Alabama Bloggers

Best Post if the Week: Week Forty Three

2010-03-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

It's time to link in your best post of the week!

The purpose of this column is to make it easier to keep up with each other's blogs, so that even if we don't have time to read all of the Alabama Blogger blogs every day, at least we get the week's highlights.

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading! And remember - the best way to get new blogging friends is to comment on other people's posts, so be sure to say "hi" to your neighbors when you visit!

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!

Shono's Japanese Grill, Hoover

2010-03-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

By Leigh Bratina

I recently had the opportunity to try out the new Shonos Japanese Grill located in the Old Walmart Shopping Center on Highway 31 (formerly Cici's Pizza was there). My parents had been telling me about the place and about Eddie, the owner. First, let me go on record as saying I LOVE Japanese food. I could eat it everyday, but in doing so I would break the bank. Why is Japanese food so expensive? I don't get it. However, at Shonos's, you and your wallet are in luck. Shonos is not the typical Japanese restaurant where you are seated at a large table with a bunch of strangers and the food prepared in front of you. AT Shonos Japanese Grill it is just that, a grill. Almost a Japanese Restaurant meets American Diner. When you walk in the door, you will first notice the grill in front of you, with owner Eddie carefully preparing orders. I went at lunchtime and the place was packed. We were seated in the back at one of the last 3 tables that remained. A quick look over the menu and I was relieved. Diners can order a la carte or as the entree. I stuck with my usual Japanese fair, the vegetable entree' for $5.50. Soon my garden salad with the ginger dressing was delivered. I found it to be very good, though somewhat heavy on the ginger, but very tasty. While I ate, I noticed the table next to me receiving their meals. I turned to my lunch companion and asked, "Do you get ALL that food?" "Yes!", she insisted. As I finished up my salad, our meals were brought out. It looked delicious. My meal of vegetables contained grilled teriyaki vegetables, containing zucchini, squash, mushrooms, onions and bamboo shoots. Also on my plate was a large helping of perfectly steamed rice. You have the option to order the steamed or fried, but I get the steamed because I am not fond of the egg in the fried. Though, I noticed my companions plate. Her rice appeared to not have any egg in it. She agreed that there was not any. I sampled hers....lets just say next time I will get the fried. It had a great flavor. She ordered the chicken entree at $5.95, and received all that I got on my plate with the addition of a hefty portion of chicken, for only 45 cents more. WOW!

If you are not looking for a large meal, as mentioned, al la carte is the way to go or there are some smaller dishes on the menu, such as the Teriyaki Bowls. The bowls are served with rice and the meat. The bowls are available in shrimp or chicken for 4.50 and 4.95 (shrimp) respectfully. The menu offers a great selection of choices. The only drawback to me was the absence of the ginger and mustard dipping sauces that you will find at the larger more upscale Japanese Restaurants. My friend did ask for a "white sauce". I tried it and found to be OK, but was certainly not the dipping sauces I craved. I do plan to go back.

When you do go into Shonos, be sure to chat it up with Chef Eddie. He is a funny man and has 27 years of experience in the business. He has lived all over, cooking up these delicious and affordable meals.

(If you are watching your weight, this is a wonderful place to eat, for the food is grilled and low in fat but not in taste. I highly recommend the vegetable entree')

*Leigh is a full time mother, a part time photographer and writer. Her photography and written work is featured in several professional business and local publications. She owns her own photography business, Photographic Memories. Leigh resides in the Alabama with her three children and husband "Big Daddy". You can read more of Leigh's daily adventures by visiting any of her three blogs: Tales from Bloggeritaville , Plates and Places , as well as Photographic Memories

Montgomery Happenings: March

2010-03-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

By Kristin

Hello All!
Its that time again...when I assure you that there are indeed fun things that you can do with your family this month in Montgomery.

In the last two weeks, we were struck down by the flu...not the piggy kind. So what is the best medicine to recovering hubby and son? Some quality outdoor time at the Zoo. We ended up going Saturday afternoon...and it was not as warm as I would have liked. But we bundled up and had a good time. Anything was better than another afternoon stuck inside the house.

So lets see...what is happening March 15-30th here in the Tri County Area.

Friday, March 19, 2010 Local Celebrity to Host Movie Premiere in Prattville
Grayson Russell will be at the Carmike Cinema's Premiere of "Diary of A Wimpy Kid." Russell made his debut in "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby." Locally, he starred in McKinnon Motors commercials. He will be signing autographs at 6 p.m. before the showing of the movie.

Saturday March 20th, If you are a fisher, you and the kids can attend the Crappie Masters Weigh-in & Kids Fishing Rodeo
Located at the Alabama Nature Center in Millbrook. The Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters All American Tournament Trail will host its Alabama Championship and National Qualifying Tournament in Millbrook on March 20, 2010. Tournament waters will be the Alabama River from Goldstar Park in Wetumpka to the down river side of Swift Creek near Autuagville. Daily weigh-ins will be held at Lanark home of AWF and the Alabama Nature Center, at the Lanark Pavilion. AWF will also host a kid's fishing rodeo at Lanark in conjunction with the event.

Friday, March 26th You can head out to Cooter's Pond in Prattville for the City of Prattville's Movie Under The Stars
"Planet 51" begins at dusk and will be shown on a giant 30-foot movie screen. $5 large pizzas and popcorn available, or bring your own food and drinks. Event is in conjunction with the upcoming Fountain City Arts Festival.

Get your tickets for The Greatest Show on Earth! The Ringling Brothers are coming to town! At the Garrett Coliseum from Thursday, Mar 25th thru Sunday, Mar 28th.

Maxwell AFB Open House and Air Show 2010

Saturday and Sunday, March 27 & 28th from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Free!

Air Force Thunderbirds, US Army Golden Knights parachute team, aerial demonstrations, aircraft displays, food, vendors and more. The show, which is free and open to the public, provides a rare opportunity to see a number of current and vintage aircraft in one place, at one time, Colonel Mahan said. Attendees will be able to roam approximately 30 acres of aircraft and exhibits, ranging from massive cargo planes to nimble fighter jets.

As previously mentioned, Jasmine Hill Gardens And Outdoor Museum is now Open For Spring, on the Weekends.

"Nobody" by Richard Aellen is playing in March at ASF, from March 12 - 28, 2010.

Coming next month, The Montgomery Zoo Weekend will be Saturday, April 24th and Sunday, April 25th, 2010. This popular two-day event will run from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm both days.

And mark your April Calendar for some out of town fun...Head up to the lovely little town of Calera for A Day out with Thomas!
Thomas will be visiting the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum April 9, 10, 11, 17, 18. Day Out With Thomas™ is a family event that offers aspiring engineers and their families the unique opportunity to take a ride with the classic storybook engine, Thomas the Tank Engine™ at regional heritage railroads across the country.

I hope there is something fun that you can plan to do with your family.

I blog at http://thedevinemrbaileyjackson.blogspot.com/ and I have fun stuff like meal planning (a must for working families!) and stuff going on in our world...drop by and see me sometime!

~Kristen

Donna The Buffalo at WorkPlay .. and Music and Tickets Giveaway!!

2010-03-15T15:36:00.001-05:00

If you've never had the chance to enjoy a concert at WorkPlay, you must find an opportunity. The intimate atmosphere (which even includes some cozy BOOTHS in the back!), the sophisticated set-up...it's amazing. It's definitely one of my favorite date locations in Birmingham.

And, a show is coming to town that sounds like a great fit for a night of relaxing at WorkPlay!

Donna the Buffalo performs at the WorkPlay Theatre on March 30th

Donna The Buffalo
WorkPlay Theatre
Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

Doors 7pm, show 8:30pm
$15
all ages
(205) 879-4773
500 23rd St South
Birmingham, AL 35233

www.donnathebuffalo.com

Donna the Buffalo's eclectic and often socially conscious music has it's base in traditional mountain music and is infused with elements of Cajun/ zydeco, rock, folk, reggae, and country. The group’s core are vocalists Tara Nevins, who plays fiddle, guitar, accordion, and scrubboard, and guitarist Jeb Puryear. Keyboardist Dave McCracken, bassist Jay Sanders, and drummer Vic Stafford complete the ensemble.

Donna the Buffalo represents one of the most respected brands in the world of touring roots acts. For 21 years DTB has performed feel good, infectious music that often moves listeners physically and spiritually. In the words of a longtime fan, "Their songs are well known to contain lyrics offering poetry and sage commentary on the attractions and struggles with love and politics in this life. Their magnetic musical mix has often been described as dance music, and, for sure, there is everything from foot-tapping to get-up-and-feel-ecstatic moving in their sound; but there is also some deeply satisfying solace in what DTB has to say and how they say it. The dynamic songwriting tandem of Jeb Puryear and Tara Nevins have penned over 140 songs in their collaboration with DTB."

The band's 2008 release Silverlined, on Sugar Hill Records, rose to #8 on the Americana Music Chart. With a twenty-one year tenure to celebrate, hundreds of gigs ahead of them, and an ever-evolving grassroots sound; it looks like Donna the Buffalo is riding a cloud that is truly Silverlined.

If you would like to win one of two copies of the Silverlined CD OR one of two pairs of tickets to the concert, leave a comment here!

BE SURE TO NOTATE if you'd like to win concert tickets, as I know not everyone would be able to attend and I want to make sure to only include those that are in that drawing.

You can get up to three extra entries by:

Following Donna the Buffalo on Twitter
Following Alabama Bloggers on Twitter
Subscribing or following the Alabama Bloggers Blog

This giveaway is open until Monday, March 22nd, and the four winners will be randomly chosen and announced on Tuesday, March 23rd.

Good luck!

Sugah You Can Do It!

2010-03-15T08:50:00.000-05:00

By Jessica

Hello, I am Jessica or the author of Thoughts of a Bama Belle.
I am so excited to be contributing to Alabama Bloggers!
My blog is mostly about real life entertaining, family, and life.
We have a facebook fan page and can be found here
Please join us for lots of ideas on holiday treats!

I hope you will all enjoy our time together here at Alabama Bloggers.
I want to show that you can create beautiful meals and treats for your family.
This piece will lovingly be referred to as

Sugah You Can Do It!

Because YOU CAN!

In the spirit of St Patrick's Day let's make

HOT SLAW
(not spicy, unless you want it to be. The hot refers to it being warm)

(from Mother's handwritten cookbook again)

Our shopping list:

1 large onion
1 green bell pepper
1 head of cabbage cut up or two bags of pre-washed shredded cabbage
1 large can of stewed tomatoes
1/4 tsp of Tabasco (or other hot sauce)
1/4 cup of white vinegar
salt & Pepper to taste
1 package of link sausage (cut into bite size pieces)

In Bacon grease (either fry 2 pieces of bacon and save the grease or as most southern belle's have a container in the fridge grab you a spoonful) To that add chopped bell pepper, onion and cabbage
Stir well until cabbage turns a brighter green.
Add the other ingredients ( tomato; s&p; Tabasco; vinegar; sausage)
simmer covered for about 45 minutes

Serve warm!
We always add extra hot sauce to our own bowls

For dessert

Grasshopper pie?

Ingredients

25 chocolate sandwich cookies

1/2 cup butter, melted

2 cups marshmallow creme

1/4 cup creme de menthe liqueur

2 cups whipping cream

Crush cookies and set aside 1/4 cup of crumbs. Place remaining crumbs in a medium bowl and mix in melted butter. Press mixture firmly into bottom and sides of a 9 inch springform pan or pie plate.
In a large mixing bowl, whip together marshmallow creme and creme de menthe until smooth. In a separate bowl, whip cream until soft peaks form, then fold into marshmallow mixture. Pour mixture into pan and sprinkle reserved cookie crumbs on top. Freeze at least 2 hours, until firm. Remove from freezer 20 minutes before serving to soften slightly.

I hope you enjoy!!
I look forward to getting to know all of you and remember

SUGAH YOU CAN DO IT!

Exploring Outside of Alabama: Gaylord Opryland Hotel

2010-03-13T21:30:00.000-06:00

by Rhoda

I’m going to share pics of the Gaylord Opryland hotel in Nashville. I’m sure many of you have visited here before, but in case you haven’t, it’s quite the astonishing place. I first visited the Opryland Hotel back in 2007 when I was in Nashville for a Deeper Still conference, so if you’d like to see even more pics, click on that link.

You almost have to see it to believe it, but hopefully you can get an idea of the magnitude from these pics. They really do treat their customers so well and we felt pampered and pleased at the time we spent there.

It’s all indoors, but the amount of greenery and plant material inside is just amazing. I’m sure they must have a host of gardeners taking care of all of this and everything is SO lush and verdant.

So, just enjoy the tour….

Ponds and fountains are abundant.

And the flowers are so colorful and pretty, you almost think it’s Spring in there.

And you almost forget that you’re inside a microcosm since it feels like your outside, only….you’re NOT. We were shocked when we stepped outside to leave at the end of the conference to discover it really was 32 degrees outside.

They even have waterfalls.

And a beautiful gazebo.

One of our lunches one day was at Ristorante Volare and it was like being in an outdoor cafe in the Mediterranean. Simply heavenly!

Lunch was just delish, a wonderful pasta dish.

And dessert was amazingly yummy too. They fed us well at the Opryland.

The view from our room wasn’t bad either, a pretty courtyard and small pond.

Thanks, Rhoda! Rhoda's full article can be viewed here.

Best Post if the Week: Week Forty Two

2010-03-11T23:21:00.002-06:00

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!

Newly Joined Alabama Bloggers!!

2010-03-11T12:50:00.003-06:00

I just finished updating The List again, and here are the new bloggers listed:

Mama Bear @ Bears In Exile (Huntsville)
Cherry Berry @ Cherishing Every Second (Jasper)
Linda @ Diary of a Terrible Temp (Birmingham)
Jules @ Dump The Rump
Steph @ Plain Chicken (Birmingham)
Shannon @ Great Homes Alabama (Birmingham)
Mrs. Chaos @ Confessions of Mrs. Chaos
Debi @ The Giraffe Head Tree
Scott @ Wilsonsway (Birmingham)
DaisyGirl @ Letting Go, Letting God
Amy @ Those Funny Little Girls (Mobile)
Bama Belle @ Thoughts of a Bama Belle (Birmingham)
Adrienne @ Pampered by Adrienne
Lisa @ How 2 Marketing Advice (Birmingham)
Lisa @ Lisa Isbell (Birmingham)
Lisa @ White Oak Attic Online Thrift Store and Old General Mercantile (Birmingham)

Be sure to go visit them and welcome them!!

Also - if you haven't categorized yourself yet, don't forget to do so!

Send Your Kids to an Art Camp Where They Can Play in the Mud!

2010-03-11T06:00:00.000-06:00

Cahaba Clay Works and Earthborn Studios are offering a kid's art camp (ages 8-12) everyday from 10 am to Noon during the weeks of June 7-11 and July 12-16.

Each child will bring home five finished creations by the end of the week. The camp is only $125 per child. ($25 discount for siblings).

They will be able to have an amazing artistic and fun experience, including:

*Learning how to throw a pot, glaze and bring home their fired piece at the end of the week.

*Making a folk art wall hanging with acrylic paints -learn about what makes a folk artist different and what they typically paint.

*Creating a tile relief out of clay. Ready to hang on the wall by the end of the week.

*Throwing a mug they can drink out of. Add a funny face to it and laugh while drinking your hot chocolate.

*Sketching with pencil and paper their self portrait.

Enrollment is limited - call 205-702-7055.

There will also be plenty of artisan pottery for mom to look through at discounted prices.

Also, Adult classes and Mom and Me classes are offered Tuesdays and Thursdays all year long.

I had the opportunity to take one of these classes, and had an amazing time!

To read more about my personal experience with pottery class, click here.

Cahaba Clay Works and Earthborn Studios are located in Leeds. Call or go to their websites for directions.

Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way to post this information. All opinions are my own.

Categorize Yourself!

2010-03-10T06:00:00.003-06:00

I know that everyone doesn't like putting their blog in a niche, and that is CERTAINLY okay with me. However, it's also nice to find blogs in certain niches when you're looking for them, so I've decided to offer a new way to organize the Alabama Blogs: by category.

If you don't see the category that you feel that you fit in, let me know! I'll be glad to add it! However, if you do, simply add yourself to the appropriate linky, and be sure to check others out in your same category!

Feel free to add yourself to more than one category!!!

Art

Bargains/Shopping

Books

Cooking

Crafty

Decorating

Devotional/Religious

Gardening

Health

Humor

Life

Local Interest

Mommy Blog

Photography

Politics

Small Business

Technology

Work At Home

Please let me know if you want me to add a new category - I'll be glad to!

March/April Blogger Meet-Up

2010-03-09T15:55:00.005-06:00

March has gotten away from me much quicker than I expected it to! So I'm pushing our next meet-up out to Friday, April 2nd. Everyone really seemed to prefer meeting in Hoover, so let's meet at Jason's Deli on 150 (across from Chick-Fil-A) at 11:30am. If you need to be late, that's okay, because we're usually there for quite a while!

Be sure to RSVP on this post if you can be there, and feel free to send this to any other Alabama bloggers/social medialites out there!

The Twitter hashtag is #AlaBlogMeet.

Can't wait to see you all!

Amy's Extraordinary Alabama: Small Town Life.

2010-03-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

By Amy

While Alabama is home to a few larger metropolitan areas like Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile and a few others most of our state is made up of the small cities and towns.

And as I've mentioned before I live in one of those small cities and over my next few posts here on Alabama Bloggers I'm going to introduce you to my small city and some of the reasons I love it.

Small town life can be quite entertaining if you let it. And while quirkiness abounds in any area it seems to take center stage in smaller cities and towns.

Last summer I was walking into my chiropractor's office checking email on my blackberry when catching a glimpse of something amiss I look up to find a new character I've never met before in our beloved little city.

Meet the "Crazy Cow."

The "Crazy Cow" is a fundraiser by a local church youth group. One morning a business owner will show up to find the crazy cow in front of their business along with a note. The note informs them that in order to have the "Crazy Cow" removed they must pay a certain amount (I think it's around $10.00) to have it moved to the business of their choice. The next morning another business owner is surprised with the oversized decoration.

When I asked my chiropractor about it he eagerly looked forward to having it sent to another chiropractor friend of his in town.

By the time the "Crazy Cow" traveled its way around town everyone enjoyed many great chuckles at the game and the youth group had raised some funds to help their summer programs.

So now I want to know, what are some quirky, small town games and fundraisers that the majority of your town participates in?

Center Stage: Erin Shaw Street

2010-03-08T16:17:00.000-06:00

By Jamie

Welcome back to Center Stage where we take a fanfare look at one of the many great blogs being churned out here in Alabama. You can find past spotlights here.

As I'm dropping by blogs listed in THE LIST - my ADD is desperately wanting. It wants to be captured by some pictures, a great header, or some incredible storytelling. So when I stumbled upon a blog that included recent posts about her Elvis tree, teaching yoga to her toddler and a love for a vintage 90210 notebook - I planted myself in the archives wandering around for days.

Without getting worn out.

Erin Shaw Street is an Alabama blogger who gives you glimpses of a very unique, yet normal life. She's a magazine editor by day. And magazine editor by night. She seems to always be writing, but we're the better for it. Her life as a wife, mother, lover of fonts and malls are all simply stories to spin - whether at work or at play.

Only four more years of archives to go. A task I'm actually relishing.

Jamie is a planner of events by day and chaser of shiny things by night. Follow her trails at Jamie's Rabbits. If you'd like to have your blog featured on "Center Stage" then contact Jamie so she can swing by your neck of the internet woods. Please know she sometimes shows up uninvited, so you may see your blog on stage if she really digs it.

Best Post of the Week: Feature Another Blogger Week!

2010-03-05T06:00:00.001-06:00

Wade made a great suggestion last week that we have a "feature someone else" week. So, this week, link in the best post you read this week (or last week) by ANOTHER Alabama Blogger. In your link title, include your name or blog and their name or blog, and let us know in the comments why you chose their post!

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading!

Be sure to link in a specific post, not just the general URL of the blog.

Uncle Joe's Tot Locker: Answers, Finally.

2010-03-03T16:23:00.003-06:00

If you were one of the many in the state that saw this:

during our snow "events" and begged for answers, I found them. Click here for the rest of the story.

Montgomery Happenings

2010-03-02T06:00:00.000-06:00

By Kristin

Hello, Hello.

It seems introductions are in order. My name is Kristen. I live in Montgomery, with my husband, son, and son #2 on the way. My Hubby is active duty AirForce, and I work 40 hrs a week in an office of a family owned business. Fun Stuff. Hubby is also in school at night completing his nursing degree, and I am heading back to school in August to complete my Alternative Masters in Education. That's right folks...they are going to let me loose in a classroom with children. Scary stuff.

The comment I heard most when growing up was..."There is nothing to do in Montgomery." Well, that is not exactly true. There are always things going on here and there, it just depends on where your interests lie.

So that is what I will be blogging about here on Alabama Bloggers. The fun and snazzy things happening here in the Gump. Most of this will be family oriented, but there will be some fun adult tidbits as well. (Because my parents are local and they love my child, they kidnap him every other friday night, so Hubby & I can have "date night"...I love my parents!)

So lets see...what is happening March 1-15 here in the Tri County Area.

If you have children, you know it gets expensive keeping them in clothes.
So you should check out Kids Carousel! Its a twice a year consignment sale.
Saturday, February 27th thru Saturday - March 6. Check the webiste for times, and directions.

In celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday, go barefoot for The Big Read!

Guest reader Sam Wallace, adjunct theater professor at AUM, will give theatrical interpretations of "Green Eggs and Ham" and "The Foot Book," followed by a footprint tracing activity. Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 10:00 AM at Governor's Square Branch Library. Free!

The Alabama Dance Theatre presents "Peter Pan"

Friday, March 5, 2010 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 2:30 PM
Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 2:30 PM
Tickets $10-$25. $10 for children ages 12 and under.

Jasmine Hill Gardens And Outdoor Museum is now Open For Spring --On the Weekends
Adults $7, children 6-12,$5 and children under 6 are free.

Playing in March at ASF, from March 12 - 28, 2010.
"Nobody" by Richard Aellen. Oh...and just a hint for you young people. ASF has super low rates for the 25 & under crowd...that was how they got me hooked. Hubby & I go several times a year because I went to a few shows on the cheap and fell in LOVE with live theater.

A pair of down-on-their-luck African-American vaudevillians can't catch a break until they do the unthinkable - don blackface. This provocative new musical story is based on the tempestuous lives of Bert Williams and George Walker, who broke racial barriers by portraying racial stereotypes. This production is recommended for mature audiences only, due to strong language and adult situations.

Now if the music scene is your thing...I suggest heading over to the Montgomery Advertiser's website. They have LOADS of information on bands that will be playing all over town. You can browse by date, or just click on Music under Category. There is plenty to choose from.

Also, don't forget that we have a fantastic Zoo here in our own backyard!

The Montgomery Zoo is open year round with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day. The zoo opens at 9:00 am and closes at 5:00 pm. My family invests in the Annual Zoo Pass, just because the 3 year old LOVES the animals, and its great exercise for me. You can also take your own drinks and snacks. Plus, if you go more than once a year, it quickly pays for itself. (Family membership is $50, or $10 per adult, $7 per child) You can also get dicounts at zoo's nationwide, so it saves you a few bucks.

Later in March...so you can mark your calendar early.

I have to plug it a little early, since Hubby is in meetings about this daily now.

Maxwell AFB Open House and Air Show 2010

Saturday and Sunday, March 27 & 28th from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Free!

Air Force Thunderbirds, US Army Golden Knights parachute team, aerial demonstrations, aircraft displays, food, vendors and more.

Also...now is the time to get your tickets for The Greatest Show on Earth! The Ringling Brothers are coming to town! At the Garrett Coliseum from Thursday, Mar 25th thru Sunday, Mar 28th

That is it folks. Anything here of interest to you? Was there something you wanted to see more or less of? I did not include any church type activities, because that is something pretty personal, and if you attend church, you tend to know what is going on there. I also did not include any type of softball, or little league type items for the same reason. Those type of functions have a heart and mind of their own, and I cannot wait to enroll my little one in Tee Ball. Its going to be a riot!

I blog at http://thedevinemrbaileyjackson.blogspot.com and I have fun stuff like meal planning (a must for working families!) and stuff going on in our world...drop by and see me sometime!

~Kristen

Me and the almost 3 yr old, during the February Blizzard

Best Post of the Week: Week Forty

2010-02-25T15:33:00.000-06:00

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!

Bates House of Turkey, Greenville

2010-02-25T06:00:00.000-06:00

By Leigh Bratina

Since I was a small child, it has been tradition to stop at the Bates House of Turkey on the way to the beach. It makes a nice midway point to stop and stretch your feet. And if you are of a carnivorous type, as my family members are, it is the place to get a meal to tie you over. The meats are always fresh and tender and there are always a good variety to vegetables that even my children will eat. My kids are especially fond of their butter beans.

Last Friday's trip to the gulf was no different, the kids and I made the stop at Bates (at their insistance). Twinkle Toes got the HOME-STYLE ROAST TURKEY SANDWICH Roast Turkey on Sesame Seed Bun, Pickles and 2 sides (he chose double butter beans) for $7.95. Both JSmooth and Sister Sledge got the kids finger plate for $3.95 that comes with a large portion of shaved turkey meat, chips, a stick of cheese and pickles. Usually there isn't anything at Bates for me to eat. I am usually content to an side order of pickles (yes, you heard me right). Sometimes I will get lucky and they will have augratin potatoes, which are good but they were not on the menu today. However, today I was delighted to see on the menu vegetable soup. Imagine my disappointment though, when I looked in my bowl and saw turkey in it. I went back to the counter and told the girl that I had ordered vegetable soup to which she replied, "It is vegetable-- turkey vegetable". I explained my dilemma with meat and then pointed to the board by the counter that read the soups...turkey gumbo, turkey vegetable and some other turkey soup, then below those said "*vegetable*". I even stressed to her I had ordered the bowl with asterisk, just as the board had it. "We just put those there to draw attention to it", she said and then she turned her back. I was quite displeased. I would've hoped for her to have said she would give my money back on the soup, or at the very least an apology, but nothing. I have to admit, my family LOVES this place and the food is good (or we wouldn't have come here for the past 30 years, literally) , but it seems EVERY TIME I go there I get lousy service. The girls at the front taking orders seem more interested in having a conversation than taking an order. The seem bothered and are honestly never friendly. This has happened for years. It is not an isolated incident. Tell me it isn't "Greenville, Alabama folks". I am sure it isn't. I think next trip down I will pull through the Krystal's drive through and keep trucking on my way.

*To avoid the lousy service and just get good tender turkey, visit their web site. They do have online ordering and I do think you will find you like it (time tested good). http://www.batesturkey.com/restaurant.aspx

Another Atlanta Invite for Alabama Bloggers!!

2010-02-24T06:00:00.000-06:00

I'm so glad that so many of you got to go to the Georgia Aquarium for blogger day!! We have been invited to another event in Atlanta: Diana: A Celebration.

This exhibit is now open at the Atlanta Civic Center and chronicles the life of the late Diana, Princess of Wales. The exhibit showcases the life and humanitarian work of Diana through nine galleries containing more than 150 artifacts-ranging from Diana’s royal wedding gown and 28 of her designer dresses to family heirlooms, personal mementoes, paintings, rare home movies and photos.

Bloggers are invited to attend Diana: A Celebration Blogger Day at the Atlanta Civic Center on Saturday, March 6, 2010, to experience Diana: A Celebration first hand from 10:00am-7:00pm (last admission at 5:00pm). Bloggers will receive FREE admission for them and one guest. Please RSVP to scott@creaxion.com by Wednesday, March 3. Bloggers should include their blog’s web address for verification. Tickets will be available for pick up at the Box Office, located in the lobby of the exhibition, the day of the event.

Blogger Day at Georgia Aquarium

2010-02-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

By Amy

Today I'm going to veer off my usual path of things I love about Alabama and share about the Georgia Aquarium's Blogger Day.

Did anyone else take advantage of the blogger day promotion? After having to postpone our trip to the High Museum for the Davinci Exhibit due to the snow of 2010 the weekend before I couldn't pass up the chance to visit the aquarium while we were in Atlanta last weekend.

I love aquariums. If it weren't for my son who wants to move around and see everything I could just sit and look at the fish all day. So relaxing. Here are a few of my photos from our trip.

The big push though was for their exhibit, Planet Shark: Predator or Prey which of course my 10 year old son loved. Me? I could live without the thought of sharks personally, but for a 10 year old who loves anything science related, it was great. From facts about sharks and of course shark teeth (did you know they can reproduce a tooth in about 24 hours) and how they've evolved over the centuries, it was all my 10 year old boy could ask for.

I did find the “frozen in time” display featuring a real, frozen 700 lb Bluefin tuna and its natural predator a real frozen 10 ft. adult Mako shark incredible. There were also full scale shark models, shark cages and artifacts from the movie Jaws among many other things.

All in all I found the exhibit well done and it certainly kept my 10 year old's attention and interest. The Plant Shark exhibit was definitely for older children. Some aspects could be frightening to young children.

Photography was not allowed within the Planet Shark exhibit, but Grande Exhibitions and Georgia Aquarium was kind enough to share a few promo pics with the bloggers.

To stay up to date on the latest news, info and discounts follow Planet Shark and Georgia Aquarium on Facebook and Twitter.

http://facebook.com/PlanetSharkATL

http://twitter.com/Planet_Shark

http://facebook.com/GeorgiaAquarium

http://twitter.com/GeorgiaAquarium

Keep reading as well for a discount coupon when you purchase a combo pass for the aquarium and exhibit.

Thank you to Grande Exhibitions and Georgia Aquarium for the complimentary tickets to the aquarium and the Planet Shark exhibit.

February Meet-Up!

2010-02-19T14:34:00.003-06:00

We had our meet-up today at Panera in Hoover, and had a great time! We had 10 people that came out for it, including four new people! I really enjoyed meeting everyone, and we had some great conversations!

For those who were there and would like to find each other, link up below!

Best Post of the Week: Week Thirty Nine

2010-02-19T08:21:00.000-06:00

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!

Hometown Tour - Mooresville

2010-02-17T14:30:00.001-06:00

By Valerie

Hello everyone,

Today we are visiting Mooresville, Alabama. Debi is our tour guide today. I hope you enjoy your visit!

Another town I visited during my recent walkabout/driveabout was the historic town of Mooresville, Alabama. Mooresville is the first town incorporated by the Alabama Territorial Legislature on November 16, 1818. (I ripped that little piece of information right off their website) I've enjoyed visiting this town since I was a child. Nestled in a beautiful wooded area between Madison and Decatur, Mooresville is an active, working town. The architecture here is astounding. Some call it the "Williamsburg of the South." Driving in I noticed signs warning that photographers need a permit so I drove straight to the historic Post Office for information.

The lady there was very nice, gave me a permit application and granted me permission to take a few images since I was already there and assured her I wouldn't be selling them. She didn't ask me about blogging but I think this is okay.

I go gaga over old churches so my first image capture was of the Old Brick Church. Built in 1839 the front sports gorgeous columns covered with stucco. The bricks are made by hand. Inside is the original reed, or pipe, organ made in 1905. It's been a community church, Presbyterian, Methodist and once served as a Baptist mission. The United Methodist Church conducted a deconsecration service and passed ownership to the town October 1994. (another website diddy)

Instead of a cross the steeple supports a large wooden hand pointing to heaven. This is not the original hand. According to the website a replacement was carved and placed on the steeple during a ceremony in May 2005.

Down the road a piece is the Church of Christ. It was originally built in 1854 as the Disciples of Christ meeting house. General James A. Garfield, our 20th President of the United States, preached here in 1863.

Starlings flew past as I grabbed some images. There are many historical properties in Mooresville, each one just as beautiful as the next. The Mooresville Post Office is fascinating, being the oldest operational post office in the state of Alabama. I didn't get a photo of it or anything else that day out of respect for the nice lady who allowed me to take a few "snapshots" of the town. Check out the Mooresville, Alabama website for more details. They have walking tours and really gussy up at Christmas. I'll go take more photos then because I learned through the permit process that regular ole photographers like me do not have to have a permit. Dang...and the sugar maples were JUST RIGHT that day!!! Mooresville .... I'll be back!

Debi was once Program Director at WAAY-TV in Huntsville - back in the GOOD old days of television. Currently, she's a nature photographer and blogger enthusiast, active in preservation issues. Co-Founder of the Bay Hill Conservancy on Wheeler Lake; won several Outdoor Alabama photography contests, and is in the midst of creating a website for her nature photographs and greeting card series, all to benefit preservation of the great state of Alabama. Married to an exceptional man and mom to a remarkable 18 year old, and have a really fat dog. You can visit her main website at Debi Bradford.

Thanks Debi!! I loved this post and all the other posts you wrote on Mooresville. To read more posts and see great pictures from Debi's trip to Mooresville please hop over to The Giraffe Head Tree. I promise you will not be disappointed!!

If you would like to feature your hometown on Alabama Bloggers, please contact Rachel (rachel@alabamabloggers.com) or Valerie(valwonderfullife@aol.com) and let us know!

"The List" is Updated!! And a New List??

2010-02-17T06:00:00.001-06:00

I just finished updating "The List" of Alabama Bloggers (which is sorted by geographical location), and I thought that I'd share with you our latest listings. I'm going to try to do this every time I do an update, but we'll see if I remember. I've been clicking through these newly discovered Alabama Blogs and have greatly enjoyed it! Go visit them and say hi!

Heather @ Saving Money and Living Life
Belinda @ A Simple Life
Donna @ Sugar, Spice and Southern Life
David @ Blogchapel
Edwards @ EdwardsTheGreat
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc.
Heather @ Saving Money and Living Life
Mr. Macabre @ Mr. Macabre
Daily Panic @ A Day on the Orb Edge
Susan @ Three Girls and a Guy
TSM @ Multitasking Momma
Rambling Round @ Selma Daily Photo
Deb @ Deb's Garden
Kristen @ The Cunningham Family
MT @ Unexpected Grace
Jamie @ Follow the Lines Going South
Charissa @ MiMi's Babies

Also - I keep thinking that we need another list that breaks bloggers down by category. Right now we just have location, but it might be helpful to identify all Alabama Bloggers in your blogging genre. If I were to do this, what categories would you like to see? Here are some I can think of:

Technology
Photography
Humor
Mommy Blogs
Politics
Life
Gardening
Decorating
Devotional
Cooking
Bargains/Shopping

What other categories do we need?

Meet-Up Reminder - This Friday!!

2010-02-16T16:07:00.002-06:00

Our next blogger meet-up will be at Panera Bread in Hoover at Patton Creek 11:30 (but if you need to be late, that's fine - we're usually there for a while) on Friday, February 19th.

The address for this Panera is:
161 Main Street
Hoover, AL 35244

Can't wait to see you all! Be sure to RSVP on this post or the original post so we know to look for you, and tweet about the event using the hashtag #AlaBlogMeet !

Also - just a reminder for outside-of-Birmingham Alabama Bloggers: I'd LOVE to have meet-ups in other places around the state, and all it takes is for one person to pick the place and date and commit to be there, and I'll advertise it! Please let me know if you want to be a meet-up organizer for your city!!