MAMA SUE'S HOT CHOCOLATE COOKIES

I have always loved a cake mix cookie so I decided to try my hand at making a cake mix cookie with my Mama Sue's Hot Chocolate that Y'all Sweet Tea sells. I will be making them again!

SHOWERING A BRIDE

If you're at all like me, you love a good shower. It doesn't matter if it's a wedding shower, a baby shower, or even a holiday shower - I love them all. I wonder how many showers I have attended over the years. I bet it's in the hundreds!

The beautiful bride-to-be, Sara Grace, and her handsome almost groom, Jacob

This past weekend, Amy and I were hostesses for a bridal shower for dear family friends. Honestly, I consider them family; we're just not "kin" by blood. Jacob is the son of Jake and Ashley. Jake and Ashley grew up with Amy and Shawn, they have been friends forever, Jake played ball with Shawn and Chris, Harold coached Jake and his brother, and Jake and Ashley even bought our house before we moved where we live now. That's a mouthful! See what I mean about us practically being family? Sara Grace and Jacob will be getting married on June 28th of this year. June is a popular month for weddings. I was a June bride; Harold and I married on June 17th. Our children, Amy and Chris both married in June. In fact, they both married on June 28th (1997 and 2003, respectfully). How ironic that Sara Grace and Jacob will share their same anniversary.

I don't know if it's like this where you live, but bridal and baby showers are big deals in the south. Jacob's mother, Ashley, planned this one and it was executed to perfection. Shower food is my favorite! The hostesses selected items to bring. I made my homemade chicken salad and fixed sandwiches on croissants. The recipe can be found in my Volume 4 cookbook, Simply Salads. Amy made my homemade pimento cheese. We also had a delicious layer cake and cupcakes, pasta salad, ham roll-ups, fresh fruit and dip, veggies with ranch, and the most amazing punch in the world. The punch is famous in our town. I would bet that it's a favorite in our region of the state - not just our town! It's called "Fran's Punch." A precious lady (our mayor's mother) used to own a BBQ Restaurant with her late husband. The BBQ was incredible, and I promise the punch was addictive. She won't disclose her recipe (and I can't blame her), but she will make it to sell for special occasions. Any time Fran's punch is on the menu, you have happy folks. It has a taste of lemon, orange, pineapple, and something special that I can't quite put my finger on. It may just be the sweetness of the precious soul making it, Mrs. Frances Perkins. I have had a LOT of punch in my many years on this earth. but none compares to Fran's Punch.

One end of the food table, with ham roll ups, my chicken salad croissants, pasta salad, fruit, and the star of the show - Fran's Punch (served in Ashley's mother's punch bowl).

Another side of the food table.

Amy was nervous to make my pimento cheese because she said she had never made it for that many people before. She sent me this picture and asked me if it looked ok. I told her it looked just like I made it! This recipe can be found in my Volume 1 cookbook.

I thought that it was so special that she served it from a crystal bowl that she got at her bridal shower 28 years ago! The glass platter that she served the crackers on was also a gift from her bridal shower.

Amy's homemade pimento cheese and crackers served on gifts from her bridal shower.

Showers are important events in the south. I am always blessed when I attend one, and even more so when I get to help host one. I love to socialize with everyone there, and I love the yummy foods. I also think it is important to remember to pray for the ones being honored at the shower. I know I will be praying for Sara Grace and Jacob to have a long, and happy marriage. I hope you will join me in praying for God's blessings on their upcoming marriage.

Do you like showers? What is your favorite shower food? Leave me a comment and let me know. I love to hear from you! Remember to be salt and light.

The hostesses with the beautiful bride-to-be. Ashley, Jacob's mother, is on the far left.

KIMMY'S DORITOS CORN SALAD

I just love the people that I have met over the years since I have started this cooking page. One of those has been Kim from Kimmy's Southern Cooking. She is a delight! I hope you are following her. I've made some of her recipes before and they are always delicious! This recipe can be found in my Volume 4 cookbook, Simply Salads.