“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation”
Isaiah 12:2
When you think of the South, you probably think fried chicken, sweet tea, and Southern Living magazine. You can find the fried chicken and sweet tea on our dinner tables, and Southern Living on our coffee tables. But one of those things is not exclusive to the South. No matter where you live, you have probably heard of, or maybe you’re even a subscriber to the popular magazine. And chances are, you have heard that they recently released their 50th anniversary edition. I have been a subscriber for more years than I am willing to admit, and it truly is a picture of what living in the South is like. With the release of their golden anniversary edition, it really hit close to home, and today I want to share with you how my life and Southern Living have had a beautiful intertwining through the years…
There were four covers for their February edition…and you cannot imagine our excitement when they chose a local venue for their anniversary celebration! All 4 covers were taken at J & D Farms in Southside, Alabama owned by our friends Danny and Jana McEachern…but why is that important to us?!
Our son and daughter-in-love were married there three years ago!
You can see more of their wedding photos here and here.
Looks like they had such a wonderful evening in the barn…
…as did we!
Southern Living has taught us to entertain with beautifully set tables and delicious recipes…just look at this gorgeous garland!
After taking notes from Southern Living for many years, I was able to put it into practice at Seth and Allison’s wedding at J & D Farms!
…and then there’s Rick Bragg. You may remember the post I did on him…you can read it here. Each month when I receive my magazine, the first place I turn is to the back cover to see what he has written! He grew up in the county next to mine and the places and things he writes about are in my world, making the words he writes come to life and evoke such memories. I guess you could say “his people” are “my people”! I was able to meet him and get his newest book autographed a few months back at the mall in my hometown!
He writes about his Mama and life in the South. Rick Bragg is known all over the U.S, and he grew up right here in the Appalachian foothills…another example of how Southern Living runs parallel to my life!
I highly recommend the book that celebrates people, places, and culture of the southern life!
The Southern Living Hotel Collection is a group of one-of-a-kind, upscale, and most delightful hotels that the South has to offer…and it just so happens that some of our favorite places to visit fall into this category! And they are all within driving distance of our home! We are excited to visit another one of the places in their Collection later this month!
A foodie’s paradise located in the beautiful Smoky Mountains, Blackberry Farm is one of our favorites! You can see the post from our anniversary last year here.
Grove Park Inn is a historical hotel with a beautiful world class spa! We visited just as the leaves were changing last year and you can see more here!
When you walk through the doors of my favorite French bistro in Birmingham, these beauties greet you at the door. One of Frank Stitt’s restaurants that we love and have blogged about, Chez Fon Fon, has a beautiful display of desserts including these lemon meringue tarts…
…that were featured in the 50th edition! Dolester Miles is the pastry chef at all four of Chef Frank Stitt’s restaurants and the recipe for the mouth-watering tarts is included in the magazine! You must get your hands on this!
Yes, I indulged…absolutely delicious!
The infamous Hummingbird Cake that is their all-time most requested recipe was introduced in 1978. It also happens to be my very favorite cake that my Mother made every year for my birthday!
And the gardening…there is no telling how many Southern Living inspired gardens there are….
…including mine! You can see more here and here.
It’s not everyday that you open a magazine and the pages come to life. From Rick Bragg to recipes, Southern Living hits very close to home. They write about the places and things that I love…and it’s the South that they write about that I get to call home.
Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, Rustic & Refined, My Romantic Home
Awesome post this morning. If I wasn’t on my way to work I’d check it all out! Very interesting, Pam! My one connection is attending the wedding of my niece at the Grove Park Inn one April. We wore short sleeves day before wedding and the day of the wedding it snowed. Thanks and hope to re-read your post later and peruse the anniversary issue of SL.
Karen, thanks so much! It was a fun post for me to do because of the connections! I love subscribing and always buy their annual Christmas book, along with all their publications! The recipes are worth the price of the subscription! Wishing you a wonderful week!
Blessings,
Pam
Wonderful! I savored every page of this 50th Anniversary edition, and you just brought the pages to life, Pam.
Rita, I am so glad you and I have SL in common! I have always loved their recipes and gardening tips! And, of course, Rick Bragg’s back page is the best! Have a lovely week!
Loved this post! I’m a southern girl transplanted in Colorado and long to be back where I left my heart. I also have been a long subscriber of Southern Living and my parents subscribed to Progressive Farmer. I remember when Progressive Farmer changed its name to Southern Living, therefore giving away my age. The magazine has followed me every place I’ve lived and I can honestly say that if I only had one choice of a magazine, it would be Southern Living. I have almost all of their yearly recipe books and use them exclusively. Cried when John Floyd retired. Couldn’t garden without Grumpys help and have read all of Rick Braggs books and look forward to reading what Rick has to say on that wonderful last page. Made my mother in law a hummingbird cake every year for her birthday, even one for her to share with the other residents when she lived in assisted living. If everyone lived the life Southern Living prescribes to, what a wonderful world this would be. Thanks for sharing.
Alice, I look forward to your comments! Southern Living is a definite friend and we have so much in common! You enjoy the same things I do! Would love to have a piece of your hummingbird cake!! We absolutely love Colorado. We used to come every year to snow ski, but haven’t been in a few years! Do you live in the mountains? We almost moved out there when my husband finished college in the 70’s! But, we stayed put in the Deep South! Thanks for being a dear friend of the blog and I feel as though I know you! Have a great week, Alice!
What a fun connection for you! Thanks for sharing. Liz
Thanks, Liz! It is a fun connection and was a fun post to put together!
Pam,
I’ll have to get the book, and the magazine. You mentioned so many of my favorite places. We’ve been to the Omni many times, and it’s where Rev. Billy Graham celebrates his birthday party every year.
Blessings,
~Kiki
Pam,
I’ve seen copies of Southern Living here in the north and just the recipes alone are fantastic. Love that fenced yard with the hydrangeas and the wedding photographs from above looking down…fabulous.
Ginene
Ginene , thanks so much. We put our garden in last year and can’t wait for spring to arrive to add lots of flowers! Have a wonderful week!
Blessings, Pam
Ditto, Pam…except the parts about your personal connection, of course. Southern Living has touched so many lives. EVERY true Southern woman wouldn’t be caught without a regular subscription to Southern Living! Thanks for sharing your connections with this issue. 🙂
Thanks sweet, Kim! We ladies do love our SL! I forgot to tell you I enjoyed your Periscope chat! You were cute and a natural for the camera! Hope you keep it up, my friend!
Great post Pam!! It is so nice to read positive words about Alabama and our beloved South. I learned quickly when I moved here that SL magazine was a must! I haven’t read the 50th anniversary issue yet, can’t wait! The barn is incredible, your son’s wedding must have been very fabulous!
Jenna
Yes, Jenna we ladies love our SL. It is worth the price of the subscription for the recipes and Rick Bragg’s back page! FYI, I have a dusting of snow on the ground and it is very windy and cold!
Jenna, I read your email and I am sorry about the difficulty in commenting! Hopefully, it is resolved! Thanks for letting me know! Happy Tuesday!
Southern Living is such a classic magazine for us Southerners…I cannot remember my life without that magazine….and truly a magazine that has stood the test of time….How wonderful that your son and d-i-l were married in that barn on the cover…What a keepsake for them!….I have made that Hummingbird cake many times….it is one of my favorites!….Love the Grove Park and Blackberry Farm is on my list…
Shirley, we Southern ladies have to rely on Southern Living! The barn is a beautiful venue and has become so well-known for events! I hope you make it to Blackberry Farm, it is culinary heaven! Happy Wednesday!
Wow! That is so neat. It was a fun glimpse into your southern lifestyle, which I really admire. What a beautiful setting for your son’s wedding. And I love that you call her your “daughter-in-love.” ~julie
Julie, thanks so much! The barn is a gorgeous venue and the owners are precious! Happy Valentine’s and blessings!
Well, I could get use to Southern Living for sure! The barn is a wonderful place for a wedding. I have been to the Carolinas, and am returning again this April, but never Alabama. Would love to some day! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Jann, hopefully you can get to Alabama. We have beautiful mountains and beaches! Thanks for SYC!
I loved reading this post. An old friend is from the south and when she lived in town, I loved browsing her issues of Southern Living.
Those tarts … the beautiful spots you shared … all the photos … Thanks for Sharing Your Cup and the south with us!
Thanks, Carol! It is fun to share our Southern living! Thanks for hosting SYC!
I am delighted to have found your blog this morning from Amazing Monday. I so enjoy meeting other Southern ladies and sharing their love for this great culture and way of life. Also scouted out your new gardens and they are the epitome of southern living.
Good morning, Libby! I am so glad you stopped by for a visit and please come back! Thank you for your sweet comments and I will be dropping in to visit with you! I, too love to connect with other ladies who love our southern way of life! Blessings!
Pam, this is such a beautiful post on so many levels. Of course, the whole Alabama connection is close to my heart as well…I graduated from Troy “State” University. I have chosen this as one of my featured favs from last week’s Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop, so stop by my site on Thursday!
Shellie
http://www.thefabjourney.com
Shellie, thanks so much for a feature fav tomorrow on Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop! I am glad you let me in on your Alabama connection! Have a wonderful Wednesday! Blessings, Pam
While I don’t subscribe to Southern Living, I do enjoy the magazine and buy it from time to time. I can certainly see why it would have been part of your life for many years. I really enjoyed the post and oh my, the lemon meringue tarts are a thing of beauty.
Lemon meringue tarts are definitely a favorite for me! Southern Living’s recipes are the best! Happy Wednesday!