treats from pebble hill plantation

Just up the road in my old backyard... One of my favorite cookbooks is Feast of Pleasure from the Kitchens of Pebble Hill Plantation (PHP) by Jean Hagan Johnson. When I was living in Tallahassee, Florida, covering the political scene, Pebble Hill was a nice escape from the hectic world of my crazy newsroom. Pebble Hill, located in Thomasville, Georgia, is my favorite antebellum home in the region and tours are provided Tuesday through Sunday. More than a decade ago, I was on the planning committee for the Junior League of Tallahassee's Summer Soiree at Pebble Hill. It was an amazing event! This time I brought a bit of PHP back with me packaged nicely in this amazing cookbook. Not only does it provide the most delicious Southern recipes, it also gives the historical aspect behind certain dishes, including the proper way to prepare a pork dish from hog pen to the the dinner table. You simply MUST click on the above photo and read about preparing the pig! Now I enjoy taking a tour on my trips back to the Capital City of Tallahassee, which is simply 15 minutes south of Thomasville, Georgia. Until you can make it down south, enjoy this video tour of PHP. It is so full of history, including a few historic letters that you can read online.

a week of major losses-

Ed McMahon March 6, 1923 – June 23, 2009 Farrah Fawcett February 2, 1947– June 25, 2009 Michael Jackson August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009 Billy Mays July 20, 1958 – June 28, 2009

day of beauty at northpark center

If you remember Richard Gere's movie, "Dr T. & the Women", you probably know that some of it was shot inside one of our most popular malls here in Dallas, NorthPark Center. This weekend, NorthPark Center will host a "Day of Beauty" on Saturday, June 27, from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm. Their cosmetics retailers have been invited to participate and showcase their specialties at various locations throughout the shopping center.

webcast wednesday: the perfect husband

click here for the perfect husband

9 killed in washington dc metro crash

(Photo by Hans Charles/Washington Post) Growing up in Washington, D.C., Maryland & Virgina, the Red line of the Metro became a staple in our lives. My family was among the first riders the day Metro began transporting passengers all over the nation's capital. It quickly became the second-busiest rapid transit system in the United States. My heart goes out to the families of the victims in yesterday's accident.

my summer polish

For my Facebook and Twitter friends who have asked, here is your answer. The nail color that I literally obsess over during the summer is fiji by essie. Inevitably, each time I wear it, someone will ask for the name. It is a really great beach color this summer. Recently I gifted a friend of mine with some bottles of this fabulous color and it looks amazing on her! I always thought the color was a great contrast to my skin color, and after my recent trip to the Islands, it looks even better on my ultra-tanned feet and hands. To avoid growing tired of fiji, I will mix it with essie's hi-maintenance, guchi muchi puchi or need a vacation for a hint of pink. If you can't make it to Fiji this summer, your nail color by he same name can at least make you look like you did.

swastika bracelet for sale at cultural fair

As a Jewish woman, I attended a cultural arts festival today on Chicago's North Shore in search of unique Judaica items. I came across a table full of nifty leather bracelets-and then I found the one above. It was a bracelet with a picture of Bob Marley and a swastika!! Completely shocking!!

clothing for cancer patients

Chikara is a fashionable clothing line for women who have undergone surgery for a mastectomy, lumpectomy, radiation or reconstructive surgery. The clothing line is specifically designed for women with breast asymmetry. Chikara is Japanese for power, strength and energy and provides comfortable, chic designs for women during their cancer treatments. Created by NY fashion designer, Hilary Boyajian she caters to the needs of women facing prosthetic asymmetry while battling breast cancer, which is just genius! Her collection includes "the little black dress", loungewear, activewear, swimsuits and lingerie. 10 percent of Chikara's proceeds are donated to Komen Greater NYC.

sur le web mecredi: mon chanteur français préféré

VIDEO ICI Serge Gainsbourg est un chanteur stupéfiant! Nous avons visité son gravesite pendant notre dernier voyage à Paris. Sa musique est fabuleuse.

shoes by paige

By Paige makes some amazing shoes. Of course my favorite pair are the needlepoint Gator shoes. I think most people know by now what a huge Florida Gator fan I am, so the shoes just come naturally. Hopefully, I'll still be able to garner just a little bit of respect when I wear them on trips to my former residence in Tallahassee (Seminole Country). Maybe I can try to pass them off as "Prep" rather than "Gators." By Paige also offers the best representation of the Maryland blue crab, the Fox before the Hunt- ...and a tribute to man's best friend. Shoes aren't the only specialty. Needlepoint cosmetic bags, pillows and golf head covers also make for a great preppy addition.

bail her out!

I just couldn't believe it. My sorority sister and fellow Junior Leaguer (and the President of Junior League of Tallahassee, no doubt!) sent me an email saying that she was in JAIL! Amanda is a very upstanding citizen and is being "locked up" for a good reason. She is raising funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The MDA lock-up will hold all of the "inmates" in jail until they reach their bail, which is each person's fundraising goal. If you contribute towards Amanda's bail money, the MDA will set her free once her fundraising goal is reached. Her goal is to raise $3,200. You can help the MDA's most wanted and help them reach their fundraising goal by bailing Amanda out!

webcast wednesday: hoops & yoyo's sarcastic wednesday

click here for some wednesday sarcasm

monday morning headline: new cowboys stadium is open!

EVERYTHING is big in Texas, especially our brand new Dallas Cowboys Stadium ! It had an amazing concert debut with headliners like Lee Ann Womack, George Strait and Reba McEntire. If you think the HD TV in your living room is impressive, how about the team's new $40 million investment for a 25, 000 square foot HD Jumbo Tron, which weighs over 600 tons. According to Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, the video boards are 160 feet long and 72 feet tall for the ultimate fan experience. Last week, Cowboys Stadium General Manager Jack Hill provided some insight on preparing to open the stadium doors.

Votre Vu

I've learned a lot from les Parisians. First, they taught me how to speak their language rather fluently, then I learned that some of the most efficient products for the best facials were developed by them, especially their Votre Vu skin care line. Not to mention a great facial accompanied by a fabulous French "vin"! Votre Vu provides essential serums, cremes, masques & gelees to provide your skin with a beautiful, fresh glow. After my recent Caribbean get-a-way, my skin certainly needs to be hydrated & I could not have started using Votre Vu at a better time. Although I had already been fortunate enough to inherit great skin genes, I am determined to keep my face looking at least 7-10 years younger than what is printed on my birth certificate! It is an indulgence that is well worth it and your skin will feel silky smooth with their products. Take your face and hair on a much needed Parisian holiday with Votre Vu.

webcast wednesday: diving from 50 ft. cliff at rick's cafe-

Rick's Cafe is very popular for the locals & tourists who throw themselves from 50 foot cliffs, enjoy- Others were BRAVE enough for a 100 foot dive! Check out this future diver who was practicing in a pool with his Daddy located on the cliff, he is ABSOLUTELY precious!

Happy Birthday Giuseppe

monday morning headline: last titanic survivor dies

The last known living survivor of the Titanic has died. Millvina Dean, 97, passed away Sunday, 98 years after the Titanic was launched, according to CNN. This is an interview with Ms. Dean last May.