Road Bloggin’#12-Backroads Downtown

This girl has had a long day and home is my comfort zone!

However…
I have come to love appointments, once I’m out it’s easy to extend must do’s into pleasure do’s!

Today after the appointment activity I decided to wander side roads, off streets, and basically the unknown territory of Columbia, Tn.

Always amazes me how much I don’t know and haven’t seen about the local areas around Sage Hill.

I saw much that I will return to for more clarification…but today two places got and held my attention.

One…the old train depot…a grand lady for sure. She has obviously been cared for and utilized over the years.

I will return for an inside tour and update.

The benches out front were exquisite!

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The second surprise was a bit more in the now….

The building is the old Columbia Art building, and I have to research that.

The time was about 4:30 and I feared the doors would be locked…but no, I found myself inside with what appeared to be two new businesses in the making.

One is a coffee shop and the other I learned from Ethan is a Sandwich shop/with a twist perhaps!! More on that later also.

I found myself in a beer brewery right in the hubbub of Columbia.

Those who know me, know I’m not a drinker…however I do enjoy good beer from time to time. ( today was my first in about 5 years and 5 years prior to that one.

Hmmm, another 5 years I may too old to drink! More on that later!

Interesting, authentic, and comfortable…and the beer I sampled was cold, but not too cold, and tasty!

You can learn more about the company here.
http://www.badideabrewing.com/

You can also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites.

If you are local, check it out, you’ll be glad you did.

Some nice shots…

Style According To The Stylish Gardner

My idea of stylish is …harness the personality and whatever you choose to wear works! Just kidding…sort of!

The body shape is the top priority, know where your flaws are and seek to hide! Seriously….

A good fit, the right shades from any color, and we each have our own set of colors.
I’m lucky, I have two…winter and spring or silver and gold…however, from these base colors I need the deep, bold/spicy shades.
Even in spring colors, pastels don’t work for me.

Always, keep in mind, Trendy is not Style. (trendy is designed for quick sales) (style is designed to be timeless in looks and fabric)

There are good teachers/programs to help us define our best colors, shapes, and patterns.
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Within these guidelines, you can shop less, save tons of money, have a sustainable wardrobe(lasting items), and have the assurance of knowing, everything in your closet is a favorite!
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I once wore jeans almost on a daily basis, got away from that look, and guess what? They are back!!!!
Not daily wear as in the past, but certainly have a space in my closet for quick, easy dressing.

Some examples…I have been known to wear jeans to a black-tie affair (with a nice dinner jacket and white shirt, diamonds here and there, and those high yummy heels…why not? (my reason, I forgot my little black dress.) Stuff happens…

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow…Change Is Certain~

STYLE….new addition to The Stylish Gardener Blog…after all!

Belts, hmmm….I’ve perfected my fall/winter wardrobe, and belts are nowhere to be found!

These are a few looks I managed in the past. With a very high waistline and a lot of driving time this year…fashionable, but uncomplicated and comfortable is my plan.

Ahhh, but enough about belts….

For excellent vintage jewelry/condition and pricing, visit my Vintage site and shop for those very special ones we love to pamper.

https://www.facebook.com/thevintageweb

Fall is designed for “food!” We have to eat, we enjoy eating, so let’s make it count.

Start the season with one firm thought…Only the best/healthiest and moderation at all times.

This simple commitment will help drop pounds if that is a goal, clean-up, and clean-out the whole system, ease the frustration of “dieting” and bring a newfound joy to our food category.

**For the Membership options of The Healthy-After program, please PM me.

(website make-over has forced some changes to this program’s landing page/we are working on it.)

Check out the Recipe category along with the articles pertaining to cooking tips.

I’m always a click away, your questions or need for more info is

encouraged and appreciated.

Blessings~stay aware, stay healthy, stay stylish…cotton or silk…make it yours alone.

Road Bloggin #11 Meet Me In Livingston

Livingston, Tennessee- plan a trip and I’ll meet you there! Once is not enough!

Two hours from Sage Hill (base of the Cumberland Plateau) Livingston is in the Upper Cumberland, gorgeous country, rich history, thriving town and friendly folks!

The original Overton County Courthouse was burned by guerrillas during the Civil War to cover up evidence of pro-Confederate acts, and was rebuilt ca.1868

History Bite…Dec.22,1961-An American soldier was killed in an ambush at a military airfield in Southeast Asia (Vietnam) for many years he was considered to be the first American to die in that war. That is questionable now and for another time.
However, Davis is a hero and holds a special place on the Courthouse grounds and the hearts of Overton County folks.

Sweet sorgum and molasses are among our favorite health foods…the best can be found in Muddy Pond, a delightful Mennonite community. Awesome!

History Bite…This was a surprise to me. Overton County is one of Tennessee’s top counties for oil and natural gas production.

If you are a hiker…Standing Stone State Park is a few steps away, and if you are a marble player, they have the 38th annual National Rolley Hole Marbles Championship coming up this next weekend I think.

I was impressed with all the fun things to do and the history of course is my first love.

So much to see and learn…so little time! But, we try!

Road Bloggin’ #10-Seek and Found-Sweet Bakes

Long day…Appointments turned Road Bloggin’!

I love day trips, even those that start out with a doctor visit!
Especially when that appointment is for someone else.JK, we all get a turn!!

I also love the seek and find of great gems tucked away in out of the loop places. ( so often the best) This certainly proved true on this day.

After the appointments were over, and with good results, the need to celebrate seemed totally justified!

Sweet Bakes is more than a dessert spot, the best Pannini around!

Turkey, Swiss, and Sun-dried tomato-toasty grilled and hot!

Coffee was perfect and the service had a big, happy smile with each request.

Clean, cool, and quiet.

However, the best feeling happened when I felt my favorite chair welcome my body home!!

Ahhh, beautiful surroundings, delightful people, delicious food and the comfort of home to end the day and refuel! zzzzz

Road Blogging #9-Red, White and Blue

We have a lot of family activity in all directions, which keeps me moving most days to assist when and where needed.

There is always time for lunch and with some simple adjustments here and there…..time to stop and soak up the local flavor.

Some recent side trips, lunch breaks, and shopping moments to and from.

Life is busy, uncertain, and somewhat frightening on one level.
On another level, it is a time to make count, take stock, clarify, and mend.

Worry about nothing, pray about everything! Not sure I’ve accomplished that completely…so I practice daily!

God bless and keep the Red, White, and Blue…and You!

Road Bloggin’ Resumed #9-Family And Food!

Homegrown, home-prepared, and home-cooked is my day-to-day preference. However, there are times/circumstance’s when eating out is the only option…those times always send me on a search to find the best wherever I happen to be.

Yesterday I was in Columbia, TN., a pretty, peaceful, innovative southern town just an hour north of Sage Hill.

I simply do not eat from Fast food and/or chain restaurants.

Breakfast about 9 sounded inviting…so the search was on!

This is what I found and what a find it was!

I was not disappointed and I will be making return visits from time to time.

Check it out and if you are local check-in!

Home

Herb Compatability

Herb-Compatability

Bea Rigsby Kunz - Herb Compatability

Just a brief summary of herbs that pair well with certain foods. This is by no means a hard and fast rule…I’ll be the first to try new blendings of taste that may seem a little out of the norm. Some work out and some don’t. But do be bold, work out your likes and dislikes, it’s all about your personal taste.

(Fruits)

Lavender:
Most of the Mint family, Sweet Violet, and Thyme. Thyme can be used in almost every dish you can imagine. (with its delicate clove-like flavor.)

(Meats and Fish)

Basils, Rosemary, Thyme, Marjoram, Coriander (Cilantro)
Dill, Fennel, Garlic, Sage, and Tarragon.

(Sauces, Soups, and Stews)

Basils, Oreganos, Thymes, Horseradish, Hyssop, Lovage, Sweet Marjoram, Flat Leaf Parsley, Tarragon, and Burnet.

Bea Rigsby Kunz Her Compatability

(Vegetables)

Both cooked and Raw.

Thyme, Tarragon, Rosemary, Flat Leaf(Italian)Parsley, Garlic, Dill, Chives, Chervil, Borage, and Basils.

Most of the herbs above you can work into bread and breakfast dishes that include eggs. Dill, Chives, and Basils are delicious stirred into egg dishes.

Fennel adds an awesome taste to Apple pie!

And of course, good healthy teas can be brewed from almost any herb.
Some of my favorites are:

Sage and Apple Mint Tea.
Chamomile Tea
Rose Scented Geranium Tea
Lavender and Lemon Balm Tea
Peppermint and Thyme Tea.
Jasmine Tea.

And the list could go on and on.
Herbs are the most versatile ingredient you can add to your kitchen. It’s just a matter of taste.

So jump in, give it a try, I promise you’ll have great fun and your tummy and your taste buds will love you forever!

4 old-timer herbs that aren’t as well known as most culinary herbs today.

(Lovage, Chervil, Burnet, and Borage)

(Borage)
Goes back to ancient Celtic times. Soldiers drank it in a wine before battle to give them courage.
It has a cucumber-like flavor, the leaves and flowers can be tossed into salads and vegetables. The stems can be eaten raw like celery. It’s best used fresh, does not hold up well to drying.

(Burnet)
Was popular in Elizabethan England. Used in salads and vegetables. Sprigs can also be popped into white wine spritzers.

(Chervil)
Is of course one of the “fines herbs” very much used in French cooking. Has an anise flavor, can be used in place of parsley. Great on vegetables. When adding to a cooked dish, never cook it for more than 10 min, it will turn bitter if cooked too long.

(Lovage)
Was used by Psychics in the Middle Ages.
Has a celery flavor but holds up better in cooking than celery. It’s wonderful in potato salad and on poultry.

Road Bloggin’ #8–In the fields at Sage Hill

Help!! I’m walking in a nightmare and can’t wake up!

Haha, that was my first reaction years ago when I first experienced this very strange, actually quite common occurrence.

The Eastern Red Cedar (the Tree of Tennessee) grows throughout the eastern US states.

The small brown growths that are normal and expected on all the Eastern Red Cedars can become alarming in the right conditions.

In the spring, when temps, rain, and other elements are just right, it causes the spore/growth to open up and sprout the orange tentacles that form these creepy little things!! ( I really think they are quite cute…in a strange kind of way! (If it happened at Halloween they would be a huge hit!)

I have seen this many years ago but never in my own trees…you can imagine my surprise when I go out to walk the grounds early AM after a stormy early morning.

Some folks freak and want to cut and burn the trees…however, that would not be the end of the story…the occurrence is caused by the rust in the cedar and is also common to apple and crabapple trees, it can and does transfer among the 3. So, before you start destroying one, be prepared to destroy all…Best advice…chill and let nature take her course. She always has, always will..
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https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/cedar_apple_rust_in_eastern_redcedar_trees_attracts_attention_every_spring

Family Calls-Road Bloggin’ #7

Tuesday, April 27, 2021…Yeah!!! On the road again!

Two sisters made a day trip to spend time with a third sister and pull together some loose ends for our family Decoration Day at the family cemetery…two actually-paternal and maternal, they are only a mile or two apart so no extra traveling…hmmm, extra traveling? Not a bad thought! Where to go? North, East, South, or West?? (I will come back to that idea)

Meanwhile, we visited our favorite florist https://www.roseyposeyflowers.com/

They have been meeting our needs for a lifetime on some level.
They always go the extra step…always. (William, if you happen to see this, we appreciate you more than you may know.)

Back on the road and a long visit with sister #1, many of you know she is healing from the loss of her youngest son and from a stroke a few months after his death. She is a ROCK and she is healing, making great strides, and looks fabulously fashionably!

I am sister #2…
Sister #3 is Lynda…pictured here walking her phone! She may kill me?
Sister #4 is hanging out by her pool in Sarasota, Florida!

The one and only brother is between sister #3 and #4…he hangs in Northport/Tuscaloosa, Alabama….(he is a fabulous gardener and wonderful brother, only 3 hours from me.)

The visit had to end and sister#3 and I headed back to her home in Madison, Alabama/Huntsville…..with a much-needed dinner stop…We opted for…

Welcome to Lakeshore Inn, Restaurant and Marina

It was a breezy warm day so we chose the open patio over-looking the lake

We were told all the seafood comes from Louisiana and our wait lady hails from Gonzales, LA…..the food was delicious ( I chose catfish/baked sweet potato and cabbage slaw…NO complaints.

Back on the road, one hour to her home…then one hour to Sage hill!

A wonderful day, we will repeat it!

Thanks for traveling along with us and Happy Spring!

Back to the top for pics…