I wasn’t sure if I’d get a chance though.
After I got off the plane that took me to North Carolina, I wasn’t sure what the plans were. I just knew that Tom would be waiting with the kids and my mother-in-law. My backpack was digging into my shoulders so I couldn’t move as quickly as I usually did. I called Tom to let him know that I landed and that I’d make my way out to baggage claim eventually.
“Okay,” was all Tom said. Even though we hadn’t seen each other in two days he didn’t seem very moved to hear from me. But that’s Tom. He’s never been full of emotion.
I stepped on an escalator that would take me to baggage claim and that’s when I saw them.
“Mommy!” Natalie yelped and slid from her seat. She ran over to me, arms outstretched. I bent down to pick her up and the movement made my backpack yank me back so I sort of flailed in place while my daughter grasped hold of my arm. “Mommy!” she said again. My heart swelled. I had missed her. And I was pleased to see that she was well coordinated in her outfit. Tom had paid attention when I had told him what to dress her in.
I gave my mother-in-law a hug—I’m lucky and get along with my mother-in-law. I hear horror stories about mother-in-laws being, well, bitchy, and I’m grateful that I don’t have one of those. Then I gave Tommy a hug, who had reluctantly stood up from his chair. He didn’t seem overly thrilled to see me. Of course his father didn’t either. I expected him to take me in his arms but no, he just plucked the backpack off my back and started leading the way to the car.
Okay then. Nice to see you again, too. But really, taking my backpack is a sign that he loves me. He could see it was weighing me down and he wordlessly took it.
“Mommy, are you back?” Natalie asked as she plopped down in her stroller. Yes, at three she still sits in an umbrella stroller for our sanity. She can walk, of course, but she trails behind and takes one step, pauses, takes another, pauses. So the stroller is a necessity so we don’t lose our patience.
“I’m back,” I confirmed, ruffling Tommy’s hair.
“I got a weather book,” Tommy offered. “Grandma bought it for me and I’m learning about tornadoes and hurricanes.” Tommy’s latest obsession is about weather.
We settled into the car—I was in the middle between the kids, but thankfully my ass hasn’t expanded too much so I was able to sit comfortably. Tommy showed me his book and Natalie showed me her book—a creepy Yo Gabba Gabba one, naturally. I noticed up front that Tom and his Mom were passing back and a forth a map. I tried to crane my neck to see where it led to but I couldn’t.
Off we drove to the unknown place and then we finally parked in front of a building that looked as though it had seen better days.
“Is this it?” Tom asked, checking the map. He can find anything whereas I get myself lost in a daily basis.
“It should be,” Tom’s Mom confirmed. She frowned at the building.
It did look run down. But when I took in the sign, I knew where Tom had taken me. The Pit a restaurant that had been featured on that Man VS Food show. I remembered telling Tom that I wanted to go there since I saw that they had fried green tomatoes.
And Tom had taken me there.
The place doesn’t look like much on the outside but as soon as we stepped inside, our opinions changed. It was spacious and clean and the smell wafting from the kitchen made my mouth water.
We were shown to a table and handed a menu. My eyes zeroed in on the fried green tomatoes immediately. I placed an order for them and when they came out, I immediately took one and had a bite.....
....they weren’t the best thing I’ve ever tasted before. But a few people have told me that fried green tomatoes are best homemade.
Still, I ate two of them, and offered one to everyone else.
Tom passed, naturally.
But Tommy liked them.
Natalie.....
.....did not.
“I don’t yike dis this thing, Mommy,” she informed me seriously.
For my main dish I ordered the brisket. I love brisket.
I was amused when my food came with two hushpuppies.
“Now we know we’re in the south,” Tom’s Mom said, winking.
So true. And the hushpuppies rocked.
I love Southern food and would eat it all the time if my thighs would let me.
another huge sign of love from the outwardly emotionless male. He rocks!
ReplyDeleteWell, now I"m just hungry.
ReplyDeleteyes, yes.. being bred and born southern.. i REALLY REALLY hafta watch myself when i eat.. cause my metabolism is NOT what it used to be... lol
ReplyDeletethose fried green tomatoes look awesome.. don't know if i've told you this before or not but i've actually been to where "fried green tomatoes" was filmed... it's in juliatte, georgia.. right around atlanta.. i even got to eat at the whistle stop cafe.. it was pretty cool.. i think you would LOVE it..
btw- that was sooo sweet of tom to surprise you and take you somewhere you had mentioned before!
seriously. you have to quit taking pictures of delicous food. I'm starving over here.
ReplyDeleteHow awesome that Tom took you there! What a sweetie!
ReplyDeleteFried green tomatoes are awesome dipped in ranch dressing, but then again, what isn't? :)
what a sweetheart!
ReplyDeleteas a girl from the south all that food is just callin' my name! might have to go get bbq tonight!
btw now you need to try fried pickles
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to try them. I have always wanted to but living in CA my chances are pretty slim.
ReplyDeleteTOo funny! I want to try them too-I can't believe that I never have!
ReplyDeleteOK, now I'm hungry. I'm going to have to go fry something...
ReplyDeleteSometimes I want my husband to be emotional and outwardly gushy, but I know that him fixing the sink, always carrying the heavy bag, and planning a surpirse for me is his way of showing his love. glad you got to try them. My grandma makes them and everyone raves, I don't like them, their a little too grainy for me.
ReplyDeleteI would not be a good one for fried green tomatoes..(i love the movie) but I am not a whole tomato fan even if it is fried..
ReplyDeletebut the rest of your food looked delish!
How sweet that your husband remembered!
Oh... well... isn't that sweet!
ReplyDeleteWhat's a hush puppy? I live in Canada and have never had one.
Yum! At least you gave it a try!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I was in Wilmington this past weekend and thought of you guys!
I've always wanted to try Fried Green Tomatoes as well! Your hubby is sweet :-)
ReplyDeleteI love anything tomato. There are a few places around here that make them, and I think they are delicious!
ReplyDeleteI too have always wanted to try green tomatoes. It sounds like I need to go south for this to happen?
ReplyDeleteThey fry everything down there.
ReplyDeleteSoutherners don't get Easy-bake Ovens when they are young. They get deep fryers and a gallon of peanut oil.
Tom's acts of kindness = love. :)
ReplyDeleteThat picture of Natalie's face after trying the fried green tomato is hilarious! :) At least she tried it, ya know?
Why only TWO hushpuppies? Why not 5 or at least 3? 2??
We have a restaurant in Oakland called "Pican" and it has the most fabulous Southern food ever! I had never in my life eaten grits and now I now I've been seriously missing out. Their fried green tomatoes are to die for, as is their fried chicken and hushpuppies/! I'm hungry now for all of that! Your kids crack me up!
ReplyDeleteMy in-laws? Equally awesome. It's Husband that wound up with the nutty in-laws, not me!
ReplyDeleteAlso? Fried Green Tomatoes, NOM.
(Yeah, I grew up in North Carolina.)
I have never had them either (fried green tomatoes). The look good!
ReplyDeleteSo Tom came through...so nice to hear that. Isn't it funny how guys are?...mine doesn't show a lot of affection in public either.
OMG! I LOVE my mom's homemade Fried Green Tomatoes. They are AWESOME. Mmmm, southern food is amazing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat surprise! You husband may be no talk, but he's all action. Very cool!
ReplyDeletewell - i guess the emotionless hubs loves ya after all!
ReplyDeleteThose don't look much like the fried green tomatoes I've had. I'm not a good judge, though. I haven't much liked any of the ones I've tried.
ReplyDeleteSuch a face Natalie. I guess she wanted the fried snickers bar instead...
ReplyDeleteThey do fry everything... My thighs would be like Fat Albert's torso I add everything I wanted to.
:)
we DO fry everything here in the south....including snickers bars (or so i've been told...i've yet to find this holy grail o'fried foods). a local restaurant here in my humble little town makes a cheeseburger complete with a fried green tomato on it. had it just the other day...if i hadn't, i would have had to go and order one after reading your post :)
ReplyDeleteI have tried fried green tomatoes several times....the only ones that I actually like are the ones served at The Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle, GA. The crust does not shatter off and everything get soggy. I have had them once and have searched in vain for their equal. http://www.roadfood.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?RecipeID=124
ReplyDeletetom is THE BEST! Took your backpack AND got your fried tomatos! :) Oh! And dressed the kids as you instructed!
ReplyDeleteFried green tomatoes with a goat cheese sauce on them? The most delicious thing you have EVER tasted!!!
ReplyDeleteNatalie's face is just too funny!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I loved Fried Green Tomatoes the movie, and always wanted to try them, but haven't. Thanks for letting me live vicariously through you.
ReplyDeleteHush puppies? Do they come with everything?
I love southern food! Ive always lived in the southwest but my dad is from the south so I was lucky enough to grow up eating southern food!
ReplyDeleteNothing says *I love you* like showing that you WERE listening! I LOVE being heard!
ReplyDeleteThat brisket looks gooooood! Stop making me hungry!!!!
ReplyDeleteWell, despite his taciturn facade, taking you to a place you had asked to go REALLY says 'love'. Good for Tom; I give him a gold star for the day.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to try fried green tomatoes. Look, if you loved the movie you have GOT to read the book. It's warm and funny and totally wonderful. It was called "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe", and was written by Fannie Flagg.
Mmmmm... brisket!
Wait! You FOUND brisket in NC?? Around here barbecue it's pork, pork, pork and only pork. Brisket was the meat of choice for barbecue back home in Texas. And, ummm, I've never had fried green tomatoes (tho I loved the book & the movie).
ReplyDeleteTom loves you more than you know - taking that backpack & then surprising you by taking you to the restaurant you mentioned without you even having to remind him! Good job Tom!
Good nite Miss Agnus, as my NC born parents would say, I love a good fried green tomoato. And thanks for reminding me about hush puppies...can't wait to have them in NC at the end of the month. Hell yeah!
ReplyDeleteI don't like red tomatoes so a couple of years ago I tried a fried green tomato. Still didn't like the things.
ReplyDeleteAt least I tried.
Di
Thats so cool that you got to eat there! And that Tom remembered.
ReplyDeleteDid I tell you I finally got to eat at Texas Roadhouse? (Ive been so doped up lately I cant remember.) I couldnt shove a roll in my mouth fast enough. And they were delicious!! I ate 3! LOL
Ooooh, I've always wanted to try a fried green tomato, but I'm afraid my stomach might rebel--it prefers pure junk. I love my Southern food--Chicken Fried Steak, grits, anything with garlic. :) BUT, I can't quite get my stomach to want to down a fried green tomato.
ReplyDeleteYo Gabba Gabba is seriously the creepiest little kids show ever! I'd pick the Wiggles over them, and that's like four gay guys entertaining children... I've never heard of fried green tomatoes before now, but you've got me desperate to try one!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.wannabemarievstheworld.blogspot.com
I absolutely LOVE that you went to a place featured on Man vs. Food.
ReplyDeleteOh Adam... I think we'd be a great power couple.
I also need to try some fried green tomatoes. I've been in NC for almost a year and have yet to make it a stop on my culinary journey.
I laughed out loud when I saw Natalie's face.
ReplyDeleteMy sister and brother-in-law used an umbrella stroller for my nephew until his baby sister was born a couple months ago (he's four). I still request it when I take him places. No shame.
I had the exact same reaction to the movie and the actual food, lol. That and I tried to be a bee whisperer. Didn't work all that well.
ReplyDeleteI loved that movie! And I've always wanted to try fried green tomatoes. So nice of Tom to take you there.
ReplyDeleteROFLMAO I just LOVE the look on Natalie's face. LOL!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSometimes cooking them in balsamic vinegar works. I wonder what N didn't like about them.
ReplyDeleteHowever, those biscuits look delicious.
LisaDay
It's always the hole-in-the-wall places that have the best food! There was a reciep for FGT's in this month's BH&G magazine...I think I might try them!
ReplyDeleteI attempted to make them once and they turned out horrible! Of course that was the year I had green tomatoes coming out of my ears and I also made a green tomato pie that was supposed to taste like an apple pie...Um it didn't! I swore I would never eat another fried green tomato but after that I may have to the next time I am in the south! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE fried green tomatoes!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE - and you are right - they have to be made at home from tomatoes you pick from your own garden.
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh at your plate - mashed potatoes, french fries, hush puppies and gravy.. yeah, girl, you are putting some south in your mouth!
MMM I love fried green tomatoes! I could eat them all the time!! They are so yummy with pimento cheese (i know that doesn't sound too great but it is :))
ReplyDeleteI've never had them NOR seen the movie, but I think its really sweet that your husband surprised you like that! Totally makes up for his lack of airport affection!
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to taste fried green tomatoes too....especially after seeing the movie. Thats sweet that your hubby surprised you like that..especially after that warm reception. My hubbys like that too...he doesnt show his emotion but he does some really sweet things
ReplyDeleteFried green tomatoes are either awesome or awful...totally depends on the cook. The best ones I've ever had were in the Charleston area. One is at Hyman's. I think it's called the Napoleon. The other was at a little dive in Folly Beach. It was an english muffin with a fried green tomato, homemade pimento cheese, bacon, and a crab cake. OOOOMMGGGG....that was some goooood shiz.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Tom loves you. Just doesn't want to show any PDA you know! I mean, the fact that he even REMEMBERED that you wanted to go to this restaurant is pretty impressive!
ReplyDeleteI like fried green tomatoes. I tried to get them any time I'm down south.
Glad Tom remembered the cute outfits.
He bonused big time for remembering you wanted to go to The Pit. Good call, Tom! LOL at the outfit comment.
ReplyDeletefunny, my father in law is pretty much the same, the strong silent type. Except I force him to hug me when I havent seen him in a long time because in my family we are huggers. Actually we are cheek kissers but I think that would fly even less than a hug. The point is, in my familia it is rude not to greet other family members with an outward sign of affection! But how nice that he took your heavy pack! That was very thoughtful.
ReplyDeleteAw - now that's love! And weirdly I never thought of fried green tomatoes as actual food, but now I'm tempted to try some!
ReplyDeleteFeeling like a moron, I will now go find out what a hushpuppy is.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet is that - that your man took you for some fried green tomatoes. What a guy! Yummmmm, hush puppies!
ReplyDeleteI'm not crazy about tomatoes, but I'd love some of that brisket!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Natalie. lol. And no brisket for me. I know...bad Texan. But I love me some hushpuppies.
ReplyDeleteSouthern Fried Everythang is how I think of the South. The tomatoes, um no. The hush puppies, when they're done right, to die for.
ReplyDelete