Tag: Restaurants

Filing a Police Report and Celebrating our 30th Anniversary in Nashville

On By BackporchwriterIn Food, Nashville, Relationships, Restaurants6 Comments

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Filing the Police Report

After filing the police report for the identity theft where someone tried to file unemployment claim in my name, we could then get on with our Anniversary Saturday plans. I had never set foot in a police department before so it was interesting. There was traffic court going on. We went in and a big sign said if we needed to file a police report to call using the phone in the corner. And then wait. So we did just that. I was expecting someone to come to us from within the building but a police officer drove up from the street and came in to help us. We went into a room. I told him what happened and gave him a copy of the claim that my employer had given me. He spent a long time looking at the report and taking notes. And I’m thankful they let me know so I could try to fix or block any damage done. Luckily no damage that we are aware of anyway and we’ve checked all the main things and no one can open new accounts either. We have a great police force here. The walls inside the police station were filled with big happy pictures of the crew within the neighborhoods and a canine dog – I wondered if it was one that had been a good one that passed or perhaps one that is still living now that they use. Anyway, an interesting time and we went home after that and got ready for our anniversary day out.

The title of this blog today is not a title I thought I’d be using for today’s blog, lol. Kinda catches your attention though doesn’t it. At least I’m lucky that the police were not separating us during our 30 year anniversary, lol! The way the title reads it kinda sounds like the anniversary went awry, but we had a great time!

Anniversary Celebration

We headed out just after the huge rains had past. Can you see that strange patch of blue? It was the strangest blue I’ve seen amidst rain clouds, with these white clouds passing under it and behind it. While we still had very cloudy skies, it was at least a bit lighter and only misty rain at times but I was glad it was not raining during times we were walking somewhere or driving on the interstate. I had prayed for that and God obliged. So we drove into downtown and into the Gulch where are rooftop experience awaited.

It was not possible to get both us and the view from inside. So now you see us!

Now you don’t!

We enjoyed the rooftop drinks. Has to be a special occasion for these drinks as they are about a 50% mark up from a normal restaurant. Usually with cutesy names, a bit of decor in the drink, and a pricey little view. But we love to do this about once a year! I mean, we were mainly paying for the rooftop view!

Blue Stripes Cacao Shop, Nashville TN in The Gulch

For the first time ever, we went to a Cacao shop. I had heard that cacao was very good for you. So we ordered cacao cappuccino for each of us. It was perfect! I loved it. I want another! We got it to go and headed back to our car. The Gulch area was very busy and alive. You can see the angel wings in this pic in the distance where there is always a line to get your pic taken for instagram and social media! lol. Every city has it’s cool spot I guess to get your pic taken to prove you were there?

Then we drove over to Frugle MacDoogal’s. It has been the cheap place (sometimes but not always) to buy wine, liquor, and there’s a beer section too. It’s been there for years and years and years. I can remember it being there in the 80’s. I bought a bottle of wine for me. And we bought some club soda to make a citrus bubble drink for me with orange juice and I bought some bitters too. George bought a bottle of wine to go with our dinner tonight – might even be to cook our dinner in, I’m not sure. But anyway we made a stop while we were there. And they also had a tequila tasting going on.

The tequila on the right was $129 tequila. I was really impressed that we got to taste it. It was smooth of course. But I would never pay that much for tequila. I hardly ever have tequila at home anyway. I only drink it when we get a margarita and that is usually at a Mexican restaurant if I’m in the mood for it.

Then on to our 5:00 p.m. reservations at Rolf and Daughters. There was some security to knowing that we would be in Nashville and out of Nashville before dark. Not saying that all places are unsafe. And probably where there are lots of people you are generally safe. In this day and age that is a false sense of security if there is an active psycho shooter. But that could happen anywhere. But I did feel good that we had early reservations. We normally would shoot for six or seven p.m. but they were all booked up so we went with five p.m. and that was fine with me.

Rolf and Daughter’s Restaurant, Nashville, TN

The menu often requires some explanation, which is part of the fun and can be part of the mystery. Even when explained, you still are not sure what it will be like. I believe if you like to experiment and perhaps go off on the ledge a bit, you will find that you are absolutely smitten with this place and will look forward to coming again.

If you are a picky eater you still might do alright as for example, on this menu there was a chicken dish, pork dish, and some pasta dishes. So the waiter can help you choose something on the conservative side. I chose to go more on the seafood side. The bass caught my attention. It was good but I think if I could choose again, I’d do something different. But I got to taste what that was like. And I’m sure my body thanked me for the fish. I like to eat fish once every couple of weeks. Would prefer every week but usually doesn’t work out that way.

We ordered the bread and seaweed butter which was excellent! George ordered the Agnolotti, sweet corn, jalapeño, lime and pecorino. Which was like sweet corn ravioli. We got the hamachi which was calamari over peas with green onions on a red sauce which was a little spicy but not hot.

We had mousse and olive oil ice cream for dessert. It was out of this world eaten together!

I had coffee with dessert.

We did some damage! ha. But we chose to do this instead of taking off and spending money on travel and hotel. There is just so much going on and so much we are wanting to do. And we love our Saturday excursions. We’ll be able to do more of that next year we hope but the day we planned was perfect and just what we wanted to do. We explored new foods and new drinks and had a blast being together and doing our excursion things.

You’d never find the place if you just went looking for it! But oh, word of mouth gets out. It is a popular spot. And one we are loving to share with you! We highly recommend it if you are a foodie type and not too picky about trying new gourmet dishes. You likely will not be stuffed here when you leave – but you will feel perfect and pleasantly satisfied, in my opinion. Let your waitress or waiter help you in determining the dishes that are right for you. I would suggest that this is a share all the dishes type of experience. It doesn’t have to be, but I recommend that whatever dish is on the table, you share with all so all can get a taste.

For the most part, I like what I see when I look back at our 30 year marriage! Yeah there were some rough patches but there are always those. Yeah, even today, our marriage is not perfect, but I’m happy to be where I am and with who I am. I think over all we made the correct choices for ourselves and good decisions along the way. It may have got started off in rocky ways but I think God knew what He was doing when we both prayed to lead us in the right directions.

God can see the bigger picture, when we cannot always see it.

And back home again to our wonderful little and growing Mount Juliet, TN. What a wonderful evening.

In George’s card, I told him of 30 ways I loved him.

Yeah there’s probably more reasons to love George! But those are the thirty I listed as they came to mind. I teased him that there were just only thirty, lol.

Now today, I will work on catching up, resting, cleaning, working in my office and whatever I need to do to make the week a bit easier! I’ll see you in the morning and let you know what I accomplished today in my free time (oh how I love my free time) and I’ll give you our week’s outlook.

What grand and glorious things – or restful things – or busy things – are you doing this weekend?

Candied Rib in Mount Juliet, McKay’s Haul, Czann’s New Nashville Brewery, and Our Bucket List Update

On By BackporchwriterIn Books, Brewery, Food, Nashville, Restaurants, Shopping10 Comments
Sauces of The Candied Rib, Mount Juliet

We really enjoyed our day yesterday. I was feeling a bit of anxiety not having much time at home this weekend. I did manage to get the laundry washed (not folded and nothing ironed), but we sure enjoyed our time celebrating George’s birthday. (See previous blog entries over the last few days.) Now it’s time to fast! lol.

We went to the Candied Rib after church yesterday. The food was great. They are newly opened and are not serving their entire menu yet. They were a little harried – working the kinks out – and ran out of ribs before Noon – and they close at 2. (Yikes, I know that made them anxious, as “ribs” are in their title). But everyone, including the customers were nice. I think we are all getting used to the scramble of Covid and actually are pushing to help those new restaurants who are trying so hard to come to this area with its recent boom of new growth. I told George for Christmas shopping, I want to shop local. I know we’ll buy on Amazon too, but I really want to at least try to support the locals if we can find things that we want to give people for Christmas. A lot of them are Mom and Pops. And we need that. A community needs that. But the Candied Rib has something special and they will work through this! Word of mouth is spreading about this place and they will be more prepared in the weeks to come. It’s fine line I know with the COVID blow up that is happening and just starting to reach our community in the last week or so. But what they have going is “take out” and that should enhance their business in a big way.

What I liked about the Candied Rib was they had good smoked meats and they had a great salad. It was farm fresh greens. I can’t find good fresh greens like I had yesterday and the carrots and cucumbers —- oh yeah. Mom laughed when I said “wow this tastes like a real cucumber”.

Farm to Table ingredients on my Simpleton Salad from Candied Rib with Smoked Chicken added

Now I kinda wished I’d added the tomato basil soup! Next time. This actually filled me up though. It had chic peas.

McKay’s Bookstore Haul and George’s Trading Secrets

Then George and I went to McKay’s bookstore because he loves the place. Let me just go into detail about George and his beloved McKaye’s.

1. He actually has an excel spreadsheet of all the things he wants to buy: books, CD’s, movies, and so forth. He keeps it going and crosses off what he finds and then adds things to it and takes it back next time to look again. They may not have it one trip but the next they might.

2. He goes to yard sales and buys books, CD’s, games, DVD’s and all the things that they take and buy from you at McKay’s – and he gets credit on his account.

3. He had $365 worth of credit yesterday. I got to help spend some and he always encourages me to find things. I am just behind on the reading!

4. He goes every chance he gets. It’s on the OTHER side of Nashville so it’s hard to get to and I guess he probably goes about once a quarter.

5. He listens to the CD’s he buys on his commute and puts songs on the CD’s that he likes, on his iTunes, and then trades the CD back to McKay’s.

6. Of course he also reads books and turns them back in as well.

So he loves his transactions and interactions with McKay’s.

Here’s my haul. George was impressed that I took longer than he did. Usually I’m having to wait for him. I go to the travel section and the audiobook section normally, and I added the Puzzle section and DVD Movie section yesterday. Yesterday the crowds were horrendous. There were too many people around the audio book section so I gave up. I didn’t want to be THAT close to people. I’m fully vaxxed but still it’s only 60 to 80 % effective. And I think I can still pass it on to others, if I have understood correctly. So yeah – I opted out on the Audio. I get it “free” anyway – well it’s not actually free but I get an audio a month through audible that is already paid for through the monthly app fee. I have a credit to use up now.

Here’s the Books and DVD’s:

And here’s the Puzzles. They are not all Ravenburger and they could have pieces missing. But I went for it since we had the credit. The Christmas puzzle was one I had on my Amazon Wish List.

Then we went to CZann’s new brewery location. It was easier to get to and park and much bigger than the downtown Nashville location. It also had an outside seating area to it. It used to be a church I think. It looks that way at least. Nice brews as always. We will try to make it back for the Pumpkin Ale, coming before too long! It’s juuuussst right! We look forward to it every year. Missed it last year.

George imitating the Czann pic.

So….we managed to dodge most of the rain somehow the last couple of days. Somehow! Thank you Lord for the protection. And we have some tropical systems that will be bringing us a lot of rain this week.

On the way home last night we brought in the family pack of Captain D’s. And that was good but oh my – I paid for it last night. I just can’t eat fried food like that. Also didn’t sleep too well.

Bucket List

We assessed the Bucket List yesterday and we are doing pretty good! Better than we usually do. We have checked a lot off. We are over zealous in our planning. These are mainly just options. But surprisingly we are checking lots of them off.

And I had to laugh when I looked back at my photography session for you all. I have a store in my bedroom:

The Week Ahead

I was thinking this was an easy week with no appointments but there are a few once I turned the calendar. I have a hair appt Wed evening. And we have a wine reception, a special meal and touring an old plantation property with our financial advisor on Thursday. It’s the neighborhood that he lives in. We are excited about that. And then this weekend, I think we have nothing and I’d like to keep it that way. Also Thursday George takes Mom for the PreDry Wall Walk Thru of her new house. I’m grateful he is taking that one. As I have all the doc appts.

Prayers Needed

Little Roo’s Day Care teacher has COVID and also there are some other people that I know that have it that don’t want it mentioned. So please pray for these folks. Little Roo’s day care teacher is hospitalized. Also prayers needed for Katy and Cody who are struggling and scrambling to find day care. She started back to school this week, so horrible timing. And Cody, although works nearby on the ranch, still has responsibilities he has to attend to. So they are having to drive to another city where someone at their church has taken a couple of days. But help this situation. We are far away and can’t help. Even if they were here, we work too but it’s just a bad situation.

And I’ll be doing payroll tomorrow, so no blog post. Wednesday I may post, if not it’ll be Thursday. Haven’t been able to work on the video in several days. It’s just been too busy after work and my weekend was all taken up this weekend. I will have to do housework in the evenings on the evenings I have available anyway – today and tomorrow only it looks like. Need to iron and fold all the laundry I washed. lol. We had too much fun and now have to cram all the chores in – or they will sit and await me on the weekend. George started to make plans and I said “noooooooooo”!

Over and Out!

What is PopShelf? A Happy Shop! And Other Weekend Excursions

On By BackporchwriterIn Restaurants, Shopping3 Comments

We have a new store in these parts, PopShelf, owned by Dollar General. First of all the colors “popped” from the road that made me go “what kinda store is that”. What a great marketing strategy. Immediately what did we do? (Well after we were not driving anymore). We googled it to see what it was and then said “let’s go”. So while we were with my SIL and BIL yesterday, we decided to do just that.

What kinda of store, you say? Well, I walked in to pretty soaps and smell goods and “capture your eye” decor and then lots of storage containers for your home of many styles. There are party supplies, toys, cosmetics, kitchen gear, crafts supplies and materials. Just about anything you need for those quick “one stop and shop” items when you don’t want to walk through Walmart. They even had some frozen foods, snack isles, seasonal items, and it was just a fun place to shop. I will go back quite often. There is one in the Hermitage, TN area near Nashville and near us. And there is one in Hendersonville, TN. I believe I read there is also one in Clarksville, but they are popping up in neighborhoods. Most of the items are $1 to $5 but not all. There are some $8 to $10 I believe. And guess what? You scan it yourself. There is someone there to help in the middle of the square of 4 scanners. They also have the lady shopper’s dream – cute bags that you can use later for toting. ;-), a smaller version of the Cracker Barrel type bag, but white with their logo. I just happened to have enough stuff that I needed two! If you have one near you, go check it out. It’ll become a regular stop. It’s what I call “a Happy Shop”.

What did I buy? Well, we have been on a shopping spree of sorts lately – mainly groceries and the Dollar Store. We have been to Sam’s also – so we didn’t need much in the way of household supplies or food staples, but we did make splurges on snacks meaning maple cookies, chocolate peanut butter cookies (kinda like the Girl Scout cookies). I bought some laundry detergent pods so I’d have a back up. We bought Mom some candy she had been looking for that we’d not been able to find anywhere else. She’s always loved these “circus peanuts”. We’d have bought more if I had not already had a big huge shopping week already. But oh —we’ll be baaaaack! And with pleasure.

This shopper loves PopShelf! Trendy and Perfect! Oh and they even have $1 greeting cards – cute ones of all kinds.

I have to laugh at the “fat free”. Hmmmmm. Anyway Mom got her candy and we have our cookies for an after meal “digestive” as the Europeans call it. Or is that just the Italians. I like their thinking. One MUST have a cookie for things to digest. And they DO say a little bit of “fat” helps it absorb – instead of just going directly to our backsides. lol. Well, that’s what “they” are saying now.

George’s Birthday Weekend Continues

Ya’ll help me remember to have a weeklong birthday in January ok?

Flight at Half Batch Brewing, Hendersonville, TN

We always love meeting my SIL and BIL here and have done so through the years. But guess what? Their beautifully recently remodeled house is up for sale in Gallatin the next quick town over. They will be moving closer to us (part time and temporarily) to an apartment in Lebanon. We’ve been hanging out in Lebanon a lot lately too instead of going toward Nashville. Lebanon is beginning to boom as is our area with the newly added Amazon distributing center. I mean whooooaaa, wooded areas and farms get a big road and an Amazon distribution center so big it meets the horizon “down yonder” and then the area just explodes. My SIL and BIL have a condo in the mountains of East TN near their 1 year old granddaughter. And during Covid days BIL could work from the condo. Now they need them in the office some in Hendersonville – but the house market booming and retirement days not far away, they decided to sell their house. In the Lebanon area, apartment prices (right now) a little more reasonable and they were ready for a change of area, and it’s not too bad of a drive – maybe 40 minutes for the few days he has to drive in to work. We are happy to have them closer to us for when they are here. Yay!

We also went out to eat and to Sam’s and to PopShelf.

Blossom Thai, Hendersonville, TN

We went to a new restaurant, Blossom Thai. The food was very good. The menu displayed asterisks of all the dishes they were not serving or out of. The wait was very long and there was a sign that asked that we please understand. These signs are popping up everywhere since people are choosing to sit at home instead of work. With rent paid for and forgiven and extra incoming coming in due to Covid, I guess they don’t bother. So we all wait when we go out to eat. It’s all becoming very European it sounds. Eating is becoming a very long and communal experience, lol.

I am Christian and so I didn’t really understand the Buddhist “shrine”. It was explained to me, but I still don’t get it. So is some Buddha God supposed to swoop down when no one is looking and eat the pineapple and sip the water? I’m really not making fun, I seriously don’t understand. I know as a Christian though it made me feel uncomfortable being admisdt a bunch of Buddha statues. God made it clear he is not happy with any other God’s but him and He says He is the only one true God and He detests the man made statues. I’m just telling you what I know as a Christian. So this was odd to me.

But I did understand “Egg Roll”, LOL.

My dish above, was the “Pad Kra Pow”. It was good but VERY salty and pretty hot for a dish with no warning label. Or those cute little peppers they usually put by a dish to let you know it has some heat. But that said, again for the 3rd time, the food was good! I enjoyed my hot tea also. It was Jasmine tea.

So we’ve had a lot of fun this weekend. Friday night, going back in time, we ate at Bubbakoo’s Burrito, in Mount Juliet. It was great. A “build your own” situation of taco’s, taco salad, burritos, quesadillas and so forth. Loved it.

Meanwhile in Texas

Guess who’s a big boy now? He’s learning to drink from a “sippy” cup!

Ok, over and out, being rushed this morning. Off to church. And another birthday excursion. lol