Though this seemed to be the perfect location for me, it didn't fit my husband's preferences.  As reluctant as he was, he finally agreed to take the plunge just so that we could have somewhere to call home.  If you're not familiar with our first renovation journey, check it out here!

Fast forward 5 years.  My husband has been so patient and adapted to living in town as best he could.  Now that we have children of our own, we have started thinking about our long-term goals.  We both want our children to grow up playing in the dirt, learning how to fish, growing a garden...doing all of the things that Phillip enjoyed doing as a kid.  Though it may not be necessary to live in the country to be able to do all of those things, it is our dream.  We want a piece of land of our own--a place to invest in and share with our children, and our children's children.  We have worked so hard to be where we are today, and we felt like it was the right time to take the next step towards our dream.

With all of that being said, we decided to put our house on the market!  You can't imagine the whirlwind of emotions that we've felt over this decision, even to this day.  Our realtor shared the listing with the popular Facebook page "For The Love Of Old Houses", and boy did it take off!  It received almost 14k likes, 3.4k comments, and 4.7k shares...wow!  It was so encouraging to read through everyone's comments and know that our vision for this home truly came to life and was being appreciated by so many. 

It was then time for our annual family vacation.  We desperately needed a break so we tried to take a week to focus on our family and enjoy just being with each other.  After only a few showings of our home, we received our first offer! It was a bittersweet moment, almost too good to be true.  We wrestled with accepting the offer from a state away, but finally decided that it was now or never.  We said yes and the process has been rolling ever since.

Now, I'm sure you all know where I'm going with this story.  Yes, we will be moving into the Brick House on Beech Street!  Though it definitely wasn't our intentions at the time of purchase (we wanted to rent it to a family member), it seems as if it was God's intentions all along.  It is amazing to see how he faithfully takes care of us, lines opportunities up for us, often times when we least deserve it.  Never in a million years did I dream that I could have a home this beautiful, nor did I ever think I would be ok with selling it!  God has given me a peace about taking this step, and now I am actually excited to be moving next door.  I am most excited about living a simpler life, and hopefully being able to purchase a piece of land of our own in the next few years. 

​So, now that you have a life update, here is an update on the progress!  This is what the house looked like last time I gave you an update.

Here's a glance at the master bedroom before and after bring primed!

Phillip was able to install our cabinets so it gave our bathrooms a little more life.  They turned out to be so spacious, and a great use of space.

Here's a look at the living room if you're standing in the kitchen. I love how the natural light pours in from the big windows in the front.

Here is a look at the kitchen if you're standing in the living room.

The cabinets really do pull things together!  Even though this is a relatively small house, we ended up having a wonderful size kitchen.

We even have a nice sized dining area!

This is your view once you come in the front door.

It's all coming together!  Next, it's time to paint.  I have decided to go with a contrast trim to give the house a little character.  I can't wait to show you how it turns out!  Here are the colors I'm thinking.  I'd love for you to let me know what you think in the comments below!

Thanks for following along with us on this journey!  We have loved sharing every step with you, and we can't wait to show you the end result!

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!

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!

Raising children, whether they are your own or not, is a honorable task.  If you're a teacher, aunt, mentor or friend, you've likely helped raise a child.  My hope is that the words I share send encouragement and comfort your way--meeting you where you are, sharing in the daily joys and struggles together.

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Last Mother's Day, I found my heart a bit conflicted.  Was I a mother?  I was carrying a baby in my womb and caring for a teenager in my home.  Personally, I felt very much like a mother!  The world around me, however, didn't seem to think so.  Harmless comments were made to suggest my time has not come yet, while Phillip and the foster child in our home planned to celebrate.  What I quickly realized is that it didn't matter.  It didn't matter what others think.  What mattered was the time I spent "mothering" an independent, rebellious, smart and growing child.  The child itself is the celebration.

​I've had the privilege of being "mothered" by many women in my life.  Teachers, coaches, Bible study leaders, bosses, mentors, friends, aunts, grandmothers, my Mother-in-Law and my own Mom.  Each one teaching me something different, shaping me into the woman, and mother, I am today.  Each one demonstrating to me how to be compassionate, fun, loving, kind, strong, thoughtful, resourceful, genuine, or selfless.  Each one playing their own important role in my story.

​I can look at the style in which I mother, and attribute certain traits to particular women. I joke that after watching shows like This is Us and Parenthood, I am better prepared to raise children...but the truth of the matter is that it has been the real-life men and women in my life who have modeled how to love and raise a child, not without making mistakes, but rather making them with grace.

​Mother's Day can be a strange time for those women who have not birthed children of their own--I've been there.  Many of those women wish(ed) for the opportunity to do so, but haven't known that joy.  Some women consciously made a choice to forgo motherhood.  Either way, for some, this day can become a time of frustration, sadness, confusion, disappointment or discontentment.  

​What I'd love to challenge you to do is take this time to truly think about the women who helped shape you, and choose to honor them, too, this Mother's Day.  Let your gratitude show by sending them a card, mailing them a package, or even just giving them a call.  Let's celebrate all of those that mother, in our lives and the lives of others! 

If you'd like our help in celebrating someone you love, take a look around the store.  We'd be so happy to send something their way!  We have tons of great Mother's Day gift ideas.  Shop small and share the love!

After picking more berries than our arms can carry, we develop a game plan to make the most of our haul.  We usually dip a good many of them in chocolate, make a few fresh strawberry milkshakes, whip up a cobbler or two, eat some with yogurt or cereal, and did I mention dip some in chocolate?

This year (after the initial chocolate dipping) I decided to recreate a Strawberry Crisp recipe that was shared with me a few years back by my friend Kaitlyn.  

This recipe is so simple to make, and uses items that you probably have in your pantry already.  It's a quick and delicious dessert that is sure to please a crowd.

The crunchy topping, made up of brown sugar, flour and oats create the perfect contrast to the soft strawberry center.

I've made this dessert twice already this season!  The last time I made it, I decided to try baking it in ramekins.  I love all desserts, but I especially love anything that is served individually.  There is just something so fun about being presented your very own dish!

They baked so beautifully, and I think that they may have even tasted better than usual!

You should know that this Strawberry Crisp, however, should never be served without a scoop of ice cream on top.

If this Strawberry Crisp recipe doesn't get you excited about Strawberry season, I don't know what will!  I hope you'll check it out and try it for yourself.  If you live in the area, you should definitely visit Paulk Vineyards pick-your-own strawberry fields.  If you don't, search your surrounding area and see if you can find one near you!  Make a day of it, with your family and friends, and start a tradition of your own!

​If you're looking for more fun ways to use fresh berries this year, check out our beautiful cookbook, Berries!

​Lila made her way into this world on July 20th, 2019.  It was all a blur, and movie-like almost, as I stood on the sidewalk outside of Longhorn's Steakhouse.  My belly was full (in more ways than one), and I was on the phone with my dad when my water broke right then and there for all of the patiently waiting customers to see.  I stared at the puddle in surprise and giggled as Phillip yelled at me to get in the car. (I guess he didn't think it was funny.)

I quickly realized how funny it wasn't as the contractions became stronger.  I had been reading books and watching documentaries all to prepare me for this moment, and somehow none of it mattered.  Lila was on her way, and that was all I could think about!

She arrived at 10:58, a little over two hours after my water broke.  What a whirlwind!  

She was tiny, dark and beautiful.  I couldn't believe I was her mom.  As I held her close and stared at her, all I could think about was how miraculous of an experience this all was.

In the beginning, it was as if I had trouble believing that there was really a baby growing inside of me.  However, from the very moment I felt her move, that all changed.  All of the sudden I was overly aware that she was there, that she was a part of me.  As she grew, so did my attachment of her.  I started dreaming of who she'd be and what she'd look like.  It also became so evident to me that she did not belong to me, she belonged to God.

​God gave us this gift of Lila, and she was in His hands.  I don't mean to sound morbid, but I had to train my thoughts to acknowledge that truth.  It did, in a way, stunt the growth of my attachment to her.  But looking back, it was a gift.  It was a gift to be able to fully recognize that she belonged to HIM. That HE was allowing me to be her mom--not her creator.  From time to time fear would rise up in me--what if something happened to her?  What if I lost her?  What if I lost her during delivery?  But the fear didn't stop there.  What if she gets sick after she is born?  What if she gets in an accident and dies suddenly as a child?  What if?

Then an overwhelming peace came.  She belongs to God.  He is in control.  He will take care of her.  And if He decides to call her home, she will come, whether I am ready or not.  Acknowledging that truth early on allowed me to fully love her without overwhelming fear. (*I am human, so not completely without fear.)  To care for her and raise her with the attitude that she belongs to God.  Now, I know she has only been here for 3 months, and the reality is that as time passes and she grows, it will be challenging to remain in this mindset.  However, by choosing to raise her in this way, I will take it day by day.  Daily I will choose to lift her up to the Lord.  Daily I will love her like the miraculous gift she is.

​With one placement ending during the 7th month of my pregnancy, Phillip and I decided to take a break from foster care until after Lila was born.  We could take up to a six month break before having to redo our training, so that was the plan.  Now, we find ourselves at the end of our break, preparing our hearts to open our home again.  It is a bittersweet feeling, but it doesn't come without fear.  

Like I said, early on in my pregnancy, I was able to train my thoughts and come to grips with the truth that Lila belonged to God.  Although Phillip knows this in his mind, it was still sinking into his heart.  Phillip became anxious about foster care and its role in our family's life.  He was fearful of what could happen to her once we welcomed other children into our home--children who come from a broken past and who have experienced violence and abuse.  Through many prayers and discussions, we finally agreed that foster care is the path that our family is called to.  That meeting these broken children where they are and loving them like Jesus does is the life we want to live.  

As I thought about the fear of what could happen to Lila as we open up our home more and more, I was reminded of Abraham. 
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" He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”  "  Genesis 22:2

Take your son, your only son, whom you love...and offer him there as a burnt offering. (If you have never read this story, or it's been a while since you have, read it now! )
Wow.  If this story didn't get to me before, it certainly does now that I am a parent.  Abraham, being the faithful servant he was, obeyed.  He didn't question God.  He didn't bargain with God.  He was obedient.  Was he so full of faith that he knew the Lord would provide a lamb?  Or was he acknowledging the truth that Isaac belonged to God?  Or both?
I sat, with tear-filled eyes, and thought to myself--I love Lila, but God loves her more.  

I want to raise my family in a way that honors The Lord.  I want my time on this earth to be about other people--sharing the love of Christ.  I want Lila to understand just what Jesus intended our lives to be--full of love and sacrifice.  

Lila Monroe Smith is a pure JOY.  She is the sweetest-natured baby and loves everyone she meets.  She looks just like her daddy, but might have her mama's eyes.  She is the best snuggler and loves to chat.  She loves being outside and reading books.  Lila is the best gift--and we are so excited to be her mom and dad.

Thank you to Dixie Cook Sherrod for the beautiful photos!

My Papa was one heck of a man.  Honest, trustworthy, dedicated, patient, kind, hardworking, simple, loving...I could go on and on.  One of his great loves was fishing.  He loved it so much, that he made sure his kids and grandkids had the opportunity to learn and love it too.  I remember digging up worms in his worm bed, learning to bait a hook with stuck and bloody fingers, starting off with a cane pole and graduating to a rod and reel, sitting on an upside-down 5 gallon bucket, and getting caught in the trees more times than I'd like to admit. ​ He cultivated a love for the outdoors in me at a young age, and I still enjoy fishing today.

​My Nana's parents, who we called Pap and Granny Honey, also loved to fish.  They decided to make use of a low spot behind their house and have a small pond dug.  This turned out to be perfect for us kids, since Nana and Papa lived right next door!  I remember thinking how magical and mysterious this small wooded pond was--never knowing what I'd pull out of that dark water.

From an early age, I remember loving the taste of fried fish.  Our family usually gathered over a "fish fry" to celebrate birthdays, holidays and other special occasions.  With such a large family to feed, this was one cost-effective way to please the crowd.  Papa would fish for weekends, freezing his bounty, saving up for the big day.  He and Nana would stand over the bubbling grease, waiting for the hushpuppies to float.  Served alongside grits, homemade french fries, and slaw, it was a feast.  He would stand in line with us kids, telling us what each piece was and what he thought we might like best.  Then my mom or Nana would help us diligently pick it off of the bones to ensure we didn't accidentally swallow one and ruin the night.  I'd sit barefoot at the table with my legs crisscrossed feeling like I was in heaven.

​There was a period of time that I spent every Friday night with my grandparents.  They, along with about 10 other couples, would gather at the cabin to hold a weekly fish fry.  The men would spend their week catching as many fish as they could just so they would have an excuse to get together for supper.  The women would bring in their specialties, whether it be a side or dessert, as their contribution.  I remember sitting at a table, surrounded by "old women" talking about "old men", while the men gathered in the kitchen to chit chat and heat the grease.  I didn't care that I was the only kid there--I got to eat my favorite meal and go home with my favorite people.       

When my Papa got sick, I reflected on what it was about him that I admire and would miss so much.  I decided that if I could marry someone that was half of the man he was, I would be happy.  Little did I know that Phillip would come calling, and I would find him, too, honest, trustworthy, dedicated, patient, kind, hardworking, simple, and loving.  The funny thing is, Phillip is also a carpenter (like my Papa), and he too loves to fish.  

Phillip's family has a deep love for fishing as well, and "fish frys" are a common occurrence around their house.  Needless to say, I fit right in.  ​

​Fried catfish and bream may seem like a poor man's dinner to some, but let me tell you, it's a feast fit for a king.  I love the feeling of nostalgia and flood of memories that hot, greasy fish and homemade french fries bring.  You know the old saying, "Give a man a fish, feed him for a day.  Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime."?  It is easy to believe that if I had only eaten a plate of fish at family get-togethers, rather than investing in the experience of fishing as a child, I wouldn't feel the way I do today.  Good thing my Papa taught us to fish, because it did more than feed us for a lifetime.  

​If fried fish is new to you, but you'd like to give it a try, take home the Deep South cookbook!  It showcases traditional Southern meals, like fried catfish with hush puppies and tartar sauce.  Yum!

And in case you didn't know, lemon pie is a must when fish is on the menu.  If you don't have a recipe of your own that you love, try out our Southern Pies cookbook!