The Southern Living Incident

My family always has a little bit of a chuckle regarding Southern Living magazine.

Here's why...

My step-father is from Alabama (technically he grew up moving around with his dad in the Air Force, but most of his family and a lot of his memories are from 'Bama.)

Of course, my family is Minnesota born-and-bred so he's always been our "southern redneck."

His mother (who is the quintessential southern belle and one of the sweetest ladies I've ever met) visits Minnesota every once in a while, and my parents visit Alabama about once per year.

The first Christmas after my mom and him were married, they visit Alabama. My mom came back gushing about how great his family is (and they truly are) and how much fun she had. She cooked southern food with his mom and definitely got a fun, southern experience. Not bad for a Yankee...

Shortly after the visit, my mom received a gift in the mail:

(found here)

It wasn't meant as anything more then a sweet gesture. Except that she sent it so that my mom could "be a better southern belle." Apparently, my mom needed a little less Yankee and a little more sweet tea.

My mom has politely hoarded the magazines as the subscription comes each month. She says she reads them, but I've never seen her crack one open. It has remained a loving joke in our family that even though my mom is a wonderful woman "bless her heart," she just needs a little more southern charm.

Imagine my surprise this morning when I received this e-mail:

Apparently, this Midwestern Yankee needs a little southern charm too.