When you have to make a trip out of town, why not make it an interesting one.
Breakfast and coffee of course at home, early morning pickings from the gardens.
AND…
a call to Washington, DC., to voice my displeasure and expectations today on the latest Gun Grab from the left and the traitorous RHINOs!
U.S Representative Dr. Scott DesJarlais
2301 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6831
Fax: (202) 226-5172
e-mail
http://desjarlais.house.gov
As you can see, still no cabinet doors…much closer than we were!
Finally got the estimate for the backsplash and installation.
Back to Lowes, signed the contract, paid the tab and it should be in by next Thursday, hopefully, the install goes as quickly! They don’t foresee a long wait time…
Speaking of waiting, if Lowes expects me to sit and wait, they really must change the decor, that umbrella is depressing, and who needs that!
I do find them very good to work with. Pleasant, helpful, and timely.
All things considered, the cost has not been too far out!
Thanks to Joe Biden/the fake president from hell….life is a challenge like none we’ve ever faced!
After a quick tour of the grounds and finding no major upsets-it was time for a stable breakfast, grounding thoughts, and Good Coffee!
It’s June, it’s hot, and it’s imperative we keep tabs on our health status.
Stay hydrated and eat strong immune-supporting foods. (no, donuts do not qualify!)
Eggs? Oh yeah…fruits? please…fresh veggies from the garden? In my kitchen for sure.
Picky on grains and grain-based foods, pancakes, biscuits, waffles, etc. (check out ancient grains and honey over refined sugar)
(once a week on these foods and we are good)
Keep tabs on the Recipe section of this website…some new ones coming.
Today my errands took me to another county, Lawrenceburg, the county seat of Lawrence County and the largest city on the state’s southern border between Chattanooga and Memphis. It lies on the banks of the Shoal Creek and the beautiful Natchez Parkway is close by, about 17 miles east of the city. It is also home to Laurel Hill Lake.
A lot of interesting history if one is inclined to track and read.
One of the best restaurants in the state…if you should ask my opinion!
“The Brass Lantern”, is the mother restaurant of all the Legend restaurants.
The Brass Lantern has a gorgeous new makeover, really very nice…and the food is always gourmet style on a down-home level!
Steaks are divine!
Cheesecakes are sinful! (I have since asked forgiveness!
If you are nearby, you probably know the goodness…if you are new to the area, make sure you check-in and get to know the awesome folks and their food!
Summer is hanging out in the Sage Hill Gardens!
Stop in if you are in the neighborhood!
Backroads, Offroads, Sideroads, or Country roads, are known by many names.
If you appreciate the many unique and totally wonderful things, landscapes, and people to be encountered-
it takes day trips and long journeys to another level!
Time to travel!
From Sage Hill to Guntersville Lake (Guntersville, Al.,( near Gadsen) for those unfamiliar with the area, is 2 hours by backroads.
About an hour and a half on the straight route.
Cool and pretty!
The climb is short but sweet! SAND MOUNTAIN is a sandstone plateau in northeastern Alabama and (to a far lesser extent) northwestern Georgia and southeastern Tennessee where the plateau is known as Raccoon Mountain and Elder Mountain. It is part of the southern tip of the Appalachian mountain chain and it is the largest plateau in the chain. Geologically a continuation of Walden Ridge, Sand Mountain is part of the Cumberland Plateau, separated from the main portion of the plateau by the Tennessee River and Sequatchie Valley. The average elevation on Sand Mountain is around 1,500 feet (460 m) above sea level, compared to about 650 feet (200 m) in the surrounding area. This elevation leads to its having the coolest climate in the state of Alabama. The largest city on Sand Mountain is Albertville, in Marshall County.
My trip started early, was beautiful, green, and had little traffic to contend with…works for me!
Guntersville Lake and the lake area is exquisite but rather simple in regards to (fluff and pomp)
It has all the elements of ease, beauty, fresh and gourmet fringes.
Big, big lake!
(Top Of The River) restaurant is A+ all the way, two levels of wide-open spacious dining, overlooking the lake front.
Super neat, clean, unadorned, great service and delicious food…no greasy residue anywhere.
Fried Catfish, (clean and crispy) Hushpuppies (they rival New Orleans finest) my kind of slaw and great coffee! This little plate soon had a small serving of coleslaw and black-iron skillet cornbread!
There are lake homes in the $$$$$$$$$-millions, but my favorites are the smaller, Craftsman style -built with a Row House feel…still pricey but doable, if we sold the farm and pawned the kids! Mercy!!
I did some fun shopping, ate fruit pops and remembered my dear friend Shirley Mitchelle, her home is near-by.
(wherever you are, I love and miss you!)
Time to head home….hope you enjoy my day as much as I did!
Nothing feels quite like being on the open road, with a full day ahead and no agenda…except lunch at a favorite spot and all the splurge shopping one can handle!
Let me just say…in Nashville, Tn., I saw no signs of a slowdown, new construction beyond belief.
I do have a question. What is driving the all-inclusive look of industrial elements in homes, and commercial buildings?
Dull, generic browns, and grays? The only thing missing is wire fencing and a guard at the gate. (one huge, old, manufacturing plant turned into condos, bars on the windows?
It’s ugly and disturbing.
But…I digress!
I know and love the special, beautiful, and many historical spots. Germantown is a fav!)
If one knows Nashville well, one must know about Monells, they have 3 locations, my favorite is the original in Germantown since 1905.
So much awesome history in this area/neighborhood.
After a Family Style lunch with 9 people gathered around a large table, ladened with meats, breads, salads, dessert, tea, and lemonade….we chose to stroll a lot!
In and out of many individual shops…one of my favorites is the Galena Garlic Company which has its home base/farm in Galen, IL.
My first introduction to the company was the store in Madison, IN. (a fabulous little river town.)
www.galenagarlic.com
www.monellstn.com
When you get the chance, do go! (for a day or a week, you’ll never see it all!)
America, The USA, Land Of The Free And Home of, And Because Of, The Brave…that includes Me and You!
In the coming weeks leading into spring, I will be researching and sharing American Made products, especially clothing for families/working women, and athleisure wear.
There is more out there than we might think.
We can dress well, eat well, design and furnish our homes well by and through supporting American Companies.
Whatever it takes….It’s time!
You will see posts scattered around my FB pages and other locations of my choice. Always follow the link to the Sage Hill Gardens website for a full list of American Companies as I research and share them.
Hudson is one of my favorite places, check them out for a Data Base of other American Made companies.
A few to pique your interest!
https://www.hudsonsfurniture.com/made-in-usa
a)In 1962, BEST Home Furnishings was born in Ferdinand, Indiana. Today, BEST has become the world’s largest chair manufacturer.BEST quality products are American-made in southern Indiana using domestic kiln-dried hardwood frames, the finest high-density foams, and our recliners use Leggett and Platt mechanisms, also made in the USA.
b) Founded in 1996 in Pontotoc, Mississippi, SOUTHERN MOTION™ started off with a rocking beginning as they found their place in the furniture industry. As a household name for furniture, Southern Motion has thrived throughout the years, introducing new products to customers looking for style and comfort combined.
d) VAUGHAN-BASSETT Furniture is a specialist in affordable, well-crafted furniture for the bedroom, and the largest producer of wood bedroom furniture in the U.S. While furniture plants across the country have permanently shuttered their doors due to overseas competition in recent years, Vaughan-Bassett chose to ensure that, at nearly 100 years old, the company would remain the largest employer in its hometown of Galax, Virginia by outfitting its plants with state-of-the-art equipment and updating all of its procedures.Nearly 700 talented and hard-working craftspeople head to work at Vaughan-Bassett each day, proud in the knowledge that they are creating quality furnishings their fellow consumers can trust to live and sleep with every day. Thanks to the growing number of people who recognize how important domestic manufacturing is to the health of America’s economy and insist on buying American-made goods, the company has recently opened a second plant to satisfy the increased demand for its products. Vaughan-Bassett expects to create another 115 jobs over the next three years.
f) It was 1925 and Americans were getting better rest than ever before thanks to the then newly-invented Pocketed Coil®. For the first time, a signature, mass-produced bed, offered individual support and motion separation. This achievement marked the official launch and introduction to the world of the BEAUTYREST line.
Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, H.G. Wells, and George Bernard Shaw, all movers, and shakers in their own regard, had one thing in common: they, like many Americans, couldn’t risk a poor night’s sleep for the progress of tomorrow. Each demanded better sleep and found the answer with Beautyrest®.
Then 1958, Simmons forever changed the bedroom again by being the first manufacturer to create Queen and King mattress sizes. The ability to sleep like a royal was now available to everyone.
Today, we’re bringing our luxurious mattress shopping experience direct to your doorstep.
That Brandon…he’s everywhere, keeping the rhythm alive!
I recently made a trip south to have some holiday time with family members who will not be coming this way during the Christmas celebrations.
Cruising down 31 South I spent some time behind a big ole 18 wheeler truck sporting a bright “Go Brandon!” banner across the back.
Made my heart sing! We Wish You A Merry Christmas, God Bless America, and a host of other Freedom songs.
I saw the USA Flag flying in all the right places!
I saw Christmas decorations bright and shining and inviting…..
I felt the Spirit of Christmas in Foley, Alabama.
Arrived at my hotel and was greeted by friendly, maskless host, everything was open, and again…welcoming.
Arrived at my niece’s home to find gorgeous trees welcoming us, the back porch, the bedrooms, the family room…pretty trees.
The beachy tree got my attention…impressive…sea shells, starfish, cool blue ornaments that almost swayed if you watched closely! (the only thing missing was Spongecake!)
Never fret, there was cake…
The weather…it was beachy also! The high 70s…felt fabulous!
Someone said they saw Santa surfing??
We lived on the beachside of the Mississippi Gulf Coast for 40 years, so I am no stranger to sand, sun, salt water, and good fishing…..(some of us are still there)
This visit was about 80 miles from our Mississippi home ground.
It’s good to belong to more than one “home.”
Always good to be welcomed by family…we have the best!
A very good review by another visitor.
~~~~~~~
Yes, we all have plans to return, again and again.
Whether you have sunshine or drifts of snow, Christmas is Christmas, the largest birthday celebration on earthy. Rejoice!
Note the location of the person who shared the recipe for this cookbook.
Lebanon, Tn.
The book was a gift from my son and DIL in 1997…I was nowhere near Tn!
I think that is some kind of irony that 24 years later I chose a recipe from a lady in a town not too far from Sage Hill.
That makes me smile and that’s a wrap!
BTW…you can make the recipe a much healthier version by opting for organics, I used Agave in place of white sugar.
Yummy!
When the candles are lit and the soup bowls are filled,
Delicious aromas waft throughout the house,
We will sit down to a Thanksgiving meal in which a few subtle switches will turn familiar offerings into a delicious feast of new and charming classics.
A turkey basted with a cider/butter mix will sit beautifully browned just begging to be sliced!
Pecan pie with daring and heady molasses instead of sugar…no one will ever guess, but it’s not a secret!
Potatoes and Yams roasted with Parsnips bring a new dazzle to the humble root vegetables.
There will be Gumbo…recipe unaltered from many years of perfection! That’s OK, some things cannot be improved upon!
Pumpkin soup made and served in and from the said host. ( the pumpkin)
A few delights among others, food for thought over the next few days.
For now…today, Sunday-November 21, an inside day because of cold rain and no desire to venture out…..the kitchen became my target!
~~
Something for breakfast, brunch, or after-dinner treat.
November, November, a delightful array of seasonal splendor!
Marigolds, mums, and pumpkins on parade-
Leading the way to Thanksgiving Day!
Our destination…Home!
Where all the familiar faces gather to sleep deep, linger long, eat heartily, and hug with intention.
Tradition is BIG in my world, honoring yesterday, embracing the now, and praying for the future to hold the line….one more time!
Beautiful food makes us slow down and take notice.
A table with flashes of copper, glints of silver, and grandmother’s gifts…whatever they are-
Wear them, serve them, share them.
November, November, a delightful array of seasonal splendor.
This little plate soon had a small serving of coleslaw and black-iron skillet cornbread!
