"Put A Little South In Your Mouth"

Hi, my name is Julie Morris, and I am a big, fat, blog neglector.

I have actually had TOO much to blog about, and I am feeling overwhelmed with inspiration and I have no clue where to start.

So April, without doubt, is always the busiest time for me. The highlight being the Texas State Championship Fiddler's Frolics in Hallettsville, Texas. It is more than a fiddle contest for me. It is a family reunion.
This year, My Dad, Kenneth Morris, and cousin,
 Dale Morris Jr, were inducted into the Hall of Fame. I gave a speech, I have no clue what I said,  I cried, and I played my guitar. Words cannot express how awesome it is for me to have the honor of having BOTH parents in the Hall of Fame now. I am one proud daughter.

My Cousin Jen (Shish) and I in Hallettsville

So the day I returned from Hallettsville, I came home, worked, gave my cocker spaniels and Salma as much attention as possible, and left the next morning for Savannah ,Georgia with Lydia, my partner in crime. First stop, PAULA DEEN'S Restaurant, The Lady and Sons. It was amazing. It wasn't fancy, it wasn't trendy. It was my Grandma's cooking. If anyone has a bad thing to say about the Queen, Miss Paula Deen, they can answer to me. Thank God for women like her who keep "Grandma's cooking alive". Trendy cooking doesn't impress me. Sorry. If you don't like it, you can kiss my grits.

A sample of the buffet items at the amazing "Lady and Sons"

Onto South Carolina. My big sis invited us to stay with her in a SWEET rental house right on the beach on Hilton Head Island. We had the best time!!! I got to be personal chef for everyone, including my 4 perfect nieces and nephews. It was my dream job. Life is good....

Lydia and I rented a Mustang convertible to cruise the beach in style!

My sis is the best!!!

Cousin Sarah and I tore up Hilton Head!

So spending time and savoring the South has been good for me. It brought me back to basics. The good stuff. A good pot of beans, fried chicken, banana pudding, sweet tea, fried catfish, shrimp and grits, pecan pie, sweet potatoes, GRAVY, pickled Green tomatoes, turnip greens, BBQ, baked spaghetti, baked chicken, She crab soup, cornbread...
So put a little "South" in your mouth and feed that soul, because like Paula says, "Grandma's cooking never goes out of style".

My Grandma, Phern Ryals. She is my culinary inspiration, and my favorite person. Home is where Grandma is.

                                   Sally Goodin's Banana Pudding

2 cups cold milk (whole)

1 8-ounce  package cream cheese, softened

1  12 ounce Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream (if you want to get fancy.  If you make your own, make sure it's sweetened)

1 14 ounce can Eagle Brand Milk

1  5 ounce box instant FRENCH VANILLA pudding mix

8 bananas, sliced

1 box Nilla Wafers OR 2 bags Pepperidge farm Chessman cookies (if you want to get fancy)

1. Set aside 2 large bowls, a hand mixer or Kitchen Aid mixer, if you have one, and a 13x9 pan; along with a garbage bowl to put your trash in. ( if you line up all of your ingredients before you start, it will be a breeze)

2. Grab your 13x9 pan and line the bottom with cookies and layer bananas on top.

3. Add your cream cheese mixture to the pudding mixture and mix until well blended. ( I use a whisk here to get a fluffy and airy texture)

4. In a bowl, combine the cold milk and vanilla pudding mix, and blend using a hand mixer or Kitchen aid mixer.

5. In another bow, mix Eagle Brand Milk, and SOFTENED cream cheese together, and mix until smooth and lump free. Fold in the cool whip

6. Pour mixture over the cookies and bananas and cover with the remaining cookies.

7. Refrigerate until ready to serve

Welcome Summer!!

CHEERS Y'ALL!