The House

I'm Getting Gardening Fever!

Last year I really wanted a small vegetable garden, but I was not able to do the work involved in getting one planted. So, over the last few months, I have been looking around the internetz and Pinterest, and gardening websites, and and and…I have figured out a way to make a raised garden that I won’t have to bend over or do heavy work like digging or raking or all that other stuff to get it prepared and planted. It involves using some normal everyday things in unique ways to accomplish my goals.

Yes, yes, I am going to use those two green canvas camp chairs for part of it. I might even use another blue canvas chair that has been under the back porch for more than a year. These chairs seem to be unstable at best, and they are very difficult for me to get up out of if I sit in them. So, they are going to be re-purposed into a veggie garden.

The concrete well head that is in our yard, covering up an old, out of use well, will also be incorporated into my garden. The last time you saw this, it was when I was planking you for voting for me in a contest. If ( and I really mean when) this garden is up and running, I will be showing you pictures of it every Friday for the entire gardening season. I am so excited and just can not wait!

So, I am planning to plant swiss chard, onions, kale, and English peas first. Later on, I want to plant some green beans, squash, peppers, and eggplant and some tomatoes. If you had a little garden, what would be your “must have” vegetable to plant in it?

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Around West Georgia: Christmas Candlelight Concert Still Needs Participants

Karen · 1 Comment

Do you like to sing? Want to be a part of a community choir program?

The Rome-Floyd Visitor Center and the Greater Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau are still looking for participants for the Fourth Biennial Christmas Candlelight Concert at the Forum in historic Downtown Rome. This free concert will take place Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013 at 7:00 p.m., and is sponsored by the Greater Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau, Rome’s Own Musical Ensembles (R.O.M.E.) and the Forum.

The concert will feature an en mass choir comprised of community, school, church groups and individuals accompanied by a large orchestra led by Sam Baltzer. Doug Walker of the Rome News-Tribune will present the traditional Christmas story from the book of Luke and WRGA’s Nelle Reagan will read One Solitary Life. The program will also feature several soloists.

The concert in 2011 drew a crowd of approximately 2,500 people from around Northwest Georgia.

All choirs and individuals from high school age and up are invited to participate in this non-denominational community event. Traditional Christmas music is sung in response to the reading of the birth of Jesus.

Choir members are asked to wear a solid bright-colored turtleneck and black slacks/skirts.

For more information:

To be a part of the event, participants are asked to sign-up by calling the Rome-Floyd Visitor Center at 706.295.5576 or emailing ann@romegeorgia.org. The deadline to sign-up is Monday, Nov. 25 by 5:00 p.m. A dress rehearsal will be held at the Forum on Monday, Dec. 9 at 6:00 p.m.

For more information, contact the Greater Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau at 706.295.5576.

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Save A Turkey: Go On A Bird Walk Instead

Karen · 2 Comments

Wild turkeys displaying their tail feathers

I have never thought about turkeys being beautiful until I saw this photo, sent to me by the National Forest Service. I have seen turkeys in the wild before, but never quite like this. If you want to have a chance to see one, you can visit your nearest national forest and go for a hike in the woods. Here is a sample listing of where to go, from a press release I received today:

Just for a brief spell, flee the turkeys at your Thanksgiving table and seek some wilder birds this year. Explore a foot trail at a national wildlife refuge, thrill to some seasonal wildlife, and emerge looking less like a butterball yourself.

These short walks or runs offer great bird viewing in late November. Some refuges will just be entering their peak migratory bird season. Join a planned Thanksgiving-theme event or venture out at your convenience.

Refuge trails are open sunrise to sunset daily, even on Thanksgiving Day when refuge visitor centers will be closed. Free trail maps are available outside the visitor center or at a refuge entrance kiosk. Add a scenic ride along a refuge Wildlife Drive. For more Refuge System trails, visit http://go.usa.gov/w9O.

CALIFORNIA
Bird Migration Walk— Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Saturday, November 30, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
See phalaropes and other shorebirds, wading birds and waterfowl. Meet at west end of Dumbarton Bridge. info and directions: 510-792-0222, ext. 141. No entrance fee. All programs are free.

Turkey Trot — Modoc National Wildlife Refuge
Thursday, November 28, 9 a.m.
5K walk/run. Look for mule deer and eagles. Expect to see lots of waterfowl, including Canada geese, pintails, mallards and shovelers. Event info: 530-233-3111. No refuge entrance fee. Event fee: $20

ILLINOIS
Wild Turkey Trail — Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge
Easy to moderate 1.7- mile trail leads through woods and offers a fine chance of seeing wild turkeys. For more of a challenge, take the connecting 2.2-mile Rocky Bluff Trail. Look for deer, woodpeckers, migratory birds. Entrance fee: $2 per vehicle.

MASSACHUSETTS
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Several short foot trails give you a chance to glimpse wild turkeys, marsh hawks, redtail hawks and waterfowl, including black ducks, mallards, blue- and green-wing teal. You might also see wild turkeys along Wildlife Drive. Entrance fee: $5 per vehicle.

MINNESOTA
Hillside Trail and Long Meadow Lake Trail — Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
From the Bloomington visitor center, the half-mile Hillside trail connects to the Long Meadow Lake Trail. Follow it around the floodplain wetland. Besides wild turkeys, you might spy coyote, deer, woodpeckers, waterfowl and songbirds. No entrance fee.

NEW JERSEY
Turkey Walk — Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Saturday, November 30, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Walk off that Thanksgiving turkey on an easy stroll along service roads. Meet at the Bluebird Parking Lot, Pleasant Plains Road. Besides wild turkeys (there but rarely spotted), you might see deer, red foxes, bald eagles, great blue herons, hawks, geese and ducks (including mallards, black ducks and pintail). No entrance fee.

NORTH CAROLINA
Bird Walks — Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
Thursdays and Fridays in November, 8 to 9:30 a.m.
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to see swans, snow geese, Canada geese and 500 species of ducks on the refuge’s managed ponds. Join a scheduled bird walk at North Pond. Or explore North Pond, South Pond and New Inlet Pond on your own. No entrance fee.

TEXAS
Chachalaca Trail — Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge
The half-mile trail offers a chance to see chachalaca — brown birds with a comical song—and many other wood birds. You could also spy an armadillo or a javelina. Entrance fee: $3.

VIRGINA
Wildlife Loop — Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
For a chance to see snow geese, walk or bike the 3.2-mile Wildlife Loop between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Day or Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Or reserve a space on a bus tour Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. or 2 p.m., or Sunday 9 a.m.: 757-336-3696. Adults $12; kids $6. The service road will be closed to cars.

WASHINGTON
Twin Barns Loop Trail — Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
This one-mile trail offers a good chance to see great blue herons, bald eagles, ducks and geese. Entrance fee: $3 per four adults; Age 16 and under free.

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Around West Georgia: Jeep® BringsThe “Cherokee Effect” To Georgia

Karen · 1 Comment

Want to be one of the first to test drive the new Jeep Cherokee models? The “Cherokee Effect” street team presented by the Jeep_® brand is coming to Atlantic Town Center located at 1380 Atlantic Drive from Friday, November 8 until Sunday, November 10. They will be offereing the north west Georgia community the opportunity to be among the first consumers to test-drive the all-new Jeep Cherokee. The will be available at these times:

Friday, 11/8 from 2:00pm – 9:00pm

Saturday, 11/9 from 10:00am – 9:00pm

Sunday, 11/10 from 12:00noon – 7:00pm

Accompanied by a Jeep Brand Ambassador, anyone age 18 and over with a valid driver’s license is eligible to test drive the new Jeep Cherokee and get entered into the 2013 Chrysler Group National Giveaway for a chance to win $45,000 towards any eligible Chrysler Group Vehicle.

Mark your calendar now if you want to get a chance to drive and win one of these new Jeep Cherokee vehicles!

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First Taste At Carrabba’s Italian Grill

Karen · 6 Comments

Fabgrandpa and I were invited to attend the First Tastes Event at Carrabba’s Italian Grill the other night.

We had never been to Carrabba’s before, so we were excited to be going. I had received a copy of the new item menu, along with pictures, so that we were really looking forward to this.

When we got there, we were greeted by the location manager, Susan, who took us to a table and gave us a drink and an appetizer because we got there half an hour early. She knew we were coming and asked me a little bit about my blog. That impressed me, because she took the time to get to know who was coming to her restaurant.

When the First Tastes started, we were seated at a long, tall table with other people who were there for the event. The food was served “family style” which meant we shared with others at the table. We sampled some of everything on the menu.

our "family" at the table — our “family” at the table

The first thing served was the Fire Roasted Stuffed Mushrooms. These were made with Crimini mushrooms stuffed sausage, red bell peppers, fennel, sauteed onion, brioche bread crumbs, artichoke hearts and romano cheese. The fennel was a very nice touch!

Oh! so good! I know we will order some next time we go. They are not gluten free, but they did taste good.They were accompanied by Sangria with citrus fruits:

The next thing they brought out was the Rigatoni Al Forno. This was a large pasta with marinara sauce, fennel italian sausage, and ricotta cheese. Again, not gluten free, but I did take a bite or two and it was delish! Carrabba’s, I wish you would have at least one pasta dish made with gluten free pasta.

The rigatoni was served with white Chardonay wine. It was a little bit sweet, which I love, and little bit dry.

Next up was one of my favorites of the night, Cedar Plank-Fired Salmon. This is pan seared, topped with jumbo lump crabmeat and fire-roasted on a cedar plank, topped with lemon butter sauce. My only complaint about this taste was that we only got a little bit of it!

The wine paired with this dish was the Vogel Pinot Noir, a dark red wine with a spicey flavor.

Fabgrandpa’s favorite: Bistecca Ardente. USDA Center cut sirloin wood-grilled, topped with imported bleu cheese, roasted tomatoes and fresh basil. I have never been a fan of bleu cheese until I tasted this. The pairing of the cheese, the basil and the steak was superb! And everyone at the table was talking about how good those roasted baby carrots were.

And then there was dessert!

I have only had Creme Brulee once before in my life, and it was home made by a friend. This one was soooo goood! The menu descibes it a a rich custard prepared with Madagascar vanilla bean and topped with torched sugar, whipped cream, and strawberries. I was sad to see the last bite go!

Fabgrandpa and I enjoyed our First Taste

Carrabba’s Italian Grill has several locations around metro Atlanta. We went to the one in Douglasville, on Chappel Hill Rd.

First Tastes is an exclusive preview event that occurs nationally on the same day at the launch of a new seasonal menu at Carrabba’s. Amici Club Members and a guest enjoy a complimentary tasting hosted by the managing partner of each Carrabba’s Italian Grill location. Carrabba’s Amicis, Italian for friends, are a group of customers who are brand loyalists and have asked to receive invitations to complimentary events, exclusive offers, flavorful rewards, and inside information about Carrabba’s.

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Around West Georgia: Wings Over North Georgia Air Show, Rome

Karen · 2 Comments

Yesterday Fabgrandpa and I went to Russell Field in Rome, Georgia to meet with the GEICO Skytypers before the Wings Over North Georgia Air Show opened to the public. The show is this weekend, October 12-October 13, 2013. The 2013 Smoke and Thunder BBQ Classic will also take place during the show. While none of this was going on while we were there, we still had a great time, and got a look at some of the things that went on the day before a big event.

Empty food concession booths will be filled up tomorrow!

We are not new to getting ready for big things. We worked for five seasons at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon for the National Park Service, so we were the ones who got things ready for the world to come to the canyon every year, and that was a lot of work. We were just glad we were there to observe yesterday!

These empty bleachers will be packed tomorrow.

The best part about the event we attended was getting to meet the GEICO Skytypers, an air team that writes giant letters in the sky that can be seen for miles. The press release for them says

“The team performs a thrilling, low-altitude, precision-formation flying demonstration. The pilots fly six WWII-vintage aircraft, coming from all directions and filling the sky to provide spectators a unique viewing experience while showcasing the tactics and maneuvers utilized in training during WWII.”

Me with some of the pilots. That’s me in the red shirt, hahahaha!

While talking with the pilots, I found out that the team originated after World War II, and the original team members were pilots during the war. The team has been together for five generations, and some of the current pilots are related to the original guys.

The GEICO Skytypers van. Isn't it gorgeous? — The GEICO Skytypers van. Isn’t it gorgeous?

I interviewed Chris Orr, the pilot on the far right in the picture above. Here are a few of the questions I asked him, and his answers:

Me: How long have you been flying?

CO: I’ve been flying since 1992, when I was a Navy pilot, so 21 years.

Me: How did you get into doing air shows?

CO: A friend of mine got me into it. I started out shuttling planes from one place to another for the show, and got to be a member of the flying team three years ago.

Me: (actually Fabgrandpa asked this one) Is this a full time job for you?

CO: I am actually a commercial pilot. Flying in the air show is a part time job. Most of the pilots in the air show are commercial pilots.

Me: Has your grandmother ever seen you perform in an air show.

CO: No, unfortunately my grandmother has passed on. But, she did see me fly when I was a Navy pilot and she was very proud of me. One of my grandmothers was actually a pilot, but I don’t think she ever got her license. She loved flying!

Me: How long does it take to learn a new routine or stunt?

CO: It takes a couple of months. We practice new routines in the spring before we start doing shows.

After my interview with Chris, we went over by the planes to take some pictures.

Another photographer who was there told them to pose “like pilots pose” and here is the result:

I had a chance to talk to the Skytypers manager, Vince Giampietro.

Me and Vince Giampietro, manager for GEICO Events.

Me: How long have you been with GEICO?

VP: I’ve worked with GEICO for 28 years. I manage many other GEICO events around the country, not just the Skytypers.

Me: How many air shows the Skytypers do each year?

VP: They do 12 shows per year.

Me: What is your favorite city for doing an air show?

VP: um, Rome, Georgia. (wink wink)

Fabgrandpa resting on the GEICO golf cart.

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Around West Georgia: Wings Over North Georgia Air Show | GEICO Skytypers

Karen · 7 Comments

If you live in the West Georgia Area, you are in for a treat on October 12 and 13, 2o13. The GEICO Skytypers will be performing at the Wings Over North Georgia Air Show in Rome at the Richard B. Russell Regional Airport. The 2013 Smoke and Thunder BBQ Classic will also take place during the same weekend.

Here is the itinerary for the show:

2013 Wings Over North Georgia Air Show Information
• Saturday –Sunday, October 12-13 (9am-5pm) event open (11am-430pm)–Air show
• Saturday–Sunday, October 12-13 (9am-5pm) Smoke-n-Thunder BBQ Classic
• Event Venue – Richard B. Russell Regional Airport
• For more information on the air show – www.wingsovernorthgeorgia.com
• Ticket Info –http://wingsovernorthgeorgia.com/guest-information/tickets/

The GEICO Skytypers are the only flying unit in the world that performs at air shows typing messages in the sky. For more information on the GEICO Skytypers, visit geicoskytypers.com. The team can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

This should be a fun event. I’m going. Are you?

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Finally Got Some Pictures Hung On The Wall

Karen · Leave a Comment

We have been living in this house since November. In all that time, we only put up some things on the dining room wall. Last week, we decided it was the day to hang things. I bought those two pieces of native American art in Arizona last year on the way home from the Grand Canyon. They look so good hanging up there, but the wall is so big it needs more, something else. I’m thinking about getting a mirror to put in between them. I think that would make for a really nice arrangement. What do you think of this one?

I put one of Becca’s paintings on another wall. Because of where it is located, it doesn’t seem to need anything else with it.

The print that we found at a thrift store in Bremen went on the short wall that separates the kitchen from the living room. We definitely need some more pieces over there. I’ll be looking in the thrift shops for more interesting pieces to go with it.

That is about as far as we got so far, but it is a good start. At least the walls are not as bare as they were, and it is starting to feel more like a home around here. I’m hoping to be able to paint those walls soon too. Ah, there is just so much to do in this house!

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