Handmade Jewelry

Kristin's wedding is Friday and I have been gathering my stuff together little by little over the past few days so that I would not be scrambling last minute.  One thing I would be sure not to forget was the jewelry to wear the day of. Kristin has been very adamant on the bridesmaids expressing their own personalities through our "day of" looks and I am very thankful for that.  She asked us to pick out our own gold post earrings.  For me, I decided to make a pair of earrings - what would be more me than that?  So I took gold metal wire, swarovski crystal beads, and small pearls and twisted them together until I liked their shape and size.  I glued earring posts on the back and let them dry overnight.  The end result turned out elegant and perfect for my day of look which makes me anxious to see it all brought together on Kristin's special day.

Kansas City

Memorial Day weekend makes me think of the pool, relaxing, spending time with friends, and summer cooking. Since I am on a barbecue kick - I thought I would try to make my own.  For my new found discovery of Kansas City barbecue, I hunted down a recipe on pinterest that I decided to try.  This meal was a perfect ending to a great weekend.  The flavors resonated through the entire dish and had a spicy note to carry you through to the end. 

Long Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend is finally here!  I have been longing for the summer sun since Christmas ended and now that it is here I don't know where to start. This weekend I hope to enjoy some much needed pool time and on Sunday I will be tubing down the Shenandoah river for the first time.  Do not forget to wear your sunscreen and I will talk to you Tuesday - Happy long weekend!

Memorial Day Weekend Circa 2007

Loot

I stepped away from Nashville with an appreciation for live music, southern hospitality, and a craving for barbecue - not to mention some new additions to my closet and souvenir-like items too.

1. Cowboy boots - I am sure by now you are done hearing about my longing for a pair - worry no more. When we arrived in the city Boot Country was our first major stop. Boots lined shelf after shelf but the detailing on these is what made me choose them, or rather they chose me. Every time I would go and try to see if there were any other options I would find myself pulling the exact same pair up off the shelf to try on. These were made for me.

2. Dress - While wondering around the Vanderbilt Bookstore we ran into Muse Boutique and of course I found something to try on.  This dress was reasonably priced and so fun I could not pass it up! It will be a great dress to wear around the fourth.

3. Jack Daniel's loot - It would not be a trip without something random and unexpected in my suitcase.  I brought home two ornaments made out of old barrels and a shot glass.  About six years back I decided to start collecting ornaments from where I travel... three (or four) storage bins later and I am still adding to the collection.

4. Random Greatness - Boot Coozies for some beach beverages and a souvenir boot mug that I got at Wildhorse Saloon where I learned to line dance. 

What a great trip it was and I am glad you all were a long for the journey.

Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives

There were some good eats while on my mini vacation and so I would like to call this my rendition of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives - Barbecue Style. There was not much to the outside of these eating joints but boy was the food good! 

First Stop: Barrel House BBQ

Only open for a few weeks, this BBQ was definitely something to brag about. The owner Chuck used to be a furniture maker and so that's how he came up with the name.  With the smoke-house in the back and tons of different options, I did not leave hungry - only wanting more.  It is a must see in the small town of Lynchburg with good food and southern hospitality. 

Second Stop: Jack's Bar-b-que

Sitting on the downtown strip you won't be getting in unless you wait in the line that is out the door. Although intimidating, it was worth the wait.  I myself enjoyed the beef brisket with fried apples and corn bread.  The bun was baked to perfection and my mouth is just watering over the flavor that was in the brisket.  I would recommend this place for a fun lo-key meal that will knock your socks off.  If your a Bar-b-que lover, you may have just met your match.

 Smokehouse

The line

 

Jack Daniel's Distillery

Outside of Nashville nestled in the rolling hills of Tennessee resides a little town called Lynchburg.  Home to Jack Daniel's Distillery and shockingly in a dry town (cannot by alcohol in the town confines) the ladies and I made our hour plus drive to see this landmark.  The tour was really enjoyable taking us through the iron-free cave spring that brought Jack to the area in the 1800's all the way through the process of how true Tennessee sippin' whiskey is made. Later we grabbed lunch in the area and walked around town before heading back to Nashville. 

 The Rickyard - where the coal is made 

 Iron-free cold water spring 

 Jack on the rocks with the ladies

Black Betty

After a long weekend  away, it felt good last night to climb into my own bed and stretch out as far as my body would allow.  With that said, this weekend was a blast!!! Along with five other girls, I explored Nashville and everything it had to offer.  Our journey started at the airport with the rental of a vehicle.  It was not just any vehicle, it was a Dodge Ram 1500.  It was that or a van and since we were in Tennessee we decided to go all out - as the locals would call it "We gone county."  The best part about her was that we named her Black Betty by Ram Jam. She helped us explore the great city and cannot wait to share all of our adventures with you! Happy Monday!