The Yellow Purse's Retirement

By: The Yellow Purse (Guest Blogger)

Today I retire from my long career of two years. I know it doesn't sound like a long time for a career but it is   relatively unheard of to work consistently for so long in a purse's life.  And have I ever worked!  Casey is not generous with the vacation time for her purse employees!  Don't get me wrong - I have loved working for my employer but she really grew way too dependent on me during my career.  I tried to convince her several times to hire at least one other bag.  And she tried other employees.  She really did.  We bought at least four new bags during my time as an employee but she claimed no purse worked as well as I did and she would always return to me. So all the other bags just served as temps when I got the occasional day off.

I know I sound ungrateful for the consistent work but I am tired and I want to accomplish other goals in my life before I find myself in a garbage can.  It is time to rest my handles, hang out with the other bags,  and give my zippers an occasional mani/pedi!  Plus, just between you and me I think I am becoming an unwelcomed third party in Boyfriend and Casey's relationship.  I know you think I am just paranoid but I have heard him complain about how big I am and how I interfere. She takes up for me and says I am her statement bag but I believe Boyfriend is ready for her to make a new statement!  You can see how uncomfortable all three of us  are in the below picture.  I think Boyfriend is just in the way but he thinks I am and really I need to retire before I cause any more problems!

However, I retire with wonderful memories. I have had a career that most other purses would sell themselves on Ebay for!  My career has been filled with numerous opportunities for travel and meeting interesting people along the way.  I was hired right before the 2009 Southern Miss's Homecoming game in Hattiesburg, MS.  I was quite the star of the day with my gorgeous golden coloring.  I come by my color naturally because it runs in the family which makes all the other bags so jealous. 

Casey quickly became attached to me, claiming that I was her trademark bag.  We went everywhere together. We went to work every day, numerous football games (both Southern Miss and Ole Miss), dinners out, and vacations.  Everywhere we went women complimented me which only made Casey use me even more. Casey even took me when I wasn't right for the occasion or clashed with her outfit.  Poor thing sometimes looked like a traffic light with her bright red coat and me as her bag with my natural golden coloring.  All she needed was some green and she could have had a second job directing traffic!  But none of that stopped her devotion to me.  Bless her heart.

I told her I had to retire a few weeks ago. She was not happy at all but I thought it was a good time to let her know.   I comforted her telling herI have heard that the new purses coming into the job market are quite remarkable. I reminded her that getting into a fashion rut, even with a fashionable piece, is just a ghastly problem that would soon make her bait for one of those reality make over shows where they would force her to separate from me.  Also, Boyfriend is growing increasingly frustrated with not being able to hug her without me in the way. And I will admit I purposely slugged him a couple of times when Casey wasn't looking.

After I assured her that I would not go far and we would stay in touch when I retired, she agreed to let me go try new things. So now I am headed to her closet to have more "me" time.  Sweet girl even surprised me with a retirement party! The party had wine, food, presents, and  toting (which is dancing in the purse world). For my retirement gift, I got a beautiful handmade scarf to accessorize my handles. All the purses are accessorizing these days.  I made a speech that brought tears to her eyes and we toasted to new adventures.  So I got my way, I am free. Boyfriend will be happy. Casey will adjust to a new bag. But after looking at my pictures, I am not sure now just how long I will stay in retirement.  Given how gorgeous I look for my age I may have a few more good years left in me after all.

There I am with Casey at the MACE Conference she chaired in Biloxi...good times!

Us together in the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, TN. She toted me all around that huge hotel!

Us girls had to visit the ice exhibit!  Merrill and Casey forgot to put a coat on me too! Brrrr that igloo was cold.

 She loves this picture but it looks like Boyfriend doesn't want to touch her but it is just because I am in the way and he can't put his arm around her!

My retirement party!  Wine and my new scarf!  I was so proud of my decision to retire but now seeing at how good I look, I may have to rethink my decision.

Note from Casey: This blog is dedicated to my sweet boyfriend who has endured the third person in our relationship (aka yellow purse) for two years.  He will be happy to take a break from it - although I don't know how long the yellow purse will stay retired! I love my trademark bag so how long retirement lasts is still in question. Maybe the yellow purse just needs a vacation!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am home sick with the bad cold of 2011 as I write this blog entry. But despite the coughing and fatigue, I feel the holiday spirit. Everything seems to be golden as the holidays approach.  I am not just talking about the leaves but even the lighting. For example, I especially love watching the holiday news and talk show segments.  The sets are warm with golden lighting effects and they are cooking holiday food so savory I feel as if I can smell it from my living room. Although to this Southern Belle's dismay, I did see a recent poll of three chefs on a cooking segment who were all asked if they said "dressing" or "stuffing." All said stuffing!  Obviously none of those chefs were raised in the South!

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am dedicating a blog to thankfulness.  The above statement was my inspiration. A few weeks ago, I came across the question on Facebook.  The message has staying power because the simple question makes you think. I was sitting with my family when I read it and everyone quieted for a moment to take in the idea.  Scary thought for me because I had probably only thanked God for about three things the day before!  All of a sudden even the menial things started to get a Thank You, God!  I love my life and assumed God realized it. However, that question helped me realize I need to acknowledge all of the many things I love in my life, not only for the act of being grateful but so I clearly see how blessed I am for myself.

Since seeing that statement, I have been trying to make an effort over the last few weeks to fill my prayers thanking God for all the blessings in my life. Everything from my family to my curling iron!  My initial intent wasn't to use all of my prayers just focused on gratitude, because I still had requests I wanted to ask. But once I began my conversation with listing things I was thankful for, I couldn't stop listing.  Eventually I had to end the prayer to go to work or do some other daily task so the requests were limited, if made at all.  This practice helped me see how abundant my life is. I thought I knew how blessed I am but now I really see it.   And as for the requests, it only took a few days for most of those to not seem as necessary. The few necessary requests that were left seem to even come with blessings themselves.  Just after a few of these gratitude prayers, this Southern Belle who is quite good at "fretting" - I am almost a world class champion at it - began to not worry as much! Hardly any!

In complete honesty, there have been a few (okay, several days) that my focus has not been as clear which reduced how much I thanked God for that day.  On those days, I did notice a difference in my personal peace.  But I am trying to re-commit to this practice every day.  You should try it too.   I promise it makes a difference.  Also, I am sure just as we appreciate a genuine thank you for a gift that we give someone, God appreciates hearing thank you for all that He is doing for us. And as for me, one of the many, many things that I am thankful for is that I live in South where we eat dressing!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bell's Best Cookbooks - A Required Text for All Good Mississippi Homes

I love cookbooks. I have a few that I have received over the last few years but would welcome more as I build my collection.  Unfortunately, I have a bad habit of getting very excited when I buy new cookbooks but rarely use them the way I promise myself I will. I am very motivated when I purchase them but then rely on my old methods of what I have made in the past or my family and friends' recipes. And now it looks like Pinterest will also be inspiring a few of my upcoming dishes. 

But the seldom use of  my cookbooks is about to change with an idea I came up with a few weeks ago.  Boyfriend and I love to cook together and now with us finally living in the same town, we can make cooking together a frequent occasion. We are always looking for a new culinary challenge to take on together.  And for the most part, our tastes are similar with the exception that I don't eat beef. Most of the time, I can  successfully substitute beef with ground turkey and Boyfriend usually likes my healthy substitution (or at least he says he does).  Only a few times do I hear him say that he wants beef so we usually agree on dishes to cook.  So on to my great idea - I would use these cookbooks and we could find a recipe every couple of weeks to try.  A fun at home date night and I would put these cookbooks to good use!

Over dinner one night, I suggested this idea because our favorite topic over food is of course - food!  Boyfriend loved the idea.  He immediately got up and brought back a few of his cookbooks saying that we could use a few of his as well.  He stacked a few in front of me with one being the required text of all good Mississippi homes - Bell's Best.  There is something comforting about that cookbook and how often it appears in a Mississippi home.  It is actually one of the cookbooks I refer to the most especially at this time of the year when I start making all of those traditional holiday dishes. While we haven't made a dish together yet out of the cookbook, Boyfriend recently enjoyed one of my favorites to make around this time of the year. I will let you know when we take on the cookbook culinary challenge but until then try my favorite pumpkin bread recipe from no other cookbook than Bell's Best (p. 108):

Pumpkin Bread

3 c. sugar (I substitute Splenda after all I am a health conscious Southern cook)

3 1/3 c. sifted plain flour (I substitute with wheat flour for the reason above)

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg (I use pumpkin pie spice)

1 1/2 tsp. salt (I only use 1/2 tsp)

2 tsp. soda

2/3 c. water

1/2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 c. raisins (I use dates not raisins because my Mother doesn't like raisins in bread and dates are simply delicious)

3/4 c. chopped pecans (I use walnuts)

2 c. cooked pumpkin

1 c. cooking oil

4 eggs

Mix all dry ingredients. Add liquids and beat well. Grease and flour 2 loafs pans. Pour pans half full of batter and bake at 350 degrees about 50 minutes. Let cool and remove from pans. This bread freezes very well.

*After writing in all my substitutions, I realized I really changed the recipe a lot but Bell's Best was my inspiration so I am sure the bread will turn out delicious either way you prepare it.

Hear Me Today, Tomorrow My Voice May Be Silenced

When I started this blog about a year ago, I promised myself that I would rarely, if at all, post political pieces. I personally have strong political beliefs but did not want to alienate any of my readers that did not share these beliefs.  My opinions in regard to politics were irrelevant for this blog because the theme is Southern Life not Southern Politics.  However, Initiative 26 is now Southern Life and I want my voice to accompany the many other strong voices that I have been quoting on Facebook these last few weeks. Sadly, I am truly afraid that it is a possibility for the first time in my life that I might not have a voice about my body after tomorrow.

In complete transparency, I am a Catholic and identify myself as a Democrat. I do not support abortion as a means of birth control. I am thankful for my rights and respect the women and men before me that fought to give me those rights.  I am proud to be from Mississippi but tomorrow I may be scared to live in my state especially if I ever have health related issues regarding my fertility. I am speaking to you as a woman who is concerned about women's health and our rights. I am also pleading to the men of our state to think about the women in your life who you love and may have limited health care options in the coming months.

Vague Language
Notice I am careful to use the word "may" and word choice is at the core of my argument.  No one knows the consequences of passing 26.  The language is vague, leaving the doors open for interpretation.  Therefore it does not immediately make abortion illegal nor does it immediately take away other rights from us...but it could, especially in the wrong hands.  Words matter.  Attorneys use them to find loopholes to help their clients. Entire cases have been won on the improper wording of a statement. Obviously words count, the reason behind 26 is to change the definition.  Are we so trusting of our elected officials that we do not demand that an amendment be clearly outlined for the citizens?  I would hope not.  And I pray that our citizens, on whatever side of the issue, demand that 26 be better worded so we clearly understand the consequences. The only way we can demand clear language is to vote NO.

From the ballot summary: Initiative #26 would amend the Mississippi Constitution to define the word “person” or “persons”, as those terms are used in Article III of the state constitution, to include every human being from the moment of fertilization, cloning, or the functional equivalent thereof.

Creating Life, Not Destroying It
Very simplistic biology lesson: fertilization can happen in a test tube.  Therefore, in vitro fertilization may be considered illegal. In vitro is used to create, not destroy, life.  The supporters of 26 have overlooked that by voting yes, they potentially take away the option to create life for couples struggling to have families. Yes, the implications of 26 can take away life.


The Health of Women
A woman can be pregnant with a baby that will never be born alive. I will not bore you with medical terms but we all know that pregnancy is a high risk time in a woman's life.   Regardless of what stage of fertilization or conception a woman is in, she could lose the baby and have health problems that could put her own life at risk. Of course, we all hope this never happens to us or anyone we know. Due to excellent medical advancements and care, doctors are able to make quick, life saving decisions to reduce risks associated with pregnancy.  Will these decisions be hindered because of 26?  The possibility is definitely there. So much there in fact, that the Mississippi State Medical Association and the Mississippi Nurses Association do not support 26. I can't understand why so many people are refusing to listen to medical experts.  They are worried that this will hinder our care at best and could prevent lives from being saved at worst.  I thought the supporters of 26 want lives to be saved, then why aren't they worried about the lives of the mothers as well?  The supporters' lack of thought on this objection alone is extremely frightening. Yes, the implications of 26 can take away life.

Abortions Will Occur
Roe v. Wade occurred before I was born but I still know about the act of back alley abortions.  Have we, as a society, forgot about those?   Again, I do not support abortion as birth control but I am also not oblivious to human nature and circumstances.  Supporters need to remember that many people in our state do not live in a perfect, safe little world. More people in our state than not are living in poverty with very little education.  But think for a moment of a teenager, regardless of socioeconomic level, finds herself pregnant and scared.  Would you want a teenager you know going to a random back alley abortion practitioner or a clinic that could guide her?  In the first scenario, the teenager not only may lose the baby but stands a chance of losing her life as well. I am not using dramatics to make a point, back alley abortions were a real thing of the past and we cannot afford to be so ignorant to the fact that the past can occur again. Even more likely, there will be other ways to get abortions if 26 passes. Mainly, those who want an abortion will travel.  Those that want abortions will still have the option but women who may need immediate life saving medical care may not receive the needed treatment. Yes, the implications of 26 can take away life.



We Move BACK 
When juries are picked, attorneys like to pick people that can be swayed to support their respective sides.  Makes sense, right? Pick the people that will vote for you.  The attorney may not get the jury he or she wants but ideally they would like to pick the people they can persuade.  Mississippi just got picked for this jury.  Personhood USA is a Colorado based organization.  They were outvoted by a majority in Colorado. So the organization steps back and regroups to try to accomplish their mission.  They pick a state they believe they can manipulate the majority of the voters.  Or so they think.  They pick a state in the Bible Belt and appeal to the Christian values.  They pick a state that lags behind in education in most communities because the undereducated are the most easily manipulated.  They pick a state of people that want to do the right thing but do not take all the time to research the right thing.  All good things for an organization who wants to win.  They picked Mississippi.

We, especially women, move backward tomorrow if the vote is yes to 26. We are in essence voting against the right to make choices for our bodies.  To all the women before us that fought to give us that right, we will hand it back to them by Mississippi saying, "Thanks but no thanks."  All because so many in our state were led to believe it was simply about abortion. 

If you have made it to this point in my blog and are still reading, you will see clearly that my fight is not for abortion at all. It is a determined fight for my future health and the women of our state.  I pray that if you vote yes tomorrow that you will never find yourself regretting it when you need, but can't have, in vitro fertilization. I pray that you never find yourself in a situation where a doctor is waiting for government approval to save your life when every minute counts.  But most importantly, I pray that you make the right decision tomorrow and realize voting no doesn't mean that you support abortion.  It means that you demand that better legislation be presented so that we continue to have a voice and have access to quality healthcare in our state. God bless our Mississippi tomorrow!

Give Me My Traditional Holiday Foods!

October 31st was a very exciting night.  No, not because of cute children dressed up in adorable costumes stealing, I mean asking for, my candy. In fact, we did not have even one trick-or-treater!  So now you are thinking October 31st was an exciting night because I still have the candy I bought!  Actually, no, I need to give it away so I don't eat it. 

I was excited that night because as I laid in bed  watching TV (yes, I have to have the TV on to go to sleep) the first holiday commercial came on!  I know, I know...it doesn't take me much to get excited. But why not love and celebrate life's little things? There are sooo many of them!  And that first holiday commercial announcing the holiday season has officially began is exciting.  If it doesn't excite you then you may have Scrooge in your family tree.

And while it doesn't take me much to figure out a reason to be excited and celebrate, it also doesn't take me much to get fired up.  Just ask Boyfriend...sometimes he pushes one of my hot issue buttons just to see if I will get into a debate.  I haven't learned my lesson yet because I always take the bait.  But I am good at debating and I defend my topic, no matter how small, with great passion.  Today, I defend the topic of traditional holiday cooking!

The holiday commercials that will be flooding our televisions in the upcoming weeks will have two main topics: gift ideas and FOOD!  And not just any kind of food, they will be advertising holiday food and the ingredients to make stated food.  We are talking pumpkin, whipped cream, cream cheese, green beans, potatoes, turkeys, hams, chocolate, nuts, dressing, cranberries....ohhhh I can just smell Thanksgiving morning now!  And the reason why I know what Thanksgiving morning smells like is because it always smells the same because of the traditional dishes.

But recently I am hearing from many of my friends planning anti-holiday meals.  Apparently the latest trend is to eat something different for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Supposedly people are sick of the traditional fare and want to do something different.  I don't know what they are eating all year but I only get these kind of meals twice a year at these two holidays.  How can you get sick of something just after eating it twice or even several times during the holiday season?  

Be warned though, if you are coming to my house for a holiday be prepared to eat the traditional meal. Because y'all, these foods go way beyond just eating them, it is the family history that these dishes represent.  To us Southerners, and hopefully to y'all Northerners too, the stories of family members present and those that are passed are in those dishes.  Being a family of story tellers, those dishes evoke memories and stories around the holiday table.  My family has my grandmother's cornbread dressing, my mother's gelatin salad and deviled eggs, my Aunt Martha's pumpkin pie, my Uncle Tommy's turkey and meat carving ability, my cousin Jenny's corn dip, my green bean casserole, my cousin Christy's broccoli rice casserole, my Aunt Margaret's ambrosia...the list goes on and one. Of course we add new dishes regularly but many of the basics make their yearly appearance sometime during the holiday season.  Even the new dishes are in line with what is traditional. These dishes are just a part of the holiday season that for me is part of the formula that brings up the feelings of home, warmth, comfort, and family.  Breaking tradition for BBQ or Chinese food just wouldn't be the holidays for my family.

Of course, do what you would like to do but there is something to be said about the peace that tradition brings especially in the upcoming months.  I, for one, am looking forward to these familiar smells and repeating the same stories with enthusiasm.  As for serving other types of foods, I will save the other 363 days for being different. And as for commercials,I am still waiting for the Hershey Kiss Jingle Bell commercial...another great tradition!

My Perfect Pamper Day

I dropped Magnolia off for a "spa day" today.  And even though her name tells the world that she is a Southern dog, Magnolia does not enjoy a day of pampering the way most Southern Belles do.  But then again if someone put a muzzle and harness on me to shave me and then lock me in a cage until I was suppose to go home, I probably wouldn't appreciate a "spa day" either. Thank goodness human spa days are not like that, otherwise, spas would go out of business.

Lately I have been on full non-stop go mode so it is definitely time for a little restoration time which is evident by my constant viewing of salon type websites.When my friend John would get stressed out, he would have a "Be Good to John Day" and fill the day with his favorite activities. The activities did not have to be elaborate, it could be just drinking a cup of coffee at the local coffee shop but it was a day of low stress and no commitments. I loved the concept and during grad school would do a few of those days for myself when things would get hectic.  I still try to make sure I do these days often but lately I have fallen behind. No worries, I have the best day planned!

This morning as I got ready for work, I created my dream pamper day.  Even just thinking about my "Be Good to Casey Day" made me feel more energetic.  You know you want to read what I am talking about! So here it is and it will be coming to yours truly very soon!

Dream "Be Good to Casey" Pamper Day

Start the day lazily waking up and drinking coffee on my patio.

Head to Cafe Salon for hair wash, cut, and style (I want it all)

Light lunch somewhere (a salad at Newk's or something similar)

Make my way over to The Nail Shop for a mani/pedi (hard day right?)

Still have time to get a massage...but where?

End the day with a glass of wine on the patio....ahhhhh....don't you love my day? What is yours? You know you want to plan one!

Remembering

Remembering and thanking God for all the heroes and heroic acts that were born of hate 10 years ago. As we move forward as a country, let's us respond to hate with even more love and support for our fellow citizens, families, and friends. Take a moment today to pray, love one another, and do an act of kindness or service to honor those that gave their lives and lost loved ones 10 years ago. God Bless Us All!

Are You Ready (for a commercial)?

This past Monday was a perfect day for me! I spent the entire day filming a commercial and that evening I attended a reception for a textbook release as a contributing author . Surreal day because both dreams were being lived all in one day - acting and writing!

The commercial opportunity came up when my supervisor popped in to my office last week and ask if my Alma mater would be terribly upset with me if I was cast in a commercial for Ole Miss.  All I heard was commercial audition and I was grabbing my purse before she could even really finish explaining what the commercial was about.  On Sunday I learned I was cast in the commercial and when I arrived on Monday I learned I had been cast as a student.  I feared all day that they would eventually realize that I was 32 and tell me that I was too old to be in my role. But it didn't happen. I guess they knew what they were doing after all and I got to be in five scenes. I figure I have a pretty good chance of being in the commercial even if four scenes land on the cutting room floor.

Being this is the first time (hopefully not my last!) that I have ever participated in the filming of a national commercial, I allowed myself to be a little starstruck and my camera phone was a huge help in documenting the experience.   I am told it will air during every televised Ole Miss Game - I can't wait to see how it turns out!

Sona (make-up/wardrobe) working with an actor on clothing choices. In the past, she has worked with Reese Witherspoon in Walk the Line and Emma Stone in The Help. And now she has worked with Casey Cockrell in the Ole Miss Commercial (yes, that would be me!!!)

Director in front of the classroom scene. 

Director giving instructions in front of a very hot crowd (about 100 degrees at this point) in the Grove scene.

Setting up to film The Grove scene.

A commercial takes a lot of people!  Every location came with a team of people including security, make-up/wardrobe, production assistants, a producer, and directors along with a flurry of other people doing a variety of important things like driving "the talent" around on golf carts so we wouldn't get sweaty.  Yes, we were known as "the talent" which cracked me up along with my fellow actors. Oh, but we got use to it.....probably a little to use to it by the end of the day!

Not quite tailgating season yet....set for The Grove scene.  Beautiful display!

Fellow actors waiting between scenes.

Just had to take a picture of this centerpiece. Isn't it cool? Roses immersed in water!

More waiting....

This little girl was such a pro!  She isn't sleeping although she fooled all of us.  They filmed her as a sleeping child so they ask her to pretend. She didn't move for several minutes as they got the footage. I think they may have promised her a cupcake...

Isn't he cute?  I couldn't resist getting a pic of this little guy in his very stylish monogrammed outfit. He was one of many Ole Miss babies running around the scene.

Happy Birthday to My Sassy, Southern Mother!

We are very big on birthdays in my family. Honestly we are very big on any reason to celebrate.  Monday?  Let's celebrate!  You finished a mundane task at work? Let's go out to dinner and celebrate!  Friday? Oh yeah, definitely a cause for a celebration!  You get the idea.  We love an excuse to have a party, even a small one, so when real reasons for celebrations present themselves we happily embrace them.

This week is my mother's birthday week.   That's right not just a day, we dedicate a whole week to the holiday.  In the past I have tried, unsuccessfully, to get people to celebrate my birthday month but for some reason people get tired of telling me Happy Birthday every single day for a month.


With this week being my mother's birthday week, I have to really brag on how she inspires me. Not only has she instilled a love for life and celebrations in me, she has also given me a great perspective on age.  I have never once heard my mother say that she was getting old nor has she ever lied about her age.  She loves life at the moment she is in because this is her life at every stage and she doesn't want to miss a moment of it.  She sets news goals for herself every year and seems to only get better with age.  My mom laughs when she hears people complain about getting older because as she says, "There is only one alternative to getting older and that is death....so stop complaining!"  This year, my sassy mom and best friend turns 59 years young.  And her goal this year?  Well she has quite a few but all are aimed at making herself even better as she prepares for her sensational 60s!  Thank you Mama for your great attitude on life and for teaching me that youthfulness is an attitude and an energy - not a number.  You are an inspiration to me and others!  Happy Birthday and I love you!

Cake + Drinks= A Very Happy Birthday Cake!

Birthday Roses!

This napkin clearly expresses how the ladies in our family feel!

The Shrimp Alfredo Pasta I made for Mom's Family Birthday Dinner

I come from such an expressive family!

Two strong, amazing women in my life!

The chef for the night!

Don't bother me, I am thinking....about everything!

Faulkner borrowed Boyfriend's sunglasses

Recognize the title?  I love the movie The Christmas Story.  A week doesn't go by where I do not hesitate to find a good place to insert a line from that movie. I am constantly finding a poignant time to borrow a quote from Ralphie.  For example, I love's Ralphie's seriousness when he is trying to politely get rid of the childish characters who are bothering him while he waits for Santa Claus.  He tells them, "Don't bother me....I am thinking."  Like Ralphie I am constantly thinking. Unfortunately unlike Ralphie, it is rarely single focused. I wish for a moment that one thought, like Ralphie's quest for his dream toy, could consume me.  Okay so maybe a thought does consume me for a moment but then the clock ticks to the next minute and I am on to the next idea. Supposedly things are slower in the South but my thinking does not match the easy lifestyle. My brain is like a race car and my thoughts are constantly whizzing by. And sometimes I wonder if I forgot to get in the driver's seat!

Hanging Out with the Cool Kids

This summer I have had the opportunity to work with some seriously cool people.  Cool is a word use to describe many things and often a misnomer but not with this group.  They are counselors and live up to their occupation.  This group oozes calmness, reflectiveness, and insight.  I asked after our project was done would they please let me continue to "hang out with the cool kids."  They have no idea how much I have learned from them.

They are really into meditation and mindfulness.  Being in the moment is the way they live their life and they teach others how to do the same.  I am listening to them but I have yet to master their technique of being in the moment. As much I protest that multi-tasking is a cliche term made up by overworked, mindless professionals, I fall victim to trying to multi-task myself. This is a shock to me because I thought I was focusing on one task at a time.  I just didn't know that you were suppose to focus on one task more than 30 seconds!  Oh and my thoughts are even worse.  Boyfriend usually struggles to keep up in a typical conversation with me.  I start off with W topic but it naturally leads to X topic which then leads to Y topic which of course ends up at Z topic.  So while Boyfriend is still talking about the W topic I bring in Z without mentioning all the others I have thought in between.  Boyfriend just gives me a blank stare making me then have to go back and explain, "No Z is not random and here are my very logical sequence of thoughts that got me there."  However, blank stare continues as Boyfriend realizes confusion is a normal state of being when conversing with me.

My Scattered Attempt at Mindfulness
 
Another example, I was pumping gas the other day on my way to work and then thought about my cool kid friends and their mindfulness talent. I forced myself to focus on pumping gas. Surely, I can focus for the time it takes to pump gas!  I noticed the morning traffic and saw the yellow bug drive by with black smoke puffing out the back.  And thought, quite proud of myself, I would not even have noticed the black exhaust if I had not been practicing mindfulness. Not sure why I would need to notice pollution but at that moment I was feeling particularly deep in my acknowledgement of the small things in life.  I then looked over at the little flowers in the garden shop across the street. And then I thought how I have always wanted to go to that little shop especially in the Fall because I love Fall. Oooh, maybe I will go there this Fall and buy some mums. Then I can decorate my patio with mums and pumpkins and it will be so cute. Then that idea led to work events which were coming up in the Fall and  all the work I had to do for those events. But after Fall comes winter and I haven't quite recovered from my winter blues so then I thought I am not ready for winter let me focus on summer....and the thoughts continued. Boyfriend says my mind is a scary place. But can't you see how the topics are all connected? It makes sense to me. Faulkner was known for his stream of consciousness style of writing. Maybe I should just starting writing down all my thoughts in their sequence and I will win awards for my avant garde writing style.

But I really do want to become more grounded and focused. I decided a week ago to write about mindfulness because by writing about it, I would be forced to learn about it.  However being pressed for time, I decided I could  Google it and find a fast tip on how to quickly because a careful, deliberate thinker.  However, I don't think mindfulness and fast fix really go together do they? Therefore some time in the near future, I will be more reflective and steady my fast moving thoughts.  Maybe then I will be able to write about the topic with deep insight about how such discipline changed my life or even better maybe I will just become the next great writer like Faulkner.  Lofty goal, but these racing thoughts need to be put to work for me after all!  Blog post done...on to the next topic!

Deep thoughts with Faulkner

Me with my other racing thoughts friend

We talked about everything...he followed me from W topic to Z!

4 Lessons on the 4th

The Cockrell Girls at our 3rd Annual 4th of July Bash

After a long winter and many blog posts lamenting over the fact that I had cabin fever, I will say once again I am having a fun filled perfect summer.  It started off with a couple of beach trips and lots of family time to weekends either on the boat or in a pool.  So here we are at the half way point of the summer and while I can't say that I am quite ready for the weather to turn chilly any time soon, I can say that I am getting satisfied from my long list of summer activities. 

This past weekend was the third annual Cockrell Girls' 4th of July Bash and with a house full all weekend, it truly lived up to its name. We started off the weekend with the pre-parties with my family and friends heading to the Square for the Street Dance.  In between events, we spent lots of time at the pool, cooking, eating, laughing, and re-telling stories over and over like Southerners do.  Then on Monday, our home and sidewalk welcomed a party of 24.  We again cooked, ate, laughed, dodged the monsoon of rain outside, and created memories for more stories to tell (and re-tell) later.

4 Lessons I Learned During the 4th

4. A little or a lot of rain doesn't stop a party especially when the party has tents and laughter with good food waiting inside!

3. Give people a few drinks and party karaoke is born!

2. We live in an amazing country.  This weekend during many deep, philosophical conversations over wine, the topic would turn to current events or my favorite, politics!  In these friendly debates of various opinions we all agreed several times that our country is not perfect but it is a beautiful one and we are so fortunate to get to live here.

1. And most importantly, in my amazing country, I am incredibly blessed with countless family and friends. I am so happy that I got to celebrate another great 4th with so many of you!

Jessi, Jimmy, and Mom on the way to The Square

Me with my love on the way to the street dance

Pool Days!

Supplier of party karaoke

Party-goers Billy with grandson, Jackson

My beautiful mother laughing

One of many deep conversations

Party karaoke

Sweet friends

Being typical us...silly

Homemade ice cream!

Grown-Up Wine

The other day I mentioned to two of my colleagues that I enjoyed doing the blog posts on food so much that all I can imagine for future posts now involve food and recipes.  They suggested that I do my next few blogs on one of my other loves...wine. 

I responded, "Then people will really think I am a wine-o!"

Beth then replied, "Well it isn't like you are hiding your love of wine.  There are pictures of you and your mom with wine. You and your boyfriend with wine. You and your cousin with wine. You and your family with wine." I had to laugh at her very true observation.  I guess she had a point.


While I could care less about any other types of alcohol, I love wine because of the stories behind it.  I appreciate the experience of discovering a new bottle.  The process of selecting it and tasting it. You really savor wine and it is its own culture. However, I am far from an expert. I know what I like but why I like it and what I know about it would probably make most wine experts cringe.  But my friend, Josh, who is far more a wine expert than I am, explains to me that the wine world is embracing a new attitude.  Now it is more acceptable to just drink what you like and  not so much of sticking to the old rules. You know the rules, red with red meat and white with fish or poultry.  I never eat red meat but I like red wine so out with those rules! I will have my spaghetti with meat sauce (turkey meat) and red wine, thank you!

Still, writing on wine is an intimidating subject. People study wine for a lifetime and spend hours developing a heighten sense of taste to truly enjoy every aspect of wine. There is a language for wine and I just don't know all the words but I do know what I like.  And hearing this, Marla, encouraged me to write such a blog on just what I liked because she would love some new ideas of what to try.  Her sister recently told her that she needed to discover some "grown up" wines.  I am not sure that I would classify my taste as sophisticated enough to be grown up but I can make some suggestions. I am probably in the later adolescence of my wine development thus far so I can tell you what I like and why but don't expect the expert touch.

What I would fill my wine rack/wine refrigerator with if I had one: (feel free to buy one as a gift for me if you would like)

Barefoot Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc - This brand of  wine is always my good, inexpensive standby.  This brand has even won numerous awards and it is always consistently good!

Middle Sister Drama Queen and Rebel Red - I am really getting into the blends of wine lately and these two have quickly become my favorite! I would love to try the other ones but right now I think these are the only two in Mississippi. The website is a lot of fun too so check it out: http://www.middlesisterwines.com/

A to Z - I first tried A to Z Pinot Grigio at The Waltz on The Square in Oxford. I thought part of the reason I fell in love with this wine was from the atmosphere. I love The Waltz bar because sitting in the cozy yet cosmopolitan and artsy environment makes you feel as if you are about to walk out on a busy NYC street. You just feel happy...then again maybe it was the wine.  However, when I tried a bottle of A to Z at home, it was just as good and it was my introduction to how amazing Oregon wines are. Now this region is the home to my favorite wines. The only thing I don't like about A to Z is missing the cork experience.  It has a screw cap and I love the sound of opening a new bottle of wine. 

I recommend trying any of the Oregon wines. I haven't found one yet that I don't like.  Here is a website that I came across on the Oregon wine regions:
http://www.oregonwine.org/Discover_Oregon_Wine/About_Oregon/

Others I like and ones you can include when you buy me a wine fridge are:

Kendall Jackson

Yellow Tail

Hob Nob

Liberty School

Cupcake

Beringer

Francis Coppola

Eco Domani

Mirrassou

Naked Grape

Of course all of  the above is an inexpensive selection but I haven't reached the point in my wine development or my career development where I can afford much more expensive. If you would like to send money so I can review more expensive wines, feel free to do so.  Until then I will keep trying out the more inexpensive varieties.  I do have a lot more to learn and that means more to try!  I think I might need to go read a wine magazine with, of course, a glass of wine.  Cheers!

Weekend Breakfast

There is something special about weekend breakfast.  I love to plan a bigger breakfast to lazily enjoy on a Saturday morning. The weekend breakfast is a luxury that the rush during the week doesn't allow.  I know other families feel the same.  I have been in the grocery store on a Friday night and once overheard a father ask his children what did they want for their Saturday breakfast.  I could tell that the weekend breakfast was a special tradition the way the children excitedly responded with ideas. Although my favorite example of the weekend tradition has to be my good friend.  When he was living an hour and a half away from home during law school, he was known to wake up early and drive home on a Saturday morning. He would walk in to the kitchen just as his dad was starting the breakfast.

The following recipe has become my favorite go to recipe for breakfast or tailgating.  If you are having a large crowd this dish goes a long way and it seems to please everyone.  So much in fact that after I made it for my boyfriend's family they declared it a tradition.  Have a great weekend y'all!

Sausage Sin
1 pack of regular Jimmy Dean sausage
1 pack of spicy Jimmy Dean sausage
2 blocks of cream cheese
2 cans of crescent rolls

Brown sausage.  Drain grease after the sausage is done and then mix in the cream cheese.  Spray non-stick spray into baking dish and unroll the first can of crescent rolls on the bottom creating a bottom crust. Spread the sausage and cream cheese mixture on crescent roll dough.  Top with a the remaining can of crescent rolls. Bake at the temperature on the crescent roll package until top dough is done.

Defining My Own Flavor

Being raised in a Southern family of cooks, I have incorporated their recipes as well as created my own. I gravitate to making dishes that I consider festive and special.  I want a lot of flavor and just like my mother, I need tang.  If you eat what I cook, be ready for dishes made with onions, celery, bell peppers, and garlic because I just don't understand how savory food exists without at least two of those ingredients. 

I realize as I  write this blog entry, that I have unknowingly inherited the just a little of this or a lot of that style of cooking when it comes to my own creations.  I will try my best to describe quantities and cooking times but I can only promise approximations for the measurements in these recipes.  So I wish you good luck and if you can't figure them out, just give me a call. If I like you enough, I might actually cook one of them for you!

I AM JUST A PLAIN OL' WHITE GIRL
My former co-worker and sweet friend, Lisa, came into my office one day pouting.  She was getting ready to leave our school for another job and I assumed she was sad because she would have to leave my wonderful daily friendship. Not quite.  The conversation kind of went like this:

Lisa:   Casey, I am sad.
Me:   Why Lisa?
Lisa:   Because when I leave here I probably will never have another Hispanic friend.
Me:   (Pause as I thought for a second and then realized). Lisa, I am not Hispanic.
Lisa:  Yes, you are!
Me, laughing at this point:   No, Lisa I am not.
Lisa:   Yes you are, Casey!
Me:    Lisa, white girls can have dark brown hair and not be Hispanic.
Lisa:  You mean to tell me that you are just a plain ol' white girl???

Yes, I am a plain ol' white girl. Although I would hardly describe myself as plain, I lean more to the dramatic in my life.  But sadly, I didn't fill Lisa's cultural need for a Hispanic friend.  Thankfully, she still talks to me even though I am just a white girl.

But I love Latin inspired food.  I have played around with both Mexican and Cuban recipes.  I still haven't really mastered the Cuban style foods but I am working on it.  But I think I have mastered the fajitas.  At least that is the most requested dish I make so either no one likes anything else I cook or this dish is really good!  I like to think it is the latter.

Chicken Fajitas (The following makes enough for about 4 - 6 people or leftovers for two the next day!)

7 to 8 chicken breast tenders
1 large golden onion
3 green bell peppers
5 or 6 roma tomatoes
Garlic
Chili powder
Cumin
Olive oil
Salt
Black Pepper

Heat the pan with a little bit of olive oil.  Brown chicken breasts and then cut into small chunks.  Slice onions and bell peppers into fajita style slices.  Saute onions, peppers, chicken in olive oil (just drizzle lightly all over). Add garlic (about 1/2 tsp) and salt to taste.  Sprinkle black pepper (about 1/2 tsp).  Then completely coat the chicken and veggies with a lot of chili powder (everything should look red so be generous!).  Add cumin but remember cumin goes a long way so about 1 TBSP.  Cook for about 15 minutes (until onions and peppers start to soften). I usually add a little water at this point (about 1/4 cup or less) to avoid sticking and having to add more oil. Sliced the tomatoes in long slices and add to the pan.  Dust a little more chili pepper, cumin, and salt into the pan. The tomatoes take the least time to cook so I add them last.

Serve with whole wheat tortillas, homemade guacamole, sour cream, and shredded cheese.  And if you really want to eat them like I do, add some Louisiana Hot Sauce!

BORN IN LOUISIANA, RAISED IN MISSISSIPPI
I am very fortunate that I can claim two states that are culinary stars as my own.  Although the following recipe might make any Cajun cringe, I still love it and that is all that matters!  However, I do consider myself an expert in red beans and rice which has been consistently my favorite food since childhood.  Some people's favorite foods come and go throughout their life. Not me. I have stayed a true red beans and rice lover. I have eaten this dish everywhere. Some wonderful and some not so good. The best, besides mine of course, that I have had so far is in Jackson, MS at Que Se Ra.  The restaurant has won awards for this dish so go check it out when you get a chance.

I say all this to have you understand that I know red beans and rice before you read what I do to mine because some of you "true dry beans people" out there may be raising your eyebrows.  I don't use dry beans.  It isn't that I don't like them but when you work all day and want to eat this particular meal fast on a weekday night, corners have to be cut but not at the cost of taste. I promise! 

Red Beans and Rice

2 cans of light red kidney beans (Bush's)
1 can of pinto beans (Bush's)
Sausage (I am a healthy eater so I typically choose turkey but sometimes I splurge on a different one)
Garlic
Onions
Peppers
Creole seasoning
Olive oil
Lousiana Hot Sauce
Brown rice

Empty the three cans of beans including liquid into a large mixing bowl.  With a potato masher, press the beans down until at least half of them have been mashed.  (This is an important step because you will still get the creamy texture that comes from dry beans and it does seem to add more flavor). Slice the sausage into bite size diagonal pieces.  Saute in olive oil sausage, onions, peppers, and plenty of garlic (at least a TBSP).  I sometimes throw in some celery to honor the trinity of cajun cooking.  Saute until onions become transparent. Add beans and just a slight dusting of creole seasoning.  Turn down heat and simmer for about 20 or so minutes. Stirring often to avoid sticking.

Serve over brown rice.  I garnish my own personal bowl with a layer of hot sauce. Que Se Ra covers theirs with shredded cheeses (also very good!).









My specialities
red beans and rice
chicken fajitas

Friends and Food

Mary Lea's Tomato Cups
For the longest time, my mother and I have always wanted to belong to a bunco group.  About two years ago, we found six other ladies that wanted a once a month giggle game fest as well.  We decided on the second Thursday of every month and that each host would provide a light meal before we started the game.


The kick off to bunco began with our first hostess, Mary Lea,and that was the night that the rest of us discovered The Tomato Cup.  I think the phrase "light meal" was thrown out after she served these appetizers because we each ate at least the amount of two meals in tomato cups.  And from then on, not only does our group play bunco but we also try to outdo each other with the meals we prepare.

Fortunately for me, Mary Lea supports our love for the tomato cups and they have made many appearances at other events from Halloween parties to 4th of July parties.  This year she wanted to make something different for our annual 4th of July party but when she found out how disappointed my mom (and me) were, she is once again making our favorite! Only 20 more days until tomato cup time...but I am not counting or anything.

THE Tomato Cups
1 can rotel
1/2 c. mayo
3 green onions chopped
1 tsp. basil
1 c. grated cheddar cheese
1 pkg. real bacon bits
 2 pkg. pastry cups (phyllo shells)

Combine all ingredients. Fill shells. Bake @350 for 10 minutes.

Toni's White Chicken Chili
Every year for Christmas, my boss (and friend) throws her staff a chili party as her Christmas present to us.  She makes a red chili and white chili with all the fixings.  The chili party is where I discovered The White Chicken Chili.

My mother is known for her chili and now I am known for my white chicken chili (aka Toni's White Chicken Chili). The first time I made it, I didn't know that I was suppose to drain the chili peppers and with me not fearing hot stuff, I loaded it down with chili and jalapeno peppers. Needless to say I was the only one who could eat it.  Now I adjust the peppers so that while it is still hot, others can enjoy it.  I still argue the point of hot chili is to warm you on a cold night from the inside out but non-hot eaters don't agree. So I just keep a jar of jalapenos next to me.

White Chicken Chili
3 cups cooked chicken breast 
2 14oz cans chicken broth
3 cans of white beans (canelli and navy beans)
1 chopped onion
1 4oz can chopped green chilies
1 4oz can diced jalapeno peppers
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
3 cloves of minced garlic
1 cup of Monterrey Jack Cheese

Saute chicken breast in oil until cooked. Remove chicken and saute onions until tender then add to the onions: jalapenos, chilies, cumin, and garlic. Saute for about three minutes. Add the chicken, beans, and broth. Cook for about 30 minutes. Add 1 cup of Monterrey Jack Cheese for thickening before serving.

Beth Ribelin's Taco Soup
I have been making this taco soup since 1998.  While this soup is great any time of the year, there is something about October and this soup that just goes together. It has since become my October tradition.  However, I first had it in on a very frigid day in January when I was in the process of moving.  Mrs. Beth made it for all of us involved in the move to have something while we worked.  I remember being so cold and the soup was the only thing that finally warmed me. I thought she couldn't have made anything more comforting for that day. 

My boyfriend doesn't like taco soup because most recipes are very soupy so he was hesitant to try mine until he saw the hearty meat and veggie mixture.  This version is almost like a chili with a few different spices and ingredients.

Taco Soup
2 lb. ground chuck (I use turkey now)
2 onions, chopped
5-6 ribs celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 cans stewed tomatoes 
2 cans pinto beans
2 cans white shoepeg corn
1 can rotel tomatoes (maybe 2)
1 envelop taco seasoning (maybe 2)
1 envelop ranch salad dressing
Tortilla chips

Brown meat. Add celery, onions, and garlic. Cook until tender. Drain grease. Add tomatoes, beans, corn, and seasonings. Cook about 45 minutes. Serve over chips.


Merrill's Shrimp and Grits
I grew up in South Mississippi and somehow had never even heard of Shrimp and Grits until I moved to Oxford. Now I travel back down south and see it everywhere, I have no idea how I missed this dish.  Anyway, I have now discovered it and that is all that matters. But don't be fooled - not all shrimp and grits are created equally.  By far, the best version I have ever had was at Merrill and Josh's wedding.

Not long after their wedding, I could not get this dish off my mind. Boyfriend had just bought some shrimp from a friend who had gone shrimping so I got the recipe from Merrill and we did our best to recreate this dish.  I have to say that we recreated it (or at least came so very close). Except at the wedding we were given little dishes of the very rich food, however when we made it ourselves we served up huge bowls. Not a good idea. This stuff is rich and is meant to be consumed in small quantities!  So eat slow and savor.

Shrimp and Grits
Dry white wine
Green onions
Garlic
Bacon
Butter (a good bit but not quite as much as Paula Deen
Tabasco
Creole seasoning
Heavy cream
White cheddar cheese
Grits
Shrimp

The sauce: In a nonstick pan, put about 1/2 cup heavy cream, about 1/2 stick butter, and a few splashes of white wine (cook it down for awhile). Towards the end of cooking add the garlic ( a good deal of garlic), green onions, and about two shots of Tabasco.

The Shrimp: Shrimp can be boiled or sauteed (either will work). Merrill adds her shrimp to her sauce to get the flavor of the shrimp into the sauce after the sauce is done.

The Grits: Cheese grits are a must. Use white cheddar cheese to make the grits.

The Finish: Garnish with bacon, green onions, and more cheddar cheese.



Beth's Orange Candies
My graduate assistant Beth is known as the chef of the career center.  She makes everything.  And makes something or several somethings almost every day.  I like to cook but I believe Beth really can't and shouldn't go a day without cooking.  Cooking is one of her defining personality characteristics.  That and working out non-stop - a helpful combination. We, at work, really benefit from both of her passions. She cooks for us and teaches us Zumba.

Recently, she brought in Orange Candies. I don't eat very much sugar and I have to admit I was hesitant to eat this dessert but I tried one and I am so glad I did!  The flavor instantly reminded of me my great-grandmother, Mama Lack's, orange pound cake but in a little bite size ball.  I never knew Mama Lack but my mother has made this cake for me in the past so of course this little candy immediately reminded me of family.

Orange Candies
6 oz orange juice concentrate - this is half of the regular container
1 box powdered sugar
1 stick butter (melted)
11 oz vanilla wafers-crushed (The kind that comes in a bag)
1 c. chopped nuts (I use pecans)
Sweetened coconut

Combine all ingredients except coconut and roll into 1 inch balls. Roll balls in coconut and chill.