Rebecca Gardner, the founder of Houses and Parties, grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas, which she remembers as vibrant, colorful, and filled with family trips across the border into Mexico – back when that was much easier to do. But she also traveled quite a bit to visit family in the Mississippi Delta, where she was inspired by her grandmother, known as Neeny, who loved to entertain. After some fun-filled years at Ole Miss, Rebecca became friends with the legendary Delta writer, Julia Reed, who believed that a Southern party should always have something good to eat—and it should never be boring. In her beautiful new book, A Screaming Blast: Exceptional Entertaining, Rebecca is anything but boring. Every page is an example of her relentless creativity, her wild imagination, and her belief that celebrating with friends and family is one of the great joys of life. She also talks about how it doesn’t have to be that hard or expensive to entertain friends, especially when you know the right short cuts. Sid talks to Rebecca about the upcoming Bourbon Party they’re co-hosting at the Nashville Antiques & Garden Show in January, how to survive the holidays, and why every party needs a Pied Piper. For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam Sid Evans - Editor-in-Chief, Southern Living Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer & Editor/Producer Jeremiah Lee McVay - Producer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices