Summer Lovin' Having a BLAASSTT....

Only in Nashville, Tennessee...really saw this guy on I-65 South

Up until a month ago, I did a very poor job on regularly updating my blog. I have tried to keep you informed on the few things I have going on here and there, but have barely revealed the tip of the iceberg.

This summer has been a whirlwind. Since May, I have been to Charleston for some R&, worked a NASCAR race, moved to a new apartment (and new city), became a product of the economy, enjoyed my favorite month of the year while being unemployed, went back to Charleston for some more R&R, had my first house guests, read more books than I can count on two hands, had E's sister come visit, learned about who I am and what I want, and finally.....FOUND A NEW JOB!

I know, pretty boring, right? You have my word not to bore you with the details. Instead, I would like to offer you a look into my favorite time of the year through the pictures I've taken over the last few months.

I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I enjoyed making the memories.

Until next time, may your weekend be filled with bourbon, magnolias and endless joy!

Night out in Music City....dancing to Lewis Copeland..and Adam Ricker, of course!

Jellyfishing on Sullivans Island

 View from the Kayak.....on the creek/marsh near E's house

Fireworks over downtown Nashville-Fourth of July

Drinks at The Griffon with E & T

Sullivans Island

Taking a break from sailing on Spyder Island

View of downtown Charleston from the sailboat

My Old Kentucky Home...and my twin sis

<><>

<>

<><><><>;

First visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame

Professional Bull Riders...RODEO

<><>

<> 

<><><><>

PBR

E's lovely sister and her pal during their visit to Music City

In memory of: "The King."

Thirty three years ago on August 16,  the world lost one of the most well-known, talented, industry-changing individuals. Elvis Presley changed music as we know it. His combination of pop, country, and "old" R&B, along with his infamous gyrating hips, began a movement that would forever change American culture.

Evlis' charm, charisma and velvety smooth vocals captured the hearts of millions of women of his time and continues to do so today (mine included). During his career, Elvis starred in 33 feature films, had over 150 gold (#1) hits, and has sold more records than any artist ever to live (one billion)!

His life was taken much too soon. There is not a moment when I hear his songs or see his smile that I wish I could have been lucky enough to experience EP in concert. The memory of Elvis will forever remain. Elvis Aaron Presley: American soldier, Extraordinary performer, Kind human-being, Forever THE KING.

RIP E.P.

Watermelon, Watermelon, Watermelon...

I'm never surprised, or shocked, by the things I  see, and learn, when I return to my Old Kentucky Home. It never fails that a local citizen has an interesting outfit, opinion at a decibel that should never be reached, or an utter-disrespect for the surrounding community, that I am immune to the illustrations of the Bluegrass state, namely, Owensboro, Kentucky. As usual, I was not surprised by the things I saw when I was home, but I was rather intrigued by the continued wisdom my (great) Aunt Faye passed along to me.

Each time I grace Owensboro with my presence, and enjoy the company of  one of my VERY best friends, and favorite family members, Aunt Faye, I spend time hearing about past stories and family drama. I'm also especially lucky to have a cooler packed full of goodies and a few good recipes or kitchen tricks to take along with me. During my last visit, this past week, I was thrilled to learn a new trick to test a watermelon for ripeness. While most people are puzzled by what coloring institutes a "ripe" watermelon or what sound means, "Put me in the cart," I am proud to say I am not longer among those. This week I had the pleasure of having Aunt Faye teach me the "trick" to knowing when a watermelon is ready to eat (or take home from your local Publix).

I cannot explain how this works, but I imagine it has to do with gravity. So here's the trick. Take one straw stick (either from a broom or from a hay bale), and place it parallel to the lines on a watermelon. (Make sure that your watermelon is on a flat even surface.) If the watermelon is ripe you will notice that the straw will begin to spin or gravitate perpendicular to the stripes on the watermelon. It may even make a full rotation and then stop. If the straw does not make it at least perpendicular to the watermelon stripes, your melon is not, yet, ripe.

I know what you're saying, "This can't be true! How on earth could a little straw spin on top of a watermelon?" I wish I could answer this, but I can't! I am still completely surprised myself. All I know is that this old tale is real. If you don't believe me, test it out yourself. I know that I tried it at least six times when Aunt Faye told me....and I NEVER question Aunt Faye.

Check it out for yourself: Watermelon Test.

Until next time, may your week start be filled with Magnolia, Watermelon, and ENDLESS JOY!

I know it's a little early but.....LILLY CRUISER

I DO realize that it is a little too early to be making Christmas requests, but the Lilly Pulitzer Cruiser has had me going gaga since April! I can hardly stand to think that the pre-sale is over in just two short weeks. I have this item at the TOP of my Christmas list and would be tickled pickle to mark it off. Here it is: Check it out , stamp one with my name on it!

Music City Brewer's Fest

Is this Brew Fest or Oktoberfest?!

On Saturday, E and I attended the Music City Brewer's Fest. We had tickets for Session B (the evening session). I was a little nervous about the weather because most of the afternoon it poured cats and dogs and stormed like it was the second coming. Luckily, the weather cleared as we left to go to Nashville. The humidity definitely won out, but it was no match for the cold brews we imbibed.

Being a first timer, I had no idea what to expect. When we walked in we were given a small, plastic mug for tasting and a map to locate each brewery. While some of the breweries had exceptionally good beer, (i.e. Kentucky Ale's Bourbon Barrel Stout), most of the brews were rather unimpressive. My favorite of the night was Stone's Arrogant Bastard Ale .

Scott from Stone Brewing, E & me

 Throughout the evening E and I meandered through the crowds and explored our tasting options. E was happy to see an old "beer friend," that was in town for the festival. As we walked around, E noticed a cigar stand. While he purchased a cigar I was approached by one of the cigar salesman to purchase a cigar as well. I politely informed the salesman that a true lady would never stand and smoke and that I had no interest. He proceeded to share his opinion that the standing and smoking rule was a dumb rule and that I must of been a sorority girl from Western Kentucky. I had to laugh out loud at his guess. I couldn't deny the fact that he was right. What interested me even more was his judgment of where I came from. I told him I was, in fact, a graduate of WKU and a proud Kappa Delta Alumnae. After a few more minutes of conversation, I found out that the cigar jokester was from Owensboro, Kentucky....my hometown. Sure is funny how the world turns. Needless to say, the conversation was pleasant and made for a great laugh. E got to enjoy a vanilla bourbon cigar and I took away a smile while waiting for him.

Toward the end of the evening, I realized I had drank too much too fast. I had the curse of the hiccups. Usually I could nip this problem in the bud with the help of a little sugar or peanut butter. As you would guess, the Brew Fest had neither of these things. I was forced to try the old-fashioned way....H2O. The water didn't really do the trick, but because it took so long to get rid of them, E and I were fortunate enough to make one more friend. While sitting on a bench ridding myself of the hiccups, a nice gentleman from Louisiana  found humor in my hiccup predicament and we quickly found ourselves lost in conversation. My first instinct, being an SEC girl, was to ask him if he was an LSU fan. Of course he was, and I quickly apologized to him for his luck. He spent the next 20 minutes giving E and myself a much better impression of Tiger fans that I had initially thought (although I still have NO plans to EVER send a child of mine to LSBOOO/LSU)!

Being surrounded by Mr. LSU, his friends, and E.

The Brew fest was a pleasant experience, minus a not too happy tummy and torrential down-pour as we left. I paid for the experience all day Sunday and will never underestimate the power of a few good brews. If I decide to attend an event like this again, (perhaps the Beer & Bourbon Festival ), I will be MUCH more prepared. I will definitely bring a chair, a bottle of water, a pretzel necklace (see Beer Geek photo), and will eat MUCH more than I did this year before the event starts!

Until next time, may your week be filled with Magnolias, Bourbon and ENDLESS JOY!