Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Southern desire!

As you all know I am from the State of Florida… about as South as you can get in the good U.S. of A.

But are we truly the South? Not by a long shot.

If you’ve ever heard the song “Sweet Southern Comfort” by Buddy Jewell you’ll notice that the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana are mentioned. But you won't see Florida mentioned.

I love to travel and I’ve visited many of the southern states and can I tell you, it makes me want to pack my bags and join the rest of the southerners.

There is something so special about the South.

The problem is, I’ve been born and raised in Florida and it has just become a big melting pot with a big diversity of people, it’s a huge destination area and very very touristy.

But don’t get me wrong… I love me some okra, grits and I say y’all but without the twang, LOL!

And can I say that my favorite restaurant is Cracker Barrel. I could sit outside rockin’ back and forth in the rocking chairs and the one thing that would top it off is if I had a mason jar of sweet tea. I think I love the country and southern atmosphere just as much as I love the country food.

And also, who hasn't played this while waiting on their food??? Ha :)



We miss the southern hospitality here. People don’t always seem to take the time to say hello or talk with you. Everyone is always in too much of a hurry.

When I visited Nashville, Tennessee earlier this year, that’s what I took away with me. The genuine kindness and hospitality. I literally talked with someone and made a friend wherever I went. It was refreshing.

I never grew up loving the SEC conference which seems to be a BIG thing in the South. I do love my Florida Gators though.

I’ve met a lot of people through the blog and Twitter world from the South, and I’m realizing more and more that we are missing out on a lot of the southern traditions. There are just no southern roots here!

Instead, I grew up with beaches, palm trees, and Mickey Mouse.

And if I hit the timing just right when coming home from school lately, I get giddy with excitement and feel like a little kid again as I see the fireworks display that Disney has each night.

It’s then I realize that maybe Florida isn’t so bad.

Okay..The humidity sucks!

And we get no seasons!

So Cracker Barrel is where I shall find my southern comfort, and surely I’ll be wearing my Mickey Mouse ears!!

9 comments:

a boy a girl and a pug said...

i just love florida! but i'll send you some cowboy boots to wear at cracker barrel for some added southern-ness! what's that game on the table at cracker barrel?

Jenny Strickland said...

I love florida... For a little while during the summer! It is nice only living an hour and a half from Panama City Beach! But I wouldn't trade anything about growing up an Alabama girl! It is an honor to be from the south! Come take a visit to Alabama! You would love it! =)

Todd and Courtney said...

oh I LOVE Florida. This is so funny because I live in the south but I'm not truly a fan. I find that most people are super friendly to your face but very gossipy. A lot of the true old Southern women like to know everyone's business, ha! We're bringing Lauren to disney Nov. 28-Dec. 4th so we'll need to get together. You still coming here this weekend?

melissa said...

Hey I love your blog!! I just stumbled up on it. I will be back for updates!! thanks for the posts.

That's Mrs. Russell said...

I absolutely LOVE being from the south. Now, don't get me wrong.. I love visiting FL for our summer vacay, but I have to agree that the "southern hospitality" is somewhat lacking. I absolutely love all things southern:boots, sweet tea, front porch swinging, mudding, four wheeler riding, Alabama football. Being a Bama girl, born and raised, I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Anonymous said...

LAUREN- this is seriously SO WEIRD. I was JUST THINKING ABOUT THIS. Like literally- JUST. Because I love all things Southern and one of my best friends lives in Fla and she's not "Southern" so I was mulling this over. You're so right! It's funny how that works. I think Southern equals more "confederate states" than actual geographic location (sometimes) ..:)

Holly said...

LAUREN- I love Florida.. you know that! We are southern but our own type of southern... we wear boots with our shorts or skirts, and BBQ on the beach, drink sweet tea while we are deep sea fishing, and say things like "let's go snorkel in the keys, yall" or "this week is Florida residence for $10 at Gatorland" - COME ON!! Where else can you get that kind of awesome goodness! Also, we are diverse, I love that I can speak spanish with a southern accent! ;) Love YOU LAUREN! Bloom where you are planted! Where ever that may be! ;)

Jacquie said...

I feel like I got the best of both worlds with my early California upbringing (and the summer Disney fireworks is one of my favorite childhood memories) and my life in the Ozarks.

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