Well bless my soul, here we are at the Hot and Bothered Blog Party!
Thank you, Laurie, for having me as a guest. It’s great seeing so many great friends and readers and thanks for coming to sit a spell and chat.
One of the reasons I wrote Hot and Bothered was I wanted to set a book in the South, the real south. It has a flavor all its own from the way folks talk...How’s your mamma and daddy?...to the food...anything that has a stick of butter and cup of cream has got to be delicious! Just ask Paula Deen...to the way gals and guys behave.
Are you a closet Southern Belle? Now you ask, Okay what the dickens makes a Southern Belle? Well, I just happen to have a little list...
Do you never wear white after Labor Day or before
Easter
Do you own a strand of real pearls and wear them
with pride
Always drink sweet tea and love it when they
have it on the menu
A part of you truly believes in those Yankees
Civil War? What Civil War? Now that unfortunate
Northern Occupation...that you know about
Have Lee as part of your name or your children’s
Fav movies are GWTW and Steel Magnolias and Fried
Green Tomatoes
Actually read GWTW and reread parts from time to
time. Wish you had the name Scarlet
Have a tiara hidden in your panty drawer and
know how to twirl a baton
Have an umbrella that looks a bit like a parasol
Make sure your children know manners and use them
Love Red-eye gravy, grits, country ham and make
your own biscuits
Know that prime real estate is The Mall,
The Country Club and The Beauty Salon
Buy more then one can of hair spray at a time
Have actually said Y’all come back, Bless your
your heart, Drop by when you can, How’s your
mamma?
Love white gloves and wear hats
Have a subscription of Southern Living or ripped
a recipe from that magazine at the doctor’s
office
Have a pineapple decoration somewhere in your
House
Think the magnolia is a piece of heaven on earth
And what about the food? Do you own a Paula Deen Cookbook? Catch her on TV whenever you can? Actually copied a recipe and made it and know how to make cream gravy from scratch and would rather poke yourself in the eye with a sharp stick than put cool whip on your homemade pumpkin pie! Is there anything better than southern cooking? Well maybe Italian but that’s another blog.
So, how do you measure up? Is a part of you a Southern Belle? Know someone who is? I really tried to keep these characteristics in mind when writing Hot and Bothered. A gal in NY city is way different than a gal in Savannah and I sure wanted it to feel that way.
I am definitely a closet Southern Belle! I do make fried chicken and bathtub gravy. That’s what my kids call my cream gravy because they could eat a bathtub full of it. I do make my own pies, have white gloves, crab at my kids if they don’t use their manners, buy extra-hold hair spray, subscribe to Southern Living, have a fancy umbrella that I’ve been known to twirl from time to time and do know how to twirl a baton for real. Even took lessons.
On the Southern Belle scale I’m about a 7. What about you? What is your Southern Belle Score?
Thanks for being here!
Hugs, Dianne Castell
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262 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 262 of 262Sorry I am late for the party. Can't do this at work for some reason. I hope you still love me after I confess I am only a 4 on the scale. I do follow the white rule, believe in Manners, have about 4 diff brands of hairspray going, and I love the mall /beauty salon.
Hope you have a great blog party
Well, I do make sure my daughter remembers her manners, and I'll do the same for my son when he's a little older (not much you can do about manners in a 4-month-old). But somehow, I get the feeling you didn't mean the baseball team when you talked about believing in the Yankees! That about covers the list for me. Oh wait, one more thing - we have kind of a stuffed-animal Spongebob house. Does that count as a pineapple decoration? ;-)
Alane (I don't know, maybe 0.5 on the southern belle scale?)
Cryna, I knew you lived in western Canada. Duh. What was I thinking. We visited NS a few years ago and fell in love with it.
Yeah, I looove country/western music too. I can sing along...much to the sorrow of my children. :-)
Dianne
I am definitely not a Southern bElle but if I had to rate myself on the Southern Belle scale I would give myself a 1.
Hi, Estella.
One of these days I have to get to your neck of the woods. I've never been and Lucy Monroe always tells me how lovely it is.
I have to say, I think you all eat much healthier than we do. I'm just too old to change now.
Dianne
Hi, Laura J.
thanks for asking!
The second book Hot and Irresistible is still sitting on my computer. It won't be out till mid 09. Sorry about this. My dh had been ill and writing time has suffered. My brain is oatmeal.
Dianne
hey, Laura K. Sweet tea to me is the statement of a true Southern Belle. And GWTW brings out the SB in all of us. :-)
Dianne
Hi, Miss Judy, glad you made it.
And with all that list you stated you are indeed a SB. :-)
Dianne
I'm only a four... but I freely admit I'm a yankee through and through. However, I do fall into some of these categories on the list, and I mean I *really* fit in there. Thanks for visiting with us, Dianne!
Hi, Alane!
Spongebob goes Southern. Love it. :-)
What a fine family you have. Much happiness ahead for you.
Dianne
Wow leave for a bit and you were flooded with visitors. Love reading everyone's comments.
Dianne- No I wouldn't say I am a southern girl by the list you had...well other than the food thing...lol. I do however have the southern manners somewhat. Was taught to say please and thank you. Called my mom "mama" most of the time. She was originally from Louisiana so I think that's where I picked that up. Another thing they do is always call ladies Miss whatever. Like you would be Miss Dianne. funny when I get calls from that part of the country I can always tell too because I am always Miss Barbara.
Question for you. As I said earlier I loved Hot and Bothered. I think this is a somewhat different book for you in that it is much "edgier" than your past releases. Was this something you intended to do or did it just turn out that way.
Also as with all your books bits of your personality seem to shine through which I think is great. You captured Savannah perfictally from what I remember of it. You do "series" so well. I am eagerly anticipating the other girls stories. The mystery aspect of the story worked well to. You did a wonderful job with that.
Hi, Caitlin!
So glad to see you here.
SBell isn't for everyone but I bet we can convert you in no time. :-)
Dianne
Yes, I do have a signed GWTW. It's one of my most treasured possessions.
Thanks for the T shirt win! Congrats to other winners.
Thank You so much for the signed book!!!
Congrats to all of the other winners!! What a fun day today. I can't wait for tomorrow :o)
Hi Dianne!
Well, I said I was a Diva instead of a Belle because I think of proper and refinded "ladies" when I think of the word "Belle." I am probably the total opposite of that, more of a slouching, bite my nails, flip-the-bird in the rear view mirror type of girl, to tell the truth! As for being a true Diva, I'm probably not that either! Maybe I'm a Southern Princess. I actually do think I'm a princess so that would probably be more fitting. I know how to get what I want when I want it and feel completely entitled to it!!! I love my mama's friend chicken, own a fan for those hot summer days, and definitely know how to through a Y'ALL into a conversation. Living in the Southeast part of the country, its pretty easy to pick up the habbits of a Southerner.
Maame
Hi everyone! Just got in, got supper started and logged on. I believe in manners, pearls, mamas. On occasion have said the sayings you listed. I'd say I'm a 5. Northern Mama, Texan Daddy...And I was born in Southern California and Now live in the great state of Texas.
Thank you for inviting me to your party. I hope I got here in time to enter the contest...y'all do know that books are more precious than gold.
God Bless
Wow...Being on the west coast is hard!! I missed the party!! I just got home. All I can say is I love Dianne!! I almost fell off a treadmill the first time I read a story by her!! LOL I now stick with the bike if I am reading Dianne!!! Her storys keep my heartrate up!!!
For a closet Southern Belle!! My name is TARA and I was named after Plantation TARA!! My mom said if I had been a boy I would have been Rhett. lol Yum...sweet tea!! And Bless your (hers, his, their...) heart is a favorite saying for me!!!
Big Hugs
Tara
Congrats to today's winners!
For everyone else, run (DON'T WALK) to your nearest bookstore and buy this book. It is fantastic. I couldn't put it down and you could tell by the mess in my house!
I'm already anxious for Book 2 and know that it's not even ready yet. Ugh, how am I going to pass the time? Ok, guess I'll start on my TBR mountain range!
Living in Alabama I would have to say I am a true southern bell. I laughed at your list because the list is so true!
Thanks, Dianne. Congrats to all the winners.
I live in NJ but have relatives in Tenn. and I absolutely love sweet tea!!.
Joyce, you're a SBelle by association! :-)
Dianne
Hi, Jennifer.
It is amazing how SBelles have certain characteristics and how they fit us. I think that's because we're all nice and polite and raise our kids right. :-)
Dianne
Hey, Arkerin, how did you get the signed copy of GWTW! So neat!
Dianne
Hi Dianne
I loved Hot and Bothered! I had 3 things on the southern bell list. The rest, I'm pure Yankee.
Kaleen
Hi, Maame. You are a SBelle with attitude!
Dianne
Hi, Kimberley!
We're glad you're here!
What's for supper? :-)
Texas is wonderful. I've written a few cowboy stories. Did Texas Bad Boys with Rosemary Laurey and Karen Kelley.
I'll give away some tonight!
Dianne
Hey, Jodi. I think we need to be measuring TBR piles. Mine is huge!
Dianne
Congrats to the winners chosen today!
Dianne, Am so glad to have stopped back in and read your recipe/tips on making that gravy. Will have to give it a whirl.
I am a 7 on the Southern Belle scale. Of course, that may be because I'm from Jawja! ;)
~Andrea
I had counted my TBR range once, but now I don't have a clue. I do know that I need more book shelves just for the ones that I haven't read yet. The ones I've read are in boxes.
Wow - congratulations to the winners!
I have to admit, I'm a total yankee. We almost never had gravy, growing up. In fact, that applied to American food as a whole. However, every so often my dad would get a hankering for fried chicken and buys a box. So cute - and delicious!
wtg winners
Hi, Limecello.
Gravy is a Southern thing. When I make fried chicken the family smothers everything in the gravy.
I like chix in a box once in a while too. Can't cook all the time.
Dianne
Hey, Kaleen.
thanks for stopping by.
So glad you liked H&B!
You all make my day. :-)
Dianne
hey, Tara.
I hate that you almost fell off the treadmill reading one of my books but I'm so glad I made you laugh! We all need to laugh more.
And that you are Tara and could have been Rhett pretty much says it all about you being a for real SBelle!
Dianne
Dianne
Hi, Little Lamb.
Hope the gravy recipe works if not keep at it. Don't turn up the heat too high. Keep it low.
Dianne
MORE WINNERS
my dh picked four more winners from from the after 6 group. Not fair to if you've been at work.
So here they are:
Hot and Bothered books
Jennifer
Alane
T-shirts to:
Barbara
Little Lamb
email me with your address to DianneCastell@hotmail.com
See you all tomorrow!
Thanks for chatting!
Dianne
I got an 8. :D
wtg winners!
Dianne you are too sweet. Congrats to all the winners.
Congrats to all the winners! Dianne and Laurie are two of the greatest.
Well, we've set a record on my humble little blog today! I can't thank you all enough for stopping by! And Dianne - dang girl, you know how to throw a party!
We'll do it again tomorrow!
Goodnight!
Ooo Ty Dianne & thanks to your husband as well for picking me as one of the winners for a copy of Hot & Bothered. Squeeeeee I look forward to reading this book by you :-)
Congratulations to the other winners as well YaY! Look forward to more partying tomorrow with you all.
Hugssss
LindaH
Email on it's way Dianne.
Wow, Dianne! I've never seen such a long list of comments! Southerners sure do know how to throw a party!
And yes, I guess one thing I love about books is being able to be a part of a world I'd otherwise never get to experience. So I can consider myself a Southerner through books, if nothing else! ;)
Can't wait to see what you've got in store tomorrow!
Congrats, winners!
Laurie, I tried posting this afternoon, and I think all the action stumped Blogger because I wasn't able to for quite some time! Glad to see it hopping in here! :)
Hi, Flchen1,
The setting is like another character in the book...least is should be. If we're in the south we need to feel like we're there and not NYC. :-)
So glad blogger let you back on!
Dianne
Hi to Laurie and Diane, and everyone else too. I'm a Southern Girl, born and raised except I hate gravy! But, ya'll should have been my middle name. When I get tired my accent gets pretty thick and everyone gets a good laugh at me! Have a great day! Janice
Well, Lordy, Lordy we set a record! I do dee-clare!
Thank you all. Southern Belles!
Hugs, Dianne
Please note...
I have to take my dh in for a CT scan tomorrow. I would never tell this as making everyone anxious is not my intent but I want you to know that the reason I'm late is not that I'm sleeping in or blowing you all off. :-)
I'll be here asap!
Hugs, Dianne
Ok let me try this again my last post didn't come through grrr.
Thank You Dianne & your dh as well for picking me as one of the winners for a signed copy of your book Hot and Bothered WooHoo! I just sent you an email with my address. Congratulations to the other winners as well YaY!
I will be back tomorrow for more fun with you all. Thank You everyone for a wonderful blog & Laurie for having these authors & Dianne here :-) It's been a blast today.
Hugssss
LindaH
oh wow now I see my post I see it went to the next page weird never saw that happen before. We really did party lots of posts LoL
Night all bye bye.
Hugssss
LindaH
I'm no southern belle, I'm from New Jersey, but I do love sweet iced tea with lots of lemon and deviled eggs. Does that count?
Wow a great party! So glad that it's been so active and fun!
Dianne - I'm thinking good thoughts for your huuby!
Hi Dianne!
Well, I'd have to say that from your list, I am definitely not a Southern Belle. I suppose I am truly a California girl at heart.
I learn so much, though, from reading about people from all over and I love it!
Sorry to be late to the party. I was out visiting a friend and meeting her 3-month-old son for the first time. Looks like you guys had a blast today:-)
Just a few from my list....
1. A true Southern Belle never sweats
2. A true Southern Belle never is never wrong...not EVER, even when she is.
3. It is not a lie if it is told to keep from offending your sensibilities.
4. Never, and I do mean NEVER, leave your home without the proper made up face and attire. No, not even to run to the store. It's just not done.
5. Your bra and panties must always coordinate...after all, you just never know when someone may be seeing you in your unmentionables.
6. Your toenails must be painted at all times.
7. Slow to walk, slow to talk.
And the list goes on....
Northern Belle, late to the party. I'm used to the hectic pace up here, but there are times I think it might be nice to live in the laid-back south, and people are much friendlier.
This post is making me hungry now, I love a lot of the food when I visit - fried chicken, homemade biscuits and gravy (just not the same up north), sweet potato pie, peach cobbler, catfish, and the sweet tea. But you can keep the grits, no thanks, lol.
good luck today with the dh. Will be sending lots of prayers.
Wow, this is some party you got going on, Dianne & Laurie. Sorry I missed all the fun. I'll catch ya later :)
I scored a 7. I'm not sure if that's good, I didn't take the time to add up all the points. I love the idea of being a Southern Belle, though I don't look good in white (I resemble a ghost).
E=0)
personaly being a southern, i do not get how ppl can drink HOT tea, it got to be iced and sugared (and the sugar added while its is hot to melt the sugar)
tater pattys, bean pattys, grits
yummm im makign myself hungry, but i was just saying, this is why i like being southern
I'm about a 3. Sweet tea and Paula Deen,I love watching her cook. Her party shows are fun to watch too. :)
Hugs, danette
Sorry I missed the party. Congratulations to the winners!
I've never been to the South, but going by the list, I have a little bit of Southern Belle in me. I have the pearl necklace that I like to wear. It's not real, but no one knows that but me. Oh, and I have a tiara, too. It's plastic. lol
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