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Southern Made Simple

Keeping things simple with a smidge of Southern charm

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My Favorite Things

Easy Peasy Peanut Butter Pie

September 11, 2019 by Laura Tucker 38 Comments

This recipe and photographs for Easy Peasy Peanut Butter Pie were updated September 2019. Affiliate links may be included throughout this post at absolutely no cost to you.

No matter where you are in the world, there’s always that one thing that immediately takes you right back home. One of the most beautiful things about the United States is that each and every state has something unique that sets it apart from the rest. I pride myself on having roots planted deep within the Alabama clay, and I love to celebrate my Southern heritage because it’s a building block in the foundation of who I am (and this very blog, too!)

Easy Peasy Peanut Butter Pie…

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Filed Under: Current Giveaways, Desserts, Home Cookin' Tagged With: natural peanut butter, Peanut butter, peanut butter pie, recipe

Down South House & Home Collection

August 6, 2019 by Laura Tucker Leave a Comment

I received products from Down South House in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are 100% my own. I only promote what I truly love!

Have you ever caught a glimpse of something in a store that you kept circling back around to? Perhaps that particular item had a charm about it that spoke to you in a different way than any tangible good had ever spoken to you before, or maybe it brought out a fun layer to your personality that made you smile from ear to ear, and you just couldn’t help but take it home with you and put it on display for all to see. Several months ago when I first laid eyes on the wares from Down South House & Home, these same feelings filled my mind as I fell more and more in love with their collection of towels and home goods they shared every day on social media.

Down South House

There was just something about them that made me feel understood. They made me feel happy inside. Perhaps it is their simple, clean and traditional southern aesthetic that pairs perfectly with my own style that made the connection I had with the brand feel so strong. When I selected the name for this blog years ago, I knew I wanted it to touch on the simplicity of the southern culture.

Food is a great way to share aspects of our heritage and culture, but I wanted it to be more than that. Even though we live in a very instant world, we know that things haven’t always been that way. If we don’t slow down and reflect and reminisce, we’re apt to miss some really beautiful things around us. There’s a lot you can learn from the simplicity of southern culture, and that’s something I really love to hold on to. Down South House & Home gets that, and they harness it so beautifully in their hand printed gifts that they make in their very own barn in the heart of Georgia.

Down South House

I love to spend time in my kitchen. I feel a beautiful sense of escape when I’m able to have uninterrupted time to make and create classic southern dishes with my own personal twist. I don’t love the dishes piling up in the sink afterward, of course, but that’s neither here nor there. More than I love cooking, though, I love sharing it with the people I love. It’s always been important to me to make my kitchen and my home feel inviting to people. If someone felt uncomfortable or unwelcome in my home, it would feel like a punch in the gut to me . My hospitality vein runs straight to my heart, and I want all who enter to know there there is a place for them here.

Down South House

Down South House & Home has such a fun variety of kitchen towels that are overflowing with simple southern charm. Each saying that is imprinted on the towels is something that I grew up saying, and they allow me to connect directly to an aspect of my southern heritage that sets my soul on fire. These towels hanging on display in my kitchen bring me so much happiness, and they’re a testament of my personality that I love to display for all who enter to see. The bold black lettering on the simple white flour sack towels fits my style so well, and these towels were made to make memories with. That’s truly something special.

Down South House

Aside from making kitchen towels, Down South House & Home steps right into the heart of the family with their t-shirts made for all ages and sizes. Though I don’t do it as often as I would like to, I love those moments when I get to dress my daughters in matching outfits. There’s a million and one ways to dress up a white t-shirt, but there’s only one way to raise your babies – and that’s to raise them right.

Down South House

“Raised Right” is such a southern thing to say, and I absolutely love it. My babies are my pride and joy, and as they grow and mature into beautiful young women, it is my prayer that they will be overflowing with abundant evidence that they were truly raised right.

Down South House

But, of course, as I parent I am not exempt from those moments when my babies choose to act like that don’t have an ounce of raising in their entire little bodies. One day I’ll be able to look back and laugh at those struggle-filled moments, but for now I get to dress them with a very visible disclaimer written on their shirts when we go out in public stating that Mama did, in fact, try her best. These “Mama Tried” shirts have gotten a laugh out of everyone who has seen them, and they certainly bring a smile to me even in those exhausting parenting moments. I think Merle Haggard would get a good chuckle in over these tees, too!

Down South House

I’ve already put in a word with Santa this year about their “We Can’t Have Nice Things” tea towel. It 100% describes the season of life our family is in! I also love that the towels are available in “work horse” and “fancy pants” options. Work horse towels are meant to make memories with, and the fancy pants towels are for those who love to leave out their towels as display pieces. That’s so telling of a southern woman – we’ve all got the good towels and the grease stained towels! 😉

If you’re looking to capture a bit of southern simplicity through a gift for yourself or someone you live, I can’t speak highly enough about Down South House & Home! Good people, good products, good messages. That’s exactly what this world needs a little more of!

Filed Under: Farmhouse Finds, My Favorite Things Tagged With: Down South gifts, Down South House, Mama tried shirt, Raised right shirt, southern gift ideas, southern gifts

Introducing the All New “Choice” Diaper from Bebeboo + GIVEAWAY!

August 4, 2019 by Laura Tucker 1 Comment

I received product in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are 100% my own. I only promote what I truly love!

You know what truly excites me? Watching a small business grow and thrive. It is so encouraging and inspiring to me to see small businesses – especially businesses run by mothers – learn from their customers and create quality products that are not only great for the consumer, but great for the earth as well. Bebeboo Diapers definitely hits the mark when it comes to being a company that cares about its customers, cares about its product and cares about the notion that we can change our planet by spreading education about the benefits of using reusable diapering products – and the diapers they create and truly spectacular!

Bebeboo Choice Diaper…

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Filed Under: Cloth Diapering, Current Giveaways, For the Kids Tagged With: Bebeboo diaper choice, Bebeboo diaper review, Bebeboo diapers, cloth diaper giveaway, cloth diaper review

Rocky Railway VBS Snack Ideas

July 4, 2019 by Laura Tucker 2 Comments

Affiliate links are included throughout this post at absolutely no cost to you. I hope these Rocky Railway VBS Snack Ideas help make your VBS a success!

Click here to jump to my Rocky Railway Amazon Storefront!

Many of us across the country are just now finishing up VBS 2018 at our local churches, but Group VBS (the masterminds behind 2019’s Roar! theme) just announced their theme for next summer, and it has us all ready to get on track to encounter the love of Jesus that pulls us through life’s ups and downs!

Rocky Railway VBS Snack Ideas #VBS #RockyRailway #trains

Rocky Railway is an action packed week long curriculum that pulls us through life’s mountains big and small and reveals to us the amazing power of Jesus Christ, who helps us power through the ups and downs we all may experience through our own personal lives. Children will discover amazing truths as they trek through the Imagination Station, Loco Motion Games, Kid Vid Cinema and a dining experience at the Chew Chew snack station.

Rocky Railway VBS Snack Ideas…

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Filed Under: My Favorite Things, VBS Resources Tagged With: Chew Chew Station, Choo Choo Train party, Group VBS, Group VBS 2020, Rocky Railway, Rocky Railway VBS, Rocky Railway VBS Snack Ideas, Train party, Train party food, Train snack ideas, Train themed food, VBS snack ideas

Concrete & Cranes VBS Craft Ideas

June 24, 2019 by Laura Tucker 4 Comments

Affiliate links are included throughout this post. Purchases made through clicks on this post may result in a very small commission earned on my end at absolutely no cost to you. Concrete & Cranes VBS Craft Ideas 

Jump to my Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/southernmadesimple

Have you heard the news?! It’s time to strap on your tool belt and secure your hard hat in place, because Lifeway recently announced their Vacation Bible School theme for 2020 – Concrete & Cranes! Through this VBS theme, we’ll be learning ALL about how Christ is the cornerstone of our faith and how He is the foundation in which we should build our lives!

Concrete & Cranes Craft Ideas…

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Filed Under: My Favorite Things, VBS Resources Tagged With: Concrete & Cranes, Concrete & Cranes VBS Craft Ideas, Construction craft ideas, Construction VBS, Lifeway Concrete & Cranes, Lifeway VBS 2020, VBS 2020

Rocky Railway VBS Decor Ideas

June 7, 2019 by Laura Tucker 2 Comments

Affiliate links are included throughout this post at no cost to you. I love sharing my favorite decor finds with you so your Rocky Railway VBS will be a success! These Rocky Railway VBS Decor Ideas will get you on track to the best VBS yet!

Click here to jump to my Rocky Railway Amazon Storefront!

We’re halfway through the summer already, and many of us across the country are still making preparations for VBS 2019 to kick off at our local churches, but Group VBS (the masterminds behind 2019’s Roar! theme) just announced their theme for next summer, and it has us all ready to climb aboard to experience mountains of fun as we discover the Savior that pulls us through all of life’s ups and downs!

Rocky Railway VBS Decor Ideas #VBS #RockyRailway #trains

Rocky Railway is an action packed week long curriculum that pulls us through life’s mountains big and small and reveals to us the amazing power of Jesus Christ, who helps us power through the ups and downs we all may experience through our own personal lives. Children will discover amazing truths as they trek through the Imagination Station, Loco Motion Games, Kid Vid Cinema and a dining experience at the Chew Chew snack station.

Rocky Railway VBS Decor Ideas #VBS #RockyRailway #trains…

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Filed Under: My Favorite Things, VBS Resources Tagged With: Group VBS Decor, How to decorate for Rocky Railway, Railroad party, Railroad VBS, Rocky Railway, Rocky Railway decor ideas, Rocky Railway decorating ideas, Rocky Railway VBS, Train party decor, Train party ideas, Train VBS, Vacation Bible School Rocky Railway

Concrete & Cranes VBS Decor Ideas

June 7, 2019 by Laura Tucker

Affiliate links are included throughout this post. Purchases made through these links may result in a very small commission earned on my end at absolutely no cost to you. I love promoting VBS each year, and your support helps me to do just that! Concrete & Cranes VBS Decor Ideas:

Click HERE to go straight to my Concrete & Cranes Amazon Storefront!

VBS 2019 may have just started in your neck of the woods, but the brilliant minds at Lifeway have been getting the ball rolling on their quest to make VBS 2020 the very best one yet! Earlier this afternoon I was anxiously awaiting their theme announcement on Facebook Live (shown on their Facebook page) and was ooh-ing and aah-ing at all of the magnificent fun it’s going to be!

Concrete & Cranes VBS Decor Ideas #ConcreteandCranes #VBS #Construction…

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Filed Under: My Favorite Things, VBS Resources Tagged With: Concrete & Cranes, Concrete & Cranes Decorations, Concrete & Cranes VBS, Construction party decor, Construction party ideas, Construction VBS, Construction VBS theme, Lifeway VBS 2020, Lifeway VBS theme, Vacation Bible School theme, VBS 2020

Knights of North Castle VBS Decor Ideas

June 2, 2019 by Laura Tucker Leave a Comment

Affiliate links may be included throughout this post: Knights of North Castle VBS Decor Ideas. Purchases made through these links may result in a very small commission earned on my end to help fund this page. These commissions are earned at absolutely no cost to you.

VBS 2019 has officially kicked off this month! You may have seen my posts about In The Wild, Roar and To Mars and Beyond (3 popular VBS themes this year) floating around the world wide web – and it’s because I absolutely LOVE Vacation Bible School and all that it entails!

Knights of North Castle VBS Decor Ideas…

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Filed Under: My Favorite Things, VBS Resources Tagged With: Cokesbury VBS, Cokesbury VBS 2020, Knights of North Castle, Knights of North Castle VBS, VBS 2020 theme

Father’s Day Gift Basket for Fishermen

May 29, 2019 by Laura Tucker 5 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #JackLinksDad #CollectiveBias

One of my favorite perks of living in the southern portion of Alabama is that the beautiful sandy white beaches aren’t far away at all. We’ve gotten quite spoiled by the ability to make day trips down to the Gulf, and my husband’s family loves to spend any free weekend they get fishing off of the state park pier. My husband and I used to fish together frequently before we had children, but now our time spent at the beach involves much more splashing in the waves than casting a reel. Fishing is still one of my husband’s favorite pastimes, so we made sure during our vacation this past weekend that he was able to take the time to cast his reel and enjoy his time in the outdoors.Father's Day Gift Basket for Fishermen #JackLinksDad #ad…

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Filed Under: DIY Projects, My Favorite Things Tagged With: cooler gift basket, Father's Day gift basket, Fishing Father's Day gift, Fishing gift basket, Fishing gift ideas, Jack Links gift ideas, Outdoorsman gift basket, Outdoorsman gift ideas, pier fishing gift ideas

The Item I Swore I Wouldn’t Want (But Can’t Wait to Order More!) – Pink Lemonade Shop Review + GIVEAWAY!

May 10, 2019 by Laura Tucker 12 Comments

I received product as compensation in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Hey ladies – this post is for you! I’ll be discussing a few things that are a bit more feminine and personal in nature, so if you’re a male and this sort of topic makes you uncomfortable, feel free to pass this post on to a lady in your life! 😉

 Back before I had children and knew it all, there were certain things I swore I’d never do. My sister made the decision to cloth diaper her children, and it was something I initially snickered at. I’d never do that. I could not wrap my mind around the notion that anyone would take any sort of extra steps to diaper their child when we have the convenience of disposable diapers. And don’t even get my started on handling the really dirty diapers. I can look back at all of this and laugh now. Man, did I ever put my foot in my mouth on this one!

Pink Lemonade Shop Review…

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Filed Under: Current Giveaways, My Favorite Things Tagged With: cloth pads, Mama cloth, Pink lemonade shop, Reusable menstrual pads

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"Hi there! I'm Laura, and I'm a child of God, a wife, and a mother of two. My roots are planted deep in rural Alabama. Monograms, crafting and Southern cuisine - yes, these are a few of my favorite things! Join me as I grow my family in the beautiful South where the tea is sweet, the accents are sweeter, & someone's heart is always being blessed." [Read more...]

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