A Fun Afternoon in Franklin, Tennessee

Merridee's Breadbasket Welcome Sign

Greg and I recently spent an enjoyable, fun afternoon in Franklin, Tennessee.

Our first stop was lunch at Merridee's Breadbasket in Franklin. (I have a confession to make-This is my very favorite place to eat in this whole area. You ought to try it and see for yourself.)

The food is fantastic, the people who work there are super nice, and Merridee's has a great atmosphere.

They make their own bakery goods.

After lunch, we walked around town to take in the sights.

The downtown shops are beautiful.

Here's a peek inside of one of them.

Kilwins has all kinds of goodies, and they must be doing something right as they have been in business since 1947!

Here's some of their wonderful fudge which Rose who works there explained to us.

Historic Franklin is, well, historic!

And, here's (above) some of the proof.

And, it's entertaining!

After all of this walking and visiting shops, we decided to stop by one of Greg's favorite places, Starbucks. 

We'd never before been to this particular one, and it was even more special since it was housed in this awesome old building.

It was a nice day so we decided to have our refreshments outside. We asked a passerby to take our picture, and she turned out to be a fellow artist! Small world!

Her name is Jennie Schut, and according to her business card, she is a "Creator, Retreat Leader, Artist, Author." She is a very talented artist. Check out her two websites.

FYI

www.jennieschutart.com

www.flyforward.org

Positive thought: "Have fun, because that's what life is all about."-Ryan Lochte

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, June 2, 2019, Becky

The Christmas Spirit

Do you have the Christmas spirit?

After last week, Greg and I can say that indeed we do have the spirit of Christmas!

In historic Franklin, Tennessee, we attended "Dickens of a Christmas" which is a festival where Christmas comes alive around the time of author Charles Dickens.

Costumed characters abounded on the streets of Franklin-

A little girl is talking to Scrooge, the Dickens character who finally gets the Christmas spirit in "A Christmas Carol."

Another character looked like a statue!

Some of the vendors even got into the act...

as did some of the visiting dogs-

There was Christmas music-

of different types-

There was plenty of yummy food to try...

and coffee to help keep warm on a cold day,

although some found other ways to stay warm-

After the festival, it was on to Nashville, to visit the Hermitage Hotel which is in a word-

elegant, especially at Christmas!

Across the street is the Tennessee Performing Arts Center which presented-

the Nashville Ballet's "Nashville's Nutcracker,"

in which we are proud to say that our little niece performed, and did a great job!

Afterwards, we visited with family at their house which was beautifully decorated for Christmas.

Hear ye! Hear ye! Have a very merry Christmas, and a happy New Year!

If you like the paranormal, check out my other blog, "Spirit Photographs."
www.spiritphotographs.blogspot.com

Also, I have a book which might make a nice Christmas gift for someone that enjoys the paranormal,, "Photographic Encounters of the Spirit Kind" which is available now, either in paperback or as a kindle download.
http://amzn.to/2usXWIO

Positive thought: Always remember the spirit of Christmas which is love.

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, January 7, 2018, Becky

Time to Celebrate!

Although we're now in the month of September, I wanted to look back to last month, to August.

The month of August has no formal holidays here in the United States, but that doesn't mean that you can't take the time to celebrate during this month!

In fact, August is always a big month for Greg and me since both our wedding anniversary and Greg's birthday are in August. Each year, our celebrations are a little different; no two years are exactly alike.

This year, for our anniversary, we went to our favorite park for a romantic picnic...

and we exchanged gifts.

"Our wedding was many years ago. The celebration continues to this day."
-Gene Perret

Then came Greg's birthday...

We celebrated at home on his real birthday,

and at Puckett's Boat House in Franklin, Tennessee two days later.

The main part of the meal was super good...

as was the generous serving of free birthday dessert!

Next on the calendar was something very special for many of us to enjoy, the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse-

Although we had solar eclipse glasses, we decided just to keep them as souvenirs.

Instead, we made our own pinhole projector to view the eclipse-

Also, Greg noticed that we could see several eclipse shapes in this shadow of a plant on the sidewalk as the sun shone through the plant's leaves-

Finally, at the end of the month, I attended a birthday party for talented graphic designer and friend, Lynn.

A delightful luncheon was given for Lynn by her mother, Carole.

The food was simply gourmet,

and the meal was complete with a tasty birthday cake. (Guess what kind it was?)

"Cakes are special. Every birthday, every celebration ends with something sweet, a cake, and people remember. It's all about memories."
-Buddy Valastro

When I got back home, our Mitzi inspected take-home goodies from the party.

And, that's not all! Just because August is over, that sure doesn't mean that the celebrating is over.

In September, fall arrives in a few weeks; and, of course, there's Labor Day! Let the celebrations continue!

HAPPY LABOR DAY and HAPPY SEPTEMBER!

If you enjoy the paranormal, check out my other blog, "Spirit Photographs."

www.spiritphotographs.blogspot.com

For much more about the paranormal, be sure to check out my book, "Photographic Encounters of the Spirit Kind," available now, either in paperback or as a kindle download on Amazon.

http://amzn.to/2usXWIO

Positive thought: "Life should not only be lived, it should be celebrated."-Gene Perret
Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, October 8, 2017, Becky

Celebrating in March

Welcome!

If we just look around us, we can find so many wonderful things to make us happy.

"The world is so full of a number of things, I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings."
-Robert Louis Stevenson

The month of March is no exception. So, let's celebrate March!

The first event worth noting in March is St. Patrick's Day which is on March 17. St. Patrick's Day is celebrated every year in several countries besides Ireland, including, of course, the United States.

As they say, "Everyone's Irish on March 17!"

This year, downtown Nashville will have its first annual St. Patrick's Day celebration. It will feature Irish music, dancers, and green beer. There will even be a Blarney Stone to kiss! Sounds like a lot of fun!

In historic Franklin, Tennessee, there's a neat little Irish pub, McCreary's Irish Pub, which has both Irish and American food. Greg and I love the shepherd's pie. (We enjoy eating at one of their tables outside during the warmer months.)

FYI:
www.mccrearyspub.com

"St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time-a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic."
-Adrienne Cook

Well, it's not summer yet, but it's almost spring, and I'll settle for that!

This is a picture I took in mid February!

Guess our local groundhog was right when it forecast an early spring! So, let's march into spring!

"Spring; an experience in immortality."
-Henry David Thoreau

Since March came roaring in like a lion this year, at least where I live, it should go out quietly like a lamb. And that is good news for us here in Columbia, Tennessee, especially since the end of March is Mule Day celebration time!

Check it out! - www.muleday.org

Hope to see you all there!

Positive thought: "May the dreams you hold dearest be those which come true. And the kindness you spread keep returning to you."-An Irish blessing
Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, April 2, 2017, Becky

Positive Changes, a Time of New Life

Welcome back!

Hope you're having a wonderful, fantastic, positive day!

The butterfly "...undergoes a metamorphosis and emerges in a new and beautiful form."-"American Bible Society"

I've missed being with you these past few weeks, but I have been extremely busy, just living my daily life and starting new endeavors which I hope are positive changes, not only for my life, but for you, my blog readers, as well.

This time of year, the spring and Easter seasons, are a time of new life, a time of renewal.

This is the time of year that I evaluate my own life to see how far I've gone and where else I need to go.

Right now, Greg and I are trying to change our eating habits from eating conventional food to food that is organic and healthier.  One book that has helped us greatly with this is "The Food Babe Way" by Vani Hari.*  Check it out!  It's a real eye-opener.  You'll never look at food the same again after reading this book.  Also good is Vani's website, foodbabe.com.*

We're on the lookout for places to eat that have organic food, but that has been a bit of a challenge for us.  However, just today, our niece Bonnie filled us in on a new restaurant in Franklin, Tennessee, Thrive Cafe, that has organic, gluten-free and dairy-free food.  She also mentioned  Vegan Vee, a gluten-free bakery in Nashville.

One place Greg and I enjoy eating is at the Whole Foods food bar.*  Whole Foods seems to be really catching on, since more and more of their health food stores are opening all the time.  I believe as word gets out on what conventional food is really like, there will be even more restaurants, etc. that serve genuinely healthy food.

All the while, I'm trying to be more positive with different things, like posting more sayings on my special bathroom bulletin board, like, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.-Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Also, the other day while I was in the dentist's office waiting room, I decided that instead of sitting in a chair to wait, I'd go look at the reading material on a nearby table.  I felt like there was something on it that I needed to see, so I kept searching, and there it was, an intriguing little book that seemed to be calling to me, "Going the Extra Smile" by George Foreman.*  On the cover it said, "Discover the Life-Changing Power of a Positive Outlook."  I glanced through the book that tells how George Foreman went from being a very negative, angry person to one who smiles and has love in his heart for everyone.  It's now on Amazon at a bargain price and has excellent reviews.

I'm currently working on a new website which should be up and running soon.  I'll let you know when it's ready.  It will be a place of the arts-art, photography, and writing.  I'm excited about it, and I hope you will like it.  I'll try to connect with you more often then, once it gets going.

*Disclaimer:  What is right for me, may not be right for you.  Please use your own judgment on anything I recommend.

Positive thought:  "Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life."-S. D. Gordon
Thanks for visiting!  Until Sunday, May 3 (or sooner!), Becky

Merridee's Breadbasket Is a Favorite

Welcome!

I just wanted to let you know about a great place to go for breakfast, lunch, or dessert.  It's called Merridee's Breadbasket in Franklin, Tennessee.  There's just something about the place that makes you want to go back again and again.

Greg and I have been there twice, once for a delicious lunch, and recently, we popped in for dessert*as we were just quickly passing through town on our way to somewhere else.  That won't be our last time there as Merridee's could easily become addictive.  I'm sure we're not the only ones who feel this way, as it's been crowded both times we've been there.  It seems to be a favorite spot for a lot of people in the area.

In addition, Merridee's Breadbasket has been written about in "Southern Living" magazine and has had other honors, as well.  For all of the details, visit their website.  (See F.Y.I. below.)

It's a charming place, decorated with what else?, but...

pretty baskets, of course.

It's comfortable, because of the atmosphere and the friendly staff.

A Cozy Corner

And, the food is wonderful!

Italian Cream Cake

Mocha Fudge Brownie

(*Greg and I treat ourselves to sweets once or twice a month.)

The breads and desserts are made from scratch and baked fresh.

"I judge a restaurant by the bread and by the coffee."
-Burt Lancaster
(Bet Mr. Lancaster would most certainly approve of Merridee's Breadbasket!)

F.Y.I.
Merridee's Breadbasket
(since 1981)
110 Fourth Avenue South
Franklin, TN 37064
615-790-3755
www.merridees.com



Positive thought: "The smell of good bread baking, like the sound of lightly flowing water is indescribable in its evocation of innocence and delight."-M. F. K. Fisher
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday (a busy weekend coming up!), Becky