A Special Time of Year

Welcome!

The Christmas season is such a special time of year, and we all get busy with our Christmas-related activities.

This year was really busy for me since I got a large order for my genuine Appalachian Mountain coal jewelry and magnets just a few weeks ago. I was trying to quickly get it done so that the store that ordered it would have plenty of time to display it for their customers to buy for Christmas gifts.

Working with coal is pretty challenging, but I'm up to the challenge. I'm used to it.  A person said to me one time that art was easy, but obviously that person was not an artist!

Coal Magnet of the Inn at Wise

I love doing my art (coal, portraits, photography, writing, etc.).

In fact, I love all of the arts, including the theater.

A few days ago I was lucky to be invited by friends to "Chaffin's Barn Theatre" in Nashville.

Photo Taken by a Chaffin's Barn Staff Member

During Thursday matinees, you can bring your own food, so we were treated to Carole's wonderful gourmet dishes which even included apple cake!

We got to see a production that is very timely for this time of year, "Elf," which is a musical. It was really well-done-excellent acting, singing, and dancing. It was a very high-energy show, never a dull moment. (Before we went in, I was concerned that I might fall asleep since I'd been up late the night before working on my coal order, but there was no danger of that during this production!)

I'd never been before to Chaffin's, and I'm so thankful to have been invited.

The bottom line: Go, at least once! (However, bet you can't go just once!)

Photo Courtesy of Lynn Ashley

FYI:
chaffinsbarntheatre.com

I'm looking forward to more Christmas celebrating during the next few weeks, and I wish you happy celebrations ahead.

In fact,

(Outside Chaffin's Barn)

Positive thought: "For unto you is born this day in the city of  David a Savior which is Christ the Lord."-Luke 2:11

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, January 6, 2019, Becky

Homestead Manor in Tennessee

Welcome!

On this post, I have a very special place to share with you, Homestead Manor, located in Thompson's Station, Tennessee.

Greg and I had been wanting to go to a local farmer's market, and decided we'd try the one in Thompson's Station, at Homestead Manor, and we're so glad we did, since we got much more than we expected!

This May-October farmer's market features locally grown produce, home-baked goods, and various crafts, as well as several other offerings such as raw honey and bison.

I bought an organic cantaloupe from Arrowhead Farms which was the best one I ever tasted!

While there, Kate filled us in on the lovely old plantation-style house next door, Homestead Manor, which she told us is a restaurant, now.

F.Y.I.

Since Greg and I love old houses, especially plantation-style ones, we decided to go check it out.

We ended up having lunch there...

and, a delicious one it was!

The food was gourmet and very healthy! Their organic vegetables, etc. either come from their farm or from farms in the surrounding area. (Also, you don't leave hungry since the portions served are generous, unlike some gourmet restaurants we have been to!)

We spotted a couple of luscious-looking strawberry shortcakes go by our table, so we decided to split one. Great decision! Yum! (All homemade! They even make their own bread.)

Food humor-"A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand."
-Author Unknown

After lunch, Hannah, our personable waitress, took us on an interesting tour of the mansion which we really enjoyed. Each room was professionally decorated with different themes for the different periods of the house. Rich in local history, Homestead Manor is on the National Register of Historic Places.

If you'd like, you can even have homestead Manor fix you a picnic lunch to go.

Also, it's a beautiful place to have a wedding!

Homestead Manor in Thompson's Station, Tennessee is a multi-faceted event place that we would highly recommend to anyone. In fact, our afternoon there was one of the most memorable, enjoyable ones that we've ever had!

F.Y.I.
www.homesteadmanor.com

Happy Fourth of July weekend!

Positive thought: "Good food is wise medicine."-Alison Levitt
Thanks for visiting! Until next weekend, Becky

Circa Grill in Thompson's Station

Welcome!

A couple we know told us about a wonderful little gem of a restaurant (in the small town of Thompson's Station, Tennessee, with a population of around 2,600), Circa Grill.  Although it's not the type of restaurant we typically visit (We usually go for down home Southern country cooking, nothing fancy.), we were pleasantly surprised.

Circa Grill is an American Modern restaurant with Cajun/Creole food.  Although it's upscale, it's also cozy and casual at the same time.  The rural setting makes it even more unique.

During the warmer months, you can dine outside on the front porch.

However, since the temperature was around 45-degrees, we decided that indoors was a much better option!

We still had a good view of the scenery across the street which even included a caboose and pretty farmland.

The decor is stylish and vintage-

There is even a bar for those so inclined-

The food is Southern, gourmet, and delicious!

"...So many times we settle for routine dishes...try new cuisines."
Mario Batali

Greg thoroughly enjoyed the "BBQ Cheddar Burger" with "hand cut fries," because this menu selection encompassed all three of his favorite foods which are barbecue, cheeseburgers, and potatoes!

I decided to be a good little girl and eat salad, so I opted for the "Curried Pecan & Pear Salad" (not pictured) which I thought was beyond gourmet!

Our compliments to the chef, Lance Holcomb!

Our server Jo was was helpful and personable.

We were really impressed with our visit, and look forward to their Sunday brunch sometime.  We heard their biscuits were especially tasty!

F.Y.I.
Circa Grill
1549 Thompson's Station Road West,
Thompson's Station, TN 37179
615-614-2079
www.circagrill.com

Check out our latest photos on iStock:
http://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/rebecca-arnott#10f6e9a3

Positive thought: "...You have to be displaced from what's comfortable and routine, and then you get to see things with fresh eyes, with new eyes."-Amy Tan
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky