"Southern-ness"

We had so much fun this past weekend doing this ....

I even got to dress up like this (thanks to Andy's AuntE and some vintage family dresses!!)

...Which almost made me feel like I was living in this !!

Who? Me???

Gracious Sallie at A Gracious Home kindly interviewed me for her blog, and posted it today.
Check it out !

Happy Wednesday and Much Love,
Jennifer

Fabulousness....

.... IS that even a word?? Even if it doesn't grace the pages of Webster, it is perfect in describing how our little weekend getaway went! After a quick drop off of the kiddos at Daddy and Mama's we were OFF! Several stops, a cappuccino and lots of road trip music later, we arrived in the Delta.

Here to be exact.

We checked into our fab-u-lous digs, got mugs of real hot chocolate (seriously, real melted chocolate); I dove deep into the amazing linens, while Andy went to "explore"- (Such a MAN thing, don't you think?) I stayed contented there until time to cross the street for our 1 hour massages. Bliss. BLISS, I tell you. After I lifted my wet noodle of a body off of the table and sat in the steam room, I forced myself to get dressed and met A. to go back across the street to prep for dinner.

Dinner=divine. Dining at a former speakeasy with curtained booths and a buzzer to summon the waitress was a different experience to say the least! After a feast on Mississippi farm raised catfish (with the special sauce) and steaks, it was time to summon the shuttle back to our quarters. While we were gone, a good fairy had turned down the beds, and even left chocolate on our pillows to ensure sweet dreams!

Can I just tell you how amazing (did I mention wonderful) it felt to sleep in until AFTER 9 O'clock in the morning. Sure, I did crack my eyes at 7, but it was short-lived. My adventures in dreamland lasted 2 more good long hours. Showers and a lazy pace of getting ready followed. Then came the Southern breakfast buffet by the fireplace. Eggs, cheese grits (my FAV) accompanied by all manners of pork, fruits, frittatas, cereal, muffins, and juices were there for the eating. O.my.WORD. (!!!!)

After all the exertion of morning (HA!) I decided I needed a little rest, and perched myself on the bed with a book and my mandatory second cup of coffee. Andy.... wellll he went to the gym (Just HAS to make a girl feel bad!)

Checking out was followed by perusing small shops, a loooonnngg stroll through a bookstore (with a fabulous selection of southern lit- a favorite of mine!), antiques, jewelry and a children's boutique, and then time to head back to reality.... ALREADY? By this time the afternoon was marching on toward evening, and I began to feel just a wee ( I said a wee) bit sorry for my parents, and began to miss my littles (a bit more than a wee), and we headed south.

More gas, more diet cokes, more road trip music, and a quick stop at my sister's house in the capital city, and we arrived back in home territory, though it was way after dark!

After kisses and numerous hugs and squeals, we discerned that Anna Kate was on hairstyle #452 for the day, (her current phase) and that Andrew had been "hunting bears" with Papa in the woods (numerous times)! All had roasted marshmallows, gotten new toys, and been thoroughly and absolutely spoiled. And to top it all off, Mama had a nice, hot, homecooked meal waiting.... perfect ending, don't you think?

I can't WAIT to go back... and I'm thinking SOON!

Inspiration

Since the inception of my little blog, I have fielded TONS of questions about the inspiration "behind the name" ... Mississippi Girl. And yes, the most famous of all "Mississippi Girls" ... Faith herself, did have an influence on the name. I do love that song! And yes, I have been to Star, Mississippi (for the record, it is located about 20 miles from our capital city, where I lived for several years). And yes, my dear college friend S. did have a boyfriend whose babysitter was the beautiful Ms. Hill when he was younger. And yes, my friend L. has seen her "ride her kids piggyback". And yes, I have driven by the beautiful new home she has built for her parents. And yes, I love her music... (well, most of it, anyway).
But I just felt this "Mississippi Girl" moniker described ME. I'm a 10th generation Mississippi girl... from a long line of Mississippi Girls I hope to emulate each and every day. I admire their strength, their courage, their faith. Faith that withstood losing husbands in wars and children in tragedies. Lives that have inspired me, encouraged me, and touched me. Hands that have taught me. Young and old, some here and some gone, I remain the sum total of all that these "Mississippi Girls" have made me. So this name is, in a way, for them too.
I have a deep and abiding love for her... this state of mine. I love the soft southern twilight, the humid nights, all the breathtaking beauty of this moss hung, magnolia scented state in which I am so privileged to live. And I wouldn't change it for the world. She is my Mississippi. And I am most definitely her girl.
*** Crank up those speakers and have FUN with this video!!
Happy Sunday and
Much Love,