Monday, July 23, 2012

IF YOU AIN'T FROM THE SOUTH...BLESS YOUR HEART!



The most frequent question asked of me by my readers is "What are some books that teach you how to be Southern?"  Well, "Being Southern" is something you are raised to be; however, there are some books that might help you "fit in a little bit better down South!"

"Girls Raised in the South...The GRITS Guide to Life"
~Miss Janice's favorite part~
GRITS Pearl of Wisdom #6:  If you can be ready to go in less than thirty minutes, you probably shouldn't be leaving the house at all!  This is one of my all-time favorite lines.




"Puttin on the Grits...A Guide to Southern Entertaining"
~Miss Janice's favorite part~
Before you move to the South, you simply must master the recipe for the "Baptist Cocktail"!
6 cups pineapple juice
1 6-oz can frozen limeade, thawed
2 2-liter bottles ginger ale
Mix all the ingredients in a large pitcher, chill, and add to a punch bowl {Yes, you will need a fancy punch bowl} with ice.  Sometimes scoops of lime sherbet are floated on the top.



"What Southern Women Know...That Every Woman Should"
~Miss Janice LOVES this book!~
You don't have to be born in the South to benefit from the attributes of the true Southern woman.  Here are some of the secrets from the author Ronda Rich:

~A woman can be both tough and nice
~More flies are caught with honey than with vinegar
~Positive, optimistic attitudes are a necessity of life
~Femininity is a plus in the business and social worlds
~Kindess and compassion are never out of date or out of style



"S.W.A.G... Southern Women Aging Gracefully"
~Miss Janice's fave part~
Southern ladies don't carry purses.  They use pocketbooks!  The pocketbook is part of the Southern lady's personna and of course, must match her shoes.




"Having it Y'all"
~Miss Janice's favorite part!
Make no mistake about it, manners matter in Dixie!  You can be as poor as a church mouse or ugly as a mud fence, but don't ever be found empty-handed of good manners.

~Be humble
~Be courteous
~Behave yourself
~Be friendly
~Be modest
~Say "please" and "thank you" without fail
~Always ask, never tell
~Say "ma'am" and "sir" without fail



"Suddenly Southern" 
~Miss Janice's favorite part!
Leave your hyhpenated name at the MasonHyphenDixonLine.  It is said down here that Southern women have two first names and Yankee women have two last names.  It's all about tradition down South, so getting married and not taking your husband's last name--well, it just ain't right!



So, if you're thinking about moving to the South, or you already reside here and just need to brush up your Southern self, these are all great books for Southern girls!

11 comments:

Miss Janice said...

Does anyone know how the white highlighted part happens? I've seen this on other blogs lately.
Miss Janice

Something Delightful by Rachel Timmerman said...

What cute books! My mama has a few of them. I love that line too, Miss Janice! I don't think I've ever been ready in 30 minutes :)

-Rachel @ A Preppy State of Mind

Beth Dunn said...

You Southern girls are just too cute and polished. I'd never even bother.
xoxo
SC

AngelaV said...

No hyphenated name here! I have a couple of those books. Love Ronda Rich.

Southern Living: Preppy Style said...

Love them!

Mimi said...

So cute!! Love the post and LOVE being Southern!

Donna said...

Sounds like a very civilized way to live...will definitely have to check out the books.

Hattie said...

I have the Ronda Rich's book.....What Southern Women Know...... Love it! Will have to check out some of the others.

Rosemary said...

Great books! Ronda Rich's book, What Southern Women Know About Faith, is her best book. It's the one she is most proud of ( so I've read).

Rosemary

Rose Chandler Johnson said...

Love the line about the "pocketbook", so true, and the one about getting ready to leave the house...so funny...and the funnest part is we really speak the language/know the culture. :-)You keep reminding us Miss Janice.

Rose said...

I have a 2 hour minimum when leaving the house LOL
Just ordered Suddenly Southern from Amazon, thanks for the recommendation