I know I haven't updated you all in a few months, but that's because we haven't made much progress lately!  With the school year winding down, Spring events in full swing, and Phillip's business busier than ever, we have struggled to find time to commit to the house next door.   Also, we have the cutest little helper who tends to slow us down a bit. (As you can see, she LOVES ladders.)

We weren't in love with the previous floor plan of the house.  The kitchen was awkwardly large, the living room was small, and it was two bedroom/two baths, with no master.  We were able to maximize the use of the square footage of the home by completely changing the layout.  

Phillip had the great idea to move the kitchen to the front of the home, and create a large cased opening to make the living room feel larger.  I know it is hard to envision the layout when everything is still studs, so I sketched a quick floor plan for you to see!  It is definitely not to scale, but this will give you a better idea of what we're working with.

This is the view when you walk in the front door.  The kitchen and dining room are to your right, and the hallway is directly in front of you.

This is your view looking into the living room from the kitchen.

This is your view looking into the kitchen from the living room.

The house lacked a master bedroom, as I have previously stated, so we definitely wanted to create one.  When Phillip decided to move the kitchen to the front of the house, it made sense to move the master bedroom/bath to the back!  We turned what use to be the laundry room into the master bath and closet.

The picture on the left is the guest bathroom, which turned out great!  This is where the washer and dryer will be located, as well as a large vanity and roomy linen closet.  The picture on the right is looking into the master bathroom.  

We have been busy doing electrical and plumbing work, so hopefully we will wind that up in the next week or two. Then we will have the house insulated and get the sheetrock installed!  Hopefully it will all start coming together soon so that I can share more details with you! 

Fast forward to 2020.  Our home had been "completed" for almost two years, we had a new baby girl, and were awaiting another foster placement.  Our marriage was in one of the calmest stages we had experienced thus far!  Our neighbor shared with us that he was interested in selling his home, so Phillip and I began dreaming.  Dreaming of what this home could be, dreaming of the change it would create in our neighborhood.

After many late night discussions, a lot of research, tons of number crunching and the weighing of future plans--Phillip and I decided to make an offer on the house!  This is where the crazy part comes in.  Could we afford it?  Probably not.  Did we have time to work on it?  That's an easy NO.  Did we know what we were getting into?  Haha, no, you never do! But did we have the desire to see this home brought to life, and to be the ones to give it a second chance?  Yes! 

If you know me, you know I am very much a planner.  I also love a challenge.  This idea seemed to speak to me on so many levels--planning for our future,  as well as a fun design and budgeting challenge.  I was, and still am, delighted to be a part of this project and I can't wait to share the journey with you!

Enough with the backstory, let's give you a tour! 

The exterior of the home lacked curb appeal, mostly due to the small fenced in front yard and the carport area.

Here is a better view of the front of this home.  (Check out how close our houses are to each other.)

The easiest decision to make was also one of the simplest things to do in order to instantly affect the curb appeal.  We pulled up the fence in the front yard, tore out the screened in porch under the carport, and cleaned up the yard!  Just that simple change made the property more attractive.  One obvious decision we pulled the trigger on early in the process was putting a new roof on the house.  You will see in some of the pictures that there was extensive damage due to multiple roof leaks, so we definitely wanted to take care of that!

Here's a tour of the inside of the home.

The Living Room:

Bedroom #1:

Bedroom #2:

Bathrooms #1 and #2:

The Kitchen:

The Laundry Room/Closet:

Here's a peek at some progress.  We felt the need to completely gut this house given the state that it was in, which opened up the opportunity to change the entire layout of the home.  We did decide to change it from a two bedroom/two bath, to a three bedroom/two bath house.  One bedroom will be small, but it could also function as an office.

On the next home renovation update, I'll share the new layout with you, as well as some of our ideas!  This may be a slow process, but I promise to keep you posted along the way.  We hope that by taking on this project, we will breathe a little more life into our neighborhood.  We feel so blessed to have this opportunity so close to home!

Baking goodies for others to enjoy is quite possibly my favorite tradition during the holidays.  The only thing that makes it even more fun is having happy little helpers!  My niece Cadence and I have a history of making sweet treats together, last year Lila was by my side as I whipped up Christmas goodies, and this year I am excited to share this yearly tradition with our foster daughter!
(Be sure to turn your volume up to hear Cadence's merry humming :)

Christmas cookies may be my favorite treat to make and share with family and friends. Here are a few reasons why:
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- You can make multiple flavors and put together mixed treat boxes.
- Most cookie doughs freeze really well, so you can make dough in advance!
- Cookie decorating allows you to be creative and give your treats a festive touch.
- Cookies are naturally single-servings, so they are great for holiday parties.
- Santa loves cookies!

In the past, we've shared our favorite Sugar Cookie recipe, as well as the ever-famous Fruitcake Cookie recipe.  Both of these recipes are classic Christmas treats, and will quickly become family-favorites!  You can find the recipe cards for these two cookies in our Recipe Archive!

Today I wanted to share one of my new-found favorite cookies with you!  Often called Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, these fudgy treats are covered in powdered sugar, creating a beautiful effect when baked.  Not only are they showy, but oh-so delicious!  These are the perfect dessert for the chocolate lovers in your family.

This Christmas, I hope you'll try a new recipe or two, make unforgettable memories with your little ones, create new holiday traditions, and share yummy treats with your family and friends!  
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If you're looking for a unique way to package your Christmas Cookies this year, consider our Cookie Box Kits!  Each kit contains 6 cookie boxes, twine and tags to create the sweetest gift!

I am not usually one to promote wishing your life away, but lately I have found myself dreaming of the holidays, a happy new year, and moving right on in to 2021! I think we can all agree that this year has left us with so many feelings of uncertainty that we are ready to move on to new season of life. At The Southern Merc, we even launched our first Christmas collection on the website a little earlier than planned this year.  Not that we don't love fall, but we were getting the feeling that folks are ready to deck the halls and have something fun to celebrate! Are we right?

My sweet friend Melissa took a new job over the summer as the chamber director in a neighboring town.  While fixing up her new office and getting organized, she realized that she had purchased and hung on the wall a 2021 calendar instead of 2020.  We all decided that this was her sub-conscience telling her she was officially over 2020! 

While we all had a good laugh over this, there is something to allowing yourself to spend some time thinking about and dreaming of the future, especially when coming out of a hard time. If you've found yourself starting to move on to next year in your mind, then you are going to need a beautiful new calendar or planner to help spruce up your work area or home office.  Rifle Paper Co. makes the most beautiful calendars and we are in love with the designs for 2021!  ​

So head on over the store, treat yourself to a pretty new planner, and start dreaming of a fabulous future! Good-bye pandemic, election year, hurricane season, home school, and virtual offices.  Cheers to a new year and a new, refreshed you!

To shop our calendars, click HERE.

Recently, Tara and I hosted a beautiful bridal shower for our dear friend Claire, who will be getting married in November.  Y'all know we love an excuse to have a party, so when Claire got engaged, I didn't waste any time starting to put together ideas for her bridal shower.  This party was extra special to me as I am blessed beyond measure to be Claire's Fairy Godmother.  Claire was in middle school when I moved back to Ocilla after college.  I rented my first little house from her family and since that made us backyard and backdoor neighbors, Claire and I became fast friends.  She would pop over to my house in the afternoons to chat about school.  She begged me for a job at the store and never forgot that I told her she had to be fifteen to start working.  She rode her bike to work on her 15th birthday and she has been a part of The Shoppes family ever since.  When I bought my little house and moved around the corner, she was thrilled that we would still be backyard  neighbors.  It is so comforting to live so close to someone who has become so dear to my heart.  

Over the years we have cried together, mourned together, worked hard together, laughed together and celebrated together.  It is so exciting to now be celebrating her upcoming wedding!  I don't think it is possible for me to be more happy for her. ​She is going to make the most beautiful bride!

The date was set, the menu was planned and we got to work on the decor. Tara and I put our heads together and decided on a color palette of greens, and shades of pink and coral.  We used citrus fruit and peaches for an extra pop of color.

I used my collection of vintage milk glass containers as vessels for the beautiful floral arrangements.  Some arrangements received whole peaches or small oranges and others were decorated with halved grapefruits.  The addition of the fruits to the decor was really beautiful and added an extra special touch.  

We enlisted the help of Jorjanne and Claire's special friends, Courtney and Kelsey, to help us host.  This talented group of women worked hard to make our vision come to life!

The shower took place in the morning so we decided on a brunch menu.  Tara was full of good ideas for this because brunch foods are her favorites!

We knew we needed sweet and savory menu items alike, so of course cake was at the top of our list.  How can you have a party without cake?!

Tara took one of her favorite recipes and dressed it up a bit.  She started with a vanilla cake and layered it with white chocolate buttercream and peach filling--yum!  She piped the outside of the cake to look like petals to give it a fancy flair.

Our other sweet option was a glazed lemon cookie.  These treats were tiny and delicious--perfect for a brunch!

We love a beautiful charcuterie board, and we thought this would be a fun opportunity to have one!  Full of baked ham, cheese slices, fresh fruit and miscellaneous biscuit toppings, this board was a hit!

We offered homemade plain and blueberry biscuits to go with our board.  We thought we needed another savory option, so we decided on a Sausage and Cheddar Quiche, baked as individual servings!

It turned out to be a beautiful display of delicious breakfast favorites.

This shower was so fun and so sweet.  As I looked around the room at all of the beautiful women that came to celebrate with Claire, I was overwhelmed by the amount of love contained in one space.  Our gathering wasn't just about gifts and cake.  (Although it might have been the best cake I have ever eaten.)  This group truly came together to shower Claire with love and support as she prepares to enter into a new season of life, which made the day just perfect.

If you are planning a party or shower for someone special to you, check out our blog posts about "parties and get-togethers".  ​

An attitude of gratitude. It's easy to say, but harder to live by.  

I have my good days, but I also have my fair share of bad ones.  It's as if I wake up and roll right out of the wrong side of the bed. 

The great stealer of joy strikes again, and I allow him to.  I let my wall down and just let him convince me that whatever it is that has me bent out of shape is more important than loving the people around me well.  Though that isn't my intention, that is inevitably what happens.  I hide behind fake smiles and uninterested conversation, stealing the joy of laughter and sincere concern from my friends.

It's so easy in today's world to allow the "dreary wearies" to set in and ruin your whole day.  I am so guilty of this from time to time. We know people who have allowed that attitude to take over day after day, and it's no fun to be around them.  It's quite exhausting, actually.  

I know right now it's especially hard to keep our attitude in check with so much confusion, fear and hate in the world today.  But what if we were born for such a time as this?  What if the world so desperately needs our light during this crazy time to bring hope and joy to others?  We can't allow an occasional bad mood to dim our light.  We must press on and choose to find the joy in every situation. We must work to create an attitude of gratitude, rather than allowing our circumstances to determine our disposition. 

It seems as if our world has lost the genuine feeling of gratitude.  Many have grown to believe that they deserve something, have the right to, are owed something, or have earned it by meeting minimal standards--including our children. (Ouch!  Did that hurt?  It hurt me a little.) 

I am learning that it is our responsibility to raise our children in such a way that develops a sincere heart, a strong work ethic and a concern for others.  Teach your children about gratitude. Start when they're young and help to create a thankful heart in them.  Our children learn by example, so be that for them. Look for ways to daily display an attitude of gratitude so that it becomes a natural reaction for them.

​Sometimes, the best way to show your gratitude is through words.  A handwritten list of things that you are grateful for is a great way to state and recognize how much we truly have to be grateful for.  However, this only works when you realize that every good gift is from God, not solely as a result of our hard work or sacrifice.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17

Here at The Southern Mercantile, we are extremely grateful for our customers and fans.  We know and recognize that if it weren't for your love and support, this company wouldn't exist.  Every single comment, share, purchase or visit is crucial to our success!

We strive to have a grateful heart, and hope it is evident in all we do.  We love to create, and we love that you provide that opportunity for us.  

In this day and age, it seems that thank you notes are becoming a thing of the past. For our first paper design, we knew we wanted to create a beautiful thank you card that could be enjoyed by all.  The original design was created by Roxie and me, a colorful combination of watercolor and acrylic artwork.

We hope to encourage an attitude of gratitude with the use of these cards, as well as a genuine excitement for expressing your many thanks.  If you're looking for a few tips on how to carefully craft your own thank you notes, check out our blog The Art of the Thank You Note!  In this blog I describe why thank you notes are important and how to make yours stand out from the crowd.  Make someone's day by sending them a genuine, heartfelt thank you, and you just might be the catalyst for spreading a little light in a dark time.  

If you are interested in ordering this set of 10 thank you cards and envelopes, shop now!  

I have so many fond memories from this past year.  As I sit here to share some of them with you, I'm not even sure where to begin!  Lila has been an adventure, and the best gift, since the day she came into this world.  

​She is full of personality, has the most contagious smile, never meets a stranger and has a bit of a stubborn streak in her.  She loves animals, snacks, snuggles...and especially her family and friends!  

She became a little sister when she was 7 months old, quickly adapting to having another child in our home.  She adores our foster daughter and they have become the best of friends!

She looks more and more like her daddy every day, and tends to act like him too! She is the friendliest little thing and keeps us on our toes.  She is growing and changing so fast, we are trying to soak up every moment with her! 

We planned to go to the beach the week of Lila's birthday.  I am so glad that we made the decision to go, because the memories we made were priceless.  Lila loved the ocean and it was so fun to watch her take it all in.

Although we celebrated her birthday while we were at the beach, we knew her family and friends would want the chance to celebrate too!  We decided to plan a simple party for when we arrived at home.  

I fell in love with the idea of a "sweet as a peach" themed party, so I started putting together a few ideas!  I knew that I would need to keep things simple, since we would be throwing the party together as soon as we returned from the beach. Katelyn helped me design a watercolor invitation, that turned out just adorable!  

Lila greeted our guests with hugs and kisses, almost as if she knew everyone was there for her!  It was the sweetest thing to watch her love on our family and friends!

Our simple menu included homemade cupcakes, bakery-bought sugar cookies, cups of vanilla ice cream, and sparkling peach lemonade!

I planned to make cupcakes (and a smash cake, of course), because they're quick! Our family LOVES homemade caramel cake so I went with a mix of caramel and vanilla for guests to choose from.

A bakery in the next town over makes adorable sugar cookies, so I ordered them in advance and had a family member pick them up for me.  We chose individual cups of vanilla ice cream so that it was easy to pick up and no one had to be on scooping duty!

The sparkling peach lemonade was a recipe I just made up--a mix of homemade lemonade and peach crush--which turned out to be a refreshing mix!  I strung up a few of our favorite pictures of Lila for a festive touch.  The only other decorations we had was a sweet little ballon arch over her high chair!

We kicked the party off with singing Happy Birthday and letting Lila dig into her very own cake!  She wasn't quite sure what was going, on but she quickly figured out that the best way to celebrate was to clap and eat cake!  

It was simple and sweet, just like Lila.  She had the best time and thoroughly enjoyed herself, which made all of the time and effort totally worth it! I can't believe this year has flown by so fast, it has been an honor to be Lila's mom.  She is definitely sweet as a peach, and we can't wait to watch her continue to grow!

For more great party ideas, be sure to check out our Pinterest page as well as our Parties blog category!  Here you'll find endless ideas and inspiration!

It is no secret that I love a good cocktail!  A few weeks ago I shared with you my favorite champagne cocktails.  Click HERE to find them if you missed it, they are definitely worth trying!  In this post I want to share with you my favorite gin cocktails.  In the winter I am more of a bourbon girl, but when the summer heats up, I am in the mood for a lighter, refreshing option.  Gin and citrus fruit are my go-to ingredients during summertime.  

The drink I have enjoyed the most this summer is a little something I came up with myself, called the Gin Roxie.  It is a take on the Gin Rickey with a little extra flair!  To make this cocktail you will fill your favorite cocktail glass with ice.  Squeeze the juice of a large orange wedge (or two of my frozen cubes), the juice of a large wedge of lime, and 1.5 ounces of gin.  Top it off with club soda and a lime slice and you have yourself a Gin Roxie.  This drink is so refreshing!  If I am sitting outside I love to sip it from my pretty floral, insulated cup from Paulk Vineyards winery.   

Whether you are getting together with friends or just relaxing on your screened in porch, I hope these recipes inspire you to take a little time and enjoy the simple pleasures of summer in the south!

To find a recipe card for the Gin Roxie, click HERE to visit our recipe archive.  Look around while you are there and find a little inspiration for your next summer soire! 

Check out our store for a great selection of recipe books, including this cute cocktail book, "A Spot at the Bar".

I love the 4th of July. I love decorating the shop with flags and buntings.  I love the color red, I love sparklers, and I love cook-outs and all of the traditional southern dishes that are served at them! I love the sense of pride that surrounds this special day, filled with concerts, parades, family gatherings, and fireworks.  

​My grandpa was a WWII vet and a history/government teacher so he never missed an opportunity to educate us on historical happenings and he did his best to instill in us a love of our country.  He was a patriot through and through.

Though my 4th of July celebrations have become a bit more simple and quiet as an adult, it is still fun to get together and reflect on the blessings of living in an independent nation.  Whether we get invited to a barbeque at a friend's house or just hang out with whoever is home on Alder St., we always eat well!  The meal always includes something off the grill, and of course potato salad.  We southerners love our potato salad. There are so many delicious versions of this classic dish.  I will confess to you that I have never been a fan of traditional, southern potato salad with pickle relish.  I much prefer the more interesting versions full of extra veggies, unusual dressings, and maybe even a little blue cheese.  Bacon ranch potato salad has quickly become one of my favorites, second only to my dad's famous potato salad.  

We have tweaked this recipe over the years and it has become one of the most popular versions of potato salad that we serve in our café.  Filled with boiled egg, celery, bacon, and ranch dressing, how can you go wrong? If you are looking for something new to try this 4th of July, head on over to our recipe archive and give this extra special potato salad a try.  ​

You will also find many other delicious recipes, perfect for your summer gatherings.  Happy cooking and Happy 4th of July!

You will find a great selection of cookbooks full of delicious southern recipes in our online store.  Be sure to check them out while you are here!