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~Kindess and compassion are never out of date or out of style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!