VOLUME 9
FAMILY DINNERS
WHY WE LOVE
BEDTIME ROUT IN E S
In Less Than An Hour
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS Big & Small
A FAMILY PHOTO SESSION* SouthernCelebrationsMag.com |
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SOUTHERN CELEBRATIONS MAGAZINE |
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Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Virginia Conaway
Contributing Writers: Carissa Jacobs Kimberly Lehman
Š 2019 Southern Celebrations Magazine is a publication of Magnolia Blanc Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN# 2579-0196 Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Southern Celebrations Magazine is a registered trademark. Statements and opinions expressed by our contributors and advertisers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the owner. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any paid advertising.
HOW TO REACH US MAIN OFFICE - By Appointment Only: Denham Springs, LA PHONE NUMBER 225.503.0988 WEBSITE www.southerncelebrationsmag.com
On the Cover: Photographer: Rachel Erin Photography | Baby Bayer B.
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What’s Inside? LIFESTYLE EDITION VOLUME 9
Page 8
Pregnancy
Page 10
Baby/Kids
Page 18
Parenting
Page 26
Food
Page 36
Home & Garden
10 Secrets To A LongLasting Marriage pg. 21 Birthday Celebrations: Big & Small pg. 12 Celebrating The Stay-AtHome-Mom pg. 18
Pg. 46
Pg. 29
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Letter from the Publisher pg. 6 Our Favorite Farm-to-Table Restaurants Across the South pg. 38 Best Of Southern Celebrations Awards pg. 45
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LETTER from the PUBLISHER Virginia Conaway
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outhern celebrations hold a special place in my heart. From the Spanish moss on old oak trees and beautiful magnolia blooms, to celebrating time old traditions with family and friends.
I will always love weddings and special events and celebrating family is near to my heart. As a mother of two very rambunctious boys, it was only natural that a Family Edition would eventually make its way to our coffee tables! When I started Southern Celebrations Magazine nearly 6 years ago, my goal was to inspire the South with inspirational editorials about all of life's occasions, in doing so, I decided to start publishing special editions in between our annual issue that is packed full of weddings, celebrations, and styled inspirational shoots. In 2018, The Food & Drink issue was published and it was a huge success. With the special editions, I wanted to show our community that the magazine is SO much more than "just another wedding magazine"; because it is and I've steered off course for some time from why I created it. Celebrating family is the epicenter in the Southern way of life. We live for the simple way of life, we
believe in traditions, we start new ones. We love with purpose, we lead our families with intent. Our homes is filled with love but we don’t live in fairytales, so they’re also filled with raw emotions. We love the outdoors, we love good food, we love celebrations, we’re friendly to our neighbors. There is truly no other place in the world I’d rather be, I truly love the South and what it represents! This Lifestyle Edition is filled with real families, practical advice, lifestyle editorials for the everyday southern family, recipes, and much more!! It’s truly been a pleasure to work with the community in creating a special edition that everyone can relate to. I’ve enjoyed this issue so much, that I plan to make the Lifestyle Edition a regular part of our publications!
XOXO,
Virginia Conaway
Photo credit: David Morris, Double Windsor Photography
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Virginia’s Favorites
Lagniappe
A Family photo session by Amy K & Co.
OPI Iconic Infinite Shine in You Can Count On It is my jam! Available at Ulta for $13.00.
Burt’s Bees Hand Repair Cream can be found in local drugstores and cost around $13.99 depending on where you are.
Guidelines: -30 minute family session for up to 6 people. -Session must take place in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana surrounding areas. -Family session includes a minimum of 15 edited images on USB with print release. Please visit SouthernCelebrationsMag.com/ Giveaways to enter.
Orbit Sweet Mint can always be found in my purse! Price will vary depending on quantity.
W
e polled 100 readers on what the average amount they spent on their child’s birthday party was. A whopping 71% kept it under $300. This includes decorations, food, cake, invitations, entertainment, etc. Only twenty-nine percent spent anywhere from $301—$500+ on the kid’s birthday parties.
For tips on birthday celebrations, flip to page 12.
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Pregnancy
15 Early Signs of Pregnancy Written by: Carissa Jacobs
You’ve missed your cycle. You’re a little anxious. Your nerves are making you nauseous. Are you expecting or are you catching a stomach bug? Some of the early signs of pregnancy can be very similar to the flu; a change in your hormones caused by PMS symptoms can also have similar effects.
“I hadn’t missed my period yet, but I was a few days shy and my breasts were extremely sore! I just knew that I was pregnant! There’s a feeling you get and you can’t explain it! Susan H.
Photo credit: Joey Thompson SOUTHERN CELEBRATIONS MAGAZINE |
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Before heading to the doctor, we’ve listed fifteen signs you need to know.
Cramping & spotting before your missed period.
Missed period or late period.
Raised body temperature, without being ill.
Fatigue, always tired.
Baton Rouge, LA
Increased heart rate.
& Surrounding Areas
Tingling, aching, swollen breasts.
Mood swings!
Frequent urination.
Bloating & constipation
Nausea, vomiting, “morning sickness”.
Dizziness
Smell sensitivity, food aversions or food cravings.
Unexplained weight gain.
Heartburn.
“Pregnancy glow”/oily skin or acne.
225.223.5006 Courtney.doyoudoula@gmail.com
Pink or Blue? FIND OUT AS EARLY AS 13 WEEKS
By Appointment Only
8312 Jefferson Hwy. Suite 2 Baton Rouge, LA 70809 225-927-2454 *We are not medical professionals, please consult your medical professional for any medical advice. SouthernCelebrationsMag.com |
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Baby/Kids WHY WE LOVE
BEDTIME
Routines Written By: Carissa Jacobs
Photo Credit: Dakota Corbin SOUTHERN CELEBRATIONS MAGAZINE |
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K
ids thrive in an environment that is structured. No, I’m not a child behavior specialist; however, I am a mother and a person that has been around my fair share of children to know that children perform better throughout the day when they have a good, set bedtime routine at home.
around 8:00 p.m. Baths start for the 1st child as I assist in bathing them. After baths/showers for all 3 kids, they brush their teeth, clean their ears, brush their hair, give night-night sugars, and climb in bed towait for a nighttime story. All 3 children are in bed no later than 8/8:30 p.m. depending on the night; ages range from 4-10 years of age.
Children who do not have a good bedtime routine are more apt to have mid-day meltdowns, tantrums, and may even fall asleep in class. I’ve been around children in schools of all different age ranges throughout various times during the day and have witnessed a variety of differences in children who do not have a set bedtime routine.
What works in one home, may not work for others; especially due to work and extra curricular activities, but keeping on a schedule will benefit your child, trust me! Here is an example of our week day morning and nighttime routines :
5:30 a.m.—I wake up and get ready for work while sipping on a cup of coffee.
6:00 a.m.—Get breakfast started for kids
6:30 a.m.—Wake kids up for school.
6:30-7:15 a.m.—Kids get ready for school.
7:30 a.m.— Off to school for kids and off to work for me.
DID YOU KNOW?
Children with higher IQs -- in every age group studied -- slept longer.
For ADHD children, improvements in sleep dramatically improved peer relations and classroom performance. Toddlers who sleep more are more fun to be around, more sociable, and less demanding. Children who sleep less can behave somewhat like hyperactive children .
Even when my children were babies, I kept them on a good routine for their naps to avoid getting too much 5:00 p.m.—Arrive home from work with kids from day sleepy time close to bed time; after their first birthdays, they slept through the night—thank goodness! Again, care. what works for my family, won’t necessarily work for 5:10 p.m.—Start homework, if they have not done so yours, but creating a good schedule –and sticking to it—is already. key to getting your kiddos on a good bedtime routine! 5:15 p.m.—Get dinner started, while also helping with homework. Not to mention the fact that I get some much needed 6:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.— Eat dinner and start after-dinner alone time every night around the same time! Self-care is chores or get ready for extracurricular activities important, y’all! We all thrive better when everyone in the depending on the day of the week. household is well rested! 7:30 p.m.—Bedtime Routines Start, , unless it’s an activity night then bath time starts once we return
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BIRTHDAY Celebrations Big & Small Captured by: Brandy Angel Photography | Written by: Carissa Jacobs
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C
elebrating the birth of a child is a joyous occasion. Birthday celebrations come in all sizes and budgets. Some people throw lavish parties and others gather in an intimate setting with just cake and ice cream; both are okay! Who says that you can’t throw a party how you want to, if it makes you and your child happy then do it!
There is no written rule that says, “This is how you must host a birthday party.” The only thing I can do is give a list of suggestions and tips that will help you along with your planning. Remember that most children will just be grateful to have just cake.
But none the less, your child still deserves to have some type of birthday celebration, whether it be a big celebration or just a small gathering.
Here are a few tips to help: Decide on how much you want to spend on the entire event. Budget is key!
Pick a location. Are you having a home birthday party? Do you want to have the party at a local park? If so, check with your park to see if a pavilion needs to be secured beforehand or is it more of a first-come, first-serve type thing (that can become stressful when planning). What about a small venue? Will it be at a bowling alley or trampoline park? Depending on the location, you will be limited on the number of guests that can be invited. So please be sure to check with the venue BEFORE inviting guests.
Once your budget and location has been established, pick a date and time. Timing is truly everything! If you’re looking to cut back on food expenses, the perfect time for a day-time celebration is from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m; it’s after lunch and before dinner. Your guests won’t expect a full meal. Be sure to plan in advance. This will give you time to price shop on décor; that way you’re not running around last minute, potentially paying more.
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If you’re throwing a birthday party at home, think about your guest count and if you have enough tables and chairs for your guests to sit at. Sometimes you may have to bring in rental items depending on how many people you’ve invited. You’ll also need to think about some kind of entertainment. While I still love a good old-fashioned pin the tail on the donkey, kids today might want some different form of keeping them occupied for a couple of hours. This is where themed birthday parties can come in handy. Think Nerf™ wars or paint parties. Even adding in an inflatable bounce house or waterslide is something fun that will keep the kiddos occupied in between food, cake, and gifts! Speaking of food, this will go back to your time to start the party. If you’ll be serving up finger foods, be sure to plan on each guest at least eating 2-4 of each item, if not more. It’s always better to have enough for everyone to have a bite or two, instead of running out of food before everyone has had the chance to eat. If it’s food such as bbq or another type of meal, keep your head count in mind when preparing. Also have a decent variety of beverages available.
Pick a cake or dessert to serve to your guests. If you’ve planned for a themed birthday party, here is a great chance to carry out that theme, whether you have cake or cupcakes or another type of dessert. Size will depend on the amount of guests you have invited.
Don’t forget invitations! Here you can get creative to carry out your theme. Hire someone to design them or buy premade invitations. Be sure to include rsvp. If you’re mailing them, allow plenty of time for delivery and response times. Another
easy way to track rsvp’s is to utilize social media. Create a private Facebook event and send out invites to your friends and family. Don’t stress over presents! I always remind my children that it is the thought that counts and I remind guests that their presence is welcomed and that they don’t have to bring a present. If you teach your children that celebrations do not have to include gifts, they won’t come to expect everyone to bring a present; because let’s face it, not everyone can afford a present at many times throughout the year and it’s no reason to deny another child from having fun at a birthday celebration.
So whether your birthday celebration is big or small, don’t stress over the things that you cannot control; after all, a child will never know that something was just right, because in their eyes, everything is the way it is supposed to be! Let them have fun!
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Getting Outdoors & Ditching the Electronics It truly is that simple! Get your kids outdoors and they'll ditch their electronics! TEXT & PHOTO BY VIRGINIA CONAWAY
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hear it all of the time: "I can't get my kids away from their tablets/phones/games/etc." "My kids are addicted to electronics." "Fortnite is ruining my son (daughter)." "I can't get my kids to do anything around the house, unless I take away their electronics." "My kids don't want to go outside, they'd rather play games on their phone/tablet/whatever instead of go outside." "It's too hot outside for them to play." "My kid is a gamer." "I don't want to force my children to do anything they don't want to do."
Guess whose to blame? We, as parents are! We allow our children to play on electronics. When I was growing up, I didn't have the luxury (unless I went to my grandmother's house) to play on video games or even watch television a lot. If I was bored, I was told to go outside and find something to do or to do chores. There was no such thing as being bored if we were outside. Fast-forward to today. I am now a millennial parent who on one hand was told I can do whatever I want when I grow up and was told on the other hand to suck it up and find something to do if you're bored! I was fortunate enough to be born on the cusp of the millennial era where traditions still run deep in my blood. But also fortunate enough to have grown up using all of the modern conveniences of cell phones and social media...I like tradition, but I'm still young! I am just as guilty as the next parent, in my age range, when it comes to our kids playing on electronics; again, I don't live in the stone age! But it occurred to me, that as the parent, if I am not giving my children the opportunity to discover the world for themselves instead of watching through videos, then I have failed as a parent. If I don't force them to think on their own and find something to do, I have failed. If I am constantly keeping them scheduled from morning to evening, when do my children have the opportunity to think for themselves? We recently took a trip that was very long and I of course had the tablet charged, dvd's picked out, and other hand-held devices for the long drive. But once we arrived to our destination, they were only allowed to play on them briefly while at the hotel.
During our outdoor extravaganza, my oldest child stated that he would rather be outdoors in nature surrounded by animals and woods than to be playing on his electronics. SHUT UP!!! Never in 9 years have I ever heard my child mutter those words! I was simply always allowing him to play on something that I thought he wanted. Was I truly never paying attention or did I just not give him the right opportunities to explore? Sure, he's played a couple of sports and we go on camping and hiking trips with our local Scout pack, but he had never said those words before.
My point is, if we're not letting our children be kids and explore, we'll never know what they truly like doing! So......get your kids outdoors and they'll ditch their electronics, on their own!
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Sibling Rivalry – What’s It All About? Written By: Kimberly Lehman
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ibling rivalry is one of the most common dynamics in family life. Dating all the way back to
“The Beginning”, the earliest example recorded was that of the brothers Cain and Abel. In the biblical Book of Genesis, Cain and Abel are the first two sons of Adam and Eve. Cain, the firstborn, was a farmer, and his brother Abel was a shepherd. The brothers made sacrifices to God, each of his own produce, but God favored Abel’s sacrifice instead of Cain’s. Cain, jealous of his brother, then murdered Abel, whereupon God punished Cain to a life of wandering. Cain then dwelt in the land of Nod, where he built a city and fathered the line of descendants beginning with Enoch. The narrative never explicitly states Cain’s motive for murdering his brother, nor God’s reason for rejecting Cain’s sacrifice, nor details on the identity of Cain’s wife. Some traditional interpretations consider Cain to be the originator of evil, violence, or greed. According to the Book of Genesis, Cain was the first human born and Abel was the first to die. This might be considered an extreme example of sibling rivalry, but teaches us an important lesson: that we as parents and caregivers must learn to deal with the feelings and actions of siblings in a loving, productive manner. Otherwise, things can get out of hand really quick. Sibling rivalry is defined as the competition between siblings, blood related or not, for the
in a family. This can continue through childhood, into adulthood, to the dismay and frustration of many parents. Fortunately, though, this phase may not last forever. Many siblings grow close in their relationships as adults. There are many ways to help children express themselves positively, and to develop important skills like cooperation, and empathy. There is no singular cause for sibling rivalry. It is a complex mix of personalities, wants, and needs from several children, being handled by one or two adults at any given time. If you have ever seen television programs that have dealt with sibling rivalry issues, like “The Brady Bunch”, “Growing Pains”, or “Full House”, you may be nodding your head in agreement. “Ah, yes!” Those television shows may have been a little over the top at times, as they are for entertainment. However, we all can certainly relate to the challenges in the relationships that the family characters displayed with each other. There are several aspects of a family’s dynamics that may add to sibling rivalry. Also, there are many ways how to help promote harmony among siblings.
attention, approval, and affection of their parents. This “competition” may also include
First, remember that each child is an individual being, and are looking to show the world who
caregivers, other adult family members, teachers, and community leaders. Jealousy and
they are. They want to develop their own special talents, hobbies, and dreams.
fighting among siblings is very common, and often starts after the arrival of the second child SOUTHERN CELEBRATIONS MAGAZINE |
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This is especially true of multiples like twins, triplets, etc. Don’t favor one child over the other.
caregivers are the first examples. They watch and often copy the behaviors of adults. If there
Don’t compare apples to oranges, and don’t try to fit each child into a neat little box.
is a lot of fighting, negative emotion and altercations, it’s really not a healthy situation for all
Embrace their individuality, what makes them uniquely “them”. Celebrate their
concerned. Counseling may be recommended for family members in order to find ways to
achievements and joys equally.
resolve conflicts positively.
Children may feel that they are not receiving enough attention, either positive or negative,
Stress, in both the parents’ and children’s lives, can lead to less time spent together, and
from a parent or caregiver. They may have trouble getting a parent to respond to them as
more frustration overall. Make sure each child has their own time and space. They need
they are accustomed to, especially after the addition of another child to the family.
alone time, as well as time to spend with each parent one-on-one each day. Kids value the
Depending on where the child is in their developmental growth, can affect how they handle
time they get to spend with mom or dad, just to tell them about their day, and what’s going
being a big brother or sister, and learning to share time and attention with the parent and
on in their world. Listen closely and carefully to each child. They also need time to spend
siblings.
with their friends.
Much like adults, if kids are bored, “hangry”, or need a nap, crankiness ensues and fights may
Schedule regular family meetings. All members of a family should work together make
begin. Try to head this off at the pass. Keep activities, easy snacks, and comfy lounge areas
decisions that will affect the daily life of the family. Working together builds unity among the
available. Trust me, it will save many headaches. The same goes for showing children how to
family, and bolsters trust and self-esteem. It is the perfect opportunity to share the successes
be self-starters with activities. Enjoy more family time together, sharing meals, and fun
and joys of each child. It is also a great time to develop positive social skills and attitudes
learning experiences.
that will carry children into adulthood.
Children often fight more when aggression and fighting is perceived as normal and a good way to fix situations. Remember, children learn from many sources, but parents and
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Parenting
Celebrating the
MOM Photo Credits: Teri Melancon Featured: The Devore Family
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eing a stay-at-home-mother is probably one of the hardest jobs ever! It’s truly like 3 full-time jobs rolled into one and it’s probably the most under-appreciated job in the world, too. It’s not for every mother and that’s okay! Not all moms are able to stay home with their children and some chose not to and return back to work whenever it is time. After interviewing several SAHMs, we found Jodi Devore.
Tell us a little about yourself and family. Justin and I have been married for 4 years; we have 3 AMAZING babies. We knew we wanted at least 3 babies, but were surprised with each pregnancy. Jase is 3 he's our go-with-the-flow kid, energetic, and autistic. Tucker is 2 - stubborn, silly, and super busy. Adelyn is 1 - she runs the show, sweet and sassy! We just added a puppy to the mix - a mini Goldendoodle names T-Rex. We live in St. Amant, LA. Justin is a biologist and works in costal restoration. I have been a stay-at-home mom since Tucker was born.
could hear were moms talking about the same topic... like 5 different sets of moms talking about the SAME THING! It completely threw me off. One mom was talking about how she didn't know who should would be without her career, I'm thinking "a mom, DUH". Don't get me wrong, I completely understand having an identify and a sense of self- but MOM is #1. I take most pride in the person as I am in being a mom. You know, I see it like this. This is my season to be a mom and to put all my blood sweat and tears to raise good people - I'm going to make it my B!
What is the biggest reward for being a stay -at-home-mother? Experiencing all of their firsts; teaching them new things and them mastering it. Being able to comfort and take care of them when they are sick.
Being home with your children can have its challenges, do you have a "system" in place that makes life easier at home? Heck yeah. So we do not run on a strict schedule - but we do the same things daily. I make a meal plan for the month (ideally) What's the biggest challenge about being - best thing ever. There's no thinking a stay -at -home -mother? OK - so every day presents it's own challenge. I think the biggest challenge is the juggle. Keeping all your balls from falling. You've got to set up your routine that incorporates everything in this small amount of time - cooking, cleaning, activities with the kids that promote every kind of learning under the sun, outside play, potty training, etc etc. Learning to make priorities and letting go to the not so important things. Laundry - let that go! The kids won’t remember having to dig out the clean clothes basket to get dressed - they'll remember the time spent with them... playing outside with mom & mom coloring with them. Some days the struggle is knowing that you are doing enough, and that what you are doing is important. Other days, the struggle is being a "person" that's separate from being a mom. OK - this I understand and I don't understand. So, we went to one of those indoor play places not too long ago. All I SouthernCelebrationsMag.com |
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involved in what we will eat on any given day, it's more cost effective making one big grocery trip, I know what meat to take out in the morning to thaw for dinner lol. So much less stress!!! The dishwasher is ran every day during nap time. Laundry is washed and dried - I fold it when I can. This is the most time consuming task that just isn't worth it to me.
What advice do you have for other stayat-home-moms? Don't be so hard on yourself. Let it go - the housework, the laundry - let that go. It'll be there tomorrow.
Please share with us anything else you would like the community to know about SAHMs! It's hard. It's exhausting - you don't have sick days, vacation days, or even a weekend. It doesn't stop. It's the most rewarding, special job in the world. And if there is a possibility that you can stay home with your kids - TAKE IT!
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It’s Okay To Not Be The Perfect Mom Written by: Virginia Conaway
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o mom is alike. No mom is perfect. We all make mistakes. There is no manual telling us how to be the perfect mom either. We’re all really a hot mess underneath it all, some just hide it better than others!
There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’ve failed as a mother. I’ve been there numerous times, too many to count. You’re trying to juggle work, your spouse, your kids, your house, what’s left of a social life, and do we dare say your own mental health. Repeat this: “I am not a bad mother, I am not a perfect mother, I am doing the best that I know how to do.” When we scroll through our social media feeds staring at all of the seemingly perfect lives of mothers, remember that they are Now just breathe. At the end of the day, your spouse and your not perfect either. The ever-so-perfect photograph was most children will love you, even if you forgot that it was Taco likely staged or angled just right to avoid the piles of clothes and Tuesday or forgot about another cub scout event (yep, that’s clutter just out of frame. The posted photo of a child’s playroom me!) I always tell people that life happens. with all of the toys in its own place, was most likely cleaned by a very exhausted mother, who had a long day of work, but still came home to clean and then was happy of the cleaned and Sometimes we just get a little overwhelmed with tackling the organized space, that she took a photo and posted it to her everyday rituals that we’ve created in our lives. It’s stressful and social media because in about 2 minutes it was going to look as demanding. We want to be a part of so many different aspects if a tornado tore through it! The photo on Instagram of the in our children’s lives, but sometimes that comes at a price of picturesque farmhouse kitchen, was staged for your viewing sacrificing our own lives. As mothers, we only want what’s best pleasure because later in that day, it was going to become a for our children, we just need to remember that we are not total mess filled with cooking dinner, homework spread on the perfect. That Susan Q. down the road with the picket fence, kitchen table, and bills piled on the counter. suburban, golden retriever, all-star student athlete who just happens to also be on the honor roll, with the two-story farmhouse inspired home is also not perfect. What we see on So the next time when you’re feeling like you’ve failed as a the outside, is not what we will see behind her doors. mom, remember that no one is perfect, we’re all doing the best we can and Susan can shove it because we know she’s not perfect either! We often start feeling like the unperfect mom the moment we log onto social media. (Again, I’m guilty.) People will only post the positives, rarely will they post the negative sides of life. SOUTHERN CELEBRATIONS MAGAZINE |
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10 SECRETS TO A LONG-LASTING MARRIAGE Written by: Virginia Conaway
E
veryone wants to know the secrets to a long-lasting marriage or relationship; we all yearn for a love so deep and meaningful.
Sometimes, there are no real secrets. A long-lasting marriage takes hard work and effort from both individuals. There is no 50-50; you're either 100% committed or you're not. But how can you maintain some spark after so many years together when you have children? How can you and your partner still be in love with each other for so long?
It's not easy! We interviewed several couples who have been married for over 30 years and they all had the same common advice about their many years of marriage.
1. COMMUNICATION I know, you hear it all of the time, but communicating with your partner truly is the number one tip when it comes to a lasting relationship. Discuss your feelings, your goals, talk about your emotions, talk about your finances........ If you can't discuss the small but important things in the beginning of your relationship, what makes you think that 15 years down the road the line of communication is still going to be open?
2. DON'T SETTLE For the sake of everything you love, don't settle! I strongly believe in the sanctity of marriage, so for me, there is only one shot at this! If you don't have butterflies in your stomach when you've been a part for a long time, if you don't get goosebumps and if the hair on your arms doesn't stand up when they get near you, if you don't tremble when they lean in to embrace you, if they're not your best friend, or your lover; then don't ever settle.
3. BE OPEN AND WILLING TO CHANGE Time changes things, situations change. Couples in long-lasting relationships adapt to change in their environment or situations together. You are on a journey together, not alone. More importantly, don't ever go in to a relationship expecting your partner to change. You either love them for who they are or you don't. Don't love them the way you think you could change them to be.
4. PUT YOUR PARTNER FIRST This can be a really hard thing to accept. It's easy to get lost in the blur of putting your kids first, especially when they are young. Remember that it was just the two of you before your children came along and when they're all grown up and out of the house, it'll be just the two of you again. Don't wake up 20 or 30 years from now asking where your life went.
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5. BE INTIMATE Every happy couple knows that maintaining intimacy is a key element in a long-lasting relationship! Make love to your partner, have toe curling sex, and long, deep kisses; and we're not talking once a month either or only on special occasions! Keep your flame going by creating the spark. As we get older, sometimes that drive diminishes and other problems arise, but that doesn't mean the intimacy has to stop. There are other ways to be intimate without physically having sex.
10.UNITY A marriage is a team, you are united as one. You deal with adversity together. You deal with crisis together. You embrace the good times together. Don't let other people drive themselves between you. They are not a part of your team. Your parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc are NOT a part of your team, your family yes, but your team consists of just you and your partner. Even with good intentions, those outside of your team can cause stress and turmoil within your marriage. Depend on each other only for solutions, not those outside of your team.
6. RESPECT EACH OTHER This goes without saying, don't ever disrespect each other; no matter how many disagreements, arguments, or trivial fights you may have. Without mutual respect for one another it is impossible for a relationship to work.
7. MAKE TIME FOR YOUR PARTNER Make it a priority to make time with your partner. Don't make excuses on why it's been years since the two of you went on a date. YES! Date your spouse! Take them out to eat, take them to the movies, go on a bike ride together. It's easy to get wrapped up in your career in the early years (trust me, I know), but remember that your success in your career can wait, your marriage and family cannot.
8. BE COMMITTED Commitment is the foundation of stability on which long-lasting marriages are built. Be 100% committed, 100% of the time.
9. APOLOGIZE Don't hold a grudge in your marriage. People are not perfect, we make mistakes. Forgive each other. Be willing to let go and move forward with the person that you fell in love with so many years ago and whom you still love today. Accept your differences. A simple, "I'm sorry" can go a long way.
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Christopher Burns
BLUE COLLAR DADS Written by: Virginia Conaway
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lue collar dads are some of the hardest working men I know. They wake up before the sun comes up, sometimes several hours before. They slip out of bed after hitting the snooze button one last time. They slowly walk to the bathroom to get ready, body sore and aching from the previous days work. They gather their lunch and coffee and head out the door without waking anyone on their house.
They work in the heat, the cold, the rain, the mud. They put in anywhere from 10-16 hours of work each day, sometimes without any days off for weeks. Blue collar dads don’t work a normal 9-5 Monday thru Friday job. Some work rotating shifts to where they work during the day one week and the next they’re working night shifts.
At the end of their shift, they arrive home tired but still welcome the embrace of their children. IF and only if they arrive home in time for dinner, they sit at the table with their family to eat. Many times though, they come home after a long shift, the children are in bed or will be there soon, and they eat dinner alone or they pick something up along the way home. They relax for maybe an hour or two before heading to bathe and climb in bed to get on average 5 hours of sleep to do it all over again. “I really enjoy working in the industrial world. I enjoy the everyday challenges from field work to automation projects. The days can get long but my driving force is my family. Being able to provide for them and have a secure future makes all the difference.” - Stephen H. SouthernCelebrationsMag.com |
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Food
DONUTS
A Different Kind of Sweet Treat SOUTHERN CELEBRATIONS MAGAZINE |
Written by: Carissa Jacobs Just about anywhere you go in the South you will find a donut shop. Whether they are near a busy intersection or down a lesser known street, they’re busiest times of business are usually from 5 a.m. until maybe 10:30 a.m. There’s no doubt that Southerners love sweet, fried dough! 24
Homemade donuts aren’t something you’ll find being made in the kitchens in the morning; but they’re fairly easy to make!
OLD-FASHIONED BAKED CINNAMON DONUTS Yield: 2 dozen Cake donuts are an old-fashioned favorite, whether they’re covered in glaze, chocolate, powdered sugar, or rolled in cinnamon sugar! They freeze well, so make a batch on your weekend off and then pop them in the freezer and take out when ready to enjoy one or two! Let them thaw out on the counter or pop them in the microwave for a few seconds.
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups all purpose flour
2 tbsp canola oil
3/4 cup white sugar
2 tsp baking powder
canola oil baking spray to grease donut pan
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
donut baking pan
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
large piping bag fitted with a large round tip
1 tsp sea salt
3/4 cup low fat buttermilk
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp cinnamon
For Dipping
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat your oven to 425° F and grease a donut pan with some oil spray.
Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon and sea salt to a large bowl and whisk them together until they’re combined.
In a separate bowl or a large liquid measuring cup combine the buttermilk, eggs, and oil, whisking them together with a fork.
Dump the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until a batter begins to form and the flour begins to disappear.
Be careful not to over-mix as this will make the donuts tough and dry. Stop mixing as soon as the last streak of flour disappears and spoon the batter into the piping bag fitted with a large round tip.
Pipe a small amount of batter into each
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of the 12 greased donut cups in a circular motion and be careful not to over-fill. This batter rises up quite a lot so filling the cups only half-way works perfectly.
Bake the donuts at 425° F for about 7-9 minutes. This recipe makes 24 donuts so you’ll have to repeat this process again a second time unless you have two donut pans.
As soon as the donuts have browned slightly on the tops and they spring back to the touch, remove them from the oven and tip them out of their tins. Mix the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tsp cinnamon together in a bowl and as soon as you’re able to handle the donuts without burning your hands, dip each side into the cinnamon sugar mixture and set them on a cooling rack to cool completely.
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FAMILY DINNERS In Less Than An Hour Recipes and photos courtesy of Joy Monnerjahn, Pure Joy Living | purejoyliving.net
D
innertime during the week can sometimes be completely chaotic. You’ve had a long day at work (or maybe you’re a stay-at-home parent, which that comes with its own challenges), the kids are cranky, there’s homework to be done, and everyone’s hungry!
Fast-food is not an option in my house, we have the occasional pizza take-out night, but for the most part, everything is home cooked. We don’t always have a lot of time to spare during the week to make dinner, so I teamed up with Joy to share her favorite (and some of my favorites from Joy, too) go to meals that take under an hour to prepare and cook. -Virginia
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SESAME CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI SHEET PAN DINNER
Directions: 1. Mix up marinade. 2. Reserve 1/2 cup This recipe requires a marinade. You can easily prep it the night 3. Place chicken into marinade and allow it to sit for 4 hours or before, so when you’re ready to cook dinner the next day, it’ll be overnight. soaked up in deliciousness! (Pictured on the left page.)
Ingredients: •2 lbs cubed chicken • 2 lbs broccoli florets • 2 tbsp olive oil • black and white sesame seeds
• Prepared rice Marinade: • 1 cup Soy sauce • 2 tbsp rice vinegar • 1.5 sesame oil • 1/4 cup brown sugar • 1 tbsp garlic powder
10. Serve with rice for a complete meal. Enjoy!
HOMEMADE HAMBURGER HELPER Y'all, I used to love hamburger helper. I thought my mom was getting fancy when she whipped out that box and threw together this meal! Here is my version so you won't have to use anything out of a box. It will bring back childhood memories for you, and your kids will be happy too! Ingredients:
After marinating: 1. Heat oven to 350° F 2. Take chicken out of marinade and dry off with a paper towel. 3. Place on a baking sheet, spaced apart. 4. Cook for about 10 minutes. 5. Add broccoli. 6. Cook for another 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. 7. On stovetop, cook down the reserved marinade. It will thicken up. 8. Cook on high heat and when thickened brush on top of cooked chicken. 9. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top
Directions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Cook noodles according to package, drain and set aside Brown ground beef Add cornstarch and all seasonings Add milk and hot water Bring to a boil Add noodles Add cheese Stir it around until mixed and serve
6-7 cups of cooked elbow noodles (I boil the whole 1lb package, and save the rest for making a small batch of macaroni) 1 lb ground beef 3 cups milk 2 cups hot water 2 tbsp corn starch 2 tbsp chili powder 2 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp sugar 1 tsp salt 1 tsp paprika 1/4 tsp cayenne Pinch of red pepper flakes 3 cups of cheese
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CRAWFISH FETTUCCINE
Directions:
This is a classic around these parts. It's in almost every restaurant you go to. Back in the day, when I didn't know much about food, but knew you couldn't mess up pasta (or so I thought at the time, wink wink)- this is what I would always get. I love spice and love pasta. This dish brings both to the plate. Don't be scared of crawfish if you haven't tried them! Just be sure to buy the ones that aren't imported.
Ingredients:
Melt butter in a heavy bottom pan Add the crawfish tails and onions Add 1/2 tsp slap ya mama seasoning Add all seasonings and heavy cream Bring to a boil and let it reduce down a little Add cheese and stir around Turn off heat and add in the noodles Serve!
2 tbsp butter 1/2 tsp slap ya mama cajun seasoning while cooking crawfish 1/2 tsp slap ya mama cajun seasoning in sauce 1 lb crawfish tails 1/4 cup diced yellow onions 1/4 tsp garlic powder 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce 2 cups heavy cream Salt and pepper to taste 1 to 1.5 cups parmesan reggiano cheese 1/2 cup green onions 1 lb cooked fettuccini noodles
Hi! My name is Joy, owner of Pure Joy Living. Among other things, I’m passionate about cooking. I get excited tinkering in the kitchen: trying new recipes, learning techniques, and injecting Southern flavors into my dishes. However, this was not always the case. In fact, it wasn’t until I married my husband that I began my kitchen adventures. Back then I was often frustrated and intimidated. I had never been taught how to flour a pan, make a roux, or melt butter without burning it. Heck, I didn’t even know the difference between real butter and that junk in a tub! (For the record, that’s called margarine… wink, thumbs up) The thing I did know was I loved great food, and if I had to fail a bunch to finally get it right in my own home, then by golly that’s exactly what I would do. I’m here to tell you, though, cooking great-tasting food at home is not as hard as you may be thinking. If you can follow a recipe and learn a few basic techniques, then YOU too can cook. You can bring Pure Joy to your family.
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VEAL SCALLOPINE Okay... No secret here, I love pasta. And this pasta has everything I love in it! Veal, briny capers, mushrooms, cream oh my! Anytime I can make pasta into a main dish, I'm in heaven!
Ingredients:
1 lb veal cutlets 1 lb linguine 1.5 cups flour slap ya mama cajun seasoning 2 tbsp Olive oil 1 stick of butter 2 cups mushrooms sliced 1 cup dry white wine 1 lemon 1/2 cup heavy cream 2 tbsp capers, rinsed and drained 1 tsp pepper Directions: 1. Cook pasta according to directions and set aside 2. Place the flour in a bowl 3. Start heating the olive oil and 4 tbsp butter in a large skillet 4. Flatten each piece of veal to the same thickness 5. Sprinkle slap ya mama on each side of the veal 6. Batter each side lightly into the flour 7. Fry until golden on each side and set aside 8. Immediately when done frying veal, put the mushrooms in the hot skillet 9. Cook down until soft and then add the wine to deglaze the pan (You can use chicken broth if you don't have or want to use wine) 10. Add the other 4 tbsp of butter 11. Add capers and heavy cream 12. Add juice of one lemon 13. Serve the sauce on top of pasta with the veal on top
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4846 ZACHARY SLAUGHTER HWY • ZACHARY, LOUISIANA
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OF OUR LABOR Written by: Virginia Conaway
Who can resist fresh fruits? I know I sure can’t! I love incorporating fresh fruits in recipes versus frozen fruits. Strawberries, peaches, blueberries…….whatever your fruit of choice is, know that they are only in season during certain months of the year. Strawberries are Spring fruits, while peaches are more of a Summer fruit.
Sometimes, we just want a fruity treat, even when our favorite fruits are not in season yet. Using frozen, or even canned fruits are perfectly acceptable, but fresh is always best!
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Fresh Strawberry Milk Shake Ingredients
About 15 large strawberries washed and chopped
2 1/2 cups vanilla ice cream
2 cups whole milk
Instructions
Add chopped strawberries to a 6-cup blender and then add remaining ingredients
Blend until smooth but still thick Pour into tall glasses Enjoy! SouthernCelebrationsMag.com |
Photo Credit: Brenda Godinez Volume 9
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Peaches & Cream Mini Tarts Recipe and photos by: Virginia Conaway
Th
I dug around even more in my pantry and refrigerator and found several items that e weather had been quite could work, so I went to my computer to funky out, so I really didn't want to go to search the internet for a peaches and the grocery store for anything; I opened cream tart recipe using the ingredients my pantry and saw a can of peaches. that I already had on hand, I was deterWhat in the world could I make with a can mined to not go to the store in the rain. of peaches?! I placed my items on the counter and told
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myself, " I can make this work and it will taste amazing! " Confidence is key here and my husband and kids were my test subjects! Lucky for me, I love good food and have a pretty good idea of what kind of ingredients it takes to make certain things.
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PEACHES & CREAM MINI TARTS with a drizzled peach syrup (yields 6 mini tarts) INGREDIENTS: Crust:
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
6 mini tart/quiche pans (mine have a removable bottom that I can push up for easy removal of crust)
Cream Filling:
8 oz softened cream cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 teaspoons dark brown sugar
1/4 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 - 15 oz can sliced peaches chopped, liquid drained but reserved
For the Cream Filling:
Whip together first 4 ingredients in a standing mixer. You may have to scrape down the sides of the bowl. (Please turn your mixer off before scraping sides.)
1/2 tub cool whip
Peach Simple Syrup: (optional)
2/3 cup reserved liquid from canned peaches
Once thoroughly combined, slowly pour in heavy whipping cream, while mixer is on a low speed.
Once mixture has thickened, slowly fold in chopped peaches and cool whip, do not over mix. It is okay if mixture becomes loose.
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
a few dashes of cinnamon
Assembly: DIRECTIONS:
Take tart shells out of refrigerator.
For the Crust:
Scoop even amounts into tart shells. Return to refrigerator and let set for a minimum of four hours. For best results, let them chill overnight in refrigerator.
Preheat oven to 350°
Mix ingredients together until just moist. Press 1/2 cup mix into each tart, up sides as well. Bake 11 minutes or until golden brown (ovens and times may vary).
**If you want to drizzle peach syrup on top when your peaches & cream tarts are ready, simply combine the 3 ingredients into a small sauce pan. Stir over medium heat until sugar has dissolved. Reduce heat to simmer until your desired thickness and drizzle over tarts when ready to eat. Syrup can be refrigerated up to 4 days.
Cool tart shells completely, transfer to refrigerator while making cream filling.
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Home & Garden
Farm Fresh TO TABLE
F
arm-to-table is more than a movement, it’s a lifestyle. From farm-to-table in homes to restaurants, it’s a lifestyle that I believe more of America needs to be involved in.
With more and more families growing small gardens and raising their own small animal farms, farm-to-table is becoming more popular. There are even farm-to-table communities that are bringing farm life to the suburbs!
But what exactly is farm-to-table? It refers to food made from locally-sourced ingredients, from the proteins to the fruits and vegetables.
The Principles Behind Farm to Table The main forces behind the farm to table or farm to fork lifestyle have to do with the ethics of food production. There are four main components to farm-to-table:
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Food security. The farm to table lifestyle increases food security.
Proximity. The farm to table lifestyle hinges on the notion that the various components of a food system (or a restaurant) should exist in the closest proximity to each other as possible, example: gardens, crops, livestock, poultry, etc.
Self-reliance. One of the goals of the farm to table lifestyle is to generate communities that can meet their own food needs, again eliminating the need for outside resources or long distance transportation of food.
Sustainability. The main idea here is that farm to table food systems exist in a way that doesn’t hinder the ability of future generations to meet their own food needs.
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Farm-To-Table Community Spotlight:
Serenbe 8715 Atlanta-Newnan Road Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia Serenbefarms.com Serenbe founders Steve Nygren and Marie Lupo Nygren believe that if you want to change the world, start in your own backyard. The couple discovered the property now known as Serenbe on a weekend outing to introduce their three girls to the Georgia countryside in 1991. Weekend visits for the family transformed their lives, and three years later they sold their Atlanta home and relocated full-time to Serenbe.
The vision for the community of Serenbe was born in an effort to protect the beautiful rural land just outside of Atlanta known as Chattahoochee Hill Country. The first house at Serenbe was built in 2004 and today the community is home to over 650 residents. Each of Serenbe’s four hamlets have complementary commercial centers focused on the elements of a well-lived life: arts for inspiration, agriculture for nourishment, health for wellbeing and education for awareness. Fresh food is another of Serenbe’s natural assets, with a 25-acre organic farm, seasonal Saturday Farmer’s Market, thriving CSA program and edible landscaping, including blueberry bushes along paths and sidewalks. Year-round cultural events include outdoor theater from Serenbe Playhouse, culinary workshops and festivals, music events, films and lectures, boutique shopping, art galleries, a spa and trail riding, plus a robust Artist in Residence program featuring dinners and talks.
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Our Favorite
Farm-To-Table Restaurants Across The South
There’s no secret that we love good food here in the South! And what we love more is restaurants who support local! We’ve ate our way through the South and have came up with a very tasty list of our favorite farm-to-table restaurants. We hope you get the opportunity to try out at least one of these fantastic eateries!
BRQ SEAFOOD & BARBEQUE Baton Rouge + Denham Springs, LA
They’re philosophy is simple: BRQ believes in providing the best bbq and seafood in south Louisiana and are committed to being a part of the community and having a personal relationship with their farmers and purveyors.
TABLE 100 Flowood, MS
Not only will Table 100 blow you away with their beautifully crafted dishes, they will feed your soul by supporting local farmers.
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ODD DUCK Austin, TX
A menu inspired by seasonal fare and handcrafted plates, Odd Duck seeks to capture the true craft of sustainable cooking while encouraging relationships between chefs and local farmers.
CURATE BAR DE TAPAS Asheville, NC
Tucked away in downtown historic Asheville, Cúrate is a Green Certified Restaurant run by chef/owner Katie Button. Chef Button works with area farmers and the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, resulting in fresh, flavor-rich dishes handcrafted from the local landscape.
ONE EARED STAG Atlanta, GA
Chef Robert Phalen has earned a reputation for using subtle flavor combinations to create dishes that are surprising yet familiar, delicious and addictive. Despite the ubiquity of “farm to table,” few chefs source their ingredients as locally or sustainably as Phalen.
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Quick Tip: Citrus Fruit If you have leftover citrus fruits that may be going bad (the skin will be hard), put them to use in your kitchen for a natural and fresh cleaning solution. Here's a few suggestions on how to use your leftover citrus fruits:
Slice an old orange or lemon and throw them in your garbage disposal drain to freshen it up! (Please turn on the disposal and run it until the citrus has been fully ground.
Make a quick, organic household cleanser. Add citrus peels/slices (lemon or orange) to a mason jar filled with white vinegar. Allow the citrus to infuse in the vinegar for 1-2 weeks. Once done, strain the citrus out and pour the infused citrus into a spray bottle to clean countertops, toilets, kitchen sinks, etc.
Clean your microwave! Slice citrus of your choice and place in a microwave safe bowl filled with 1 cup of water for 3-5 minutes. The oils will coat the inside of your microwave and work magic! Carefully remove the bowl and wipe down the inside of your microwave. No harsh chemicals needed to clean the stuck on mess.
Sanitize your cutting board! Rub half of a lemon over your cutting board after you've thoroughly washed it. Do NOT place wooden chopping boards in the dishwasher, always hand-wash them.
So the next time you go to toss your old citrus in the garbage, use them to clean!
SOUTHERN SOUTHERN CELEBRATIONS CELEBRATIONS MAGAZINE MAGAZINE | | FAMILY EDITION
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T he Novice Gardener: Series 1 Written By: Virginia Conaway
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love Spring in the South! What I don't love is the fact that I kill most plants! It's true; while my mother and sister may have inherited the "green thumb", I did not. In fact, for many years, I had a "black thumb"! Anytime I attempted to grow something indoors, it would do fine; however, the minute I transferred it outside, the plants would sadly perish. It became quite embarrassing for people to joke about the fact that I would kill so many plants every time I bought new ones. A few years ago we purchased a deep purple rose and kept it in a whiskey barrel planter because our yard at that home didn't keep much of anything alive. The rose would sprout the most beautiful blooms ever! Sadly, someone in our neighborhood SOUTHERN CELEBRATIONS MAGAZINE |
would clip the beautiful blooms and take them. We never did find out who. We eventually sold that home and purchased our current one. The previous owner had this beautiful, pink Double Knockout Rose bush planted in the front yard! To my surprise each Spring it came back with beautiful blooms. I decided to look up care instructions for knockout roses because I was determined to not let this rose bush die! I prune the plant each year and give it plenty of rose food, and I remember to water it in the dead heat of Summer when there's barely any rain falling! Kudos to me, because I either over-water or under-water, there is no happy medium! LOL
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Since my Double Knockout Rose has managed to come back for four Spring seasons, I thought that it was time to expand to more rose bushes, because let's face it......who can resist beautiful rose blooms!? But let's not forget about the fact that I still, technically, have a "black thumb"! Just a few months ago I had to replant my succulents, that I somehow managed to keep alive for 10 years with minimal intervention, hey had quit growing and were in fact dying. After replanting them in fresh soil and giving it a new pot, they've sprouted and look healthy!
Not to be discouraged, I returned to Clegg's Nursery to buy two more roses: Ink Spots, a hybrid tea rose that has an alluring and mysterious near-black flower. It has a black pointed bud and it gracefully opens to a velvety dark red bloom!
The third rose bush purchased is called a Double Delight hybrid tea rose, that has a cream color center and strawberry painted rings on the outside of the petals as they unfold.
To spread my novice wings even I found myself stopping at Clegg's further, my garden haul also Nursery one afternoon and included a La Feliciana Peach tree browsed for what seemed like an with the most beautiful peach hour! I finally committed to buying blossoms! Ms. Feliciana Peach a beautiful white rose inspired by won't produce peaches this year, an upcoming wedding, it's an Icealthough research shows within 1 -3 years. berg floribunda. It has beautiful clusters of white, honey-scented flowers! I’m super excited to share my series in future Lifestyle Editions!
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KEEPING CUT ROSES FRESH Via ProFlowers.com
Step 1
Step 5
Clean your vase. If this isn’t the first time you’ve used the vase, make sure it is free of the dirt that may come from prior use. If flower debris remains in the vase, it could contaminate your water and shorten the life of your flowers. Visually inspect the vase, and wash it in warm soapy water, rinsing it well before use.
Refrigerate the flowers when away. Just as florists put flowers in a refrigerated space before selling them, you can store your roses in a chilled location — your fridge — to extend their life. While you likely don’t want to constantly be putting these flower into, and taking them out of, the fridge, if you plan to be away for longer than a day or so, place them in the fridge before leaving.
Step 2 Fill the vase with lukewarm Step 6 water. Temperature matters when dunking your floral Change out the water stems. Prepare a lukewarm regularly. Roses resting in bath for your fresh-cut roses stale water will wilt rapidly. To as opposed to a hot or cold ensure that your water one, since this water remains conducive to temperature ensures that you promoting rose longevity, don’t shock the delicate swap it out every day or so, blooms. replacing it with fresh water.
Step 3
Step 7
Dissolve the packet of food that comes with your flowers into your water, or use another flower food intended for use with cut flowers in general or cut roses in particular.
Remove wilting buds or leaves. Instead of allowing a few wilted flower parts to mar an otherwise beautiful bouquet, pull them off. By doing so, you prevent them from dropping into the water and starting to rot, which could reduce your bouquet life.
Step 4 Cut the stems. Using a sharp knife or shears, cut the stems at a 45-degree angle. If you use dull cutting implements, you risk crushing the delicate stems and making it harder for the flowers to drink up the water they require for survival.
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2020 BEST OF SOUTHERN CELEBRATIONS MAGAZINE AWARDS We are absolutely, head-over-heels, in love with expanding our annual awards from The Baton Rouge Wedding Industry Awards to the Best Of Southern Celebrations Magazine! We started our little magazine in 2013 and kept the awards to our local area. Fast forward to today and we have subscriptions in over 25 states and marketers & partners from all over the south!
F.A.Q. Nominations for Best Of Southern Celebrations Magazine will start on October 1st and will end on October 21st at 5 pm cst . The Top 5 from each category will be announced on November 4th and voting will commence through December 6th at 5 pm cst. All votes will be carefully tallied and announced on January 6th, 2020! WHO CAN BE NOMINATED? To qualify for a nomination, wedding & event professionals need to have at least one of the following:
have a wedding or special event featured in Southern Celebrations Magazine
be a marketer or partner of Southern Celebrations Magazine be a listed vendor featured in Southern Celebrations Magazine or SouthernCelebrationsMag.com
From there, our awards process is pretty intense! Our wedding & event professionals are the best of the best in the South! Questions about the new nomination process for the Best Of Southern Celebrations? Contact us!
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PET Rabbits Written By: Virginia Conaway
W
ho doesn’t love bunnies?! Well, they definitely aren’t for everyone, but owning a pet rabbit is definitely a chore and is very rewarding. You’ve decided to welcome a rabbit into your home, great! But first, let me say this: rabbits are not animals that should be given as Easter gifts! They can live up to 8-10 years. They require daily attention, love and care. Indoor bunnies require a certain diet, they require daily exercise, and should never live their lives caged up.
As long as you have done your research and are fully committed to caring for an indoor bunny, decide on which breed is best for your family. The breed you choose will determine the type of housing or indoor setup you will need. The basics are:
A cozy hutch or area they can feel safe in.
A litter box setup.
Fresh, daily, unlimited hay.
Pellets.
Daily, fresh water.
A balanced diet.
Toys! Bunnies love to play, but also love their alone time.
Please do adequate research before bringing home your pet rabbit. You will also need to do research on how to properly potty train them. They should be confined for a period of 1-2 weeks, if not more, depending on how long it takes your furry one to get a hang of it.
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LITTER BOX SETUP TIPS It’s kind of gross, but your bunny will poop where it eats! SO, you’ll want to set up a hay rack above or very near to your litter box. It is also a good idea to set up their food bowl near their box, as well.
You should also never use cat litter in their boxes. Wood pellets or paper bedding and a combination of hay are great combination.
Please note that their litter boxes are to be cleaned daily! The strong ammonia smell from their urine will knock you out if you don’t clean it daily and it’s not
INDOOR SETUP TIPS: You need to give your bunny plenty of room to roam and exercise throughout the day, especially if you don’t plan on having a completely free roam bunny. Large exercise dog pens are perfect for smaller bunnies. You can place their litter box/ hay setup, water, toys, hutches and everything else of theirs inside the of pen.
Want to show off your favorite photos of your family pet? We’d love to feature them in a future Lifestyle Edition. Head on over to our website to submit yours!
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Photo credits: Bethany Elaine Photography| Natasha Marie Bridal | Avenue Allure Salon, Spa, & Boutique
Get pampered and shop at the same time! 105 North Range Ave • Denham Springs, LA • avenueallure70726.com
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