Words of Wisdom from Julia Reed

One of the absolute highlights of my recent attendance at the Southern Food Writing Conference was getting the chance to hear Julia Reed speak. A published author plus contributing editor at Vogue and Newsweek, Reed is one of my favorite southern writers, but she was even better in real life!

Her southern grand dame persona was warm and inviting...Reed's rubbed elbows with the likes of politicos, fashionistas, and the Washington D.C. & New York elite but she doesn't seem to care about any of that. Anybody who can make offhand remarks about Anna Wintour's spelling mistakes and then go right into a debate with herself about Pickapeppa sauce vs. pepper jelly as a topping for cream cheese and crackers is alright by me.

Not that she needs my approval, mind you ;)

I wanted to share some of the wisdom I gleaned from her talk. You'll like it.

1. The way to the hearts of the staunchest folks is always through the stomach

We already knew this of course. Reed shared stories of how she impressed the socks off her Washington D.C. & NY colleagues by serving southern food in the 90's. She talked about how this was a time when the popular cocktail party fare was something like an under-cooked snow pea. Her cocktail party staple? Sister Schubert's rolls and a big ol' bowl (her words) of jumbo lump crab meat with mayonnaise.

Her advice? Cook basic, honest food that people will like.

2. Southern Junior League Cookbooks are ALWAYS better than Northern Ones

Again, not much of a surprise. Reed's evidence for this is the fact that Northern Jr. League Cookbooks usually have titles such as "Posh Pantry" and "Cook's Cabinet" while the far superior Southern versions are called things like "Come on In!" and "Talk about Good" (I actually have that last one!).

3. True Southerners know the importance of Funeral Food
Absolutely we do. Reed told the tragic story of how her grandparents were killed in a car accident when she was a teen. She followed up with how her momma's last words to her as she ran out the door were "go clean out the refrigerator." They knew the casseroles and Jell-o salads would start pouring in and sure enough, they were right.

Reed also made sure to point out that the amount and quality of food that is brought to a funeral is directly proportional to how well the person was liked. She said "if you die and nobody brings food, it's a sign that you weren't very nice."

Her final bit of valuable advice?

Homemade is best, store-bought is better than nothing, but NEVER take funeral food with a price tag still on it!

Her new book But Mama Always Put Vodka in Her Sangria!: Adventures in Eating, Drinking, and Making Merry is available in stores now.

Happy Birthday Emmylou Harris

Today is the birthday of one of my favorite southern songwriters, Ms. Emmylou Harris. Apparently she knows about more than just a love that will never grow old (lyrics below) because she's turning 66 today, but looks like she is getting younger with each passing year. This Alabama belle has enjoyed a long, successful career, yet still had her share of heartbreaking sadness. Her love story with Gram Parsons has been referenced in songs, poems and now, even floral designs.

Go to sleep, may your sweet dreams come true

Just lay back in my arms for one more night

I've this crazy old notion that calls me sometimes

Saying this one's the love of our lives

'Cause I know a love that will never grow old

And I know a love that will never grow old

When you wake up the world may have changed

But trust in me, I'll never falter or fail

Just the smile in your eyes, it can light up the night

And your laughter's like wind in my sails

Happy Birthday Emmylou! 

{The video below makes me so happy...I have no idea who the girl is but she seems so sweet as she romps with her horses in the snow...and the song is wonderful. I wonder if Emmylou likes it?} 

The Difference Between Belles & Beaux, part 2

My southern beau is a talented knife maker. That being said, he often works with all sorts of what I consider to be dangerous tools and he isn't always as careful as I think he should be. What makes me feel this way? The vast number of accidents he has had in the past few years with machinery that goes awry.

A few times he has taken himself to the emergency room instead of calling me to do so because he was afraid of the fuss I would make.

His latest casualty? Several (seriously, several!) layers of skin on his middle fingertip after an encounter with a high powered grinder. It looked awful and once I knew he was okay, I began my typical spiel about how he needs to be more careful, blah, blah, blah.

His nonchalant response after promising to be more careful in the future?

"They can totally reattach fingers nowadays anyway."

Oh, I see.

Well, in that case, just chop 'em all off!

Just one more difference between belles and beaux.

Simply a Southern Belle: Tallulah Bankhead

On this day in 1968, Hollywood (and the rest of us) lost one of the greats with the passing of Ms. Tallulah Bankhead. This Alabama-born belle followed no rules but her own and made a quite a splash wherever she went, from London to Washington D.C., New York to Los Angeles. 

I can't help but wonder how different Gone with the Wind would have been if she'd been cast as Scarlett. And it wasn't a lack of trying on her part to win the role...the story goes that she enlisted members of her Alabama family to stage a letter writing campaign to David O. Selznick claiming she was the only actress right for the part. It's sort of sad when you think about it...a genuine southern belle denied the chance to play the quintessential southern belle, and passed over for a Brit, no less (of course y'all know I love Vivien Leigh so I mean no disrespect).  

Bankhead wrote the following in her autobiography about the situation: "I'll go to my grave convinced that I could have drawn the cheers of Longstreet and Beauregard and Robert E. Lee had I been permitted to wrestle with Rhett Butler. 

**I was recently dining with a group of ladies and talk turned to baby names. Some mentioned the name Tallulah (which I happen to love) and expressed disdain for it. Maybe she wasn't born in the south? 

Happy Birthday Tina Turner!

I'd always thought my love for singer Tina Turner was because I'm a child of the 80's. But I recently learned we have a deeper connection than that. And since today is her birthday, I thought I'd share.

I've long known that Tina, born Anna Mae Bullock, hails from the tiny, unincorporated community of Nutbush in a rural area of West Tennessee. You've probably heard her song "Nutbush City Limits." What I didn't know was that as a child, she also lived in Knoxville (my current home) and performed on stage for the first time at a local church, Spring Hill Baptist. I wish there were a recording of that performance!

She's had an interesting, albeit difficult life, but her success is a testament to her resilience. I like to think it's because of her southern upbringing. Today is Tina Turner's 73rd birthday and I'm sure she's celebrating it in style.

Happy Birthday Tina! You're simply the best!

Get Your Gaudy On

You might have thought today was October 17 (it is) but it's special for another reason...October 17 is National Wear Something Gaudy Day. I can remember, as a child, hearing things described by grown-up women in the my family as 'gaudy' and I thought this was a terrible word. But as I got older, I found myself drawn to items that might have been classified as such.

I can remember one Christmas when I was 13 and had begged my parents to buy me an outfit from a catalog called Newport News. The outfit was a skirt and sweater combo...the skirt bubblegum pink satin and the sweater, some type of white fuzzy acrylic similar to that of a toilet seat cover. It was gaudy with a capital G. I loved it.

There's a fine line between bold dressing and completely gaudy. I've been getting more brave with my fashion choices and even try to embrace the "go bold or go home" attitude. The ladies I've showcased in today's post are certainly bold fashionistas...some even accused of being gaudy I'm sure.

I say, if you like sparkles and spangles, wear 'em. Who cares if something thinks you're gaudy? Granted nobody will ever mistake you for Jackie O but you probably weren't going for that look anyway. I hope you get a chance to embrace your inner gaudy diva today (if you have one). If this post horrifies you, I'm sorry. Even the most prim and proper southern belles can't be seersucker and cashmere all the time.

Bosoms & Butter: A Birthday Celebration

Two beloved southern ladies were born on this day and I just didn’t feel right not honoring their births with a little virtual party here on the blog. First, the fabulous Dolly Parton, East Tennessee gal after my own heart. Dolly is an icon in every sense of the word, with talent, style and a generous spirit.

Next is the southern cooking queen of Savannah, Ms. Paula Deen. Her drawl and hospitality, in addition to her tasty comfort food, keep folks coming back for more.

The fact that two southern ladies such as these were born on the same day is a special coincidence, but I’m glad they both were born and I’m sure glad we can celebrate them here together.

But what do you get for gals who have everything? Glad this is only a virtual party…no gifts required!

147 Years After the Burning of Atlanta

I don’t remember the first time I saw Gone with the Wind as a child nor all the subsequent viewings thereafter (there were many), but I vaguely remember the first time I saw it after learning that many aspects of the story’s setting and background happenings had really taken place once upon a time.

Probably the scene which had the most impact on me as a child was the burning of Atlanta by Sherman and his men. I’d be on the edge of my seat watching as Rhett tried to coax that poor horse, with Scarlett’s shawl over its eyes, through the depot as the flames leapt around them. Even though I knew they’d make it, I always watched as if anything could happen.

You might wonder why I’m mentioning this today. On November 15, 1864 General William Sherman and his men left the scorched ruins of Atlanta and began their march to the sea. To be clear, I’m no Civil War scholar…just your average southern girl with a blog celebrating life in the south. Those were dark times in our nation’s history…not the first, not the last, but  they helped shape what the south was to become, some good and some not so good. I like President Herbert Hoover’s quote in which he states “the supreme purpose of history is a better world.”

Thankfully the fair city of Atlanta rebuilt. It’s home to Coca-Cola, the Braves and Julia Sugarbaker…to me, it doesn’t get much better than that.

Stage & Screen, #GWTW75 via @clarencebrown

This week has definitely been a busy one, but Wednesday the southern beau and I managed to make it to the theatre, which for me is a rare treat. The show we saw, Moonlight and Magnolias, was delightful and I encourage anyone, especially fans of “Gone with the Wind” to see it if you have a chance.

The play tells the true story of the 5 chaotic days in which David O. Selznick, Victor Fleming, and Ben Hecht (producer, director and writer, respectively) turn Margaret Mitchell’s classic book into a screenplay fit for film.

The catch is that Ben Hecht, the so-called writer, hasn’t read the book. The only logical solution is for Selznick and Fleming to act it out for him, chapter by chapter as Hecht types furiously to capture the action. At one point, the actor playing Fleming simultaneously portrays Melanie giving birth AND Prissy coming back without Dr. Meade, high-pitched southern accents and all. Needless to say, hilarity ensues.

We even got discounted tickets by volunteering to usher. If going to the theatre isn’t in your budget right now, I definitely advise checking on opportunities such as this (as well as free final dress rehearsals and discounted previews) that your local theatre might offer.

Have you seen Moonlight & Magnolias? I’d love to know what you thought! If not, what was the last stage production you saw and how’d you like it?

{program & production still via Clarence Brown Theatre}

Vintage SBS: Delta’s Day

Last year we celebrated Delta Burke’s birthday in great style. Wishing her another fabulous year and hoping she feels oh so celebrated today! I’m going to find some sequins and shoulder pads and wear them in her honor! How are you paying tribute to the queen belle?

le fete de l’imagination: Dixie Carter

Today we’re celebrating the birth of a very special lady. Miss Dixie Carter passed away last year (we honored her life in a post), but I can’t let her birthday pass without a mention. She embodied what it means to be a southern belle, with both grit and grace. I’m sure she would aged even more gracefully had her life not ended too soon.

 

Instead of some sort of frou-frou beverage concoction, I think Ms. Dixie would enjoy a Coke for her birthday, or perhaps a Co-Cola…maybe sipped from a chilled silver tumbler. She was all lady, but not in a silly way. My southern story is certainly richer because of her.

And for the lady who probably had everything? Freshly cut hydrangeas grown in the soil of her sweet home state of Tennessee. Although I like to think there are at least a few hydrangea bushes lining the streets of heaven. If there aren’t hydrangeas in heaven, I’m not sure I want to go.

Happy Birthday Dixie Carter & Happy Wednesday my friends!

Yay for Women!

Today is International Women’s Day and March 2011 was recently named “Women’s History Month” so I’m dedicating today’s post to all the fabulous, brilliant, wonderful & witty women who have shaped my life. From my mom, grandmothers & aunts to my teachers, mentors and best friends, I’ve definitely had no shortage of strong female role models. And of course all of the amazing blog pals I’ve made over the last year. How are you celebrating the fabulous women in your life today? I hope you also remember to celebrate yourself!

The Southern Belle Literary Society

My wonderful friend Bella Michelle over at Southern Somedays shared this article with me, and I just had to share it with you. These fabulous southern authors are showcased in the current issue of Vanity Fair. What I wouldn’t give to be part of this elite sisterhood. If Harper Lee had been among them, I might have died right on the spot.

They are, from left to right, Sheri Joseph, Susan Rebecca White, Karin Slaughter (reclining), Amanda Gable, Joshilyn Jackson, Natasha Trethewey, Emily Giffin, Jessica Handler, and Kathryn Stockett. The photo was taken at the Atlanta History Center's Swan House mansion, which was built in the 1920s.

Susan Rebecca White wrote a book that I just love called Bound South. According to the article, she is close friends with Kathryn Stockett (The Help) as well as Emily Giffin, whose books I also enjoy. Her Something Borrowed has been adapted into a screen version coming out this year, starring Kate Hudson & Ginnifer Goodwin.

Joshilyn Jackson is one of my most favorite writers, with her Gods in Alabama, The Girl Who Stopped Swimming & Between, Georgia being my favorites. I’m sad to say I hadn’t heard of some of the other authors pictured, but now I have something new to look for. Also, I still haven’t read The Help, but it’s definitely on my list!

Do you love any of these writers as much as I do?

le fete de l’imagination: Vivian Leigh

I’ve been looking forward to today’s “party of the imagination” for a looooong time. As a child, I thought Vivian Leigh was Scarlett O’Hara. In my mind, she was everything a southern belle should be, and it wasn’t until a little later in my life did I learn she was a) not southern, and b) not actually Scarlett O. The story her real life makes me sad because it was one which contained loneliness, heartache, and mental illness. But I believe she’s in a much better place now…so let’s celebrate her birthday in style! She’d be 97 years young today.

For the place, I’ve chosen the Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria property in that lovely eternal city. Doesn’t this enclosed room make for a lovely setting…melons adorning the table for a distinctly southern feel. In addition to the yummy melons, we’ll be serving smoked salmon blinis with crème fraiche among other yummy things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To give us all an idea about party attire, I chose a couple of looks from Carolina Herrera’s Resort Collection. Both seem perfect for a luncheon in the enclosed portico. Maybe with an oversized piece of jewelry and an elegant wrap draped around the shoulders?

    

For Ms. Leigh’s gift, I would select a 12 place settings of English bone china in a pattern that is reminiscent of the south, but also playful and modern.

I hope you will all join us for the party. Isn’t imagining fun?

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend and take some time to sip a julep in honor of our favorite “southern belle.”

Odds & Ends

Today’s post is a mixed bag of sorts, so hopefully you’ll stick with it! First, so as not to keep you in suspense any longer…the winner of the custom made Diana Warner necklace! (I did the selection via random generator and I can’t tell you how nervous I was before I clicked the button! I truly wish I had a necklace for every single one of you!)

 

Yes, Miss Rusty Belle, that’s right! You won! Email me and we’ll hash out the details! Congratulations!

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Secondly, I’ve been given a kind award by Miss Carol the Gardener! Such nice words for my humble blog.

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Thirdly, I’ve been given a sweet award by that lovely Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong over at How I Met your Father!

The rules of the award dictate that I share 7 things about myself, so I decided to share the last 7 books I’ve read…creative, no?

1. Last Night at Chateau Marmont: A Novel by Lauren Weisberger

2. The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives: A Novel by Lola Shoneyin

3. Serendipity: A Novel by Louise Shaffer

4. The Book of Joe by Jonathan Tropper

5. Uncharted TerriTORI by Tori Spelling

6. My Fair Lazy: One Reality Television Addict’s Attempt to Discover If Not Being a Dumb A$$ is the New Black; Or, A Culture-Up Manifesto by Jen Lancaster

7. The English American by Alison Larkin

I have to say all were pretty good…3 stars out of 5 except for #7 which I gave 4/5. None life changing or anything, but enjoyable reads. I always like to know what people are reading, especially when it’s something good that I might like to give a try! So tell me, what’s the last great book you read?

 

{Think I should have passed these awards on to some other fine blogs? Never fear! I’ve got an upcoming post pegged for awards I’m giving out!}