With the Super Bowl coming soon, I thought I’d pass along my idea of a “super bowl.” My family started making “super bowls” a couple of years ago, after I was inspired by Real Simple magazine (February 2014 issue). It’s an easy dinner that uses up leftovers (yay! clean out that fridge), and makes even picky eaters happy (because they pick what they want). Basically, everything goes into a bowl, then is topped with salad dressing or oil and vinegar. That’s it!

Here’s the way our family celebrates a “super bowl”:

1. Choose a starch or grain:
rice, couscous, quinoa, pasta

2. Choose your salad greens:
spinach, kale, romaine, arugula

3. Choose your protein:
chicken, steak, beans, eggs

4. Choose your toppings:
bell peppers, carrots, tomatoes, nuts, seeds, capers, jalapeno or banana peppers, mandarin oranges, berries, cheese (especially feta, blue, or goat cheese), herbs, green onions

5. Choose your dressing:
Ranch, Blue Cheese, or Oil and Vinegar (I love to use flavor-infused oils and vinegars from Blue Ridge Olive Oil Company and Oliver Farms.

Keep in mind, this is not a recipe; it’s just a guide of our favorite options. So, if you want to change things up, by all means, go ahead! I typically make sure that my family has at least 1 protein, 1 grain or starch, and 2 veggies in their super bowls. I literally clean out the refrigerator and use up leftovers like stir-fry or salad, but I also offer some thing they haven’t seen on their plates that week, such as boiled eggs, nuts, or seeds. It’s interesting to see the combinations everyone comes up with!

Do you have a favorite way to use up leftovers? We’d love to hear your ideas! Share this post with your friends, so we can hear how they make leftovers new too!

​I didn't become serious about painting my nails until the summer of 2012.  I have always enjoyed the process, but it wasn't until then that a sweet stranger and I began to bond over it.  It was a mutual interest and it was how we formed a friendship.  We would spend hours talking about boys and sorting through colors just to change our minds midway through.  What I realized during this time was that I wasn't just looking forward to doing my nails--but I was looking forward to spending one-on-one time with my new-found friend, Mary Claire.  

​Our friendship blossomed and we ventured into other areas, but we never forgot our love for nails.  As time went by, our array of colors and fun personalities opened doors to other friendships along the way.  We even joked that painting nails could become our "Ministry".  It isn't often that you set aside an hour to chat about life with the only distraction being what color you will choose.

​After settling in from my move back home, I realized that it was time to invite someone new over to "do our nails".  I knew I wouldn't have to search them out--they would come to me.  Soon, a conversation with a co-worker led to a mutual interest in nails. I invited her over and we hit it off. We quickly bonded over painting our nails and girly TV shows.  I gained the sister I never had that year.  Abi and I became the best of friends (regardless of our 7 year age difference) and she has taught me just as much as , if not more than, I have taught her.

​As our final farewell--we celebrated the only way we knew how.  We went to have our nails done with no distractions, only time to chat (and a Chik-fil-a milkshake of course).  One day, after she made the move to Virginia, she sent me a picture of her freshly painted nails.  Believe it or not, I had just painted my nails the exact same color that day!  Facetime and Snapchat are now our main forms of communication, but nevertheless we love sharing life and nail advice.

​Though these two particular girls are ones I have grown to love and keep up with regularly, there are others I have shared my love for nails with along the way.  We've had two "nail parties" in the last few months and little did Roxie know, she loves gold nails!  

​Painting your nails take time, patience, and practice.  The result of painting your nails is confidence, joy and a finished look.  My goal in painting someone's nails is that they feel loved, cared for and beautiful.  I hope that they saw the meaning behind my efforts, knowing that I care about their heart more than their nails.  I hope that they enjoyed our time together and were encouraged in who they are and who they're meant to be.  This is why I think nails were meant to be painted.

If you're not into nails, but like the direction in which this is going, what can you embrace with this attitude?  What can you utilize as an avenue to strike up friendships and start conversations? Walking, gardening, craft projects--whatever it is, just choose something you love and you will love the results.

1. Rent a space big enough for everyone to have their own space. We’ve found great houses by searching sites like www.vrbo.com or www.homeaway.com. You can filter by area, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, even pools and hot tubs. Each couple gets their own bedroom, and there’s usually a loft or bunk room for the kids. A couple of living areas plus a game room ensures that everyone in the family has plenty of room for interacting with each other when they want to.

2. When it comes to meals, divide and conquer! Usually, two sisters pair up to plan and prepare dinner; that covers two nights for us. We all pitch in for breakfast and snacks, and either eat out or have leftovers for lunch. This way, we don’t have to eat out every meal, which is usually less expensive and more comfortable. Every year, we say we’re not going to bring so much food - and honestly, it is always less - but somehow we still end up taking home quite a bit. What can I say? We’re good southern women who love to cook and love to eat!
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3. Plan activities, but don’t over-schedule. We usually try to have a day for shopping, knowing ahead of time that one vehicle will return before the other. That way, whoever gets tired first (usually the men or the kids!) can leave, the die-hards can close out the stores, and everyone is happy. We also plan some sort of outdoor activity, such as hiking or playing in the snow. This year, we went zip-lining and had so much fun! (Thanks, Greg and Craig, at Zipline Canopy Tours of Blue Ridge!)

4. Be okay with the fact that some may not want to participate in all the planned activities. It’s also okay for one group to do one thing and another to do something else. For example, while two families zip-lined at Zipline Canopy Tours of Blue Ridge, the others visited Cabbage Patch Kids Babyland General Hospital. We just have an unspoken rule that everyone is present for dinner. That’s our time for everyone to bond with each other. Sometimes we’ll follow up with a movie or game; sometimes we’ll take turns in the hot tub. Either way, it’s all about relaxing and enjoying each other’s company.
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5. Last, but not least, RELAX! If things don't go exactly as planned, don’t stress about it. Remember the reason you’re going on this trip together is to be together and build memories. Everything is not going to turn out perfectly, and that is okay. In fact, sometimes the best memories are made when things go wrong. Like the time we had to stop every thirty minutes for my son to go to the bathroom, and even that wasn’t enough - his poor, sweet cousin ended up holding a water bottle for him to use while we were stuck in traffic and couldn’t get off the interstate! Or, the time my husband nearly drove into the house because of ice in the driveway - my sister kept saying, “You can brake now! You can stop now!” and he kept saying, “I am! I am!” And, we still poke fun at my sister who brought enough Fred Flintstone-sized steaks to feed us all for the entire weekend. The point is to make the best of your time together and HAVE FUN!!

***As a side note, my husband’s grandfather treated us all to a 4-day Bahamas cruise for our Christmas present in 2015! A total of 32 of us sailed away together, and by sticking to these tips, we actually all returned still loving each other! We all found activities that suited our interests, sometimes with others, sometimes on our own, and we made sure that we all ate dinner together each evening. No one got thrown overboard, and we made wonderful memories together that will last a lifetime!

My talents in life may be few but there is one thing I am confident of: I am very good with color!  One of my favorite things to do with clients is to help them choose a color palette.  Whether it be for their walls or their wedding, I love to work with color.  It is a language that I understand, unlike Math or French. (sorry Mrs. Roberts and Madame Coley!)
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Choosing a paint color can be very overwhelming.  You think to yourself, “it is such a big purchase” or “there will be so much of it, I have to get it right”. Or the cop-out “maybe I’ll just go with white”.  Just relax, take a deep breath, and realize that it is only paint.  When I moved into my first little house after college, I painted the kitchen a horrible shade of bright blue.  I managed to live with it for two days and then started slathering on the primer so I could start over.

It was a mistake that was easily fixed with a little extra time and a new gallon of paint.  So, don’t over think and stress yourself out.  Here are a few tips that I think will help you choose a color that you will be happy with for a long time!
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Color is the New White!
One important thing to remember is that neutral does not always mean white or tan.  You can choose a neutral color that will go with everything but is still a color!  Most of the inside of my house is painted “Sea Salt” by Sherwin Williams.

 This shade of pale blue/green has proven to be the perfect neutral for me.  I have yet to find a color that I don’t like with it.  Red, teal, brown, mustard, green, gray, cream…… they all work with “Sea Salt”.  There are a lot of good neutral options with a hint of color.
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Have a starting point.
When choosing a paint color, whether for indoors or outside, it helps to have a starting point, something for inspiration.  Your starting point can take many different forms.  It can be a piece of furniture, a pillow, a rug, bedding or even a painting for the wall.  I have worked in situations where all of these are true.  If you are not a person that feels super comfortable with color, then start with something that you are already in love with and go from there.  In my bedroom, for instance, I already had bedding that I was in love with so I used those items to help guide my color choice for the walls.

Use the many resources that are available to you.
​When searching for inspiration, remember that there are endless resources available to you online, in magazines and at the paint counter.  Pinterest is a wonderful place to find more color inspiration than you could ever imagine.  If you can’t feel inspired by all of the beautiful pictures on Pinterest, then I am sorry, there may be no help for you!  Follow our “Southern Color Palette” board on the Southern Mercantile Pinterest page to keep up with the color trends that inspire us. 

Sherwin Williams offers many great tools on their website to help you choose the right color for your home.  Use their “snap it" button to turn any image into a color palette.  You can see in this example that I used one of Tara’s beautiful wedding photos to create a stunning color palette.

You can draw inspiration from the nature around you, your favorite outfit, or even your last vacation destination!  The sky is the limit.  The Sherwin Williams “ColorSnap” visualizer lets you upload a picture and virtually “paint” your room different colors.  It’s a great way to try on different color schemes.

Most paint suppliers sell small sample jars of their paints.  Once you’ve narrowed down your search you can pick up a few samples to try out before making your final commitment.  Of course, I do it the old fashioned way by taping the paint chip to the wall and “living” with it for a few days. 

Listen to your Home.
My final tip (and maybe most important) is to let your home and your belongings help guide your color choice.  Don’t try to make the house fit a color scheme just because it may be your favorite at the time.  Make sure the color scheme fits the house.  

When the temperature drops and I’m craving a bowl of comfort food, this is the recipe I turn to. I grew up having chili just about every Friday night. It is the first recipe I learned to make without looking at a recipe. It appears pretty much weekly on my dinner menu at home, especially throughout the winter months. 

For my family, chili is a staple food. For others, apparently, it is not. Once, when my nephew (whose mother does not cook as often as I do) was spending the night with us, he asked what we were having for supper. My husband told him, “Chili.” He replied, “Oooh, I love their quesadillas!” We laughed as we explained that I was making chili, and we were not going to Chili’s, the restaurant!

Several years ago, I was making chili when I realized that I had forgotten to buy a packet of chili seasoning. Since we live about 10 miles outside of town, I was unable to just run to the store to pick up some. I just had to make do with what I had, and now I always use individual seasonings and spices rather than purchasing those packets.

Also, I usually use ground turkey instead of ground beef. I always stock up on one-pound packages of ground turkey when they go on sale and store them in the freezer. I feel better serving my family leaner meat, and I save money: win-win!

Serve a bowl of this topped with shredded cheese, corn chips, hot sauce, sour cream, fresh tomatoes, fresh cilantro, and any other toppings you’d like. 


Jorjanne’s Chili


1 tsp olive oil 
1 pound ground turkey
1/2 vidalia onion, diced
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp seasoning salt
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp chipotle powder
2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cumin
1 can diced tomatoes and chiles (like Ro-tel)
1 large can petite diced tomatoes
2 (15-oz) cans seasoned chili beans

In a large pot, brown the ground turkey and onion in the olive oil. Add the remaining ingredients. Simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes. Makes 6-8 servings.

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In need of a few other recipes to save for a rainy day?  Check out Southern Soups and Stews by Nancie McDermott!

I have been working on getting these thoughts on paper for quite some time.  This topic has been on my list of blogs to write, but for some reason I just kept pushing it to the bottom of the list.  Sweet Tara shared her journey home with us in her last blog, and it was so sweet and inspiring!  It made me feel compelled to finally tell my story of learning to grow where you are planted. 

Like Tara and Jorjanne, I grew up in this small Georgia town called Ocilla.  The main difference in our stories is that I don’t have generations of family that lived here before me.  I have mentioned before that my mother is from Virginia, and my father is from Colorado.  They met at college in Tennessee and moved here in the 70’s.  Lack of family ties can really make one feel like an outsider from time to time, but it can also show you the power of good friendships!
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Ocilla was a fabulous place to be a kid, but as I grew, I became more and more restless here and ready to take on the world and be with some new folks.  I was blessed to travel a lot around the country with my family, so I knew there was a great big world out there waiting on me!  When I left for college, I could not imagine a life that would bring me back to this little place.  I was on to bigger and better things!

Boy, was I wrong!  After five years in Athens, soaking up the influence of various types of people and all the creative freedom that art school offered, I found myself moving back to Ocilla.  There was no prince charming, no fabulous job in a big city, and I couldn’t stand the thought of going straight into grad school (though I sometimes regret that decision).  My dad had retired from teaching and was starting a new business.  He needed someone to run the store, so I agreed to come home for one year while I decided what my next move would be.  My mother begged me not to come home because there was no one for me to marry.  So, here I am.  Twelve years later!

My dad and his business partner decided to sell the building and business after the first year.  They ended up selling to Matt, who is now my husband!  Sweet deal for him right?  Suddenly I found myself in charge of a very large business and in love with an import!  We’ve had 11 years of leaks, termites, empty bank accounts, back-breaking work and persecution from folks that were less than thrilled about our ideas for change in this small community.  Oh, and we’ve lived through a year-long deployment to Iraq, nine days after we got married. 

Needless to say, this was not the life I had imagined for myself when I left Ocilla after high school!  Matt and I have certainly endured hardships along the way and have been ready to give it up and move a time or two!  After much discussion, prayer and soul searching, we decided that we would in fact stay in Ocilla.  We would continue to give our all to our community and to try to continue to make Ocilla a great place to live!  As Matt said, “we will choose to grow where we have been planted”.  This has definitely become a labor of love and one that we truly feel is guided by God.  It is so interesting to look back over the years and see God’s plan, masterfully working in all the details of our lives. 

I have learned a lot about myself and what I am capable of over the course of my years here and I have also learned some very important lessons regarding love, community and faith.

After being dropped in a business world that I knew nothing about, I chose not to sink but to swim!  The school of hard knocks has a steep learning curve, but I think I am coming out on the other side a better businesswoman and leader than I ever imagined I could be.  As it turns out, I love retail (and development and marketing and all of the things I never thought about at all in college)! 
Though I never pursued a career in art, I am presented daily with ways to use my talents.  My shop provides an endless creative outlet!  Window and product displays, menu designs, marketing tools, packaging…. the list of creative projects is endless!  I am so blessed to be able to share these creative projects with my Dad, who is the most creative person I know.  If I dream it up, he can figure out a way to make it happen!

Dealing with the public every day has taught me a great lesson in love.  It is not easy to deal with people day in and day out.  I have said many times that I feel like my compassion bone is broken.  Service jobs have the potential to create very bitter people, and I have been determined not to become one of those!  My team and I make a conscious effort every day to greet those that come through our doors here with the love of Jesus, with an attitude that all are welcome and loved.  I am not saying that this is easy or fun sometimes, but to make an effort to see people and all that makes them who they are, rather than just see a customer is life-changing.  God has truly worked to soften my heart through the years and helped me to love those around me. 

Years of stress and hardships have helped shaped who I have become, but through all that my faith in God, my all-knowing and always-in-control Father, has grown by leaps and bounds!  We are all refined by fire as we journey through life.  Allowing God to be in control and being open to how He can use your trials to make you a better person is a very scary thing, but so worth it!  Because of all that I have been through and because of my growing faith, I no longer live in a state of fear and worry but in a state of excitement to see where the journey takes me next.  I am certainly not saying that I will never worry again, but I can honestly tell you that I am resting right now in the idea that my God has got it covered.  I definitely don’t always understand the hows and whys but I know I am never alone.  That lesson has been well worth the hardships. 

It took a few years, but I finally got over wishing my life was different or wishing that I lived in a different place and started embracing the life I have here.  The truth is, I LOVE what I do.  I love my community, my job, and my teammates.  It is an awesome thing to get to come to work every day to be with folks that I consider my family.  I love this little town and all the quirkiness that comes with it.  I love my husband, whom I would not have met had I not moved home.  I love all of my fairy godchildren that I would not have relationships with if the road had not brought me here.  I love my little house, and I love that I live in the neighborhood I grew up in.

I am truly excited about things that are happening here.  Matt and I are passionate about growing our businesses, both brick-and-mortar and online, so that we can continue to encourage growth and development in our small town.  Two years ago we were able to add Tara to the team, our first full time employee and an Ocilla native.  Bringing on a full timer was a big step for us and we are looking forward to growing our tribe in the coming years!  This past fall, Matt was elected Mayor of Ocilla, an unbelievable feat for an outsider in this little place!  Matt has a heart for bettering our community through economic development and I can’t wait to see where this next phase of our journey takes us! 

I hope this encourages you to embrace your journey, wherever you are!  Choose to love where you are and what you are doing and watch God do amazing things through you and to you!  Remember to grow where you are planted, even if it is not the flower bed you would have chosen for yourself!

And it is the love of my faithful and gracious God that orchestrates every opportunity, encounter, or introduction I have.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
Romans 8:28.
I know this is where I am supposed to be because He has called me here.

Though this is my story, it may not be yours. You may be in a new place in this new year and are wondering if your roots will ever sink. Or, you may be in an old place and your roots still haven't gained any ground. Either way, there are a few things that can help you gain a sense of purpose right where you are.

Take ownership of your job. Yes it is true—a job can just be a job, but only if you let it! According to my calculations, most people spend somewhere around 65% of their awake hours at their job. This is huge! Do what you can to love your job—find purpose in it so that you get more than just a paycheck. How, you ask? People. Invest in those around you, and your time will be worth while. Whether it be co-workers, clients, customers, or strangers—take the time to make your day count. Chances are, you aren't the only one having a bad day, or that just learned a new recipe, or that just started a new television series. Strike up a simple conversation and start a new relationship.

Get involved in your community. Take the time to do a little research and find out what's going on in your community. The more you get involved, the more you'll feel connected. Find something that you are already, or you could see yourself becoming, passionate about and lend a hand! A new organization has recently been started in my community and it focuses on creating awareness and helping foster children and families. I jumped right in, and boy, has it been an eye-opening and fulfilling experience. I now have a few new friends and an avenue to give back to my community.

Find a church you love. It really makes a difference in your attitude and life when you are attending a church you love and look forward to participating in. Once again, the more you are involved, the more connected you'll feel. Also, since Phillip and I have been attending First Baptist in Tifton, we have been so encouraged! No wonder Jesus told us to fellowship with other believers.

Trust that God is a Good Father. I know everyone says “trust The Lord”, “stop worrying so much”, “let go and let God”...just to name a few. And most of the time—these type of responses do nothing for our soul. When your heart is broken, you're dealing with depression, or loneliness takes over, sometimes words just aren't enough. When those moments come, because they will, the ONLY thing that will give you peace and contentment is Jesus. One of my favorite songs right now is “Good Good Father”. The only version I know is what we sing it at church! But I have found a link and would love for you to listen to it sometime.​

The chorus says,

“You're a Good, Good Father
It's who you are, it's who you are, it's who you are
And I'm loved by you
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am”
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It is so important to remember that God is a GOOD Father and He knows exactly how to take care of His children. I can now look back on certain events in my life when I thought my world was falling apart and see how God was just adjusting my path in order to work everything together for my good. If I had been in charge of my life oh, what a mess it would have been! It is comforting to know that He loves us enough to guide our every step.  

In this new year, I'm going to enjoy where I'm planted and blossom.  I wish the same for you and yours!

Happy New Year Southern Mercantile Family! We were so excited to get to know you all last year and share so many stories and recipes! We are looking forward to a busy 2016 filled with new recipes, decorating tips and stories of simple Southern living!

It has finally cooled off here in South Georgia and we are thrilled to bring out the sweaters and boots after an unusually warm Christmas. We want to help you stay cozy on these warm, winter nights so Jorjanne is sharing her recipe for hot buttered rum. We hope you'll give it a try and let us know what you think!
Anyone who knows me well, knows cold weather makes me grumpy and rum makes me happy! I’m sharing with you one of my favorite ways to get glad when cold toes have made me mad!

I was introduced to Hot Buttered Rum a few years ago by a fellow rum-lover. It’s the perfect way to warm up when the weather is cold, or just when you need a little comfort. It’s like snuggling up under a blanket next to the one you love in front of a roaring fire all poured into a mug! Of course, combining all that with the Hot Buttered Rum won't hurt!

This recipe is perfect for winter gatherings, because you can make a batch of the batter, then mix it all up for a crowd or individually for a small celebration. It also travels well, especially if you freeze the batter ahead of time.

Here’s my recipe for Hot Buttered Rum. Feel free to play around with proportions to make it to your liking. You can even try it with your favorite whiskey instead of rum. For a warmer evening or just an extra special treat, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Hot Buttered Rum Batter:
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
3 cups brown sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp allspice or cloves

Cream all ingredients together. Keep in refrigerator up to two weeks or in freezer up to one month.

Top a heaping tablespoon of the batter with 3 ounces of rum in the bottom of a mug. Fill with hot water and stir.