Southern comfort.

Hello, everyone -- another crazed week of travel (followed by a few days of getting back into the swing of things). Last week I went to Boston to celebrate Nick's birthday, and on my way home, I swung down to Savannah, GA for my dear middle-through-high-school friend's wedding. Kelli and I shared crushes, passed notes, participated in the same school activities, and dreamed of being wedding-planners-slash-interior-decorators together. When she brought Russell to DC visiting his family two years ago, you could see how happy they were together. (Congratulations, Kelli and Russell!)

Despite the four airports and nearly 2000 miles clocked, it was an amazing week of reunions: old friends, new friends, some folks I hadn't seen since high school graduation, and I even -- shockingly -- ran into a college friend during a layover in Charlotte. Amid the reminiscing, I was reminded of how seeing old friends gives you the same cozy, warm-tummy feeling as good comfort food.

Even though I live south of the Mason-Dixon Line, DC/Northern Virginia is still relatively far north. Having gone directly from Yankee country to the Deep South, it was truly like stepping into another country: people smiled at you, the airport restrooms had mints and other refreshments, and everywhere I turned, historic-looking buildings with gingerbread trim and white verandas looked as though they had come right off the set of Gone with the Wind.


Of course, the food at Russell and Kelli's wedding reception reflected the locale.
Instead of rolls in the bread basket, flaky biscuits with butter and orange marmalade:

Shrimp 'n' smoked cheddar grits with rosemary barbecue, smoked bacon, and arugula:

Unfortunately, immediately following the beautiful reception, I had to dash to the airport for my flight home. Pearls, high heels and all, I ended up stuck in Charlotte for a few hours due to mechanical failure. The silver lining was that I got to be reacquainted with another old friend: 

My sisters and I were born in Durham, NC. Every year (even after we moved to Illinois), my family would go to Atlantic Beach for summer vacation. Landmarks: a giant pier (most recently destroyed by Hurricane Irene), Jungle Land (a now-closed amusement park with putt-putt across the road from our usual hotel), and Sanitary (an unfortunately-named restaurant with famous hush puppies which we used to feed to the seagulls before the practice was outlawed). We knew we were almost there when we stopped at the Bojangles' for lunch. For those of you Northerners who don't know Bojangles' Chicken 'n Biscuits, you're missing out on some sweet goodness that is spicy fried chicken.

Naturally, as my parting reminder of Southern Hospitality, the gentleman at the fast food stand flashed me a big smile, read my name off the credit card and said, "Have a great flight, Beverly!" All-around good feelings for the weekend.