Southern (B)elle

It is becoming increasingly obvious that Elle, although born in New England, is growing some Southern Roots.

Here are phrases I have heard her say over the last few weeks:

"I'm fixin to do that" (translation for my fellow Yankees: "I'm about to do that")

"I'm going to put it up" ("I'm going to put it away")

"Hey Momma!" ("Hi Mom")

Her starch of choice: Grits.

Her dessert of choice: Banana pudding.

Approximate number boiled peanuts she has eaten: 5

Number of times she has spit them out:0

(For reference)

Number of boiled peanuts I have eaten:1

Number of boiled peanuts I have spit out:1

I'll let you know when I hear "Y'all" for the first time.

Summer

Will it ever end?



No, really, is it ever going to end? Please?



These words coming from a New Englander are like blasphemy. Anyone who has grown up in New England knows the sweet, warm days of summer are for cherishing, not wishing away, because in what feels like 10 minutes, summer is over and the rest of the year begins (as does the countdown to next summer.)



That is, unless, of course you are a yankee living in the South. Or, damn Yankee, if you prefer. Other than today, which must have been a freak accident, it has still been in the mid-90s every day. EVERY DAY.




It's basically the polar opposite of living in Maine but the end result is the same. In Maine, we had 4 months of cold, darkness, overcast skies, stuck inside your house except for those days when you are lulled outside for a brisk walk by the fleeting promise of sun and relative warmth between the house of 12 and 2pm, but all that really happens is your nose hairs freeze.




Here, we have 4 months of sweltering heat, 95% humidity, no clouds in the sky, stuck in your house except when you are lulled outside because it looks so darn pretty but in fact it's so humid and hot that poking your head out the front door is like sticking your head in a 450 degree oven. Yes, you can feel the heat blowing against your face. And it hurts.



Elle now says things like " I gotta go inside and cool off!" and, like tonight (it was 75 degrees outside) "Ooooh, it's CHILLY!"

Hmmm, it's all about perspective.... ;-)

Gelato and the Beach

Gelato and the Beach: two of my favorite things and I think these girls agree.

Here is Elle in Maine with a few of her favorite girlfriends-she only gets to see them once a year but I think it's pretty obvious from the ear to ear grin that she still thinks any time spent with them is pretty special.


I think so too.

27 Weeks and Counting

We celebrate our wedding anniversary Thursday!

Sooo, last Sunday we went out of town for the night ALONE to eat and be merry.

Here I am at almost 27 weeks, just before dinner. It was one of the best meals we've had in a long time.

Have you ever had souffle? Not just any souflle, but praline chocolate souffle?

I have. And it rocks.