Saturday, February 28, 2009

3/1 A Southern Daydreamer Week in Review

This weeks posts: (clicking on post title will open link in a new window)

We had 47 participants in Outdoor Wednesday !  I want to thank again the following for posting (clicking on their name will take you to their Outdoor Wednesday post): kathy b, ellen b, Pat, Kathy, Tam, Charlotte, Claudie, SheilaBeth, Olive Rue, Tracy, Cindy, Paula, Christine, Maryrosecielo, Catherine, Vicki, Carolyn, Joyce, Coty, Lorrie, LindaChris, carolinajewel, Janie, Donna, Terri, Megan, sue, LisaKathy, Cam, Diane, Jeanne, Sylvia, Mary, Bo, Kim, Karen
kari and kijsa, terriedj, Lana, Becky, Judybug, Helen, Yira

Comment Questions Answered: (no questions this week!)

I enjoyed reading all the comments left by everyone. It is very humbling to get compliments from the bloggers whom I have admired for a long time and who are the inspiration behind me finally starting my very own blog!

A Southern Daydreamer Visitors: Thank you to all  the visitors who left wonderful comments this week: Ahrisha, Alaura, Alfazema, Alisa, Amy, Anita, Ann, April, Barb, Barbara Jean,  Beth, Betty, Betty Jo, Belinda, BJ, Blog S, Bo, Cam, Candy, Caren, Cass, Catherine, Cathy, ceekay, Chandy, Cherry, Chris, Christine, Cielo, Cindy, Claudie, Cynthia, Coty, Dawn, Dawnie, Deb, Debbie, Deba, Diane, Diane W, domesticdesigner, Donna, Elaine, Elizabeth, Ellen B, envoy-ette, Felicia, Fifi, Foley, Gabriela, Gina, Glenda, Gloria, Gollum, Heidi, Helen, Irma, Jane, Janie, Jayne, Jeanne, Jennie, Jewel, Joyce, Judi, Judy, JudyBug, JyLnC, Karen, Kari & Kijsa, Kathleen, Kathleen E, Kathy, Kathy B, Kelly, Kim, Knitty, Koleen, Kris, Kristen, Kristie R, Lady Katherine, Kathleen M, Kristie R, Lady Loves Cake, Lana, Lana G, Laura, Laurie, LdyDyLuvsCake, Leann, Lidy, Linda, Linda/Mom, Linda Q, Lisa, Llyn, Loretta, Lori, Lorri, Lorrie, Lynda, Mari, Marian Elizabeth, Marie, Martha, Marty. Mary, Mary Rose, Melissa M, Michelle, Mimi, Mojo, Molly, MyRoseRetreat, MyThoughtsMyVpice, Nancy Jaane, Nicole, Olive Rue, Pat, Pat W, Patti, Patty S, pcb, Rechelle, Riet, Roberta Anne, Robyn, Rose, Sally, Sara, Sara D, Sarah, Sheila, Sheila W, Sheri, Sherri S, Sherrie, Stacey, Sue, Susan, Sweetie, Tam, Tammy, tar devil, Terri, Terrie, Theresa, Tracy, Vanessa, Victoria, WesternWoodburner, Yira, Zoey

I appreciate all of the wonderful things you had to say! I hope you all will stop by again soon!

I host “Outdoor Wednesday”! Learn more about it HERE

Outdoor Wednesday logo

Friday, February 27, 2009

2/28 Pink Saturday

Pink Saturday It’s time for Pink Saturday, hosted by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound. Be sure to visit Beverly's blog to see a complete list of all the participants in today's Pink Saturday. (clicking on picture will open a link to her site in a new window)

Look what I found at Marshalls! Can you say cute?

PS5a

and look at my Valentine’s day stargazer lilies….

  PS5b

still more blooms yet to bloom…. and they smell heavenly!

PS5c

Thanks for stopping by and visiting my blog and don't forget to visit Beverly’s blog How Sweet the Sound to see more pink!

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Thursday, February 26, 2009

2/27 Foodie Friday – Chicken Salad

Foodie Friday Logo 2 Gollum at Designs by Gollum is the hostess for “Foodie Friday” (clicking on the logo on the right will take you to her site)

Today I am sharing my chicken salad recipe. I don’t think I have ever made chicken salad the exact same twice! 

FOSSSE01

I start with the basic ingredients:

  • 1/2  cup  light or regular mayonnaise
  • 1/2  cup  light or regular sour cream
  • 1  tablespoon  fresh lemon juice
  • 1  teaspoon  salt
  • 1/2  teaspoon  pepper
  • 2  pounds  chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
  • 3  cups  red and white seedless grapes, halved
  • 1  cup  chopped pecans, toasted
  • Lettuce leaves (optional)

Stir together first five ingredients in a large bowl. Add chopped chicken and grapes, tossing gently to coat. Cover and chill at least 1 hour. Stir in pecans just before serving.

Variations (other stuff that often gets tossed in):

  • Chopped green onion
  • raisins or dried cranberries (instead of grapes)
  • walnuts or cashews (instead of pecans)
  • celery
  • sweet relish
  • instead of salt and pepper, any combination of seasoned salt, onion salt/powder, garlic salt/powder (whatever I each in and grab out of my spice drawer)

What is in you favorite chicken salad? I recently found an apricot chicken salad I want to try (I’ll let you know after I try it)

Thanks for visiting my blog. Visit Gollum at Designs by Gollum for more “Foodie Friday” participants.

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Wednesday, February 25, 2009

2/26 Tablescape Thursday

Let’s go into the dining room and find a place to sit down and join me in Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan and her blog Between Naps on the Porch.

Time for a little Spring on the table……

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some daffodils……….

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a simple place setting….

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and a “sunny” dinner plate! (I’ not sure why the last 2 photos are so dark!)

 Feb26place2  

I am ready for Spring! Aren’t you?

Thanks for stopping by and visiting my Tablescape Thursday and don't forget to visit Susan's blog Between Naps on the Porch to see more wonderful table settings!

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009

2/25 Outdoor Wednesday

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Today is the “Outdoor Wednesday”. What is “Outdoor Wednesday”?

Every Wednesday participants will be posting pictures of anything outdoor on their blog.  It can be something outside of your home such as your porch, deck, patio, garden or lawn. Your photo can be outdoor shots of the beach, forest or mountains. (We don’t want to exclude anyone who might not have a yard). Or, you could simply post pictures of a favorite plant or flower. Only rule is it has to be outside!

To participate:

1. POST- Post your outdoor photos and the Outdoor Wednesday logo/button on your blog and link back to  http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/ so that others will be able to find all the links to other Outdoor Wednesday posts.

2. (Optional) PLACE LOGO - Place the Outdoor Wednesday logo/button on the sidebar of your blog. It lets others know you will be participating in future Outdoor Wednesdays.

Reminder: Do NOT link in until after your post is up.

3. LINK NAME & PERMALINK- Go to A Southern Daydreamer and enter your name and the Permalink to your post (NOT your general blog address) in “Mr. Linky”.

  • Why use a permalink instead of your general blog address? A permalink points to a specific blog post after it has passed from the front page to the archives. It will make it easier for readers to find your Outdoor Wednesday posts whenever they get a chance to visit.
  • To create a Permalink: Either 1) right click on Outdoor Wednesday post and “Copy Shortcut/Link Location” or 2) click on your Outdoor Wednesday post title and copy the URL from the http window.
  • Copy your permalink into “Mr. Linky” URL box next to your name and select ENTER. You are finished. You should see your name listed on my site.

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While outside over the weekend I searched for signs of “new life” in my yard. I had almost given up when I spotted something move on a tree nearby. I had to look closely because he blends into the tree…..

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He was sitting in a sunny spot……. enjoying the warmth….

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and when the sun went behind the clouds….he turned and ran back down the tree trunk……

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and went home? (I hope he comes back)

And my flowering plum tree at the street is almost finished blooming….

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The blooms are stating to blow away with the wind……

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I am ready for more signs of Spring!

Don’t forget to visit other Outdoor Wednesday participants by clicking on their links. Check back later to make certain you visit all the Outdoor Wednesday participants.

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Updated: Commenting and Followers problems

COMMENTING

I have been having trouble leaving comments the last few days……. so I googled (searched) for a solution …..

comment problems

From Known Issues for Blogger (Monday, February 23, 2009):

The word verification form is currently failing to load for some users. As a temporary workaround, you can disable word verification from the Settings | Comments tab. We're working on a fix now, and apologize for the inconvenience.

I have removed word verification from comments for now.

Instructions on how….

  1. Select Customize (top right of screen)
  2. Select Settings (tab on left under name of blog)
  3. Select Comments (under settings tab)
  4. Select “never” under comment verification
  5. Save settings

For those of you who see a noticeable decrease in comments….this may be your problem too…….

FOLLOWERS

For those of you who see a noticeable decrease in followers or blogs you follows….this may be your problem…….

Known Issues Blogger (Monday, February 23, 2009):

We are in the process of integrating with Google Friend Connect, which may temporarily affect the Following feature for some users. Specifically, users who already use Following and Friend Connect may notice missing blogs in their profile, as well as a decrease in the number of public Followers on their blogs. This is because we have set these users to "anonymous" to avoid linking the profiles of Blogger and Friend Connect users without their permission. They are still following privately and will able to make themselves public again. After the official launch of the Friend Connect integration, we will communicate with the affected users and instruct them how to reset their relationship to public. To reiterate: the number of Followers has not changed, and we believe that the launch will improve the visibility of your blog and community. We will post more details on Blogger Buzz as the launch approaches.

Blogger and Google Friend Connect combining…. issues should be worked out when they are finished……

Hope this helps!

Monday, February 23, 2009

2/24 Three or More Tuesday

ThreeOrMoreTuesdayLogo Tam at The Gypsy’s Corner is the hostess for “Three or More Tuesday” (clicking on the logo on the right will take you to her site)

Today I am sharing “three or more” Aunts and Uncles!

Growing up, I had no aunts or uncles (both my parents were only children). I was thrilled when I married my husband and found out my husband’s father was one of seven children and his mom was one of eleven children (wow)!

Here is a picture of my mother-in-law with her siblings (picture taken in the 1970s)….

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and a picture of my father-in-law with his siblings (not sure when this was taken)….

family1

So, I went from NO Aunts or Uncles…to MANY….and lots of cousins…… and family reunions (once or twice a year) are wonderful….FULL of kind and caring family members!

Thanks for visiting my blog. Visit Tam at The Gypsy’s Corner. for more Three or More Tuesday participants.

Reminder: Wednesday is “Outdoor Wednesday”! (Post will be up by 11:00 pm EST on Tuesday night) Learn More about Outdoor Wednesday visit HERE.

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Sunday, February 22, 2009

2/23 Blue Monday

bluemonday Today is Blue Monday hosted by Sally at Smiling Sally. Don’t forget to visit her site to see links to more participants!

Today I am going to share blue toile! One day, I’d love to have a room with some blue toile in it!

BM8- ToileRusticLife-blue

BM8-toile1 BM8-Country Life toile BM8-Jamestown toile

BM8- BlueToile

BM8- BlueToile1

Thanks for stopping by and visiting my blog ……

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Calling Georgia Bloggers….. update

Last month I created the Georgia Friends Award for my fellow Georgia bloggers…. Look at all the bloggers who have stopped by and said “Hi”!

Ga Friends

If you are a blogger from Georgia……

  1. Leave a Comment below so I can add you to the list!
  2. Put the award on your blog or post.
  3. Pass it along to to other Georgia bloggers
  4. Ask them to stop by my blog and say hello http://asoutherndaydream.blogspot.com (so I can add them to the list too!)

Georgia Blogger Friends

Note: I keep an updated list of Georgia Bloggers who visit my blog HERE

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Sisterhood Award

I received a late Valentine’s Day gift from Ann at Life at Ann's Place  and Susan at The Good Life this week!

They BOTH gave me the Sisterhood Award! Thank you Ann and Susan! I am honored that you felt me deserving of this award!

sisterhoodaward from Ann of Life at Anns Place February 2009

Ann summed up the Sisterhood Award and “our the blogging world” on her blog (and I want to share what she said with all off you)………

“Sometimes, I just cannot believe what an awesome world our blogging world really is. We need to go out and teach the world how to get along happily,don't you think?Everybody here in our new world cares about one another and shows it.WE pray for each other and help each other through hard times and happy times.When there's a problem,here every
one comes.Sometimes you wonder,how did they know so fast?I just love my new world ladies.and I want to thank you all from the very bottom of my heart.We all are carrying some kind of burden,whether it's our own or a loved ones.It is so GRAND to always know we ALL are here to catch each other when we fall.”

I would like to give the award to the following lovely ladies:

And the rules…….

  1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
  2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
  3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
  4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
  5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award

Thanks again Ann and Susan!

2/22 A Southern Daydreamer Week in Review

This weeks posts: (clicking on post title will open link in a new window)

We had 54 participants in the Outdoor Wednesday !  I want to thank again the following for posting (clicking on their name will take you to their Outdoor Wednesday post): Kathy, Tam, Ellen b , Sue, Karen, Maryrose, Olive Rue, Sheila, Candy, Claudie, Kathy b, Really Rainey, CindyBo, Charlotte, Donna, Fifi, Gollum, Judybug, Joyce, BethMamapippa, Kathleen, Judith, Jeanne, Patti Cakes, CamJanie, Stacey, Lori, Kathy, Terri, Megan, Cami, Alisa, ChrisMelissa, Lana, Carolyn, Lisa, Becky, April, Jackiesantamaker, Jain, Queenie, Cindy, Helen, KatherinellenDonna, Nicole, Coty, Cass, Elizabeth

Comment Questions Answered: (no questions this week!)

I enjoyed reading all the comments left by everyone. It is very humbling to get compliments from the bloggers whom I have admired for a long time and who are the inspiration behind me finally starting my very own blog!

A Southern Daydreamer Visitors: Thank you to all  the visitors who left wonderful comments this week: Alaura, Alice, Alisa, Amy, Ann, April, Ashley, Beth, Betty, BJ, Bo, Bobbi Jo, Cam, Cami, Candy, Caren, Carlotta, Carie, Carolyn, Carrie, Cass, Catherine, CC, Charlotte, Chloe Patricia, Chris, Christine,Cindy, Claudie, Coty, Cyndi, Cynthia, Dawn, Dawnie, Deb, Debra, Debbie, Diane, Diane W, Donna, Elaine, Elizabeth, Ellen B, envoy-ette, Erin, Felicia, Fifi, Fitty, Foley, Gabriela, Glenda, Gloria, Gollum, Heidi, Helen, Helene, Jackie, Jain, Jane, Janet, Janie, Jeanne, Jennifer, Jenny S, Jessica, Jewel,  Joyce, Judi, Judith, Judith S,  JudyBug, Karen, Kathleen, Kathleen E, Kathy, Kathy B, Katy, Kelly, Kolleen, Kris, Kymber, Lady Jane, Lady Katherine, lagirl, Lana, Lana G, Laurie, Leora, Linda, Linnea, Lisa, Lorie, Lynne, M, Manuela, Mari, Marie, Marty, Mary, Mary Rose, Melissa M, Melissa W, Michelle, Mimi, Mishelle, Miss Janice, Missy, Mo, Molly, Mojo, Monica, Mumzie, Nancy, Nicole, Olive Rue, Pat, Patti, Queenie, Rainey, Riet, Roberta Anne, Robin, Robyn, Rose, Sally, SNDI, Sara D, Sarah, Sheila, Sheila T, Sheila W, Sherrie, Shirl, Silver, Sue, Susan, Sweetie, Tam, Tammy, Terri, Terry, Tristan, Victoria,  Wendy

I appreciate all of the wonderful things you had to say! I hope you all will stop by again soon!

I host “Outdoor Wednesday”! Learn more about it HERE

Outdoor Wednesday logo

Friday, February 20, 2009

2/21 Pink Saturday

Pink Saturday  It’s Pink Saturday, hosted by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound. Be sure to visit Beverly's blog to see a complete list of all the participants in today's Pink Saturday. (clicking on picture will open a link to her site in a new window)

Today I am sharing pictures of some of the pink roses in my yard. Right now, of course, they have no green on them…but look what I have to look forward to in early summer!

Pink knock out roses…..

Pink Knockout Rose

Pink Simplicity hedge roses…

pink simlicity hedge rose

Abraham Darby English roses…….

abraham darby english rose   

Bishops Castle English rose……

bishop's caastle english rose

English Cottage roses……

Enlish cottage ose

Gertrude Jekyll roses…..

Gertrude Jekyll

Heaven on Earth floribunda roses…..

heaven on earth floribunda rose

and Heritage roses……

Heritage Rose

Thanks for stopping by and visiting my blog and don't forget to visit Beverly’s blog How Sweet the Sound to see more pink!

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Thursday, February 19, 2009

Foodie Friday

Foodie Friday Logo 2 Today I am participating in the very first “Foodie Friday” which is hosted by Gollum at Designs by Gollum. (clicking on the logo on the left will take you to her site)

What is “Foodie Friday”? Well, it is like Outdoor Wednesday (anything outside) but it is with food (anything food). There are more details at Gollum’s site, so head over and check it out!

Since I am a Georgia girl, I simply have to spotlight one of my favorite Southern cook’s recipes…. Paula Deen….. I love her…she makes cooking fun!

This recipe is really easy!

Paula Deen’s Southern Fried Chicken

 

 Ingredients:

  • 3 eggs
  • 1/3 cup water
  • About 1 cup hot red pepper sauce (Texas Pete)
  • 2 cups self-rising flour
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • House seasoning, recipe follows
  • 1 (1 to 2 1/2-pound) chicken, cut into pieces
  • Oil, for frying, preferably peanut oil

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Yield: 6-8 servings

Directions: In a medium size bowl, beat the eggs with the water. Add enough hot sauce so the egg mixture is bright orange. In another bowl, combine the flour and pepper. Season the chicken with the house seasoning. Dip the seasoned chicken in the egg, and then coat well in the flour mixture.

Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a deep pot. Do not fill the pot more than 1/2 full with oil. Fry the chicken in the oil until brown and crisp. Dark meat takes longer then white meat. It should take dark meat about 13 to 14 minutes, white meat around 8 to 10 minutes.

House Seasoning: Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

  • 1 cup salt
  • 1/4 cup black pepper
  • 1/4 cup garlic powder

paula_deenFor more on Paula Deen: (click on links)

Thanks for visiting my blog. Visit Gollum at Designs by Gollum for more “Foodie Friday” participants.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

2/19 Tablescape Thursday

It’s time for  Tablescape Thursday hosted by Susan and her blog Between Naps on the Porch. Today I am showing some pictures of our Valentine’s day table this year……

Valentines2009table

Of course, the centerpiece was the Stargazer Lilies that my sweet husband got me for Valentine’s day…….

Valentines2009centerpiece

and the place settings…. use a Valentine salad plate (which I got at Marshalls for a couple dollars each)……

Valentines2009place

and some Blue Spode collection plates….each with a different scene…..

Valentines2009plate1

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Valentines2009plate3 Valentines2009plate4

Thanks for stopping by and visiting my Tablescape Thursday and don't forget to visit Susan's blog Between Naps on the Porch to see more wonderful table settings!

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