FYI

My NEW blog address is
bj-sweetnothings.blogspot.com

and I have a link to where you can receive
SWEET NOTHINGS posts in your EMAIL ACCOUNT.

Please go to the NEW BLOG.
thanks, bj

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

hurray for the red, white and blue...REPOST TO ADD CORNBREAD RECIPE...

I am, once again, playing in two memes ....
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My thanks to SUSAN at BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH
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Thanks to GOLLUM for this fun day...
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HAPPY JULY 4TH, 2009
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For the 4th of July, what better dishes did I have to use than my blue and white
LIBERTY BLUES
*****************
The coffee cup has a scene of
PAUL REVERE"S RIDE...*
*
The saucer has
OLD NORTH CHURCH..
on it....
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O, how I love
THE RED WHITE & BLUE..
just saying those words brings a lump to my throat...
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The cream pitcher to this wonderful and vintage set also has
PAUL REVERE'S ride...
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The covered sugar bowl, as you can see, has BETSY ROSS, showing the beautiful
and infamous
RED, WHITE & BLUE
flag for our country....
notice the CIRCLE of stars on it....:O)
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The beautiful dinner plates have
INDEPENDENCE HALL
on them...
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These dishes were made in England and distributed through grocery stores in the 1970's.
How I wish I had bought them at that time...I am sure they were much cheaper.
However, compared to a lot of dishes no longer being in production,
LIBERTY BLUE sets aren't too expensive.
I have plates, cups and saucers for 10
but no serving dishes....
I am always on the hunt for those to add to my growing set....
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We are having a real southern dinner on the BLUES tonight...
a crisp lettuce with bacon and dressing salad...
Succulent and tender ribs, cooked just exactly right, with just a touch of barbecue sauce...
Sweet Potato fries...
mushrooms sauteed in butter...
Southern Hot Water Cornbread with grated cheese and green onions...
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**SINCE POSTING, I have had several requests for the recipe for
HOT WATER CORNBREAD
aka...CORN CAKES
**
This hot water cornbread is shaped into thin, little CAKES
and fried in hot fat in a skillet...
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2 cups cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon bacon drippings
1 teaspoon sugar
*****
Mix all together and add enough BOILING water to make stiff enough dough
to be shaped....
I use a little hot water on my hands as I shape them into thin patties..
Fry in the hot oil (bacon grease is the BEST !!) until nice and brown on both sides.
Be sure to make them THIN...and fry on MEDIUM high so as to not get them too
brown too quick or else they might not get cooked thru and thru.
Also...be VERY careful and don't get burned..!!
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My mother made these all my life and I learned to make them when I got married.
Mr. Sweet and I can eat a whole plate of them with butter and think we've died and gone to heaven !!
*
I understand from a cousin that this Hot Water Cornbread originated during the
GREAT DEPRESSION
when it was hard to get milk, eggs and other ingredients..
I'm pretty sure YOU are gonna like it....!!
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HAVE A BLESSED and SAFE HOLIDAY...
**************
**************************
********************************
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ALSO..
ANOTHER HAPPY BIRTHDAY to DEANNA over at TIMELESS TREASURES
She has an interesting story about why she celebrates her birthday
on two days every year....go by to read it and wish her a happy day....
*
She is hosting a YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE STAR party and it will be fun to
see all the STARS...

Mr. Sweet and I decided to come as a couple from one of OUR favorite movies...
*
Aren't I SO pretty !!!
AND...would you take a look at my handsome CLYDE... woo hoo....
*
but this is not about BONNIE...nor CLYDE (you wicked thang, you!!)
it's all about the beautiful birthday girl..
DEANNA...
Be sure to go by and wish Deanna the
HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY.....

ooo, AND , of course you can't go to a birthday party without a gift...so...here is your very own private luxury yacht....HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEANNA !!


68 comments:

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Your table is beautiful, BJ! Your meal looks so delicious!

Blondie's Journal said...

You have some very pretty dishes there, BJ! And these classic patterns mixed with red make for a very patriotic tablescape! It also helps that you have Betsy Ross and the flag on one of them!!

Your dinner looks delicious. I have never had the cornbread done up the way you have it. I am assuming it is a Texas recipe. It all looks yummo!!

Have a safe and happy 4th, BJ!!!

xoxo
Jane

Stacey said...

BJ you do know how to put on a spread! Your dinner and your dishes are perfect for the 4th of July.

Sarah said...

I'll use my Spode Blue Room plates for my 4th of July table, but I've never seen the Liberty Blue pieces. These are wonderful! Thanks for sharing. Happy 4th of July!

Domestic Designer said...

Your dishes are perfect! Your food looks delicious!

Melissa Marie said...

Your table is just beautiful! And, I have to admit, I was completely sold with the sweet potato fries. ;)

Tara said...

What gorgeous tablewear! I love the red white and blue together, it's very festive.

You better keep that weapon hidden from the Royal's Security Service or they might hang you two from the chandelier with Bonnie to keep you out of trouble!

Cottage Contessa said...

Hi BJ! Sweetie, I would love to visit with you and eat that delicious looking meal off of those gorgeous plates! I hope you and your family have a wonderful July 4th celebrating your awesome country!
Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Great table AND great food! I'm coming to your house, BJ... be right over... well, in about three days! ;-)

XO,

Sheila :-)

Lorna ~ Lace and Ivy Cottage said...

I hope you find your serving pieces. Have you ever tried Replacements,Ltd? I think the website is replacements.com. The dishes are lovely as is the whole setting. Have a fabulous 4th!

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

BJ, I love your blue & white dishes!! Also, love that you used pewter to set it all off just perfectly!

You & Clyde make quite a handsome couple at Deanna's party & I know she'll be taking us all on a cruise on that wonderful yacht in the near future!! Come see what I gave her....

Big Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

Anonymous said...

Oh My, what a beautiful display. You could put these photos in a magazine. Hope you have a wonderful 4th of July.

Love Ya,
Chris

Kathleen Grace said...

Oh I do love your Liberty BLue dinnerware, and for the fourth it is perfect! That dinner looks so good!

Deanna said...

Oh my goodness BJ...a yacht to end all yachts!!! I am so thrilled and you and Mr. Sweet look absolutely FAB-U-LOUS!!!!!

Thank you for sharing these two special days with me!!! I've had so much fun visiting everyone's blogs and Mr. Timeless Things and I are just thrilled to pieces!!

Love and hugs,
Deanna :D

"Blossom" said...

The firworks are bursting in the air; this is very patriotic and I love the dishes.

Sandi McBride said...

Now here are some beautiful Red White and Blue dinner services BJ...I just Love it...and Bonnie and Clyde is one of my favorite movies!
Sandi

Terri Steffes said...

Your table is beautiful but I almost took a bite out of my computer. That meal is calling my name!

Anonymous said...

Hi BJ~~LOVE your Red,White and Blues!
The dishes are just perfect for this holiday and every day! And the food~~looks so delicious! You and Clyde are just smashing together and I do love that yacht~~how fun!
Have a very Happy and Safe July 4th!
Let Freedom ring~~
Hugs,
Lynn♥

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Your tablescape is just beautiful! I love the reds and blues together. Those sweet potato fries look YUMMY!
Hugs,
Penny

Unknown said...

What a beautiful tablescape! The food looks so yummy... especially the dessert.

Kathryn @ Bonafide Southern said...

Oh, BJ, your table looks just perfect for the 4th set with those lovely Liberty Blue dishes! Your supper looks equally delicious. I'd love for you to share your hot water cornbread recipe. I've never heard of that, but it looks yummy!

Salmagundi said...

Every time that I see your Liberty Blue dishes I vow to seek some out to add to my one place setting. They are getting a little pricey at the antique places now, though. May you enjoy yours on a Happy 4th of July! Sally

Justine said...

Ooh, I love the way you put the red napkins under the plates. Soooooooo pretty!
Now what exactly is hot water corn bread? How is it different from regular corn bread?

Justine :o )

Beverly said...

BJ, your table looks so pretty. And, I love your Liberty dishes. I've seen serving pieces of e-bay.

That is the kind of cornbread my mother always made. Yum!

Fifi Flowers said...

ADORABLE welcome sign!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

What a gorgeous tablescape. I also love the geraniums. Everything is so pretty. I have a couple of those Independence plates, and I LOVE that pattern. It is stunning I think. Have a safe, happy and blessed 4th. Hugs, Marty

The Country Nest said...

Hi BJ
Great table! I have some of those dishes and I got them in the A&P when I first got married in 1973. I have always liked them and never gotten rid of them. They look so nice on your table...great job.
hugs,
Donna

Barb said...

Hi BJ....your table is just delightful. I love, love all those plate layers and all the pretty colors.

Those ribs are toooooo yummy looking!!!!!

Happy July 4th to you, sweet lady.

Hugs, Barb

amariaf2000 said...

I have never seen this china pattern before, but now I am officially in love! This pattern is so awesome! What a beautiful tablescape!
~angela
www.mcalled.com/peonypatch

Allidink said...

I love that dishware! Perfect for the 4th! Looks great. So does that food!!!

All the best,
Allison

Anonymous said...

Hi BJness! How are you today? I think you've been a busy gal. Your table is gorgeous and I love your dishes! Now on the the food. Um Um!! Can I come over? :) Have fun with your grands!
Have a wonderful 4th, too!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Mary said...

I want a luxury yacht! But I'm just going to have to make pretend with my boogieboard.......Your table looks great, I like the liberty china used for the holiday, very appropriate and pretty. I hope you have a happy 4th! :O) Mary @Boogieboard Cottage

Beth in NC said...

I love your patriotic tablescape!

Happy 4th of July BJ!

Many blessings!
Beth

Farren and Byisteal said...

We know Miss Dee is going to love her new yacht!! You and the Mr. look great!!

Farren and Byisteal

SmilingSally said...

You are a generous gift giver! Happy red, white, & blue day to you BJ.

Brenda Pruitt said...

Honey, with all the delicious food you display, how on earth do you stay so darned skinny? Your husband must think he's got a winner of a cook. And a decorator as well! This is so pretty. Love those napkins!
Brenda

Theresa @ Take A Sentimental Journey said...

Hi BJ, I have those same blue plates.One of my best friends gave them to me for a gift.
I love how you mixed the red white and blue.
I was telling my mom about your hot water cornbread ! Do you think you could tell me how to make it ? I know you posted it one time but I forgot how you said you made it.

Draffin Bears said...

Happy 4th of July to you and your family BJ.

I love all your pretty tablescape and the blue and white China and the food looks delicious.

Have a great weekend
Hugs
Carolyn

Kathryn @ Bonafide Southern said...

Oh, thank you, thank you for adding the cornbread recipe! I'll be trying it real soon. I know anything that contains the words "bacon grease" and "fried" is going to be delicious. It'll probably go straight to my hips, but it's going to taste good while it goes there! lol :)

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

Beautiful table! The food looks delicious!

Have a happy holiday!

Katherine

The Fajdich Times said...

Your table and food all look wonderuld. Have a great 4th.

Bill @ Affordable Accoutrements said...

Hi BJ,
Thank you for the sweet and thoughtful welcome to blogging. Meeting people like you has already made it a labor of love!

Your tablescape looks wonderful, great dishes ... but the FOOD!!! Looks mouth watering! What time's the party starting???

Hope our paths will cross often.

Happy, happy 4th.

Bill

imjacobsmom said...

BJ, I'm pretty sure I'm going to like those corncakes, too! Your patriotic tablescapre is outstanding. I salute you! ~ Robyn

Cottage Rose said...

Hello BJ; I love how you set a table. It is all so lovely, and the food is just so tasty looking.

Have a wonderful 4th July

Hugs;
Alaura

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Oh, I can just taste those sweet potato fries right through my screen!!! :)

Love your dishes! Perfect for the 4th! Hope you have a wonderful and safe one! ~hugs, Rhonda :)

Printersdevil said...

What fabulous plates and dishes. They are perfect for July 4th.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Wonderful tablescape, and wonderful recipe. I'll be trying that for sure. I've picked up a couple of the Liberty Blues dinner plates at flea markets, but I've never seen that great sugar and creamer set. Have a great holiday weekend. laurie

Rattlebridge Farm said...

What a beautiful table--and just perfect with your delicious-looking food. The first cupcake pictures (not with the starfish) was homemade Royal icing. I used "edible" dragees, white so they'd look like pearls. For the cupcakes with the seashell wraps, I used plain old canned icing. I used a star tip, fit it into the bottom of a plastic bag, and added the icing. I got the dips by squirting a bit of icing and pulling straight up. I noticed they looked like curly waves. so I kept going and going. But as you know, I am the very person you don't want to ask about icing. lol
In the picture, the icing is two colors, white and beige, because I ran out of icing and had to hunt in the pantry. The cupcakes, however, were homemade and were almost Freaky Cupcakes, borderline Trainwrecks, because I got all creative and added Reeses Cups (chopped). The poor cupcakes split wide open...which is why I ended up drowning them in icing.
Hugs to you, Sweetie! Have a great 4th!

Anonymous said...

YOur plates are beautiful. I like how the images have real stories in them. Very fitting for Independence Day.

Thanks for the recipe. I would definitely have to try this.

Now, wouldn't it be just grand to receive a yacht on your birthday. :-)

Christi @ A Southern Life said...

BJ, Great minds think alike! Our tables are very similar. I'm late getting around to all the tables today and am so glad to see your double meme (I've got to get around to all the Food Friday's as well). I'll have to try the hot water cornbread with my ribs this weekend. Happy 4th.

Christi

A Southern Rose said...

It was so good to see you at Deanna's birthday bash! Wasn't it fun!? I haven't had that much fun in years!


Your table looks beautiful! I love the dishes! Happy 4th of July!

Brenda Eason said...

BJ, you have always been one special lady I look up to. I have tagged you and hope you will do this so I can learn more about you.

Dena said...

OOooh BJ, I so need so BBQ ribs now ;) De-lish dishes too!

Hugs,
Dena

KarenB said...

Hi there. This is my first visit I think. I was one of those girls who bought the Liberty Stoneware in the 70's. I think I bought it at A&P. Anyway. I used it for several years. Then in one of our many moves, I was sick of it and sold it at a garage sale for $10!!!!!!!!!!!! I have always regretted that. I still use blue and white transferware as my dishes and I have 3 different patterns. Maybe I need to relocate some Liberty Blue?

Mary Bergfeld said...

Your table is perfectly set for the holiday. Thanks for amending your post to include the corn cakes. They sounds wonderful. Have a great holiday.

Lady Katherine said...

Hi, I love love your blue dishes, the vase, Oh, the sign! I want one. lol I spy a red shelf in background, just love it. I have to stay with blue and sneaking in red these days on hubby. lol Love the corn bread, my Mother used to make and so did I but been years and years, I had forgotten how! lol I have had a couple of Great Weeks getting a lot done. But now I have my lovely four Grandchildren for twelve hours a day. I exhausted, just get bath and go to bed , when they leave. I go to Doc Tuesday to see if I am well enough for surgery. Hoping to wait a few more months. I want to do so much. But with the children not much I can do. They are all under five. I trying to type with the 23 month old, hitting the keys. My daughter got a divorce, and I am Sad, but they both have found other now. My daughter's boyfriend, wow that was hard to say. He bought a yacht. It is really nice. I think he trying to win me over, he wants to build me a pizza oven, like they make in Italy, he came here 10 years ago. I am so trying to accept him in our family, its so hard for we love her husband, we been the only family life he's known. I can't do the ex thing! lol Say a prayer we need to find a sitter for the children. I all worn out. Got go baby gone to the back.

Mary said...

BJ,

Those Liberty Blue dishes are a favourite of mine. I've seen them in thrift shops, flea markets and auctions. I will keep my eyes open for some serving dishes at a good price, although I don't see them as often as I used to. These days I see more of the Currier and Ives scenes.

Happy 4th of July, my friend.
Blessings,
Mary

Shellbelle said...

Yes, my mom used to make these and she said it's how her momma made them during the depression. I only fry food a few times a year, but as long as I'm being bad frying chicken, I think I'll make these in memory of my mom to go along with it.

ksarra said...

HI BJ, Happy 4th to you and yours. Love your patriotic tablescape, and that little sign with the red bicycle is toooo cute!

Susan @ Blackberry Creek said...

Happy 4th, BJ.

Tea in Texas said...

Cute, Cute, Cute and so patiotic! I love your Liberty Blue and you are lucky to have 10. You have what looks like an All American table with a little Texas, too. We do like our food and fun for a great big 4th.

Meggie said...

Your place settings are lovely, BJ...love the colors. I want to come to your home to enjoy your fabulous cooking. Thanks for the recipe. Happy 4th!

Shirley said...

OK, You win for the most patriotic dishes!! They're beautiful! Makes for a beautiful red white and blue table. Your dinner made me so hungry, I had to go a snack!!!

Unknown said...

Pretty table... and those sweet potato fries look delish!
Have a wonderful weekend and a fabulous 4th!
~Really Rainey~

Unknown said...

You had me with the sweet potato fries. I just love them. Your Fourth tablescape is so pretty. I really like the way you integrated the dishes. I hope you will join me beginning in August for Crock Pot Wednesdays at DiningwithDebbie.blogspot.com. I'd love to see you there. (PS...I got hit by your fairy dust so I will be back.)

Anonymous said...

Those dishes are INCREDIBLE!

Printersdevil said...

Very nice table. The food looks soooo good. I have never tried sweet potato fries. DH likes to bake them and of course he loves them baked into a casserole with marshmallows.
I came back by to mention that I am hosting a Christmas in July Tablescape Party at my Playing Dishes blog. There will be one held each Saturday this month. Please come and participate or at least visit. A holiday tablecloth will be given away on the last Saturday, July 25. Info on signups is available by clicking my sidebar memes available on both my blogs.

I am also having a weekly Christmas giveaway at my Christmas Memories in My Heart blog. Weekly entries are closed out a midnight on Wednesday for this.

Hopefully some of you tablescape regulars will pull together a tablescape for CIJ or pull out some photos from last year to post.

Happy CIJ!

Life on the Edge said...

Your dishes were perfect for the 4th of July! Looks like you had one extra yummy dinner there. I love sweet potato fries. Those cornbread things look pretty darn good too! Glad you had a nice holiday.

Kady