Road Trip: Oxford, The Grove

So the first stop on our main event (well, after we finally got off the exit and found a parking space–all part of the experience!) trip to Oxford, Mississippi was The Grove.

A  picturesque park in the middle of campus, this heart of Ole Miss is tailgating headquarters during football season.

Thousands of tailgaters bring their tents, “refreshments,” and friends out rain or shine and party until the game starts. And plenty of others keep on going through the game, bringing elaborate televison and sound systems to make sure to watch the game.

If you’re going to spend time in Oxford, the Grove is an absolute must. You’ll never see anything like it. Make sure you wear your Sunday best. You’ll see many more prim dresses and gentlemen in ties than you will t-shirts and hoodies. All part of the Southern charm!

 

Halloween Pumpkins

Every year our pumpkin carving becomes a bit more elaborate, and as it turns out, the dark orange pumpkins are best for carving.  The lighter varieties do not project light well.  I wanted to share our Halloween pumpkins with you. 

All pictures are from www.sweeticedtea.wordpress.com.

This pretty much sums up my life.

Image via FFFFound!

(And no, I am not procrastinating on Novel already; Husband is having to install Microsoft Office on my laptop which I thought we already had done. Whoops!)

Released Released

Released by Tina Thompson

You’ll all remember my wonderful mother (whom I affectionately call Lady) who wrote for us a great post a while back about her historic home. Well, she’s not just a great guest blogger, she’s a published author.

Today, my sweet mom’s book Released was, well, released!

About her experience of struggling with depression and anxiety, she wrote this practical guide to help those struggling with the same through it. But it’s so much more than just a guide.

She shares her experiences, troubles, and how she found answers, ultimately in God, with us all. While I feel like I knew my Lady better than almost anyone, I was shocked and surprised to learn about how deep a depression she went through when I was much younger, too young to remember. What a strong Lady! (And not technically a Southerner by birth, but she got here as quick as she could, and has lived in the South more than half her life.)

While hundreds of thousands of folks write books every year, few of those ever get read by publishers. And even fewer of them get picked up to be published. And for most of those, it takes years of submission.

Tate Publishing picked hers up almost instantly. We tease because my dad is a writer by trade, and my mom is the first in the family to complete a book. (Though my third pursuit starts on Sunday!)

If you know anyone who is struggling or has struggled with depression or anxiety, this book is worth a read. At 96 pages, it won’t overwhelm someone going through these types of trials. And if you’re fortunately enough to never have undergone such a time, I can tell you from personal experience, I’ve learned so much from this book. We as humans are designed to live and work a certain way. Our souls are designed, while not to always be happy, not to be in the bondage of depression or anxiety. So it’s definitely worth a read.

Pick it up here at her site, or at Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com.

Congratulations, Lady! We’re so proud of you for overcoming and for writing this guide to help others through it!

Road Trip: Chattanooga, part 2

All pictures are from www.sweeticedtea.wordpress.com 

Road Trip: Chattanooga Pics

Here are few pictures of the inside of the Chattanooga Choo-Choo.  This historical sight in Chattanooga, which we will talk more about next week, is worth a stop on your next trip.  

All pictures are from www.sweeticedtea.wordpress.com

Pumpkin Patch

What could be more fun than the absolute joy of finding the perfect pumpkin?  I will tell you, not much.  Whether you plan on carving, stenciling or just admiring your pumpkin, they are the quintessential fall accessory and usher in a feeling of fall, even if it is warm outside.  On our road trip this past weekend, we happened upon the best pumpkin patch at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Oxford, Mississippi.  The pumpkins reminded me of the many endearing aspects of a southern fall, such as, hay rides, October festivals, changing leaves, mountain ranges, SEC and ACC (minus Boston College) football, and cooler weather.

What do you plan to do with your pumpkins this year?

All pictures are from www.sweeticedtea.wordpress.com.

The Hot and Hot Fish Club Book Tour

While restaurant selections are endless, most lack the ability the offer all three of the most important qualities in achieving customer satisfaction, including service, atmosphere and superior food quality and flavor.  This is not the case, however, for Hot and Hot Fish Club in Birmingham, Alabama. Last year’s visit was a complete success and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.  Needless to say, I was overjoyed to find out about their new venture, The Hot and Hot Fish Club Cookbook. 

Even more exciting than endless recipes from one of the south’s most acclaimed restaurants is the opportunity to meet the proprietors and creators of Hot and Hot, Chris and Idie Hastings, on a book tour this fall. Their book tour also includes many demonstrations, discussions and sometimes dinner and drinks.  While I could wish my life away, I am happy for my experience at their restaurant and look forward to sharing my stab at their recipes. 

Hope you can make reservations to meet the Hastings this fall! Check out their schedule and find a restaurant or book shop near you.

October

• 15th-19^th - Chef Hastings Prepares Food and Hosts a Cooking Demonstration and Book Signing at The Epcot International Food Festival in Orlando, FL
• 21st – Glorious Grits cookbook and Hot and Hot Cookbook are both featured on the menu at Hot and Hot Fish Club tonight

• 22^nd – Book Signing and Cocktail Reception at The Cook’s Store in Mountain Brook along with Earthborn Pottery’s Tena Payne from 4 -6 p.m.
• 29^th – Nov. 1st Southern Foodways Alliance Symposium in Oxford, MS

November

• 6^th – Honig Wine Dinner with Chef Hastings at Spring House Restaurant at Lake Martin
• 10^th – Chef Hastings is holding a cooking demonstration at Birmingham Bake & Cook Co. from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m.
• 12^th – The Hastings are signing cookbooks at Books-A-Million at Brookwood Village
• 13^th – Cocktail Reception and Book Signing with Jason Wallis at his studio

Road Trip with Sweet Iced Tea

Sweet Iced Tea Roadtrip

You might of noticed we’ve been m.i.a. the past week. Where were we, you ask? We’ve been in the good ol’ South, of course! (We’re glad you missed us!)

As promised, we’ve seen some of our favorites states: Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi. So, in the coming weeks, we’ll be bringing you highlights of our favorite points of the trip. Of course, through all the iPod playlists, references to the map, and snack breaks, we were thinking of you, friends and readers!

On the road again…

Austin City Limits Music Festival/Sara Watkins

One fine day or weekend perhaps, I am going to plan a trip to the Austin City Limits Music Festival.  This coming weekend, you can catch some of the best singer/songwriters and bands making music.  I often argue that most current music doesn’t have enough staying power to make it through to the next generation.  However, there are a few outstanding musicians and singers who are vessels of hope in a generation of gauche pop.   One such appearance on the festival stage will be made by Sara Watkins. 

One third of the Nickel Creek trio, Watkins recently released her first solo album.  This long overdue record is a cold drink of water to the weary soul.  She is also featured on an amazing song from Alex Woodard, “Reno.”  Her harmony is perfect and the lyrics genius. The appearance in Austin is part of Ms. Watkins album tour, and if you are lucky enough to live in or near any city on her tour, you will not want to miss the chance.    

We always watched the show, Austin City Limits on PBS as kids, and even as an adult, the music is still exciting. 

Have fun festival goers!