Thank you Reese, for creating this engaging collection of wit and advice, sharing your story, and reminding us what’s really important in our short lives, what makes memories, and what is so special about living southern. I’m such a ridiculous fan of this book, it’s replaced a (previously favorite cookbook) on my cookbook stand in my kitchen, proudly displayed like a badge of Southerness to all who gather in my home. She has pictures of actual women - not Hollywood models - in the pages of this book. And don’t go thinking these are all staged photos. I was drawn in by how real it was and yet strikingly beautiful on every page. “Whiskey in a Teacup” is the perfect balance of Reece and all her charms (I mean, she’s adorbs) + heartfelt Southern tradition (I’m practically giddy to have a derby party now) + recipes (I made her brie for a party right away – it was GREAT) + gorgeous photos (can we talk about her house pah-lees?).

In fact, if all of us had had a dose of Dorothea, I think the world would be a right better place. I’d have been proud to call my granny too. Hello, can we get a few good graces back in society please? Reese recounts her grandma Dorothea’s sage advice that are simply the foundation of a good upbringing. “Can I get my 10 year old to read this book?” because I especially love her manners reminders. I can’t tell you how many times while I read “Whiskey in a Teacup,” I thought…. I love the decorating for holidays larger than your neighbor and the big hair (closer to God) that shockingly, prior to this book, I had not a clue how to hot roll. I didn’t fully understand them at first (thanks Reese, this book would have been totally fab back in about 1993 when I first met him), but I welcomed and appreciated them, fell head over heals for the traditions, the family values, the tuck in that crazy, the over-the-top you do you-ness of it all, and the glorious story that attaches to every antique like a museum of moments. I met and married a southerner and with him came all the Southern ways. I went to grad school in the South - which was a bit of a culture shock at first. Mind you, I was raised in the North, but I moved South as fast as I could, and now I’ve lived here longer than anywhere else. Because my husband - I like to think he affectionately calls me this - my husband calls me a “Yankee” at every turn.

I mean, if you don’t live here, you probably don’t get it. It’s about the South and what makes it so incredibly special.

Peel back another layer and this book is sooooooooo much more that just what we all adore about perky, sunshiney, super talented, girl boss, actress of our ages, Reese.

Whiskey in the teacup