A Tank of Gas and a Day Off Archives - Page 5 of 6

A Festival and Fettucine

12/21/2015 By: CCPearsoncomment

In the days leading up to Christmas this year, my Silver Fox and I have taken advantage of some delightful holiday events in the middle of our own shopping, decorating, baking, and gift-wrapping sessions. First, we went to see the amazing decorations at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville before watching the Iron Bowl with our son and his family. Even the outcome of the game couldn’t squelch our good moods. The next weekend we went to our Sunday School class party hosted by neighbors across the street. We were all in high spirits with laughter, good food, and an auction to raise money for the mission offering. Two days later we attended the BELLS OF CHRISTMAS Holiday Home Tour and oohed and ahhed over 4 gorgeous homes in Athens.

I participated in rehearsals and performances of An Athens Christmas at our church and loved seeing so many people who came to enjoy our efforts and hard work. We still have the Joe Wheeler Home Christmas Tour on the calendar along with Christmas Eve services at church. Then, at noon on Christmas Day the Pearson 20 will arrive, and everything will culminate with hugs and this happy Momma counting ALL the noses. 🙂 Can’t you just hear “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” in the background and smell the cinnamon of the cookies in the oven as I type?

But, I must tell you about our adventure last Saturday, thus leading to the title of this post. We attended Dickens of a Christmas in downtown Franklin, TN. Oh my! That town knows how to put on a festival. So many of the townspeople decked out in Dickens-era costumes. (Be sure to click on each picture to get a closer look at the details).

lovely ladies

even the policemen get in the spirit

Thousands of visitors were there right along with us, enjoying the vendors, musicians, and the festively-decorated shops. Traffic was completely blocked off from the roundabout in the center of town and for at least 3 blocks in all 4 directions from there.

view down Main St.

Gray’s, a shop on Main St. decorated for the occasion

a Dickens couple poses with me

This year marked the 31st time the event has been held. Obviously, it has grown in quality and in quantity from its beginnings. These two days every December are completely filled with entertainment, food, arts and crafts, carriage rides and Town Sings. I wholeheartedly recommend that you go ahead and mark your new 2016 calendar to attend next year.

street vendor selling candy

almost irresistible cookies

merry fiddlers

Steve and I resisted all of the great-smelling foods for sale on Main Street because we had lunch reservations at Maggiano’s Little Italy in nearby Nashville.

Maggiano’s Little Italy exterior

We normally avoid chains in favor of one-of-a-kind places, but we made an exception in this case. Maggiano’s has grown to numerous locations since its first restaurant opened in Chicago and welcomed the one and only Frank Sinatra at its Grand Opening. But, there are VERY FEW in the southeast. I haven’t found any in Alabama or Mississippi, and I’m pretty sure there’s only this one in Tennessee. Besides, my friend Marie told me this was her favorite Italian restaurant, so I had to check it out. Mercy, it was good!!

I strongly suggest making reservations. Maggiano’s is popular! The day we were there, not only were the holiday shoppers and party-goers out en masse, but also it was Graduation Day at nearby Vanderbilt, so lots of happy families celebrated. The place literally hopped. In spite of that, our service was prompt and attentive.

Imagine red-checked tablecloths with white overlays, lots of brick, mirrors, and windows. Very much a vintage look. Jazzy holiday music was playing. Ahhhhh.

Our waiter brought a complimentary appetizer of zucchini fritte to our table since we were first-time guests. Nice touch. He explained that everything on the menu was made “in house.” We started with salads. I chose a spinach salad with bleu cheese, colored peppers, applewood bacon, pine nuts, red onions, and an incredible vinaigrette dressing. It was amazing — so fresh and crisp.

spinach salad

For entrees, we chose Lighter Take Fettucine Alfredo with grilled chicken and asparagus, and Lighter Take Baked Ziti with Italian chicken sausage, mozzarella cheese, and Pomodoro sauce. Both were exceptional.

fettucine alfredo with chicken and asparagus

baked ziti

They “just happened” to have a seasonal dessert offering of 5 mini canolis with chocolate chip ricotta filling and the ends dipped in dark chocolate and finely chopped nuts. No. We did NOT decide to skip dessert. 🙂 We shared and loved every bite. (Don’t tell my trainer. He’ll never let me off that elliptical next week).

canolis filled with chocolate chips and ricotta

So, I’ll just tell you straight out that I am most assuredly in the Christmas spirit this year, and I hope you are, too. “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!”

Where Did We Go? Part 2 – The Big Reveal

12/16/2015 By: CCPearsoncomment

Did you leave your guess in the comment section of Monday’s post? If not, stop now and go back to do that. Let’s play fair. 🙂

The following pictures will get progressively more obvious until you’ll practically be yelling the destination at your computer. 🙂

Hint #3 — Santa picture packages here range from $35 to $70. Way over the top. The good news is that Santa looks very real.

Hint #4 –There are some great shows in this location during the holidays. In my past experience, I can say that they are VERY professionally presented. Again, the downside is that you have to be willing to watch your credit cards quiver.

Hint #5 — The restrooms are immaculate, and you can get plenty of exercise walking through and going up and down the steps.

Hint #6 — The horticulture on display is spectacular.

Yes! You guessed it. Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville. Spend the night or an afternoon. They make a big deal out of the Christmas season. Enjoy the music, the shops, and the surroundings. And, try not to stress out over the traffic. Happy Holidays!

P.S. There are several nice restaurants inside the Opryland Hotel complex, but I saw an intriguing one across the street from the main entrance called Caney Fork River Valley Grille. Check out their website here. The menu sounds delicious and is probably a good bit less painful to your wallet. 🙂

Where Did We Go? Part 1

12/14/2015 By: CCPearsoncomment

Take a look at the pictures made very recently. Click on each one to make them larger. Read closely for hints. Leave your guess in the comment section. The Big Reveal will come on Wednesday.

Hint #1 — It’s very popular around this neck of the woods.

Hint #2 — It costs $24.00 PLUS TAX to park and go inside.

Two Reasons to Give Rocky Mount, N.C. an Afternoon of Your Time

11/23/2015 By: CCPearsoncomment

Sure. I know it’s almost a straight shot on Highway 64 between Raleigh and the Outer Banks. And, yes, I know you’re eager to dip your toes in the Atlantic Ocean. But what about stopping to taste some delectable food and see an incredible art gallery and museum that has risen from an abandoned tobacco factory? Wouldn’t that be a worthwhile use of a few hours?

PLAN YOUR STOP TO COINCIDE WITH LUNCH OR DINNER!!! That’s a very strong suggestion. And head directly to Prime Smokehouse — “Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.” The building, located at 207 E. Thomas St., is a former auto garage. Now, though, the mouthwatering smells of smoked meat will lure you in. The soft jazz and blues are always playing in the background, reminiscent of the owner’s father, Ed Wiley, Jr., a famous jazz saxophonist in the late 40’s/early 50’s, whose records and pictures are displayed along the walls. Even though it is considered to be a casual dining place with stained concrete floors and no tablecloths, the food is authentic and special. Typical Eastern North Carolina barbecue is vinegar-based, but Ed Wiley III learned his smoked meat techniques from his father while living in Texas. Ed III says he doesn’t bother with sauces, but instead he “lets the wood determine the flavor of the meat.”

Prime Smokehouse sign

Ed Wiley, Jr., jazz saxophonist

I sampled the prime beef brisket with collards and a serving of their national award-winning macaroni and cheese with whole-kernel cornbread. Others tried the barbecue beef platter with broccoli and rice, the smoked links, and the orange-ginger yams with a hint of fresh lemon.

smoked links with potatoes and mac and cheese

beef brisket, collards, mac and cheese

beef barbecue, collards and yams

The owner’s wife Yalem Kiros is from Ethiopia. We bonded instantly because of our granddaughter who was adopted from that country. How gracious she was to stop by our table and answer dozens of questions. She insisted on serving the guys some of her special Ethiopian coffee and told us about the importance of the Ethiopian coffee ceremony carried out each morning in her native country. The men declared it to be smooth, rich and creamy without any need of adding cream to it. She also wanted us to sample their amazing peach cobbler. It was truly worth the calories.

Posing with Yalem Kiros, Prime Smokehouse owner’s wife and our friends Fletcher and Ruby Dickerson

peach cobbler

I definitely recommend the drive from Raleigh/Durham to try this special menu. Check out their beautiful website. See and hear the owner and listen to an excerpt of his father’s music.

TAKE TIME TO VISIT IMPERIAL CENTRE for Arts and Sciences. Originally the Rocky Mount branch of Imperial Tobacco of Great Britain and Ireland Ltd., the Imperial Centre now houses the Rocky Mount Children’s Museum and Science Center, the Rocky Mount Arts Center, the Braswell Memorial Library, and a newly-constructed Theatre. All of this came about by a couple of significant events. One in particular occurred in a single September day when 25% of Rocky Mount was completely flooded. Old buildings that had been used for arts, museum and library purposes were destroyed. A very generous federal grant made the renovation of the giant former tobacco factory possible.

Imperial Centre smokestack

Imperial Centre entrance

huge fire prevention doors from the old tobacco factory

The Imperial Centre also received $1 million from Maria V. Howard, a wealthy fashion designer in the area.

Maria V. Howard display

Did you know that Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech was first delivered in Rocky Mount?

Did you know that Buck Leonard, a great baseball player referred to as both “Black Lou Gehrig” and “Black Babe Ruth” was born and died right there in Rocky Mount?

Buck Leonard, Hall of Fame baseball player from Rocky Mount

You will enjoy displays about people and so much more when you take time for the Imperial Centre.

Have I convinced you to visit Rocky Mount? I hope so. I’m very glad I did.

A Couple Of Gems in Roxboro, N.C.

11/11/2015 By: CCPearson2 Comments

You might miss it if you aren’t traveling with locals. Roxboro, N.C., about a half hour due north of Durham on Hwy. 501, only boasts a population of 9000 people. We went because of the movie theater, but found an entertainment complex with much more than a theater — and a nice restaurant nearby as a bonus.

I wish we had a Palace Pointe — or something similar — in North Alabama. Oh my. This is one stop shopping for Cousins Camp or for any set of grandparents wanting to entertain grandchildren of almost any age for a few hours. Check out www.palacepointe.com. This place has it all. First-run movies playing in 8 theaters, a skating rink, a bowling alley, an arcade, bumper cars, meeting rooms for adults and plenty of places for children’s birthday parties. There are even several food options, so you can spend a whole day, if you’d like. Have I given an idea to any entrepreneurs out there?

Bowling alley

Bumper cars

Movies and fresh popcorn right inside.

Straight ahead to the skating rink

City Diner

But, in case you are on a date with your hubby, or on an outing with friends, you can drive about 5 minutes away (to 333 Old Durham Rd.) and have dinner at Brookland Eats after your movie or game of bowling, etc. etc. This restaurant offers a wide variety from soups and salads to burgers, steaks and seafood. And Chef Coleman Norris dreams up daily specials, creative menus for holidays and is available for catering. Pimento cheese is featured prominently. You might find it in and under an order of hushpuppies or on top of burgers or fried green tomatoes. According to our waitress, the pot roast cheese steak with homemade chips is the most popular item on a daily basis. Our group took her suggestion AND ordered the pimento cheese hushpuppies, the southern cobb salad, a chicken wrap with blackened chicken and fruit, and a crab cake sandwich on toasted brioche with potato salad. All choices were tasty and satisfying.

Cobb salad

Crab cake sandwich with potato salad

Blackened chicken wrap with fruit

Pot roast cheese sandwich with homemade chips

Restaurant sign

The building itself will take you back to days gone by. The atmosphere is casual and a little loud (because of the brick walls). There is a party/banquet room upstairs that is sure to be hopping from now until the first of the year.

North Carolina friends, I know you have a thousand choices but don’t forget Roxboro! 🙂 Out of the hustle/bustle. Plenty of parking.

October Days — Lured by Lookout Mountain

10/28/2015 By: CCPearsoncomment

You wake up one crisp, fall morning, and you want to see some colorful leaves.

But, you don’t have the time or the money to drive to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

What to do? What to do?

Fall display at Mentone Inn

May I suggest heading east toward the Alabama/Georgia state line and taking in the beauty of Fort Payne, Desoto State Park, Cloudmont Ski and Golf Resort, Rainsville, and Mentone. If you plan just right, you might make it for the Annual Colorfest in Mentone — generally scheduled for the 3rd Saturday in October. Over 70 vendors set up their wares at Mentone’s Brow Park which is situated on a ridge near the top of Lookout Mountain — a breath-taking setting. Mentone also plays host to a year-round, state-sanctioned Farmers’ Market, and the permanent shopkeepers are always happy to have customers, too.

Lookout Mountain

Farmers’ Market sign in Mentone

Crafts at Colorfest

Colorfest in Mentone

Snow-skiing in Alabama?? You bet! As soon as overnight temperatures drop to 28 degrees or colder, snowmaking begins at Cloudmont via machines and snow grooming equipment. During “the season,” the slopes are open daily from 9:00-4:00 and nightly from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Skis, boots, poles, and snow boards are available for rent, and instruction is available for beginners to experts. In the milder temperatures, Saddle Rock Golf Course is up and running. Check it out — www.cloudmont.com.

If you want to make an overnight trip, you could choose the motel rooms, chalets or log cabins of Desoto State Park (www.alapark.com), the chalets and cabins at Cloudmont, or perhaps Mentone Inn Bed and Breakfast. www.mentoneinn.com.

Mentone Inn

You will get hungry breathing in all of the fresh air. I have not tried Moonlight Bistro, but the reviews are good. I have, however, tried Wildflower Cafe. It takes an exceptional place to justify a long wait. Our timing was not good on our visit — probably the busiest day of the year for Mentone — but I’m glad we stuck it out for the full hour and a half. (Normally, I’m sure the wait would be less than 30 minutes). The food was fresh and very flavorful. They serve sweet potato biscuits made right in nearby Fort Payne at Granny Hester’s. Those are great just plain, but the chef at Wildflower has cranked it up a notch with his creation of sweet potato bread pudding with curried coconut rum sauce, a dessert worth its calories. The signature dish at Wildflower is tomato pie. We sampled that, as well as spinach quiche and chicken salad on sourdough bread. Be sure to check the website for the Weekend Brunch menu and the Dinner Menu, both have other tasty options. www.mentonewildflower.com

Front of Wildflower Cafe

My smiling Silver Fox

This corner of Alabama is worth a day or a weekend or even several visits. Think about it.

Rattlesnake Saloon in Tuscumbia, AL — To Go or Not to Go?

10/26/2015 By: CCPearson2 Comments

Why in the world would a Baptist deacon and his choir member wife drive to Tuscumbia, AL on a Friday afternoon to have supper at a place called the Rattlesnake Saloon??? We don’t drink alcohol. We like a few country songs, but not many. And we certainly don’t “boot-scoot!”

When you write a travel blog as well as articles for other publications, and when you are “eat up with curiosity,” you begin to rationalize your way to strange places. Somehow, the picture of Eve eating the apple and then offering it to Adam just came to my mind. Yikes.

We had “A Tank of Gas and a Day Off” (as in the name of one of my blog categories), we knew we wouldn’t be drinking, and we do like discovering new places. So, off we went.

front view from across the road

looking inside the cave in front of the hitching post

Here are my positives from this outing:

The cave is fascinating and large. Definitely a unique place to have an entertainment venue.
The drive TO Seven Springs Lodge and Rattlesnake Saloon is rural, curvy, remote, and picturesque.
The employees — the Saloon Taxi driver, the girl in the Gift Shop, the security guards, the waitresses — were all friendly.
We must have not looked even REMOTELY like folks who came to drink and boot-scoot. When each person got off the back of the pickup truck (a.k.a. Saloon Taxi) to go into the cave, they were asked to show ID and their hands were stamped. No one even approached Steve and me. (Insert shrug and raised eyebrows here.)
The Cowboy Buttons (their name for fried mushrooms in the Saddlin’ Up portion of the menu) were good.
The brakes and the transmission on the Saloon Taxi worked properly on the steep incline going to and from the cave, and we were fortunate that the road was not wet or muddy.
It was pleasantly cool inside the cave, plus there was a nice breeze blowing fall leaves off of the trees outside.
The rattlesnake skins and large mounted rattlesnake about to strike a rabbit inside the saloon/kitchen building were intriguing and added significantly to the ambiance.
The band playing on the evening we went had a good sound, although we only stayed for a couple of songs. A calendar on the website lists upcoming groups.
The prices of the food are reasonable.
They don’t start serving alcohol until 5 p.m., so lunch would be “safe” if you wanted to bring young children to eat and explore.
The employees don’t have to wash any dishes. It’s strictly a paper plate/plastic fork setting.
Dress is entirely casual. Think cowboy boots and jeans.
It’s very near the Coon Dog Cemetery, so you can see two unique places in one day.
The Foster family who owns all of the land has found a winning combination. People from 30 countries and all 50 states have visited since they opened in 2007. Wow.
The adjacent Seven Springs Lodge has a large horse park, land for hunting, and camping facilities — 6000 acres in all. There are even Chuck Wagon Races on Mother’s Day.

A couple of negatives.

Don’t go expecting to eat healthy.
The first song of the band we heard was “She Loves Me Like Jesus Does.” Questionable theology, but once I got home and looked up the lyrics, they weren’t too, too bad.

So now you have my take on this place, and you are free to make up your own mind.

October Days — Cullman’s Oktoberfest and Carlton’s Restaurant

10/21/2015 By: CCPearsoncomment

I missed fall when I lived in Ecuador.

I enjoyed fall all of the years that I was teaching.

But, I adore fall now, and particularly beautiful fall Saturdays spent with my Silver Fox. He’s such a fun travel companion. He’s not fond of traffic, but he keeps me laughing, and he’s like having a little bit of conscience sitting on my shoulder in restaurants. Mercy. He likes the air conditioner OFF. I like it on full blast. He’s a nature guy. I’m a unique things girl. We show each other sights and treasures we never would have found on our own.

Football games. Colored leaves. Mums. Pumpkins. Arts and crafts. Mountains. Crisp air. Bring it on.

colorful mums

Symbols of Cullman’s Oktoberfest — German-clad haybales

Recently we made our way to Cullman to wander through the booths at the annual Oktoberfest. You’ve missed it for 2015, but put it on your calendar for next year. This website would be a great one to bookmark. They plan DAYS of activities. Not just a single Saturday. Take a look at some of the sights.

spoons crafted into wind chimes

great fun for the young folks

look what you can do with sticks of all shapes and sizes

painting of 2 girls

mosaic stepping stones

ornate gourds

An array for fudge — just looking, of course

Preparing samples

selection of Amish cheeses

Halloween gourd

All of that wandering worked up our appetites. A good friend recommended Carlton’s Italian Restaurant on 3rd Avenue. It was wonderful. Beautifully decorated, scrumptious food, and a happy chat with the owner who is a retired veterinarian like my Silver Fox. I don’t believe you’ll be sorry if you decide to try it. Let’s see if I can tempt you.

small spaghetti with 3 meatballs

Italian sub with pasta salad

My Real Live American Girl Dolls

10/14/2015 By: CCPearsoncomment

I am blessed to have SEVEN beautiful, healthy, smart granddaughters. When the oldest (Allie, who will be 15 next month) was at the doll-playing stage, I was out of the loop and didn’t know about American Girl dolls. Don’t worry, though. She was definitely spoiled by her grandparents — just in a different way. But, by the time Maggie turned 7 — we share a birthdate, by the way — I was ready to start a new Grandmomma/Granddaughter tradition. It was time for an outing to the American Girl store near Atlanta to make a selection. Since we were BOTH celebrating and since the store was a long distance from Athens, I decided to make this an overnight trip. We checked into the Alpharetta Marriott, a place that “just happens” to offer an American Girl package complete with pink sheets and a doll bed.

We checked into the hotel, got “all dolled up,” and made our way to the store. What an amazing place for a little girl and her doting grandmother! After MUCH deliberation, Maggie chose Caroline and started reading her book and taking care of her immediately. By then, it was time for dinner, so I asked, “Do you want to eat fast food or go somewhere fancy?” She wisely requested “somewhere fancy,” and we found a Cheesecake Factory near the hotel. Thus, the second part of our 7th birthday tradition was born. Thank goodness for great kids’ menu AND for the free desserts they bring for Birthday People. Way to go, Cheesecake Factory.

Then, in 2015, two serendipitous things happened. 1) Our son Matt and his family moved to Franklin, TN and 2) A new American Girl store opened this spring in the Cool Springs Galleria. Hurray for not having to drive so far! Granddaughter Birti agreed to wait until the store opened to have her outing with me. After carefully deciding on Grace, we headed to the nearby Cheesecake Factory (also opened very recently), and Birti added the “touch” of including the doll in the lunch. We had a great time. . . and the lemon meringue pie cheesecake was to-die-for.

Just this past weekend, Granddaughter Megan turned 7 AND came to our house for the weekend. Birti got to come, too, because their brothers were going to Auburn for a football game experience with Granddaddy. (You didn’t think we’d leave the boys out, did you?) Birti was very helpful in showing Megan the ropes and pointing out dolls and accessories she might have otherwise missed. Megan took her time deciding on a doll. She went in thinking she’d get Mary Ellen, but as soon as she saw Julie, she was smitten. You could see it on her face.

It was another memory-making day that I consider to be “worth every cent.”

But, okay. I should probably confess that this whole American Girl doll/eating at the Cheesecake Factory event is allowing me to live out my own fantasies, besides having fun with the girls. I loved dolls as a little girl, and I guess I still haven’t outgrown it.

Three more granddaughters to go. Penelope will be 7 in February 2016, Bethany in February 2017, but Bethany just turned 2. She has awhile to go yet. Better keep saving my money.

Another Franklin Frolic with Grands – The Factory, Part 2

10/07/2015 By: CCPearsoncomment

The Saturday Farmers Market, located in the Rear Parking Lot at The Factory (at the corner of Franklin Rd. and Liberty Pike), is a feast for the eyes and the stomach. There are candies, jellies, jams, and baked goods for sale, in addition to flowers and fresh produce of all shapes and colors. Take a look. These photos make me a little sad that summer has ended . . . that is, until I look forward to pumpkins and brilliant trees.

After settling on okra yellow zucchini, red potatoes and a few apples, we were ready to do some browsing before finding a nice place for lunch. (See the last blog post for some of the special people we met). I will confess that we frequent our share of fast food places when the grands are with us (and when we are paying the bill). But every once in awhile we like to sit down, order from the menu, and enjoy relaxed conversation. On this particular day, we found LYRICS (naturally a musician would be drawn to that name) and gave it a try. It was our lucky day! A guitarist provided tuneful music-to-dine-by. Ahhh, Music City.

Steve and I chose the vegetable quiche with a cranberry congealed salad, and the kids had chicken fingers, baked chips, grapes and Goldfish. As always with grandchildren, the table conversation is the very best part. We hear what’s going on in their world and share tidbits about our lives when they aren’t with us.

Did I mention the sour cream muffins that are served as a starter? We were BIG fans of those.

I definitely recommend The Factory as a place to spend a few hours. Almost any place will do when you have such delightful company, but this one has a personality and flavor that is unique and interesting for both generations.

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