Growing Up Southern

You can’t imagine living anywhere but the South.

I recently came across the article “37 Thing Growing Up in the South Taught You” from The Odyssey. The article lists 37 unique things about this region of the United States. There are some items I agree with and others I think could have been written better.

So, instead of rewriting the list (that will be another post in a few days), I picked out a few of my favorites to share with y’all:

1. The importance of calling your momma.

2. The beauty of sweet tea.

3. Fried chicken is the best kind of chicken.

4. If a man doesn’t open the door for you on the first date, dump him.

5. You are never too old to go home for just a weekend… or just a meal.

To view the complete list, visit: http://theodysseyonline.com/baylor/37-things-growing-south-taught/92062 .

Musical Monday

Happy Monday! Start your week off with country singer Tim McGraw’s tribute to country legend Glen Campbell at the 87th Academy Awards.

 

Throwback Thursday, Country Style

Happy throwback Thursday! I love this picture of country music legend , Johnny Cash!

DIY Mason Jar Travel Cups

Drinking out of a mason jar is a tradition here in the South, so why not take one on the go? Read below to find out how you can make your own Mason Jar Travel Cup!

Supplies:

• Mason jars with lids
• 1/4 inch rubber grommets (these can be found in the plumbing section of a hardware store)
• A power drill with a 5/16 inch drill bit
• Decorative string, washi tape, ribbon, etc.
• Cute Straws

Directions:

1. Drill a hole off-center in the mason jar lid (you can drill the whole in the center, if you prefer).

2. Squeeze the rubber grommet into the hole.

3. Add a straw and decorate however you may desire.

Source: http://www.alyssaandcarla.com/2013/07/24/diy-mason-jar-travel-cups/

Chocolate Cake Mix Waffles

We might have passed breakfast time for the day, but haven’t you ever heard of breakfast for supper? Enjoy this simple recipe for Chocolate Cake Mix Waffles!

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg Devil’s Food Chocolate Cake Mix
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs

Directions:

• Preheat a waffle iron to medium heat. Mix batter according to directions on package.
• Spray waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray. Pour batter onto waffle iron and cook as you would a regular waffle.
• Serve warm with whipped cream, strawberries, or whatever you may desire!

Source: http://www.cookingclassy.com/2015/01/chocolate-cake-mix-waffles/

Throwback Thursday, Country Style

Happy Throwback Thursday! Today we are throwing it back to country legend Johnny Cash and his classic ‘Ring of Fire!’

The Place We All Call Home

For the past few nights, I have been glued to the History channel, watching Sons of Liberty. This three part mini-series depicts how our founding fathers fought against British rule and created a new country. Even though I knew the outcome of these events and the Revolutionary War, I sat there in suspense. Chills ran up my arm as I saw delegates from the 13 colonies sign their names for something they believed-the Declaration of Independence.

One of my all-time favorite songs is country singer Dierks Bentley’s ‘Home.’ The song tells the story of America and how this is “still the place we all call home.” As the years 1775-1776 played out on the t.v. screen, I couldn’t help, but remember several verses to the song that describe the mini-series and the birth of our country perfectly:

Free, nothing feels like free
Though it sometimes means we don’t get along
Cause same, no we’re not the same
But that’s what makes us strong

From the mountains high
To the wave crashed coast
There’s a way to find
Better days I know

It’s been a long hard ride
Got a ways to go
But this is still the place
That we all call home

Brave, gotta call it brave
To chase that dream across the sea
Names, and they signed their names
For something they believed

Red, how the blood ran red
And we laid our dead in sacred ground
Just think, wonder what they think
If they could see us now.

Source: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/dierksbentley/home.html

A Southern State of Mind

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Today, Country Belle Chic is packing up our bags and heading to Hilton Head Island, S.C.! Did you know the island is located on the Intracoastal Waterway and includes 42 square miles of semi-tropical landscape? Test your knowledge of this favorite Lowcountry travel destination below.

1: Hilton Head Island is named after Captain William Hilton. In 1663, Hilton found an island near the entrance to the Port Royal Sound. He named this land “Hilton’s Head” after himself.

2: The island was an important base of operations for the Union blockade of the Southern ports during the Civil War.

3: The Town of Hilton Head Island gained local and state government status in 1983.

4: There are over 12 miles of beaches.

5: The island is a foot-shaped barrier and is located approximately 45 miles north of Savannah, Ga., 90 miles south of Charleston, S.C., and 30 miles south of Beaufort, S.C.

Source: http://www.hiltonheadchamber.org/press-and-media/fast-facts

Heads Carolina, Tails Atlanta

Below is part II of my ideal Southern road-trip must see list for A Southern State of Mind.

Alabama:

Montogomery

Mississippi:

Biloxi

Tennessee:

Nashville

Memphis

Louisiana:

New Orleans

Texas:

Dallas

Houston

Austin

Fort Worth

Next week, A Southern State of Mind is going to Hilton Head Island, SC. Happy Friday!

Easy, Breezy Dry Erase Boards

Stuck inside on this winter day and need something to do? Try this easy, breezy dry erase board DIY!

Supplies Needed:

• Picture Frame with Glass Front
• Scrapbook Paper, design of your choice, fitted for your frame
• Dry Erase Markers
• Optional: Decorations for your piece of paper and frame

Directions:

1. Place the scrapbook paper into frame and replace the back.

2. Decorate as desired.

3. Use the frame as a calendar, memo board, or for anything you would like 🙂