Top ten.

So, in honor of the fact that I always qualify things in top ten or top five lists (if you haven't noticed this I'm impressed. I've actually tried to make a concerted effort to not do this. Top 10 hardest things I've ever tried to do.) and due to the fact that I am missin' me some South, I've created a list of the top 10 things I miss the most about living there. (In no particular order and of course excluding our many friends and family that I love super super so much.) NOTE: You will notice most of these items have to do with food and/or beverage. Don't judge. 1. Chick-fil-A. I thought of this one today as I was eating a chicken caesar wrap for lunch. It's just not as good as the ones from Chick-fil-A. And I certainly would like waffle fries over the steamed broccoli I see sitting on my plate with this wrap. 2. Blossoms. Mainly dogwood blossoms. I'm not saying that when the temperature finally decides to get out of the 30's and 40's I will not see spring blossoms, because I know I will. BUT it's just not the same. I want the fuchias of the azaleas and pinks and whites of the crape myrtles and dogwoods welcoming me home everyday. 3. Bo*Berry Biscuits. If you don't know what a bo*berry biscuit is and you are within 100 miles of a Bojangles, go. It will be well worth your trip. 4. North Carolina Basketball Fans. Or you know what? Basketball fans in general. It may seem like a simple thing, but when you don't have anyone who really cares at all about Carolina basketball or better yet, are surrounded by people who love to cheer against Carolina just for the fun of it, I miss me some Carolina blue firetrucks if you know what I'm sayin'. 5. Sweet tea. As much as you try, Texas Roadhouse, yours just isn't as good. 6. Mom's poundcake and Mamaw's Blackberry Cobbler. And freshly made, still warm applesauce. And green beans out of the garden. And fresh cream corn out of the garden. And cherries off the tree. And blueberries off the bushes or grapes off the vine. And freshly picked peaches and strawberries being sold on the side of the road. 7. Brick sidewalks. I was reminded that these exist when Graham and I wandered to an adorable suburb of Minneapolis this past weekend and they had them. Although not ideal for walking (hence my daily spills around Carolina's campus while in college) they are quite easy on the eyes. 8. New/updated apartment options. It is so hard to find an apartment here. I'm pleased to announce Graham and I will be upgrading from our one bedroom to two in August! Hooray for a space we can move around in!! 9. Hiking. I'm sure we could find a place to hike around in here in the Mid West, but it would be at least an hour drive. I miss just being able to hop on over to the nearest park and go for a hike and a picnic and set up our sweet hammock to take a nap by the creek (and maybe jump in it if I'm feeling crazy) on a Sunday afternoon. 10. Being able to go to the beach. I've never been much of a beach person much myself, but being away from it all the time sure makes you want to be able to prop up your lawn chair or fight the wind to lay out your towel and feel the sand on your toes. Now, although I definitely miss me some South sometimes, I also have my reasons I love living here, in good ol' Cedar Falls, Iowa. Let's do a top 5 on this one since I really should be working instead of blogging. 1. People thinking Graham and I are adorable for the way we "speak". Every time I say y'all I get a slight grin from the person I'm talking to no matter how many times they've heard me say it. 2. Being so close to so many new places. I have seen Dubuque, St. Louis, Kansas City, Des Moines, Moline, Madison and Minneapolis just to name a few since we've moved here. And Chicago is definitely still on the bucket list for (fingers crossed!) this summer. 3. Springtime. I know, I know, I just complained about not having any blossoms to smell right now, but I know that soon enough those new green blades of grass will be pushing through and leaves will be budding on the trees. The long, long winter we've had this year will serve as a constant reminder of the beauty of spring and to enjoy every second of it! 4. Simply put, the people. We have formed such an awesome community of friends here since we moved over a year ago (can you believe it?? It's been over a year!). 5. I love how much closer moving here has made Graham and I. I know we will be so much stronger as a couple because of the Mid West! 5b. The world's largest truck stop is here. "For everything there is a season."