Posted on by Camellia's Cottage · 15 Comments

How we talk…

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With the advent of air conditioning, the South experienced an influx of Yankees, who either couldn’t understand a word we said or made so much fun of how we talk, that in some circles, Southern folks are still trying to cover up how we talk by using big words or dropping the use of our distinctively regional language. The one thing most of us have not been able to effectively erase is our accent or the way we put words together. I’ve decided it’s the humidity- which naturally slows the speech and causes us to drop the ‘g’ at the end of our words. It would be impossible to try to de-code how we talk in one short lesson without going off on impossible tangents. Why, the average human being would be fit to be tied. So in an effort to de-tangle some of it- Y’all, must understand that while you might think- let’s ‘Go down South’ – If you live here? Nothin’ is down- it’s all up.

  • We wake up, get up, then we make up the bed
  • We load up the washing machine, wash up the dishes, then put it all up.
  • We clean up, sweep up, mop up, spruce up and even perk up the house.
  • We roll up our hair, get dolled up, made up, rigged up and dressed up, before we go Uptown
  •  We gas up the car, pick up Momma, the kids or the cleaning ( we don’t say laundry, just like we don’t say toilet, it’s  a commode, y’all- just don’t leave the lid up!)

Everything is up, even when you’re acting up. Let me give you an example:

‘I’m not making this up, ever since Bobby Joe set up that wide screen TV, he  hasn’t been worth shootin’- Tammy Faye teared up tellin’ it. She said since football season started up– Bobby Joe stays up late with his twin brothers William and Billy, they get likkered  up, revved up, hoopin’ and hollerin’ loud enough to wake up the dead. acting like a bunch of hoodlums! When the game’s over, they leave Bobby Joe sleepin’ on the sofa. Before Tammy Faye can get the house cleaned back up– those boys start up all over again the next weekend. Bobby Joe was always just precious. (Precious is another way of sayin’- At least his momma loves him!)- I tell you, Tammy Faye was wound up tighter than a tick! I like ta-died when she told it right up in Sunday School! We all said, ‘Bless your heart, Tammy Faye, you’ve laid up crowns in heaven.’ Of course we were thinkin’ she needs to get wound up and throw a full blown conniption fit- Never underestimate the value of a conniption fit di-rect from an thoroughly fed up Southern woman!

Oh law, don’t get me started up- I hope you’ve laughed a little and been enlightened about how we talk… and remember- like all good Southern stories, this one is part Truth, part Myth and part Outright Lies…

Love y’all, Camellia

 *AOL image may be subject to copyright

Posted on by Camellia's Cottage · 17 Comments

Alabama Porches…

aa200-april-battle-09-23103October seems like a good time for black and white photographs. I love them  all year round-but the crisp fall air makes these black and whites seem hauntingly beautiful for the month of October when little Trick or Treaters will no doubt be making the neighborhood rounds.  Of course, we have the very talented Jeremy Miniard to thank for them! From fine to humble to downright rundown– I give you- Alabama Porches!

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Creakin’, rundown, peelin’ paint, faded glory- bless her heart! Alabama’s still beautiful! We know her faults and love her still. No matter what state we find ourselves in- Our sweet home is Alabama, we know where our heart is and will always find a way back to the Porches of Alabama.

Love y’all, Camellia

Thank you Jeremy Miniard!! We love you, God loves you and Alabama loves you! http://www.jeremy-miniard.fineartamerica.com

Posted on by Camellia's Cottage · 23 Comments

Winter Mystery Vacation?

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There’s nothing like dreamin’ and armchair travel. It was cool this morning, the screen porch beckoned-coffee in hand, I was pondering where to go on our winter family vacation. October is not too early to plan it. I’ve been schemin’ and coming up with plans I hope will be fun, in cold climes or warm. The porch seemed like a good place to think about it; the leaves haven’t turned, some leaves have just curled up and died. That’s the South for you.We like travelling in the United States, there’s nothing like America, y’all!   Last summer was the first time I planned a Mystery Vacation, no one knew except me, where we were going! I’ve added a few destinations for the Winter Holidays. I thought I’d let you in on it; maybe you can help me plan another Mystery Vacation, this time from Santa!

  • Seattle: There’s the City Tour by bus. Seattle seems to come alive at night during the holidays with Snowflake Lane at Bellevue Square; fake snowflakes fall and crazy elves climb up platforms all around the shops. Then there is the Space Needle, the Pike Place Market where they throw fish, Dale Chihuly’s blown glass, Winterfest at Seattle Center, the house boat village where ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ was filmed, not to mention all of those lovely coffee shops! Add a day trip to Victoria or Vancouver by Ferry, perhaps go to Butchart Gardens which looks amazing even in Winter.
  • Charleston: A vastly different place-though chilly to us, it is still just jacket weather during the holidays. There are carriage rides and wonderful food, fountains, historic churches and plantations, like Middleton. Just a little over two hours away, by car, we could take a day trip to Savannah, for sure stopping by Gretsch® Guitar Shop to see our friend Fred Gretsch, then passing through Beaufort on our way back.
  • Los Angeles: There’s a Hollywood studio tour, the Walk of Stars, all those Movie Star Mansions, Venice Beach with a ride on the iconic Ferris Wheel, a Whale Watching Tour from the harbor, not to mention Santa Monica pier, beautiful Santa Barbara and more…
  • Louisville is a city I’ve been musing about- with a day trip to Lexington, taking in the gorgeous countryside of the Bourbon Trail, going out to Churchill Downs and eating a Hot Brown  at the beautiful Brown Hotel.
  • Williamsburg is always on my Christmas travel list- the historic Inn is where Queen Elizabeth and other heads of state have stayed, the Village Homes and Governor’s Palace is decked out for Christmas. Over by William and Mary there is a small French restaurant where waiters walk around with a huge terrines ladling out Chocolate Mousse. Who could pass up the Trellis restaurant where Julia Child worked with the pastry chef to come up with the famous ‘Death by Chocolate’? Then, top off the trip with a day tour of Monticello in holiday dress.

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  • Philadelphia is another great place for a family trip. It looks very interesting and fun during the holidays. There is a very large exhibit in Reading Terminal Market of model trains, the iconic Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and as I understand it, the little cobblestone street where Betsy Ross lived comes alive during the holidays; best of all, eating the famous Phillie Cheesesteaks!
  • And finally, I have looked longingly at Fort Myers, we could visit the Winter Mansion of Henry Ford and the Laboratory and Winter Estate of Thomas Edison. The warm beauty of Captiva Island and Sanibel’s shell strewn beaches,the gorgeous homes of Naples would be terrific day trips from Fort Myers which is warm and beautiful during Christmas.

So, which would you choose? I’m open for suggestions, there may other places better to explore. Where would you want to go? But shh…this is a Secret Santa Surprise! October is not too early to plan a Winter Mystery Vacation! As soon as the destination is decided, I’ll just give them hints bit by bit and see if they can guess…I know we’ll have fun wherever we go!

Love y’all, Camellia

*Images used were marked- Public Domain from AOL images

 

Posted on by Camellia's Cottage · 22 Comments

A Southern Spitfire…

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What you’re looking at in the picture above- is a gen-u-ine Southern Spitfire. You would have to know one to understand exactly what we mean by that in the South. Under a thin veneer of Southern charm, my grandmother Betty Jo Sparks Holmes was a Southern Spitfire. I’ve been told her mother was a beauty who rode fast horses sidesaddle! It’s her birthday, if she was alive she would be well over 100. We can’t know her true age  for sure, because-well, a Southern lady generally shaves a few years off. Even tombstones of Southern females may not reflect the actual age. Here’s what I know for sure-She came from a long line of warriors:

  • a Daughter of the American Revolution
  • a Daughter of the Confederacy
  •  and with the papers to prove it, a bonafide descendent of Davy Crockett!

Her husband served in World War I, guarding Woodrow Wilson’s White House, living in tents on the grounds- he was a very handsome man. My grandmother tickled him to death with the things she said- particularly when her green eyes were flashing! Her son, served as one of the youngest pilots in the Navy during World War II, flying off of aircraft carriers in the Pacific. She adored him, caring for him most of his adult life as a disabled veteran. He had a lot of problems, but Mimi never allowed any criticism of him, at all. She was a fiercely patriotic American who loved FDR and his First Lady Eleanor, admired John Kennedy and Jimmy Carter, probably because they served in the US Navy, like her son. I’ve inherited her favorite novel, Gone With the Wind, purchased when it was considered a very racy book! Scarlett O’Hara is the best representation of a Southern Spitfire in literature. My grandmother looked nothing like Vivian Leigh except for the flashing green eyes! However, some of the things Scarlett said could easily apply to Mimi-

  • ‘War, war, war. This war talk’s spoiling all the fun at every party…I get so bored I could scream.’
  • ‘Don’t be a goose, Melly!’
  • ‘Great balls of fire! Don’t bother me anymore, and don’t call me sugar.’scarlett-ohara-black-and-white

Betty Jo Sparks Holmes raised her family, including her younger sister Mary Sue, her younger brother Charles, my Uncle Chig and my mother, Betty Gene- during the Great Depression. She was one of the finest cooks I have ever known. She learned to cook, not because she had to, but because she loved to be in the kitchen with the household cooks. They humored the feisty Betty Jo, by letting her make biscuits, which she would load into a small wagon, take across the tracks and sell to laborers for pennies, knowing when she got home she would be in a mess of trouble! Only to do it again, the next time she got close to the kitchen!

She became a florist at age 55, when most women were homemakers, her income was necessary. She had a great sense of style and good taste, but wasn’t uppity. Her life could be described as ‘grit with grace’. I loved that about her. I can still hear her now- the impression of her strength, wisdom and strong sense of humor inform me all these years since we lost her. She was a Spitfire but she was one of the most generous people I have ever known. ‘As God is my witness’…No one ever came to her door and left hungry, empty handed or without comfort. Like most Southerners, she engaged in a bit of ancestor worship. Mimi didn’t tolerate weakness in me. My older sister was probably her favorite- however, she gave me large chunks of her time and the best advice I have ever received- ‘Stop crying, hold your head up and don’t ever forget whose child you are!’ Now, if that is not advice from a Southern Spitfire? I don’t know what it would be. Happy Birthday Mimi, I’m a better person because of you.

Love y’all, Camellia

Photographs are mine. The top photograph was taken in the 1920s with Mimi’s bob and scandalous short dress holding her son and baby brother J.T.. The photograph on the right was for my sister’s high school graduation, the photograph on the left- Mimi is holding me at Christmas on her lap. The photograph of Vivian Leigh- the indomitable Southern Spitfire- Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind by that great southern author, Margaret Mitchell, is public domain.

Posted on by Camellia's Cottage · 15 Comments

National Coffee Day!

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I started drinking at a very early age, coffee that is…Our next door neighbor, Margaret made coffee for me every weekday morning for almost two years! My older sister was in school, and I was four years old. Margaret made lunch for her elderly mother everyday- sometimes I would even get to go to her mother’s house.  I loved it when Margaret made cake batter- whisking it by hand, and sometimes if I was lucky she would sit and drink coffee with me while things were cooking in Margaret’s sunny kitchen. Some of my earliest memories are of coffee perking away on a gas stovetop at my grandmother’s house- she let me drink coffee too. These ladies made it thick with sugar and cream for me, so I loved it. However I now prefer my coffee-Columbian and black- unless- I can get a Cappuccino made like it is supposed to be made, or a real Cubano Espresso, which is half sugar and half espresso or lovely bitter chicory coffee at Café Du Monde in New Orleans! image

Beautifully Made Cappuccino in NYC.

It may seem odd that a confirmed Southerner loves coffee- but wait not so fast! With coffee plantations in the Caribbean since the eighteenth century, how could we not love coffee? It’s been said that Americans began their love affair with coffee after the Boston Tea Party, when it was considered unpatriotic to drink coffee…but of course we couldn’t lay off the Tea for very long! I’m a huge fan of Luzianne Tea, which is the taste of tea from my youth. However, Alabama is home to Royal Cup Coffee and Red Diamond Tea and Coffee! So, I love those brands too! I once toured the Red Diamond plant and it smelled so divine- I asked them for a job! They turned me down, I think because they knew it wouldn’t be profitable.

I am considered odd because I drink coffee even when it is boiling hot outside– I hold to this tradition because I personally believe that when the inside of the body is a higher temperature than the outside – well you get the picture- it seems to cool me off! It is one of those superstitions I hang on to!

For years I’ve been collecting ‘facts’ about coffee! Sorry I didn’t save the sources but here goes:

  • Most Americans drink coffee in the morning- except me, I can drink it all day long!
  • Coffee is full of antioxidants and may lower risk of several types of cancer including skin cancer- but don’t stop using your sunscreen!
  • Your morning workout may be less painful if you drink coffee beforehand!
  • Your mind will be stimulated, alert and your memory sharper, not to mention your energy levels will increase after drinking that morning cup of coffee.
  • Now, don’t get too excited but coffee does tend to suppress the appetite– if you’re drinking it with heavy cream and sugar don’t expect the pounds to drop off!
  • Of course, too much coffee can cause insomnia and a slight rise in blood pressure.
  • Some folks like me- who drink lots of coffee can experience an increase in heart rate- to avoid this I drink decaffeinated coffee.
  • Columbian coffee is naturally decaffeinated.
  • Too much caffeine makes me jittery and nervous- but a moderate amount of coffee seems to have some heart benefits, probably those antioxidants.

If you start drinking early like me…Drink in moderation! It’s so satisfying to sip a cup of coffee and collect my thoughts first thing in the morning. But please don’t always drink your coffee alone…Call and friend and go have coffee! Having coffee with friends increases stamina, lifts the spirits and some have suggested there may be a higher tolerance for aches and pains; now that’s good news! So, to all you fellow coffee lovers- be like nice southern ladies…Don’t drink…Sip.

Love y’all, Camellia

For those who would like even more tips about Coffee- go to Royal Cup Coffee Company’s site- http://www.royalcupcoffee.com/blog, you’ll be glad you did!

Images are from AOL and may be subject to copyright.