Shellie Rushing Tomlinson
Welcome back, folks, and a big hello to all the old friends and new
faces on the porch today. You new porchers will find that, for the most
part, things are pretty laid back around here. Although, when we get
upset or really excited, we call each other by our double names, like
Shellie Charlene for instance. Our mamas started the whole double name
thing, but the truth is we kind of like it. ~smile~
Can I say it started out looking like a double-name day? I read
something that made me think northern teenagers don't have pep rallies
at their high schools. No pep rallies I wondered? How does that work?
I was about to go into a swoon at the mere thought--but Duane, one of
our northern porchers, told me I'd been misinformed. Seems this is
one issue football fans from the north and the south agree on--pep
rallies are an important part of pre-game fever. Without the ruckus
we kick up during the afternoon assembly, I doubt a pass could be
caught or a tackle made when the game starts. Silly football coaches,
they think it's all about practice and scouting reports...
I guess I'll step out of the way now. This week's southern celebration is
building up a head of steam. By the way, in case I haven't told you, I
feel plum blessed to get to put it together for you each week. It's a ton
of work, but I'm always rewarded by your letters! So, please, keep 'em
coming. Let me know what you'd like to see spotlighted, tell us a joke,
share a recipe or just say, "hi"! I look foward to hearing from y'all.
~Hugs,
Shellie
P.S. Wouldn't you know it? Just about the time I was going to ride the
combine with Phil and take pictures of the rice harvest for y'all--it
rained him out of the fields. He thinks he might be able to harvest again
tomorrow. If he does, I'll put new pictures up on the rice page. It's just
so pretty, I want to share it with y'all.
*****************************************************************
~~Chuckles~~
"Rocky Romance"
I've got to tell you the latest about Savannah Grace. We've talked
about this little southern belle on the porch before. If you don't
know her, chances are you know someone like her.
Yesterday, Savannah Grace came home from kindergarten with quite an
attitude. She also had two skinned knees and a small tear in her new
blouse.
"Savannah Grace!" her mother exclaimed when she caught sight of her
little girl. "What in the world happened to you?"
Savannah Grace dropped her backpack on the kitchen table dramatically
before announcing to her mother that Billy Brown had kissed her after
the bell rang.
"How on earth did that happen?" asked her mother.
"It wasn't easy," Savannah Grace admitted, "it took three other girls
to help me catch him."
~Special thanks to Lisa Patterson from West Monroe, Louisiana for sending in
this week's chuckle.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~A Taste of the South~~
Potato Salad is one of those comfort foods and there must be a dozen ways
to make it. Here's a short version along with my very own secret ingredient
to make those tators sing!
"Singing 'Tator Salad"
• 6-8 potatoes
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 4 egg whites/cubed
• 2 teaspoon mustard
• ¼ cup pickle relish (sweet or dill)
• salt and pepper to taste
• dash of paprika
Let's get cooking! Dice the whites of the boiled eggs and add 'em to a
the cooked and cubed potatoes. Add the pickle relish; sweet or dill, we
prefer dill. Blend in mayonnaise and mustard and season with salt and pepper.
Ready for that secret ingredient? A half a cup of Panola's Spicy Sweet
Jalapeno Peppers will take this salad over the top. My family likes these
delightful sweet peppers in our chicken and tuna salads, too. Let me know
when you try 'em. Of course, our southern moms would say, make sure to add
a dash of paprika over the top of that dish for color before you serve it.
(Remember, you can find those peppers in several gift-boxes at my online store.)
Happy eating!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It's Porch Day! Are you wearing your ALL THINGS SOUTHERN T-SHIRT? I am!
http://www.allthingssouthern.com
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
~~Spotlight on the South~~
SPOTLIGHT ON MISS JULIA AND ANN B. ROSS
Looking for a good book? How about an entertaining read that refuses
to drag the gutter for a laugh? Please, allow me to introduce you to
Miss Julia.
Ann B. Ross, writing from Henderson, North Carolina, has created a
character that could have stepped right off your next door neighbor's
porch. You'll laugh at Miss Julia's wit, you'll admire her poise and
you'll cheer her plunk as she handles the most unlikely events to
ever befall a pillar of the fictional town of Abbotsville.
Surrounded by a cast of characters who amuse without falling back
on the stereotypical southerners Hollywood so often portrays, this
charming and capable widow will hook you from the first page. When
her tale is over, you'll be happy to know there's more Miss Julia
stories to take up where the first one leaves off.
Miss Ross' fictional debut, "Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind", has been
optioned by the Knight Company for a feature film or a made-for-television
movie. But trust me on this, you don't want to keep Miss Julia waiting.
You can meet Miss Julia's creator at www.missjulia.com
~Shellie
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
~~It's Been Said...~~
"We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging
principles."
--Ex-president, Jimmy Carter, quoting his high school teacher,
Ms. Julia Coleman.
(This is Shellie again. I've got a good idea. If you know someone
with principles-good, solid, old-fashioned principles that aren't
shaken with every new fad, why don't you tell 'em how much you
appreciate their example today. I plan to!)
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
~~Southern Comfort~~
"Who Are You, Really?"
When I was little, I couldn't talk right. Some of you listening
to my country voice might be thinking I still can't. But, I'm not
talking accents here, I mean, I could not talk clearly. I've always
loved to tell stories, but the only person in my family that could
understand me was my older sister, Cyndie, and she wasn't the most
reliable translator--sorry, Cyndie.
This problem was hard at home, but then I went to school and my
embarrassment quadrupled. When I was in the second grade, a speech
therapist used to come to the door of our class once a week and
call for the speech kids-and all the kids in my class would turn
around and chant, "speech kids, speech kids". It's safe to say this
therapist wasn't on my Christmas list.
I never dreamed I could make a living writing stories, let alone
telling them out loud, but that's the direction the Lord has decided
to take me in. He has a plan for your life, too, and your strengths
and weaknesses are all part of the package. Don't be afraid and
don't allow the world to say who you are. Why not go straight to
the Source? Ask the One that created you what you were meant to be!
Oh, and if you don't know Him, write me tomtom@allthingssouthern.com.
I'd love to introduce you.
~Shellie
~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
~~Southern Exchange~~
Your letters:
Hi Shellie and fellow porchers,
Hello Shellie,
I've been going through some very difficult times lately and just
a simple smile has helped me get through my days, but when your
newsletter comes in my inbox, I know I can sit there reading every
little "department" and it will take my focus off all the negative
things going on, and wrap me instead in the most beautiful embrace of God.
I know God will continue to bless you as you bless others through
All Things Southern. What a way to get the message of God's love out to
literally endless numbers of people all over the world...I bet some of
them are even getting sneak attacks of Jesus without even realizing
what your E-mails are all about. :)
Shelley in Virginia
(Dear Shelley, Hey--that's a cool name you got there.~smile~ It sounds
like you have me figured out. Drats! I must not be that sneaky after all.
Thanks for your sweet note. ~Hugs, Shellie)
____________
Dear Shellie,
Is taking a purse fishing kind of like Linda Waller taking one
on a corn combine? I try to disguise it by putting it down in a blue
Wal-Mart bag along with a water bottle, towel, paper towels, etc...You never
know when you might need to get your hand lotion out to wipe off the fish
smell with a paper towel. Anyway, what if your lipstick wears off?
Enjoy your "Weekly" very much...Thanks!
Patsy Cagle Knowles
Cheniere Girl living at
Calhoun, LA
(Dear Patsy, This girly-girl issue is about as messy as fishing, isn't it?
I say, as long as you're baiting your own hook--you're okay.~Hugs, Shellie)
______________
Hi Shellie,
My sister turned me onto your site. Even though we were both born and
raised in northern California, on the coast by Oregon-we've always felt our
hearts are partly in Louisiana. Our father was born and raised in Kentwood
and we still have a lot of family there. Love Carl Rodus, the Big Dog.
Carl Rodus
Smith River, California
(Hello Carl, I'm happy to have you and your sister on my porch. One of the
biggest surprises-- not to mention delights of launching allthingssouthern.com
has been finding out just how many people the world over are enchanted by our
southern traditions. By the way, do people really call you Big Dog? There's
gotta be a good story there. ~Hugs, Shellie)
______________
Dear Shellie,
I was reading about your squirrels just now and rolling on the floor
laughing. I needed the joy and you have a way of brightening our days, hun!
I wanted to tell you my news. I've got a house duck. His name is Don
Giorgio and he's the cutest thing you ever saw. He lives in a play-pen
and as long as I'm in the room, he's happy, as a duck in water, (sorry.)
I'm sure you think I'm a loonie tune for having him in the house, but he's
a lot of fun-and so sweet, too! When I leave his view, he gets agitated
and loud but when I come back in the room, he coos and chirps.
Pamellina Greenway
Tennessee
(Dear Pamela, I don't think you're at all looney. But, then, I might not
be the best one to ask. I thought Arnold the Pig on Green Acres, was
cool, too! I put Don the Duck's picture below for the other porchers.
Thanks for sharing! ~Hugs, Shellie.)
*Before I go--one last piece of news. Shilo from Nevada would like to thank
Wanda from Georgia for her letter and support. He says to tell you that your
message of faith and peace was right on the mark.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
~~A Southern Definition~~
I've had a ton of letters for Linda, the purse carrying combine driver.
Here's the last one on the subject. It's from Gloria in Mer Rouge. She
writes, "I think any female that runs a combine with or without a purse
should not be considered a girly-girl. She still has a lot of tom-boy
in her. A girly-girl would walk up to the combine in her perfectly matched
outfit, perfectly styled hair and plenty of perfume and ask "are you really
going to drive that contraption?" I know because I sometimes like to be
girly-girl and most time just plain ol me."
Gloria, I think you speak for a lot of females on the porch. Sometimes
there is a little bit of girly-girl--as well as a dash of tomboy in us all.
"If you were never willing to give mouth to muzzle resuscitation to
the family pet...you could have been a girly-girl."
--Shellie Rushing Tomlinson
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
ATS NEWS and NOTES:
Here's an announcement for those of you who have asked about getting a copy of
the ATS Radio Show. ( By the way, have I said, THANK YOU for your interest?
If not, THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST!) Now, if that's you, I'll be happy to
"burn" you a CD for $7.00, that includes shipping and handling although
Louisiana residents will have to include tax. Just send your check or money
order to ATS at 2007 Island Point Drive, Lake Providence, La. 71254 and let
me know which one you want. There are all of THREE radio shows in the archive.
*giggle* Until next week...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
All Things Southern Sponsors:
My friends at Panola Pepper Corporation make the best dadgum hot sauces
on the market. And if you haven't tried the rest of their product line--why,
you owe yourself an apology. Now, get on down to your local store for that
one of a kind flavor, and if they don't have Panola on their shelves...ask
'em what they're waiting for. You can find Panola on the web at
http://www.panolapepper.com or give them a call at 318-559-1774. Their
plant is also available for tours at 1414 Holland Delta Road in Lake
Providence, Louisiana.
**************
Work, church, ballgames...no time for yourself, right? I've got good news!
Not only do my friends at New Attitudes Hair Design and Boutique understand
your busy lifestyle, they also believe in the potential and unique beauty of
each individual. Let them start with your heart and transform your hair,
makeup, clothes, and nails into a personal style that won't stop before you
do. Phone 318-878-8228 or drop by 710 Florida Street in Delhi, Louisiana. Tell
'em Shellie sent you.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
To SUBSCRIBE :-) send any email with SUBSCRIBE in the
subject box to: tomtom@allthingssouthern.com
To UNSUBSCRIBE (Please don't go, we'll miss you!) send any
email with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject box
to: tomtom@allthingssouthern.com
===========================================================
Home
Advertise • Archives • Policies • Terms of Use • Email Shellie and All Things Southern • Link to All Things Southern • Eternal Help • Email Promotion and Sales
Facebook 
Blog
