tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54778302439238797762024-03-13T13:06:01.157-04:00Dancing On The Journey!Musings as I am, literally and figuratively, "Dancing on the Journey!"jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-82978751465489232072018-10-06T01:23:00.000-04:002019-03-23T01:37:18.688-04:00Growing Up In A Magical Place: Fernandina Beach<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Growing Up In A Magical Place:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Fernandina Beach </b></span><br />
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ONCE UPON A TIME, longer ago than I like to admit, (actually, over fifty years ago), and not so very far away, there existed a magical place in which to live and grow up, called Fernandina Beach. Fernandina to the locals.<br />
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Fernandina is on Amelia Island, which is Florida's northernmost, east coast barrier island. The sun rises over the Atlantic Ocean and sets over the St. Mary's River. You can look across the river, from the docks downtown, and see GEORGIA! (This was amazing to me as a child, since Georgia was a different state and seemed far away!)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View looking down Centre Street in Fernandina<br />
Photo by <a href="http://www.elizabethwilkesphotography.com/">www.elizabethwilkesphotography.com</a></td></tr>
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Fifty plus years ago, Fernandina was a sleepy, small town. Doctors made house calls. Dry cleaning was delivered to your home. The Fuller Brush Man visited regularly with free samples. Doors were left unlocked. </div>
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With drug stores, barber shops, clothing stores, a shoe store, office supplies, bakeries, hardware stores, a movie theater, jewelers, a bowling alley, grocery stores, gas stations, and a hospital, we had pretty much everything we needed without ever having to leave the island! </div>
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Lots of children knew each other almost from birth since many of our parents also grew up together. Some families had lots of relatives in the area. New girls and boys moved to town. Over time they became "old friends," as well, through interactions in our neighborhoods, churches, scout troops, clubs, sports, and schools. </div>
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As children, we could ramble and explore for hours, because our parents knew everyone we were with and their parents. My mother knew exactly where I'd been before I even got home to tell her!</div>
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We played in the park across from the junior high. We played tennis on the public courts. We walked or rode our bikes to buy penny candy from E-Z Pic, GW's, and Hall's Store. We rode our bikes to swimming lessons and "public swims" at the pool at the Recreation Center. When we got tired of swimming, we put peanuts in a bottle of Coke for a snack. We also had ceramics classes and "Sub-Teen" Club at the Rec Center.<br />
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We spent Saturdays, and lazy summer days, walking downtown for comic books and 5¢ Cokes, or 6¢ Cherry or Vanilla Cokes, from Gene's, or 10¢ ice cream cones from Waas' Drug Store. (Ice Cream cones were free from Waas' if you had a prescription for an ice cream cone from Dr. Stewart, our dentist, for having a good dental check up.)</div>
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We went to Becker's after school for Cokes with half-orders of french fries, or, when they had a promotion, we popped a balloon to try to get a banana split for a penny! (Prices ranged from 1-39 cents.)</div>
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We played outside till after dark, and our two favorite outdoor events were: (1) the Ice Cream Man and (2) the Mosquito Control truck's spraying so we could get lost in the fog.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fernandina Beach<br />
Photo by <a href="http://www.elizabethwilkesphotography.com/">www.elizabethwilkesphotography.com</a></td></tr>
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We walked to the beach with friends, where we jumped waves, rode rented rafts, balanced on skim boards, and surfed on longboards. When we were thoroughly parched, we sought hydration from public water fountains, where the water was HOT, or at the Golden Sands, Moore's, or the Blue Seas which had a walk-up service window on the beach!<br />
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We gathered sand dollars, conchs, whelks, angel wings, fingernails, and other shells by the hundreds. We ran through the head high foam on the beach. We tumbled head over heels, not knowing up from down when rogue waves surprised us, knocked us down, and washed us to shore. We got up sputtering and coughing and ran right back into the ocean!<br />
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We harvested sea oats for dried flower arrangements. We trudged up and raced down the multiple layers of sand dunes that lined North and South Fletcher, and the Fort Clinch Road, before Hurricanes Donna and Dora took most of them out.<br />
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We played Putt-Putt, jumped on the trampolines, ate snow cones, went skating, and played pinball at Main Beach. When we got our driver's licenses, we endlessly circled town and the beach.<br />
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Starting in junior high, we had beach parties with bonfires. (Of course, that was before there were turtle patrols, condos, The Amelia Island Plantation, The Ritz Carlton, the park at Peter's Point, or the multiple public beach accesses.)<br />
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The PTA had Halloween Carnivals under the bleachers at the city football field and there were Friday night high school football games at the same location. On the 4th of July, the Kiwanis Club hosted their annual fireworks and charity auction at the football field. (My Daddy served as auctioneer!)<br />
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After the Quonset hut movie theater by the water tower downtown closed, our only movie options were the Reef drive-in theater at Five Points or occasional movies at church youth group events. We also had hayrides, Shrine parades, and Shrimp Boat races for additional entertainment.<br />
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When our Girl Scout troop camped at Fort Clinch, we chopped trees for firewood, with hatchets, and used our Girl Scout knives to cut palmetto fronds for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. No tree-hugging rules to worry about back then! We had great and scary adventures searching for alligators at Willow Pond.<br />
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"Gator Shining" on Egan's Creek--i.e. searching for the red reflection of alligators' eyes as we shined flashlights back and forth across the creek--was always a "must do" with out of town friends. I remember shrieks of fear and laughter as we fed the gators marshmallows from the dock, or from a boat when we were able to sidle up alongside them! Fiddlers scurrying around our feet and a myriad of waterbirds swooping out from under the boathouse unexpectedly kept our adrenaline pumping!<br />
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We went "sand surfing" and "dune buggy" riding on the huge dunes at the Fort. We could still get down into the entrance of a tunnel, and into the ovens, when we played "hide and seek" and "Sardines" at Fort Clinch! We also played Sardines at First Baptist Church, and enjoyed breathtaking views of town and the river from the third story roof!<br />
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We grew up doing a lot of things that are no longer considered safe, politically or socially correct, or environmentally sound. All those things were a LOT of fun, though! Fernandina was truly magical in "the olden days." It still is magical; just different now.<br />
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For the last 10 years, a core group of nine "girls" have gotten together at a rented beach house to enjoy the beach and reminisce about "the good old days." Other friends join us periodically at the beach and about town.<br />
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In addition to this being our tenth year at the beach, it was also our 40th Fernandina Beach High School Class Reunion weekend, and I wanted to memorialize our beach weekend with some professional photos.<br />
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My new friend, Libby Wilkes, of Elizabeth Wilkes Photography, came out to the beach to capture some memories for us. The photo below is my favorite. I was already a fan of Libby's work, after receiving one of her photo books as a gift, and seeing her studio's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcR36KRAn60">beautiful video of the island</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach Chicks--Ten Years at the Beach & 40th High School Reunion<br />
Photo by <a href="http://www.elizabethwilkesphotography.com/">www.elizabethwilkesphotography.com</a></td></tr>
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If you have even one good, "old friend," you are rich, indeed! My Fernandina friends and I are fortunate to have so many long-term friendships. We're finding, as time goes on, it takes a group effort to remember the details of our joint history! It takes a long time to grow "old friends!" I am blessed!<br />
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Love to all my friends, OLD and NEW! (As we used to sing in Girl Scouts:<br />
"Make new friends, but keep the old; One is silver and the other gold!")<br />
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**UPDATED 2019 (Originally published in 2011)<br />
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Sadly, we lost "Little Lucy" Mierzejewski, far right in the above photo, in 2014. 2014 was our 13th Annual "Beach Chicks Reunion." <br />
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A number of us still gather for our annual Beach Chick's weekend! 2019 will be our 18th year!<br />
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<br />jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-60262299439340817552018-05-28T15:25:00.002-04:002018-05-28T15:25:24.151-04:00Welcome to Your Island Paradise! <div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;">My sister and I are Selling our Family Home-Place. </span></h2>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;">(Update: We sold our home. The buyer turned out to be the daughter of our neighbor, who was also my beloved childhood babysitter! I love how everything turned out. God is good!) </span></h3>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Here are our Top 10 Reasons Why This Property Is Perfect for YOUR Family!</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt;">1.</span></span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt;"><b> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Location!</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt;">First and foremost, <a href="http://www.chaplinwilliams.com/homes/1840-Highland-Drive/Fernandina-BeachAmelia-Island/FL/32034/50089868/">1840 Highland Drive</a> is located in a wonderful town, <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fernandina Beach, Florida</span>, on <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Amelia Island</span>. Historic Amelia Island is the only place in the United States that has been under the flags of 8 Different Countries! (<span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="http://dancingonthejourney.blogspot.com/2011/10/growing-up-in-magical-place-fernandina.html">CLICK HERE</a></span> for a prior blog post I wrote in honor of my hometown and childhood friends.) <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt;">2. Large 1.4+ Acre Lot On One of The Island's Highest Lots in an Established Neighborhood!</span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt;">This is one of the Islands most beautiful lots! The property is filled with stately oaks and is the perfect place for you to build your dream home with marsh views and upper level glimpses of the ocean! You can put down deep roots in Fernandina! Enjoy an established neighborhood, without neighborhood association fees or restrictive covenants. People in Fernandina still know their neighbors! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt;">124 Feet of Deepwater Frontage on Egans Creek is just a short stroll from the back door. We have always shared a dock with wonderful neighbors, but if you prefer your own dock, we have secured a permit for you! You can drive your vehicle down to the dock! We spent many hours on the dock fishing, sunning, and boating while growing up, and later fished and boated with our own children. Alligators, manatees, otters, birds and other wildlife are frequent visitors along the creek. While <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">growing up, walking to the dock at night with flashlights was a great adventure with friends and dates. It was romantic sitting on a dock, under the stars, close to nature. Marsh and water sounds blend with nocturnal animal calls. Capture this vision in person as you mosey down to the creek. Imagine a moonlit stroll to your new dock, while beams from the Historic Amelia Lighthouse, just a few lots down, circle overhead. You can wake up every morning to these beautiful marsh views! </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Son had a good day fishing!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt;">4. Boater's Paradise!</span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt;">You have quick access, by boat, to both the Intracoastal Waterway and the Ocean. Cumberland Island, now a National Seashore, is across the Sound. Many people enjoy paddle boards, kayaks or Jet Skis in the creek. During the late 70's and early 80's, our parents owned the "World's Largest Johnson and Yamaha Outboard Dealership." That gave our family the opportunity for lots of boats at home for picnics, water-skiing, and moonlight cruises. We often "boat caravanned" with other families to Crandall, Rose's Bluff, and Crooked River, for water-skiing and picnicking, or to Jacksonville for dinner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: small;">My sister, age 12 (front) and me, age 14. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt;">5. Great Location to Entertain Family and Friends!</span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt;">My sister and I grew up in Fernandina. She has bought a home and retired there. My family and I return a couple of times a year to visit and enjoy the island with family and friends. For my sister and me, our home was the hub for all manner of school functions, meetings, and slumber parties. My parents hosted holiday gatherings, birthday parties, cookouts, pool parties, club meetings, and countless baby and bridal showers. Our pool was always available for friends to drop by and swim. After my mother became unable to care for the pool, she had it filled in. My sister and I rescued the slide, and moved it to my Georgia home! You can always build a new pool to make precious memories with your family, too!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: small;">25 years after pool photo below. 6 People from original photo with our families. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Slide repainted and in place at our Georgia home ! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt;">The property is located off of 18<sup>th</sup> Street, just blocks from Atlantic Avenue, which is the main road connecting Historic Downtown with the Main Beach. It is close to schools, shopping, dining, the Historic District, and the beach. It’s just a short drive to the South End of the island with the world class Ritz Carlton and Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resorts and Spas. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial"; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 24.0pt;">7. Family, Faith, and Festivals!</span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt;">I once brought 13 friends home from college for the "Shrimp Boat Races" weekend. That event is now known as the "Isle of 8 Flags Shrimp Festival" and it draws over 100,000 people! Church is an important part of our family life. Fernandina has a strong and varied Faith Community. Culturally, Amelia Island boasts a Book Festival, Film Festival, Chamber Music Festival, Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance Car Show at the Ritz Carlton, and a host of other special events. There are also active community theater and choral groups.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UsO3MIWIomg/VUxCIgfkYDI/AAAAAAAACFM/4qcqqzyW2iM/s1600/shrimp%2Bfest%2B6scan0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="632" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UsO3MIWIomg/VUxCIgfkYDI/AAAAAAAACFM/4qcqqzyW2iM/s640/shrimp%2Bfest%2B6scan0017.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: small;">1974: My College Friends in Town for The Shrimp Boat Races </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(My sister, far left 2nd from front, white shirt.)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt;">8. Outdoor Recreation!</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt;">There are thirteen miles of sandy beaches on the Atlantic Ocean. The beach, Amelia River and creeks offer opportunities for boating, swimming, surfing, paddle boarding, windsurfing, jet skiing, fishing, and horseback riding. The island is also perfect for biking, hiking, tennis, golf and LOTS MORE! This is the perfect outdoor playground for families. The weather is enjoyable year round, with average highs in the 70’s. Our view across the marsh takes in the maritime forests of Fort Clinch State Park, which features a Civil War era fort and a ½ mile long fishing pier. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X6oR8_zPjC8/VUw-1YkIFUI/AAAAAAAACE0/s01yFOt5fRc/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X6oR8_zPjC8/VUw-1YkIFUI/AAAAAAAACE0/s01yFOt5fRc/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Daughter with a small fish! This photo is looking South down Egans Creek toward Atlantic Avenue. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt;">9. Proximity to Jacksonville!</span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt;">You’re 45 minutes from the Jacksonville airport, which makes it easy to travel for business or pleasure. With excellent interstate access, you are within an hour’s drive of Jacksonville’s many attractions, including The River Walk, shopping, dining, museums, professional sports, the Jacksonville Zoo, and many historical sites. There are a number of excellent private schools, as well as public and private colleges for higher education. Medical treatment options include the renowned Mayo Clinic and a division of the University of Florida’s Shands Teaching Hospital.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dOJwJE2SrvQ/VUxAbLl91KI/AAAAAAAACFA/6cP530CbcG4/s1600/DSC_3209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dOJwJE2SrvQ/VUxAbLl91KI/AAAAAAAACFA/6cP530CbcG4/s640/DSC_3209.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: small;">View of High Ground from Dock.. Lighthouse visible over trees far left. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt;">10. YOUR FAMILY WILL LOVE IT! </span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16pt;">There is something for everyone! This one-of-a-kind property, with water frontage, sweeping marsh views, and your own driveway access directly to the creek can be all you've dreamed of and more! Great for families or as a retirement sanctuary. Our family shared life here for over 45 years. We're looking for someone who will enjoy this property as much as we have. Come see for yourself. This is THE PERFECT PLACE for YOUR FAMILY to make lifetime memories! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626;"><a href="http://www.chaplinwilliams.com/homes/1840-Highland-Drive/Fernandina-BeachAmelia-Island/FL/32034/50089868/">CLICK FOR PROPERTY LISTING.</a></span></div>
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jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-25424159066295032232015-02-18T20:09:00.001-05:002015-02-18T20:11:28.535-05:00Sharing Some Photos<h2>
Sharing Some Photos</h2>
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I'm parking a few photos I took in Rabun County, Georgia, and one from a friends wedding, on this post! I like adding verses and quotes to share with friends. <br />
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Enjoy!</div>
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jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-90564856266195570162014-11-01T23:30:00.000-04:002015-02-22T14:49:07.546-05:00 Favorite Southern Holiday Cakes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PXtijCUgtEk/VFVhmg30JOI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/ANCC6kRYFbU/s1600/2014-09-20%2B17.07.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PXtijCUgtEk/VFVhmg30JOI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/ANCC6kRYFbU/s1600/2014-09-20%2B17.07.41.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Mamie's Burnt Sugar Caramel Cake, personalized by Kaye Howard and Jane Edmunds</td></tr>
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As we approach the holiday season, I want to share my two ABSOLUTE FAVORITE SOUTHERN CAKES with you: Burnt Sugar Caramel and Chocolate Fudge. You can't go wrong with either one. If you serve both, your guests will be in Dessert Heaven!<br />
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BURNT SUGAR CARAMEL ICING</div>
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The recipe for ''Mamie's Burnt Sugar Caramel Icing" is from my college friend, Jane Edmund's, maternal grandmother, Mamie. (Bonus Tip: The caramel icing, embellished with pecans, makes amazing pralines!) I have been enjoying this cake, and Jane's pralines, for over 40 years, and I always look forward to opportunities for Jane to make her caramel cake!<br />
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Recently, Jane, and her sister Kaye Howard baked and embellished 9 caramel cakes, at the special request of their friend, Bride and Chef, Julia Colgrove. The cakes served as Wedding Cakes for Julia's destination wedding in the Northeast Georgia Mountains. As you can see, the cakes looked FABULOUS. They tasted even better!<br />
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To keep it simple, Jane usually uses Duncan Hines Butter Recipe Cake Mix for her cakes, then she makes the icing from scratch. She uses two boxes of mix to make three 9-inch layers. (You will have extra batter.) The recipe below will ice three 9-inch layers.<br />
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(I apologize for the weird recipe spacing and word divisions. I tried to fix them, but was unsuccessful!)<br />
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<pre><tt><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">
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<pre><tt><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">MAMIE'S BURNT SUGAR CARAMEL ICING</span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">
3 1/2 cups Dixie Crystals sugar
3/4 cup water
2 sticks butter, less 1 T.
1 scant cup heavy cream
In a deep pot, brown 1/2 cup sugar over medium to high heat, stirring constantly. </span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">(It will look like melted Kraft Caramels™)
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><pre><tt><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Add water in several additions, because it will explode on you. </span></tt></pre>
<pre><tt><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Boil and cook it down till until it is syrupy and reduced to less than half. It will appear less transparent. </span></tt></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Add other ingredients. Boil until there is a boil you can't stir down, then </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">boil 1 minute. </span></pre>
<pre><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cool. Beat until creamy.</span></pre>
To make the grapes, acorns, and leaves, Kaye rolled out Kraft Caramels™ with a little corn starch. (Cheaper caramels did not work.) She hand-shaped and embellished the acorns and grapes and used cookie cutters to cut out the leaves. Half the cakes were decorated with grapes and grape leaves, the other half with acorns and oak leaves. The Bride's and Groom's Cake featured both grapes and acorns.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BuTDgYdblS0/VFWQiHP-TTI/AAAAAAAAB6w/RmQNdO1fEs0/s1600/2014-09-20%2B17.33.26_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BuTDgYdblS0/VFWQiHP-TTI/AAAAAAAAB6w/RmQNdO1fEs0/s1600/2014-09-20%2B17.33.26_2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Wedding Cakes</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-STib9XG8QcU/VFVhlJIFosI/AAAAAAAAB6A/PPdpELiProI/s1600/2014-09-20%2B13.30.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-STib9XG8QcU/VFVhlJIFosI/AAAAAAAAB6A/PPdpELiProI/s1600/2014-09-20%2B13.30.23.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Details of Caramel Oak Leaves and Acorns</td></tr>
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BUTTER CAKE AND FUDGE ICING</div>
I am not sure where my mother got the recipe for "Bonnie Butter Cake with Mama's Chocolate Fudge Icing" but it has been our family's "go-to favorite" for over 60 years! This cake is served for family birthdays, holidays, special occasions, and for Jesus' Birthday Cake at Christmas. Upon first taste of this fudge icing, Southern friends often nostalgically recall similar fudge cakes from their pasts.
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_WHiSQPNejQ/VFWZDWArLZI/AAAAAAAAB7E/PC8phCSwrwo/s1600/IMGP0203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_WHiSQPNejQ/VFWZDWArLZI/AAAAAAAAB7E/PC8phCSwrwo/s1600/IMGP0203.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The sides of this one got a little too sugary, and not so smooth! Still tasted good</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFlnEhRptII/VFWZDHCPmoI/AAAAAAAAB7A/ohbEwt_PPYw/s1600/IMGP5377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFlnEhRptII/VFWZDHCPmoI/AAAAAAAAB7A/ohbEwt_PPYw/s1600/IMGP5377.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The icing hardens and becomes sugary like old fashioned firm fudge--not creamy fudge. </td></tr>
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BONNIE BUTTER CAKE*
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">⅔ cup of soft butter<span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;">1 </span><span style="color: black;">¾</span><span style="color: black;"> cups of sugar</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;">2 eggs </span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;">1 </span><span style="color: black;">½</span><span style="color: black;"> teaspoons of vanilla</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;">3 cups of sifted SOFTASILK or other cake flour</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;">2 </span><span style="color: black;">½</span><span style="color: black;"> teaspoons of baking powder</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;">1 teaspoon of salt</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;">1 </span><span style="color: black;">¼</span><span style="color: black;"> cups of milk</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;">Heat oven to 350 degrees. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;">Grease well, and flour, 3-8x1</span><span style="color: black;">½</span><span style="color: black;">" cake pans, or 2-9x 1</span><span style="color: black;">½</span><span style="color: black;">" square pan. </span></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;">Beat butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla for 5 minutes at high speed on mixer or by hand till fluffy. </span></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;">Sift flour, baking powder and salt. </span></span>Add in 4 additions alternately with milk. Start and end with dry ingredients.<br />
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;">Blend on low speed just until smooth. Bake layers 30-35 minutes. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;">*Use with Mama’s Fudge Icing.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;">MAMA'S CHOCOLATE FUDGE ICING*</span></span></div>
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2- 1 oz. squares of unsweetened baking chocolate (some brands have downsized their squares)</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;">½</span><span style="color: black;"> cup of milk</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;">2 cups of sugar</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;">½</span><span style="color: black;"> cup of butter (1 stick)</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Melt butter and chocolate; stir in sugar and milk. (Use a 3-4 quart pot, preferably with heavy bottom)</div>
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Heat until sugar melts and let it boil without stirring to "soft ball" on a candy thermometer, 5-6 minutes. </div>
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Remove from heat. </div>
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Add 1/2 t. vanilla. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;">Stir until icing is cool enough to put on cake without it running off. (Be careful! It hardens fast!)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black;">TIP: If you make 1 ½ recipes, you will have a little more icing with which to cover your cake. </span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">*Traditionally served with Bonnie Butter Cake. </span><span style="font-family: Chalkboard; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">
</span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">CAUTION:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">
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These cakes take lots of practice. Don't plan to serve these cakes to company the first time you make them unless you have a really good sense of humor! It may end up looking pretty funny--but looks aren't everything! The icing can set up and harden very quickly. Sometimes you may be able to re-melt it a little over low heat.<br />
Jane does not use a candy thermometer for the caramel. I use a candy thermometer for the fudge. It's critical that the fudge gets to the "soft ball" stage.<br />
You need to frost between the layers just before it starts to harden so you will have time to get the icing on the top and sides before it gets too sugary. Not all batches turn out the same, due to distractions, humidity, or simply from unknown reasons! Even though some efforts are prettier than others, they ALL taste good! Keep trying. You'll be glad you did!<br />
<h3>
<b><i>Please let me know in the comments if you try the cakes! </i></b></h3>
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jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-71175805311997425212014-04-16T14:08:00.001-04:002014-04-16T14:09:57.185-04:00Save Time and Money Preparing Meals with Shortcut Cooking! See my recent post on <a href="http://www.cowetafayettefamilies.com/shortcut-cooking-10-tips-to-save-time-and-money-preparing-meals">Coweta Fayette Families</a>!<br />
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<a href="http://www.cowetafayettefamilies.com/shortcut-cooking-10-tips-to-save-time-and-money-preparing-meals" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0LTfb-AQOw/U07G7zqN3VI/AAAAAAAABzQ/a1H4L2whf80/s1600/Shortcut-Cooking-10-Tips.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-51842507820466027002014-01-27T15:04:00.003-05:002015-02-18T20:28:06.921-05:00Yearly Family Photo Traditions <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Does your family have yearly photo traditions? Click the photos below to see my blog post on www.CowetaFayetteFamilies.com <a href="http://www.cowetafayettefamilies.com/family-picture-traditions/">http://www.cowetafayettefamilies.com/family-picture-traditions/</a> </div>
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with some of my family's favorite photo traditions! </div>
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<img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cnDwlEJtOBk/Uua6f9qEIBI/AAAAAAAAByk/et3-aYsFbsg/s1600/Britt+Washington+National+2013-6.jpg" height="419" width="640" /><a href="http://www.cowetafayettefamilies.com/family-picture-traditions/#comments">http://www.cowetafayettefamilies.com/family-picture-traditions/#comments</a></div>
<br />jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-76696610841281345032014-01-02T16:26:00.001-05:002018-09-09T23:23:36.468-04:00LET'S READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR! (V.V.B.C.*) PLEASE JOIN ME IN READING THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR!<br />
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On January first, I started toward my goal of Reading through the Bible again, in a Year! If you've never read all the way through the Bible, now is a good time to start! With the Daily Walk Bible, every 7 days, you have a day to catch up on readings you may have missed. I've previously led Bible Study discussion groups as we read through the Bible together, and have gathered supplemental information I will share.<br />
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Even if you get behind, I want to encourage you to keep reading! If you're trying to read all the way through the Bible in a year, you can "start over" any day, and keep reading till you're back where you started! Eventually, you'll read the complete Bible whether you start in Genesis or John, if you just keep reading! Or, you can note the days you missed, and make them up. It is ok if you miss days, whether due to circumstances, or simply forgetting! You may either catch up when you can, start your "year clock" over, or skip to where you need to be! You don't have to read every single word of the Bible, or even be "up-to-date" on your readings, to reap the benefits from a group discussion! Just keep reading--whenever you can!<br />
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This will not a legalistic group. Comment if you want to, don't comment if you don't want to! You're welcome to read along whether your goal is simply to make a habit of reading your Bible more regularly, you just want to check in occasionally, or you want to finish the Bible in a year!<br />
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I find that each time I read through the Bible is a new experience. I learn seemingly "new" things, even though I've read them before, and I have different insights on passages. I love comparing thoughts with others reading the same passages.<br />
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Below is a sponsored Amazon Link to the Daily Walk Bible I'm using via Kindle Reader on my iPhone. This year I am using the New Living Translation, but you are welcome to use any version you prefer. I will also post the weekly readings schedule online for those of you who would like to use your own Bibles.<br />
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The Daily Walk Bible, New Living Translation, as well as other translations, have an excellent introductory section, as well as daily insights, historical information, and context help.<br />
Looking forward to Our Journey!<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=danonthejou-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B007V6996C" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>
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*<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;">Feel free to join other online readers in this "Read Through The Bible In A Year" sub-group of my online "Vicarious Virtual Book Club", or V.V.B.C. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;"> </span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;"> We also read the same selections as my "real life" book club. You </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px;">may read as many, or as few, of the books as you wish. Feel free to </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px;">enjoy the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px;">commentary, make </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;">comments, and start discussions! No </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;">commitment required! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;">Hope you'll decide to join the fun! Participating in a book club, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;">albeit </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;">a virtual club, is a great way to read </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;">and discuss books that </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;">you </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;">might not otherwise select! Plus, you can wear your pajamas </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;">to the "meetings," if you want! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;"><br /></span>
jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-12189547075473460432013-11-26T13:23:00.001-05:002013-11-26T13:24:12.815-05:00Christmas Tree Giveaway and Free/Almost Free Family Holiday Fun in Coweta/Fayette Georgia<a href="http://www.cowetafayettefamilies.com/?p=7924&preview=true">Be sure to check out my post on Coweta Fayette Families Blog! </a><br />
<span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span><a href="http://www.cowetafayettefamilies.com/?p=7924&preview=true"></a>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V4T0ps1eNJI/UpTm5j5yMXI/AAAAAAAAByI/9_LB0vIcEQo/s1600/Christmas+events+CFF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V4T0ps1eNJI/UpTm5j5yMXI/AAAAAAAAByI/9_LB0vIcEQo/s640/Christmas+events+CFF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-16291536138357776582013-11-06T16:15:00.003-05:002013-11-06T16:16:49.698-05:00Check Out My Favorite Pinterest Recipes!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Be sure to check out my <a href="http://www.cowetafayettefamilies.com/lets-share-our-favorite-pinterest-recipes/">favorite Pinterest Recipes</a>, and add your own! </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4rM6kRk2xP8/UnqxVg2q94I/AAAAAAAABx0/JRxbab_ClrQ/s1600/CFF+Share+Recipes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4rM6kRk2xP8/UnqxVg2q94I/AAAAAAAABx0/JRxbab_ClrQ/s640/CFF+Share+Recipes.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-18175089983500872722013-08-28T15:49:00.002-04:002013-08-28T15:52:41.113-04:00Introducing: Coweta Fayette Families PLUS Duluth Trading Company Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NdZzBg0AlK0/Uh5UJ3V62uI/AAAAAAAABw4/ykbgF2c051U/s1600/Haven+Mavens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NdZzBg0AlK0/Uh5UJ3V62uI/AAAAAAAABw4/ykbgF2c051U/s640/Haven+Mavens.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Peach State Moms Blog is now <a href="http://www.cowetafayettefamilies.com/">Coweta Fayette Families! </a> The place for "Georgia Moms in the know for families on the go!" Check out our new website! Be sure to click on the link below, and leave a comment, for a chance to win a gift card from Duluth Trading Company. </div>
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<a href="http://www.cowetafayettefamilies.com/haven-blog-conference-recap-and-duluth-trading-company-giveaway/">Review of Haven Blog Conference and Duluth Trading Company Long-Tailed Henley giveaway! </a>jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-53263148415345896252013-07-26T20:48:00.001-04:002013-07-26T20:49:29.552-04:00Shared Life Lessons For Friends Turning 30! (Good Advice for Any Age!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.peachstatemomsblog.com/general/advice-for-turning-30-applicable-for-any-age/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d2Ph5--T6EE/UfMXBg8t9oI/AAAAAAAABwU/BE9Dv0tZSKk/s640/Advice+on+Turning+30.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.peachstatemomsblog.com/general/advice-for-turning-30-applicable-for-any-age/">Check out my recent blogpost on Peach State Mom's Blog</a>. I shared adaptations of these Life Lessons learned while Dancing, literally and figuratively, on My Journey, with several friends who were turning thirty. I think they're good advice for most anyone!<br />
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Do you have any wisdom you'd like to add?jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-65367235330372422192013-07-12T23:29:00.001-04:002015-06-10T23:18:04.119-04:00Granny Mutts Blueberry Squares--Kelley's Courtyard--Blueberry Heaven! (UPDATE: Kelley's Courtyard closed on September 23, 2014, Chef Michael Gass sold the Kelley's Courtyard location. I know I miss them! The good news: We can still make Granny Mutt's Blueberry Squares!) <br />
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Did you know that <a href="http://www.tfponline.com/news/2012/jun/18/georgia-blueberry-outstrips-peach-as-georgias-top/">Blueberries are now the Peach State's top fruit crop</a>? Yep! I'm not sure of the latest figures, but in 2010, blueberries brought Georgia almost three times more revenue than peaches.<br />
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We recently spent time with our friends, the Carters, who grow blueberries in South Georgia.<br />
They gifted us with a gallon of their delicious hand-picked berries! We have been in Blueberry Heaven ever since, enjoying our berries!<br />
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We have savored berries in salads, on ice cream, and in smoothies. I froze a portion of our berries so we can enjoy a taste of summer later in the year! The last of our fresh blueberries gave me a great reason to try one of my favorite desserts from <a href="http://kelleyscourtyardcafe.com/24422.html">Kelley's Courtyard Cafe in Fernandina Beach, Florida</a>: Granny Mutts Blueberry Squares with Blueberry Compote. The recipe is in <a href="http://joysartofdining.com/joysartofdiningbooks.html">The Art of Dining Amelia Island by Joy Bateman</a>.<br />
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If you want to take advantage of the fresh blueberries that are in season now, and experience your own version of Blueberry Heaven, try Granny Mutt's Blueberry Squares! I am printing the updated recipe, with permission from Kelley's Courtyard.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JqZ-M5NQQsQ/UeDEB9BvnnI/AAAAAAAABwA/2UR0_Ryo2L4/s1600/Blueberry+Squares.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JqZ-M5NQQsQ/UeDEB9BvnnI/AAAAAAAABwA/2UR0_Ryo2L4/s640/Blueberry+Squares.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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GRANNY MUTTS BLUEBERRY SQUARES<br />
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Yield: 16-24 generous portions!<br />
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Ingredients:<br />
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1/2 lb. unsalted butter<br />
2 cups brown sugar<br />
2 cups granulated sugar<br />
4 eggs<br />
4 tsp. vanilla<br />
4 cups flour<br />
4 tsp. baking powder<br />
1 tsp. salt<br />
2 cups fresh blueberries<br />
2 cups chopped nuts of your choice (Optional--I omitted this time.)<br />
Cinnamon sugar<br />
<br />
Preparation:<br />
Melt butter in a saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in remaining ingredients in the order they are listed. Fold in blueberries, and nuts if desired, last. Spread better into a well-greased half sheet pan (approximately 12 1/2 by 18 inches.) Generously sprinkle top of blueberry squares with cinnamon sugar mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes, or until done.<br />
<br />
Serve warm with Blueberry Compote if desired. The bars are GREAT with our without the sauce!<br />
<br />
<br />
BLUEBERRY COMPOTE<br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
1 cup granulated sugar<br />
1 cup blueberries<br />
1/4 cup water<br />
1/2 cinnamon stick<br />
<br />
Preparation:<br />
Bring all ingredients to a boil in a sauce pan over medium high heat and simmer for approximately ten minutes until liquid is reduced. Stir to prevent sticking. Remove cinnamon stick. Serve over ice cream and Granny Mutt's Blueberry Squares. (Note: To increase the compote recipe, use equal parts sugar and blueberries, and add water accordingly.)jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-39982791409237022482013-07-09T10:46:00.001-04:002013-07-09T10:47:54.889-04:00Are We Less Patriotic Than We Used to Be?<h2>
<b>Check out my <a href="http://www.peachstatemomsblog.com/general/is-patriotism-dying/">post</a> on the Peach State Mom's Blog. </b></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.peachstatemomsblog.com/general/is-patriotism-dying/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hcW082ZA5v4/Udwh5xSZWBI/AAAAAAAABvs/9ZLFy8zwOi4/s640/Patriotism+Flag.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-35786365453360125892013-06-25T13:17:00.000-04:002013-06-25T13:17:31.787-04:00Do Your Children Belong to You, or To "The Community?" <span style="font-size: large;">Check out <a href="http://www.peachstatemomsblog.com/general/trust-your-mothering-instincts/">my </a></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.peachstatemomsblog.com/general/trust-your-mothering-instincts/">post</a> on the Peach State Mom's Blog <span style="color: black;">regarding the trend toward "group think" and away from Mother's listening to their own instincts about their children! </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.peachstatemomsblog.com/general/trust-your-mothering-instincts/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="433" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_EDLdSrrNm8/UcnOgiW2WDI/AAAAAAAABvc/D10lnNpwYWk/s640/PSMB+Blake+Sleeping.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-45572047700300573322013-03-26T00:47:00.002-04:002013-03-26T00:56:13.907-04:00Sharing Easter Traditions<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hope everyone has a Happy Easter while celebrating Jesus, the real Reason for the Easter Season!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here is a link to my post on the Peach State Mom's Blog about our family's </span><a href="http://www.peachstatemomsblog.com/general/easter-traditions-2/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Easter Traditions</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UeC5NjSWAgc/UVEn1nXmf7I/AAAAAAAABtA/z8_8xWLaaHU/s1600/IMGP03981-1024x768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UeC5NjSWAgc/UVEn1nXmf7I/AAAAAAAABtA/z8_8xWLaaHU/s640/IMGP03981-1024x768.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-70272642407203315432013-03-12T14:16:00.000-04:002013-03-12T18:25:41.062-04:00Children and GunsCHILDREN AND GUNS<br />
<br />
As many of you know, I am a huge supporter of our 2nd Amendment gun rights. I am increasingly frustrated by liberal politicians and main stream media attempts to limit those rights. It seems that gun owners are becoming yet another politically incorrect group!<br />
<br />
Will toy guns become a casualty of the continued negative portrayal of those who own guns? I hope not! I believe toy weapons can teach responsible gun behavior. Check out my post at the Peach State Moms Blog: <a href="http://www.peachstatemomsblog.com/general/do-your-children-play-with-guns/">Do Your Children Play With Guns?</a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bFwNx6_Ixcw/UT9wRgyjAbI/AAAAAAAABsk/5nOjdXXgXTU/s1600/War+games+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bFwNx6_Ixcw/UT9wRgyjAbI/AAAAAAAABsk/5nOjdXXgXTU/s400/War+games+3.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son with a toy gun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3dMEab7z3WM/UT9vaIoOTGI/AAAAAAAABsc/OrC19JiX4OU/s1600/285350_376134485817219_914545870_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3dMEab7z3WM/UT9vaIoOTGI/AAAAAAAABsc/OrC19JiX4OU/s400/285350_376134485817219_914545870_n.jpg" width="336" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son with a "real" gun. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-43372324829594757262013-01-23T22:06:00.001-05:002013-11-13T23:29:59.720-05:00A Tribute to My Mother: Betty Queen White Stewart<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A Tribute to My Mother:
Betty Queen White Stewart<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Eulogy From Mama's Funeral</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">by Jamie White Wyatt</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MMAfHZHXTIs/UP9dqabCbZI/AAAAAAAABqQ/dslW8s5epkg/s1600/iPhoto+Library-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MMAfHZHXTIs/UP9dqabCbZI/AAAAAAAABqQ/dslW8s5epkg/s640/iPhoto+Library-3.jpg" width="460" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama's High School Graduation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">On
behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for coming. Your presence is a
gift beyond words, and is very much appreciated. We are especially moved by
those relatives, and special friends, who traveled so far to be with us
yesterday and today. I won’t try to name everyone, but special thanks to a few
of those who are here today: Ed’s brother, Bill and his wife, Linda, our Howard
cousins, Kathy Malone and Mary Ruth Gardner, among others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Our
family has been well loved this weekend by our extended family and friends, and
by Mama’s friends, many of whom we have just met. Nancy’s friends and neighbors
have been wonderful about fixing meals and feeding us, and I thank them for
that.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uju4ejxFnV0/UP9dsDQ6OtI/AAAAAAAABqk/2LTsazeWnmQ/s1600/iPhoto+Library_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uju4ejxFnV0/UP9dsDQ6OtI/AAAAAAAABqk/2LTsazeWnmQ/s640/iPhoto+Library_2.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Park Street Methodist Church, Atlanta. Mama and Daddy were married for 40 years. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When
Mama married Sam, he embraced our family, just as Sam’s family has embraced
Mama, and we are so grateful for that. Mama loved Sam’s grandchildren, and
great-grandchildren as her own. She never referred to them as “step” anything.
They were HERS. After Sam died, his family continued to include Mama in their family events.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam's and Mama's Blended Family</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">This
funeral is going to be simple. Mama did not want much of a fuss made over her.
So, in order to celebrate her life, and honor her memory, I’ve been making notes for the
past couple of days. I’m going to tell you some eclectic stories to give you
some insights into Mama's life and personality.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mama
told us often, and firmly, that she did not want a public viewing at her
funeral. She enlisted her friend, Betty Waas, to ensure our compliance. I told
Betty yesterday that we had honored Mama’s request, so Mama can rest in peace! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As
you all know, Mama was a Southern lady. She knew manners, etiquette, and how to
charm someone into giving her what she wanted. She loved her pearls, diamonds, and
accessories, but was not flashy. I used to select her clothes when I was an
assistant buyer for Rich’s and when I had my bridal shop in Decatur. I would
put aside things that “looked like Mama,” call her, and she’d take a trip up to
Atlanta to update her wardrobe. We both missed those days of getting nice
clothes at cost!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mama
was also a Steel Magnolia: sweet, but firm. I heard a number of people saying
yesterday that Mama was soft spoken, insightful, and funny when carrying out
various board commitments. However, her family can tell you that Mama could
also be very determined, opinionated, and unwavering in the conviction that she
was RIGHT. I’m not positive, but some of us may have inherited that gene from Mama!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mama
loved her family-- especially her grandchildren and great- grandchildren. She
told me recently about dropping off a gift for her older great-grandchild, Aiden’s, birthday. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mama’s grandchildren called her “Mimi.”* Some of you may remember
that Mama’s oldest grandchild, Jonathan, was the star of the Herb White’s
Marine TV commercials when, with a huge smile and a cute little voice, Jonathan implored,
“Ask your Pop to buy a boat from my Pop!” (When Tricia was old enough, she also
co-starred in the Herb White’s Marine ads and commercials.*) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mama
was proud of Jonathan’s new job in intensive care at Children’s Healthcare of
Atlanta. Just before the service, Jonathan told me that he and Mimi used to
have dates. Before he could drive, she would pick him up, and after he could
drive, he would drive her in her car. When Jonathan met Stephanie, they both
started going out with Mimi. Mama loved Jonathan’s wife, Stephanie, and was so
proud that they invited her to stay with them for their first married Christmas year before last. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v9Q_iT0cYMA/UP9drwgwc8I/AAAAAAAABqg/j98BBMi7DRw/s1600/iPhoto+Library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v9Q_iT0cYMA/UP9drwgwc8I/AAAAAAAABqg/j98BBMi7DRw/s640/iPhoto+Library.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama with her daughters and their children at Jonathan's and Stephanie's wedding.<br />
It's hard to tell, but my navy dress was layered, just like Mama's.<br />
We chose basically the same dress, independently. That happened a lot!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Even
though Tricia’s ideas about fashion were absolutely not Mama’s taste, she
always loved Tricia’s confident, personal sense of style. When Tricia was
younger, I often accompanied Mimi on shopping trips looking for all things
pink, purple, and sparkly, with which to surprise Tricia. Mama was so excited
that Tricia finally had the job of her dreams as a flight attendant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mama
enjoyed her visits with Brittany and Blake. More recently, she enjoyed their
phone calls. Mama spent a little less individual time with my kids when they
were little, mostly because we lived further away, but also because she had met
Sam, and Mama and Sam stayed busy! Sam became Brittany’s and Blake’s new grandfather,
and Mama and Sam faithfully made the trek each year for “Grandparent’s Day” at
their school. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mama
proudly followed Brittany’s equestrian accomplishments, and her progress
through law school. She followed Blake’s hunting adventures, and his collegiate
football career, watching his games, whenever she could, on cable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mama
was a tireless medical advocate for us and for Daddy, but I can tell you that
she did not like it one bit when the shoe was on the other foot, and Nancy and
I needed to advocate for her! She wanted to be in control, and do things her
way, on her schedule, which doesn’t always work in the hospital. Mama resisted when Nancy and I had to give her some push back, for her own
good. I’m sure that doesn’t surprise anyone who knew Mama!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We
said in the obituary that Mama loved to entertain, and was always willing to
open her home to others. Many people have written or spoken to us about that this week. I cannot begin to count how many club meetings, wedding showers,
baby showers, church events, bridge clubs, garden clubs, and other things Mama
hosted at our home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Our
florist and caterer, Edna Willis, and her daughter, Mary Tom, would have been
on speed dial, had that been available! Mrs. Willis knew Mama’s tastes. Mama
and Mrs. Willis worked together like a well-oiled machine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mrs.
Willis knew that every one of Mama’s parties must have a floral decoration for
the front door, something special on the wrought iron banister going from the
living room to the dining room, arrangements for the table, with extra flowers
for scattering on trays and tablecloths, and corsages. Mama gave Mrs. Willis the
name of the honoree, in case that made a difference about special touches, and
the desired color scheme for each particular party, and Mrs. Willis took it
from there. Right before the party, Mrs. Willis would slide in and install the
flowers. We never had to follow up on anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aotlI_oOcic/UQA4Ru_b2zI/AAAAAAAABrk/aIEnRqhn7Ww/s1600/Debbie's+Shower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="484" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aotlI_oOcic/UQA4Ru_b2zI/AAAAAAAABrk/aIEnRqhn7Ww/s640/Debbie's+Shower.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting up the table for Debbie Williams Bunnell's bridal shower....<br />
flowers scattered, working on tray placement. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In
collaboration with Mama, based on her expectation of “simple elegance,” Mrs. Willis
did the flowers for our weddings. She also made a spectacular funeral blanket for
Daddy’s funeral out of dozens of white cymbidium orchids and exotic ferns. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uX-PwIxmwAA/UP9BunJ55RI/AAAAAAAABow/rXrmxZTmU_w/s1600/BlakeX4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uX-PwIxmwAA/UP9BunJ55RI/AAAAAAAABow/rXrmxZTmU_w/s640/BlakeX4.jpeg" width="504" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy and Mama at my wedding. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Artistic
Florist did a lovely job with Mama’s blanket. Mama would have loved the Queen
Ann’s Lace; but we surely missed Mrs. Willis and Mary Tom this weekend! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Speaking of parties, Mama
once cleared the furniture from her living room, and brought in tables and
chairs to seat about 60 people to host a Tri-Hi-Y dinner for me. Mama hosted
countless pool parties for her friends and ours. I heard yesterday that Mama hosted Kay Hanna’s
rehearsal dinner when she married Calvin. I don’t think I knew that, but I’m
not surprised!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mama
was a mother figure to a lot of people, and she ALWAYS welcomed our friends. We
could have “company,” as she called visitors, anytime. We didn’t really even have to
ask. Once, I brought home 13 friends from college to spend the weekend of Shrimp
Festival at Mama’s. Mama didn’t bat an eye. She just fixed more food, and
washed lots of towels! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r5OqXpR3KTc/UP9KE835IfI/AAAAAAAABpk/d0tIzzkc54o/s1600/scan0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="345" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r5OqXpR3KTc/UP9KE835IfI/AAAAAAAABpk/d0tIzzkc54o/s400/scan0017.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends from Georgia College, Shrimp Boat Races weekend, circa 1975</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">There
were always extra kids at our home. Mama always came up with “fun” things for
us to do, and food to accompany each adventure. We’d pile up on Mama’s and
Daddy’s king-sized bed and watch movies and eat ice cream together. We’d make
s’mores on the barbecue grill. We’d spend the night in our mini-houseboat tied
up to the dock, or we’d camp out in the back yard. Years later, I heard from a
number of friends that our home was a respite from the chaos in their
own homes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mary
Lucy Mierzejewski Kaufmann reminded me about the Hobo Party, Tacky Party,
Hippie Party, and other theme parties that Mama planned for us. Nancy and I each had
“Candyland” Birthday parties. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Once, when Mama was on the decorating committee, I remember helping her cut out construction
paper crabs to hang in fishnets for a Terpsichorean Club dance. Mama
and Daddy loved to dance!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EoEOx83xJH0/UP9B0r3k37I/AAAAAAAABo4/OssTreenLYc/s1600/Mama+Daddy+Dancescan001001.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EoEOx83xJH0/UP9B0r3k37I/AAAAAAAABo4/OssTreenLYc/s640/Mama+Daddy+Dancescan001001.bmp" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama and Daddy doing the Shag</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As
a home-economics major, Mama was all about food presentation! Our meals were balanced not
only by nutrition, but by colors and textures as well. Mama regularly
garnished our plates with parsley or carrot curls or radish roses, especially
if we had company. Thad Lee used to tease that Mama put ligustrum shrubbery
cuttings on all her food. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I
have lots of memories of riding along with Mama as a child, while she was delivering food
to those in need. For as long as I can remember, she took soup to elderly friends, and baked and
delivered Christmas goodies to give to people who helped her, like her bankers and the
post office workers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Someone
from the library board mentioned that Mama always had doilies when she fixed
food for events. They were right. Yes, she always did! She used her silver and
crystal. And, following in her footsteps, so do I!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">While
my friends brought mostly bologna or peanut butter or cheese sandwiches for
lunch at school, I often had cream cheese and cherries or cream cheese and
pineapple, or cream cheese and olives, cut into shapes, or rolled up and sliced
into pinwheels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Friends
still talk about “unusual” foods they first tried in our home, when mama fixed
them—asparagus, Brussels sprouts, beef stroganoff, and other </span><span style="font-size: 21px;">exotic foods. In 8</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: 21px;"> grade, Mama let everyone fix their own homemade pizzas for my birthday party. It was the first time many of my friends had eaten pizza.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I
think Mama had the first microwave oven in Fernandina. My friends came over and
marveled at how it could cook frozen barbecue sandwiches in just one minute! We had one of the first color TV's, too. Daddy was always one of the first to have new gadgets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mama
loved to try new recipes, and daddy was an adventurous eater, so Nancy and I
were introduced to lots of unusual foods. We tried different cuisines as we
traveled. Once a week or so, Mama would try out a new dish. Growing up, Nancy
and I had to try at least one bite of everything. So did my kids.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">One
night, Mama fixed supper, and as we started to eat, Daddy looked at the main
dish and said, “I cannot believe you fixed that awful recipe again!” Mama
replied, “I fixed it especially for you, because you said you liked it.” Daddy
said, “I was just being polite. I guess that was a mistake!” So Mama said,
“Well, I guess I’ll just throw that recipe away.” We all learned our lesson. From
then on, if we didn’t like Mama’s new recipe, we’d simply say, “Mama, you can
throw that recipe away!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mama
was confident and independent. She was a successful businesswoman in our family
boat business. Mama didn’t think anything about getting in the car and driving
for 7 or 8 hours. She regularly drove to Atlanta, by herself, to visit us, until
last year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mama
loved listening to books on tape when she traveled. They made her trips go
faster. She enjoyed passing along her tapes and book recommendations to me. We always discussed “real” books, as well as the audio books, that we were reading. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: center;">Mama
instilled her values, and nurtured the qualities of independence and self-reliance,
in Nancy and me. Consequently, when most of our friends were not driving off the island,
Nancy and I were driving to Jacksonville and beyond, as soon as we got our
licenses. At 17, Debbie Williams Bunnell and I took a road trip to Atlanta and
the North Georgia Mountains, which Mama helped me plan. When I graduated from
college, I drove to Canada by myself!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iXXSW-Ctc60/UQA4SgSIsLI/AAAAAAAABr0/NJzLQdfjamU/s1600/Mama+Nancy+Williamsburg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iXXSW-Ctc60/UQA4SgSIsLI/AAAAAAAABr0/NJzLQdfjamU/s400/Mama+Nancy+Williamsburg.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama, Nancy, and Sheep in Colonial Williamsburg 1974</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mama shared her love of travel with us. While we were growing up, Mama planned lots of weekend adventures for us at various attractions. We went to Gatorland, Weeki Wachee, and various and sundry other roadside attractions. If we saw a place that looked interesting when we traveled, we stopped!*</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span>
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We traveled to New York, D.C., California, and out West, among other places. We also took regular trips to Atlanta and to the mountains of Rabun County, Georgia, both places that were as near and dear to Mama’s heart, as they are to mine.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nbqbO7T0Iok/UQA4RlTVbuI/AAAAAAAABro/H8b3AErlNC0/s1600/Hardens-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nbqbO7T0Iok/UQA4RlTVbuI/AAAAAAAABro/H8b3AErlNC0/s640/Hardens-1.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Roadside Attraction:" Mama and Me at Gold Mountain, NC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Several
people reminded me yesterday of overseas trips they had taken with Mama. </span><span style="font-size: 21px;">One of her favorite trips was to the Czech Republic. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3w_gNV_wJHw/UP9dp8thnCI/AAAAAAAABqU/uTjOvZO-tYk/s1600/iPhoto+Library-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3w_gNV_wJHw/UP9dp8thnCI/AAAAAAAABqU/uTjOvZO-tYk/s640/iPhoto+Library-2.jpg" width="516" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama's favorite photo from the Czech Republic. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The last trip Mama
and I took was a couple of years ago, to Savannah, for <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 21px;">her Home Economics Honor Society’s National 100</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: 21px;"> birthday celebration. She was a 60+ year member, in Phi Upsilon Omicron, and the member at the conclave with the most longevity. Mama was treated with great respect and deference, and thoroughly enjoyed being the Belle of the Ball for that weekend.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 21px;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zyZ9E5TL3ZU/UP9N1p3kR9I/AAAAAAAABp4/ErTIonYAPo4/s1600/IMG_0873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zyZ9E5TL3ZU/UP9N1p3kR9I/AAAAAAAABp4/ErTIonYAPo4/s640/IMG_0873.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Mama's Phi U Conclave at the DeSoto Hilton in Savannah.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">When
Mama and Daddy took a trip, they always brought us a “surprise.” One of my most
unusual surprises came from the first trip Mama made to Japan. I was in 5</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: 16pt;">
grade. I’d read somewhere, probably in my Weekly Reader at school, that fried
grasshoppers were a Japanese delicacy. I requested that Mama bring me some. She
searched high and low, and brought me a Planter’s peanut sized can of fried
grasshoppers. My more adventurous friends and I ate them, just to say we’d done
it. Once was enough!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Nancy
and I were both able to go to Japan and Hong Kong with Mama and Daddy on
separate trips. Those were fabulous trips. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N2GA5GHd3y8/UP9drCIZ_NI/AAAAAAAABqc/qR6DSmUp_ew/s1600/iPhoto+Library-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N2GA5GHd3y8/UP9drCIZ_NI/AAAAAAAABqc/qR6DSmUp_ew/s640/iPhoto+Library-4.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ed, Jamie, Daddy, and Mama in Japan, 1986.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Some
of our most memorable trips were "PFO’s", or Planned Family Outings. Everyone’s
presence was required on a PFO. No excuses </span><span style="font-size: 21px;">were allowed</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> for missing PFO's! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">We went on
regular PFO’s with Patsy, Aubrey, Debbie and Hugh Williams. Our parents took
turns being "the Banker." When any of the kids wanted to buy a snack, or ride
a carnival ride, we had to get money from the banker. Several times we went to
a motel that had a putt-putt course and pool. We’d get three adjoining
rooms with a kitchen, and we could roam between the rooms.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">For
Georgia-Florida weekend, and other special occasions, our PFO's included the Waas and Maddox
families. We called ourselves the 4 W’s, Waas, Whites, Williams, and
Waddoxes. We added a W to the Maddox name. Mama was famous for the deviled eggs
she always took to Georgia- Florida games, where we’d rent out the yard and garage of a
family who lived across from the Gator Bowl. Louise Webb’s son, Bill, mentioned
on Facebook that Mama always made her deviled eggs for him. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sL3-Mjt7h0s/UQA4Ru-bXhI/AAAAAAAABrs/ACl-4ilj1bM/s1600/Ga-Fla+PFO-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="462" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sL3-Mjt7h0s/UQA4Ru-bXhI/AAAAAAAABrs/ACl-4ilj1bM/s640/Ga-Fla+PFO-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Georgia/Florida PFO 1976 (With the Williams, Waddoxes, Whites, and Friends.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">Mama,
Patsy Williams, Betty Waas, and several others were the original “Gumbo Ladies”
who provided the first food concessions at the Shrimp Boat Races (now the Shrimp
Festival.) They made gallons of Seafood Gumbo each year, to benefit the
Pirates Club.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Over the years, Mama played in a number of bridge clubs. Some of the ladies had been playing together for well over 50 years. Mama was a member of the Fernandina Beach Woman's Club,</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> Camellia Garden Club, The Merry Margaritas, and The Red Hat Society.*</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Mama had a great sense of humor. When we could get her really tickled, she had a great giggle. One time, Nancy had some disappearing ink, which she squirted on Mama’s Mama, our grandmother, Gan. Gan almost had a stroke seeing that black ink on one of her favorite dresses. It disappeared right away, but Gan never forgot that Nancy did that to her. Mama, however, always thought it was funny! </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rYu14UlT85s/UP9G45TixMI/AAAAAAAABpQ/zijkXl0A5Rs/s1600/get-attachment-5.aspx.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rYu14UlT85s/UP9G45TixMI/AAAAAAAABpQ/zijkXl0A5Rs/s400/get-attachment-5.aspx.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having fun rocking our matching Christmas pajamas. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mama
loved her volunteer work. While we were growing up, she volunteered mostly with
church, school, and organizations related to their boat business. Later on,
Mama started working during elections, and worked up to poll captain. She loved
to call me after she’d worked the polls to tell me which of her old friends,
and my friends, she’d seen that day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mama
worked at the same bed and breakfast on their Christmas tour of homes, for
years. Mama was passionate about her work for the Friends of the Library, and
Community Hospice. (<a href="http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/080206/nen_4125005.shtml">Article from the Jacksonville Times-Union from 2006 about Mama's hospice service.</a>)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Especially dear to Mama, was her volunteer work at St. Vincent’s. She volunteered for over 16 years, and was given a lifetime membership in the Auxiliary. Mama worked in the surgical waiting room and helped with the gift shop. Ultimately, Mama served as the Auxiliary President, and helped start-up the Spirituality Center. Mama and Sam were proud to be supporters of St. Vincent's, and Members of The Order of the Cornette.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mama
always called to tell me when she got a new hospice patient. One time she
called and said, “My new hospice patient, is the mother of one of
your classmates.” “Really?” I responded. “Yes,” she said, “we had about a 45
minute visit today while her Mama slept. I’ve seen her over there the last
couple of times I’ve been to check on her Mama. She was telling me that she
liked to come to our house for after school snacks, because we always had Coke
and Charles Chips in the can. Her mama only fixed Kool-aid after school. She
remembered those chocolate covered Easter bunny cookies with white sprinkles
that Charles Chips had. She said she liked going to work with us at the
Jacksonville store, because we let you and Nancy take the boats out by
yourself. We laughed about how her Mama and I always knew where you girls were,
even though there were no cell phones.” “Well, Mama, who is it?” Immediately Mama
changed to her professional volunteer voice and said, “Oh, I can’t tell you
that, I don’t have permission from the family!” Mama could keep a secret! And
she honored patient confidentiality and the HIPAA laws! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">To
expand on driving boats, as I just mentioned, when I was in 6<sup>th</sup>
and 7<sup>th</sup> grade, Mama and Daddy let me take my friends to work with them in Jacksonville. We had two small rowboats that we took out on Cedar Creek by ourselves.
Starting when I was in </span><span style="font-size: 21px;">about 8</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: 21px;"> or 9</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: 21px;"> grade, Mama and Daddy let us take 15-17 foot powerboats out by ourselves! We had to stay within sight of the business. We had shown ourselves to be responsible, so long before we had driver's licenses for cars, we were driving boats! Our friends LOVED sharing our adventure</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">s!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OiafLDScn_0/UQA4aG9EhUI/AAAAAAAABsE/cRfmwp0Iu80/s1600/J+N+Boats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OiafLDScn_0/UQA4aG9EhUI/AAAAAAAABsE/cRfmwp0Iu80/s640/J+N+Boats.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nancy, age 12, near boat, Jamie, age 14, far boat, 1968.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When
Daddy had his cardiac arrest, he had a classic near death experience, where he went
to heaven. He could not find the words to adequately express his feelings about it. He would just
shake his head and say, “You just can’t imagine how wonderful it is.” </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Daddy
reported seeing family and friends-- some of whom had not made it into heaven. </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">God
gave Daddy the choice of whether or not to come back, and Daddy chose to come
back to, in his words, “take care of your Mother a little while longer.”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">After
that experience, Daddy was a changed man. Always a man of strong faith, Daddy’s
faith grew even stronger. He became less driven, more relaxed, and more
tolerant of things that used to vex him. The experience showed Daddy how
fleeting life is, and that the only things that are really important on earth
are relationships. His powerful testimony impacted our entire family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mama
took Daddy’s experience to heart. She had no fear of death. After watching her
mother linger in a nursing home, and visiting so many friends in long-term
care, Mama was adamant that she wanted to die quickly, and at home. She did not
even want to discuss any other possibilities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I
am confident that in His wisdom, God granted Mama’s request. Even though Mama’s
plan did not go exactly as she wished, she did not suffer much or long. I have
peace in the assurance of 2 Corinthians 5:8 that Mama is “absent from the body
and present with the Lord.” </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I have never thought of Daddy as dead, and will not
think of Mama that way. As the poem says, “they are not dead, they are just
away.” Mama has simply stepped through a door that we have not yet seen, and
she is again waiting to welcome us home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Mama had a servant’s heart. She was a true Proverbs
31 Virtuous Woman, except for the part about getting up early. She was a night
owl, not a morning person. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Two of the greatest gifts Mama and Daddy gave to Nancy and me were
Roots and Wings. They grounded us and gave us a sense of belonging, then they
set us free to fly on our own. In addition, Mama </span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">instilled us with confidence, independence, determination, feistiness, and a sense of
adventure. Unfortunately for us, however, Mama did not impart her organizational
and filing skills. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">So
many people have told Nancy and me that we look like Mama. In the hospital a couple of weeks ago, one
of the doctors remarked on the resemblance, and Mama said, “She won’t want to hear that.” I said,
“That's no surprise to me, Mama, When I look in the mirror, I see you, myself!” <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V28SKIFBhks/UP9jpSg7AnI/AAAAAAAABrQ/Md0hnFKXUNo/s1600/scan0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="475" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V28SKIFBhks/UP9jpSg7AnI/AAAAAAAABrQ/Md0hnFKXUNo/s640/scan0003.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama with Nancy and me at Mama's wedding to Sam. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">A
dear friend sent me an early morning text Monday, in regard to Mama’s death, that
said, “The world is a better place because of the way she lived her life.” My
desire is to live up to my Mama’s legacy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In
2<sup>nd</sup> Peter, the Bible says that a thousand years on earth is like one
day in heaven. Mama, we’ll see you in the morning!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">*Items
with an asterisk are corrections/additions to original eulogy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><a href="http://obituaries.expressionstributes.com/?m=b905273715&prnt=1">Click Here for Mama's Obituary</a> </span></div>
</div>
<!--EndFragment-->jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-8953665893565533532013-01-07T22:07:00.000-05:002013-01-07T22:07:22.204-05:00Tribute to One of Our "Greatest Generation"<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>"It is, I believe, the greatest generation any society has ever produced." Tom Brokaw</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yesterday I joined several hundred others in paying tribute, and saying farewell, to E. Alton Reeves, Jr., one of Our "Greatest Generation." Alton's funeral service was inspirational and patriotic. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AtqxiG4DUYg/UOuISpWK5DI/AAAAAAAABoI/UJL7ph0fcig/s1600/270390_405800929499427_2093154085_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AtqxiG4DUYg/UOuISpWK5DI/AAAAAAAABoI/UJL7ph0fcig/s320/270390_405800929499427_2093154085_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alton was an active member of my church, First Baptist Peachtree City. That's how I met him. He and his wife, Evelyne knew everyone by name. Alton served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher at various churches for 40 years, and assumed various leadership and committee roles as needed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alton was known at church, and elsewhere, as a natty dresser. His flashy style reflected his friendly, optimistic personality. Many of those giving tributes during the service commented on his brightly colored, patterned, and plaid jackets and pants. (His grandson and another friend were wearing two of his jackets at the service.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alton was the father of my friend, Robin, Father-in-law of Reed, and Grandfather ("DangDang") to his grandchildren: Katey and Adam (Courtney), and his three great-grandchildren: Micah, Wyatt, and Levi. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alton was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Evelyne, and his son Rick. Alton is survived by Rick's wife, Debbie, and their daughter, Whitney. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alton was an entrepreneur who owned and operated a real estate company. His avocation was serving with the Kiwanis Club. Alton, his wife, and their family enjoyed traveling on Kiwanis trips and spending time together on St. Simon's Island, GA. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alton served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. The funeral began with a recording of Alton telling the story of </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">being forced to bail out of his plane over Austria. He </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">watched his plane explode above him. As enemy planes sped toward him, presumably to sever his parachute or limbs. Alton prayed. Alton promised that if God let him survive, he would serve Him for the rest of his life. Alton did just that. He spent his life serving God while serving others. </span><br />
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Alton's son-in-love, Reed, and grandson, Adam, both gave moving tributes. Alton's granddaughter, Katey, read this prayer:</div>
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<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: -webkit-left;">
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<i><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;">Dear Jesus, </span></i></div>
<i></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></i></div>
<i><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><div>
<i>Today I want to thank You for blessing me with an exceptional man, known by many as Mr. Reeves but known by me as DangDang. While the name was different ... So was he. He followed You and through Your grace served You well as he promised parachuting from his plane in WW2. His service and faithfulness was a contagious attribute that will be carried on by many. And while his earthly moments are gone Your amazing grace is exalted through his life. Thank you Lord for giving me such a fine example of how to live, how to love and how to laugh. Each kiss on the cheek, each walk on the beach, each bike ride thru Saint Simons and each talk about life will forever be cherished. I admit, I'm a little jealous that I didn't get to hear Your welcoming in of DangDang to heaven. I can only imagine the joy in his eyes when he heard You say "well done, My good and faithful servant. Welcome hom<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">e. " Please give him a kiss on the cheek from me and tell him, "I love you, kid." </span></i></div>
</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><div>
<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">Moving Forward and Serving You like he did,</span></i></span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">Katey</span></i></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The flag draped coffin at the front of the church was a dignified reminder of Alton's service to his country. The musical selections affirmed Alton's faith and patriotism. His daughter Robin, our former church pianist, played "How Great Thou Art." Cal Cheatham sang "America the Beautiful," starting with this verse: </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: -webkit-left;">O beautiful for heroes proved</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: -webkit-left;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;">In liberating strife.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Who more than self their country loved</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
And mercy more than life! </div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
America! America! </div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
May God thy gold refine </div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Till all success be nobleness </div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
And every gain divine! </div>
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Wayne Hall sang "There She Stands," accompanied by a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9yahnD9Dcg">video</a>. (This isn't the actual video, but it gives you the flavor of the song and the lyrics.) Terry Killingsworth, who led the service, finished his portion with an a cappella hymn. </div>
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Alton's funeral service ended with the attendees standing as a trumpeter played "Taps," followed by Amazing Grace rendered by a bagpiper. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alton, and the rest of The Greatest Generation paid a huge price as they kept the US secure, liberated Europe, saved the world from fascism, then rebuilt the countries they defeated. Their efforts gave us a legacy of freedom that does not seem to adequately appreciated by our younger generation. It is time for those of us who understand the sacrifice of the Greatest Generation to carry their torch and continue to stand up against tyranny. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you would like to honor this great American, you may make a memorial donation in his memory to either the Georgia District Kiwanis Foundation, 182 Riley Avenue, Suite A, Macon, GA 31204 or The Eliminate Project (eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus around the world) at the same address.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today, as E. Alton Reeve's Soul is celebrating in the Presence of God, his body</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> will be buried with military honors. Alton's</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> legacy will remain with all who knew him. </span></div>
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<br />jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-79705751911662129902012-12-10T00:49:00.004-05:002012-12-10T01:01:34.115-05:00Share YOUR Christmas Traditions! <br />
What are YOUR favorite Christmas Traditions? Are you trying something new this year? Let me know. That might become my new favorite tradition!<br />
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Speaking of traditions: did you get new pajamas at Christmas when you were a child? Think back! When I was growing up, my sister and I always had Christmas pajamas. Usually flannel. My children had matching Christmas pajamas when they were small.<br />
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As you can see, for the last 4 years, we've revived that matching pajama tradition with our extended family! This year, based on input from my husband that he has enough pajama pants, I'll be deviating just a little from "pajamas." Rest assured we will still all be matching, though! What I'm doing a surprise, so I will share photos of my "tweaks" after Christmas!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l20_CKuMnxw/ULbcOTUyWUI/AAAAAAAABmY/QIRyTSHcrBE/s1600/IMGP3265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l20_CKuMnxw/ULbcOTUyWUI/AAAAAAAABmY/QIRyTSHcrBE/s320/IMGP3265.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uf3sJtSkQ28/ULbmFTtT_OI/AAAAAAAABm0/-eYOrbU0EoA/s1600/388901_10100561796592195_27427240_51325576_1328708812_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uf3sJtSkQ28/ULbmFTtT_OI/AAAAAAAABm0/-eYOrbU0EoA/s320/388901_10100561796592195_27427240_51325576_1328708812_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you'd like to read more about my family traditions, one of my stories was just featured in the Chicken Soup Daily Newsletter! It is also featured in the recently published book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1611599016/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1611599016&linkCode=as2&tag=danonthejou-20">Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Gift of Christmas: A Special Collection of Joyful Holiday Stories</a> (Sponsored Link.) Click here to read <a href="http://www.chickensoup.com/newsletter.asp?newsid=article-daily-121202&utm_source=CSS_Email&utm_medium=Bulletin&utm_term=20110507&utm_content=css-orig&utm_campaign=daily">"My Nativities."</a> A second story I wrote, "Santa Hats," is also in the book.<br />
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I wrote a post for the Peach State Moms Blog about <a href="http://www.peachstatemomsblog.com/general/sharing-10-of-our-familys-favorite-christmas-traditions/">10 of our family's favorite Christmas Traditions.</a> You may want to check that out. Also look at the Tradition Place Pinterest Boards by clicking <a href="http://pinterest.com/rockhavenw/tradition-place-making-memories/">HERE</a>!<br />
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Also, PLEASE like my new <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tradition-Place/209953255793085?ref=hl">Tradition Place Facebook page</a>! I have set up the page in anticipation of the launch of my Tradition Place website within the next few months. (It will be a resource for finding and sharing traditions!) You may sign up to be notified of the launch of <a href="http://www.traditionplace.com/">www.TraditionPlace.com</a> by clicking on the web address.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Remember to share your favorite traditions and the recipes you absolutely MUST make for your family at Christmas, below, or on the Tradition Place Facebook Page. Feel free</span><span style="font-size: large;"> to post links to favorite recipes and traditions from your blog or Pinterest Boards. Hope you have a Happy December and Blessed Christmas!</span><br />
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jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-38304426906868384542012-11-13T20:22:00.004-05:002012-11-28T21:59:54.852-05:00Thanksgiving Traditions on Peach State Moms Blog<span style="font-size: large;">I am now a featured blogger on the <a href="http://www.peachstatemomsblog.com/">Peach State Moms Blog</a>, writing as a "seasoned mother." Here is a <a href="http://www.peachstatemomsblog.com/general/thanksgiving-lets-make-some-memories/">link to my Blog Post</a> about our family's Thanksgiving and Christmas Traditions.</span><br /><meta name="p:domain_verify" content="5664bc458ef2067e930c277865ac4af9" />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We always cut our own tree during Thanksgiving Break at <a href="http://www.inmanfarm.com/trees.php">Minter's Farm</a> south of Fayetteville, GA. </span><span style="font-size: large;">8-9 foot trees like this Leyland Cyprus are the same price as last year: $35-40! Virginia pines</span><span style="font-size: large;"> start at $8! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O4yEGiF1d8I/UKLzwkf0VCI/AAAAAAAABlk/Wr367b2qg4Q/s1600/IMGP2928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O4yEGiF1d8I/UKLzwkf0VCI/AAAAAAAABlk/Wr367b2qg4Q/s400/IMGP2928.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving 2010</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;">UPDATE: I am in the process of launching a new website that will be a resource for finding and sharing family traditions. Please sign up to be notified when it launches!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;">Thank you!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.traditionplace.com/" style="color: blue; text-decoration: none;">www.traditionplace.com</a></span></div>jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-60344172392777467522012-07-17T00:52:00.001-04:002012-08-29T00:19:02.602-04:00V.V.B.C. Star of Flint by Jill Entrekin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Vicarious Virtual Book Club</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Star of Flint</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">by Jill Entrekin</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">NOTE: I am in the process of launching a new website that will be a resource for finding and sharing traditions. Please sign up to be notified when it launches!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.traditionplace.com/">www.traditionplace.com</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">General Review of Jill Entrekin's Book and Writing Process--No Book Spoilers! </span></div>
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Fifteen Sisterchicks, and one visitor, had the honor of meeting Jill Entrekin, author of this month's book: <u>Star of Flint</u>. Jill grew up in neighboring Thomaston, GA, and is fairly recently retired from teaching English for 30 years in Clayton and Fayette Counties.</div>
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Jill attended West Georgia College, where she met Dana, the love of her life. Dana is Jill's "technical advisor" on guy things, like football and popping the clutch to start old Studebakers. One of Jill's favorite parts of editing is when Dana offers suggestions on each finished chapter, which she reads aloud to him, while sipping wine on their back porch. </div>
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Jill's book has been a true family affair, with both of her daughters helping edit and market <u>Star of Flint</u>. <a href="http://fayettewoman.com/storytellers-story-jill-smith-entrekin.html">This story from Fayette Woman</a> magazine, gives excellent background and more details about Jill and the book. </div>
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Taking inspiration from her background, and training from her newspaper editor/publisher father, Jill's presentation gave us her "who, what, when, where, and why" history of <u>Star of Flint</u>. Jill's responses to the Sisterchick's questions added more insight about the story and her writing process. </div>
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Mowing the lawn, and walking her boxers along <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Peachtree-City-GA/95326628866">Peachtree City</a>'s 90+ miles of golf cart paths help stimulate Jill's creativity. Jill writes in her head, then, afterward, goes to her computer and inputs her stories with a vengeance. When she is writing, Jill loses herself in the story. If she needs to go anywhere, she has to set a timer. She said she was almost late to book club tonight, because she didn't want to stop writing! When Jill comes to a standstill, she said she prays for guidance, and it always comes. </div>
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Jill said that she writes a chapter, then hones it for a day or two, then moves on. She doesn't have a real "plan" for writing, she just does what works for her, and occasionally will go back and revisit and re-edit several chapters at a time. Editing <u>Star of Flint</u> down from 160,000 words to 112,000 was akin to cutting body parts off of her baby. Jill said she wrote the foreword and epilogue after the story, but she knew the ending of the story from the beginning. </div>
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The Sisterchicks enjoyed Jill's use of nostalgic products, foods, and activities in her book. Clove gum, Heaven Sent and Brut colognes, and Dippity Do are a few of the featured products that come to mind. Star of Flint is an easy and engaging read that evokes fond memories of life from the 50's to the 70's, with the story culminating close to the present. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jill Entrekin with a decorated can for a Christmas Gift, which Jill made for her Daddy. <br />
An essay about the gift was the impetus for Star of Flint. </td></tr>
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Jill assured us that <u>Star of Flint</u>'s characters are not real people, but are compilations of real people, even though someone in her hometown has assembled a list of exactly who she says the characters really are! Jill shared memories and stories about some of the townspeople and family members whose history and quirks are captured in her book. </div>
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According to Jill, when you're writing fiction, you're free to choose what bits of history you want to use, and what you want the outcome to be. Although she shares some details about her characters, Jill won't disclose exactly which part's of her book are based on fact. Jill prefers to leave it to her readers' to decide. </div>
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Jill handled the delicate subjects of race relations and homosexuality with tenderness, sensitivity, and finesse. Other delicate issues were also realistically handled.</div>
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Jill said that writing the book was like having a baby. The observation was made that must mean it was like her being pregnant for two-and-a-half years, and she said, "Exactly!" Publishing the book, which she said was even harder, took another two-and-a-half years. Jill ended up using local publisher <a href="http://www.andersusa.com/books-currently-available.html">David Anders.</a> who was her physician, turned publisher!<br />
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Jill was wearing a star necklace with matching earrings, which were a gift from her husband. Be sure to look for all the ways Jill weaves stars throughout her story. Our group missed some of that symbolism!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Roses are red, Daisies are Yellow, In years I'll be wed, Until then you're my Fellow"<br />
Valentine Jill made for her Daddy, which inspired a scene in Star of Flint. </td></tr>
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Jill was delightfully entertaining. Her personality and Southern accent were charming. She was so cute telling us about her surprise upon realizing that her book was being published digitally in "every language there is." </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jill Entrekin, center front in pink sweater, with a number of the Sisterchicks!</td></tr>
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Video of Jill Entrekin sharing with the book club about showing her mother an article in their hometown newspaper featuring <u>Star of Flint</u>. </div>
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Jill signed books and chatted with members after our meeting. The Sisterchicks will be looking forward to Jill's new book, Buck's Junction, due out in 2013! She promised to come back to another book club meeting when it's published!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;">Feel free to join online readers in the Vicarious Virtual Book</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;">Club, on my blog. R</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;">ead the same selections as my "real life" </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;">book club. You </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;">may read as many, or as few, of the books as </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;">you wish. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px;">E</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px;">njoy the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px;">commentary, make </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;">comments, and start </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;">discussions! No </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 10px;">commitments required! </span></div>
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Click the following link, then search for V.V.B.C. or book club: <a href="http://dancingonthejourney.blogspot.com/">http://dancingonthejourney.blogspot.com</a>)</div>
jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-239492901672813762012-06-03T01:20:00.000-04:002012-08-29T00:19:17.672-04:00V.V.B.C. Online Book Club Selections July-December 2012<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 10px;">V.V.B.C. Online Book Club </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 10px;">Selections for </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 10px;">July-</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 10px;">December 2012</span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">NOTE: I am in the process of launching a new website that will be a resource for finding and sharing traditions. Please sign up to be notified when it launches!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.traditionplace.com/">www.traditionplace.com</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 10px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 10px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px;">Feel free to join online readers in the Vicarious Virtual Book Club, </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;">as they read the same selections as my "real life" book club. You </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px;">may read as many, or as few, of the books as you wish. Feel free to </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px;">enjoy the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px;">commentary, make </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;">comments, and start discussions! No </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;">commitments required! We </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;">never discuss a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;">book until after the </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;">dates below.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;">Hope you'll decide to join the fun! Participating in a book club, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;">albeit </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;">a virtual club, is a great way to read </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;">and discuss books that </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;">you </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;">might not otherwise select! Plus, you can wear your pajamas </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;">to the "meetings," if you want! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;">Below are the Sisterchicks' selections for the last half of 2012, </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;">along </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;">with my Amazon affiliate links, to make it easy for you to </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;">check </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;">them out. If you prefer to listen to books, there are links to </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;">Audible on the right of this website. (DISCLOSURE: If you buy using </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;">these links, I may make a few cents!) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;"><br />July 16--- "Star of Flint" by Jill Smith Entrekin (a local author)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br />August 20---"Hellfire Conspiracy" by Will Thomas</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">September 17---"Swamplandia" by Karen Russell</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br />October 15---"Moloka'i" by Alan Brennert</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;">November 19---"Caleb's Crossing" by Geraldine Brooks</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 10px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><br />December 17---"The Harbinger" by Jonathan Cahn</span></span><br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=danonthejou-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=161638610X" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe>jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-32132384712613775002012-05-28T23:35:00.002-04:002012-08-29T00:19:32.869-04:00Big Spring Weekend in Fayetteville, GA!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Big Spring Weekend in Fayetteville, GA!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">NOTE: I am in the process of launching a new website that will be a resource for finding and sharing traditions. Please sign up to be notified when it launches!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.traditionplace.com/">www.traditionplace.com</a></span><br />
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The weekend of May 19-20, was action-packed in Fayetteville! The <a href="http://www.fayetteville-ga.gov/index.asp?Type=B_EV&SEC=%7BE76BCA88-226C-4524-BF08-C6106CE33FD3%7D&DE=%7B388036F9-F0A8-48E5-8CEF-EB4A8472A380%7D">44th Annual "Old Courthouse Art Show,"</a> the annual "Taste of Fayette," and the Living History Exhibit at the <a href="http://www.hdfhouse.com/">Holliday-Dorsey-Fife House Museum</a> were among other activities taking place around town. <br />
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The Old Courthouse Art Show again attracted an eclectic and elite group of artists for their juried fine art show. The weather was perfect for enjoying the artists, vendors and visiting with friends and neighbors.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This piece, by <a href="http://www.blackcattips.com/">Kyle Brooks</a>, called my name: "Love--We should love one another A Lot"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading home with their treasures!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.hdfhouse.com/">The Holliday-Dorsey-Fife House Museum</a> rotating exhibit is currently featuring hats throughout the years, including mourning garb, from Fayette County. Quilts were also on display, with local quilters doing demonstrations. Docents dressed in period costumes gave tours of the house. Among other things, the museum has an impressive Civil War Collection, Gone With The Wind memorabilia, local history collections, local authors' room, and more. This museum is one of the hidden jewels of South Metro-Atlanta!<br />
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On the Holliday-Dorsey-Fife grounds, <a href="http://fayettescv.org/">Civil War re-enactors</a>, a blacksmith, a woodcarver, and others were doing "living history" demonstrations. The loud "POWS" from black powder pistols and rifles made people jump all day long--even when you were expecting the noise!<br />
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At 11:30 on Saturday, there was a ceremony at The Gazebo at the corner of Georgia highway 85 (Glynn Street) and Stonewall, in front of the County Complex. The Gazebo was named in memory of Lane Brown, who died in November from complications of cancer. </div>
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Brown was a commercial real estate developer in the Atlanta area for over 40 years. He was instrumental in the redevelopment of Downtown Fayetteville while serving over the last fifteen years on <a href="http://www.fayetteville-ga.gov/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={ADEAD0C5-927D-480D-AB1B-6F29B45F24A5}">Fayetteville's Main Street</a> Board and <a href="http://www.fayetteville-ga.gov/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7B0072F7A4-3805-4D30-AC70-FFAD5E768985%7D">Fayetteville Downtown Development Authority</a>. Brown was serving as Chairman of the Main Street Board at the time of his death.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lane Brown's wife, Sheila, with the temporary gazebo sign. </td></tr>
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Here is a video of Fayetteville City Councilman, Larry Dell's, tribute to Lane Brown: </div>
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After leaving the Square, we drove a block south on Highway 54 to the annual "Masonic Chicken Q." We picked up smoked chicken, with all the trimmings, for supper.<br />
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Our last stop of the afternoon was at J. Sam Burch's Barber Shop. Sam, a long-time property appraiser in Fayetteville, decided to become a Master Barber. This will be a retirement "hobby" that generates income. Sam's Fayetteville Barber Shop, and his second location, in downtown LaFayette, Alabama, bring to mind neighborhood barber shops, that were gathering places, in a bygone era. Sam's service includes hot towels, and a neck shave with a straight razor! The stories about Sam's historic barber chairs, furniture, and accessories, and the Fayetteville shop's location in an historic family home, make for an entertaining visit. To contact Sam, call <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, sans, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">678-457-7237.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Husband, Ed, with Sam Burch at Sam's Fayetteville Barber Shop Location</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, sans, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">If you haven't been to Fayetteville lately, you need to! Our Courthouse square and downtown area is vibrant with businesses, both old and new, including art, consignment stores, fine jewelry, collectibles, and restaurants! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, sans, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">For more Fayetteville photos, click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150978490337239.401605.714557238&type=3&l=4ecc6513eb">HERE</a>. </span><br />
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<br />jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-23848380851085202032012-05-25T01:13:00.001-04:002012-10-13T00:15:52.422-04:00Banana Pineapple Chocolate Chip Pancakes!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; line-height: 21px;">Banana Pineapple</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; line-height: 21px;">Chocolate Chip Pancakes! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">NOTE: I am in the process of launching a new website that will be a resource for finding and sharing traditions. Please sign up to be notified when it launches! </span><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you! </span><a href="http://www.traditionplace.com/" style="font-size: x-large;">www.traditionplace.com</a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Most families have favorite recipes. Many are foods they enjoy eating often. Some are traditionally reserved for specific events. There are usually "traditional foods" for various holidays, as well as foods that are "expected," and "always served," at events like birthdays, tailgate parties, or other family gatherings.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> I know people who continue to serve foods they don't really like for holidays, just because their families have always served them, and they are continuing the tradition!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Our family has a number of recipes that have evolved into "traditions." One is my Banana Pineapple Chocolate Chip Pancakes. I created the recipe about twenty years ago, to try to replicate the taste of my family's favorite muffins. I have served these pancakes to my family, my kids’ friends, and for breakfast and brunch gatherings. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I often get requests to make them.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">The pancakes are good with or without syrup. They also freeze well, if there are any left! </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-voG_XWtRDh4/T78TOr-VSWI/AAAAAAAABgE/VjCewDBKckE/s1600/B+P+CC+Pancakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-voG_XWtRDh4/T78TOr-VSWI/AAAAAAAABgE/VjCewDBKckE/s640/B+P+CC+Pancakes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Plain, buttermilk, chocolate, chocolate chip, pecan, and banana pancakes are all “tried and true” pancake varieties that could become your own family's "Pancake Tradition." Savory pancakes, featuring ingredients such as bacon, ham, and pepperoni, have their own aficionados.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">I found the pepperoni pancakes below to be pretty good, and thought they’d be popular with teens who often eat pizza for breakfast. Wrong! That wasn’t the case when I tried them out on a group of teen boys, including my son! All but one kid thought they were "weird, because they didn’t taste like breakfast pancakes!" Over ten years later, kids occasionally still laughingly ask, “Remember those terrible pizza pancakes you made?” I always reply, "I thought they were good! Want to give them another try?" No takers, so far!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Making memories—even when they aren’t “perfect”--is what binds us together as families, friends, and communities. Let’s face it: grouchy relatives, funny clothes, bad hair, burned or bad holiday dishes, and all manner of other imperfect things, color our memories and weave the tapestry of our history! People who pray and play and work and laugh together are building memories and traditions that will help sustain them during difficult times.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Please share your own traditions, traditional recipes, and blog articles about traditions, on my new <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/JOY-on-the-Journey/175837259151443?ref=tn_tnmn">"JOY on the Journey" facebook page</a>, for possible inclusion on a new website, and upcoming book about family traditions.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> Recipes for Banana Pineapple chocolate Chip Pancakes, and Pizza Pancakes, are below. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">BANANA PINEAPPLE CHOCOLATE CHIP PANCAKES</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">2 cups Baking mix (I use Bisquick)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">1 cup milk</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">2 eggs</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">1-8 oz. can crushed pineapple with juice</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">2 very ripe bananas mashed</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">1/2 cup (or more!) chocolate chips</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Stir ingredients will blended. Pour 1/8 to scant 1/4 cupfuls onto a hot greased griddle. Cook until edges are dry. Turn over and cook till golden brown.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">PEPPERONI PIZZA PANCAKES</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">2 cups baking mix (I use Bisquick)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">2 teaspoons Italian seasoning</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">2 eggs</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">1 cup milk</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">1/2 cup chopped pepperoni</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">(optional:1/2 cup chopped plum tomatoes</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">1/4 cup chopped green pepper--I omit.)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">1 can (8 ounces) pizza sauce, warmed</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Combine first four ingredients, just until moistened. Fold in rest of the ingredients.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Pour 1/8 to scant 1/4 cupfuls onto a hot greased griddle. Cook until bubbles form. Turn over and cook till golden brown. Serve with pizza sauce, and extra cheese if desired.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Jamie is a writer, speaker, retreat planner, editor, Bible teacher, and ballroom dancer. She loves to speak to church and secular groups encouraging “Joy on the Journey.” Please check out the rest of her blog</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://www.dancingonthejourney.blogspot.com/">www.dancingonthejourney.blogspot.com</a>; Jamie is in the process of launching a website that will be a resource for finding and sharing traditions. Please sign up to be notified when the blog launches: <a href="http://www.traditionplace.com/">www.traditionplace.com</a>. Follow Jamie's Pinterest Page: <a href="http://pinterest.com/rockhavenw/tradition-place-making-memories/">Tradition Place: Making Memories</a>; and Follow Jamie's Tradition Page on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/JOY-on-the-Journey/175837259151443">Facebook</a>.</span>jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5477830243923879776.post-59583106036208605222012-05-13T23:59:00.001-04:002012-08-29T00:20:05.528-04:00Dancers Raise $205,962.00 to Fight Alzheimer's!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Dancers Raise $205,962.00</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">to Fight Alzheimer's!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Dancing Stars of Central Georgia</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">NOTE: I am in the process of launching a new website that will be a resource for finding and sharing traditions. Please sign up to be notified when it launches!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.traditionplace.com/">www.traditionplace.com</a></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xcs3__5lnso/T7B6XXlzwMI/AAAAAAAABfQ/rLi1j_iPslc/s1600/IMGP9606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xcs3__5lnso/T7B6XXlzwMI/AAAAAAAABfQ/rLi1j_iPslc/s320/IMGP9606.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Table Centerpiece</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A sold out crowd of dance enthusiasts enjoyed a gourmet meal, and an evening of entertainment, at last night's </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">inaugural edition of "Dancing Stars of Central Georgia," at the Macon City Auditorium. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2N0XMuRWnus/T7B6VG5GxsI/AAAAAAAABfI/B-d6w18q228/s1600/IMGP9595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2N0XMuRWnus/T7B6VG5GxsI/AAAAAAAABfI/B-d6w18q228/s320/IMGP9595.JPG" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, with my friend, JoyDawn</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Pr5bnUfBHk/T7B6aEDUfkI/AAAAAAAABfY/1W76llOlEwI/s1600/IMGP9615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Pr5bnUfBHk/T7B6aEDUfkI/AAAAAAAABfY/1W76llOlEwI/s320/IMGP9615.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Capacity Crowd</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ten "professional" dancers were paired with celebrities to compete in the "Dancing With The Stars" type competition. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Local "Stars" included former First Lady of Georgia, Mary Perdue, as well as Karla Redding-Andrews, daughter of the late singer, Otis Redding, famous for his hit song,"Sitting on the Dock of the Bay." For more info: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.newscentralga.com/news/local/Dancing-Stars-of-Central-Georgia-Dance-The-Night-Away-151277475.html">See the Fox 24 Story Here.</a></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sdQ9SbQWEV8/T7B6cR_ZXDI/AAAAAAAABfg/qqu4yPesBq4/s1600/IMGP9616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sdQ9SbQWEV8/T7B6cR_ZXDI/AAAAAAAABfg/qqu4yPesBq4/s320/IMGP9616.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashley and Daniel win People's Choice Mirror Ball </td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Four of my long-time ballroom dance friends, from Central Georgia, served as pros and helped raise almost $206,000 for the Alzheimer's Association! Dozens of friends from area USA Dance Chapters, and local dance studios, turned out to cheer on our friends! </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Links to my 4 "Pro" friends' YouTube Videos from the competition on my Pinterest Board are below! Hope you'll follow me on <a href="http://pinterest.com/rockhavenw/">Pinterest</a>, follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dancing-on-the-Journey/216865035030249">Facebook</a>, and follow my blog!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #211922; font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/241294492505588083/">DISCO: My friend Daniel Boudreault, and his partner Asheley Copelan, raised over $100,000 for the Alzheimer's Association at the "Dancing Stars of Central Georgia" Fundraiser in Macon, May 12, 2012.</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/241294492505588161/">Tango with Jackson Walker and Laura Thomason</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1405850487"><br /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #211922; font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/241294492505588123/">CHA CHA: Former First Lady of Georgia, Mary Purdue, dances Cha Cha with Carl Candiano</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #211922; font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_1405850468"><br /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #211922; font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/241294492505588148/">VIENNESE WALTZ: Elbert McQueen and Dianne </a></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #211922; font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/241294492505588148/">Kent</a></span></div>
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Please leave your comments below! Thanks! </div>
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jamiewhitewyatthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10447384102934083655noreply@blogger.com0