summer update

I am a firm believer that summer doesn't end just because the schools have started back.  The days are still long, the weather is still warm.  I'm not letting go.  But football is fast approaching, so I thought I'd take a look at my Chattanooga Summer To Do List, and let you know what I've done, and what I have left to do.

• Riverbend - I went and I loved it.  Warren Haynes was a highlight, not to mention the fireworks and the food. I got to hear about half the bands on my list, and stumbled on some bands I really enjoyed.  I blogged quite a bit about Riverbend this year so Here are Two of my posts.  Riverbend Website
• Farmer's Markets - I love the farmers markets!  I love how quiet and personal the experience is at the Brainerd Market.  I love the energy the crowd brings to the Downtown Market.  I've found lots of great tomatoes, fruits and veggies, but my favorite find this year is a rock with 2 wicks & a citronella reservoir for my front porch! (Mosquitos are not invited to porch night.)  Brainerd Market on Facebook Chattanooga Market on Facebook.
• TN Aquarium's new exhibit - I haven't been yet BUT have 3 young cousins coming in this weekend  This is not strictly a summer activity, so if I don't make it before the equinox, all will not be lost.Website
• River Rocks - This festival is one of the last of the summer, and I plan to up my participation from last year and attend two of the events.
• Chattanooga Lookouts game - Yes!  Lookouts games are a lot of fun. There are family and adult friendly activities all throughout the game.  They list the promotions online, and my advice is to go on one of the fireworks nights.  They put on a great show.  Here is my post about my first trip to see the Lookouts.
• Outdoor dining - This summer I've hung out outside at Blue Plate, Local 191, Hair Of The Dog, Blue Water, and Urban Stack...and I haven't hit 1/2 of the outdoor dining options.  This is one of the perks I love most about living in Chattanooga.
• Southern Brewers Festival - IS THIS WEEKEND! I'm so excited.  Woodchuck will be there, (important when you're allergic to hops) and so will P Groove & Drive By Truckers.  This formerly little festival brings together good people, good drinks, and good music all for local charity.  It's a great event.
• Ooltewah Nursery - I looked that this one and sighed.  My yard is a mess.  I've embraced my wildflowers (weeds to the untrained eye) but I desperately need to take a trip to a local, and nationally renowned nursery.
• Nightfall - I'm embarrassed to say that I haven't made it to nightfall.  Somehow my Friday nights never take me in that direction.  I need to work on that.

All in all even if I haven't blogged about it, I've done most of the things on this list and had a great summer in Chattanooga!

(Re)Discover Chattanooga - Pops in the Park

One of the things I love about Chattanooga, is how much the community supports the arts & local music. All year long there are free and/or affordable arts, music, and food festivals in town. Pops in the Park is a free concert showcasing the Chattanooga Symphony and put on by Chattanooga Presents.

In recent years the event has taken advantage of the great green spaces in Coolidge Park, nestled between two bridges, on the banks of the TN river. Coolidge is great because it sits between the Market & Walnut Street bridges on the North Shore of the TN river. The bridges define the space, & the view across the river to downtown is fantastic. The whole setting gives you a nice feeling of being close to downtown, but secluded & just a little separate from the energy of downtown. Its very peaceful.

This year Pops in the Park was the first performance of our new Maestra Kayoko Dan, fresh off her honeymoon. The crowd was huge, and the music was appropriately patriotic. American composers were featured in addition to the expected music. The Tennessee Waltz was played, an in a nod to the former & beloved Maestro of the Symphony, Bob Bernhardt, a little Star Wars theme was played as well.

The finale of the concert signaled the beginning of the fireworks. The Riverbend fireworks are a tough act to follow, especially on a budget which was so tight the whole even was almost cancelled, but I think everyone enjoyed it, and for me personally I know they were better than at Y Beach in Clemson. ;)

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!!

Free Stuff

Part of me getting into blogging has to be about me being a part of the blogging community, rather than me just talking about myself all the time. I want my blog to be fun, interesting and hopefully useful. FREE Stuff is always useful, so I thought I'd share this $100 Swim Spot Gift Certificate give-away from The Ultimate Gift Guide Blog today :) All you have to do to be entered is visit her blog, check out swimspot.com, & leave a comment about which swimsuit you would buy with your gift certificate. Easy enough.

SwimSpot.com features about 11 designer brands, and has a neat suit builder feature that lets you match tops and bottoms until you've found the swimsuit.

If I were to win this prize (and I really hope I do....with my recent move, my budget doesn't really have room for the perfect $97 swimsuit) this is what I would buy:

I love the neckline. Its classic with an elegant style that I love, but rarely get to take to the pool. I'm not a mom, so I don't feel the need to always be covered up, but this is perfect for early summer, or fall when its not quite warm or sunny enough to be working on my tan.