INSPIREMS

Thoughts on Good Friday by Heath Ferguson {Life}

3/30/2018

Good Friday is the day of Holy Week when our gaze lowers from the heavens down to the cross. The cross is where we find reconciliation. The cross is where Christ’s blood was made available to us. If we are to properly spring forth this Sunday in celebration, it will be from our knees as we worship first, the Savior Who suffered. And we remember honestly and humbly why He suffered. Knowing the full expression of God’s love for us comes first from the realization that we needed to be saved.

Then Sunday comes as it should, and our Easter can be truly celebrated as we know Who loves us and how much He loves us. We are transformed and made new as God made His love available to us in the Christ. We are new and can stand to celebrate a Risen Savior on Easter because He gave of himself on Friday. What a beautiful and heartbreaking truth it is to know how amazing God’s grace is for us, and how much He was willing to endure for us. But He did. And He rose because the grave could not hold Him. And now He is ours and we are His.
Matthew 28:6a
6 He is not here, for He has risen

God bless you and yours on this wonderful Easter weekend.

Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival {Events}

3/28/2018

We have a fantastic event to share with y’all today! The 10th annual Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival is taking place next weekend, April 7th- 8th. The Southeast Tourism society has named the festival one of the top 20 events in the Southeast for 2018. In the past 10 years, the Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival has grown to become a part of the city’s Art Wine & Wheels Weekend which includes the Santé South Wine Festival, OBO Tandem Cycling Rally and Run Now Wine Later 5K.

Artists from around the United States will gather together April 7th and 8th at the Renaissance at Colony Park to showcase their fine artwork, providing y’all with the perfect chance to pick up a new piece to complete your home!

For all you wine and food lovers out there, the Santé South Wine Festival on Saturday the 7th, is one of the state’s top luxury wine and food experiences. The Santé South Wine Festival features more than 120 delicious wines and food samplings from over 20 of our state’s top restaraunts.

The Santé South Wine Festival is a signature event of Alzheimer’s Mississippi and has generated more than $450,000 for the non-profit organization. Only small production and boutique wineries are invited to the event to present their annual new release wines. Vintners from across the globe travel to Mississippi to share their passion for wine with their highest quality offerings. If you’re a runner, make sure to sign up for Fleet-Feet’s “Run Now Wine Later” 5k! Participation in the race will get you early access to the wine portion of the Santé South Wine Festival.

“Live music certainly enhances the outdoor festival atmosphere,” says Mary Beth Wilkerson, Director of Ridgeland Tourism Commission. “We are thrilled to present a diverse and exciting lineup on two different stages to compliment the festival and the weekend.” The Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival also provides activities to further art education through its student gallery and Creative Craft Corner in partnership with the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi. The festival is presented by the Ridgeland Tourism Commission and draws 10,000 – 15,000 attendees. 90+ artists attend the event featuring mediums of clay, drawing and pastels, fiber, glass, jewelry, mixed media 2D & 3D, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and wood.

{Live Music Schedule}

Saturday April 7th, 2018
East End Stage

10:15 – 11:15 Gerald Wicks
11:45 – 12:45 The Vibe Doctors
1:15 – 2:15 The Hustlers
3:00 – 4:15 The Delta Mountain Boys 4:45 – 6:00 Southern Komfort Brass Band West End Stage
10:00 – 11:00 MS Opera
11:30 – 12:30 Hunter Gibson
1:00 – 2:00 Chris Gill Duo
2:30 – 4:00 Holley Peel

Sunday April 8th, 2018

East End Stage
11:45 – 1:00 Los Papis
1:30 – 3:00 Bill & Temperance with Jeff Perkins 3:30 – 5:00 Raphael Semmes Jazz Ensemble West End Stage
11:30 – 12:30 Stace & Cassie
1:00 – 2:30 Sam Mooney
3:00 – 4:30 Doug Hurd / Larry Brewer
The event will be held at Renaissance at Colony Park. The festival is a free event; other ancillary events are ticketed or registration fee. The Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival times are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 7 and 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 8.

Easter Basket Floral Arrangement with Au Courant Floral Design Studio {Insider Inspiration}

3/26/2018

With exquisite style, attention to detail, and extraordinary design, Au Courant Floral Design Studio has quickly become Jackson's premier floral design and event planning company. Beautiful arrangements and unique pieces are custom made with each client in mind by Matt Nicholas of Jackson's M. Nicholas Collection and Meredith Young.

Spring is a time of rebirth and new growth as green leaves dot the landscape once again and flowers begin to bloom. Using the bright, cheery colors of spring, Meredith Young created a basket arrangement for Easter and we are thrilled to share her steps for creating this beautiful look.

How To Make A Spring Arrangement

{Flower List}

Basket- my mother in law's that a friend gave her
Bunny and Ribbon- Every Day Gardener
Garden Roses
Stock
Tulips
Spray Roses
Ranunculus
Scabiosa
Antique Hydrangea

{Step 1}
With a sharp knife, cut oasis flower foam to fit in a homey dish and place in basket.

{Step 2}
For extra security, use oasis brand tape to secure your oasis.

{Step 3}
Sit the bunny on top of oasis and cut up some antique hydrangea to use as a base to hide the oasis

{Step 4}
Next, add tulips to establish length of the arrangement.

{Step 5}
Add garden roses as a focal point and a way to hold the bunny in place.

{Step 6}
Add stock and spray roses to add scale and dimension to the arrangement.

{Step 7}
Tie a bow on the handle of the basket.

{Tips}
Let the ranunculus "dance" in the arrangement. They had movement to the arrangement.

Photography: Adam + Alli Photography
For more information on Au Courant Floral visit their website.

Easter Brunch at Seafood R'evolution {Event}

3/23/2018

Put on your bonnet and celebrate Easter with Seafood R'evolution. Seafood R'evolution would make the perfect setting for a memorable celebration with friends and family. Keep reading for a look at their special Easter brunch menu!

On Sunday, April 1, Seafood R'evolution will celebrate the season with an eggs-traordinary Easter Sunday Brunch featuring musician Chris Gil. Brunch begins at 10:30 a.m. and concludes at 4:00 p.m.
On Easter Sunday, Seafood R’evolution will offer entrée specials including Quiche Lorraine with frisée and mustard salad; Prime Rib Roast au jus with Yorkshire pudding, fondant potatoes and roasted vegetables; and Crawfish-stuffed Baked Trout accompanied by roasted vine tomatoes and charred red pepper vinaigrette. And, what would brunch be without proper libations – Mimosa, Bloody Mary and Brandy Milk Punch, just to name a few.

Guests might choose to begin their Easter Brunch with classic Snapping Turtle Soup featuring deviled quail eggs and Madeira; or Seafood Gumbo, a year-round favorite. Signature appetizer dishes such as Beer-battered Crab Beignets, Charbroiled Oysters or Crab Deviled Eggs are palate-pleasers as well. Brunch sandwiches include Steak and Egg, featuring prime rib, caramelized onion, aged Cheddar and eggs on French bread; and the Chicken Biscuit with buttermilk-battered chicken and sorghum molasses glaze. Egg dishes include R’evolution Benedict with poached eggs, sugar-cured ham, a sweet corn biscuit and sriracha hollandaise; the Gulf Crab Omelet features crabmeat, Mascarpone, Creole cream cheese and roasted red pepper cream; and Creole Crab Cakes are also a scrumptious option.

Entrée selections delight with down-home Gulf Shrimp and Grits alongside charred tomato velouté and tasso; 20-hour House-smoked Brisket served with Cheddar jalapeño grits, braised greens, barbecue jus and fried onions; and the Sweet Potato Waffle – a savory and sweet treat with molasses butter, bourbon cane syrup and praline crumbles.

Seafood R’evolution is open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and on Sunday (except Easter Sunday) from 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Reservations are recommended, and can be made via OpenTable.com or by calling Seafood R’evolution at 601-853-3474. For more information, visit the restaurant’s web site at www.seafoodrevolution.com.

Easter at Campbell's Bakery {Insider Inspiration}

3/21/2018

Easter is just around the corner and we can't wait to celebrate the special day with our family and close friends. One of the first things that comes to mind when we think about planning the perfect Easter brunch is the sweet ending of course! Campbell's Bakery, with locations in both Madison and Fondren, can help you end your Easter celebration with fun and festive cookies, cakes, teacakes, and more. We got the chance to chat with Mitchell Moore, owner of Campbell's Bakery about what Campbell's can add to your Easter celebration. Keep reading for more on this business that is surely a central Mississippi staple!

{Tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Campbell's.}
I went to USM and majored in acting. I have worked in NYC, on tour around the country, and in Los Angeles, but I still cooked during that. It was just something that was always a part of my life. I was a pastry chef in the 90's at Nick's on Lakeland for example. When I got married I opened a cheesecake wholesale business that eventually grew to the point I wanted a location. Campbell's was available and we bought it. The best way to describe my role these days is owner, but I still work at the bakeries, both up front and in Baking and recipe development. All of the recipes at Campbell's are mine, except for the Iced Teacakes. That is Mr. Campbell's

{What is the story of Campbell's Bakery?}
Opened in 1962 by Louis Campbell and his wife Jessie. He was a baker in the army. He worked at Jitney and then moved out on his own. From what I hear he was a great guy. He sold it in 1982 to Franklin Aldridge. Aldridge sold it in 2002 and after that it was a revolving door of ownership. None of them were bakers though until I came in.

{What dos Campbell's make especially for Easter?}
Easter teacakes and petit fours. Pretty traditional, but that is what Easter and Campbell's are to me, tradition. Family traditions going back more than 50 years.

{When do custom Easter orders need to be submitted by?}
We will be booked by Monday of the Easter week. (Holy Monday, the day after Palm Sunday). But people will still be able to walk in and buy Easter Cookies all week, ESPECIALLY Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Those will be crazy days.

{What other services does Campbell's offer?}
We have two locations to serve you. Madison and Fondren. We serve breakfast in the morning with Croissants, biscuits with bacon, sausage, ham and cheese. Apple Fritters etc. We also have case cakes that are ready to be inscribed for people who need something that day.We are a custom bakery. We make custom cakes and teacakes. We can do everything from a cake that says "Happy Birthday" to a cake that looks like your family pet or a plate of ribs!

Make sure to get your orders in soon for delicious and adorable custom Easter treats!
You can call Campbell's Bakery in Fondren: 601-362-4628
or in their Madison location: 769-300-2790
Visit their website to check out their menu and offerings!

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