The u-pick opportunities in Alabama abound—strawberries, blueberries, sunflowers, muscadines, tomatoes, pumpkins and even Christmas trees. Now add fragrant lavender to that fun list. Lavender Wynde Farm in Harvest, located in the rolling foothills north of Huntsville, is inviting the public to the farm to pick their own lavender Friday and Saturday, June 12 and 13, … Continue reading U-Pick Lavender
Category: travel
Fresh Air
I know we're all pretty much staying home, and that's what we're supposed to be doing. But exercise is allowed and encourage and vital to both our physical and mental health. Besides, "the mountain is calling." I'm talking about Ruffner Mountain, which has more than enough trails that you can practice social distancing while enjoying … Continue reading Fresh Air
Fresh, Bright Flavors at the Wildflower Cafe
Over the years, Wildflower Café has become a dining destination in Mentone, which is, of course, its own awesome destination atop Lookout Mountain. I traveled to Mentone recently for Alabama NewsCenter to spotlight this unique restaurant. You can read the entire story here. Café owner Laura Catherine Moon (just “Moon” to everyone she knows and … Continue reading Fresh, Bright Flavors at the Wildflower Cafe
Charleston Charm
I took a quick trip to Charleston, South Carolina a few weeks ago—so quick, in fact, that I was very limited in what I could do. So it was two days of food and drinks and then some solitude in my very favorite place. I usually spend some time shopping on King Street. I also … Continue reading Charleston Charm
Summer Edit Part 2: More Food and Drink and Life
St. George Island never disappoints. Even on a cloudy day, and those have been few, it's my favorite place to be. Life is here simple: hours and hours of reading books on the beach under a huge umbrella. We listen to Oyster Radio (100.5 WOYS) and don't turn on the television. I've had oyster dates with … Continue reading Summer Edit Part 2: More Food and Drink and Life
Odette is Destination Dining in Florence
For nearly five years, Odette owner Celeste Pillow and executive chef Josh Quick and their team have helped downtown Florence, Alabama flourish--one delicious dish at a time. The casual, upscale restaurant is one of a growing number of locally owned, small businesses drawing people back to this exciting town’s downtown. Read more about Odette here … Continue reading Odette is Destination Dining in Florence
44 Hours (approximately) in Asheville, NC
I love sharing Birmingham with friends. I love just as much when friends share their own special places with me--opening my eyes to something I don't see every day. My husband, Rick, and I recently spent about 44 hours in Asheville, North Carolina, with our friends April and Sid and Bob and Tondee. April was … Continue reading 44 Hours (approximately) in Asheville, NC
Mississippi Tamales and More, Thanks to a Los Angeles Mariachi Band
LIfe's little surprises often remain hidden unless you're paying attention. At the Southern Foodways Alliance Winter Symposium held in Birmingham recently, I heard the celebrated female mariachi band La Victoria perform a concert of corridos (storytelling folk songs). They sang about many things including a woman who traveled with her food--and food memories--packed in a suitcase. … Continue reading Mississippi Tamales and More, Thanks to a Los Angeles Mariachi Band
Day Trip to Unclaimed Baggage
A couple of my kids are great thrift-store shoppers, so I took them to the thrift-store mecca Unclaimed Baggage Center. This huge store in Scottsboro, Alabama, is where unclaimed bags and cargo from all over the country eventually end up. "You never know what you'll find," is the logo of this store. It's an understatement. We … Continue reading Day Trip to Unclaimed Baggage
View from Notre-Dame’s Towers
The awesomely grotesque chimeras (including the famous le Stryge) high above Paris were a few of the rewards for climbing the more than 400 twisty, corkscrew steps all the way up to the belfry of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral. There are safety nets everywhere you look, but there also are little holes in these nets--just … Continue reading View from Notre-Dame’s Towers
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