Never Say Never: My Accent Vlog

I'm doing what I thought I'd never do: a vlog.

Y'all, I'm so awkward. But I'm biting the bullet and joining the accent vlog fun because I'm so fascinated by the way people talk. The quirky colloquialisms and especially the vowels (you can always tell where someone's from by their vowels) captivate me.

So here are mine. Namely, none. I wish I had more "shut the front door, dahlin'-ness" seeping out of me, but I just don't.

I used to take offense when people asked where I was from ("um, here?") but now I just appreciate the vast range of accents we've all got. Even a non-accent's an accent, I suppose. (See: British actors learning an "American accent" for a part.)

I'd love to hear your accent. I got the idea from Jenna's Journey and hope you'll tell me if you decide to participate!

One question: How exactly does one sign off of a vlog? The same way one says goodbye at the end of a phone conversation? Ok great, I'll go with that method...



The instructions are to say these words:
Aunt, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught

And answer these questions:
What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?
What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?
What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?
What do you call gym shoes?
What do you say to address a group of people?
What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?
What do you call your grandparents?
What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?
What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?
What is the thing you use to change the TV channel?

Georgia is a Big Ol' Fake

Perhaps that was a bit inflammatory, but it's the truth. No matter the fruit on the state license plate, I'll never think of Georgia as the real peach state.

Thankfully, there's more to my instinct than just digging in my heels. The New York Times has done a pretty good job summarizing what most of us here in the Palmetto State know... There's no better place to buy and eat your peaches.

We grow more, we sell more - and ours are just better. In my markedly biased opinion, obviously, seeing that I've eaten only a handful of Georgia-grown peaches in my lifetime.

With August, National Peach Month, just around the corner, there's no better time to nab a basket full of Gaffney peaches. Little boys may giggle that the giant Peachoid looks quite similar to a backside, but there's a reason that giant fruit keeps watch over their corner of the Upstate: They grow some unparalled peaches.

Besides making a kitchen smell fabulous, they taste pretty darn amazing, too. And you'd be surprised how much you can do with them!

I, the furthest thing from a culinary genius, have grilled them, served them with pork tenderloin, plopped them in a pie, sliced them over biscuits, used them as an ice cream topping, pureed them into a smoothie and, of course, eaten them the good old fashioned way - straight.

I humbly suggest that Georgia find a new state nickname. I wouldn't echo Stephen Colbert's suggestion, because it's not Georgia's fault Sherman burned them to the ground - and he didn't do us any favors, either - but this video is worth a moment nonetheless.

(Side note: Have you seen the peach pie on last month's Southern Living cover? With pecans and cinnamon? Oh, to be a taste tester in that kitchen!)

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
National Peach Month
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

Moon Pies Get Their Day in the Sun

Cupcakes have been trendy for some time now. They're ubiquitious; every city has its own cupcake cafe, every wedding planner has created a cupcake display, every adult has partaken of these delicious, sprinkle-topped treats.

While I'll never stop craving cupcakes, I think the bubble may have burst for these trendy sweets. The world of haute cuisine is clamoring for a new dessert du jour and, if The Kitchn is to be believed, the next must-have baked good could be the Moon Pie!


While I take issue with calling them truck stop staples, I agree that Moon Pies aren't for everyone. They may be unheard of in certain parts of the country, but around here they're well known - and paired, like snapper and sauvignon blanc, with RC Cola.

While each can be hard to find, the RC and Moon Pie combination is a classic. Clemson's president Robert Cook "R.C." Edwards' wife was even given the nickname "Moon Pie." If that doesn't say "we go together like peas and carrots," I don't know what does.

We gave away orange and white Moon Pies at our wedding a few years ago, but they're not a staple in the Smith household. Though I may not eat many Moon Pies these days, I'm still excited to see this bit of Southern culture trickle into the foodie world.


I might even try this recipe for homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Moon Pies, just to celebrate my roots - and my sweet tooth.

If you're in the mood for a rainbow of original Moon Pies, take a look at what's available. All kinds of "truck stop" goodness.

Are you a Moon Pie fan?

Two Reasons I Love June

And also two reasons I love B, who cut these from our his garden yesterday and put them out to make me smile. Hydrangeas in my favorite pitcher? Roses in a glass? Why not?!


I have two black thumbs, so I am in awe of what Bradley can grow - baskets full of tomatoes, zucchini, squash, peppers, broccoli, plus flowers to brighten our table. (I also furrow my brow a bit. How is it that I kill every plant I touch, but he can make them flourish?)


Regardless of how he worked his growing magic, I'm grateful. Catching a glimpse every now and then reminds me of B's thoughtfulness - and of the upside to the heat this time of year.

Hope you're all having a wonderful Monday!!

Before you start another crazy week....

1. Tell me a few of your favorite gym songs. I am working on a fabulous new playlist and absolutely welcome your suggestions. I use it as a total excuse for all of the crap, um, pop music on my iPod. Britney, Three 6 Mafia, Rihanna, Lil Wayne, Kevin Rudolf, Kanye, Christina, Mandy Moore - whaaat? I know, I know. I keep it to the clean versions, but a girl's got to keep it exciting if she wants to tempt herself onto the treadmill. So add a little to my playlist... I promise to take your advice!

2. Be in prayer for a Clemson graduate and Columbia native who could certainly use them! This adorable girl is engaged to be married this spring and has found out she has two brain tumors. She's set for surgery this Tuesday the 27th to see if they are benign or malignant. I'm praying for beningn!!

3. Join me in hoping that the groundhog predicts a quick and sunny spring next week!!

4. Take a moment to (finally) learn how to tie a stylish scarf. Also, enjoy a good Southern accent, some lovely lady chatter and a bit of good insight into Bachelor contestants' fashion faux pas. This will totally be me in ten years - if I'm lucky, that is!! It goes to show that sorority-style gal pals never go out of fashion!


Scarf Tying 101 from Big Mama on Vimeo.

Fortunately, I can wear stylishly chic jeans, heels and scarves to work. I think I wore one every day last week. Newly acquired are hot pink, lime green and charcoal from (yes, you're reading this correctly) Wal-Mart. I walked by to grab some eye cream and what do you know - they've got cute pashminas!

Add to that my gorgeous orange gift pashmina from K.Dub, the purple one my friend Jennifer just forced me to purchase, a red one that got broken in over the holidays and a mauve one from my summer in Paris well before they were in style - well, you can see how easy it is to throw one on over a t-shirt and call yourself a fashionista.

Have a fabulous, fabulous week, y'all!

Obsession of the moment

As of noon today, I'm obsessed with Needtobreathe's song "Washed by the Water." (Though I am decidedly less obsessed with the band's name. Did their collective space bar stop functioning?)

"Washed by the Water" is on constant replay in my head or on my iPod; it's the perfect mix of Southern rock, gospel and all-around fabulousness. Reminds me a lot of Marc Broussard, whom I also love.

Look it up on iTunes or check out their MySpace page. You'll notice a few things if you do:

1. They're from Seneca. Yes, seriously. (Actually, their bio says they're originally from Possum Kingdom, SC - but even Bradley doesn't know where that is. Apparently there's a Possum Holler in that area, but not a Possum Kingdom. At least not officially - and surely no one would name their subdivision that, so I'm at a loss...)

2. The brothers who started the band are named after a certain SEC football coach - Bear Rinehart and Bryant "Bo" Rinehart. Of course Bradley knew of them - they played football at Seneca High and then headed to Clemson and Furman, respectively. One even won the state-wide Banks McFadden football award. Impressive. Love them already!

3. They had a song on the P.S. I Love You soundtrack. The reviews scared me off of that movie, but I'm a fan of the track.

4. They've opened for lots of famous folks already... And did I say one's a Clemson grad?? Go Tigers. Super proud!

Also, it's midnight on a "school night" and I'm awake fighting off a migraine that has hounded me all day. Excuse the incoherence. Go listen to the song already!