I was born and raised in the South. A small town in Southwest Virginia to be exact. No, not South WEST Virginia, that's a whole other place.
When I say I am from the South, that conjures up all kinds of thoughts in you doesn't it? Sweet tea, Cracker Barrel, the Civil War, slavery, segregation, bigotry, Scarlett O'Hara, fried chicken, fried apples, fried okra, fried pig's feet...um, Yuck. Nevermind that last one, I got carried away.
Well, I wasn't exactly from THAT South. I did live there for a year, my freshman year of college in Georgia, but that is not my childhood story. I suppose there were snatches of those images scattered through my younger days, but there was no big Victorian farmhouse with apples pies sitting on the windowsills to cool. I had an awesome childhood, with love and parents that played board games with me on Saturday nights. But the sense of traditional "South" wasn't really stressed in our home. I am very glad for that when it comes to the poor social commentary of the South- I never learned to hate, thank God. But I also never fully appreciated all that comes with being "Southern" until we had moved away from under the Mason Dixon line.
Now I live in the West. And hey, everyone has to have an identity right? So I am the Southern girl.
But what does that really mean these days?
Well, this blog is about finding that out.
(I have a sneaking suspicion I am already two steps behind because there isn't a jug of sweet tea in my fridge right now.)
I think this journey of finding my inner Southern girl will include life lessons on hospitality, cooking, history, and social commentary. I have been on this journey for a while now, and have learned quite a bit already. You will hear about my successes, failures, do-overs, and how I've found peace with my identity as the only person in the room saying, "ya'll". I hope to make you smile and laugh along the way. I also hope you will be encouraged in your journey, wherever that might be taking you today. I am big on encouragement. Maybe that is the Southern girl in me, or maybe that is just me.
I am naming this blog, "Ambrosia, anyone?", because I am always hearing about ambrosia in Southern books and shows but I honestly have no idea what it is, just that good Southern hostesses always seemed to have it on hand to serve guests. So we will start there. I would offer you a glass of sweet tea to start our journey together, but it is 6am and this Southern girl is needing some coffee.
Until next time.
