Now that I have placed the Dr Scholl’s Active Series inserts in my shoes, I have noticed a change. The balls of my feet don’t really hurt from impact anymore. I noticed that there is a softness and support under my heels. And my arches? They are getting some much needed support these days.

Today I want to share with you a great and super easy fruit dip recipe! A friend of my sister-in-law made this for a football party a few weeks ago and I cant get enough of it! I am not even one that usually likes fruit dips, I don’t find them necessary. I do now! I didn’t get the exact recipe from her, I just asked what was in it and sort of went with it. No measuring required.

The combination of the sweetness of the fruits with a little tart from the lemon flavor in this dip is a party for your mouth. Trust me.

What you need:

2 boxes of sugar free, lemon flavored J-E-L-L-O (gotta sing it like the commercials!)
1 can of pineapples (the juice for the dip, the pineapple chunks to dip, I try to buy no sugar added but they didnt have any this time when I went t0 the store)
1 tub of lite or fat free cool whip (I used Lite)

It lasts in the refrigerator for a few days, so you can have a healthy snack all week!

Even though it only takes a few seconds to throw together, Mac likes to pretend like he was ignored for an eternity. So dramatic. (And lazy. He is our watch dog laying down with his head resting between the poles. Honestly. It must be exhausting being so darn cute.)

1. The Views In My Neighborhood – So, I might have a 45 minute to an hour plus commute to work most days, but I get to wake up every morning and see mountains. So it is usually worth it.

That is from three different mornings! Look at that fog sitting in the valleys as the sun shines so brightly. Just beautiful. It is breathtaking every. single. morning. Don’t even get me started on how wonderful the sunsets are. The way the pink and purple shades the mountains. I loved my downtown Atlanta skyline view when I lived there. But I get to breathe fresh air now and don’t have to hear sirens all hours of the day.

2. Dinner with an old friend. I got to see one of my really good friends from college last night after work. He is in town this week for business. Nothing like spending a few hours catching up with an old friend and talking about the good ole college days!!

3. Football. I am ready for some football this weekend!!! Alabama plays Kentucky. Georgia plays Mizzou, and Florida plays LSWho. I equally hate FL and LSU but I hope FL beats LSWho!! Obviously, you know who my other choice teams are! Now let’s play some ball! And be tempted to drink and eat bad food.

4. Cashews. They are an under rated nut. I love them. It had been my favorite snack this week! I might be a month behind on my magazine reading, but I love the LARGE fall issues that come out every year!

5. Hot chocolate. Need I say more? I have been enjoying this so much!!!

Linking up with Joy for the Friday Five! All the cool kids do it, so you should too! Every one have a wonderful weekend!!!

Sometimes I forget that I was born a “Yankee” and other times….well other times I feel like I am living on another planet. It is crazy how different some things are between the north and the south. Let’s do a little comparison, shall we?

In the south everyone says y’all. Now, I don’t mind it…I have actually grown used to it and don’t wince anymore when I hear it. However, I physically can not say it. I just cant. It comes out you all. Up north we said “Yinz” or you “you guys”.

In the south everyone is all about some college football. You HAVE to pick a team. It is a rule. ESPECIALLY if you live in a state with rival teams. Georgia vs Georgia Tech, Alabama vs Auburn. Yes, both southern states I have lived in have been centered around these four schools. I gave in. Roll Tide!!! And go Dawgs unless they are going to effect Alabama in some way.

While we broach the subject of football, can we talk about attire? Up north I remember going to football games in jeans and coordinating team sweatshirts. Down here? You must wear a cute dress, fun shoes and matching accessories. To a football game. Fine. I will play your games. (It is a cuter look, after all. Who doesn’t love fun elephant necklaces and cute houndstooth dresses.)

Up north when you sympathize with someone, you usually say something like “sorry” or “I understand.” Down here? “Well bless your heart.” I don’t know why, you just do. I knew I made a turn for the south when I caught myself saying it a few months back. I have, after all, officially lived in the south longer than anywhere else.

Also, bless your heart can be taken as a way of politely insulting someone in the south. You see, most people think southerners are dumb but they can insult you and you don’t even know. That takes some talent!

While we are on the topic of sayings, lets go over a few more that you will here around these parts:

Heavens to betsy (who is Betsy anyway?)
Slower than molasses
He ain’t got a pot to pee in
Mad as a wet hen
I’m fixin’ to do something
All y’all
Thank you kindly
Quit being ugly
Daggummit

Let’s move on the beverages, shall we? In the northeast I drank pop, the Midwest I had a soda and down south everything is Coke. In any state south of Virginia you can order yourself a sweet tea without getting packets of sweet ‘n lo shoved in your face with a side of an eye roll. I myself will drink tea either way. Nothing like a good sweet tea on a hot summer day…but it was an acquired taste that took some time to get used to! I honestly prefer my tea unsweetened, but don’t let my southern neighbors know. I will be called a damn Yankee again!

There are some staples down here in the south when it comes to food. You have your okra, grits, and good ol’ fashioned banana pudding. Now I have never had better banana pudding anywhere else! Okra and grits…I simply can not do! Something about each of their textures completely disgusts me. You will also find fried chicken at any get together. My favorite discovery has been something that my in-laws serve, pineapple casserole. Holy yum! I could eat an entire pan of it if I allowed myself to!

That my friends are a few difference I have noticed since residing south of the Mason Dixon. I am going to be honest, I have grown quiet fond of my new found southern ways.

Bless your hearts and happy Thursday!