Word a Week Challenge: Face

Posted on May 20, 2013 by

Sue Llewellyn who writes an outstanding photography blog “A Word in Your Ear” has a Word a Week Challenge that you can access here: http://suellewellyn2011.wordpress.com

Each week, in response to the post, bloggers find some of their best representations for the selected word.  Although I’m not a great photographer, I love capturing people and places wherever I travel.

This week, I couldn’t resist joining the posts with pictures of people I saw in Nepal when my husband and I worked through Habitat for Humanity to build two stone and mud homes near Kathmandu.

We visited a school in Tinpiple, and these two girls watched us from the door of their classroom.  Dressed in work clothes and heavy boots, we must have been quite a sight to see!

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These two children watched us as we boarded the bus.  One wide-eyed little girl stole my heart with her fascination for who we were and what we were doing, but her companion wasn’t nearly as thrilled at the idea of posing for a picture!

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A mother and her four daughters served us lunch each day at their restaurant.  Their faces were always a welcome sight because we got a glimpse into their family and how they worked together to serve us broiled chicken, cooked rice, and hot tea.

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This man, the head stonecutter for the house we built, examined many rocks before finding the exact one he needed for the cornerstones.  If he didn’t find the right one, he painstakingly cut a rock to fit.  Although we spoke different languages, our face-to-face contact helped us forge a bond across the cultural divide.

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There were so many children that I could have scooped up and taken home.  With huge brown eyes and a winsome smile, this little girl was one we photographed over and over.

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At the dedication of the house we built, the homeowners’ daughter came dressed for the occasion.  Her face — full of hope and happiness — made the whole trip worthwhile!

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Posted in Blogging Challenge, Travel | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Cruise into Big D’s Downtown Dive if you’re hungry in Roswell!

Posted on May 15, 2013 by

IMG_8903Not only were we looking for aliens in all the right places, we were searching for food, too — in downtown Roswell, New Mexico.  (Click here for our blog on UFO Museum.)

TripAdvisor ranked Big D’s Downtown Dive #1, so Big D’s it was.

The sidewalk chalkboard offered clue number one: this just might be a funky, sense-of-humor kinda place.

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And then we walked in the door.  A blend of automotive cast-offs and schoolroom lockers let us know that someone had fun finding the funk and using it wisely.

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We noted tire rims on one wall. License plates on another.

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Tables covered with maps took center stage as diners piled into the middle and dived in to the dive!

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Even the necessities (napkins, straws, etc.) held their own in a re-purposed primitive piece straight out of someone’s garage.  And the casual, rusted truck art appealed to the country in both of us.

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But aside from the junkyard metals, we wondered if they really had good food in here or just great taste in automotive chic.  We didn’t wonder long.

The menu offers enough for dining out each weekday without ever eating “just average.”  Sounding downright tempting were these almost-lunch enticements with descriptions straight from the menu.

Good-sounding Menu Items from Big D’s

  • Snack Attack: Bangkok Chicken Wings (in Roswell?) with garlic, lime, cilantro, sesame & siracha with chipotle dressing and Popcorn Dusted Shrimp with creamy horseradish spiked orange marmalade
  • Salads: Poached Pear with mixed greens, blue cheese, spiced walnuts and port wine vinaigrette and Fresh Mozzarella with sliced tomatoes, red onions, toasted pine nuts and balsamic reduction on fresh greens
  • Sandwiches: Crispy Monte Cristo with ham, turkey & Swiss – pancake battered, deep fried, dusted with powdered sugar and served with raspberry preserves
  • Famous Bergs: Green Chili Cheeseburger — a New Mexico autumn roast with traditional setup — and Jalapeno Ranch Berg with marinated soy jalapenos, Swiss cheese and bacon ranch slaw.

(Given these choices, what would you have ordered?)

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My choice?  A West Coast Taco with crispy shrimp and chipotle sauce topped with Latin Asian slaw with lime dressing! It couldn’t have been more tasty or unusual or welcome!  Home-made chips snuggled up, but only for a minute.

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And Bert’s lunch? The Green Chile Cheeseburger  — juicy, spicy, and not-to-be-found in our home state of Tennessee.  Worth the drive, for sure!

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We didn’t get a photo of the Crispy Shrimp Po-Boy that a man next to us was devouring, so you’ll have to take our word. If you’re hungry, get that po-boy: crisp bread, tender shrimp, and a sauce that makes the whole thing fall apart in your mouth!

They must be pretty proud of the Bleu Burger, too:  melted bleu cheese, tomato, marinated red onions and bleu cheese bacon slaw.  Mmm.

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If all that research on the “Roswell Incident” leaves you hungry, head to Big D’s Downtown Dive for cut-above burgers and piled-high salads.  (We never even got to dessert!)

Big D’s Downtown Dive

505 N. Main Street

Roswell, NM 88203

575.627.0776

www.bigdsdowntowndive.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Ds-Downtown-Dive/135838063131638

Posted in Food, Restaurant | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Something happened — or did it? A quick peek into Roswell, New Mexico.

Posted on May 13, 2013 by
Greeting us at McDonald's in Roswell, New Mexico

Greeting us at McDonald’s in Roswell, New Mexico

Oh, sure — we’d heard of Roswell.  That’s where aliens descended upon the US back in the 40s. Right?  Well, maybe.  Maybe not.  But when I signed on for a day of training teachers in Clovis, New Mexico, my husband and I decided we couldn’t pass up a chance to see what all the hoopla was about in nearby Roswell.

Even if other-world creatures hadn’t stepped foot into Roswell, you’d never know it just driving down the main streets where lifesize replicas and painted versions of outer space beings pop up everywhere.

This alien won a saucer-shaped award as seen in upper left corner!

This alien won a saucer-shaped award as seen in upper left corner!

From the alien street lights . . .

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to hand-made fabric versions . . .

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to stylized, make-you-smile renderings — aliens have landed, at least downtown.

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We needed straight talk on this matter, so we parked our car and bought a ticket to the International UFO Museum and Research Center on North Main in the former Plains Theater building.

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A worker taking a break was seemingly conversing with one of the foreigners, but more encounters of the third kind awaited us inside.

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Opened in 1997, the museum houses artifacts and primary sources pertinent to the events of 1947.

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Here’s a brief timeline of what “happened” in 1947 and what may have been covered up.

  • July 4 — Mac Brazel, a rancher, heard a loud noise; two nuns saw what they believed was an airplane crash.
  • July 5 — Brazel and his neighbor’s seven-year-old son discovered a debris field 300 yards wide and 3/4 mile long.  Brazel picked up a sackful of “stuff” from the field.
  • July 6 — Brazel takes “stuff” to Sheriff Wilcox in Roswell.  Wilcox calls Intelligence Officer Jesse Marcel.
  • July 7 — Funeral director Glenn Dennis gets a call about the number of child-size caskets he has in stock and how to preserve bodies exposed to the weather.
  • July 8 — Press release was issued concerning the site and the lack of debris, limiting exploration by the public.
  • July 8 — Debris that was spread on the floor in front of Intelligence Officer Jesse Marcel is replaced by weather balloon debris when Marcel is asked to step out of the room.
  • July 8 — Glenn Dennis’s nurse sketches what she saw on the examination table — a big-eyed alien.
  • Incidents were silenced for 30 years until Stanton Friedman started investigating the
    Roswell Incident in 1979.

(Information from “Roswell Incident Timeline” at the International UFO Museum and Research Center.)

The museum houses witness statements, copies of newspaper articles, even furniture from the office receiving the “news.” And we have to admit, it’s really interesting — even if you think it’s just “hooey”!

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At one point, we were reading the documents in veritable silence since few visitors were there.  All of a sudden, a startling swoosh almost carried us off! It came from the saucer above the animatronic aliens in a display designed by Distortions Unlimited!

We jumped, then moved around the corner to take a closer look at a fairly “cheesy” display, but one with a chilling effect.  Puffs of smoke swirled around the beings while colored lights flashed above. You can’t help but smile at this ship that takes off and lands every hour!

IMG_8927In the middle of the room is a horse covered in news clippings. At the head, one headline caught our eye: “It’s a Weather Balloon”!

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One corner touts the existence of aliens as noted in pre-historic drawings.

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And another corner is dedicated to the many comic strips published on the subject.

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Imagine our surprise when we saw a cartoon drawn by fellow Knoxvillian Charlie Daniel, an award-winning and much-loved Knoxville News-Sentinel cartoonist!

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Consider these museum stats:

  • During the summer of 2001, the museum recorded its one-millionth visitor.
  • An average of 150,000 people stop by each year.
  • The museum’s library houses the second largest collection of UFO info in the world.

We headed outside as puzzled as ever since there’s just enough information to make you wonder. And we both agreed with what’s published in the brochure given to us with our admission ticket: The primary goal of the Museum is to provide information so the visitor is able to make up their mind about the Roswell Incident, the UFOs and other possible extraterrestrial phenomena.

Whatever that “incident” was — it’s definitely had an impact on the town and people of Roswell!

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By the way, if you’re in Roswell in early July, catch the Annual UFO Festival the weekend prior to or following the 4th of July.  You’ll meet researchers, science fiction celebs, and fans of all things UFO.

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So were “they” here?  Or not? You’ll just have to go to Roswell and decide for yourself!

(If you’ve already been and have an opinion, we’d love to read your comments.)

International UFO Museum and Research Center

114 N. Main Street

Roswell, NM 88203

575.626.9495

www.roswellufomuseum.com

Facebook: Click here for International UFO Museum and Research Center

Posted in Destination, Museum, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Get Your Cajun On: 2013 Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival

Posted on May 11, 2013 by

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Turn up that zydeco and get your cajun on!  There’s nothing like a Louisiana festival for food, fun, and fantastic movement — and this is one of the best: Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival in early May when mudbugs are runnin’ and Cajun thoughts turn to etouffee and fais dodo!

Might as well dress the part — fun this big deserves all you got — homemade or otherwise.

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When you come to Breaux  Bridge (about 45 minutes from Baton Rouge), you enter Parc Hardy, buy a ticket, and pass through the big crawfish gate to the vendor section.

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You’re sure to find crawfish-themed stuff for sale: stained glass windows with crawfish turned chefs, visors and sundresses made of crawfish print fabric, and jewelry, t-shirts and the like — all with those signature red crawly things on ‘em! Or my favorite — with a warning to heed!

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Immediately after the vendor booths, you spill out into wide open spaces (except for the elbow-to-elbow dance fans) and hear that hard drivin’ Creole music played with an accordion, violin, bass guitar, sax, or washboard! (Right on his chest? Really?)

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It’s so much fun some folks just choose to sit it out and watch, but the foot-tappin’ goes on and on nonetheless.

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Kids get their faces painted with big ol’ crawfish.

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And adults turn to more serious work:  Crawfish eatin’!! Like crawfish pies (no file gumbo!) served hot and spicy.

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Or crawfish etouffee from  this Ragin’ Cajun fan (University of Louisiana at Lafayette) who couldn’t scoop ‘em up and pass ‘em along fast enough.

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Even the usual festival fare like corn dogs and turkey legs became larger than life and spicier than most in Breaux Bridge.

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Spraying water on turkey legs to keep 'em from drying out!

Spraying water on turkey legs to keep ‘em from drying out!

I opted for a Cajun Pistol — “a spicy combo of crab, crawfish, shrimp and special cheeses stuffed into a bread roll” – and fried at that!  Mmm. Mmm. Mmm.

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My sister Marilyn and brother-in-law Collins from Denham Springs shared a wish-I-had-this-back-home treat:  shrimp wrapped in bacon, dipped in batter, and fried on the spot.  Festival heaven!

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We tried crawfish rolls, crawfish balls, and crawfish boudin (spicy mixture of sausage, crawfish, and rice), but I’ll be darned if I can name a fave.

Crawfish rolls and crawfish balls

Crawfish rolls and crawfish balls

Some folks stood around a plastic table-like contraption that sat on top of a large garbage can.  It’s serious crawfish eating:  you peel ‘em and eat ‘em and toss ‘em —  heads, tail, and all – into the hole in the middle!  (Not a bad invention, but we still use newspaper spread out on a table in our backyard!)  I’ve heard tell that you can get these things at a home improvement store Down South, but you’ll have to check that out for yourself.  However you dine at a crawfish boil, you can still say one thing:  Laissez les bon temps rouler! (Let the good times roll!)

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We topped off our Creole goodness with some homemade fudge whipped up right there in a tent on a marble table some strong person brought in for the day.

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And then we took some Bourbon Praline Pecans back home  — well, some of ‘em made it home.

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The 2013 Crawfish Festival Queen stood up to greet us.  She’s Anna Angeles, a senior at St. Thomas More Catholic High School.  (Beautiful, right?)

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But at 3:00, we pushed into a circle of folks crowded around a huge board bearing a pot full of crawdads — it was time for the Crawfish Races.  All you had to do was register your critter, get a number painted onto his back, and toss him into the pot when your heat was called.

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And then they were off!  Crawfish wobbled, flipped, uprighted, wriggled, and ran until the first one to cross the outermost line was named winner of that heat.  Who knew you could cheer on a crawfish as if it were the MVP in Tiger Stadium! But we did.

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The Crawfish Festival is over for this year, but there are always more opportunities to party in Louisiana.  You just have to keep on top of the calendar and get yourself in shape for more dancin’ and eatin’!  I know one thing:  I’d come back — and I might even suck dem heads!

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Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival Association

P. O. Box 25

Breaux Bridge, LA 70517

337.332.6655

info@bbcrawfest.com

www.bbcrawfest.com

For more information on Louisiana Festivals, click here.

Posted in Festivals, Food, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Culture’s country at Nashville’s BNA — and we lak it lak that!

Posted on May 3, 2013 by

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Since we live in Knoxville but sometimes want to fly Southwest, we head to Nashville International Airport (BNA) and board a plane to wherever that economy airline will take us.  And if you’ve visited the Southwest terminal lately, you may have noticed a little bit of country right there in the airport!

It was this first sign we saw after check-in that reminded us of how long it had been since we’d had a Goo Goo Cluster. (We chose to remedy that situation . . . fast.)

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Dubbed the “world’s first ever combination candy bar,” Goo Goo’s (named for the first words a baby speaks) are a yummy combo of caramel, marshmallow nougat, and roasted peanuts covered in rich milk chocolate.  What’s not to like?!! Tennesseans are accustomed to seeing Goo Goo’s in gift baskets or the logo on t-shirts, mugs, and the like — just like we saw at Nashville Star in the airport.

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Moon Pies, iconic marshmallow sandwich treats from Chattanooga, lined the shelves, and now come in more flavors than just the original chocolate, banana, and vanilla.  New to us were Peanut Butter Moon Pies (We’re taking these home!) and Mint Moon Pies which the saleslady at Nashville Star declared taste just like those Thin Mints the Girl Scouts sell! 

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T-shirts touted the cultural offerings in Nashville.  We saw printed wearables that said Welcome to Nashville Music City, Country Music Hall of Fame, Bluebird Cafe, Ole Smoky Moonshine (See? I told you this was Tennessee!), and our favorite one from the Loveless Cafe right here in Nashville.

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Sitting beside it were products from the Loveless (a tourist court turned family-style restaurant and place to spend the night) like this jar of picalilli relish — a mixture of green tomatoes, cabbage, corn, and heaven only knows what else.

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A t-shirt from Loveless that we could use in Knoxville during the Biscuit Festival stole our heart for saying what we all know makes for good eatin’ around here:

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You can get barbecue sauce at the airport, too, from Chef Tony Neely of the family on Food Network’s “Down Home With the Neelys.”  Or you may want to visit their restaurants in Nashville, if you’ve got some time on your hands for slow-cooked, savory ‘cue that’s hard to beat.

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In this terminal, however, you don’t have to walk far to sample Whitt’s, a delicious barbecue from a franchise developed by Bill Dean, former scientist.  The heading of a poster caught our attention – Barbecue? Being rocket scientist helps! — but we were really more interested in our heaping plates of oozy, saucy meat and two sides!

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If music’s your thing, spend your layover at Tootsies — the little bar and music joint that faithfully mimics the downtown venue — Tootsies Orchid Lounge — right down to the live music, lavender color scheme, and back wall plastered with music memorabilia.

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Or if you like making music of your own, head to the Gibson Cafe where you’ll recognize fine “gee-tars” (made by Gibson, of course) hanging overhead.

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Maybe you’ll just have to have this t-shirt if you’re hanging with the hundreds of thousands of music fans that swarm the state in search of the best in country music– or any kind of good music, for that matter — every year.

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So, come on down to Tennessee and stay a while — or just hang out at the airport.  We’ve got culture you can get into.  And you can take a little Tennessee goodness to the folks back home!

We’d “lak” that, too!

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*Note to those of you who don’t speak East Tennessee:  ”lak” is how we say “like” in these here parts!

Nashville International Airport (BNA) — 1 Terminal Drive, Nashville, TN; 615.275.4311; www.flynashville.com

Nashville Star – http://www.hudsongroupusa.com/store_nashville_star.php

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum — 222 5th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203; 615.416.2001; http://countrymusichalloffame.org

Grand Ole Opry – 2804 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN 37214; 615.871.6779; www.opry.comOle Smoky Moonshine — 903 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738; 865.436.6995; www.olesmokymoonshine.com

Loveless Cafe — 8400 Hwy. 100, Nashville, TN 37221; 615.646.9700; www.lovelesscafe.com

Tootsies Nashville Airport — http://www.tootsies.net

Whitt’s Barbecue Nashville — http://www.whittsbarbecue.com

Goo Goo Clusters – www.googoo.com

Moon Pies – www.moonpie.com

Posted in Airports, Food, Restaurant, Retail Shops, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Dogwood Arts Festival 2013: The secret beauty of Open Gardens

Posted on April 23, 2013 by

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Yes, it’s true.  I write this blog from Knoxville, Tennessee — home of the Dogwood Arts Festival.  So, of course, I’m biased.  But if you’re ever in Knoxville at festival time, you’ll agree with me:  Spring shows off its finery nowhere better during this puttin’-on-the-pastels time of year!

Several years ago, my husband and I lived in Deane Hill subdivision (designated an official Dogwood Arts Festival Garden Byway). We had passed by the home of J. D. “Bud” and Carolyn Mynatt often but never stopped in to see their Open Garden during festival time.  This year, however,  we put it on our don’t-miss list and entered a beautiful secret backyard haven that the Mynatts have tended for more 34 years!

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We sauntered past the white mounds of candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) lining front flower beds along with the statuary and mixed pots Carolyn has added. Then we headed to the back yard.

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When Bud saw us, he came down the back steps as the Southern gentleman he is to welcome us to his private garden.  We shook hands, introduced ourselves, and then asked him to take us on a tour — which he did willingly.  He told us that he has recently turned 90, but he still maintains the garden.

However, he said, I did have to hire someone to spread 15 yards of mulch this year.  (No apologies needed here.  We can’t spread mulch at all!)

Bud Mynatt, on right, shares the history of the garden with Bert.

Bud Mynatt, on right, shares the history of the garden with Bert.

Bud and Carolyn bought the house and the overgrown lot with only five maples and a magnolia on the property in 1976 and began the work of clearing, planting, pruning, and showcasing. Bud mostly does the gardening and maintenance.  Carolyn is the design lady!

We admired the dogwoods just eeking out those creamy blooms . . .

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and the Carolina jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) climbing gracefully over the deck at the rear of the house.

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Bud was proud of this colorful pink Chinese fringe (Loropetalum chinense) . . .

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and the profusion of blooms on the endless clumps of Lenten roses (Helleborus orientalis).

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Well-fed koi swam innocently around and around the lower levels of the bubbling pond, but we noticed a wire mesh covering over all.  Bud sadly explained: I had to cover the pond with wire ’cause big Blue Herons were swooping down and snatching my fish. (Guess herons can’t resist free food any more than humans can!)

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The backyard showstopper for us was this Southern magnolia towering over the two men.  That tree was probably planted about fifty years ago, Bud told us. And it’s one of the few remaining plants we found when we bought the place.  (I’m no expert, but this looks like a prize-winner.)

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We said good-bye to this dedicated gardener, and, on our way out, noted a pair of angels pondering a fitting quote for the Mynatts’ garden.

IMG_8768We love touring Knoxville’s Open Gardens.  But we’re especially fond of meeting residents like Bud and Carolyn Mynatt who take pride in their special place!

Click here for more information on Knoxville’s Dogwood Arts Festival.

Click here for a listing of Open Gardens available for viewing until april 28th.

2013 Dogwood Arts Festival

602 S. Gay Street, Mezzanine Level

Knoxville, TN 37902

865.637.4561

info@dogwoodarts.com

Posted in Destination, Festivals, Gardening, Gardens | Tagged , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Celebration time: 1st Anniversary for Oh, the Places We See!

Posted on April 7, 2013 by
Happy Blogging Anniversary!

Happy Blogging Anniversary!

It’s hard to believe, but one year ago we launched Oh, the Places We See!  We had just rented an apartment downtown in our own city of Knoxville, Tennessee, and pretended to be tourists for a couple of weeks — even though we lived nearby in the suburbs.

The experience was rich:  We joined the urban walkers each morning prior to heading to work, we ate in new (to us) restaurants at night, and we were right on the spot for all the downtown Dogwood Arts Festival events.  So, the idea for a blog was born: Let’s share our adventures near and far with others.

Now, after a year later, we’re still writing about our travels — and here are the blogging stats that make us smile:

To celebrate, we’ve posted a picture of one of the tallest layer cakes we’ve ever seen!  It’s from Zoozacrackers Deli – a little restaurant at Wynn Las Vegas — where you can get a good burger or sandwich and watch your favorite sports on the big screens.

A special shout-out goes to Cynthia Moxley who’s commented the most.  Her encouragement means a lot, and her blog, The Blue Streak, is still the gold standard for us!  (Click here to read her posts about what’s happening in Knoxville!)

And what does the future hold?  Well, we’re gonna keep on travelin’ and writin’ — at least for now.  We’ve booked a trip for this summer (Viking River Cruise: Imperial Jewels of China). So keep coming back to compare adventures if you’ve already been or enjoy the new sites and sounds right along with us. As always, though, we love seeing what Knoxville has to offer — it’s home!

Thanks again for reading and following!  What a great year for blogging!

Rusha and Bert

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Posted in Food, Restaurant, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Seven swanky lobbies to see: Vegas hotels (Part Two)!

Posted on April 6, 2013 by
Elegant seating area in Wynn Las Vegas

Elegant seating area in Wynn Las Vegas

Come to think of it, selecting just seven hotels from all that Vegas has to offer is a daunting task, to be sure.  But thinking of which ones we’d like to see again, these really are our top sites to see in terms of interesting architecture, artful interior decor, and unique features. But they’re also the best based  simply on how they appeal to us.

If you missed Part One of this blog (Seven swanky lobbies to see: Vegas hotels), click here. (We had to separate the posts since there are so many pictures.)  We hope you enjoyed the four hotels in Part One.  And now, to finish the seven, our top three places to go lobbying!

Our third favorite: The Venetian

3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South; 702.414.1000; http://www.venetian.com

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The towering structures surrounding the Grand Canal invite you to leave The Strip and come to Italy.

 The Venetian had us — and we weren’t even inside.  With exacting details like the recreation of the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal, we were hooked on the Venetian experience. When we went inside, however, we were struck by the beauty of the ornately painted ceilings and marble floors of the elegant interiors. The Venetian really is a don’t-miss place in Vegas.

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It’s Venice replicated: from fountains, balconies, and lightposts to the Rialto Bridge!

Ceilings in The Venetian.

Ceilings in The Venetian.

To say the least, the hotel is an amalgamation of luxurious accommodations and fascinating details in the architecture and artful design.  Running through the complex is the canal surrounded by shops made famous for high-quality goods like Italian glass and haute couture, as well as inviting waterside restaurants.   Painted ceilings are delightfully deceiving — the whole place feels like a European shopping plaza or a side street in Venice.

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But there’s also a lot going on. At Christmas, we applauded traveling performers.  On a more recent visit, we smiled as we watched people mistake this mime for a statue (surprise!) and then ask to take pictures to email back home.  (Were you fooled a bit, too, when you saw the picture above?)

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Of course, you might not want to miss one of the most popular activities of all — a gondola ride navigated by a singing boatman.  You’re in Venice, right?  Or is this just Vegas?  Whatever or wherever – it’s fun.

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The Venetian will host Carnevale 2013 from May 27 to September 8, a celebration of music, food, and culture.  Wouldn’t you just love to be there? (Click here for more info.)

Coming in second: Wynn Las Vegas

3131 Las Vegas Boulevard South; 702.770.7000; http://www.wynnlasvegas.com)

Taking its cue from the shimmering copper and gold exterior, Wynn Las Vegas offers an elegant interior of warm browns paired with reds and ivories.  Rich chocolate-colored walls greet you whether you enter from the front door or the free parking area between Wynn and Encore. You know you’re in a luxury hotel, but one that offers something for everyone.

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We love the mosaic floors of stylized flowers that add color but keep the hotel fresh and new, not stuffy.

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Even the areas reserved for serious poker players (right past Ferrari Store!!) carry out the richness of the brown interior and lead you into the casino area and its signature floral carpet.

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Delighting most visitors are the two tree-lined walkways featuring tiny white lights and real-flower spheres that change with the seasons.

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The Wynn offers unique dining, too. According to the web site,  ”Wynn and Encore have more Forbes Four Star award-winning restaurants than any other  resort in North America.”

We love coming down the escalator into Parasol just for the sheer joy of all that color.  Then we head out to Lake Side to watch the free hourly show on the water and sit in one of the comfy banquettes.  But, upon your request, you can dine even more privately in a tented alcove at Bartolotta’s. Ahhh, for those quiet moments in Vegas.

Entering Parasol on the way to Lake Side.

Entering Parasol on the way to Lake Side.

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Dining beside the lake at Bartolotta’s.

To our delight, however, Wynn Las Vegas is a mixture of luxury AND affordability.  During March Madness, bets came in hot and heavy at Wynn’s Race and Sports Book (You can always stand in the back free!), and we dined affordably at Zoozacrackers Deli while watching the fashion show go by!

Lining up to cash out are these now-calm participants at the Wynn Las Vegas Race and Sports Book.

Lining up to cash out are these now-calm participants at the Wynn Las Vegas Race and Sports Book.

Best of all, we enjoyed Le Rêve — The Dream, a Cirque du Soleil spectacular performed in, on, and over water.  (Click here for ticket information.)

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Although pictures aren't allowed during the performance, we were could snap this one at the end of enormous lighted flowers hovering over the circle of water.

Although pictures aren’t allowed during the performance, we could snap this one at the end: enormous lighted flowers hovering over the circle of water.

Our favorite hotel lobby in Vegas: The Bellagio

3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South; 888.987.6667; http://www.bellagio.com

Walking through the lobby of The Bellagio is one treat we give ourselves each time we’re in Vegas.  It’s just that nice  — and always changing.  You can stand outside the hotel and enjoy the fountains during the day and every fifteen minutes during the evening hours.  As a side benefit, you can also hear several languages as people from all over the world share their love of the dancing waters and familiar music.

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But the lobby, too, is overwhelmingly beautiful.  Our favorite part is the ceiling sculpture of over 2,000 hand-blown flowers by glass artist Dale Chihuly.  We just stand in awe — and then we have to take pictures!

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There’s even Chihuly at Bellagio, a place where one-of-a-kind art is for sale to grace your home or office.  (But if you’re like us, you can take really, really close looks for free!)

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I’ve written before about The Bellagio as I’ve been to Vegas for work since October 2013. (See below for links to those posts.)  And I have to admit, next to the Chihuly sculptures, it’s the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens that beckon me to return each time.  These exciting, masterful exhibits change with the seasons, and each one has brought forth new designs and creative ways to incorporate fresh flowers into the sets.   Technology, too, plays a large role in involving guests:  From winding miniature trains at Christmas to the “Pupa Emergence Display” this spring, the Conservatory always offers something of interest for young and old.

The current installation, a tribute to Andy Warhol, is delightful: Dutch shoes, a house-size windmill, white-flower swans, hundreds of forced bulbs, and a miniature greenhouse where butterflies come to life — literally. (The 2013 Spring Celebration ends May 11th.)

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Life-size greenhouse in center of Bellagio’s Conservatory

So, if you think Las Vegas is all casinos and cheesy wedding sites, think again.

Vegas hotels live large — beautiful surroundings, graceful interiors, and something for everyone to enjoy.   Come see for yourself.

Click here to read Bellagio Conservatory and Gardens celebrate Chinese New Year in style!

Click here to read Picture Perfect: Christmas 2012 at Bellagio

Click here to read Fabulous Fall at Bellagio: It’s Vegas, Baby!

P. S. Would love to hear about your favorite hotels in Vegas.  Leave us a comment!

Posted in Artist, Destination, Hotels, Retail Shops, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Seven swanky lobbies to see : Vegas hotels (Part One)!

Posted on April 3, 2013 by

No matter where you stay in Vegas, you can’t escape (nor would you want to) the lights, sounds, and excitement of The Strip.  It’s where people from all over the world gather, roam, raise a toast, and stand in awe of a glittering environment built on sand.

Las Vegas -- like no other city in the US!

Las Vegas — like no other city in the US!

Work has taken me to Clark County, Nevada, on several occasions this past year, and my husband has been able to join me on this adventure.  During the “after hours” and on the weekends, we take our time exploring Vegas’s hotel lobbies — eating at restaurants, watching people go by, and taking pictures of whatever we find fascinating.  And we’ve found a lot.

We like watching people who are watching other people, too!

We like watching people who are watching other people, too!

One thing seems pretty certain:  we love the hotels — architecture, themes, decor, accoutrements, and lobbies!  So, here we are sharing our seven favorite hotels  – and letting you in on something fabulous to do in Vegas:  lobbying!

Our seventh fave: Trump International

2000 Fashion Show Drive; 702.982.0000; http://www.trumphotelcollection.com/las-vegas/

A towering gold structure across from Fashion Show Mall, Trump stands tall against the skyline beckoning visitors and guests to “Own Vegas”!  Tasteful arrangements of white flowers reach toward crystal chandeliers, inviting guests to peruse the tasteful (and rather understated) glamorous lobby.

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When we asked an employee in the gift shop where we could get the best view from the hotel, she directed us to the 23rd floor. Go to the Sales Office, she instructed, and ask if you can look out at the city.  We took the elevator, but the office door was locked even though the posted hours didn’t indicate an early closing.  (If you go there, let us know what you see!) And if we go back, we’ll take a second stab at it!

In sixth place:  Caesar’s Palace

3570 Las Vegas Boulevard South; 800.223.7277; http://www.caesarspalace.com/hotel.html

Head to Caesar’s and expect to be immersed in the immensity of the property and the classic statuary! Located right on The Strip, Caesar’s is known for its nod to Classicism and all that’s orderly and artsy in its own right.  Although our trips haven’t coincided with that of our favorite performers, we hope to catch a Caesar’s headliner act at some point.  Even if we don’t get back, we have fond memories of the outdoor dining areas, the palatial casino, and the shops where the well-dressed can be seen slipping into the latest fashions.

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Coming in at Number Five: The Palazzo

3325 Las Vegas Boulevard South; 866.885.2829; http://www.palazzo.com

Enormous lobbies in The Palazzo are decorated seasonally, like this one featuring a towering pink tree in the center of what I call the Waterfall Lobby.  And for some reason, Palazzo lobbies seem quiet.  Perhaps it’s the enormity of the place, or just the calmness that comes when visitors snap pictures — almost reverently — of these larger-than-life visions of nature in various forms. IMG_8523

But we had another goal in mind after reading a Las Vegas Sun article on Vegas sports books — places where betting on March Madness rivals most anything else happening in town. Named one of the biggest and best, Lagasse’s, is located on the lower level of The Palazzo.  Combining Emeril Lagasse’s signature award-winning cuisine and a luxury betting venue with more than 100 HD TVs and stadium-style seating, Lagasse’s is worth seeing even if you don’t know anything about a parlay or a point spread.

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Massive screens at Lagasse's feature golf, basketball, horse racing. You name it, they've got it!

Massive screens at Lagasse’s feature golf, basketball, horse racing. You name it, they’ve got it!

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These stadium-style seats were mostly empty the morning we visited, but it’s a different story during March Madness!

And our fourth favorite: Mandarin Oriental

(3742 Las Vegas Boulevard South; 702.590.8888; http://www.mandarinoriental.com/lasvegas/)

Through the almost-hidden entrance, this tucked-away quiet hotel with beautiful appointments and five-star rating offers a breathtaking view of The Strip from two public locations.

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Head to the Tea Lounge with its Oriental-inspired lighting and colorful carpet for a floor-to-ceiling view of Planet Hollywood and Paris Las Vegas.

Mandarin Oriental's Tea Room looking out at the Vegas Strip (taken from web site: http://www.mandarinoriental.com/lasvegas/hotel-photo-gallery/)

Mandarin Oriental’s Tea Room looking out at the Vegas Strip (taken from web site: http://www.mandarinoriental.com/lasvegas/hotel-photo-gallery/)

Or move into Mandarin Bar for a more dramatic view of the south end and a panorama of The Strip from two vantage points.  We were fortunate to meet and chat with a couple from U. K. celebrating their 14th anniversary — and they, too, said the view was one of the highlights of their trip to Vegas. Here’s the picture they snapped of us with the MGM Grand on the left (green) and Monte Carlo on the right.

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And that’s it for Part One!  We’ve saved our last three favorites for the next post.  Check back soon.

Please leave us a message if you’ve been to Vegas and have a lobby, hotel, restaurant, or venue you love.  We’re always looking for great Places To See!

Posted in Travel | 3 Comments

Something new (at least to me) at LAS!

Posted on April 2, 2013 by

IMG_8029On my fifth trip this year to Vegas’s McCarran, I saw something I hadn’t seen before.  Not at McCarran.  Or any other airport, for that matter.  But it’s probably been there all along.  I may have been too busy watching luggage spin around on those carousels to even notice.

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No, it wasn’t the artwork I’m so fond of seeing in airports.

No, it wasn’t the slot machines.  Not even Wheel of Fortune that gets you to come over with that methodical TV kinda voice:  “Wheel. Of. Fortune.”

The slots at Vegas. Even at the airport.

The slots at Vegas. Even at the airport.

And no, it wasn’t all those ads for the headliner shows or even the banner for the Chippendales. (After watching Amazing Race, I always look for Jaymes and James.)

It was something quite simple . . . practical. . . workable — a sign that a chauffeur or greeter held up to indicate who he was looking for.

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I’ve seen dozens of these signs, but they were always printed on card stock or affixed to a clipboard.  Not the one held by this man (and lots of other guys at McCarran).

In fact, almost all the meeter/greeter folks were holding iPads boldly showing the name of the intended connection on a bright background.  New to me.

New to you?

Just a little something unexpected you get to see when you travel!

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Posted in Airports, Travel | Tagged , , | 6 Comments