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Easter Egg Hunts aren't Just for Kids!

3/29/2019

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PictureRoxie
Growing up in the Crain house, we pretty much loved and thoroughly celebrated all Holidays.  My parents were really great at taking advantage of every season to decorate and celebrate!  There was sparkly green clover garland at St. Patrick's Day, hearts and vintage Valentine cards adorned the mantle at Valentine's Day, and I won't even try to explain Halloween as it was a month long extravaganza of sorts.  Of course, there were little prizes wrapped and ready for us at the breakfast table to go along with the holiday theme.

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As a kid, I just loved Easter time!  As soon as St. Patrick's Day was past, the Easter decorations would come down from our little attic space.  The mantles and buffets would be properly covered with "Snowbabies" bunnies and all of the various rabbits that my brother and I had received the previous years from the Easter Bunny.  Dad always turned one of the trees in the front yard into the "Easter" tree by loading it with colorful, plastic eggs. 
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Even Ike and Tina (the two plastic flamingos that lived in one of the front flower beds) had bunny ears to wear for the occasion.  ​
The empty Easter baskets were set out and Troy and I would anxiously await Easter weekend.  As it approached, preparations were made around the house.  My mom would set the table with her pink napkins and Easter napkin rings.  She even had vintage pink glasses to set out with the good dishes.  She and I would plan our Easter outfits, and sometimes that meant a new dress!  One spring we got to walk downtown and pick out an Easter dress at the little children's shop.  I picked out a white, eyelet "Gunne Sax" dress with a matching bow and I thought I had died and gone to heaven!  That was a splurge that I didn't get very often!  
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The week before Easter weekend all the supplies would be gathered to dye and decorate our eggs and as we got older the decorations became more involved.  We were as happy as at Christmas time when we would go to bed and couldn't wait to wake up and see what treats the Easter Bunny had left in our baskets!  ​When we got up Easter morning, we would tear into our baskets with such delight!  Chocolate was always allowed for breakfast on such an occasion. ​​
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We would head outside, usually still in our pajamas, to begin hunting the eggs that the Easter Bunny had already hidden.  After finding all of the eggs, (they were carefully counted the day before so we would know how many to look for) we would have to head inside to get ready for church.  After Sunday lunch, the name of the game was to re-hide the eggs and find them all over again!  We would do this all afternoon, and when Dad got tired of hiding them for us, we would take turns doing it for each other.  (I will go ahead and confess that Troy probably had to hide them for me more than I hid them for him.) This was our Easter fun, all afternoon. 
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What is it about hiding and finding eggs all day that is so entertaining?  We didn't even have prize eggs, it was simply the thrill of the hunt.  The Southern Merc girls have deciced that this year, the kids shouldn't get to have all of the fun! We've carfully hidden Easter eggs all over our website, and we want you to find them!  The person that finds all of the eggs first will be a lucky winner!  

Here's how you play:

1. Click on the SHOP tab at the top of this page.

2. Search through each category by clicking on each product and looking for the hidden Easter eggs in the product images!

3. When you find an Easter egg image, write down the product name in which you found it under. 

4. Once you have found all 8 Easter egg images, email us a list of the product names where you found them!  (southernmercantile@fourthandcherry.com)

5. The first person to correctly submit the location of all 8 Easter egg images will receive the grand prize - $50.00 off your next purchase at The Southern Mercantile!  The runner up will receive $25.00 off their next purchase!  

All other players who submit the location of the Easter eggs by April 15th will be entered to win a $25.00 off coupon as well!  Ready, set, go!

While you are on the hunt, be sure to check out the cute Easter selections in our shop!
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New Year, New Me!

1/5/2017

2 Comments

 
PictureRoxie
Happy New Year Southern Mercantile family!  I love the New Year.  It has become very symbolic for me over the years.  I love the idea of a fresh start, a new beginning, a time to wash away the yuck and start over!  I live the life of retail so by the time the new year rolls around I am completely exhausted.  My house is wrecked, my shop is wrecked, my body is wrecked, and sometimes I feel like my very soul is wrecked!  A year's worth of hard work, community involvement and loving a world that is sometimes hard to love has finally caught up with me, and I need a break!

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The store is always closed a few days around New Year's so Matt and I have made it our tradition to take a little trip and regroup. Matt started this tradition for us, our very first New Year's Eve together.  He had just purchased our building from my Dad and friend Lisa the previous November.  On December 31, 2004 Matt surprised me with a trip to Savannah to attend a mascarade ball.  Midnight on January 1, 2015 was our first kiss and first "I love you". Ok, I know, too much information!  Haha! 
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Thus began our yearly tradition to make it a point to celebrate the New Year and make it something special! We've only missed one New Year's Eve together, the year that Matt spent in Iraq, serving our country through the Navy Reserve. That was not a year to dwell on, for sure, so let's move on! Chris and Jorjanne started making the trips with us, and though we have tried a few other locations through the years, we usually find our way back to Savannah.
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Savannah, GA, might be my favorite Southern city.  A visit there just feels like going home.  A dozen New Year's Eves and one honeymoon later, you can definitley say this is a favorite spot for Matt and me.  The beautiful architecture, rich history and bustling downtown never disappoint.  This lovely city is so creativley inspiring to me, I always leave feeling refreshed and excited to get home and start cracking away at the year ahead of me.  

​This year we started our trip with a delicious New Year's Eve lunch at my favorite restaurant, Belford's.  We have eaten here many times over the years, and I have never been disappointed!  The atmosphere is perfect, and the food is absolutley delicious!  If I were a restaraunt, I would be Belford's!  
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A couple of cocktails, some fried green tomatoes, and we were ready to conquer a little shopping!    
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After lunch I made my yearly pilgrimage to The Paris Market.  Talk about creative overload!  This gorgeous store is brimming with the interesting and unusual.  I always love to check out their displays and see what they put together.  We all got a little treat from the coffee bar to sip on while we shopped. Topped this off with a stop in Anthropologie, and my day was almost complete!
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After an afternoon of good food and good shopping we headed to our hotel to change clothes and head to dinner.  We kept it simple this year, no big party or fancy five-course meal.  Just some much-needed down time with good friends. Matt was feeling a little silly, but here we are enjoying a nice dinner at Sam Snead's Tavern.
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After dinner, it was back to the hotel for cocktails and counting down until midnight!  My current favorite cocktail is a Kentucky Mule.  Secret confesion: I Love bourbon.  This mix of bourbon, ginger beer, lime, and mint was the perfect choice to sip on while ringing in the New Year!  You can find the recipe on our "Happy Hour" pinterest page, courtesy of saltandwind.com.
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Even though we kept our plans simple this year, the symbolism is the same.  I am thankful for this time of new beginnings.  My birthday is on January 8th, so it really is the beginning of a whole new year for me!  I don't make resolutions because, let's be honest, why set yourself up for failure?  I do love to take this time to regroup and re-evaluate as I prepare to start another year in the journey of my life. What a good feeling to know that I can leave behind the failures and short-comings and focus on becoming a better version of myself. New year, new me!

I am truly ready to see what 2017 has in store!  I hope this New Year finds you excited to look ahead.  May God bless you as you navigate a new beginning and a new you!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!" 2Corinthians 5:17
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Boiled Peanuts

9/26/2016

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PictureRoxie
Tara, Jorjanne, and I got a chance to hang out with our friend Carey this week to get a lesson in boiling peanuts. We had a ball spending the morning with him on his back porch, learning how he has perfected his methods of this very old, southern tradition of boiling peanuts.  

If you have never had boiled peanuts, then I would say you are missing a real treat!  My dad, on the other hand, would tell you something entirely different! (But he is technically not a southerner, so we'll let that pass!) My husband, Matt, can eat his weight in them.  It is a good thing Carey keeps a freezer full because Matt will tell you that boiled peanuts are best eaten on Carey's back porch.  

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Many folks where we live will gather up their boiling peanuts straight out of the field.  While these are delicious, this method requires a little more work, like pulling the peanuts off of the vines and washing them really well!  If you want to skip the hard steps, you can buy raw peanuts at the grocery store during peanut season.  We got ours from our local Harvey's grocery store. They had already been washed but still required a little more rinsing to get most of the dirt off.
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We picked out the bad nuts that were not worth boiling and any stems that were still in the bunch.
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You will need a large stock pot, filled with enough water just to cover the peanuts.
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We cooked ours outside, but you certainly don't have to.  Put your pot on the stove, turn the flame up, and just wait for them to boil!
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Carey's secret ingredient is ice cream salt.  Just kidding!  He used it because that is what he had, but you can also use regular salt.  You will start with about two cups.
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And so we wait....
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Tell a few stories......
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Tell a few more stories..... 
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When the peanuts came to a boil, we let them cook about 30 minutes.  After thirty minutes we gave them a test.  They weren't quite tender enough so we let them cook a little longer. 
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After what seemed like an eternity, the peanuts were finally ready! We all enjoyed eating the fruits of our labor!  Most southerners would tell you that boiled peanuts are best served with an ice cold coca-cola!

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Just in case you have not eaten them before, to eat a boiled peanut, you will bite or crack the shell open to to reveal your juicy warm peanuts!  You will need an extra plate to collect your empty shells.
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Carey likes to cook big batches so he has plenty to put in the freezer.  After letting the peanuts cool in the pot for a little while, we dipped them into gallon bags and set them out to cool a little longer.  
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When you are ready to enjoy your peanuts from the freezer, pull them out and put them straight in a pot with some water.  You don't need to let them defrost. Bring them to a boil and just let them cook for a couple of minutes, and they'll be ready to eat in no time!
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While the end product is delicious, the best part of boiling peanuts is the company!  The act of boiling peanuts is meant to be social.  A time to visit with friends, relax and enjoy life!
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Muscadines, Grandma, and a Husband

8/11/2016

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PictureJorjanne
 As a little girl, my sisters and I were forced to pick whatever fruit or vegetable was in season, wherever my parents or other family members grew it. I even remember stopping on the side of the road not far from the house I grew up in just to pick blackberries so Mama could make a cobbler. (It was delicious!) Since I was a lazy baby sister, I never enjoyed these trips to the garden or orchard or friend’s backyard because they meant working in the sun rather than reading in my room. I did, however, enjoy the “fruits” of all our labor! Now, as an adult, I realize the value of hard work and am grateful for these memories.

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One of my favorite memories is of going over to Grandma Willa Ree Tucker’s house at the end of every summer to pick muscadines and scuppernongs. She had quite a few rows of those beautiful vines that were always loaded with the sweet fruit of a southern summer. And, Grandma Ree loved nothing more than to share all that she had. There was always a debate among my sisters and I as to which was better - the purple muscadines or the bronze/green scuppernongs? As a child, the purple were always my favorite, but as I’ve grown older, I tend to love the bronze. I can still remember popping the skins with my teeth, sucking out the juicy pulp, then spitting out the seeds, all while I was supposed to be putting the muscadines in my bucket. For some reason, my bucket never seemed to fill up.

Little did I know that across the county, another family was growing muscadines and raising a little boy into the man I would marry! ​
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 I guess it’s a good thing I fell in love with muscadines before I fell in love with him, since they would become such a large part of my adult life! We built our home right in the middle of his family’s muscadine vineyard, and my husband has taken the family business from growing and selling fresh muscadines to creating products made from muscadines. Now, I help with the social media for the family businesses and even make the jellies that we sell. 
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We talk to a lot of people about muscadines, some to educate on what they are, how to eat them, and how good they are for you. For most who grew up in the south, though, it’s to reminisce about their time in the woods or their grandmother’s backyard, or how their grandfather made homemade muscadine wine! I always love seeing their faces when they eat a muscadine or try our juice or jelly, then hearing their stories. You can see how the taste and scent take them back to the innocence of childhood and the joy they felt in a simpler time. I love being able to provide people with such a nostalgic experience!
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Since it is muscadine season, we’d love to hear your stories and memories! If you need a little inspiration and don’t have access to muscadines, you can always order a jar of Paulk’s Pride Muscadine Jelly, Preserves, or Sauce from us here at The Southern Mercantile! In case you’re wondering the differences, the Jelly is made from muscadine juice for a smoother texture, while the preserves and sauce have the skins for a chunkier texture. The sauce also has spices like cinnamon and cloves, which makes it delicious on pork or with turkey and dressing - it’s my personal favorite! Either way, we’d love to hear your stories and how you serve muscadines!
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Shop our Muscadine Products Now!
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Perfectly Southern Sweet Tea

7/14/2016

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PictureTara
Born and raised in the South, Sweet Tea was served at every meal.  There was this unspoken understanding that everyone wanted tea--so there was never any need to ask your family members or guests what they wanted to drink with their meal.  Sweet tea was what I knew to be the beverage of choice, and it has remained so throughout my life.

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I learned to make tea at an early age, due to how often this task had to be done.  After moving off to college, I continued my weekly tea making.  To my surprise, not everyone knew how to make sweet tea!  So, just in case your tea making skills are a little rusty, here are a few tips on making perfect, southern sweet tea.
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The first, and possibly most important, tip is in choosing the right tea bag. We believe in using Lipton tea bags, they just taste the best! You can purchase one gallon tea bags or family size tea bags--either will work fine!
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Now that you have the main ingredient, let's make sure you have the most important: sugar!  In our opinion, perfectly southern sweet tea takes two, yes TWO, cups of white granulated sugar.

Now, boil water on the stove in a tea kettle or pot.  Measure out two cups of sugar and go ahead and put that into your gallon-sized tea pitcher.  Once your water is boiling, turn it off and immediately pour it into your pitcher along with EITHER one gallon tea bag or two family size tea bags.  Give your pitcher a stir dissolving the sugar and let it sit for 15 minutes.  Remove your tea bags and finish filling up your pitcher with cold water.  Give it a good stir again and place your tea in the refrigerator until cold.  Serve over ice with the option of fresh cut lemons!

**Helpful Tip:  If you are a busy bee like me, I have a convenient alternative to the normal tea making process.  You will need a large microwave safe measuring cup, mine holds 8 cups.  Fill with water and your two family size tea bags.  Pop it in the microwave for 7 minutes--and wallah!  You can let the tea sit up to 20 minutes in the microwave before mixing up your tea and sugar.  This works well for me when I am doing chores all over the house and not necessarily in the kitchen to watch for the water boiling on the stove.  When you are ready, pull out your freshly steeped tea and mix in a gallon-sized pitcher with two cups of sugar.  Once the sugar is dissolved, finish filling the pitcher with cold water.
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Don't you love the mid century mod glasses in the photographs?  We have two sets available in the store!  Click HERE to take a look!

Shop our favorite Sweet Tea themed products below!
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Shop Sweet Tea Candles
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Shop Sweet Tea Bath Salts
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Shop Sweet Tea Hand Lotion
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Shop Sweet Tea Magnets
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Carolyn's Southern Sweet Pickles

6/24/2016

1 Comment

 
PictureRoxie
Even though I was raised in a small, rural area in the south, I never learned the art of keeping up a garden or canning and "putting up" vegetables. My family traveled a lot in the summers and I didn't have a grandma to teach me those important southern traditions.

When I moved back after college I turned to my friend Mrs. Carolyn for a little help!  I have known Mrs. Carolyn my entire life. She was the secretary at the elementary school where my parents taught and our families have been long time friends. When my dad was opening our shop and cafe 13 years ago, he called on Mrs. Carolyn to help in The Cafe. She has been with us ever since! She lovingly tends to our Cafe guests every Tuesday and it is her pimiento cheese recipe that has become famous in our little town. 

Carolyn and her husband always kept a summer garden. Several years ago she let me come out and pick peas with her. We took our peas to the local canning plant to have them shelled and then she helped me blanch and bag them up to freeze them. One summer she helped me with okra and this summer I got a lesson in canning her delicious sweet pickles!

We have decided to share her secrets with you, with her permission of course. :) The pickle process takes a few days to complete, so be sure to have a little time on your hands!  Here is your peek into Mrs. Carolyn's pickle making methods.

What you will need:
  • Seven pounds of cucumbers (the smaller the better)
  • Pickling Lime
  • Pickling Spices
  • One gallon of distilled white vinegar
  • 8 pounds of white granulated sugar
  • 14 pint or 7 quart sized jars with lids and rings
  • Piece of an old t-shirt or pantie hose
  • Large bowl or basin (should not be aluminum)
  • Large pot (should not be aluminum)
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Give them a good wash and set aside.
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Once all of your cucumbers have been cleaned, begin cutting!  You will want to cut off the ends of the cucumbers and discard them.
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Try to cut your cucumbers as uniform as possible to keep your pickles looking and tasting consistent!
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Cutting is the step where you may want to recruit a little help.
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Mrs. Carolyn follows along with the directions on the Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime package for the basic measurements.  (She adds a little extra here and there to get them just right.)  When you begin the "liming down" process, make sure that the bowl or basin you are using is not made of aluminum because of the reaction that could take place with the lime.
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Sprinkle one cup of Pickling Lime over your freshly cut cucumbers.
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Now begin filling your basin with water to ensure that your cucumbers are covered.
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Make sure to give them a good stir so that the lime distributes evenly throughout the water.  After "liming your pickles down", let them sit overnight, stirring occasionally (otherwise the lime will settle to the bottom).
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 The next day, you will want to begin the rinsing process.  To ensure that you wash all of the lime off of your cucumbers, you will need to rinse them multiple times.  

Using a colander, rinse your cucumbers off and rinse out your basin.  Place the cucumbers back in the basin and cover them with water again.  Let the cucumbers soak in the clean water for one hour.  Repeat this step two more times!

After you have soaked the cucumbers in clean water three times (at one hour each time), drain them again with your colander.  Rinse your basin and place the cucumbers back in, covering them with ice water this time.  Mrs. Carolyn let her cucumbers soak in ice water for three hours before moving on to the next step.
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 Now it is time to get your pickling spices ready.  You can use a piece of an old (clean) t-shirt, as Mrs. Carolyn has done, or even pantie hose!  Tie up your spices so that they are not loose in your pickles.  We used two tablespoons of spices, tying up one tablespoon per bundle. 
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Now it is time to bring your vinegar, sugar and spices to a boil. (Not in aluminum!)  It is important that your cucumbers go straight from the ice bath into the boiling mixture.  This gives them that special crunch!  

You can follow along with the recipe on the Mrs. Wages Pickling Lime package, or do what we did!  Mrs. Carolyn's pickles are perfectly crispy, sweet and tart--so her version is a little different.  We ended up using one whole gallon of white distilled vinegar. *This is where experience comes in.  She knows what to add by simply looking at it!
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We also used eight pounds of sugar.
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We even had a special guest show up to help! Abi is one of Mrs. Carolyn's biggest fans.
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Keep stirring as your vinegar begins to boil.  You will want to stir as the sugar dissolves.
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Once the sugar is dissolved and the vinegar is boiling, carefully add in your cold and drained pickles!
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Mrs. Carolyn added more vinegar than is stated on the Pickling Lime Package to ensure that her pickles would be covered.
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Give them a stir and wait for the vinegar to come back to a boil.
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Once it comes to a rolling boil, turn the stove off and let your pickles sit over night.
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The next morning, bring your pickles to a boil one more time.  Let them boil for 30-45 minutes stirring occasionally.
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As your pickles cook, they will darken--this is the color you are looking for!
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While your pickles are boiling, get your clean jars, lids and rings ready.  You will need to boil a little water in a separate pot to drop your lids down in.  The rim around the lid will need to be heated in order to seal on the jar correctly. 

Begin filling your jars once your pickles have boiled for 30-45 minutes. 
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Make sure that your pickles are submerged in the liquid by pressing them down with a spoon.  You want to ensure that you have enough liquid in your jars to prevent any from going bad.
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Be sure to wipe the rim of the jar clean before placing your warmed lid on top.  You will want to get rid of any sticky liquid that may have gotten on the outside of the jar.
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Screw your ring on as tight as you can and set the jar aside.
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Mrs. Carolyn likes to leave her pickle filled jars sitting on the counter while she waits to hear the jars seal with a "pop"!  (Although Mrs. Carolyn does not process her pickles, it is recommended that you process your jars of pickles in a water bath for at least ten minutes to prevent any presence of bacteria.)
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The best part about pickle making (besides the outcome) is all of the "waiting" time.  That gives us plenty of time to chat!
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Once the lids on your jars have "popped", you are ready to enjoy your pickles for months to come.  
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We hope that you have enjoyed this glimpse into a classic Southern kitchen.  We'd love for you to give pickle-making a try yourself, and let us know how it goes!


We have a few things over in the store that you might find helpful if you do decide to make a batch of pickles of your own!  Purchase a Canning Kit to dress up your jars or an enamel basin to make the liming and soaking process a little bit easier!
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Shop our Canning Kits
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Shop our Enamel Basins
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5 Family Dinner Tips

4/8/2016

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PictureJorjanne
As the mother of two busy, growing boys, I know how hectic life can be, running from work to sports practices and games, then to art lessons and church. I also know how important having dinner together at home is. According to www.familydinnerproject.org:


“Over the past 15 years researchers have confirmed what parents have known for a long time: sharing a family meal is good for the spirit, the brain and the health of all family members. Recent studies link regular family dinners with many behaviors that parents pray for: lower rates of substance abuse, teen pregnancy and depression, as well as higher grade-point averages and self-esteem. Studies also indicate that dinner conversation is a more potent vocabulary-booster than reading, and the stories told around the kitchen table help our children build resilience. The icing on the cake is that regular family meals also lower the rates of obesity and eating disorders in children and adolescents.”

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Here are my 5 tips for how to make Family Dinner happen, in spite of busy schedules:

1. Plan ahead.
I try to take the time on Sunday evening to look through our family’s schedule for the next week to determine which nights we can eat at home and which nights we’ll have to eat out. I plan my meals based on the amount of time I will have to cook each evening. (This also helps our family budget, which makes my hubby happy!) My family’s favorite meal on a night I don’t have a lot of time is nachos. We each choose our own toppings, from ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. We also love to add sour cream and homemade salsa and guacamole. Make sure you’re signed up for our email list and join our Recipe Club to receive a Recipe Card with our Homemade Salsa and Guacamole recipes!
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2. Crockpot meals. 
I go through spells of using my crockpot all the time, then not using it for a while. When life gets busy, though, my crockpot is a lifesaver! I use it for lots of soups and stews, but even if you just use it to cook your meat, the rest of the meal comes together pretty easily. There are lots of crockpot cookbooks and recipes out there, especially on Pinterest. My family’s favorite right now is Asian Pork Tenderloin with Ginger Glaze, which you can find here (shoutout to The Food Charlatan!)

3. Plan to pick up takeout or have semi-homemade.
On the nights your schedule just won’t allow you to cook, go ahead and decide what you can pick up and add to at home. Whether it’s a bucket of fried chicken, so all you have to do is cook a box of macaroni and cheese and heat up a can of green beans, or if you order pizza and add a salad, figure out what will take the most time and a way to reduce that amount of time.

4. Have a back-up plan. 
Sometimes, even after planning ahead, you still end up with less time than you thought you would have. I try to keep certain items in my freezer and pantry, so that I can throw together my meals rather quickly. Cans of beans and diced tomatoes stay on my pantry shelf, and I know that my microwave can defrost one pound of meat in less than 10 minutes. That means I can throw together a pot of chili or taco soup in half an hour. Filling my pot with hot water before putting it on the stove helps it to boil faster, which means I can have pasta topped with canned spaghetti sauce and meatballs from the freezer within half an hour, too. Also, my kids love breakfast for supper, and they never realize it’s because I ran out of time! Scramble some eggs, boil water for some quick grits, and fry a little bacon (okay, a lot!), and get ready for smiles. Know what meals you can pull together quickly, then make sure you keep those ingredients at the ready.
 5. Make the restaurant table your family dinner table. 
You’ve tried your best to make family dinner at home work, but there are times when even your backup plan falls through. I know how you feel, but this still does not make you a failure. Instead, accept the fact that you’re going to have to eat dinner out, then have dinner at the restaurant table just as you would have at home: no phones, talk about highs and lows for the day, play word association games, tell stories, etc. Enjoy the service and the meal prepared by someone else, while you enjoy time together with family! You can even make it an event by inviting extended family!
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A long time ago, my sister taught me that with family meals - just as in so many other areas of life - we have to choose between good, better, and best. Of course, a home-cooked meal from scratch at a beautifully set table with spouses and children who talk about their day is best, but that’s not always going to happen. Sometimes, you choose what is only good or better, knowing that you have done the best you could do at the time. Cut yourself some slack, and have a PB&J on paper plates, if you have to. Just make sure that as often as you can, your family has the chance to have dinner together.
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5 Southern Touches for a Summer Wedding

4/1/2016

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The South is characterized by many things, such as food, drink, flowers, traditions, proper dress and manners.  If you are looking to add Southern touches to your summer wedding, here is what you need to know!

1. Use flowers and greenery that are native to the South
Nothing says southern elegance like a trail of camellia leaves and hydrangeas.  When choosing the florals for your wedding, don't discount the simple pleasures of our native blooms.  Whether you incorporate the richness magnolia leaves bring or the vibrance of zinnias, take your first clue from what's growing around you.
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2. Serve sweet tea as the beverage of choice
When it comes to a Southern wedding, it isn't complete without guests sipping on sweet tea.  Nothing is more refreshing or nostalgic than an ice cold glass of tea in the midst of summer.  Whether you're serving brunch, lunch or supper--sweet tea will be well received.
3. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue
Though this tradition seems to be slowly forgotten, think of it as an opportunity to have a little fun and, not to mention, gain a little good luck on your big day!  Something new usually takes care of itself, but be sure to include your sisters, mothers, grandmothers and bridesmaids on the hunt for finding something old, borrowed and blue.  Here in the South, we like tradition--so why break one that adds a little fun?  We love how this photo captures each sweet piece--found on Style me Pretty!
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4. Touches of seersucker
Although a seersucker suit may not strike your fancy, consider adding touches of seersucker to carry through the Southern summer theme.  Perfect for a coastal wedding, seersucker can be found in the form of bow ties or jackets, ring bearer pillows or flower girl dresses.  Get creative and throw in a taste of proper Southern dress. (My personal favorite is this seersucker bubble dress by Ralph Lauren!) 
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5. Handwritten thank you notes
If you haven't read The Art of the Thank You Note, you should.  Handwritten thank you notes are a dying art, but one that should follow after every wedding.  If you are to have a true Southern wedding, you must put the pen to the stationery and pour out your thanksgiving.  Manners are a must when it comes to your big day, so don't let this simple tip slip away!
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Repost: The Art of the Thank You Note

3/4/2016

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PictureTara
In honor of our recent discussion on Wedding Registries, we have decided to do a re-post!  If you are in the midst of receiving wedding gifts and not sure how to craft a grateful thank you note--this is the blog for you!  
*A helpful hint to keep you extra organized: keep all of your gift tags in an envelope or box and write what the gift was on the back of each one!
​


Throughout the years I have become quite a little note writer.  I have found it to be a good opportunity to show someone how much they mean to you--and believe me, it means a lot to them.  There is just something about a handwritten note that time cannot erase.  For things as simple as a call, or as big as a Kitchen Aid mixer, thank you notes can have a special way of exhibiting gratitude and love.  With my wedding only a few weeks away, you can imagine how busy I have been writing!  Thank you notes can have a way of becoming overwhelming, burdensome--and let’s just be honest; a real chore.  

**Notice what I have said, “CAN have a special way of exhibiting gratitude and love” and “CAN have a way of becoming overwhelming, burdensome, etc.” 

It’s all about attitude!  If you are genuinely writing because you are appreciative and care--it will show in your words!  If you are well organized, timely and grateful--it won’t become overwhelming!  I want to share my tips in honor of the art of the Thank You note.

Get organized
Purchase an address book, make an excel spreadsheet--do something so that you don’t have to call your mother and ask for your great aunts address for the third time.  You’ll be glad you did, and you’ll be able to add to it throughout the years.

Put your stamp on it
Any old stamp will send mail--but you’re trying to send a message!  It is such a special touch when the stamp coordinates with the envelope--it shows thoughtfulness and preparation.
  If you’re like me, your local post office doesn’t offer a wide selection.  Well, the USPS has a nifty website where you can view all available stamps!https://store.usps.com/store/browse/category.jsp?categoryId=buy-stamps&categoryNavIds=buy-stamps

After checking them out and choosing the perfect ones, you can order them, or have your post office do it!  It usually takes a week for them to come in.
My personal favorite at the moment: 

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Pick a pen
Everyone has a favorite pen, pick it up!  As long as it is a legible color, you’re A-OK.  Choosing your favorite pen as opposed to just any old utensil will make all the difference.  My favorite pens and markers: ​
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The search for good stationary
Choosing appropriate stationary is key to make writing and receiving the notes even more fun.  Sometimes, I even make my own by printing on a flat card! ​
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Monogrammed, floral, gold foil, postcards, patterned--the possibilities are endless!  This is a perfect way to show your creativity and personality.  A pretty card is a good way to introduce your pretty words.  My personal favorite, Rifle Paper Company, has adorable thank you cards. https://riflepaperco.com/shop/greeting-cards/
You can also shop stationery here at The Southern Mercantile! 

Now, for the important part; grab a blanket, turn on some music, set out all your tools and get cozy on the couch.

Before you start writing, I think it is important to reflect on who gave you the gift, your relationship with that person, the thought behind the gift, and how you will use it.  Thinking about all of these things are a way of “brainstorming” for your note.  You should mention the shower, party or occasion in which you received the gift--and let them know you are glad they were there!  Tell what is special about the gift, and if possible, relate the gift to the giver in some way (I try to use a memory). And last but not least, I think it is always a good idea to take the chance to thank them for other things they have done for you throughout your life.  If you do these things, your note is sure to stand out from the crowd. 

People do not hesitate to give good gifts to those who are grateful.

Happy writing!
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A Southern Registry Guide

2/26/2016

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PictureTara
One of my favorite things about my job is that I have the pleasure of helping our local brides create the perfect registry! We mix and match dishes with flatware until we find the perfect pair, while playing with linens and stemware along the way. It is interesting to see how different everyones tastes are and the selections they make. Not only do I have experience in helping brides register, but I was in their shoes this time last year! I have learned a lot in the past two years regarding wedding registries as well as Southern wedding showers, and I would love to share what I have learned with you!

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When to Register
After your engagement, you will want to make sure that you begin the registry process 7-9 months before your wedding date. Why so early? You will want to have your registry in place so that not only wedding guests can take advantage of it, but also shower guests!

Where to Register
When beginning your registry journey, talk about possible registry locations, keeping it simple in choosing three or four. You will want to provide a variety of options for your friends and family, but you don't want to get too carried away. Think about your needs and make sure that the items are available within the locations you have chosen. Here in the South, it is important to choose a location that is easily accessible in person. Although online registries have become more and more popular, you will want to make sure there are brick-and-morter options for the not so “computer savy” crowd. Most small Southern towns are used to purchasing wedding gifts at their local jewlery or retail store. It is important to be considerate of those who will be purchasing the gifts.

How to Register
Although “how to register” sounds a bit silly, there are a few things you will want to take into consideration before you start! With local retail stores, it is usually a good idea to call ahead and make an appointment. This ensures that help will be on hand to answer any of your questions and that they are prepared for your arrival. With large retailers, online or in store, it's pretty simple! An appointment is not necessary since they usually have plenty of help on hand.

What to Register For
When deciding what to list on your registry, you will want to keep a few things in mind. Asking yourself these questions will ensure that you have a registry that is well thought out (and coordinating)! It will also keep you from becoming overwhelmed at all of your options once they are in front of you. One thing I like to tell our brides is to think about what they might want a few years down the road. Although they might not like to bake now—they may in a couple of years! Just keep that in mind and focus on having a nicely stocked kitchen.
  • Would you rather have fine china, everyday dishes, or both?
    • ​How many placesettings of each? (most people register for 8 to 12--think about having guests over!)
  • Would you like a flatware (other than your everyday) to go with your china? If so, you will typically want the same number of place settings as your china.
  • ​What style serving pieces do you like best? (pewter, crystal, ceramic)
  • ​What will you want for entertaining 10, 20, even 30 years down the road? (platters, napkins, table cloths, pitchers, cook books, vases)
  • What linens do you need for your home? (keep your future home in mind!)
  • ​Do you need bedding? (sheets, comforters, pillows, blankets)​
  • What small kitchen appliances might you need? (what color or finish?)
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We hope you found our thoughts helpful during this exciting time!  Just remember that this is suppose to be fun--so have a little!  Stay true to you and your style but also keep the future in mind.  

Download your own Registry Checklist created by The Southern Merc gang on our Wedding Printables page!  It will help you think through your registry even further and ensure that you have everything covered!
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