Some Like It Hot Video & Blog

In its December issue, Southern Living magazine spotlights two North Carolina eateries for their talent in making one of my favorite indulgences - banana pudding.  Gary’s Bar-B-Q in China Grove and Clara Marie’s Authentic Southern Bakery, located at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market, are both featured for their mastery of this Southern specialty. 

I’ve been meaning to plan a trip to Greensboro.  Did you know that Greensboro is the home of Replacements Ltd.?  For those of you unfamiliar with them, they are the largest selection of old & new dinnerware, china and crystal.  Replacements Ltd is a great place to visit online if you are looking for collectibles or if your china or crystal pattern has been retired, and you need a replacement piece.

Greensboro is also  a furniture shopper’s dream come true.  You can visit Boyles Furniture, Thomasville and Drexel Heritage all in one day.

If history is your thing, you could tour the city’s historic sites including Guilford College, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, the Greensboro Historical Museum, the Blandwood Mansion and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. 

Last but certainly not least, NASCAR fans can visit the museum that honors the seven-time Winston Cup Champion Richard Petty at the Richard Petty Museum. 

But back to where I started, banana pudding…send me your favorite recipes while I do some web surfing on its history.  I’m pretty darn sure, like all things wonderful in my life, it started in the South.

Until Next Time…

This year marked my family’s 50^th Anniversary of eating Thanksgiving dinner together.  Started by my great grandfather, each year somewhere around 60 folks get together to break bread, share stories of the past year, check out the newest “significant others” brought home by our college-aged kin (God love ‘em for their bravery) and remember days gone by. 

One of the things I love most about the holiday season are the traditions that make my family, my family.  First, we absolutely do not have Thanksgiving dinner without sausage.  Yes, we have the cornbread dressing, the mashed potatoes, the Turkey, the cranberry sauce, etc.  But, dinner absolutely cannot be served without someone having pattied out and fried up some Jimmy Dean sausage (preferably as spicy as it comes).  As I recall, it all started with my great grandfather’s need for something spicier with his Turkey and not once in my life have I had Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner without a piece of sausage on my plate.

Maxine’s Chocolate Cake is the second must for every holiday occasion.  My grandmother made the absolute best chocolate cake you will ever think about tasting.  Since her death, my father has picked up the tradition and he would not even dare think about attending a church or family gathering during the holidays without it in his hands, leading the way as his ticket through the door.  As my grandmother said, and I have witnessed, it takes all day and every bowl in the kitchen to make, but mercy!  It is worth it.  I’ve shared the recipe below.  It is without a doubt an absolute gift and this holiday I am going to try to make it for myself (for the first time!)

Until next time…Happy Holidays!

One of the activities I love most when I travel is visiting toy stores, especially this time of year.  No, I’m not talking about the big box stores, although they certainly serve a good purpose.  I’m talking about those great hole-in-the-wall, mom and pop stores where customer service is everything and where one-of-a-kind gifts for kids of all ages can be found.  Places like Once Upon a Time in Biltmore Village.  I love this place!  They have toys, they have books, they have gift items and, if you go upstairs to William and Grace you can find “timeless fashions for girls and boys ages newborn to 12.”    In fact, I recommend you have someone take the kids over to Claying Around while you are shopping for all those Christmas goodies.  At Claying Around the kids and adults can try their hand at the potter's wheel, paint their own pottery and even paint their own glassware.  Good, dirty fun – everyone will love it!  After all that shopping and creating, everyone will enjoy some food.  Pick one of the handful of restaurants in the Village and you are sure to find something good.  Restaurants include, The Corner Kitchen, Hot Shot Café, Kismet Café, La Paz, Chelsea’s and The Village Tea Room. 

But don’t take my word for it, I’m hoping you will send me your thoughts on some of the best Toy Stores in the South. 

Until next time…

Welcome! I can’t think of a better time to launch a blog about what’s hot in Southern travel and tourism than the late fall. To me, the South really comes alive when the evenings get cooler, the days are still warm and the trees have turned a potpourri of reds, orange and gold. While I know it signals the hibernation of the leaves and summer, everything seems so alive and brilliant. I enjoy watching the children jumping in huge mounds of autumn leaves and, being a self-proclaimed photography fiend, I absolutely can’t wait to jump in the car and head down some of my favorite southern highways and byways in search of the perfect shot. First route? Arkansas’s Pigtrail Scenic Byway through the Boston Mountain region of the Ozarks. It is always GORGEOUS. On the way up, I think I’ll detour through the Arkansas wine country by visiting Post Familie Vineyards & Winery and Wiederkehr Wine Cellars and Vineyard at in Altus. Really interesting stuff and who would have thought you’d find the “wine country” in Arkansas?

November is also my absolute favorite holiday of all time - U.S.A. Thanksgiving. Who doesn’t love Fried Turkey, Bourbon Pecan Pie and Baked Cheese Grits? I am blessed to have a terrific family and extended friends to visit with over the long holiday weekend. Our getaway with kids and my handsome husband included a trek through Georgia and North Carolina to Tennessee. The foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains are picturesque this time of year. Taking in all the sites of the area, we didn’t resist hopping on the Arts and Crafts Trolley in Gatlinburg. The trolley makes an eight mile loop to easily visit shops, studios and galleries of over 80 working artists and craftsman.

I recently met Chef Phil Evans of Heron’s Restaurant at The Umstead Resort and Spa, when we travelled to Canada with a delegation of southern travel industry folks. What a tremendous chef and outstanding resort. My next visit to Raleigh will definitely include indulging in modern Southern cuisine like lobster, foie gras, and sirloin. Chef Phil’s menu includes ingredients grown in North Carolina and from the Umstead’s own herb garden. Heron's also offers selections from their 2500-bottle wine cellar including the local favorite, Childress Wines. Let me know if you know of any other holiday spots I should visit and, more importantly, send me some of the fall color photos you’ve taken along your favorite Southern Highways and Byways. I can't take all the pictures I want, but absolutely love the fiery colors. Then check back. I’ll post 'em here.

Other interesting tidbits:
Did you know that the North Carolina Fraser fir has been judged the "Nation's Best" by the National Christmas Tree Association and chosen for the White House ten times, more than any other species?

OK travelers from near and far…Now that I’ve given you the scoop on where I think it is hot to shop in Atlanta, it is play time. 

First stop, the Georgia Aquarium.  The new Georgia Aquarium is one of the world's largest with over 55,000 animals from 500 different species! It is located across from the CNN Center and Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta.  The Georgia Aquarium has timed ticketing (meaning they assign you a time to enter), so I recommend buying tickets in advance. This can be done on their Web site or by phone (404-581-4444).

Next, have a “coke and a smile” at the World of Coke.  Can you imagine?  A 7 foot polar bear, 62,000 square feet and 1,200 artifacts all about the world’s best-known soft drink!   Not to mention all the free coke you can drink.  Very cool.

Now it’s time for my other favorite cool beverage at the Atlanta Brewing Company.  Founded in 1993, the Atlanta Brewing Company (ABC) is the oldest operational brewery in the state of Georgia. Atlanta Brewing Company hosts a tour and tasting every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 5pm to 7pm with live, local music on Wednesday and Friday. Usually, four to six beers, including seasonals, are offered on tap at the tasting. The brewery tour is highly informative and educational.

Finally, how about some food?  Atlanta is full of fabulous eateries.  You name it, they’ve got it.   My personal favorites?  Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Alexander’s and The Varsity Downtown.  But this is just the tip of the iceberg.  As hot as shopping is in Atlanta, the cuisine is even hotter.  Start by checking out Travel South’s list.  Than get out there, try everything and then tell me about it.

Until next time…

Welcome! I can't think of a better time to launch a blog about what's hot in Southern travel, tourism and shopping than the 2007 holiday season. Especially this holiday season when, thanks to a weak dollar, the shopping deals in the South are hotter than a "two dollar pistol" (my apologies to country music legend George Jones). That being said, I recommend you avoid the hustle and bustle of New York and fill your needs for Versace, Jimmy Choo, Tiffany, Armani and Gucci by driving South. Better yet, the airlines have some awesome deals right now on flights in to one of the South’s biggest hubs and best shopping destinations – Atlanta.

No joke. Atlanta is a shopper's paradise. It's got at least a dozen malls and tons of cute, unique boutiques. My recommendations and personal fave shopping destinations are:

Phipps Plaza which was recently voted "Southern Best" in Southern Living magazine’s Readers Choice Awards. I know why . . . with names like Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Armani Juicy Couture, Nordstron and Saks Fifth Avenue, who wouldn’t vote it the best?

And The Atlantic Station - in addition to featuring retailers like Ikea, Gap, Banana Republic, Dillard's, West Elm, and Old Navy — Atlantic Station has tons of great shops where you'll find all of the latest fashions and accessories. But if you're looking for something a little more unique, in the spring and summer on Saturday and Sunday in Atlantic Station Market is an "Open-Air" market showcasing local artisans, antiques, handcrafted items, and unique vendors. The outdoor festival-style market hosts up to 56 vendors offering unique items, edibles and more. There is no admission, so come browse and enjoy this unique and unusual environment!

Georgia Tourism with the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau have teamed up to offer you a chance to win a trip to Atlanta. No, it won't be in time for Christmas, but the shopping deals don't cool off after the holidays. Check out www.travelsouthusa.com/giveaways now to register and to learn more about what's great to buy in Atlanta.

Next time . . . great places to visit while you are shopping.

Until next time . . .