Welcome to the blog…and hello to Friday! I hope everyone has been enjoying a quiet week. A week with some peace and a chance for our spirits to refresh. I was blessed to get away for a few days this week. Some mountain air, rippling creeks outside the door and lots of southern sunshine was just what my soul needed. And I am grateful. I was going to share some photos today but, then, I remembered it is the last weekend of the month (can you believe it?) and time for this month’s Share Four Somethings. As always, the rest of the link-up can be found here starting tomorrow. As difficult as this month has been for many of us (and even our country), there are still plenty of things I have loved….
This month:
some things I have loved were – trips. Literal and mental ones. With both my anniversary and two of my children’s birthdays in September, there have been several trips down memory lane. Sometimes those trips can be emotional but, this month, I have really enjoyed looking back at all God has done. I have been especially blessed with the fact that I have been married forty years. There were more than a few (40 years ago) that never would have believed it. Truth be told, there were days I was not sure myself but here we are. Forty years of memories and a life created together. I am blessed. There was, of course, our literal trip this week. We had a nice time. Vacations have changed since we traveled as a family of five. That is for sure. We did a lot. Enjoyed a lot. Ate a lot. But there was a lot more (simply) relaxing, too:) I would say we both loved that!
some things that went well were– TSA. Honestly, this is the exact same thing I mentioned in August’s Share Four Somethings. But it is worth mentioning again. I have been so fortunate to have some of the best experiences with airport security lately. Is it just me or has anyone else noticed a difference? Our rental car experience was quite as nice with extremely long lines and waiting way too long in order to pick up our car. But the guys at dropoff were super helpful (and very southern friendly) so I will even include that in things that went well.
something I have learned is – that there are some stereotypes that are just plain truth. This is directly from the internet and not my words: Stereotypes about Southern food often center on it being heavily reliant on deep-frying, butter, cream, and high levels of fat and carbohydrates, a perception reinforced by popular culture and figures like Paula Deen. This image is frequently linked to the idea that Southern cuisine is unhealthy. I have to admit that was definitely true in the mountains of Tennessee. Literally everything was fried. Even the deviled eggs were fried. Almost everything was covered in some type of gravy. Trying to eat even semi-vegeterian was a challenge. Trying to eat low-carb was an impossibility. My mom was a traditional Southern cook. I was raised on Southern cooking and am familiar with all the stereotypes, but I have to admit that I was a bit surprised. Right now, a salad and a piece of grilled salmon sounds so amazing!
something I need to let go of – I should probably say stereotypes….but I will go with the extra few pounds that I undoubtedly brought back home with me. And I don’t mean in my suitcase. I did try to keep up my walking routine while I was away but it was not the same as at home. I won’t say that walking daily is “ingrained” in me (or my routine) but I did really miss my morning walk while I was away. Sometimes I would not mind letting go of this sugar-free mindset that I have but that is probably a post for another day. (I was going to say those waffles actually look rather tasty…but, upon closer examination, that is fried chicken on top of those waffles. Well, of course it is!!) 🙂
Well that’s a wrap on this months’ Share Four Somethings post. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Let me know something that went well for you in September. Or something that you have been loving. There’s always something:) As always, thanks for being here today.
Jennifer, yes on the Southern cooking thing. It’s all yummy, but not the healthiest, for sure. There’s nothing like a good chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and white gravy. Of course, there’s usually a salad or some green beans on the side and of course there’s dessert and coffee afterwards. I’m not much on the fried food unless you count fried pickles dipped in ranch dressing as an appetizer, then I’m all in 🙂
As far as September goes…we’ve celebrated two birthdays and I got to see family that I had not seen in a year, so it’s been a good month.
I grew up north and with a mom who grew up in Michigan so the fried thing was not part of my growing up experience (and we never traveled south!). Now I live more south but definitely not the south. However, I’ve traveled there numerous times and you’re right, it does seem to be part of the culture. So good but unhealthy as all get out! Congrats to 40 years- that is amazing and I’m glad you took a trip to a beautiful part of the country to celebrate. How wonderful that your travels went smoothly. I’ll look forward to hearing more about it when time permits you to write about it. Have a great weekend!
I’m looking forward to some pictures from your anniversary trip! But I also enjoyed reading about the four somethings that you shared. Eating healthy when we travel anymore is a challenge…regardless of where we go. I can understand how you missed your morning walks while you were away. Happy that you and your husband of 40 years had a good time away. xx
Some goods things in September… I was able to help my mom run her errands in NVA, but the traffic coming home was the pits (not a good thing). I attended a bigger stitch gathering and caught up with some stitching friends I hadn’t seen in a while plus met a couple stitchers I follow on IG.
Happy Friday!
Ha! I’m from the Deep South. I know very well what you mean and we cook unhealthy a lot. I lived in the Midwest for 15 years before moving back here and there is such a difference!!!
Yes ,we have noticed a HUGE difference with TSA. not just the guidelines but the people working there too. They seem much friendlier and personable these last few times we’ve flown. I completely get your craving for salmon and salad too… we were 1/2 way through our montana trip and I said something to my husband about cole slaw and corn on the cob not counting as veggies. I wanted a real salad with lots of greens!
Congratulations on 40 years! That is wonderful! I too was thinking about the difference from when we used to go away as five – currently now 3 but with an extra for company….but soon, to soon, just 2. #ShareFourSomethings
Congratulations on 40 years!! What a wonderful blessing (most days, LOL). I was also in TN last weekend, but for a family reunion. I won’t lay heavy on you, we get enough of that, but our reasons for going weren’t good, but it was great having all the family together for the first time in 13 years! I got sick on Sunday and haven’t gotten better yet, so I have missed my daily walks since then, so I totally understand! I had gotten into a habit the past 2 months of getting out everyday. I hope you are doing well.