Here are some of the reasons a British Woman like myself chose to live in Rural Alabama with her Darling Southern Gentleman and all the lovely back in time ways of the Deep South ...there is nothing better in my opinion ....sleepy front porches ..perfect to drink a tall glass of Sweet Iced Tea poured from a glass jug
 Nature at it's best like this American Goldfinch and Swallow tail butterfly |  Massive ancient Camellia Trees filled with pink flowers |
Crepe Myrtle trees if not pruned reach for the skies laden with tons of blossoms all summer long
 |  Spring blossoming Dogwood Trees so showy and white |
Wild Wisteria Vines in the gardens and growing very happily in the wild covering the trees in the Spring
Old farm buildings, barns up rough dirt roads ...
 |  The State Flower of the Magnolia blooming on massive trees all over the South ... |
Spring would not be the same without the colorful carpets of Azalea bushes ...they are everywhere and nowadays they have a new strain that is called 'encore' and will flower again in the fall
The Cahaba river is not very far from my house and every Spring it produces in all of it's glory the very rare Cahaba Lily ..it is only found here in the Cahaba River bringing flower lovers from all over the World in May to the Lily Festival ..they can be seen wandering through the water to take photos
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Some of the crops of the South ...Sweet Potatoes ..that I just love and Muscadine Grapes that make a lovely Southern wine ...then there are the acres and acres of Cotton Field Plantation with their Antibellum Homes ...just like out of 'Gone with the Wind' ..Peanuts are also grown in the ground as a root crop like potatoes
 Antibellum Homes of the South |  |
The Cotton fields look just like snow
Pecan Farms can be found all over the South of Alabama ...just before you get near to the Gulf of Mexico
They are very delicious and I have included my favorite recipe to make with them ..very easy to make
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CHOCOLATE PECAN PIE
Here is a recipe for the pie that I make ..it's just the most delicious pie you could want to eat
Ingredients
1 (9-inch) unbaked pie shell
2 cups pecan halves
3 large eggs, beaten
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons good-quality bourbon
3 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Cover bottom of pie crust with pecans.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and melted butter. Add the corn syrup, sugar, bourbon and the chopped chocolate. Stir until all ingredients are combined. Pour mixture into the pie shell over the pecans and place on a heavy-duty cookie sheet.
Bake for 10 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue to bake for an additional 25 minutes or until pie is set. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.
Here is a recipe for the pie that I make ..it's just the most delicious pie you could want to eat
Ingredients
1 (9-inch) unbaked pie shell
2 cups pecan halves
3 large eggs, beaten
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons good-quality bourbon
3 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Cover bottom of pie crust with pecans.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and melted butter. Add the corn syrup, sugar, bourbon and the chopped chocolate. Stir until all ingredients are combined. Pour mixture into the pie shell over the pecans and place on a heavy-duty cookie sheet.
Bake for 10 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue to bake for an additional 25 minutes or until pie is set. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.
Creepy Spanish Moss hangs down from the big Water Oak trees in the South of Alabama ..adding extra atmosphere to the old grave yards and driveways of the South
The Spanish moss looms over the Alligator filled swamps ..they love the humidity found in the South
| The Legend of Spanish Moss A villain there was named Gorez Goz Who journeyed here from Spain. The natives feared him much because His heart was set on a gain. Gorez espied an Indian maid Who filled his fondest hope. He bought her for a yard of braid And a little bar of soap. The Indian maid was sore afraid And fled this bearded brute. She sped o'er hill and field and glade With Gorez in pursuit. At last the maiden climbed a tree; The Spaniard did the same. The lass was bent on being free; Gorez desired his claim! She balanced on a slender limb Then dove into the brook. She much preferred a morning swim To this bearded Spanish crook. The troubles of Gorez begin, His naughty plans are queered. He snags the whiskers of his chin The branches hold his beard. The Indian maiden thus is free, Gorez's life is a loss, But his beard lives on for you to see As dangling Spanish Moss!  |  So now I have shared some of the reasons that I love to live in Alabama Hope you enjoyed getting to know more about the State that I call home Thanks for popping by and staying a little while Have a wonderful happy day Don't forget to make some Chocolate Pecan Pie I am sure you could use other nuts such as Walnuts or Almonds It is bound to taste good with all the yummy ingredients it has in it See you again soon Janet |
