(click each picture for a close-up.)

 New MJQs Kim, Barbara, and Caroline were crowned on April 30, 2010. (click each picture for a close-up)

(By the Picher, serves +8)

2 cups Pimms #1

1 cup Firefly Mint tea flavored vodka

2 cups club soda

2 cups Sprite or 7 up

The juice of one lemon

Cucumber pealed, and sliced into spears

One orange in small wedges

One lemon in small wedges

Mix the liquor and lemon juice. Immediately before serving, mix in club soda and Sprite.

Pour over ice and garnish with a lemon squeeze, orange squeeze and a cucumber spear.

(For a Single dink) 1 jigger of Pimms #1

¼ jigger of Firefly Mint Tea Vodka

Pour liquor over ice and top with equal parts club soda and Sprite!

Use lemon squeeze, orange squeeze and cucumber garnish.

( Click for a close-up of Ann’s blue hat that took the prize for Most Tacky when The Savannah Magazine judged our contest in 2009.)

It has been 6 months since I posted a thing on this blog.  So long, in fact that I can’t remember how to re-size an image and when I tried to post a photo from the Winter committee and Carolyn’s Christmas party, the thing took up the whole screen.  I will have to re-teach myself!  I think we should look at the Tybee Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade as an MJQ event for 2010! I emailed the mayor, Jason Buelterman to find out how we can enter a float. 

January birthdays (If you ever forget, go to the page over to the right called Pages and click on “MJQ Birthdays” and there is the list, honey);

Happy Birthday to Queen Ann (Hangin’ with Queen Emma, above)!

Emeritas Queen Nancy

and At large, Queen Cathleen

(Ann in her Most Tacky blue hat with Emma in her Homage “Hello Mummy” and Carolyn in her Most Creative pink,winning hat)

Not really.  It just looks that way when you see that I have dropped the ball in my queenly duties of announcing birthdays.  My justifications in include: 2 kids in school, my work schedule, economic stress, daughters surgery, summer heat, summer malaise and a whole host of excuses. And now to add to the list I have to finish some canvase since I was accepted into the Telfair Art Fair on November 13th. Oh well. 

BIRTHDAYS

June 13-Dottie

July 6th Carolyn

July 12th- Dee

Ya’ll!  Lilies for Fillies, MJQ Party May 1st, was a fabulous flounce. Queen Rhonda has promised to send images so I can post more.  I just wish someone could have figured out how to get the twinkly lights on my hat to show up.  I know ya’ll have seen Carolyn’s Most Creative Hat on her FB wall.  Ann won Most Tacky, Pat won Most Elegant and I won Best in Show…goodness- that is going to cost me!

BTW- We had to name our hats for the Contest. Thanks to Ron, Gary and Annabelle for doing such a wonderful job as judges! Stacy’s hat is “Desperate Housewife” Kim’s “Kiss My Grass” and Mine is “It Whispers ‘Las Vegas’ “

I am amazed how people find our website! Recently I were offered an “opportunity” for a partnership with a bar stool store.  The Offer consisted of an exchange of a “expert custom blog post” for a placement of their link on our website. I was told, the blog could be customized and written by this presumed expert to talk about things the MJQs were interested in doing, but really had not done. Honey, that is like offering to write a story about my daughter and the things she might be interested in doing, based on knowing her age. Send an expert to come join us on our Excellent adventure to Statesboro where we purchased green gowns for Coronation.  Send an expert to come have cocktails with me in my backyard and let that expert sit with me under my cherry tree. Pay for that expert to attend one coronation in full regalia and then we will talk.  I still would not exchange the opportunity to write a blog for a bar stool product placement link. Very tacky -but the biggest problem is the authenticity of the moment is destroyed. 

Now, if Diet Coke wanted a spot, I would be jumping up and down in my chiffon. Lee Ann and I can testify that a Diet Coke has mystical, healing properties. After a 3 hour shopping spree for pageant dresses, new shoes, and with no lunch in sight, the mere thought of a cold Diet Coke was our beacon of hope. So if product placement offers are made with the South’s Champagne, the deal will be cut and Coke will grace our site.

2009 MJQ Seasonal Party Guidelines and Questions

 “I am on a committee. What do I do now?” Communicate with your group and select a date for your party. Your Committee should announce the date well in advance so the MJQs can plan their calendars. This should be done as soon as feasible for your group. 

 “What kind of seasonal party do we plan?” Your party may be at any public or private location.  It is your choice. You may plan whatever you want:  picnic, happy hour, lunch, dinner, brunch, bowling, pool, beach, movie, or any fun adventure of your group’s choice! 

 “What do we do if we want to have a party that is not at one of our homes?” If the party is public, the cost may be Dutch treat. If you want a photographer or printing/ mailing costs, let me know. You decide attire, location and theme. The Coronation in May is ALWAYS full regalia, so every MJQ should have at least one flounce-worthy green dress, so your committee may request full regalia or not. 

“Do we invite MJQs only?” The committee may invite whomever they wish:  MJQs only, queens and consorts, queens who are allowed to bring guest(s), or queen plus only her additional guests.  Please be aware that any non-queen attending needs to know that we have a waiting list for 2009. If she attends a party, it does not mean she is going to join our group.  Also, if she was invited to join our group at a previous Coronation and did not attend, then she is still a Lady in Waiting.  

 “My husband wants to know when he can come to a party.” Tell him “When I say soJ.”  In years past, we invited consorts to the Holiday Party in December. We did not have a 2008 holiday party since the times were too demanding for many MJQs and no one was available to plan and offer their home for the event. Remember, if you organize a party, you can include whomever you like!   

 “I want to do an event, but not with a committee. What do I do?”  Any MJQ is free to host an additional event. It may include all or some of the MJQs.  Queens should feel free to form smaller groups for the purpose of getting to know other queens better:  i.e., go out to lunch with 6 queens you don’t know well. You are obligated to help the committee plan one seasonal party that you have been assigned.  You may host an event simply by organizing it:  meet at a movie, go to lunch, and meet at a bar for dancing. 

We do anticipate some Queens leaving their positions for 2009 since they did not attend any party in 2008.  This list will reflect those changes by March 1st! Also any MJQ that does not attend at least one party a year will be forgotten for the coming year.

At Large MJQs Carolyn G (Detroit)and Cathleen S (South Carolina) may select the party they would like to assist with planning.

Spring -8 (Now- Early May) Annie , Pat S, Emma K, Rhonda , Lee Ann, Melissa, Becky K, Tricia  

Summer-7 (June-August) Ann M, Jennifer P, Terri K., Jeannne P., Dottie, Erica,  Linda E 

Fall-8 (Sept-Nov) Dee W., Mary M, Stacy, Becky C, Patty G, Mary Ann B, Cathy B, Glenda

Holiday- Sue , Carolyn , Vernice , Tiffani , Kelsey, Nancy B, Holly 

   (click-Happiness is a Julep)

I just finished the most inspired article about the classic Mint Julep in this month’s Garden & Gun :21st Century Southern America magazine.  Written by Jonathon Miles in “A Drink for All Seasons,” the iconic drink is described as a “a splendid, simple drink.”  Ya’ll it does not require a special occasion to enjoy it Jonathon reminds me!  And honey, it does not require a silver cup or fine veranda, since this can be a tad intimidating.  (Personally, I like serving it in a silver cup if it goes with my flouncing outfit and when I am in lime green toile with pageant banner sash, I truly believe it adds so much to the look.)  I can promise you however that I have collapsed on my couch after a hot summer day, in plain ol’ jeans and a T-shirt to enjoy ”the ideal analgesic to a tough day at work.”  For this Saturday’s Flounce at Alligator Soul, I plan to bring my own little linen cocktail napkin, (’cause it is cute), my own silver plated Patrick Henry Mint Julep cup, and even a big bunch of fresh mint, grown right here in Savannah, just in case they need some. 

Thank you, Jonathon Miles for the inspiration. Oh, and if your consort likes to hunt and all that, you might enjoy the new publication Garden & Gun, www.gardenandgun.com since there is something in it for him, and more importantly lots of interesting ariticles for you.  http://gardenandgun.com/stories/below_the_line/below_the_line-90  Click to read Jonathon’s Mint Julep article:)

“May I bring a friend?”   - No. Someone is hosting, (paying for the party) and if you are allowed to invite a friend, they will tell you.

“What should I wear?”  - Does your invitation say regalia? Then you wear cocktail evening wear and tiara, honey.  If you are a FOQ or Lady, wear what makes you happy. 

“My consort wants to come.  May I bring him?” - Absolutely not!

“I am nervous. Is there a ceremony if I have been asked to join your group?”  - No. You are a queen in your own right.  You just join us officially by showing up in your tiara and regalia and wearing a banner made by www.pageantbanners.com that we give you. Just keep a great Royal attitude and you will be fine. This is not hazing to get into Tri Chi Zeta Alpha Omega F-U.

“What if I have been invited and I can’t attend?” - We are sad for you, honey.