Let's Get Serious About Table Manners ... and Other Stuff

How many times have you been told to take your elbows off the table? And how many times have you told your children not to talk with their mouth full? These are messages that can be heard all over the country at dinnertime. It might seem as though the little ones aren't paying a bit of attention, but that's not the case. If you say something enough times, they'll eventually obey just to have some peace.

Here are some of my articles on mealtime manners:

• How to Eat Like a Civilized Person – I think this is one of the most important lessons anyone can learn. After all, everyone has to eat. There's no point in doing it wrong.
• How to Eat Shellfish Without Making a Mess – Anyone visiting the Mississippi Gulf Coast or Louisiana bayous needs to know this. 

  

  Enjoy a delicious seafood platter -
  Deegolden/Morguefile.com

• Lick the Ice Cream Rudeness – It's still summer, y'all, so go ahead and enjoy some ice cream but do it right.

Now check out some of my other favorite About.com articles:

• 4 Ways Having a Good Friend Makes You Healthier – Friendship expert Cherie Burbach shares some excellent health advice.
• How to Score Free School Supplies for Your Kids – Who doesn't like free stuff? Check this out by freebies expert Stacy Fisher.
• Throw the Best Kid's Birthday Party Ever – Apryl Duncan shows how you can be the coolest mom on the block.

Have you read any of the books in my Class Reunion series? Here's a short introduction that's now available on Kindle for only 99¢: Before the Class Reunion: Prequel to the Class Reunion Series. You'll get to know Priscilla, Tim, Trudy, Celeste, and Laura as they receive their 5-year reunion invitations. The question is, will any of them attend?

Before the Class Reunion

Dixie Belle Has Arrived

In case you haven't heard, Southern girls can do just fine in the big city. Even the Big Apple. They might stumble a bit at first, but once they find their footing, they'll soar and maybe even find a little romance.

Check out Dixie Belle, the first book in the Uptown Belles series. If she doesn't charm your socks off, you must not be breathin'.

Cissy Hillwood needs to leave her Alabama hometown to escape her abusive boyfriend, so she accepts an offer to work for her Uncle Forest in New York City. Sparks fly when she meets Forest’s fiercest competitor, Tom Jenkins, but her uncle does not approve of their budding romance.
 
Tom is a Christian at night and on weekends, but he seems to leave his faith at the door when he gets to work. Yet the more time he spends with Cissy, the more he begins to question and reevaluate his business ethics.
 
As Cissy tries to keep her relationship with Tom a secret from her Uncle Forest, misunderstandings mount and conflicts arise, forcing Cissy to make a decision. Which should she choose: loyalty to her uncle or love for Tom?

Here are some links to order Dixie Belle:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Christian Book.com

I'm Back!

After taking another break from blogging, I decided it was time to get back to sharing some of the things I enjoy with readers. Having a blog is a huge time commitment, but when I have something to say, it's a great way to do it.

For the past couple of years I've been the etiquette writer for About.com, and I've gotten to know some of the other writers through their work. For the next several months, I'll add links to some of my favorite articles here - both mine and other experts'.

Being gracious is a way of life - Demen/Morguefile.com

Let's start with a few now. When I was younger, my parents emphasized the importance of good manners and insisted I follow very strict, Southern guidelines. Although I enjoyed the six-week department store charm school class my mother sent me to, the challenge of walking across the room with a book on my head and learning the fine art of pouring tea without spilling it on your guest wasn't thorough enough. Fortunately, I have my Southern roots, my military brat upbringing, and a sorority in college to help guide me in all things gracious.

Here are some of my etiquette articles to get started:

• Anyone Can Have the Manners of a Modern Southern Belle - In other words, listen to your mama and do what she says.
• It's Not Polite to Get All Uppity - Don't be a snob.
• Make Your Young'uns Behave - No one likes to be around wild, uncaged monkeys.

Some of my other favorite About.com articles:

• 50 Ways to Make New Friends - by my friend Cherie Burbach - Now you have no excuse to be lonely.
• Job Interview Questions and Answers - by Alison Doyle, an expert on searching for jobs - Knowing the questions ahead of time will prevent nervous stuttering when you're trying hard to impress the interviewer.
• 10 Facts About Seals - by marine life expert Jennifer Kennedy - I know this may seem random, but I found it interesting, and it's always good to learn something new.

I just found out that Guideposts has temporarily dropped the price of Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida, a fun beach read for the end of the summer.

Each year, Jerry Simpson returns to Amanda's shop on Treasure Island to rent a bicycle for two - even though he's single. Will she finally discover the handsome stranger's secret? Will Amanda and Jerry find the treasure they both deserve?

Here are a couple of links to order it:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble