Why I love the South - Reason #1

Last night I tried to explain to a certain someone (you know who you are) why I love the South and Mississippi in particular. This got me thinking. My first post was all about how much I love this state, and now I'll elaborate and give you my first reason why.

Sidenote - I asked my husband to tell me the number one reason he thought I loved the South and he said, "because I live here, of course." A little full of himself, but he makes a good argument.

One very important reason I plan on never leaving the South - down-home, stick-to-your-bones, creamy, greasy, cheesy, Southern cooking. I don't know how people live without it. I try to eat pretty healthy the majority of the time. In our house we eat a lot of grilled chicken and fish with fresh vegetables, but inevitably, the time comes when a craving hits me and all my inhibitions and good intentions are a lost cause.

My go-to place for Southern cuisine would have to be my husband's grandmother's house in Crystal Springs. Let me tell you, Paula Deen has nothing on this woman. The house itself, the atmosphere, and the fare are the epitome of a Southern grandma's house. To my delight, calories and cholesterol mean nothing here. Walking through the doors, I'm greeted by the aroma of freshly baked bread, cakes, and every kind of casserole you could

imagine - a spread that usually takes an entire weekend to prepare. The presentation of the food is also awe-inspiring. You'll never have a meal here that isn't served on the finest of china. Leaving, I always find myself painfully, yet delightfully full.

Mississippi is statistically the most obese state in the country, thanks in large part, I'm sure, to grandmothers from the Delta to the Gulf Coast. But hey, the way I see it, at least we're fat and happy.