Whiskey in a Tea Cup? Sounds like a fine idea to me. However, the notion that “southern women are a combination of beauty and strength” resonates with me even stronger. Not that I’m a southern woman, because even though I lived in Tennessee for 2 years, by all standards I’m a certified northerner. That said, I never realized what a southern woman I actually am! I suppose it does make sense. On my father’s side, the lineage is clear: German, Irish and French Canadian. On my mother’s side it went like this: GG (what we called my great-grandmother) was from Texas. After she was married, they moved to Tennessee. Along the way (like the Dolly Parton song), they moved from the Appalachians to Detroit for work. My maternal grandfather also had roots in Tennessee. All that seemed important to the cross-culturalism of mom’s side is that we’re from the south and we know we have some Cherokee (My paternal great-great grandfather was Cherokee- which they always accredited for my high cheek bones.) Since I came from a stable loving home, full of support, holiday traditions, nightly dinners, large family gatherings- I never questioned the origin of the devotion to fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits. It was just all I knew.
Instantly, I was smitten with Whiskey in a Teacup. Reading it is like cheerfully walking down Familiar Lane; pleasant and homey with an emphasis on family and the good times. It reminds me of a single volume of an annual subscription of Southern Living Magazine through the life and eyes of Reese Witherspoon. She gives family recipes (which I always appreciate) and party menu lists for year round celebratory occasions. Do I want to have a Kentucky Derby Party complete with pretty dresses and oversized hats? Yes, I do. And I want to serve Reese’s suggested Mint Juleps and Chocolate Derby Pecan Pie. She includes entertaining anecdotes from her childhood and endearing memories of her grandparents, mom, brother, family and friends. She made me want to put on my pearl necklace and get a dog. Reese had me reminiscing about my own grandparents’ huge garden and my grandpa’s work habits, from dawn to dusk even after retirement. In such a BFF kind of way, Reese takes her personal sharing even further- by suggesting music play lists for events like a “Southern Party” and road trips. She gives instructions for how to use hot rollers, and diagrams for how to set casual, as well as, formal table settings (with clever ways to remember). She gives hostess tips, attendee advice, flea market strategies, book reading suggestions, and gift ideas for a variety of occasions. I too love monograms Reese! It is an art under-appreciated in the north, and so is wall paper, soul sister.
My affirmations of my southern upbringing (in the north) were confirmed by the big hair and love of make-up Reese attributed to women of the south. (However, it’s possible that in general the Jersey shore has the whole country beat.) Nobody outdoes my mother. She has never been caught in any photograph, broad daylight, or getting out of bed without her hair done (big) and lipstick applied. Of course, Reese explains that although it rang true for her grandmother, it seemed to skip a generation on her mother. I admit, it seems to have passed me by. But it is already strong with my daughter – a real northern “Southern Belle” in the making. Although the “put your face on” approach to life for me is reserved for special occasions, the love of holidays and the joy of over-the-top decorating for every celebratory day on the calendar has not been lost on me. It is in full effect. Full Effect. From the stair banisters, to the mantels, to the (respective holiday) motif dishes and serve ware, to the annual traditions of gathering and food; holiday celebrations are cherished in my home. I love dressing up for the holidays. And I get it when you say “…We like having things to look forward to–times that we know will be entirely about family and togetherness and the kids and the things that really matter…” Yes, ma’am.
Thanks to Reese Witherspoon’s newly released book, I understand so much more of my southern roots! My mom’s sayings, (Reese’s “Betty-isms”), i.e., Pretty is as pretty does and To have a good friend, be a good friend, her affinity for equestrian themed art, and her natural ability to hostess, her understanding of complimentary fabrics and patterns… My love of Bluegrass, the banjo, quilts, and Dolly Parton… So, even if I’m in Michigan, Reese is in California, and you are where you are… Our southern connection transcends state lines. So ring the brass bell and raise our teacups, because I’ll toast to that!
