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  • The Strong Belles Lenten Challenge

    Feb 21, 2012 CATEGORIES: Gridiron Belles: A Guide to Saturdays in Dixie, SEC Football, Southern Belles, Southern Football, Southern Gentlemen, Southern Women, Strong Belles Challenge

    Thanks for the love, but this doesn't help me!

    Valentine’s day was last Tuesday. I spent the weekend in NYC ordering from seamless.com, indulging in wonderful Cuban food, and sipping on celebratory drinks. Fat Tuesday is today.  I tend to take this fake holiday too seriously and eat as if I simply must put every senseless calorie in my mouth. TODAY.

     

    Thankfully,  Lent begins tomorrow. Yes, I’ll go so far as to say I need a power bigger than myself to get me back on track!

    How convenient that Lent comes just a few months after our big self-improving New Year declarations.  Lent, thankfully, is only 46 days and that feels a little easier to manage than 365 days of commitment.

    My personal Lenten promises tend to be more about enhancing my life rather than depriving myself.  I would rather volunteer more, have lunch once a week with a new friend, or add more yoga to my day.  That’s partially because I hope that whatever I do add will take hold as habit after 46 days. And don’t they say habits are hard to break?

    So how does all of this relate to Gridiron Belles and football?

    The purpose of me writing Gridiron Belles was not only to promote the gentility and class of Southern Belles and Gents but to empower women with knowledge about an ever so popular game that nearly every Southerner obsesses over. I wanted to provide women with knowledge. Knowledge is power.

    What was once accepted and expected of Belles, to just be pretty and quiet, is no longer what makes a Belle a Belle.  Belles are not frail creatures waiting to be told who or how to be.  We don’t need to wait for direction from a man or suggestions from our families.  In my mind, a Belle is a woman who is strong, proud, capable, motivated, respectful of herself and others, goal driven, and eager to take on the challenges of life to achieve her dreams. All while being a lady.

    A Belle is nothing if she is not well-rounded  and her own biggest cheerleader.

    Still looking for the connection?

    I have found over the years that how physically fit I am directly influences how emotionally fit I am. If I’m emotionally unfit, I begin to doubt myself, my work, my purpose, etc. One quick, exhausting workout remedies the situation. SO… in an effort to further empower and encourage women to be the greatest version of themselves they can be, I am inviting you to join my Lenten promise.

    I am vowing to do 100 push-ups and 100 sit ups each day of Lent.  To make sure that my body is in as great of shape as my mind is. I want to live everyday not only as a Gridiron Belle but a strong and beautiful belle.

    Here is how it’s going to work:

    Each day, I will post on facebook when I complete my push-ups and sit-ups.  When you complete yours, just “Like” the status or comment about your sets to motivate others.  At the end of lent, there will be a Gridiron Belle prize for the Belle who completed the most days of being a strong belle.

    I”ll be posting a picture of my arms/shoulders at the beginning and at the end.(Feel free to send in pictures of you as well, but please keep them belle appropriate!)  Not only am I projecting that I will be more productive and happier but that my arms will be ready for a strapless KY Derby dress and for the upcoming season of tailgating!  Yes, I’ll still let the Gents carry the coolers and tents, but that’s not because I wont be strong enough to do it myself…

    Brandi Chastain, one of the strongest Belles out there! I want that feeling of success everyday...

    So go ahead and have that extra slice of king cake today–tomorrow we start a new challenge of making a habit out of being fabulous –everyday–inside and out!

    Xs and Os,

    Christie Leigh

     

  • M-I-Z! S-E-C!

    Feb 15, 2012 CATEGORIES: Alabama SEC Football, Georgia Football, Gridiron Belles: A Guide to Saturdays in Dixie, SEC Football, Southern Belles, Texas A&M and Mizzou SEC Football, Uncategorized

    A welcome basket from Harpos and the Alumni Association- Already mastering that Southern hospitality thing!

    When the University of Missouri and Texas A&M were added to the SEC I was frozen with shock.  I wasn’t sure why, geographically among other reasons, these two teams were added to what I liked to call, a very happy 12-team-SEC-family.

    Of course, Commissioner Slive didn’t call me for my opinion, so I conceded (a very rare occasion)  that they knew best and had the best interest of the SEC in mind.

    Now, just months before Mizzou and Texas A&M officially become members of the SEC (in July), the Mizzou chapter has mostly been written for the next edition of Gridiron Belles.   Thanks to a two day visit to Columbia, MO last week, I have a new found respect for Mizzou, their traditions and the wonderful people that bleed black and gold. I have no doubt, that you will too!

    This is the iconic Jesse Hall. They are big on "6" at Mizzou for these last 6 standing pillars. We are big on 6 National Championships in a row so it's a great fit!

    Upon my arrival to Columbia, I was welcomed by the sweetest coaches’ wife at a lunch provided by a local tailgating must-have, Hoss’s, along with the director of game day operations and the director of donor relations.  I wont brag and tell you I also met with the Athletic Director, but I did, and he was a real gentleman!

    What I learned in my first two hours on campus was enough information that I could write an entire Gridiron Belles Mizzou edition. But I still had another day and a half to meet with students, local businessmen, and the alumni team responsible for homecoming (Which, rumor has it,  originated at Mizzou).

    It takes heart to play in the SEC and these Mizzou Tigers certainly have that

    Next stop was the football training center that is home to state-of-the-art workout facilities, coaches offices and the biggest indoor media screen I have ever seen to help with recruiting. It worked on me, but more importantly, it worked on the players whose photos were on the wall above– the players that had been in the first round draft the year before.  Impressively, there were a handful.  Every school, of course, has their song. This is Mizzous and it’s catchy (Black and Gold version coming shortly). If Chris Fowler says Mizzou is the best, we better make them feel welcomed!

    Make no mistake about it, Mizzou is ready for the SEC!

    Later on, I stopped by the Kappa Delta house to present to the KD ladies about what to expect when Georgia, Vanderbilt, Alabama, and Kentucky come to town. Not to mention, how to dress when they travel with the team to the “original Columbia,” Florida, and Tennessee.  A simple power point showcased my collections of beautiful belles across Dixie from last season and boy if the questions about wardrobes weren’t flying from the audience!  I translated a few Southern sayings for them and of course, asked them about the student traditions on campus.

    Imagine if the guy on the far right was your mystery date to the KD swap in 1984... yes, look closer... That's Brad Pitt!

    Again, no shortage of Southern hospitality, the KDs hosted a reception for me at the house and I was able to spend time with the girls and help them grasp what it means to be a Gridiron Belle and how much fun they will have being a part of football’s great traditions.  I’m convinced that word about being a Gridiron Belle will spread  across Mizzou’s campus like wildfire. The book was written for Yankee transplants and those who have never experienced a game day in Dixie– looks like the book was also written for Mizzou Tigers!

    They’ll be ready.

    M-I-Z!  S-E-C!

    Xs and Os,

    Christie Leigh

     

  • From “Eh” dips to a Super Bowl Rundown

    Feb 3, 2012 CATEGORIES: Gridiron Belles: A Guide to Saturdays in Dixie, SEC Football, Southern Belles, Super Bowl Dip Recipes, Super Bowl Rundown

    I didn’t like this week’s posts either.  My most sincere apologies for bland posts. For one, I’m over the dips–Sorry, Momo.  And I’m certainly over the Super Bowl.

    It was a down blog week thanks to all of the other great things going on here at Gridiron Belles HQ!  (More about that later. Just know that I am going on an official visit to Mizzou on Monday and Tuesday!)

    This week, I pretended that Gridiron Belles needed to care deeply about the Super Bowl.  We just don’t. At least not nearly as much as we needed to be reviewing notes from national signing day. (Saturday Down South Recap)

    Alas, no Gridiron Belle should attend a watch party without knowing a little bit about the game on the big screen.   The basics still apply: Do your research on ESPN.com, follow sports enthusiast on twitter and remember that the Super Bowl is always more about the food, commercials and never-a-dull-moment-half time show!

    Quick Facts Before Sunday:

    • This is Super Bowl XLVI (46)
    • Kick off is at 6:29pm EST
    • The game is being  played in Indianapolis, IN
    • The two teams playing are the New York Giants and the New England Patriots
    • These two teams also played in 2008 when the Giants upset the Patriots’ perfect season
    • Eli Manning is the QB for the New York Giants. Eli is often referred to as “Little Brother” because his big brother is Peyton Manning… who has just been cleared to play after a season ending neck injury.
    • Ole Miss is Eli Mannings alma-matter.  And his father’s, Archie Manning.
    • Gisel’s husband is the QB for the Patriots . He is often referred to as Tom Brady.
    • Brady’s better half on the field, Rob Gronkoski (TE), had a sprained ankle… according to Patriots coach, Bill Belichick (the guy on the sideline always wearing an inappropriately casual hooded sweatshirt), Gronkoski is OK to play. He thinks.
    • Madonna is performing the half time show.  Apparently at one point she sits bedazzled on a thrown. The article also says the Ceelo Green is involved with his own bedazzeling.  I’m going to probably watch while standing up so I can leave the room without much effort when I get embarrassed for the duo.
    • Standard watch game etiquette applies: Don’t show up empty handed, be social- but not at the cost of running the game for others, send your host a thank you note!
    • Rule Change: During this game, pour your drinks, fill your plates and use the restroom during the game.  You know all anyone talks about on Monday is the commercials!

    Enjoy the last football game for a looong time!

    Xs and Os,

    Christie Leigh

     

  • What’s a dip without sausage and cream cheese?

    Feb 1, 2012 CATEGORIES: Food, Gridiron Belles: A Guide to Saturdays in Dixie, SEC Football, Southern Belles, Southern Football, Super Bowl Dip Recipes

    I want to hate it, but I love it...

    There seems to be no shortage of cream cheese or sausage on game days in Dixie.  Us Southerners are nothing if we don’t know how to get things to stick to the ribs of our beloveds. Here are two recipes where cream cheese and sausage marry once again.  You tell me if they are crowd pleasers!

    Xs and Os,

    Christie Leigh

     

    O-Line Sausage Dip Sent in by: Arkansas fan Matthew

    1 package Jimmy Dean Extra Sage sausage

    8 oz cream cheese

    1 can extra chunky Rotel

     

    Directions:

    Brown sausage in a frying pan. Drain grease from skillet. Drain Rotel can, add to skillet. With heat still on, add cream cheese and stir thoroughly. Once melted, pour into dish, serve warm with Tostitos or Fritos. Really, people will eat this with a spoon.

     

    Tennessee Crack Dip Sent in by Tennessee fan Lindsay

    2 blocks of Philadelphia cream cheese

    1 lb of maple flavored sausage

    1 can of hot Rotel

     

    Directions:

    Brown the sausage and strain grease.  Drain can of Rotel.  In a crockpot, combine cream cheese, Rotel and browned sausage. Stir together. Serve with Frito Scoops when warm.

     

  • Dip, baby, dip!

    Jan 31, 2012 CATEGORIES: Food, Gridiron Belles: A Guide to Saturdays in Dixie, LSU Football, SEC Football, Southern Belles, Southern Women, Super Bowl Dip Recipes

    Super Bowl Sunday is all about the dips.

    At least  that’s what my grandmother, the woman who taught me all about football, told me yesterday. “We’re having a Super Bowl party at my house. I’m fixing two types of chili and a lot of dips. You know, the Super Bowl is all about dips, sweetheart.”

    And so it is; the big game for NFL fans is all about dips.  We SEC fans know that every game is a game started with a full spread of decadent dips. Thankfully, during this season’s tour, I’ve had the opportunity to taste my fair share of the talented chefs across Dixie!

    This week, I’ll be posting some of the dips that you have graciously sent my way for my next project. Before they are printed, however, I’ll need them tested and rated– which is where you come in!  Please try out the recipes that I post this week and let me know what you think (Is it tasty? Was it easy? Is it a crowd pleaser? Would you give it to another Gridiron Belle?).

    If you have any recipes that you want tested or used in the next Gridiron Belles project, please send them in and I’ll try out your recipe at my Super Bowl dip party!

    Thanks for all of your helps, I’m looking forward to receiving all of your gridiron masterpieces!

    Xs and Os

    Christie Leigh

    Nanette’s (LSU) Tiger Corn Dip:

    3 (11 ounce) cans Mexican-style corn, drained

    1 cup mayonnaise

    1 cup sour cream

    1 bunch green onions, chopped

    1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

    1 pound Cheddar cheese, shredded

    1 pack taco seasoning

    1 teaspoon fresh lime juice

    1 teaspoon ground cumin

    1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste 1 pinch salt

    Directions

    In a large serving bowl, stir together the corn, mayonnaise, sour cream, green onions, cilantro, Cheddar cheese and lime juice. Season with cumin, cayenne pepper and salt. Stir to blend in seasonings, then refrigerate until chilled before serving.

    We always share this dip with fans from opposing schools in an effort to help soothe their impending loss! We’ve met more fun people from other schools over food and drinks. Some have even returned each year to tailgate with us!

     

     

  • Looking for Spring Gridiron Belles Interns!

    Jan 24, 2012 CATEGORIES: Gridiron Belles Internship, Gridiron Belles: A Guide to Saturdays in Dixie, SEC Football, Southern Belles, Southern Football, Southern Gentlemen, Uncategorized

    If you are a sophomore or junior at an SEC school, a member of a Greek organization and interested in an internship revolving around SEC football, Gridiron Belles has the opportunity for you!

    The next Gridiron Belles project is underway and it needs the expertise of literary, marketing and entrepreneurial SEC co-eds. Interns will work on a team of 6 students (three belles and three gents) per SEC school to write football related articles, conduct SEC fan interviews, photograph SEC traditions, create SEC fashion, contact local business,provide market research analysis pertaining to SEC students and fans, and serve as a Gridiron Belles ambassador.

    The 5-15 hr per week  internship will begin March 6 and conclude August 15, 2012 with a performance-based option to continue through the 2012 Gridiron Belles Fall Tour.

    Applicant must be:

    • Well versed in campus game day traditions
    • A talented writer
    • Able to connect with local businesses
    • Team oriented
    • Organized
    • Responsible
    • Savvy with social media

    To apply, please answer the following questions and submit your answers along with a copy of your resume to info@GridironBelles.com by 8pmET on Wednesday February 8, 2012.

    1.     Please describe your favorite SEC game day tradition.

    2.     What is your favorite SEC match up?

    3.     What are the most important characteristics of being a Southern Belle and a Southern Gentleman?

    4.     What are 10 local businesses near your campus that are “must-haves” for game day?  Restaurants, clothing stores, local grocery, etc.?

    5.     What are the latest fashion trends for Belles and Gents on SEC game day?

    6.     Have you read Gridiron Belles: A Guide to Saturdays in Dixie?

    7.     Who do you most identify with, Warren St. John, Chad Gibbs or Clay Travis? Why?

    8.     If you had to promote a new Gridiron Belles project, what would your social media plan be?

    9.     Please describe in detail, a project you have worked on start to finish. What did you learn about yourself during this process? What lessons will you take from that project and apply to the next Gridiron Belles project?

    10.     What quote best describes you?

    Thank you for your interest in Gridiron Belles. Selected interns will be posted on Tuesday, February 28. Good luck!

    Xs and Os,

    Christie Leigh

     

  • At Least She’s Going to Look Like Scarlett

    Jan 19, 2012 CATEGORIES: Football weddings, Gridiron Belles: A Guide to Saturdays in Dixie, SEC Football, Southern Belles, Southern Football, Southern Women

    What do you do when your best friend gets engaged?  You let out a girly scream, throw your hands to your face, jump up and down and pop open the bubbly!

    The HUGE bottle of Korbel we used to celebrate the big day!

     

    What do you do when said best friend calls to tell you that her wedding date is set for September 15th???  Let out a Gridiron Belle scream, throw your hands to your face in disbelief, stomp on the ground and open a bottle. (Bubbles not required for this one).

    At least, I’m pretty sure that’s how it went down when the Belle-I’ve-called-my-best-friend-since-we-were-12 told me she picked the third week of football season to tie the knot…

    Beautiful ring... but do you have to get married during football season???

    Before she put the date in stone I was already booking my schedule for next fall. Having a sneaky suspicion that I wasn’t going to have my (wedding) cake and eat it too, I needed to triple check. Here is how the text conversation went down:

    Christie Leigh: Did you pick a date yet? Trying to lock down my tour schedule for next season…And I’m willing to give you a football weekend, I’m just not sure which one I’m willing to give up…

    Non-Football-Loving-Best-Friend: Haha, thanks, that’s awfully big of you. Yes, September 15th!!!!

    Christie Leigh: And you are SURE????

    NFLBF: Yep, pretty positive…

    Christie Leigh: I love you more than football. I love you more than football. I love you more than football. I love you more than football.

    NFLBF: Haha—be nice!  What game is Sept 15th?

    Christie Leigh: BAMA at Ark.  (She has no idea about the upset possibilities of that game)

    Christie Leigh: OMG, and the TX at Ole Miss game!!!  (She probably thinks that is normal conference play…)

    NFLBF: Ohhhh, u love me!

    Christie Leigh: Yes, I do. But, I’m going to curse this date for a verrrrry long time. Know that whatever you hear me complain about, I still love you. And I think I’ll still come.

    NFLBF:  You’re crazy!  Please don’t curse my date!  Please…

    (No response. I didn’t have the heart to make a promise I can’t keep.)

    Three days later, this is the picture I receive from the NFLBF in LA trying on dresses.

    A Southern Belle after all... looks like she's getting married at Tara

    My response?

    Christie Leigh: I may be peeved that you’re getting married during football season, but at least you’re going to look like Scarlett!

    Xs and Os,

    Christie Leigh

    PS-   If you’re a belle that is getting married during football season, please don’t take offense to this.  My NFLBF knows how much football means to me. She also knows that I wouldn’t miss her wedding or actually damn her wedding date even if it was during another LSU v BAMA match up. But, she WILL be implementing the suggestions from my book about how to make a fall wedding enjoyable for the football-loving and the football-loathing guests alike!  Congratulations, Mars– can’t wait to stand by your side as you marry the gent of your dreams!

     

  • Are you Ready? Ole Miss is a Must See

    Nov 23, 2011 CATEGORIES: Gridiron Belles: A Guide to Saturdays in Dixie, LSU Fans, LSU Football, MS, Ole Miss, Ole Miss Football, SEC Football, Southern Belles, Southern Women, Uncategorized

    Where all the fancy traditions began...

    A weekend in Oxford leaves a grown Belle wishing for more time in undergrad and more time to shop for the perfect game day outfit.  If you’ve never been to Ole Miss, below is what you’ll expect.  Go a head and add it to your list, it’s one SEC sight you wont want to miss!

     

    Silver. A typical tailgate in the Grove has more silver than a Southern Belle’s wedding registry.  From chaffing dishes to chandeliers and every candelabra in between, no tailgate in the Grove is complete without something worth shining!

    The Grove Country Club. GCC T-shirts anyone?

    Place holder. This is different than the place kicker found on the field. The place holder in the Grove is the designated member of your group, or a hired local or college student, to head to the Grove on Friday night and wait. And wait. And wait until the regulations are lifted and tents can be put up for Saturday’s game. This duty is not taken lightly. With only 10 acres for tailgating, getting a primo spot is as important as shining the silver.

    Booming economy. The beauty of a seven PM game is the full day you have to be at the historic square in Oxford.  The beautiful courthouse centered in downtown Oxford creates a Southern feel for shopping, eating and people watching.  With the standard of wardrobes in line with Milly, Tory Burch and Lily Pulitzer, it appears that Oxford, MS has gone unscathed by any economic turmoil!

    Looks like we all can just get along

    Crazy LSU Fans. Would an LSU away game be the same without crazy fans that travel with the team?  Nope, of course not!  As expected, the fans in purple and gold showed up in droves and provided plenty of entertainment.  Honey Badger anyone?  Purple and gold headgear at a cocktail party on game day-eve?

    Jim the Tailgater and Stan the Man meet again. This time, with Colonel Red as a generous host!

    Teaching the young gents how to become rabid, I mean avid fans!

    A half time mass exodus. The upside of having the number one team in the country come to your field is that you don’t have to travel to be a part of history. The downside to having the number one team in the country come to your stadium is the likelihood that they are going to have significantly more points than your team.  In which case, a mass exodus at half time is required in order to get to your tailgate or the hot spots in the square.

    Self explanatory. I would agree that the Grove was more fun at this point as well...

    Greatest gameday outfits in the south. As part of the admissions application process at Ole Miss, university administrators do a thorough background check into your style and fashion sense. Hence, why every belle that attends the University of Mississippi is dressed for a runway. On game day. It truly is a sea of beautiful belles showing off their respect for the team by well coordinated outfits.  What’s more is that visiting belles also step up their wardrobe game—if it’s going to be a rivalry, let’s make it a good looking rivalry!

    All colors and styles of wardrobes wanted in The Grove!

    Thanks for showing this Gridiron Belle a great time, Oxford.  Hotty Toddy!

    Xs and Os,

    Christie Leigh

    PS- While everyone at the LSU v Ole Miss game was worried about game day outfits and leaving the stadium at half time, there were some major upsets going on around the country.  Belles, be sure to check out the BCS standings and how the SEC now has spots 1, 2, and 3!

  • A Saturday in Tuscaloosa

    Nov 7, 2011 CATEGORIES: AL, Alabama, Alabama SEC Football, Gridiron Belles Tour, Gridiron Belles: A Guide to Saturdays in Dixie, LSU Football, Nick Saban, SEC Championship, Southern Belles

    GameDay set up in front of Bryant-Denny

    If I was ever concerned that the Alabama football nation was going to grow out of the houndstooth trend and start wearing khaki pants like Saban, I’ve since been reassured otherwise. Houndstooth is the easiest way to identify an Alabama fan and there was no shortage on Saturday in the crowd of 200,000 plus fans that converged on T-Town.

    Mama and Ms. Campbell showing off their houndstooth

    In addition to the presence of houndstooth, no tailgate was complete without some sort of sign about Les Miles eating grass, a pun on what LSU players do with grass and some sort of insult of what the Crimson Tide was planning to do on the astro-grass .  I personally find a lot of entertainment in reading the clever signs that fans make for their tailgate décor.  In fact, if you have any good fan-signs, send’em in!

    Leave it to the law school...

    The new statue on the walk of legends is of Coach Saban. When the news covered Tide fans complaining about coach Saban’s clown-sized-bronze-shoes, I didn’t understand. Upon further review, the ruling on the field stands,  his shoes are a little large for a rather small framed man.  I do, however, think the statue captures his spirit and enthusiasm and gave me chills just thinking about his success as a coach.  And just to be sure that no one messed with his big feet, there were more security guards for these statues than on the field during the game!

    Bama Belles paying their respects

    With months of anticipation surrounding the meeting of these two power houses, I was dreaming of fanatical fan bases battling it out pre-kickoff and a game with a little bit of offense.  What I found was the largest gathering of well mannered fan bases in the history of college football! Yes, I just wrote that. I just categorized LSU as well-mannered and included the Tide. Hell has officially frozen over. Pigs now have wings. The pope is no longer Catholic.

    This was a display of unprecedented respectful fraternizing with the enemy.  I suppose it’s because neither team had too much room to talk.  60 minutes could change LSU’s entire season and the only reason Alabama wasn’t number one was because they had not yet played LSU.  It was amazing.  It was impressive.  I was so proud of both teams.

    She didn't tell me she was grilling tiger. Just grilling for the game

    The game was phenomenal. Every snap was worth holding my breath.  Every play that I stood was worth the agonizing pain in my tuckered-out feet.   Simply being in the stadium was enough for this Belle. It was history in the making. What made it better was sitting with my Mama and Dad in Bryant-Denny stadium while they experienced their Saturday in Tuscaloosa.

    Thanks, Mama and Dad for making the trip!

    What a show, Tide fans, what a show.

    Xs and Os,

    Christie Leigh

     

  • T’was almost the night before Christmas…

    Nov 3, 2011 CATEGORIES: Alabama, Gridiron Belles Tour, LSU, SEC Championship, SEC Stadium Tour, Southern Belles

    COUNT DOWN TO THE GREATEST GAME IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL HISTORY… SO WE  ARE HOPING.

    What you need to know about  this weekend in Tuscaloosa (Click above for a to-the-second-countdown-to-madness)

    1) Swoozies is hosting a Gridiron Belles book signing on Thursday,  Nov 3 at their Birmingham location in the Summit. They will be offering two prizes for RSVPing to RSVP@swoozies.com and attending–a signed copy of Gridiron Belles and a personalized Tailgate Party Pack! Be sure to get your name in the drawing by coming by, I’d love to meet you!

    Plus!  There is a competition between Auburn and Alabama fans to send in the most responses… I have to dress in the winning team’s colors!

    Come by the Swoozies store in Birmingham on Thursday night5-7!

    2) Gridiron Belles is kicking off the Alabama week with a Friday morning appearance on Birmingham’s CBS 42 “Wake Up Alabama”  at 6:00AM.  If for some reason you are already up, tune in!

    3) I’ll be heading to Tuscaloosa early on Friday morning to stop by Buffalo Phil’s, Dreamland BBQ and Rama Jama.  Please send in info if I should be going anywhere else?  I’ll be tailgate hopping around the Quad on Saturday so let me know where you’ll be so I can come visit and take pictures for the next book!

    This clever and talented BAMA fan is a third grader from Mobile. His teacher gave him an "A," the artist is hoping for a "W."

    4) Just to get you excited, here are some articles that people have sent in about this weekend’s historical matchup. My feet keep dancing and my head wont stop signing a special  combined rendition of “Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer” and “Hey Fightin’ Tigers.”

     

    Articles to read:

    Sports Illustrated

    And the Valley Shook Blog

    ESPN- click on inside Alabama

    Who is Honey Badger? Find out

    I always love reading this BAMA blog

    See you in Tuscaloosa!

    Xs and Os,

    Christie Leigh

    PS- I can’t really endorse the foul mouthed commentary on the YouTube Honey Badger video, but if you happened to find it, it may help you make the connection about a honey badger and Mr. Matieu

     

     

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