Obsession with the South

"Putting on cowboy hat and boots doesn't make you country; any more than putting on a ball gown makes me Cinderella."



There seems to be a new craze going around where EVERYONE is suddenly obsessed with being Southern and the South in general.   And while I can appreciate the obvious good taste these people have, it's starting to get rather tiresome.


Cowboy Boots--Wearing a pair of boots does NOT make you Southern especially if you buy them at Target or Payless.  The pair I wear?  Are antique snake skin authentic Justin boots.  They belonged to my Grandmother and are older than I am.  My grandfather has more pair of boots made from every type of animal hide you can think of.  For most of my life, they were the only type of shoe he wore.  For the record, I don't think wearing boots will make me a cowboy.  Just like putting on a cowboy hat will guarantee I'll be able to ride a horse.

via Country Outfitter

Monograms-- Don't get me wrong, I love using my 3 initials on everything from my cups to my beach towels and especially accessories, but they aren't ONLY a Southern thing.  They've been around for eons and instead of something you see on only a few specific things like luggage, handkerchiefs or signature jewelry, they're on EVERYTHING.  You can't escape them.  I'm afraid that their overuse is going to kill how much I love them.  And for the love of sweet tea, get the order of the mono correct before placing your order.
It's first, LAST, middle if the center initial is larger than the other two.
If all fonts are the same it's first, middle, last.  Men typically use a block font and women get the fancy script ones.  Monograms are not only a Southern thing.  I believe they originated in Europe centuries ago, but for some reason, people associate them with us people south of the Mason-Dixon.

my shirt, my mono- from Crystal Faye

Mason Jars..  These have been a staple in my family's kitchen since my grandmother could crawl and probably even before then.   You see, us Southerners like to grow things in gardens and we typically grow so much of it that we can't keep up with how many veggies we get.  So to ensure being able to have fresh tomatoes and what not year round, we can them.  Plus, it's how the world was introduced to the yumminess of a pickle.  Mason jars are essential to the process and by default live in our kitchens.
It seems that the rest of the country has picked up on how great they are to use as drinking glasses.  Stop acting like you've discovered the cure for cancer or something.  We've been drinking our sweet tea and lemonade out of Mason jars longer than you can imagine.  It's not a newly found thing, so stop acting like it is.

Words-  Everyone knows the South is known for our colloquialism. There are phrases like, "Bless her heart," and "Y'all" that scream SOUTHERN.  Unless you were born or lived in one of our fine states for longer than 5 years, don't use them.  You sound like a jack ass.  I know we sound cute using them, but you don't.  I promise. Also?  Don't make fun of me when I use them either.  It's just rude.



*Stepping off my soap box for now. I can't think of anything else.  Do you have anything to add to my list?

Prompt for Wednesday, May 22 Rant about something, Get on your soapbox.. 

BBQ Fest & other weekend fun

The month of May is one of my favorite times to live in Memphis.  It usually hasn't gotten TOO hot yet, we aren't being carried away with mosquitoes and the best part is the month-long festival of Memphis in May. It always marks the beginning of summer.

The third weekend is the World Champion BBQ Competition and is always so much fun.  Who doesn't love 3 days of sun, friends and smoked pork? And if you don't like BBQ, you can find plenty of other grilled foots to munch on.

We took 2 of the kids to the Friends and Family night.  I wasn't sure what to wear so naturally, I went to my favorite people who live in my phone.  Fun fact- the t shirt on the right  belonged to my dad and is Vintage and almost as old as I am. 

The option I went with was this one except I actually wore shoes

Jeans are Ann Taylor Loft, Shirt is NY&CO from years ago

While making her plate, I asked Cheeks if she wanted a sandwich or ribs.  She said sandwhich, which she ate along with potato salad and beans.  She played with the other kids for a bit and came back asking for ribs as if they were a dessert.  That's how you know this kid is from Memphis.  

I rarely get a good picture of the two of us.  Typically, if I look cute then I go with it.  

not a bad view 

While walking back to the car..  There isn't a better view of the world than the one you see from your Daddy's shoulders. 

Friday night's outfit:: pants are Old Navy's boyfriend fit khakis in coral paired wtih a Navy sleeveless shirt from 2 years ago. 

I love this picture of us.  I know he's not looking at the camera, but we look so happy. 

We can't talk BBQFest without at least one shot of the yummy food.  

Fun Fact:: This bridge is older than I am.  It's been a staple in the city skyline for many, many years but by most Memphians it is STILL referred to as "The New Bridge."  

We spent the rest of the weekend getting stuff done around the house.. And by stuff, I mean

laying out in the backyard enjoying a Strawbeerita

Playing sprinkler trampoline and working on our hand stands

Giving the boat bath for her first trip to the lake. 

How was your weekend?  

 

Linking up with MY STYLE MONDAY with LIndsey and Rachel 

Mortarboards and Tassels

An entire decade has passed since I wore a black gown & tossed my hat into the air with the other college graduates.

Ten.Whole.Years.  

Wow 

It seems like only a few years ago that I stood in the hallway waiting to hear the processional music start so we could walk into an auditorium filled with our friends and families.

These ten years have been some of the most amazing in my life.  I got married, had a daughter, made friends.. figured out WHO I was.

Many people assume because I don't work that I never went to college.  Why would someone who worked so hard to earn a degree not use it?   I just smile and ignore them because I do use it.  Every day.

That piece of paper reminds me that anything is possible with hard work and determination.  That even a girl who got pregnant at 16 only to be a divorced, single mom of two boys before the age of 20 can go to college.

Not everyone has the family support I had.  My diploma is also a reminder of just how lucky I am to have the people in my life who love me. I may have been the one who went to the classes, wrote the papers and walked across the stage, but that degree is just as much theirs as mine. I never could have done it without them.

Today's prompt is a favorite picture