• Home
  • Download
    • Premium Version
    • Free Version
    • Downloadable
    • Link Url
      • Example Menu
      • Example Menu 1
  • Social
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Googleplus
  • Features
    • Lifestyle
    • Sports Group
      • Category 1
      • Category 2
      • Category 3
      • Category 4
      • Category 5
    • Sub Menu 3
    • Sub Menu 4
  • Entertainment
  • Travel
  • Contact Us

Home of a Magnolia

I feel like I've taken a vacation from blogging-not on purpose, but we have just been extremely busy and I don't see the end in sight for several weeks. 

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of helping put together a new updated honors program for the students at my school.  In the past we had a school honors program and a system wide honors program.  The system wide version had grown too large and not very personal.  Our new principal shared his vision for a new and improved version and a team of staff worked to make it happen.  It was a very special ocassion for our students and I hope the start of a new tradition.  Some naysayers have posted comments in the local paper about doing away with the old system wide version and I hope they were invited to attend at least one of the new and improved school programs.  I hear each school is holding a very special program- can't wait to go to my son's honors program next week.  You know change can be good!  Congrats to all of the wonderful students receiving honors and awards.

Here are a few pics of our most recent happenings:
Dance Recital

My son and a few classmates were recognized for starting a newspaper at school.

We opened the Pond on Mother's Day!

Lots of baseball practice at the Pond


Lots of swimming at the Pond


We also hosted a Derby Party- will share a few recipes in my next post.





Wrote by Home of a Magnolia
We have been going wide open for the last few weeks.  So blessed to have enjoyed a very special Easter with family and friends.

We found out at the end of last week that our favorite guy received a 1st Place Writing Award for his school.  He has been taking the state mandated test for his grade and practicing baseball three-four nights a week.  Looking forward to taking my folding chair to the ball field.

Happy Easter from my sweet girl!

1st picture with the Easter Bunny- age 6

Helping prepare the eggs for one of the many egg hunts during the weekend.

Celebrate Jesus on Easter Sunday!

It isn't really Easter unless you dye eggs.
Wrote by Home of a Magnolia
Last Sunday evening, I found the most entertaining new television show on Lifetime- Glamour Belles.  As a young southern girl I enjoyed being in pageants so the situations in this show seem so familiar.  If you haven't ever been in one and gotten something out of it besides winning you might not understand.  I found pageants to be a great way to develop stage presence as well as interview skills.  These skills help me in my career today and I will never regret performing on the stage.  People can say what they want, but most of those young ladies in pageants really enjoy it.  This show highlights a dress shop in Union City Tennessee.  The owner dresses many pageant contestants as they work towards their crowns.  I think it comes on Wednesday nights at 10 pm (eastern)so check it out.

One of the three Supergirls

This week as I anticipated my little glamour belle's first dance competition, I made the all important trip to Sally's Beauty Supply to stock up on the necessities- spray tan, false eyelashes, black eyeliner, bronzer, red lipstick and blue eyeshadow.  My daughter was so excited about her tan (not really noticable), even though you couldn't really see it. The garage is a great spray tanning booth just in case you ever need one.  I was told by our instructor to buy spray glitter for her hair and skin, but I could not find this product.  When I went into Walgreens to inquire the person I asked was as lost as I was.  We ended up getting some from our teacher, but we will be more prepared next time.  I borrowed a curling iron since I haven't used one since high school.  I know you can't believe people go to all this trouble for pageants and dance competitions, but it is helpful to the overall look in costume.

We loaded up on Sunday to head to the competition.  Once we arrived (several hours early) our sweetie wanted to get dressed right away as she was extremely focused.  Hubby and I convinced her to watch some of the other performers, but she wasn't very patient as she was ready to get dressed.  We headed up stairs to paint her face, tease the hair and apply false eyelashes.  After hearing horror stories from a few of the mamas about how their daughters reacted to these luscious lashes, I wasn't very excited.  I must say my sweetie is a pro.  We applied them without a problem.  Her quote "Mama, this is not bad at all".  I must agree- so much easier than applying her mascara.  Once we arrived back in the auditorium she cheered on her classmates until the time came for she and her partners to perform.

These little glamour belles have practiced for months to become the sassiest "Supergirls" as they dance to Hannah Montana's Supergirl.  Let me just say- they rocked the stage on Saturday evening.  These little girls had attitude and it oozed from every bone of their body.  While many other acts were timid and did not come past half stage, these little glamour belles got right in the faces of the judges and shook their fingers and hips as they performed the steps they had been taught. 

During the awards ceremony we were excited to learn they had earned gold "excel" medals and the highest score for their division.  Since this was the first competiton for all of them we were overjoyed.  We headed home as soon as it was over.  This morning we prepared for an Easter Egg Hunt, but received a call a little after Noon with more good news.  Our little Supergirls won another award "Most Entertaing" for the entire competition (over 200 performances).  This morning the large group performances occurred and this award was given out during their ceremony.  WOW, What a weekend!  Little sweetie is already planning the song and dance for next year.  We are very proud of all of her hard work. 

At this point you might clump me in with all of those Toddlers and Tiaras' mothers- I'm not sure I fit the bill because I've only seen the show once.  I am a proud mom.  As a parent you wouldn't give a child taking violin lessons a piece of junk violin.  You would arm him with something that would make beautiful music.  I did the same with all of the glam supplies- I armed my sweetie with the best look possible- so judge if you must.   If my sweetie ever seems disinterested we will seek another outlet, but for now she is hooked.  Just as many parents encourage sports, music or other lessons, we will continue to support her love of dance.  As for all of the glamour that goes into getting the perfect look for the competition, I think it really impacts their stage prescence.  I saw many girls that could have used more make-up, a tan and some lashes- not to mention- someone hasn't told them not to wear underwear under those outfits.  It looks awful for your panties to hang out.  If you are going to hit the stage you must play the part and play it well.  What about the glitter?- even hubby said he understands why they need it now- it really does help them simmer under the lights.  No pageants in our future, but dance, dance, dance!
My Sports Fanatic- no shimmer for him

While all of this was going on Sonny Boy got to see a little spring football with his grandparents.  Go Dawgs-we would have been there, but we can't be two places at one time!!!  He would have been bored out of his mind at the dance competition, but he was so sweet to email me during the event to find out how his "Sissy" did on stage.  He is gearing up for baseball season.  Can't wait to take my lawn chair out to  the ball park and watch my boy.

After an eventful day and a half we enjoyed the annual Easter Egg Hunt at a friend's farm.
We have waited six years for this pic- only pic we have of our sweetie with the Easter Bunny.  She does not like clowns or things in costume.
Sonny Boy has decided he is too old to hunt so he helped hide the eggs.  Sissy said, "give me some hints on the eggs". 

Wrote by Home of a Magnolia
A spring break playdate

I'm continuing to post a few recipes I tried over spring break.  This is a sweet treat we shared with guest during playtime at our house.  Hope you enjoy.  Feel free to add ingredients and try variations according to what you have on hand.

Strawberry Limeade

2 cups water
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon grated lime
1 cup fresh lime juice
1 pint fresh strawberries
Sprite
lime, mint or whatever you have to garnish

Puree the strawberries in a blender or food processor.  Heat the water and sugar in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves.  Add the strawberries, grated lime and lime juice.  Allow to cool.  Poor ingredients into a one gallon pitcher and fill with Sprite.  Add ice and serve.

Note to readers-  Due to busy schedules we eat our fair share of frozen pizza and fast food just like most families, but spring break allows me to time to spend time in my favorite room of the house-my kitchen.  I believe in truth in blogging- so I want to make sure you know we are just like many families.
Wrote by Home of a Magnolia
Earlier this week Beth Dunn at Social Climbers tweeted a question asking fellow tweeters what they thought about the Real Housewives of Miami reunion show.  Until this past Sunday or Monday night, I had never seen an episode of any of the "real housewives".  We don't have Bravo on our cable package and we choose not to purchase satellite service.  Some might think I have deprived myself, but after watching one episode I've decided I can live without it.  Please continue to enjoy if you like it.  My comment to Beth was "they seem like a bunch of retired Vegas showgirls".  I realize this entire franchise of shows was titled as a play on Desperate Housewives.  I enjoy reality tv as much as the next person, but I worry our young people are getting a distorted view of reality- noveau riche style.  I'm not sure I agree with the character Jim Williams from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil- he said, "Yes, I am "nouveau riche," but then, it's the "riche" that counts, now isn't it?"
We are celebrating spring.
Our neighborhood is bursting with blooms.
Back to reality-This week is spring break at our house.  Hubby is getting to spend the week with us.  We visited my parents and now we have spent a few days at home.  After a year of nagging, my hubby finally sanded and painted the railing on our back porch.  I thought I would reward him with a week of homemade meals and dessert- recipes will start today and be posted over the next few days.  Today he enjoyed a round of golf while the children and I entertained friends.  Before our friends arrived, my daughter and I spent the morning cutting fresh flowers to put in vases throughout the house.  The children and I also enjoyed decorating our Easter tree with lots of paper mache eggs as well as small wooden ornaments.

A year later plus a week of good food.

Porch Painting Recipe #1- Homemade Pulled Pork

1 Boston Butt
1/2 cup white vinegar
BBQ sauce of choice

Place Boston Butt and vinegar in a crockpot.  Turn temperature to high and cook for 5 hours.  After five hours begin to pull pork with a fork- it should shred easily.  Continue to cook on LOW for 1 to 2 more hours.  Just before serving drain liquid from pot and place dry meat in the  pot to keep warm.  Serve on buns with your favorite BBQ sauce.

Margarita Pound Cake and Strawberry Limemade (will share drink recipe in another post)
Porch Painting Recipe #2- Margarita Pound Cake

1 cup butter, softenened
1/2 crisco vegetable shortening
3 cups sugar
6 large eggs
3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp grated lime peel
1/4 cup key lime juice

Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
2 TBSP key lime juice
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp tequilla

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Grease and flour a bundt pan.  Beat butter and shortening with an electric mixer.  Add sugar gradually until light and fluffy.  Add eggs 1 at a time, beating after each addition.  Stir together dry ingredients.  Add to the butter mixture, alternating with milk.  Beat after each addition.  Stir in vanilla, lime peel and lime juice.  Poor batter into the bundt pan and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.  Prepare glaze- place ingredients in a bowl and mix.  Cool cake for 15 minutes before inverting and removing from the pan.  Drizzle with the glaze and serve.

Coming up:  Strawberry Limeade, Grits Cakes (what do you do with leftover grits)
Wrote by Home of a Magnolia
We are enjoying a much anticipated break from school and work.  I plan to do some cooking over the next few days so I'll share my recipes.    Here are a few fun pics of our spring break activities.
Lunch at Nu-Way.  If you ever visit Macon- stop by the old Cotton St. location.  Oprah visited Nu-way when she filmed her show in Macon.  Hotdogs with all the toppings are the favorite along with the sweet tea with shaved ice.

My little one puckers up for the relatives coming to visit.  If you know anything about growning up in the south, our sweet female relatives love red lipstick and powdery perfumes.  This sweet one planned to brand the ladies just as they brand her.

The Milk Make Event at the 4-H office- making the Chocomint shake


This is the view from our breakfast room.  Our neighborhood is absolutely gorgeous- many shades of pink and white.  This pink dogwood is the centerpiece of our landscape.
Wrote by Home of a Magnolia
While enjoying a quiet house and visiting other blogs, I found this fun test.  Enjoy!

The Rebel-Yankee test:   http://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/yankeetest_advanced.html
Wrote by Home of a Magnolia
Newer Posts Older Posts Home

LATEST POSTS

  • Wow! I Love Your Blog!
    I’ve been awarded the “I love your blog” award by Bevy at It’s A Golden Day . Some of you might have read my post about meeting Bevy recentl...
  • Produce and Dancing- Typical Small Town Day
    Tuesday is my dear daughter's dance and gymnastics day.  Every Tuesday we head to the local beauty salon to take dance.  Strange I know?...
  • Red Boots Go With Everything
    In case you didn't know red boots go with everything or at least my daughter thinks so. Somehow she convinced her daddy she needed a pa...
  • More Spring Break Fun and Meeting Bevy
    Today, we made the trip to Camden, South Carolina to visit a family friend at Cool Springs Plantation for lunch. Our friend Gaffney lives in...
  • What a Week!
    Our friends' wedding was beautiful.  The entire family had a great time.  My sweet daughter danced every song from beginning to end.  We...
  • Honest Scrap
    Thanks so much to The Bray Bunch for the Honest Scrap Award.  I hope I always live up to this expectation.  As the receipent of the award I...
  • My Favorite Things
    In my last post I encouraged some blogger friends to participate in a version of  "My Favorite Things".  We will not be doing any ...
  • Trip to See the Grandparents
    During the first few days of spring break the kiddos and I made a trip to visit my parents. My son and my dad went bowling-my son won! I spe...
  • Turkey Panini
    Thank goodness my family only eats turkey once as we make our way from house to house during the Thanksgiving holidays, but some eat it ov...
  • Where's the Romance
    We are taking part in a family friend's wedding this weekend.  The festivities began last night as we attend the rehearsal dinner.  Food...

Categories

  • Dance 2
  • First sewing project 1
  • Jewelry 1
  • recipes 29

Advertisement


Visit Southern Mommas
Powered by Blogger.

About Me

My photo
Home of a Magnolia
Native of small southern town and still living in a small southern town. Happily married to my college sweetheart and raising two busy children. I love my work as an educator, but in my spare time I love to COOK!
View my complete profile

Subscribe To

Posts
Atom
Posts
All Comments
Atom
All Comments

Followers

Blog Archive

  • ▼  2017 (2)
    • ▼  January (2)
      • This week...
      • 2017
  • ►  2016 (2)
    • ►  December (2)
  • ►  2013 (13)
    • ►  July (1)
    • ►  April (1)
    • ►  March (5)
    • ►  February (2)
    • ►  January (4)
  • ►  2012 (21)
    • ►  December (7)
    • ►  November (6)
    • ►  October (2)
    • ►  August (1)
    • ►  July (1)
    • ►  June (4)
  • ►  2011 (58)
    • ►  December (12)
    • ►  November (10)
    • ►  August (1)
    • ►  July (4)
    • ►  June (3)
    • ►  May (5)
    • ►  April (6)
    • ►  March (5)
    • ►  February (5)
    • ►  January (7)
  • ►  2010 (74)
    • ►  December (6)
    • ►  November (7)
    • ►  October (6)
    • ►  September (5)
    • ►  August (4)
    • ►  July (4)
    • ►  June (8)
    • ►  May (6)
    • ►  April (11)
    • ►  March (3)
    • ►  February (8)
    • ►  January (6)
  • ►  2009 (28)
    • ►  December (2)
    • ►  November (3)
    • ►  October (5)
    • ►  September (1)
    • ►  August (7)
    • ►  July (10)

My Favorite Blogs

  • Mix and Match Mama
    Sweater Weather FALL HAUL {2026 Edition} - Happy TUESDAY, friends! I hope you had a wonderful Labor Day Weekend! Today, I have MEAL PLANNING TUESDAY + it’s my annual… Yup. Every. Single. September...
    2 days ago
  • Pinterest Told Me To
    SALES! SALES! SALES! - Okay, y’all. There are A LOT of Labor Day sales happening right now, and I know it can be totally overwhelming trying to figure out what’s actually worth...
    2 days ago
  • Tobi Fairley
    My Favorite Holiday Things: Décor, Gifts, and Traditions I Adore - The holidays are here, and if you’re anything like me, you’re juggling a million things while trying to channel your inner Martha Stewart—minus the priso...
    1 year ago
  • The Dowdy's Doings ~
    More of Jackson’s Trip - Long time coming, but here are a few more pictures from our trip! The food was SO incredible! Jackson loves to try things, so we tried it ALL! Now that ...
    1 year ago
  • COTE DE TEXAS
    PLEASE UPDATE THE RSS FEED - The RSS feed URL you're currently using https://follow.it/cotedetexas will stop working shortly. Please add /rss at the and of the URL, so that the URL w...
    2 years ago
  • Miss Janice
    What Happens When the Queen Dies? - [image: See the source image] *Update: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died today. It is a day that I have dreaded for so long. Today begins the 12 days of...
    4 years ago
  • Kelly's Korner
    Park City Utah - When we first had babies, one of my dreams was that when they each turned 13 - I wanted to take them on a special trip - just them and Scott and I. I wa...
    4 years ago
  • Savvy Southern Style
    Spring Tour in the Sun Room - The sun room has gone through a couple of changes again with a new jute rug and a colorful textured ottoman that I just love. Oh, and some color has retur...
    6 years ago
  • Rebecca Lang Cooks
    16 Tips for Grocery Store Etiquette - I believe the two groups that frequent the grocery store the most are those that work in food and women with children. That leaves me in both groups and n...
    7 years ago
  • Kitchen Belleicious
    Classic Crab Cakes with Remoulade Sauce - Most everyone has had a crab cake at some point in their life. Crab cakes are easy to make and easy to eat. They are perfect all by themselves and even bet...
    8 years ago
  • *Mom*of*Redheads
    The Way I Remember It... - Every Christmas night since forever, I’ve always been blessed enough to sit around somebody’s fireplace. After the whirlwind of gifts are opened and I’ve ...
    8 years ago
  • Home of a Magnolia
    2017 -
    9 years ago
  • Mix and Match Family
    Norway & Netherlands 2016: Days 8-10 - All week I've been recapping our family's summer vacation to the Netherlands and Norway...and today is my last post on days 8 through 10 (whew!). It's ...
    10 years ago
  • One Fabulous Mom
    How Long Does It Take To Make a Tech Break STICK? - *It takes 3 days. Just 3 days.* *Day 1, They're still asking, begging for TV and electronics.* *Day 2, Negotiation, lawyering, asking for screen time.* *D...
    10 years ago
  • Reggie Darling
    Reggie's Return - Hello Dear Reader. After a one year and one month absence, I am pleased to return to the Blogosphere, and to pick up with you where I left off. It has be...
    11 years ago
  • Pagoda Press
    Gift Wrapping - Anyone who knows me knows I love to wrap gifts. Just scored this leopard wrapping paper for $1.50 and these adorable Timree cards (6/$1.50) at Michaels. I ...
    11 years ago
  • Town and Country Mom
    Gone to the Dogs - Who doesn't love a handsome coffee table book? Especially this time of year, when there seems to be a little more time to page through the extravagant tom...
    11 years ago
  • the entertaining house
    Our new website - Click on the image to take you to the new site! Don't forget to add us to your daily reading and blogroll! Our new website address is www.jessicagordonrya...
    11 years ago
  • Alabama Southern Living
    - [image: Click to play this Smilebox greeting] [image: Create your own greeting - Powered by Smilebox] Create a digital greeting card
    14 years ago
  • Lagniappes Latest
    Summer Break & Back to school - Good afternoon friends [image: Smile] We will be closed from July 22nd through August 5th for summer break. I realize this cuts it close for back to sc...
    15 years ago
  • Kyndall In The Kitchen
    -
  • Angel Pie Designs
    -
  • Our life in the Bluegrass...
    -
  • Annechovie
    -
  • create the life you love
    -

Popular Posts

  • Wow! I Love Your Blog!
    I’ve been awarded the “I love your blog” award by Bevy at It’s A Golden Day . Some of you might have read my post about meeting Bevy recentl...
  • Produce and Dancing- Typical Small Town Day
    Tuesday is my dear daughter's dance and gymnastics day.  Every Tuesday we head to the local beauty salon to take dance.  Strange I know?...
  • Red Boots Go With Everything
    In case you didn't know red boots go with everything or at least my daughter thinks so. Somehow she convinced her daddy she needed a pa...
  • More Spring Break Fun and Meeting Bevy
    Today, we made the trip to Camden, South Carolina to visit a family friend at Cool Springs Plantation for lunch. Our friend Gaffney lives in...
  • What a Week!
    Our friends' wedding was beautiful.  The entire family had a great time.  My sweet daughter danced every song from beginning to end.  We...
  • Honest Scrap
    Thanks so much to The Bray Bunch for the Honest Scrap Award.  I hope I always live up to this expectation.  As the receipent of the award I...
  • My Favorite Things
    In my last post I encouraged some blogger friends to participate in a version of  "My Favorite Things".  We will not be doing any ...
  • Trip to See the Grandparents
    During the first few days of spring break the kiddos and I made a trip to visit my parents. My son and my dad went bowling-my son won! I spe...
  • Turkey Panini
    Thank goodness my family only eats turkey once as we make our way from house to house during the Thanksgiving holidays, but some eat it ov...
  • Where's the Romance
    We are taking part in a family friend's wedding this weekend.  The festivities began last night as we attend the rehearsal dinner.  Food...

recent posts

Flickr Images

FOLLOW US @ INSTAGRAM

Copyright © 2016 Home of a Magnolia. Designed by OddThemes & Blogger Templates