Embrace Life

Sometimes I feel like everyday is a list of scheduled things that I HAVE to do.  Once in awhile you just have to embrace life and go with it.  My philosophy, despite my have-to-do list, is to have as many of those impromptu moments as possible.  Life is short.  You don't know what the future holds so... embrace life.  Soak up this beautiful day.  Change things up.  (No excuses!)

Perfectly Sweet Southern Tea

I never really knew what sweet tea was until I moved to the South.  Oh sure, I'd had iced tea before, but I soon learned that not all iced teas are created equal.  Southern Sweet Tea has been my beverage of choice since our first move back in the late 80's to Cherry Point.  Serving sweet tea is quite neighborly.  Over the years, I've had friends who've knocked on my door, especially after a particularly hot day involving yard work, looking quite parched, and asked me for a glass of my sweet tea.  It is what my friends help themselves to when they come to my house.

Today I needed a pick-me-up after work so I decided to go with my old stand-by.  If there is a comfort beverage, like there is comfort food, it has to be sweet tea.

Here is the recipe I use for Perfectly Sweet Southern Tea:

Bring 8 cups of cold water to a boil.  Place 6 family-size Luzianne Tea Bags (decaffinated is what I use) into the pan.  Lid the pan and move it away from the burner.  Steep 20-30 minutes.  Then strain the tea bags and put the steeped tea into a gallon sized pitcher.  Add 1 and 1/2 cups of sugar (yes, that much) and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice concentrate, if you desire, to the pitcher.  Last add 8 cups of iced water to the tea mixture.  (Adding very, very cold water stops the steeping process and helps keep the tea from becoming bitter.)  Serve with additional ice. 

This is definitely sweet and it is definitely good!  LOL  Enjoy!  (insert "Aaahhhh!")

Seldom do I order iced tea when I am visiting the northern states anymore.

Downeast

Yesterday we decided to travel to our friend, Gracie Mae's softball game for 8U.  This was no easy feat as the game was being played in Atlantic.  If you've ever been to Carteret County, NC, then you know the county is the longest county in the state.  We drove forevvvvah!  The drive bestows lots of beautiful views of marshlined areas, some along both sides of the rural roads we traveled.  It doesn't have the nickname "downeast" for nothing.  You literally just keep driving east until it seems that you are at the easternmost tip of the U. S., and it is gorgeous. 

I knew the trip would provide some interest for the day; I just didn't realize the fun would start in the parking lot.  As we hung out, my daughter, Stevie Katherine, spied something unusual.  Sitting across from us was a vehicle with an unusual display on the dashboard.  Two cans of soda and two opened cans of Spaghettio's with metal spoons perched inside.  We thought this was hilarious and had to take a picture.  As I reflected on this, I actually remembered a time when my husband and I had dined on cold pork and beans straight from the can.  We were young, poor, and uninhibited by society's expectations.  We were camping outside of Ocean City, MD and really couldn't afford much else.  We still had fun.  Life is good.

Summer Excursions

One of the most enjoyable aspects of living here in the south has been the many little nooks and crannies found tucked away along the rural roads. 
Spur of the moment trips have been the best way to explore and discover.  I anticipate what this summer has in store, but I will share something funny from one of last summer's such trips, in the meantime.

Some teacher friends, true southern gems, and I traveled to Lizard Lick.  I didn't believe there really was such a place, but....  My friend Cristy, who is from Hick'ry, is a HUGE fan of Lizard Lick Towing and Recovery and wanted to meet these folks...and we did just that!  Just traveling there turned out to be an adventure. 

We stopped to spend the night in Raleigh where we lounged in the Presidential Suite~long story..., but always remember to take a Southern Belle along.  Ours was our friend Ashley!  They can work their charms on anyone!  The next day we ate at this adorable local restaurant (it's so nice not to always dine at chains) along the way called the Ole Time Cafe where my friends dined on chicken livers and collards.  I haven't quite aquired a taste for these yet; although I can eat them, I just choose not to~LOL!  Eventually we did arrive in Lizard Lick.  Such friendly folks.  Actually some of the nicest people I've ever met, and what fun we had.  We even had our picture taken atop a tow truck.  I won't tell you how we got up there...I'll just tell you that it was not by conventional means.  Ah, the simple pleasures in life.  Sweet.