Laurel, Mississippi Road Trip

 Traveling into the Deep South was so new to me and when my adventurous friend Dee agreed to do most of the driving, I was ecstatic!  

I have wanted to see the setting for HGTV’s “Hometown” program for some time now.  The town Laurel seemed like such an idyllic community in which to raise one’s family.  Such American pride and traditions.  We were not disappointed!

As soon as we arrived in Laurel we headed straight to the Laurel Mercantile Co. Store.  The manager was very Southern which also means very friendly and hospitable.  She told us a little bit about the town and how Ben and Erin were as down-to-earth in real life as they conveyed on their television show.  She recommended an Italian restaurant not too far from the Store.  As we headed over to eat, music was playing outdoors, but because we were both hungry and tired decided to not check into it.  Unfortunately the next day we learned both Ben and Erin were there!

The following day we took a tour of Laurel which featured many of the “Hometown” fixer-uppers.  Included on the tour was Ben’s Scotsman General Store & Woodshop.  The picture backdrop for a photo shoot was on the top of Ben’s woodshop.  We also explored the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art.  What an extraordinary museum for such a small town!  The architecture was divine throughout Laurel with many churches and historical homes.  

Erin’s Scent Store was sensuous and I could have stayed all day smelling the candles, wax melts, air fresheners, etc.

Apparently the coming season will feature the transformation of an old building into a hotel.  Stay tuned!

Happy trails to you.  Dee and I are headed to Tupelo, Elvis’s birthplace.

Frannie

Ave Maria Grotto

Recently I had the pleasure of visiting the Ave Maria Grotto at the St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Alabama.  It is the only Benedictine monastery of men in the State of Alabama and was founded in 1891.  The Grotto, consisting of 125 small stone/cement structures nestled in the hillside, was constructed by Brother Joseph Zoetl, O.S.B., a 70 year-resident of the Abbey.  You may obtain more information by viewing the website avemariagrotto.com

Many of the items used in constructing the structures were broken plates, seashells, costume jewelry, marbles, beads and even cosmetic cream jars!

The Grotto is north of Birmingham, Alabama just east off I-65.

Happy Discovering,

Frannie

Friday at Frannie’s

 About once a month I host a get together in my home.  The invited guests are ladies in the neighborhood who are about my age.  We share ideas, recipes, opinions and all-in-all have a fun-filled, laughter-filled good time.

It is so important, especially as we age, to socialize and not be alone.  I tend to be a homebody but have found this monthly gathering both lighthearted and memorable.

This past Friday there were seven of us all gathered around the kitchen island.  My neighbor Jan brought a fabulous and colorful autumnal food tray.  She is an excellent cook and has her own food blog Jan CAN Cook ~  www.jancooks.com.  I encourage you to take a look at it.  She has a great sense of humor and is straightforward regarding what works in her recipes and what to avoid.

Have a wonderful fall season and continue to send blessings to all those individuals affected by Hurricane Helene.

Blessings,

Frannie🍁

 

Your Entryway

 Your entryway is the welcoming area of your home.  Try to make a statement!  I used a deep shade of blue Sherwin-Williams Sea Serpent #7615 and in all honestly, every visitor who walks through the front door comments in a good way.  It is such a dramatic color.  And, aren’t most people drawn to the color blue?

My dear Aunt Syl was an interior designer beginning in the 40’s and lasting into the 70’s. She was from the old school of design, and I find I follow to this day many of her designing tips.  For example she felt every room should have a painted piece of furniture as well as an Asian-influenced piece.  Always have something with height to balance the shorter furniture.  Place your paintings and pictures just above eye level if possible. Unique lamps and shades bring the entire space together.

  I have tried to implement those suggestions in my welcoming area.  Oh, I have added a multi-colored rug to bring all pieces together and I think Aunt Syl would have approved.  I miss her…

Blessings,

Frannie

Campbell’s Cream of Bacon Soup

My friend Jan is a marvelous cook and has her own cooking blog called “Jan CAN Cook” jancooks.com.  This morning she posted on her Facebook page her discovery of Campbell’s Cream of Bacon Soup!  I am sharing with you her enthusiastic post including her simple recipe for potatoes au gratin.  Bon appetit!

If you don't love bacon, just keep scrolling...  But if you do, oh my I just discovered this and it's wonderful.

I cook with Campbell's Soup, always have, always will, and when I saw on Instagram the other day that Campbell's makes Cream of Bacon Soup, bacon lover Jan was all over this like mayo on white.  I went online to check my local markets, Krogers didn't have it, neither did Walmart, of course Amazon had it, they have everything,  but I checked our local Publix and found it.

Last night I made potatoes au gratin, one of potato loving hubby's favorite dishes.  It's so easy, just thinly slice potato and onions, layer in a casserole dish and top with a can of soup that you have mixed with one soup can of milk and shredded cheese.  I usually bake this at 375 for an hour, covered, then uncover for an additional 15 minutes,  but I was in a rush and after 45 minutes I put them in the microwave, uncovered  for 10 minutes to speed things up and they were perfect.

And the taste?  Oh my!!!!!!!!  The bacon flavor is subtle, you can definitely taste it and there are bits of bacon in it, but it isn't overpowering, it's seriously good!  This will be a staple in my pantry now, and if you are a bacon lover like me, check your local food stores and see if you can find it.  It's the thrill of the chase 😋😋😋

Please go to her blog to see her many recipes which are both tantalizing and well-written.  Again, the blog is called jancooks.com 

Have a safe Labor Day!

Frannie

Another Hidden Gem

This past Thursday the Spring Hill Public Library continued their monthly lecture series.  The featured speaker was Candice Roland Candeto, the Senior Curator of Fine and Decorative Art at the Tennessee State Museum.  She talked mostly about the furniture made in Tennessee and exhibited in the museum.  It was interesting to learn most pieces were constructed using primarily cherry, tulip poplar or walnut.  Among the furniture shown during the slide presentations were dressers, desks and pie safes.  The blue coloring on the front was used to help keep insects from entering the pie safe.  Apparently the same logic was used in painting porch ceilings in the South a blue to keep wasps from building nest!

PIE SAFES

NOTICE THE BLUE COLOR WHICH I MENTIONED EARLIER

THIS LABEL WAS ADHERED TO THE INSIDE OF THE DRESSER

SUCH AN INTERESTING FEATURE WAS ADDED TO THE DRESSER… A SORT OF DULCIMER WAS PLAYED WHEN THE DOOR OPENED!

LEWIS BUCKNER WAS BORN A SLAVE AND WORKED AS A CARPENTER, CABINETMAKER AND HOUSE BUILDER IN SEVIER COUNTY, TENNESSEE AFTER THE CIVIL WAR.  THE TALENTED AFRICAN-AMERICAN CRAFTSMAN HAND-CARVED ELABORATE FURNITURE, MANTELS, STAIRCASES AND THE EXTERIOR TRIM AND PORCHES FOR MANY VICTORIAN-ERA HOUSES.

 

Please visit tnmuseum.org for more information regarding this hidden gem.

Blessings,

Frannie

Please excuse the quality of the pictures.  I was photographing the slide presentation.