piece, but a statement piece.

Here are the tumblers in the "nice to see you" pattern. Again, I absolutely love the fact they are both lead and BPA free, as well as dishwasher safe. I am so taken with the one-of-a-kind design, such a conversation piece at your gathering.

So I've glorified the dishwasher safe category of accessories, now let's move on to the line of disposable items that are anything but your average paper partyware.  

These are the gorgeous disposable dessert plates and beverage napkins available in "chum bucket" and "fan dance". Notice they coordinate with the melamine and acrylic serving accessories.

Here is one of their lovely store displays showcasing some of their new arrivals. I have already spotted an item that is now added to my must-have wish list. You can view Splash of Pink's website here  and visit their Facebook page here.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Corned Beef Quiche, Limeade Cupcakes, Pie and Giveaway Winners!

Top o' the mornin'! This redheaded, green-eyed Irish lass looks forward to this holiday where everyone can be Irish for a day. Here is my favorite savory recipe for St. Patrick's Day. This is my take on changing up traditional corned beef hash. This recipe is a great way to use leftover corned beef and hash and canned corned beef will also work well with this recipe. It makes a great variety to spring quiche and is good for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

"Southern Fried Bride's Easy Corned Beef Quiche"

1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust

4 eggs
...
1 egg white

1 1/2 cups corned beef, chopped

1 cup potatoes, chopped

1/2 cup shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake pie crust according to package directions. Line rim of crust with aluminum foil to avoid burnt crust edges. Remove baked pie crust from oven and place on cooling rack. In large bowl, whisk eggs until well beaten. Add corned beef, potatoes and cheese. Stir until well

-combined. Pour into prepared pie crust. Bake 40-45 minutes or until quiche is golden brown. Enjoy!

Here is one of my favorite St. Patrick's Day sweet treats. This is one of my limeade cupcakes that I made for local friends, shown plated on one of my spring green Lenox "Butterfly Meadow" dessert plates.  

"Southern Fried Bride's Lively Limeade Cupcakes"
  Makes 24 cupcakes

3 cups cake flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup frozen limeade concentrate, thawed

3 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon green food coloring
(or 4 drops green food coloring with dropper lid)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare muffin pans with cupcake liners or spraying with cooking spray. In large bowl, add flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Combine well. Set aside. In separate bowl, add butter and sugar. Cream together. Add limeade concentrate and mix well. Add one egg at a time, mixing together between additions. Add food coloring and mix well. Add flour mixture 1/3 at a time, mixing together between additions. Divide batter evenly into muffin pans. Bake 20-22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in middle of cupcake comes out clean. Allow to cool before frosting. Makes 24 cupcakes.

"Southern Fried Bride's Lively Limeade Frosting"
Frosts 24 cupcakes

3 cups confectioner's sugar
1 stick butter, softened
2 tablespoons frozen limeade concentrate, thawed

In large bowl, cream butter with mixer on medium speed. Add confectioner's sugar one cup at a time. mixing between additions. Mix on medium speed for 5-7 minutes, or until frosting reaches creamy consistency. Spread frosting over cooled cupcakes. Enjoy!

Here is a recipe for my favorite diabetic St. Patrick's Day treat that I make for friends and loved ones:

"Southern Fried Bride's Easy Limeade Pie"

2/3 cup boiling water

1 (4-serving) package sugar free lime flavored gelatin

1/2 cup cold water

1/2 cup ice cubes

1 (8 oz.) container sugar free Cool-Whip frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 teaspoon lime zest

1 (8 inch) graham cracker pie crust

Bring water to a boil in saucepan. Pour boiling water into mixing bowl, gradually add in dry gelatin, stirring at least 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Add cold water, then ice to mixture. Stir well. Remove remaining ice from mixture. Gradually stir in whipped topping with wire whisk until smooth. Add in lime zest and stir well. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Enjoy!

GIVEAWAY WINNERS! My St. Patrick's Giveaway had a lucky twist...not just one winner, but THREE WINNERS!  Here are the names of the three lucky winners who will receive 250 personalized UPrinting label stickers. 

Congratulations to Megan Vesel, Sarah Lindsay and Vanessa at "Bite Me Cakes"! Please contact me by e-mail to claim your prize at: angelaskitchen@rocketmail.com

"May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be ever at your back. May the sunshine warm upon your face,  and the rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand." -Traditional Irish Blessing. Happy St. Patrick's Day!  

Happy National Pi(e) Day!

Did you know today is National Pi(e) Day? Notice the "e" conveniently added onto the end, hehe! We can't just let the mathematicians have all the fun today! This pie recipe reminds me of back home in Oklahoma when every spring, a nearby town called Porter would have their annual Peach Festival. There is an orchard there I especially love to visit and I cannot leave their store without partaking in another tradition: sampling their assortment of peach desserts. They had marvelous peach topping served on top of vanilla ice cream and wonderful peach cobbler. This pie is a peachy dessert treat without heating up your oven. My easy, no-bake peach ice cream pie also works great with regular versions of the ingredients listed, but using the light ingredients I list for my recipe will shave off extra calories, fat and sugar. Hope today finds you just "peachy"!

"Southern Fried Bride's Peach Paradise Ice Cream Pie"

1 quart light vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt, softened

1 cup sugar free or light frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 large OR 2 medium peaches, chopped

1 (8 oz.) ready-made reduced fat graham cracker pie crust

In large bowl, combine first three ingredients. Beat with mixer at medium speed until well blended. Spoon into pie crust. Cover pie and freeze at least 4 hours or until firm. When ready to serve, remove from freezer and let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

St. Patrick's Day Giveaway! 3 Winners: 250 UPrinting Label Stickers

St.Patrick's Day is upon us and I can think of no better way to celebrate than a surprise giveaway with a lucky twist: not just one of you but THREE of you will win 250 personalized UPrinting label stickers, size 2" x 3.5". These labels are perfect for all kinds of uses. This giveaway is open to US residents only, 18 years old and above.

To enter, complete the following two mandatory entries, then leave a comment telling me how you will use the stickers if you win the giveaway, along with your e-mail address. Leave a separate comment for any Additional Entries you complete listed below. Entries will close on Friday, March 16 at 11:59 pm EST. Winners will be announced on St. Patrick's Day, Saturday, March 17 at 10:00 am EST. Good luck!

MANDATORY ENTRIES
1. Like UPrinting homepage URL(http://www.uprinting.com/).

2. Tweet how you will use the stickers if you win the giveaway and at the end of the message include the UPrinting homepage URL (http://www.uprinting.com/).
Tweet

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:
Like UPrinting on Facebook here
Follow UPrinting on Twitter here

Disclaimer: You should assume that the owner of this blog will receive free print product in exchange for the post. Any and all reviews posted are based solely on my own experience and may be atypical. Please practice due diligence in making any related purchase decisions.

Lilly Pulitzer Picture This! Photo Contest: I'm voting for Kyndra and Beverly!

Kyndra of Little Miss Southern Love and Beverly of Preppy Wife, Preppy Life are two of my "Lilly sisters" who are among the 20 picture finalists in the current Lilly Pulitzer Picture This! Photo Contest.

Each of them is wearing an amazing Lilly dress and wearing them so beautifully.They are best friends and I love the spirit of friendship conveyed in this picture. I am voting for them, and if you would like to vote for them, too, you can go here to cast your vote. You can vote once a day, if you choose to do so. Voting closes tomorrow. The top 4 finalists will be announced on Monday. Good luck, ladies!     

Leap Day Giveaway Winner!

The winner of the Big G cereals prize pack with a $10 Target gift card, 2 boxes of participating Big G cereals and a free download for "Atari 80 Classic Games in 1" is...Lark at Lark's Country Heart!

Be watching for more fun giveaways!

Disclosure: The prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills, Atari and Target through MyBlogSpark.