Day 542: Sewanee n' Stuff

To celebrate my husband's birthday, we headed out for a day of driving and discovering. Brad grew up going to Sewanee often. So, we headed down I-75 to explore. Here are a few of the things we found...


The University of the South
Possibily the South's most impressive campus. (Well, if you don't include Converse, of course...)
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Shenanigan's
"Good times, good food, since 1974." Easy place to kick back.
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Monteagle
Picture perfect mountaintop
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Mountain Outfitters
The local's place for the best in gear.
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St. Andrews School
Part of the Domain of the University of the South
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Day 527: Rugby, Tennessee

Perfect. Relaxing. Weekend.

That is what it was. And the highlight was an imprumptu trip to the wonderful, hisotric colony of Rugby, Tennessee. It is ust over an hour from our house, but seemed a world away.

Here is what is looked like on Saturday, the day the village "reopened" for Spring!






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Source for above image of stained glass in Christ Chapel




Historic Rugby Vision
British-founded Rugby, Tennessee, is a rare example of a rural, living community that survives from its 1880s utopian beginnings with its town plan intact, many buildings and its natural setting preserved and with no encroaching incompatible development. This is the result of a long chain of human effort to preserve it, inspired by its founder's vision of equality and cooperation, community planning and natural resources stewardship. Rugby and its heritage must be preserved for all time and shared with this and future generations.
-www.historicrugby.org

I was seriously ready to move into this historic utopia. It was a picture of true community.
The entire way home, I kept asking Brad, "Can we please just go back to Rugby?"

Day 483: Norris

It was a day off. No work pressing. No job searching to do. no snow to keep us inside. Today was MLK Day. In honor of our freedom and our love to America, we ended up on a little road trip through Norris Tennessee. I have been to the Norris Dam as a child and have known a bit of the history. But I learn a little more and loved the drive through this adorable community.

Here's a little overview:

During the 1930s and 1940s the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) built, owned, and administered the community of Norris for fifteen years. After World War II, the government decided to sell the town at auction. On June 15, 1948, real estate broker Henry David Epstein, acting as head of a Philadelphia-based syndicate bought the town for $2,107,500. The Norris Citizens Development Corporation, which had been organized by local residents, raised $1,900,000 but was unable to meet the top bid. In the ensuing years Epstein’s group eventually sold all 341 homes to the citizens. In 1949, the Tennessee General Assembly granted the town a charter of incorporation, and Norris became an independent self-governing community. Continue reading about this "American Ideal"->

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Days 379 and 381: The Maple Grove Inn

Thursday was barlap and ribbon and power cords and strings or lights and friends and DYI projects and lights and mason jars and Joe and Mollie! Saturday was their wedding and or Thursday we got to help decorate the Maple Grove in for their fabulous affair!!
No pictures could display the beautiful of this Bed and Breakfast, built in 1799. No online experience could capture the perfect weather of that day. No blog, not even "Style Me Pretty", Mollie's fav, could describe the incredible detail. And no band could get you-know-who dancing like that.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Lacher!

Updated: Photo from Michele Andreck photography->

Day ???: Christy's and Cookeville

Saturday I skipped the UT game for a fabric-buying, bakery-tasting, girl-fun day trip with my mom. Knoxville fabric stores in insufficient for my mother, the semi-professional seamstress with always discriminating tastes. So, we road up the road toward middle Tennessee and found some great finds in Cookeville.
After our visit to Hancocks fabrics in Cookeville, we went down the street to Christy's cafe and bakery. I've heard about this so many times. But, I've never had the time to stop and enjoy, until today. I had the chicken salad and the croissant it came on who amazing! Next time I am though there, I'll be back to pick up a cake or dessert! Yum!

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Day ???: Red Bones on the River

Driving down highway 70 West of Knoxville will take you though Kingston. Plenty of history and plenty of fun on the water. Perfectly placed in that mix is Red Bones on the Water. A colonial home has been converted into this laid back barbeque and good times venue with the slogan, "Get Your Happy On."
We sat on the patio and were surrounded by a great crowd. A couple enjoying a bottle of wine on a very long, romantic date. A hilarious group of old friends who seem to drive in from various parts of East Tennessee to ""Get Your Happy On"" quite regularly. A table of ladies having a girls night out, complete with lots of laughter and maybe some sort of announcement. Anyway, everyone was having a great time. So were we. It's been a busy couple months of twists and turn and busyness, it was so nice to get just out of town for a relaxing dinner on a later summer evening. (It still feels like late summer and Red Bones would always seem to have that carefree feel.)
All that and a great meal of ribs, chicken strips, chocolate cobbler, great service...for under #30. Wow.
Visit Red Bones online at redboneskingston.com->

Photo Credit: Mike Berry - my favorite local artist!

Day ???: On the Lake

As the summer ends, we are finally getting some nice time on the water with our sweet friends. David and Ashley! There is nothing like a Sunday afternoon in the sun, in the upper 80's, when you meet your friends "at the dock." I can't believe I have not done this sooner! One of my favorite things about life in East Tennessee.

We love y'all!

Day 274: Saying goodbye

Recently, I have said "Hello" to driving a new-to-me car. I love that it's pretty, it's a jeep, and it has heated seats. It is great and I am so thankful!
But, I've still driven The Civic from time to time. Yes, "The Civic." Note the caps. This car is a part of me. Since the fall of 2000 and Shenice's wedding and Knoxville rush hour with Valerie combined to bring about the end of my high school car, I have been driving a silver honda civic. Now, with 188,000 miles on it, and thanks to Craigslist and my selling-savy fiance, I am saying good bye to the car today. In honor of this historic moment in my life, here are the top 9 most memorable moments I have had with this dependable friend.

9. Saturdays. 6:05am meet at exit 290. 6:07am pile 5 girls into the small car. 6:35am arrive at Furman. Run 2-18 miles. Pile back in the car. Drive to Spartanburg. Find rap music on the radio. listen to Bess and Loring break it down with their bad selves.
8. Folly Beach with the windows down with my brothers.
7. A Honda Accord. A Honda Civic. A Honda CRV. All at home at 701 Dupree Drive.
6. Having campus safety call me to move my car while it was parked in front of Dexter residence hall while I was a student at Converse...and again while I was a staff member.
5. February, 2009. Zaxby's to Carolina Country Club. The longest drive of my life.
4. Driving though the Dorman Center parking lot with the windows down, as some of my fav middle schoolers attempted to "row" my car with their arms.
3. Winter Break, 2001. Me, Renee, Casey and the quest for Canadian hockey.
2. Miss Lexi, then age 7, hollering from the backseat, "I love this car! I can use these things to make the windows go up or down anytime I want!"
(Clearly, the girl had never experienced non-power/non-child locked windows.)
1. Approximately 100 drives through the Smoky Mountains. Whenever possible singing "Wide Open Spaces" by the Dixie Chicks at the top of my lungs

Day 202: Tic Toc

Nothing says, "Happy Birthday Adella!" Like a trip to Tic Toc Ice Cream Parlor in Loudon.
It's my new favorite reason to visit Historic Downtown Loudon, Tennessee! It's handmade ice cream. Feature in Southern Living Magazine. A preciosu parlor setting. The best Coke Float I have ever had!
Yum!

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Day 197: Wild Turkeys

Well good morning!
This is what greeted me when I stepped into my driveway this morning. Good morning says the wild turkey! This makes the 6th one I have seen this week. They say good morning. They stop traffic. They even interupt Bible Study.
They don't call things out here "Turkey Creek" for nothing.

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Day 190: The Dogwood Arts Festival

East Tennessee is in Bloom and I am so, so excited!

"Just when pink and white blossoms announce spring's arrival, the Dogwood Arts Festival returns to East Tennessee celebrating the natural and cultural beauty of our area. In its 50th year, the Festival is partnering with Knoxville's fine cultural institutions to showcase the region's best performing and visual artists in a blue jean to black tie festival that has something for everyone! An exciting mix of fine art, dance, theater, crafts, historic tours and Americana music at its best offer stimulating experiences at our finest venues." - Dogwoodarts.com

Check back - there are sure to be many more posts related to the Dogwood Arts Festival!

Photo and Quote Credit - Visit the Festival Online

2010 Dogwood Arts Commemorative Print

Day 177: Foothills Mill & Company

I've heard so many great reviews. Last night, they were confirmed. I took Brad to Foothills Milling Company in Maryville to celebrate his birthday. It was very bit as wonderful as people say.
We started off the meal with a grouper taste from the kitchen, in a flavorful sauce I can't even describe. For an appetizer, we enjoyed a remarkable Cheese Fondue. I had a sweet glass of Riesling, while Brad enjoyed one of the specialty beers they have on tap. We cleansed our pallet with an apple sorbet. Then, the birthday guy had a short rib stuff meatloaf for dinner, along with potatoes and a macaroni and cheese tart. I loved their salmon, marinated, roasted, and served on a plank of cedar, with potatoes and asparagus. For dessert, we loved the buttermilk pie!
After dinner, we talked with one f the owners about a need for them to open up in Knoxville. Here's hoping!

You have got to check their complete menu. Outstanding->

Day 103: Downtown Clinton

Yesterday, on my way to do some wedding planning, I headed up to historic downtown Clinton. Who knew Clinton had a downtown? Who knew it was historic? All I knew of Clinton was high school football and used car shopping. I had heard rumors of people doing some antiquing up there... Well, it was getting dark, so I didn't get to check it all out. But it was an easy drive and a great place. I look forward to going back - for antiques, a lazy Saturday stroll, and lots of things to make my home cute!
Click here for a list of all they have to offer->


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