April Food Day 2010

Fried Chicken... Red Beans & Rice... a good steak... a big bowl of pasta... pepperjack cheese and Triscuits... eggs in the morning... a hot dog for lunch... that big salad of greens and fresh vegetables... holiday feasts... homemade pizzas... boutique cupcakes... a simple square supper of grilled fish, green beans and rice...These are the foods that have defined who I am and where I find comfort day in and out.

Luckily, I haven't ever had to experience not having the food I love much less need, at my reach. However Feed America - a non-profit serving 37 million Americans, including 14 million children, or 1 in 8 individuals - must provide food and groceries to 33,500 food pantries, 4,500 soup kitchens and 3,600 emergency shelters.

Southern Gent Blog became a part of this annual blogger event last year and I am happy to contribute again given how important good food is to all of us. Please give, because for every $1 10lbs of food and grocery products will be donated to men, women and children across America.

You can contribute HERE.

Image Credit: aprilfoodday.blogspot.com

Dixie Debauchery

T-Minus 1 week until we are down in Dixie for MDG's bachelor party weekend. Debauchery is bound to ensue.

Image Credit: Unknown

Purveyors of Southern Goods Give-Away

For a while now, I've been adding companies based in the southeast to the right hand column under "Purveyors of Southern Goods" and every so often one company stands out that I'd like to personally endorse - from the products, to the marketing, to the individuals that create the brand.

Later this week, there will be a full post on Southern Tide and because they were kind enough to send along a few key products, I'm looking forward to sharing the wealth with the first SGGiveAway.

SGRecommends: A Frightened Writer

The Mississippi Delta is known for turning out more writers than any where else in the country - from Walker Percy to Hodding Carter to Julia Reed - and now Ward Williams of A Frightened Writer.

I'm not sure how I came across Ward's blog, but this Mississippian by Manhattan captured my attention with his quick wit, dry humor, and honest to goodness southern-style story telling that makes each post seem like a short story.

Here are my favorite posts thus far on his burgeoning blog:

• 5 Songs to Take Me Away
• Class#1: Aaaaaand, Scene.
• Points of Inspiration: Shubuta, Mississippi

Ward's style has been compared to a cross between David Sedaris and Augustin Burroughs and from what I've read could be along the same path to success. So to say 'you knew him when' head over to AFW and join his mother (who he says is his only loyal fan), read a post or two, and leave him a comment.

Image Credits: Ward Williams

Well, the Ides of March have come...

and it seems we have welcomed spring weather with great fanfare. From pretty gorgeous 70 degree and sunshine days to requisite afternoon thunder showers, the changing temperatures mean it's time to pack away....


The vests that were worn while ushering in Autumns Return,

the Patagonia fleeces that were perfect on their own during sweater weather and as an additional layer in the dead of winter,

my old school North Faces that were worth their weight in gold when DC was hit by heavy snow in December then back-to-back blizzards in February,

and last but not least, the Barbours that are the corner stone of my wardrobe.

Okay, so maybe it won't all be bagged up and put in storage right away; the vests and fleece are perfect for Spring mornings and cool Summer nights and if the Farmer's Almanac is correct we aren't done with winter just yet - which means all of this rig may just get an encore performance.

Until then, boat shoes and polos for everyone...

Magically Delicious

It's been seen across the interwebs 1000s of times, but I couldn't help pulling it from the archives for St. Patrick's Day 2010 because it's magically delicious...

Courtesy of botmid

"Who else see's a leprechaun? Say 'yea'!"

SG Social Calendar

I'm excited to launch a new column called SGSocialCalendar; the events, activities and happenings that are right up my alley and hopefully yours as well.

Oyster Roast
Hosted by the South Carolina State Society
Saturday, March 13 ~ 3PM - 9PM
Arlington, VA

Hurricanes & Pianos: A French Quarter Party
Hosted by the Louisiana State Society
Saturday, March 27 ~ 8PM - 11PM
Washington, DC

The Lee Brothers: Explorers of Southern Cuisine
Hosted by the Smithsonian Resident Associates
Tuesday, April 6 at 6:45 p.m.
S. Dillon Ripley Center, 1100 Jefferson Drive, S.W. Washington D.C.

Resident Members $15, General Admission $25. *The Smithsonian Associates has offered y'all the Resident rate when using the promo code 182291. For tickets and further information call 202.633.3030 or click here.

In the Stacks

Several months ago, SG graphic designer and blogger extraordinaire in her own right, Jessica Nell Graves, asked me what media - books, cds, movies etc - would I recommend for a guest post on her blog The Love List.

Last week, Jessica and her team launched, The Library; a curated collection of media by bloggers, tastemakers, and designers. I'm honored to be included.

Check out what else is 'in the stacks' and my entries below HERE:

Garden & Gun
G&G has a strong following for its well crafted articles, stunning photography, and focus on environmental conservation. Under the tutelage of Editor-in-Chief Sid Evans (formerly of Field & Stream) the magazine's main pursuit is "a love of the land and a dedication to the sporting life" throughout the South and Caribbean. It's one of the few publications I'll read cover to cover.

Joy of Cooking 75th Anniversary Edition
I love to cook. Testing recipes for 1, simple dinners for a few, larger parties - I scour websites and other cookbooks for recipes and how-to's, but always seem to come back to the new edition of The Joy of Cooking. It's become my kitchen companion and guide.

Garth Brooks Double Live
My college buddy J.B. once said "if you are born in the South this album should come with your birth certificate." It stays in the glove box of my car and captures the best years of the top-selling country music artist in history.