Magnolia called today and invited me over for a little visit. We had a delightful and impromptu lunch of pea soup, cheese and assorted veggies. I’ve been trying to explain to the lovely Magnolia about blogs, mine in particular. At first there was some hesitancy about me relaying her advice and wisdom to the world at large. She even mentioned suing me, but I politely (so Belle-like!) told her you can’t really sue someone for telling the truth. Belles have very strong thoughts on certain subjects and will not be pushed around… and that goes for both of us.

Over our mug of pea soup (served in a beautiful white ironstone mug with a sterling silver spoon of course), we discussed the advice she’s given me over the years and how it could help so many others. She vehemently denies ever telling me that you should marry a man that has his own shrimp forks but I did see a little twinkle in her eye, and I’m pretty sure she knows she did. I finally convinced her to actually look at my blog and see what she thinks.

Now, Magnolia has a really, really nice Mac computer. What she doesn’t have is the knowledge to work it. She has finally learned that the picture of the Stamp will somehow get her to her emails but beyond that, Magnolia is a little computer-challenged. But she’s learning! I showed her how to get to Modern Belle and then the waiting began as she started to read.

We reviewed the Belle In Training page that has all of her advice. She gave me a few “suggestions” along the way, and then the most amazing thing happened! I heard her start to giggle. She liked it!!! Then we looked at the other pages and posts including her corn pudding recipe which she wanted me to tell everyone goes perfectly with ham and you must serve ham on Easter. See, Mom, I was listening!

I left Magnolia’s house with a lighter heart. I don’t think she’s going to sue me anymore and she gave me some really wonderful tips to share. Check out the Belle in Training page for her latest which I wrote down word-for-word because the way she phrased it was just too good to change.

I hope all of you have a woman like this in your life. She’s really funny in a tears-in-your-eyes kind of way. She never means to be funny which just makes it all the more funny. She just is. She’s an accomplished cellist, plays the piano and knows a song for almost any topic you can bring up. My children just adore her. She has a way of making even the simplest task fun. She’s beautiful, sophisticated and elegant in just the right way. If you ever have the privilege to meet Magnolia, I have to warn you that she will know everything about you before she lets you go. She has a tremendous gift with people and always makes everyone feel comfortable and wanted. I don’t think you’d ever forget her.

And before I go, I promised I would give out this very crucial piece of advice from Magnolia:

The first and most important thing to remember about being a Southern Belle is kindness. Be kind. And never contradict your mother-in-law in front of other people.

Even though she probably didn’t intend it this way, I feel very honored that her most important piece of advice involves her little ole daughter-in-law. She’s my teacher in the arts of being Southern, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Love you, Mom!

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