(click for a close-up) Queen Becky C, our dear Queen who graced our “Save the Date Card,” but will miss Coroantion.  Boo-hoo. She will be in Europe! 

Ok, friends and new MJQS   I know we missed having a Coronation last year.  It was a hard year for everybody, but that is no excuse when you are QUEEN…and we are.  So THIS year we will invite 3 ladies to share their Royalness with us.  We believe that true queens do not need a coronation.  They place the tiara on themselves like Elizabeth did and “self-coronate.”  We do have a little celebration and pass out charming pageant banners proclaiming that these ladies are now official “Mint Julep Queens.” 

What should you expect if you attend?  Is there a plan?  What do we wear?  Where are we going?  What are we going to do?  Are we going to have dinner?  These are all valid and legitimate questions, honeys.  The simple answer is right here.  We will have Fun and Flounce. (Yes, that is with a capital “F.”)  We have no schedules or itinerary we have to follow.  (I assume that if you rule a realm, that you can figure out what is FUN for you and you will grab a few MJQs and go do it.)

YES!  We will meet at 6:00 at Rocks on the Roof at the big ol’ Bohemian Hotel.  I have sworn off Zee Mansion since our last miserable experience there, but I am magnanimous enough to give the corporation another shot.  The exceptional view should make up for an surly service we receive buying over-priced wine in ugly stemware. (see about our experiences at Zeee Man-shon under Royal Reviews.)

So, if you have never been to a Flounce, come early with a friend(s).  Wear green and a tiara.  I will be in a Las Vegas Style Pageant stunner I got last year at a fabulous shop in Statesboro called “Frills and Fancies,” owned by Scott Marchbanks ( www.frillsbyscott.com ).  If you want something spectacular, I strongly suggest you go by to see what he has in your size. Plus, Becky C and I got new Tiaras.  If you want flash www.rhinestonejewelry.com has the absolute best pieces.  You can search tiaras by the inch, (as in how many inches it sits up off your regal head!)  Now mind you, the prices are great, BUT you may have to order 2 pieces, so go in with a friend who is need of more sparkle and you both will be all a glitter!

Next. We have a drink.  I know we have a treasury, but we buy drinks Dutch Treat.  Nothing personal, but I am not paying for wine that is 16.00 dollars a glass and neither is the treasury.  Bring money and ID.  Now, about the food question.  The treasury will order a couple of trays when we get there, so look for nibbles to be served.  Still hungry? One time some of us went to Six Pence Pub and had cheese burgers.  Honey, we had a waitress who had been Miss Thunderbolt years ago and I gave her a spare tiara.  So, ask Your Queenly Self, “Am I hungry?” If the answer is “yes,”  order food at Rocks or get some friends and go get a slice or a burger nearby.  It promises to be a total adventure.

Now- on to the adventure part. You will meet ladies and children of all ages who are envious of you beauty and style.  You also will get to chat with well-wishers (the common folk) and be gracious.  Here is where the good-will comes into play.  I believe all women have a royal thread running through them.  Sometimes the thread is thin and sometimes it is thick as a winter blanket, but either way, we are a Royal sex!  Be prepared to give sweet, little tokens to little princesses or to ladies who need a good cheering up.  This is a recognition of their Royal membership in the universe of all things female. 

Did you see “Avatar?”  You know when those super tall, blue creatures who bow, nod and say, “I see you,”  like “Namaste” during yoga class? Well, all of these are forms of respectful greetings.  Honeys, consider the giving of tokens as way of saying, “I see that you are Queen! I see that you are Princess!”  We have given away toy tiaras, REAL pageant tiaras, candy, and bubbles.  I would love sometime to give away flowers, maybe white roses…but that might be too hard and this is about fun and NOT ANY work, so until I have an assistant to carry my tokens for me, the flowers will have to wait. (You may apply for this unpaid, but deeply appreciated position at the event.)

OK. Where was I?  Place. (check)  Time. (check)  Tokens.(check)  Attire. (check) Food. (check)

Next is the “plan” question.  I think I answered that, but in case you are still unclear, and with all the plans for rhinestone purchases and toy tiaras clouding your perspective, who can blame you?  So here it is:  The Plan makes itself as we go along.  The Flounce is the adventure.  Grab your crown, wear shoes you can at least hobble in and head out with us. 

Last protocol question:  We are inviting Barbara G, Carolin H, and Kim A to join us.  If they have an unfortunate schedule conflict and can not come, are they still considered a member of this group because they were given an invitation to join?  No, honey.  They have to be with us for the Flounce and Coronation!  What if you desperately want to be an MJQ, but have never been asked to join us?  Show up with a stellar attitude to a couple of events.  Flounce and have fun yourself and it is mighty darn likely we will ask you to join us at some point. 

Is that everything?  No?  (I am sure somebody will ask me, so here it goes.)  How many MJQs do you think will be there?  Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a fat rats …wait.  Does it matter?   Rhonda’s boy child is a “Ring Bear”  that weekend, so she will miss it.  We will will plan a more quiet little cocktail thing for poor Becky who will miss the event and miss wearing her NEW Gown because she will be in EUROPE. (Such a royal excuse).  Mary will miss it due to her consort, Bubba’s over-planning.  (Remind me to fuss at him the next time I see him.) I also know several other queens will miss it, but we will try to carry on without them.

It is not about numbers, plans, or appearances.  It is not about reality, work, or rules.  It is about giving yourself permission to be silly, wearing jewels in your hair, and just stepping out.  So here is my advice to Queens and Princesses everywhere.  ”Step out in faith.  Faith that there are times that it can be loads of fun to just BE QUEEN!”

(click) Pat, Emeritas, Caroline H (2B an MJQ), me and Carolyn

Thank you April Joy and Annabell from Savannah Magazine for sharing this picture from last year’s “Lilies for Fillies, A Derby Party!”

I was working with a 2 year old, significantly developmentally, delayed child in Garden City yesterday when my favorite president came for a visit to Savannah.  I got to see him de-plane on the television the daycare director had set up for the children to see.  I wanted to see the event in person, but I was not on the short list of invitees.  Turns out, folks who did not even think Obama could win when he was running against John Edwards and then Hillary… THEY were invited and attended the event.  Shoot. Jack Kingston was even there. (Oh well.  That is politics.) 

I can say that I sent our fine president money to help with his campaign.  There were people who attended who not only did not send him a dime, but actively supported someone else. The daycare director and her employees were all Obama supporters and they did not get an invitation to come see him either, so I was in very good company. (Oh well. That is politics.) We talked about our deep belief in the significance of this president’s election. She teared up when we talked about election night and I told them it was the best birthday present I can imagine getting. I am sad that more locals were not included in the event, but that is politics.

Linda kindly sent me a link from the President’s speech and Carolyn and Consort are in a close-up with Brooks, her consort justa- grinnin’.  (Oh well. That’s politics.)

The daycare providers I was with yesterday, spent years waiting for a president like Obama.  I can honestly say he is the most important president I ever helped elect and when my grandchildren ask about it, I can say I helped elect him! Even if I did not get an invitation to come watch his speech at Savannah Technical college, I take great pride in knowing I predicted his win.  I said he would be the first African American president and I predicted it after his key note address in 2004.  I started to sent him small checks way back in Feb. of 2008 when many of the people I knew were all loving Rudy, McCain, John Edwards and Hillary. In fact I argued with one consort about Obama’s experience and electability.

In politics, what matters to me is a persons values, heart, and action. Obama has all three going for him.  It was so exciting seeing him visit our town and spend time at Savannah Tech, even if the only way I got to see it was on T.V.!  The reality is the regular, common everyday voters and contributors who made his election possible are the ones who were truly excited about this visit and were just happy to sit and watch the local newscasters report on the event.  If only more folks could have been there in person. Politics as usual made the list of invitees rather short and made the event so small .

And then to add insult to injury, I have forgotten how to post pictures on this site.  I got some images sent from Carolyn and I can’t re-size them. When I browse and POST, the image then takes up the whole screen -plus some! So I could not use the huge images to high-light this post.  I guess it is a Freudian thing.  Cynicism and Jealousy makes me forget how to change pixel size? Or cynicism with politics as usual makes me unable to re-vamp jpgs.  What in the world?

I did remember how to “post a link” so if you missed the President’s speech at Savannah Tech, look over to the right of the screen and click on the link that is under Queens in the press.  It is a 15 minute video. There were 4 MJQs there in the audience and I saw 2 consorts. One with a huge grin on his face. Some of his friends call him Pooky. I call him Lucky.

(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.

1 Zatarain’s Jambalaya mix (low sodium if available)- Cooked according to the package directions- but OMIT the meat!

¼ cup finely chopped bell pepper

¼ cup finely chopped sweet onion (or red onion)

1/3 cup finely chopped celery

 ¼ cup sweet pickle relish

1/3 cup dill pickle relish

3 hard boiled eggs, chopped

2 Tablespoons Zaterains Creole Mustard ( if not available use

½ cup smart balance mayo

Approx.. 1 ½   pounds roasted turkey, cut into small bite size pieces

(Chicken or shrimp may be substituted)

Ground pepper and salt to your taste

Mix all of the wet ingredients above- relishes, mustard, mayo. Add finely chopped bell pepper celery, and onions. Mix. Toss the meat with the prepared rice from the jambalaya mix and then add the mustard/mayo mixture. Season to taste with salt and ground pepper. This saves in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Serve on a bed of mixed lettuce or to the side of greens with a sprinkle of dried cranberries, chopped parsley or cilantro. 

If you misplace this recipe, one almost exactly like this is printed on the back of the Zatarain’s Low Sodium Jambalaya Mix box!

For Buffet: double or triple this recipe!

For a very pretty presentation, press the Cajun Turkey Salad into a bowl. Pack down to remove any air pockets. Press Saran Wrap over.  Chill several hours or over night and un-mold onto a bed of greens and sprinkle with a chopped green herb of your choice and dried cranberries.

( 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

May 16th Flounce was put in jeopardy by the SCAD Fashion Show! The Memorial Hospital fundraiser is on the 16th as well.  We have several MJQs who are attending that show and and some that are out of town and some that never come to any flounces at all; so there you have it.  Plus some MJQs never respond to requests for infroamtion when planning a party. We are a busy group with too many commitments. I suggest we increase the size of our group so we can at least have a dozen MJQs available for FUN at any given time.

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’ “

We are meeting at Tantra to celebrate 5 years of fun and Regalness.  If you are a Friend of a Queen (FOQ), then you may dress in whatever suits your fancy.  THE MJQs will be in Tiara, Green Gown and Banner.  Do we have any specific plans? No.  We will have a cocktails at Tantra and go from there to points undetermined.  Some of us may meet for dinner. Some of us may go to Leopold’s and have ice cream; some of us may go dancing. It will be on our whim, so please bring the needed $, ID and cell phone. MJQs may ask a friend or guest to meet them.  Consorts (males) obviously may do whatever they want, but MJQs do not plan around them, my dears. From our Glossary:

“Consorts- Men who want to be granted an extended audience. Boyfriends and Husbands qualify. Also dear friends may be Consorts or Friend of Queen. (FOQ).”

Becky, your friend, Damon Fowler and our friend, Scott Marchbanks would qualify as Consorts OR FOQ:)

The Mint Julep Queens

5 years of Reign -Join us for a Royal Flounce!  May 16, 2009, 6:00 p.m. Starting at Tantra Lounge and Tapas, 8 E. Broughton St. 

www.blog.mintjulepqueens.com

For details about our progressive Flounce check back.  Leopold’s is on the list of places we want to go after  a little cocktail at Tantra:)