Southern Comfort Zone

I am in LOVE with the Brad Paisley song "Southern Comfort Zone" for many reasons:  I love Brad Paisley, love country music, but most of all it is somewhat near to my heart these days.   My life is not nearly as extreme as the lyrics and actually there are some similarities here that make it easier and easier to call PA home now.   But still - there are things -yes, "things" - that just are not the same.  Cue the white noise because I have sung this song before so I know you are tired of reading about it.

Anyway, it was so relaxing to be at home over Thanksgiving and around familiar sights and sounds.   Nothing is more comforting than hearing a good southern accent on others besides myself or feeling the hug of a loved one.    I cannot put into words how these things just put me at ease.

We had a whirlwind trip and felt a little like gypsies - starting off our journey by visiting Hubby's sister and family in South Carolina.  Then off to see dear pals in East Cobb, where we managed to have a little party for M's 5th birthday and her birthday twin, Mr. J!  After which, we headed to spend Thanksgiving with my loving family in Newnan.   And to top it all off, we were hoodwinked into staying in town a little longer and go watch UGA beat up on those Yellow Jackets!  I cannot turn down an opportunity to watch the Dawgs play in Athens - worth sticking around for and to spend a little more time with friends!

It felt so nice to be back and know where everything is...you easily take little things for granted like which bakery for the best birthday cakes in town and those cute little boutiques and gift shops that you only hear about via word of mouth because from the outside you really can't tell what they sell.   Yeah - I miss that, but have met some great people who are steering me in the right direction up here.  

So now we are home and I must admit I am enjoying sleeping in my own bed and getting back to a routine.  But I do miss that Southern Comfort Zone!  Enjoy a few pics from our visit down south!

A, Cousin D, and M

Best Pals

Birthday girl and her best pal E

Gotta make time for the Santa at Phipps!

What Are You Trying to Tell Me?

I am posting this and will more than likely live to regret it.    There is a YouTube video entitled "Sh%T Southern Women Say" and it has now been sent to me several times in the past two weeks.  I mean directly to me with comments like "This made me think of you" and "I have heard you say several of these" and the best being "I think you might know the girls in this video".    Anyway, I am posting here for you all to see that I am aware this video exists and you do not have to send it to me anymore!     It is pretty funny, especially if you are really from the South.    While some of these are pretty much stereotypical, there are many that I have heard come not just out of my mouth, but from the pieholes of my friends and family - bless our hearts!    And for my new northern friends, Sh%t is a two syllable word back home!

And when we visit Georgia next week, you can bet I will be picking up some Duke's mayonnaise!

Enjoy and you might not want to share this with the kids :)

Sh%t Southern Women Say

Halloween with a Hurricane

"Hey girls - we are going to sleep in the basement tonight".  To which A responded, "Why? Are there tornadoes up here, too?" 

Yep, I really thought our basement sleeping days were behind us or at least reserved for the rare instance or a northern tornado.  Little did I expect our first major weather system in the north to be one from a hurricane and nor'easter colliding.  However, when the weather channel predicted the winds to be in the 60 - 80 mph range, we were taking no chances with all of the large, old trees around us.   Especially since we have had friends with trees falling through their homes from past storms and that leaves quite a impression on the kids and myself.

Thankfully, we managed well and can't complain when a 4 hour power outage and tons of rain and wind were the worst of what we saw at our home.  Well, and the kids being home from school for two days!  I am feeling blessed especially when there are trees and limbs down all around us and still many without power here along the Philadelphia area.   Not to mention the complete devastation of towns along the coast up here.    Mother Nature can sure rear her ugly head.

Halloween had quite a dramatic buildup and was really the last thing on the minds of many.  A few of the townships around us have even postponed trick or treating until this weekend and when power can be restored to many of the home.   However, our township kept it going!  We enjoyed dinner with our fantastic neighbors, then the kiddos all hit the ground running to collect some loot!  I was quite surprised by how much chocolate was given out - well, surprised and saddened.  My favorite part of Halloween is going through the girls' bags once they fall asleep and taking my fair share of Twizzlers, Skittles, and Sour Patch Kids.   But there were none!  None!  Just lots of Milky Ways, Twix and Kit Kats and I am not really a milk chocolate girl.   I guess God was looking out for me in other ways than through just the hurricane :)

We hope you and your families are well!  Enjoy a few pics until next time...

Even Lucy got in to the spirit!

Loaded on carbs from Anthony's and ready to go!