Southern Comfort

There are few things that I've missed since moving to Ireland.  Perhaps it's because I've not been here long enough to realized I'm doing without.  Perhaps it's because I've been so busy I haven't thought about the fact that there are items I don't have.  Whatever the reason, I've been quite content so far. 

That hasn't changed, but my eyes are beginning to open a bit.  Mom and I took a trip out to IKEA yesterday and although that place will give me nightmares for a while (too big and too many choices for me), it made me realize how little things can make you very happy.  The simplicity of having organizers in my "house" shouldn't really change my perspective on the place, but waking up this morning and seeing them, it did.  I was actually a lot happier to see that small row of storage containers holding the papers that have been stacked on the shelves for weeks now. Knowing me, you know that I am a bit of a neat freak. I like things to be in there place, and so these little plastic containers make me very happy. 

At dinner at Dillingers tonight, the waitress read through the specials, as normal, before taking our orders.  I had already told Mom she had to have the swordfish tacos I had on my last visit to the restaurant.  It was really funny though as both our eyes perked up when the waitress told us of the southern fried chicken special.  This was my choice, and it was a good one.  Oh and lucky for me, it's their Monday night special which means I can go back next week!

The gigantic plate, which only cost me 14 euro, came out with four pieces of chicken battered in a light, but very greasy Rosemary mix, a piece of corn on the cob, a peculiar but delicious version of black eyed peas in a BBQ bean sauce, cole slaw and french fries.  I'm talking southern comfort food like you've never seen.  Granted, it wasn't done the way we do it back home, but it was good.  I did take a to go box, but only because I knew Mom and I would be having dessert and I had to leave room.  We enjoyed the same thing Allan and I had eaten before, a strawberry pavlova.  Mom jokingly commented, "You don't like this at all, do you?" as I devoured my half. 

Southern comfort...not even realizing I was missing it, having Mom here to enjoy some of the things I've been seeing and doing has made me miss home even more.  Charleston's going to look really good come December!