If there has been anything that I have experienced so far this summer, it is what it feels like to be hungry and hot!  Now being 8 months pregnant, I have found myself in a current state of snacking, rather than eating large meals.  While doing so, I have done my best to keep the snacks as healthy as possible.  You know that's a hard task with the sweet tooth I have!  

Here are a few favorite snacks that I thought any family would love--adults and kids alike!  Great for hot summer days, or relaxing summer nights, make a few new memories in the kitchen (or backyard) this year!   

Frozen Fruit Salad
This recipe was introduced to me by Mr. Terry, Roxie's dad!  He brought in this delicious treat one day at lunch and I just fell in love with its refreshing flavor!  This recipe can be made in individual servings or by the pan.  Perfect for a summer dinner party or afternoon snack, you're going to love this Frozen Fruit Salad!  Visit our Recipe Archive to find this recipe, along with other great recipes to try!

S'mores
There is something magical about s'mores...or maybe it's just the campfire.  Either way, I'll never turn them down!  Making memories around a fire with friends and family is always fun.  Whether you stick with the classic stack of graham crackers, hershey bars and roasted marshmallows, or you put a new spin on an old classic, you can't go wrong!  (I found a delicious S'mores Bar recipe that is so fun, and easy to make.)  My Nana always made a simple and yummy treat for us grandkids when we rustled up an appetite.  She would lay out saltine crackers on a pan, smear a little peanut butter on each one, and top them with a few mini marshmallows--then pop them in the toaster oven until the marshmallows were perfectly toasted!  It never failed, this simple treat would always make my night!  Maybe the magic is actually in the marshmallows...

Homemade Popsicles
Homemade popsicles are also something we would make as kids, that seemed so fancy at the time!  Even if it was something simple, like kool-aid, that my mom would pour in the molds, I felt like a summer princess eating my popsicle on the back steps.  I'd savor every bite while the melted drops of juice stained the dirt. Now, there are endless possibilities for making your own pops.  There are a million recipes ranging from using fresh fruit and yogurt (more healthy options) to fudge and ice-cream (a more indulgent choice).  Whichever you choose, popsicles should be pressure-free, fun snacks!  My personal favorite right now is a combination of homemade lemonade and fresh strawberries!

Trail Mix
A simple trail mix is as classic as it gets when it comes to summer snacks.  Whether your taking a week long road trip or a 30 minute grocery store run, a baggie of trail mix can save the day!  Mix it up ahead of time for a quick snack on-the-go!  Keep it as simple as you wish using cereals and pretzels, or shoot for a healthier option with dried fruits and nuts.  Trail mix is a great way to get the kids involved in choosing a fun snack they'll love to munch on!

Slushies
A slushie is another great way to sneak a little fruit into your daily diet, not to mention a quick way to cool down!  I usually opt for a quick combination of frozen fruit, ice and a splash of juice when I'm on the run--but your options are once again endless!  There is just something special about those tiny bits of chipped up ice that makes a simple drink all the more refreshing.

Fresh Popcorn
When it comes to summer nights, fresh popcorn is right up there on the list next to s'mores!  Whether you make it over a campfire, or on the stove, this fresh and flavorful snack is always a winner!  My roommate in college loved to make this quick and simple snack for us to have while we watched a movie or socialized.  I just love all of the possibilities and flavor combinations--they're endless!  Mary Claire's staple recipe was coconut oil, popcorn and salt.  It is so light and such a guiltless snack when kept simple!

Be sure to check out our Southern Summer board on our Pinterest page for more great summer snack ideas!  The possibilities are endless--so let loose and have a little fun with your food this summer!

Peach season is finally upon us, and we are taking advantage of it daily!  We love this time of year, because not only is it our favorite fruit season here at The Southern Mercantile, but it is also our customer's favorite at The Cafe at Fourth and Cherry!  

Not only do we top this salad with fresh peaches, toasted pecans, craisins, red onion and feta cheese, but we also serve it with a fresh peach vinaigrette dressing that is to die for.

We love this recipe so much, we thought you might too!  It would be perfect for your next summer dinner party.  With fresh peaches and a homemade dressing, you're sure to impress!  This recipe is always a crowd pleaser and it is super simple to make.  We hope you'll decide to try it out and let us know what you think!

Visit our Recipe Archive to browse around and find a few new favorite recipes, or click HERE to go straight to this delicious recipe!

Perry obviously takes up a lot of my time and energy right now, and sometimes I have to remind them that I did the same for them when they were his age. But, more than anything, I want all my boys to know how much they mean to me, and I want them to want to come back home to Mama when the time comes. ​

We are fresh off of a trip to Atlanta for Vintage Market Days of Greater Atlanta and boy, did we have fun! We got to stay with a good friend from home, visit with show friends that we only see once or twice a year, and we got to chat with so many of you!  It was three days of excitement, creative inspiration and a touch of exhaustion! This has become a great show for us and a must-stop on the travel schedule for spring!

I was so pleased with this booth set up; it may have been my most favorite so far! I hope some of you caught my Instagram stories on set up day as I tried to give you the process from start to finish.  It is always so amazing to me that we start with such a mess and end up with something so inviting!  If you don't already follow us on Instagram, you can find us at @thesouthernmerc. The beautiful garden arbor that dad helped me build got to make another appearance and served as a lovely welcome to our space.  The shelves were stocked with cute kitchen items, garden decor, and plenty of fun vintage finds!

My mom and I have such a good time junkin' and finding unique and fun vintage items.  I love the personality and sense of nostalgia that vintage items give to your home and work space.  Mixing old with new is such a great way to make a space feel warm and inviting.  These vintage shows are so much fun for me, and also too tempting on my wallet!  I have a hard time resisting the cool and unusual things the other vendors bring.  

It is always a good day at work when you get to be with a good friend!  My friend, Melissa, from Greener Grass Handmade and I love it when we can make our paths cross.  We don't meet up for every show, but when we do, it is so much more fun!

While we truly do enjoy our time on the road, it can be exhausting.  Not only is the physical work so tiring, but the mental strain can be taxing.  There is so much to think of and plan for when you are running a brick and mortar store, while traveling to promote your online business.  The list of things to remember is endless, and you must always be friendly and helpful, even when you are tired! There is the constant mental battle of: Did I pack enough?  Did I pack too much? Did I pack the right things?  Am I making enough money?  Is this worth it?  It can all become very overwhelming! By the end of a travel season, I am usually feeling pretty exhausted and overwhelmed.  On the last day of this show, I was feeling pretty defeated and worn out.  I stepped outside, just to take a little break and regroup.  I have been to this facility several times before, but never noticed the inscription on this bench that is placed at the front entrance. 

I was moved to tears and had to take an extra minute to compose myself before going back in.  It was a beautiful reminder to me that the Lord is with me every step of the way, ready and willing to give me all the strength I need if I will only ask.  The prayer reads:

I had never heard of Paul Eddy, but he must have been truly loved and respected to have received such a beautiful memorial.  He founded the American Indian Festival, which was hosted at The Gwinnett County Fair Grounds and you can read a little more about him here.

This little moment outside the facility gave me just the boost I needed to pack up and make my way home with a renewed spirit.  Now, I am busy unpacking and getting the shop put back together as we roll into the ease of summer in the south.   

If you find yourself on the road this summer, we'd love for you to stop in for a visit!  Visit our flagship store in Ocilla, have lunch in our Cafe, and ramble around our sweet little town.  If you can't make it in person you can always keep up with us on the website!  Join our email list to stay connected and keep up with new products and our travel schedule.  We can't wait to get to know you!

​-Roxie