MATTHEW + CAMILLE from Revival House on Vimeo.
{Videographer} Revival House {Location} The South {Catering} Fresh Cut Catering and Floral
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Have you ever walked into a friend’s Summer BBQ and died a little bit inside as you realized that there was absolutely nothing there that you could eat? If you are gluten intolerant, this has probably happened to you on more than one occasion. And summertime events are the biggest culprits of all when it comes to stealing your poolside snacking fun! Don’t you worry though; there are plenty of delicious (and super easy!) gluten free summer treats that you can enjoy and bring with you to your next get-together. Here are two of my favorite dips and two delicious desserts for you to try: 
{Taco Dip} Love all things Mexican but can’t handle complicated recipes? This dip is perfect for you! What you need: • 1 8 oz. tub of sour cream • 1 stick of cream cheese • 1 packet of Taco Seasoning (Gluten Free) • Shredded Cheese • Salsa First, melt the cream cheese in the microwave. Then, add the sour cream and taco seasoning, stirring to eliminate any “chunks”. Grab your nearest pie-sized serving dish. Spread the mixture along the bottom of the dish. Pour a layer of salsa followed by a layer of shredded cheese on top and presto! Your dip is completed! All you need are some gluten free corn tortilla chips and you are ready to party! 
{Bacon Ranch Dip} When I first discovered this recipe on Pinterest last fall, my heart leapt. Bacon, ranch and cheese combined with sour cream goodness... Just writing about it makes me hungry! What you need: • 16 oz sour cream • 1 packet Ranch dressing mix • 3 oz bacon bits (in the bag – not the jar) • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Simply mix all of the ingredients together and refrigerate overnight. It is best served with chips or veggies. Trust me when I tell you: this dip is so addicting you will not be able to stop eating it. 
{Rice Krispie Treats} This easy, gluten free treat, is so simple that you can quickly whip a batch together for any occasion. Plus, I’ve never met a person who didn’t love Rice Krispies so they are sure to be a hit anywhere you go! What You Need: • 1 stick of butter • 1 bag of jumbo marshmallows • Rice Krispies (Gluten Free) Melt the stick of butter on the stove on low heat. Once it’s completely melted, add in the bag of marshmallows, stirring until completely melted. Take the pot off the burner before adding in rice krispies. Pour cereal in slowly, stirring as you go. Once the cereal is completely covered in marshmallowy goodness, you’re done! Spread evenly in 13” x 9” baking pan. Cut when cooled. 
{White Chocolate Covered Strawberries} Even though these are delicious treats year-round, there is something about summertime that makes the combination of fresh strawberries and white chocolate extra special. Not to mention, they could not be easier to make! What you need: • 1 bag white chocolate chips (or white chocolate bark) • 2 cartons of fresh strawberries To start, melt your chocolate in the microwave in thirty second intervals, stirring between each interval. Once melted, dip each strawberry to coat in a glorious layer of white chocolate. Once covered, place on wax paper to dry. Refrigerate before serving. Want to mix this classic recipe up a little bit? Instead of covering your strawberries in chocolate, try filling them with it for a chocolate filled treat! First, cut the stems off your clean strawberries and carefully scoop out the top of the berry. The deeper you scoop the more chocolate it will hold. Melt your chocolate or white chocolate, just as if you were dipping them. Then, to keep your strawberries upright while you fill, place them in an egg carton. Spoon the chocolate into each strawberry. Refrigerate before serving. 
Don’t spend your next BBQ wishing there was something there that you could eat. Just whip up a simple snack or tasty dessert that both you and the other guests will enjoy! {Guest Blogger} Lindsay Martin-Nez
Positively impacting a child’s life is an incredible gift. Quite often, a biological parent or lawful guardian becomes unable to care for a child. When this occurs, a child can be placed in foster care, which is typically intended to be a short-term solution, until a child can be permanently placed. Thankfully, there are people who are willing to open their homes and share their hearts with these precious children. It can be both challenging and rewarding, and foster parent Kimberly Day says, “The biggest challenge is letting them go once you are attached. Most of the time you know from the beginning what the plan is (reunification with family or termination of rights). You love them all, and I think they all take a piece of you when they go home.” Today, we are delighted to share the stories of two brave women fostering children in Mississippi: Guest Blogger: Mitchell Walters 
{Kate’s Story} “It can literally change a life.” Kate and Justin Estess began their fostering journey just a few years ago. “We had always talked about foster care or adoption. One year we took some Christmas presents to an emergency shelter in Brandon and we found two children who we immediately fell in love with,” says Kate. Nine months later, they obtained their license, but they were unable to get the children. Another six months passed, and a precious 2-year-old boy with fetal alcohol syndrome graced their doorstep. Kate says, “He called me ‘mama’ within thirty seconds of getting dropped off. Foster children are craving stability and do not need anything fancy. They just need a safe home.” The sweet boy stayed with Kate, Justin, and their two biological children for about 10.5 months, and his time positively impacted both the child and their family. “We taught him how to eat, how to talk, how to play, just by existing in our house. He picked up a lot of life skills.” He also greatly loved their children and they were crazy about him. Kate and Justin’s biological son was also 2-years-old at the time, and it gave him a wonderful playmate. “Having a buddy was life-changing for my son. He began talking and interacting. It was also great for Justin and me. We had to rely on each other; it made us lean on each other in a great way.” 
Kate readily admits that fostering a child is not an easy job. The ultimate goal of foster care is to reunite the child with their biological family. She says there is danger in getting too attached to a foster child, but it is also dangerous to not get attached at all. Kate says there are about 4500 foster children in DHS (Department of Human Services) custody, and they need at least 800 families who are willing to foster a child. She shares her advice with those who are contemplating foster care: -Talk to families who have fostered children. Kate says, “You do not want to go into it blindly by any stretch!” -If you are considering adoption, fostering is a great way to get your feet wet. Foster care is typically short-term, and you have some control over the parameters. 
{Kimberly’s Story} Another inspiring Mississippian, Kimberly Day, began fostering in 2001 as a single woman. She fostered until she married, and she and her husband, Thomas, continued fostering as a couple. Kimberly has lovingly welcomed over 30 children to her home, and has adopted three. Kimberly says, “You are serving the Lord in a way not many people are willing to do these days…you are teaching your own children to love without boundaries, to care outside your bubble and that ordinary people can make a difference.”
Kimberly notes that foster children do not need a lavish lifestyle filled with material things. “They want and need love and structure. I remember a little boy that I had who was turning seven. The day of his birthday party he just cried and cried, because no one had ever given him a cake before.” Kimberly’s advises that anyone considering foster care just “do it! There are plenty of people to help support you along the way. Yes, it’s scary at first, but so is the decision to have a baby!” 
Thank you, Kate and Kimberly, for sharing your stories with us, and for providing loving, stable homes for so many children! Photos courtesy of Kate Estess and Kimberly Day
{Bride} Anna Blumenfeld {Groom} Nadav Herman {Hometowns} Dothan, AL & Golan Heights, Israel {Wedding Site} URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp {Reception Site} URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp {Videographer} BGP Wedding Films {Videographer} BGP Wedding Films {Floral} Au Courant Floral {Catering} Fresh Cut Catering and Floral {Photography} Adam + Alli Photography {Event Planning} Kendall Poole Event Planning {Hair and Makeup} Trim Salon {Cake} Cakes by Iris {Bartending} World of Wine {Lighting} Davaine Lighting {Rentals} Great Southern Events {Band} Almost Famous
26 years ago, the discovery of a handsome back bar from an old barbershop in Yazoo City sparked a dream. Steve Scott was set to open his new men’s clothing store, Great Scott, in Jackson. He hoped that one day he would use the antique piece in his own Great Scott Barbershop. 
In September 2013, Steve’s barbershop plans became a reality. With one visit to Great Scott, gentlemen can become more aware of the benefits of proper grooming and dressing. Scott’s son Wright says of the new barbershop, “We want to provide a relaxing experience in a masculine setting. We were inspired by the barbershops we had seen throughout the country that we felt Jackson would embrace.”
Special details came together to create their oasis. Scott and his son Wright stumbled upon an antique red and white barber pole at market in New York City. Black Great Scott coffee mugs are filled with hot water to dip their badger hair brushes for shaves. And customers cannot miss the original “It pays to look well” stickers emblazoned on the mirrors along the back bar. They also recruited a friend who designs and builds custom cabinetry to create a partition separating the clothing store and the barbershop, which houses shaving, hair and body products. 
Shortly after its conception, Nic Puckett, a third generation barber, began working inside the Great Scott Barbershop. “What drew me to the barbershop was its quaint feel, and the simplicity of the cut and shave…women have high end salons and spas all across the Jackson metro area, but we wanted to create an atmosphere of a near spa-like, high-end grooming experience for men, “ says Nic. “The experience we provide is masculine yet relaxing, and simple yet therapeutic.” 
The barbershop is truly an escape from the busy Jackson streets. Men can get a haircut, recline and relax, and experience a hot towel shave with a straight razor. By bringing this traditional barbershop back to Jackson, Nic says it “allows fathers and sons a place to get groomed together and make memories. We offer haircuts and shaves, and have a father-son package as well as a cut and shave packing, which I would recommend any man try.” 
Great Scott is known for their fine gentlemen’s clothing, but maintains wonderful relationships thanks to their impeccable customer service. Wright says, “Customer service is what being in business is all about. We want our customers to know that the barbershop experience is no different than what our customers have come to expect from Great Scott. Looking good is looking good. Whether you come in to be groomed, dressed, or both, our mission is to make you feel good about it, and we will bend over backwards to provide the best experience in the process.”
To book an appointment at the Great Scott Barbershop, call 601.984.3500, or click here to book online!
Click here to see a menu of services offered in the Great Scott Barbershop |
 
 
 
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