If there’s one thing Southerners are known for, it’s their hospitality. If there’s a second thing we’re known for, it’s our patriotism.

So this week’s Tuesday Tip is something that can bring a smile to our Veteran’s (and a smile to our own)! Who doesn’t love the feeling you get when you do something nice for someone? It relieves stress, warms your heart, and doesn’t make the other person feel too bad either.

So today, on this day before Veteran’s Day, where we take the time to honor our Veteran’s, and think about so many others who have risked, and daily risk their lives and their freedoms to give us ours, why not spend a few minutes baking up a batch of your favorite cookies, make up a batch of your best homemade soup, or those last blooms from your garden and taking them to a nearby military base (call ahead and see what the requirements are for getting a visitor’s pass), Vet’s hospital or shelter, or even to a fire station. Just honor someone in our community who serves us while we think about those who sacrifice so much so we can have the freedoms we enjoy every day. And if you’re lucky enough to know a current service member (love you, honey!), make sure you do something extra special for him or her.

Warm a Veteran’s heart. And your own!

image courtesy of Sweet Iced Tea Pictures

I had the wonderful priviledge of a weeklong vacation at Disney World in Orlando, Florida last week (thanks for being such a good sport, husband, when I acted like a child in awe of all the magic and for riding “It’s a Small World” ride, even though the song is still stuck in your head), and while I truly believe it’s the most magical place on earth, as its name suggests, I spent my week on the lookout for tastes of our beloved Southern states.

image of Sweet Iced Tea pictures

Even though Walt was a Californian, he and his Imagineers clearly have a love for the South. Once I started looking, the South was everywhere. From a sip at the New Orleans booth at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival, to the Liberty Belle Riverboat taking us to Tom Sawyer Island to explore, to the Song of the South prominently featured on Splash Mountain. Not to mention the beautiful Port Orleans Resort.

at Disney with our beloved in-laws

beautiful palms in Orlando, Florida - image of Sweet Iced Tea photos

But the part I’m most excited about is the new movie (plenty promoted in and around the park, of course) The Princess and the Frog. It takes place in our beloved South! In the Bayous of Louisiana and is based on the classic fairy tale of the princess and the frog prince. Randy Newman and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band are on the soundtrack. Look for it next month!

Anyone want to go see it with me?

Memphis holds a special place in my heart. I lived my high school years in Memphis, and moved back there after college for a year as a young, single girl, so there are memories embedded everywhere for me.

Now I have our second annual Sweet Iced Tea roadtrip to add to those memories! While we don’t want to give away too much about this city that’s the home of rock ‘n’ roll, blues, and the best bbq in America, we do want to mention this stopover, and look ahead to some of the exciting features we’ll be highlighting in May. So stay tuned for more!

And a special thanks to my sweet in-laws who hosted us while we were there. The food was yummy, the beds were comfy, and the company was wonderful. Love y’all, ILs!

Beautiful photo from Wide Open Spaces

I love love love (!) Emily from Wide Open Spaces. Earlier this week, she posted on a recent visit to North Carolina. We’ve already expressed our love for the state here, so we’re just always trying to keep you Sweet Iced Tea readers informed about other bloggers in the world lovin’ on our beloved South.

Where do you find happiness? It is in the written word, or song? In a moment of inspiration or peace? Perhaps you find it is simply doing what you love most, which could be anything really.  I am always so impressed when I cross paths with individuals who are doing what they love, and who are brave enough to know that “if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly” (T. Roosevelt, 1910). 

My uncle Dave, launched a new magazine last Friday, OnWater Journal, and I couldn’t be more excited for him as he lives out his life’s passion.  Uncle Dave has a strong affinity for the water.  Growing up as a beach boy aided him on this track, but he found his way to fishing, to be specific, fly fishing.  We live in a great area for fishing, and he has travelled near and far to share in his gifts and talents and now extends himself further with OnWater Journal.  While Uncle Dave is a great fisherman, the magazine nods to all things outdoors.  This maiden voyage for the magazine has interesting articles, great pictures, and you will even find a recipe from my dear old dad. 

I hope you will enjoy, and subscribe for all future publications. 

Congrats Uncle Dave, OnWater Journal is sure to be a hit!

So the first stop on our main event (well, after we finally got off the exit and found a parking space–all part of the experience!) trip to Oxford, Mississippi was The Grove.

A  picturesque park in the middle of campus, this heart of Ole Miss is tailgating headquarters during football season.

Thousands of tailgaters bring their tents, “refreshments,” and friends out rain or shine and party until the game starts. And plenty of others keep on going through the game, bringing elaborate televison and sound systems to make sure to watch the game.

If you’re going to spend time in Oxford, the Grove is an absolute must. You’ll never see anything like it. Make sure you wear your Sunday best. You’ll see many more prim dresses and gentlemen in ties than you will t-shirts and hoodies. All part of the Southern charm!

Oxford: Square Books

All pictures from www.sweeticedtea.wordpress.com. 

Of all of the exciting places we visited on our fall 2009 road trip, I was most excited about a day trip to Oxford, Mississippi.  Boasting the University of Mississippi, Oxford, is an hour and half away from Memphis and is literally in the middle of nowhere.  On our drive to Oxford, I could not help but be reminded of the movie “Big Fish,” and as Edward Bloom happened upon the town of Spectre, it was almost as we were on his path, a destination in mind, but no real plans. 

As it turned out, our traveling trip to Oxford happened to be a game weekend, a big game weekend.  While Traffic from the Alabama and Ole’ Miss game thwarted our time of arrival in Oxford, we were able to enjoy lots of the sights, meet a few great people (who we will introduce next week) and also experience college football tailgating at its finest. 

Overall, Oxford was a successful and beautiful part of our trip, and I was happy to venture out to the middle of nowhere and find such a great city! Oxford is a college town full of life, restaurants, and tons of great old homes.   I am hoping to get back soon! Maybe we will see you there.

Possibly my favorite part of Oxford jaunt was the charming square. Locals call this “The Center of the Universe.” And of course, there’s no surprise that anyplace with the most Southern shops would draw two Southern girls (who love to shop)!

There were so many places to visit here in the center of downtown, but among our favorites were Square Books, Lily Pad, and Amelia.

Do y’all have any favorite places in Oxford?

The ever creative city of Athens, Georgia has yet another feather in its cap with the world unveiling of the Four Coursemen.  Food and Wine Magazine featured this “underground,” Athens supper club in their November issue.  Now, I must admit I am very excited about the future of this group, but I am also a bit anxious. Will I ever find an open weekend, with an open seat?  Here is what happens with the Four Coursemen, they send out an email letting everyone know when their website will accept reservations for the next dinner.  From here you must go to the website at the specified date and time, and sign up via the “eat with us” link on the website.  It is basically a first come, first serve approach. Seats fill up almost instantaneously.  Sounds thrilling, doesn’t it?

I first heard of these private dining events from an article in Garden and Gun magazine (the south’s best publication, aside from SweetIcedTea.net), and have craved one of their dining experiences ever since. 

Make sure to check out the Garden and Gun article, pick up Food and Wine magazine and read our post about supper clubs. 

Perhaps one day we will be lucky enough to enjoy a seat at their table. Can anyone put in a good word for me? Happy Dining!

All pictures from Foodandwine.com photographer Rinne Allen.