garden update - fall colors

Fall is a gorgeous time of year in Chattanooga, and my house is not exception.

I'm so spoiled.  There is color everywhere, which makes me happy, because there was not a lot blooming this summer.

My garden strategy for the first year in my new-to-me house has been to let things go as natural as possible, and see what sprouted on it's own. It's been survival of the fittest, Darwin Style.

Spring was full of wonderful surprises. Daffodils (or jonquils as my grandmother calls them) irises, and even a few hyacinths and tulips dotted the garden and gave me an idea of what my great grandmother's gardens may have looked like.  Summer brought the daylillies, a few wild black-eyed susans, but not much else.  I'm not going to lie, I was pretty bummed.  As the leaves filled out, my house became more and more shaded.  Great for my power bill, but I really don't think 'deep shade' is so great for most blooming plants.

The flip side to all that shade is the show the trees are putting on.  It's absolutely gorgeous right now, especially around the pond.

Edit 10/25/12: I'm adding this post to the Fall Color Project 2012 over at Growing the Home Garden.

(Re)Discover Chattanooga - Glen Gene Deli

I feel like I give a lot of love to downtown on this blog, but not my neck of the woods...East Brainerd.

Glen Gene Deli is one of my go-to lunch stops, and I think it's time to share it with everyone.

'My' Glen Gene is off Shallowford Road, near Hamilton Place Mall.  It's convenient to work, (I can get in and out the back way without getting sucked into mall and interstate traffic) and the food is consistently good, not amazing, but really nice for a quick lunch out.  The menu includes all the lunch staples, sandwiches, salads, and burgers, with a few welcome additions - sandwiches "in a sack" and deserts.

I don't know about you, but anything in a pita feels healthier than the same sandwich in a bun.  My favorites include The Gyro, Chicken in a Sack, and when I'm throwing the diet to the wind, the Philly Cheese Steak in a Sack.  The sacks are a good size, but I've also been known to order a side of tater tots.  Seriously, who doesn't loved the fried potato glory that are tater tots??

Most days I stick with the drive-thru (so I can spend my lunchbreak glued to twitter & Pinterest), but if you dine in, they have a nice little bar with all the sandwich & burger fixings, so you can make everything just the way you like it.

here,  click image for more detail

The other thing I love about Glen Gene is their dessert menu.  This is where you can tell someone put some love into the menu.  You've got pie by the slice, and more milkshakes than I've been able to try so far.  A Cinnamon Toast Crunch Milkshake you say?? That's just one of the fun toppings they have on the menu.

here, click image for more detail

Glen Gene Deli:

Hours: 10AM to 9:30PM,  "Every Day Ending With Y"

 Website | East Brainerd Location on Facebook | Hixson Location on Facebook

East Brainerd Location:

7025 Shallowford Road
Chattanooga, TN 37421
423.899.7733

Hixson Location:
5748 Highway 153
Hixson, TN 37343
423.877.9997
 

(Re)Discover Chattanooga - River Rocks

It's time for River Rocks!



And I'm excited.  If you're new to Chattanooga, or feel like you're stuck in a routine and not taking advantage of all Chattanooga has to offer, River Rocks is a great way to get out and explore.  River Rocks is a fun, 10 day event that focuses on all that Chattanooga has to offer outdoors.

One thing I love about River Rocks is that they have chosen to advance their mission of land conservation by showcasing "the incomparable natural resources of the region and the activities they inspire, the health benefits of an active outdoor lifestyle and Chattanooga’s commitment to environmental stewardship and land conservation."(1) They really want everyone to have fun, and develop an appreciation for the area that we live in.

This year there are over 100 events that range from free to what I consider pricey, but there seriously is something for everyone.  There are clinics and races, festivals and art demonstrations, nature walks & volunteer opportunities.  This video is another sample:



For me, the highlights this year are Wine Over Water, The Hot Air Balloon Glow, The Tennessee River Rescue, countless SUP Paddle board Classes & races on the Tennessee River, Yoga at the Aquarium, The Bike Share Parade, The Gig Concert featuring musicians live in Chattanooga AND in LA, countless hikes, and a sculpture burn.  I won't be participating, but the Rock Creek Stump Jump 50k & 11 mile trail runs are popular and, from what I hear, gorgeous.  

If anyone questions why Chattanooga was names the Best Outdoor City by Outside Magazine, just check out the full list of River Rocks events, and remember that this is just 10 days of the year.

I highly encourage everyone to browse through the list of events on the River Rocks website, or just head down to the riverfront this weekend.  The weather is going to be great!

Paul says it will be like this

 (1) here

football picks

If you follow my blog, or especially if you follow me on twitter, you know that I  think football season is the most wonderful time of the year.  Not much makes me happier than tailgating and watching football.

My friend Phats over at BOILER UP with Phats, has a really great series on his blog where each Thursday during football season he offers his picks on the games in the coming weekend.  He's a die hard Boilermaker, and he also does picks for the teams that his readers follow, and it's a lot of fun.  He also asks a different reader to be a guest picker each week, and you can see who does better, the guest picker or Phats.

You probably know where this is going...this was my week to pick.  Phats likes to put me in an awkward spot, and chose me because two of my teams, Clemson and Georgia Tech are playing each other this week.  The fun thing about picking games for Phats, is that this being the internet and all, his reader's teams are from all over the country and the NFL.   If you want to see who I picked, and see some of the oddest mascots in College Football, check out this week's post over at BOILER UP with Phats.