So as Hurricane Irene traveled up the East Coast this weekend, mama and I waited out the storm in Wilmington. Thankfully she had made a fresh batch of sweet tea before I got there on Thursday, but by Friday around noon, it was quickly diminishing. The worst of the storm blew through during the early morning hours of Saturday, I slept through that and losing power. After getting up, mom and I played scrabble, took a little nap, and once the winds died down a little, we sat out on the front porch for a while. We mainly watched the trees touch the ground when the wind blew hard enough, and talked about the crazies that were out walking around in the storm... (WITHOUT RAIN JACKETS!) and about how much we hated those people who had generators running their refrigerators and fans while we were suffering through it.
As we were watching things... a car drove by, and a woman had a McDonald's cup in her hand. (The window was down) .... I took one look at that cup, then another at my mom and said, "I'm going to put on my bra...Then, we're going to McD's!" After all, the worst of the storm had passed. It wasn't raining too much and the winds came and went... So, after clothing myself appropriately, we headed out. To our surprise there was not too much damage, a couple of trees were down on a few streets, but the main roads were remarkably clear.
It didn't matter that we had to sit in the Drive-Thru lane for 15 minutes. All that mattered was that I had a large sweet tea in the cup holder of my car, and I could survive the rest of the storm. I was not too impressed with the quarter pounder with cheese... but considering McD's was even open in the middle of a hurricane, I suppose I shouldn't complain. But, I won't be eating another one.
My point, people, is that a TRUE SOUTHERNER, Like myself and my mother, will go through wind, hail, sleet, rain, hurricanes or snow (well, not likely) to get some good sweet tea.
Call us crazy, but it was worth it.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Detour Ahead: Turn off your engine
Before I begin, I have another blog that's more about my day-to-day life, and captured some moments from when I lived in Los Angeles, and the move back and what not... So before you read this post, you need to read this one... Butter Biscuit Fiasco.
Now, once you've read that, please continue.
This blog is all about Sweet Tea. Where to get the best, how to drink it, what ice to use, and how to throw lemons at the waiter/waitress when they bring you one after specifically saying "NO LEMON." What I didn't realize when I came up with this blog was that I would have to enlighten you wonderful people on this topic. Drive Thru's
The drive thru in America changed the way we eat. Now we're all about quick food all the time. But you have to admit, it's easy. And fast.
So the other day, I was running errands around town with my mom and I told her we had to go to Cook-Out because I desperately needed a sweet tea. It was probably 100 degrees that day, not to mention the humidity that you could cut with a knife... home girl was thirsty and HOT. Sweet Tea was necessary.
So we ventured over and pulled into the drive thru lane. I rolled down my window and politely asked for a regular sweet tea. Here's how this went...
And, DTG stands for Drive Thru Girl... although it should be DTI, Drive Thru Idiot...
Me: Yes, could I please get a regular sweet tea.
DTG: one regular sweet tea, anything else?
Me: No, that's all, thank you.
(Brief moment of silence)
DTG: I'm sorry, could you cut off your engine? I really can't hear you.
Me: (Sitting with mouth WIDE open in disbelief that this was just said.)
I said, THAT'S IT!
DTG: Please pull forward for your total.
....... WHAT? Ok, Now granted there was a mustang convertible that was leaving the parking lot with 5 mufflers on it making a great deal of racket, but for real? It wasn't MY ENGINE making the noise. What if a plane had been flying over head? "Hey excuse me, could you shoot down that plane I can't really hear you?"
NO. NO. NO. NO. NO! What we have hear is a back case of the messed up speaker at Cook-Out.
After pulling forward, I looked over at my mom who also seemed to be in shock about the "turn off your engine" comment and I said, Did she really just tell me to cut off my engine? What the hell?
We were both a little frazzled, but I managed to get the sweet tea and get out of there before she asked for my first born child. The rest of the day I kept telling momma to turn off her engine if I didn't happen to hear what she said.
I'm all about convenience, but I drive a Ford Fusion. I do not have it all suped up and messed up with additives that Ford didn't put on it. It wasn't My ENGINE.
I'm just not sure what the world is coming to. Drive Thru's were supposed to add quickness and super fast service... but now it's going to take forever to get that Big Mac combo Meal at McDonald's because you'll have to put it in park, cut off the engine, order, crank it up again, then pull through to the window. And that, my friends, is just a damn silly waste of time. So, here's to going into the lobby to order from now on.
It's probably the best solution, unless of course your local McDonald's also doubles as a car dealership indoors. Then you may want to go a different route. :)
Now, once you've read that, please continue.
This blog is all about Sweet Tea. Where to get the best, how to drink it, what ice to use, and how to throw lemons at the waiter/waitress when they bring you one after specifically saying "NO LEMON." What I didn't realize when I came up with this blog was that I would have to enlighten you wonderful people on this topic. Drive Thru's
The drive thru in America changed the way we eat. Now we're all about quick food all the time. But you have to admit, it's easy. And fast.
So the other day, I was running errands around town with my mom and I told her we had to go to Cook-Out because I desperately needed a sweet tea. It was probably 100 degrees that day, not to mention the humidity that you could cut with a knife... home girl was thirsty and HOT. Sweet Tea was necessary.
So we ventured over and pulled into the drive thru lane. I rolled down my window and politely asked for a regular sweet tea. Here's how this went...
And, DTG stands for Drive Thru Girl... although it should be DTI, Drive Thru Idiot...
Me: Yes, could I please get a regular sweet tea.
DTG: one regular sweet tea, anything else?
Me: No, that's all, thank you.
(Brief moment of silence)
DTG: I'm sorry, could you cut off your engine? I really can't hear you.
Me: (Sitting with mouth WIDE open in disbelief that this was just said.)
I said, THAT'S IT!
DTG: Please pull forward for your total.
....... WHAT? Ok, Now granted there was a mustang convertible that was leaving the parking lot with 5 mufflers on it making a great deal of racket, but for real? It wasn't MY ENGINE making the noise. What if a plane had been flying over head? "Hey excuse me, could you shoot down that plane I can't really hear you?"
NO. NO. NO. NO. NO! What we have hear is a back case of the messed up speaker at Cook-Out.
After pulling forward, I looked over at my mom who also seemed to be in shock about the "turn off your engine" comment and I said, Did she really just tell me to cut off my engine? What the hell?
We were both a little frazzled, but I managed to get the sweet tea and get out of there before she asked for my first born child. The rest of the day I kept telling momma to turn off her engine if I didn't happen to hear what she said.
I'm all about convenience, but I drive a Ford Fusion. I do not have it all suped up and messed up with additives that Ford didn't put on it. It wasn't My ENGINE.
I'm just not sure what the world is coming to. Drive Thru's were supposed to add quickness and super fast service... but now it's going to take forever to get that Big Mac combo Meal at McDonald's because you'll have to put it in park, cut off the engine, order, crank it up again, then pull through to the window. And that, my friends, is just a damn silly waste of time. So, here's to going into the lobby to order from now on.
It's probably the best solution, unless of course your local McDonald's also doubles as a car dealership indoors. Then you may want to go a different route. :)
Thursday, July 28, 2011
TO-GO...AT HOME!
New comers: read the previous posts to see how I feel about TO-GO cups...
Returners: I have met my match in the world of TO-GO cups. As I stated here PLANS, I arrived in Asheboro, NC today to stay at Dora's house for the night. Upon hauling all of my crap out of my car, we were standing in the kitchen and chit-chatting and what not when Dora says...
OH, By the way, I'm on strike from washing glasses. So, if you want to use a cup, use these...
<Points to large stack of Styrofoam cups....>
Ok, I said. No problem. I totally understand.
Dora then says, and don't worry, there's also lids, and I have straws.
HOLD THE PHONE LADIES AND GENTLEMAN... THE WOMAN HAS TO-GO CUPS IN HER HOUSE!!!!!!!!
It's like Heaven.
Yes, I imagine Heaven has TO-GO cups of whatever you'd like, thanks. And what would be so wrong about that? NOTHING! At least not to this Southern girl anyway. (Or Dora, for that matter).
So, as I sit across from Dora, both of us sipping out of our TO-GO (from home) cups, I feel as if life as I know it, is complete. For this moment at least.
Good company, Good atmosphere, Good Tea, Good Cups.
Returners: I have met my match in the world of TO-GO cups. As I stated here PLANS, I arrived in Asheboro, NC today to stay at Dora's house for the night. Upon hauling all of my crap out of my car, we were standing in the kitchen and chit-chatting and what not when Dora says...
OH, By the way, I'm on strike from washing glasses. So, if you want to use a cup, use these...
<Points to large stack of Styrofoam cups....>
Ok, I said. No problem. I totally understand.
Dora then says, and don't worry, there's also lids, and I have straws.
HOLD THE PHONE LADIES AND GENTLEMAN... THE WOMAN HAS TO-GO CUPS IN HER HOUSE!!!!!!!!
It's like Heaven.
Yes, I imagine Heaven has TO-GO cups of whatever you'd like, thanks. And what would be so wrong about that? NOTHING! At least not to this Southern girl anyway. (Or Dora, for that matter).
So, as I sit across from Dora, both of us sipping out of our TO-GO (from home) cups, I feel as if life as I know it, is complete. For this moment at least.
Good company, Good atmosphere, Good Tea, Good Cups.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Tragedy in the world of Sweet Tea
Anyone born and raised in Wilmington, North Carolina knows (should know) that The Great American Cookie Company in the Independence Mall is amazing. Not just because there cookies are delicious and that a birthday just isn't a birthday unless you have one of their huge awesome cookie cakes full of icing and goodness... BUT, also because of their sweet tea, and PELLET ice.
Mayfaire, the outdoor shopping experience near Wrightsville Beach is slowly beating out the malls competition when it comes to stores and eateries. There's really not much left at the Mall. Except the food court and the big department stores.
So anyway, Momma and I went to the mall a couple of months ago and I asked for a cookie and sweet tea....Like I've done since I was knee high to a pig's eye. So after making our rounds at JC Penney's, we went to the middle of the mall to grab our goodies and get out of there.
But we couldn't grab our goodies.
The damn cookie company was closed. CLOSED PEOPLE!
No more cookies, and sadly, no more sweet tea. Or pellet ice.
So what is the deal? I have no idea. I do not know what happened with our cookie store, because the one in the Fayetteville Mall is still there... although don't go there looking for sweet tea, you won't be finding any.
If you're keeping track of that top 10 list of Sweet Tea places that I posted here, you may want to cross off #10 "Cookie Place in the Mall"... I'll have to get back to you on a replacement.
Until then, bottoms up :)
Mayfaire, the outdoor shopping experience near Wrightsville Beach is slowly beating out the malls competition when it comes to stores and eateries. There's really not much left at the Mall. Except the food court and the big department stores.
So anyway, Momma and I went to the mall a couple of months ago and I asked for a cookie and sweet tea....Like I've done since I was knee high to a pig's eye. So after making our rounds at JC Penney's, we went to the middle of the mall to grab our goodies and get out of there.
But we couldn't grab our goodies.
The damn cookie company was closed. CLOSED PEOPLE!
No more cookies, and sadly, no more sweet tea. Or pellet ice.
So what is the deal? I have no idea. I do not know what happened with our cookie store, because the one in the Fayetteville Mall is still there... although don't go there looking for sweet tea, you won't be finding any.
If you're keeping track of that top 10 list of Sweet Tea places that I posted here, you may want to cross off #10 "Cookie Place in the Mall"... I'll have to get back to you on a replacement.
Until then, bottoms up :)
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Forgive me...
It all started when I would bring in a glass of Sweet Tea to my mom's room when we would watch TV. Our cat, Peewee, would go over and investigate the cup to see what is in it. We would yell at him, and he'd back away back onto the bed.
Then, one night, as my glass of Sweet Tea sat on the bedside table, Peewee went over to inspect it like he always did. BUT this time, he stuck is little grey head down into my cup and started drinking, YES, DRINKING my sweet tea. So, there it was: My cat was drinking sweet tea. We knew he had some issues, but at least we now knew he was a Southern Kitty.
After I bought my first Tervis Tumbler (Tervis), Momma and I joked about getting Peewee his own baby Tervis Tumbler (seen here--> baby Tervis). Because any true Southern person (or cat) should have their own Tervis.
We haven't gotten it yet, but, lucky for me I went to McDonald's one day and they happened to be serving samples of their new Frozen Strawberry Lemonade. They were serving them in these little teeny tiny McFrappe cups.
I got one. The frozen strawberry lemonade is fantastic, and I highly recommend it for anyone that likes that sort of thing... HOWEVER, the best part about this was the size of this little cup!
It was PERFECT for little Peewee to drink Sweet Tea out of. I drove home, and after Momma got off of the phone, we tested the new "Tervis".
Here are the results:
Then, one night, as my glass of Sweet Tea sat on the bedside table, Peewee went over to inspect it like he always did. BUT this time, he stuck is little grey head down into my cup and started drinking, YES, DRINKING my sweet tea. So, there it was: My cat was drinking sweet tea. We knew he had some issues, but at least we now knew he was a Southern Kitty.
After I bought my first Tervis Tumbler (Tervis), Momma and I joked about getting Peewee his own baby Tervis Tumbler (seen here--> baby Tervis). Because any true Southern person (or cat) should have their own Tervis.
We haven't gotten it yet, but, lucky for me I went to McDonald's one day and they happened to be serving samples of their new Frozen Strawberry Lemonade. They were serving them in these little teeny tiny McFrappe cups.
I got one. The frozen strawberry lemonade is fantastic, and I highly recommend it for anyone that likes that sort of thing... HOWEVER, the best part about this was the size of this little cup!
It was PERFECT for little Peewee to drink Sweet Tea out of. I drove home, and after Momma got off of the phone, we tested the new "Tervis".
Here are the results:
Getting a feel for the cup... not sure what to think at first...
But then........
SUCCESS!!! He loves it!!!!
Needless to say, Peewee now just expects his own little cup to be full when I come in with my own cup.
So what's next for Peewee? We're hoping he can learn how to use a straw. It would be a less messy and would help my arm to not get as tired while holding His Majesty's cup.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Yes Ma'am, Yes SIR
Let's be honest, that top 10 list I gave you is nothing if you don't know what to do once you get there. So in honor of a little weekend adventure to Asheboro, NC I'm going to let you in on the secret of Sir Pizza.
I stumbled over Sir Pizza when I was with Cameron and we went for me to meet his parents one weekend in Asheboro. Sir Pizza has the best pizza, ever. Hands down. No if's, and's or but's... And I'll fight any one that says otherwise. (You obviously haven't tried it, or aren't human if you don't like it...)
Yes, Sir Pizza's food is amazing... but let's get to the part everyone is really here for: Sweet tea.
Sir Pizza's sweet tea is as amazing, maybe even more so, than their pizza. (Gasp! people in Asheboro are rolling in their graves, I'm sure of it.) But it's TRUE friends!! And if you don't think so, then you're CRAZY. The BEST part is that the employees of Sir Pizza offer you TO-GO cups... You don't even have to ask. Which makes this little southern girl, Very Happy. (It does not, however, make some people happy- who are embarrassed that you're getting your drink to-go in the first place. Some people will just never understand). On that note, a TO-GO cup from Sir Pizza is very different than asking for one at an Upscale Los Angeles restaurant. Which, for the record, I never did. Okay, that's because I could never get Sweet Tea anywhere except McDonald's out there.. but still.
Sir Pizza isn't the only place in Asheboro that is serving up some of the best Sweet tea. The Pig (yes, The Pig) serves up some delicious Sweet Tea as well... which is best paired with the fried pickles and thousand island dip. Fried Pickles? Yes! FRIED... PICKLES... I'm a dill pickle convert, after years of eating the sweet ones.. I finally ventured to the dill side. And FRIED? Everything is better fried. It's the motto of the South... dredge it in flour and milk, throw it in the deep frier and your basically good to go.
Just make sure that you've got plenty of Sweet Tea to go around. Or else that fried food won't be going down so smoothly.
Now, you're fully prepared to go on a little trip to Asheboro. Remember, the NC State Zoo is there, so it can be educational as well as delicious. Just don't waste your money on those fancy lemonades at the Zoo... The Pig or Sir Pizza will be well worth the wait.
I stumbled over Sir Pizza when I was with Cameron and we went for me to meet his parents one weekend in Asheboro. Sir Pizza has the best pizza, ever. Hands down. No if's, and's or but's... And I'll fight any one that says otherwise. (You obviously haven't tried it, or aren't human if you don't like it...)
Yes, Sir Pizza's food is amazing... but let's get to the part everyone is really here for: Sweet tea.
Sir Pizza's sweet tea is as amazing, maybe even more so, than their pizza. (Gasp! people in Asheboro are rolling in their graves, I'm sure of it.) But it's TRUE friends!! And if you don't think so, then you're CRAZY. The BEST part is that the employees of Sir Pizza offer you TO-GO cups... You don't even have to ask. Which makes this little southern girl, Very Happy. (It does not, however, make some people happy- who are embarrassed that you're getting your drink to-go in the first place. Some people will just never understand). On that note, a TO-GO cup from Sir Pizza is very different than asking for one at an Upscale Los Angeles restaurant. Which, for the record, I never did. Okay, that's because I could never get Sweet Tea anywhere except McDonald's out there.. but still.
Sir Pizza isn't the only place in Asheboro that is serving up some of the best Sweet tea. The Pig (yes, The Pig) serves up some delicious Sweet Tea as well... which is best paired with the fried pickles and thousand island dip. Fried Pickles? Yes! FRIED... PICKLES... I'm a dill pickle convert, after years of eating the sweet ones.. I finally ventured to the dill side. And FRIED? Everything is better fried. It's the motto of the South... dredge it in flour and milk, throw it in the deep frier and your basically good to go.
Just make sure that you've got plenty of Sweet Tea to go around. Or else that fried food won't be going down so smoothly.
Now, you're fully prepared to go on a little trip to Asheboro. Remember, the NC State Zoo is there, so it can be educational as well as delicious. Just don't waste your money on those fancy lemonades at the Zoo... The Pig or Sir Pizza will be well worth the wait.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
I'm just going to throw this out there...
The South, in my opinion runs on the little things... God, family, friends, and food. Any combination of those four things works... and all of them combined, well that's just a good time waiting to happen! As a Lutheran, we combine all four as often as we can. Church council meeting? Make it a pot-luck meeting... Frist Sunday in the month? We're having first Sunday Breakfast. Lenten services on Wednesday? Make that a pot-luck dinner before service as well. Any other Wednesday of the year? Pot luck dinner and service. Fellowship, food and God. You just can't go wrong with that combination.
So what's my point? Yes, I do have one. All of these things are simply wonderful. (Amen to that!) and with all of those dinners and breakfast get togethers at church, one thing is always consistent... (God? Yes, Him too... I'm going for something else here though...)
Sweet Tea.
St. Paul's knows how to win me over. Sweet tea is available at every food related function they have. And the smart people at St. Paul's know to ask who made the tea. Because there are certain folks that have more of a taste for sugar than others... and let's face it, the sugar is a very important part of SWEET tea.... Not naming any names... but the others need to grab a recipe from there Mammy and check that sugar measurement.
I just can't stress enough on the quality of Sweet Tea. Please, if you're going to dabble in Sweet tea for the first time... take it from me, write down this list of places and then go on your Tea adventure. Otherwise, you'll be packing up and moving North as fast as you can say "Kara's crazy for blogging about Sweet Tea!" (HEY! No judging me... I'm just trying to help you).
The South, in my opinion runs on the little things... God, family, friends, and food. Any combination of those four things works... and all of them combined, well that's just a good time waiting to happen! As a Lutheran, we combine all four as often as we can. Church council meeting? Make it a pot-luck meeting... Frist Sunday in the month? We're having first Sunday Breakfast. Lenten services on Wednesday? Make that a pot-luck dinner before service as well. Any other Wednesday of the year? Pot luck dinner and service. Fellowship, food and God. You just can't go wrong with that combination.
So what's my point? Yes, I do have one. All of these things are simply wonderful. (Amen to that!) and with all of those dinners and breakfast get togethers at church, one thing is always consistent... (God? Yes, Him too... I'm going for something else here though...)
Sweet Tea.
St. Paul's knows how to win me over. Sweet tea is available at every food related function they have. And the smart people at St. Paul's know to ask who made the tea. Because there are certain folks that have more of a taste for sugar than others... and let's face it, the sugar is a very important part of SWEET tea.... Not naming any names... but the others need to grab a recipe from there Mammy and check that sugar measurement.
I just can't stress enough on the quality of Sweet Tea. Please, if you're going to dabble in Sweet tea for the first time... take it from me, write down this list of places and then go on your Tea adventure. Otherwise, you'll be packing up and moving North as fast as you can say "Kara's crazy for blogging about Sweet Tea!" (HEY! No judging me... I'm just trying to help you).
- Cookout- I realize that this is a little out of the ordinary... but it's just so dag-on good! (With Pellet Ice!)
- Jackson's BBQ- I'm biased.. Mainly because I've been eating there since in utero.. but it's amazing.(With Pellet Ice!)
- Smithfield's- Need I say more? They specialize in Fried chicken and BBQ... the tea is just as good! (With Pellet Ice!)
- Bojangle's- Again, it's just good southern-ness
- Goody-Goody Omelet House- A small and very iconic (for Wilmington) hole in the wall, where I've also been going for 25 years... the tea is still just as great.
- J. Michael's Philly Deli- Another Wilmington favorite... while you're there try the Fried Cheese or Fried Mushrooms :)
- Chickfila- Just plain good tea.
- Sir Pizza- May be out of the way for some, seeing as it's in Asheboro, NC, but believe me the sweet tea AND pizza are well worth the trip. I'll post pictures after this weekend, and I feel as if I should also thank Cameron for introducing me to such wonderfulness. (With Pellet Ice! I think..)
- Java Dog Cafe- Downtown Wilmington Coffee shop... Coffee is amazing, but the tea is out of this world.
- Cookie Place in the Mall- I wouldn't want to tally up how much money I've spent on Sweet tea from this place in the years I had a job at the mall. I could probably pay rent for a few months though... (With Pellet Ice!)
Pellet Ice... that's another blog entry in itself, and will most likely be next. So stay tuned...
Also, if you haven't tasted Sweet tea from any of the places above... what are you waiting for? Hop in that car and get on down to one of them! I don't care how high the gas prices are... there's no excuse for not having some of the best Sweet tea, ever! So go on now, get off that Internet and Facebook and go to Cookout and get some Southern Goodness! PLEASE!
And remember, while sipping on that sweet heavenly goodness, thank the Lord above, because we all know He's the one that helped that little old lady put sugar in that tea.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Welcome, Y'all!
Well hey there! This first little entry will just be a little introduction to what I'm planning on doing on this little Blog. So let's get real here folks, this isn't going like any other blog you've seen before. This is all about the delicacy of the South, Sweet Tea. (And yes, capital letters are both required AND appropriate).
I had this idea a few months ago (Idea!) and once I finally figured out how to create a second blog under the same account, I did, and here we are! I love writing, and I adore Sweet Tea. So, I'm throwing the two together... (figuratively... otherwise it would be too messy). But you get the idea.
In the blog referenced above, I talked about what I would talk about in my book. So here's a little preview.
I had this idea a few months ago (Idea!) and once I finally figured out how to create a second blog under the same account, I did, and here we are! I love writing, and I adore Sweet Tea. So, I'm throwing the two together... (figuratively... otherwise it would be too messy). But you get the idea.
In the blog referenced above, I talked about what I would talk about in my book. So here's a little preview.
- The perfect glass
- The perfect ice
- Where to get the best Sweet Tea
- The best deals
- Straws
- To-Go cups (This one is for you, Dora!)
- Finding Sweet Tea while traveling
- I'm down to my last $2.00, what do I do?
- How much is too much?
- The Tervis Tumbler (A must have in ANY Southern Kitchen)
- Tetley Tea
Etc....
Look for more to come... I hope to keep this up frequently, but with school, church, and another blog.. I'm not sure how often I'll be posting. But keep your eyes open! :-D
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