Friday, May 28, 2010

Best Post if the Week: Week Fifty Two


It's time to link in your best post of the week!

The purpose of this column is to make it easier to keep up with each other's blogs, so that even if we don't have time to read all of the Alabama Blogger blogs every day, at least we get the week's highlights.

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading! And remember - the best way to get new blogging friends is to comment on other people's posts, so be sure to say "hi" to your neighbors when you visit!

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Pastry Art Bake Shoppe

By Leigh Bratina

Today I invite you o come along with me to a new bakery that I have discovered in town (Homewood) called Pastry Art bake Shoppe. In case you are wondering, it is indeed edible art. But don't let the name mislead you, the art is also the taste.



















Pastry art specializes in cakes of all kinds, but what has the place filled with customers on any given day at any given moment.....it's the baby bites. Petite baby bites (about 2 bites) of their specialty cakes.



















It's easy to be taken by the flavors such as Italian Cream, Marbled, Caramel Cake, Vanilla, Red Velvet, Turtle, Double Chocolate to mention a few.

...Please excuse me and allow me to wipe the drool off of my keyboard....

















Their cakes have not only won the attention of this here blogger, they have also been crowned by the Moss Rock Festival for at least a couple occasions as BEST in Taste.





































My mother will agree.

















Sure you will want to walk out with one of these.....

















But you will leave satisfied with a box of these goodies.



















A tip...hide them if you don't want to share.


Share if you want to make friends.

Pastry Art Bake Shoppe

www.pastryartcakes.com

1927 29th Avenue South

Birmingham, AL 35209

(205) 877-3852

*Leigh is a full time mother, a part time photographer and writer. Her photography and written work is featured in several professional business and local publications. She owns her own photography business, Photographic Memories. Leigh resides in the Alabama with her three children and husband "Big Daddy". You can read more of Leigh's daily adventures by visiting any of her three blogs: Tales from Bloggeritaville , Plates and Places , as well as Photographic Memories Pastry Art Bake Shoppe on Urbanspoon

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Amy's Extraordinary Alabama: Art on the Lake

By Amy

I love living in a town that emphasizes art. We have an art colony that I plan to feature in the Fall. The art colony also sponsors a kid's art camp during the summer which my son has enjoyed. Our local art show each Spring features everything from our local professional artists to hobbyists to children's art.


One of my favorite events of the year promotes art, but also helps a wonderful organization. It's called Art on the Lake.


ArtOnTheLakeBanner_2010


Art on the Lake brings the works of over 30 artists to Children's Harbor along the shore Lake Martin. There are activities for children as well as live music. Not only is fine art on display and for sale, but other art such as jewelry and many other things are also.


The great thing about Art on the Lake? The artists and vendors donate a percentage of their sales to Children's Harbor.


This year's Art on the Lake is Saturday, May 29, 2010 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Children's Chapel on the campus of Children's Harbor.


If you are near the area stop by and check it out.


What events in your area of Alabama promote the arts or combine arts with a great cause?

Friday, May 21, 2010

Meet-Up Link-Up!

We met at the Irondale Cafe today, despite the uncooperative weather, and had a great time! There were nine of us in all, and the conversation was great, as was the food (of course).

If you were there today, link up here so we can all find each other!! And thanks so much for coming!

Best Post if the Week: Week Fifty One


It's time to link in your best post of the week!

The purpose of this column is to make it easier to keep up with each other's blogs, so that even if we don't have time to read all of the Alabama Blogger blogs every day, at least we get the week's highlights.

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading! And remember - the best way to get new blogging friends is to comment on other people's posts, so be sure to say "hi" to your neighbors when you visit!

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

May Meet-Up This Friday!!!

For our May Meet-up, I thought it might be fun to go somewhere characteristic of Alabama - that has some history and intrigue. And when Wade made this particular location suggestion, I knew it would be a perfect place for an Alabama Blogger Meet-Up! Now I know it may be a bit more out of the way for some (and closer for others), but it's worth the trip!!!

Our May Meet-up will be on 5/21 (Friday) at the Irondale Cafe (Featured in the movie "Fried Green Tomatoes") at 11:30 am. If you need to be late or leave early, come anyway! We're usually there for quite a while.

RSVP on this post (or the last one) if you plan on coming so that we can save you a seat!

The hashtag, as always, is #AlaBlogMeet. Please help us spread the word!

Friday, May 14, 2010

Best Post of the Week: Feature Another Blogger Week!


This week, link in the best post you've read recently by ANOTHER Alabama Blogger. In your link title, include your name or blog and their name or blog, and let us know in the comments why you chose their post!

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading!

Be sure to link in a specific post, not just the general URL of the blog.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

May Meet-Up!!

For our May Meet-up, I thought it might be fun to go somewhere characteristic of Alabama - that has some history and intrigue. And when Wade made this particular location suggestion, I knew it would be a perfect place for an Alabama Blogger Meet-Up! Now I know it may be a bit more out of the way for some (and closer for others), but it's worth the trip!!!

Our May Meet-up will be on 5/21 (Friday) at the Irondale Cafe (Featured in the movie "Fried Green Tomatoes") at 11:30 am. If you need to be late or leave early, come anyway! We're usually there for quite a while.

RSVP on this post if you plan on coming so that we can save you a seat!

The hashtag, as always, is #AlaBlogMeet. Please help us spread the word!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Montgomery Restaurants

By Kristin

This week, I wanted to share a few places here in Montgomery that we frequent.

My hubby and I love to find new restaurants. Eating out is always a treat for us, especially when my parents watch our son, so we try to find places where we can enjoy good food, reasonable prices, and a nice atmosphere. We also adhere to the Three Strikes and you're out policy...in most cases.

I know everyone has been to a Japanese style steak & sushi bar, where they serve up Tepanyaki dining and entertainment in addition to fresh food that is cooked before your very eyes. Here in Montgomery, we have three. Miyako Japanese Steak & Sushi Bar, Shogun Japanese Steak and Sushi Bar, and Kabuki Japanese Steakhouse. I am a super fun person to take to these restaurants because I am HIGHLY allergic to seafood. I have learned how to order, and it has only been a problem in one of these restaurants. At Shogun's & Kabuki they will cook my meal in the kitchen, and bring it to the table when everyone else is getting served, but at Miyako's they are kind enough to cook the seafood last (after my protein has been removed from the grill) so all of my food comes fresh off the grill and is just as fabulous as everyone elses. Other customers who share the table with us have never complained, although sometimes they ask why they are getting their shrimp at the same time as their protein. The cost at all three is about the same, but we keep going back to Miyako's. I think they have the best soup & salad.

Now...lets talk Mexican. I know in everyone's town there are at least five Mexican places to choose from. Well, I am only going to pick out three. We have San Marcos, Ixtapa, and No Way Jose. They all serve similar fare, but the salsa at each is very different. We have also found that No Way Jose has the freshest produce, and least greasy meats. Ixtapa has the hottest salsa, Jose's has the most peppered salsa, and San Marcos is perfect every time...but they do have the best sweet tea! The atmosphere is great at all of the restaurants, and where we end up simply depends on what part of town we will be in.

One last little piece of heaven I am going to share with you...Mr. G's. This is a Greek and Italian Mediterranean Eatery, and we have tried ALOT of the menu. The service is a little slow, but very through. We leave there blissful and content every time. This is the only place to get Greek in Montgomery. I especially love that all the desserts are homemade every other day, and they don't cost the crazy price that you are charged at most dining establishments. So the next time you are in the area....you should come try!

I blog here and you should drop by to see the fun things that are going on in my world! Oh, and this will be my last post for a few weeks...I am taking some time off to have a baby :)
~Kristen

Amy's Extraordinary Alabama: Alabama Children's Authors

By Amy

I love children's books. There's just something about them. As I was walking through my son's school the other day I saw a poster with youth and children's books by Alabama authors and thought I would do some searching for other Alabama children's authors. This post isn't to be taken as reviews of these books, but just bringing attention in case you would like to check out these Alabama authors. Once I discover more Alabama authors I'll be sure and let you know.


But before you check out these two tell me - do you have a favorite Alabama author?


Alabama Moon by Watt Key. You can also check out his Facebook page here. Alabama Moon is on a reading level of ages 9 - 12.


Synopsis from the publisher: For as long as ten-year-old Moon can remember, he has lived out in the forest in a shelter with his father. They keep to themselves, their only contact with other human beings an occasional trip to the nearest general store. When Moon’s father dies, Moon follows his father’s last instructions: to travel to Alaska to find others like themselves. But Moon is soon caught and entangled in a world he doesn’t know or understand; he’s become property of the government he has been avoiding all his life. As the spirited and resourceful Moon encounters constables, jails, institutions, lawyers, true friends, and true enemies, he adapts his wilderness survival skills and learns to survive in the outside world, and even, perhaps, make his home there.


Irene Latham is the author of Leaving Gee's Bend. You can follow her on twitter here. Leaving Gee's Bend is on a reading level of ages 9 -12.


Synopsis from Latham's website:


Ludelphia Bennett may be blind in one eye, but that doesn't mean she can't put in a good stitch. In fact, Ludelphia sews all the time, especially when things are going wrong. But when Mama gets deathly ill, it doesn't seem like even quilting will help. Mama needs medicine badly - medicine that can only be found in Camden, over forty miles away. That's when Ludelphia decides to do something drastic - leave Gee's Bend.

Beyond the log cabins, orange dirt, and cotton fields of her small sharecropping community, Ludelphia discovers a world she could never have imagined. Fancy houses, cars, and even soda pop! But there's also danger lurking for a young girl on her own, and Ludelphia begins to wonder if she'll ever see Gee's Bend or her Mama again. Despite the twists and turns, Ludelphia weathers each challenge in a way that would make her mama proud, and may even save the day not just for Mama, but her entire town.

Set in 1932 and inspired by the rich quilting history of Gee's bend, Alabama, LEAVING GEE'S BEND is a heart-touching tale of a young girl's unexpected adventure.


Monday, May 10, 2010

Beef “O” Brady’s Comes to Hoover

By Leigh Bratina

















Beef O'Bradys Family Sports Pub Restaurant is a "new" restaurant, soon to be a neighborhood staple. It's new to the Birmingham area, though it is a nationwide chain restaurant. The new "Beef's" is located at the new Target shopping center in Hoover, just off of highway 150 and Interstate 459, in what is called "The Grove" shopping center. Beef's is a bit hidden in the far east of the parking lot, across from Superior Bank.

Beef's has several tables and booths to accommodate a small crowd as well as a private party room and game room. The restaurant caters to the sports crowd by offering a nice size bar area with seating as well as several large screen TV's sprinkled throughout the place. Local sports memorabilia graces the walls, as well as photos from the area. Owner George McCluney welcomed us to the new establishment and shared his excitement for Beef O Grady's coming to the city of Hoover. It was an excitement that I also noted in his staff. The hostess and wait staff were very accommodating and friendly, as they seated us immediately to a booth.

Tonight for dinner, it was just my husband, Tom and I and our youngest son, Jack. We ordered drinks while we pondered over the extensive menu Jack and I both ordered the strawberry limeade, I cannot say that I have ever had a limeade as delicious. It certainly beat out any soda. I immediately imagined dropping into Beefs at the Groove for the Strawberry Limeade alone. It was THAT good.

We started with an appetizer, the Combo Appetizer to be specific. It arrived hot and was made up of delicious finger foods to much on while we waited for our main courses. In the basket were Crispy chicken fingers, mozzarella planks, onion rings and cheesy quesadillas that my son really liked. The basket came with a trio of condiments to dip in: a honey mustard sauce, a marinara and my favorite, a horseradish-y sauce that was orange in color. I liked the flavor so much, I dipped everything in that one alone.Beef O Brady's has many great "Beef" dishes, but what might surprise you is that they are well known for their wings. Wings are a true specialty at Beef’s®. The award-winning, jumbo-sized wings are always made fresh to order, then hand-tossed in one of 12 famous sauces. My husband is a wing connoisseur. He ordered his hot wings in the "Nuclear" temperature. The waitress asked if he was certain he wanted them that hot. What she didn't know was my husband enjoys some heat. Actually allot of heat. When the hot wings were delivered to our table we could smell the spicy scent coming off of them. Tom ate a couple wings and declared, "They aren't too hot", but on the next wing I noticed sweat beading up on his cheeks. I knew he was a happy man. "The spice catches up to you the more you eat. These are pretty hot!"


















There were a number of delicious looking sandwiches and soups on the menu, but I placed it safe and ordered the Asian Mandarin Chicken Salad. I had the choice of having it with grilled or fried teriyaki chicken, I chose the fried. The salad was a feast for the eyes with almond slivers, crispy wontons, sweet mandarin oranges served with a zesty Pan-Asian dressing. The flavor combination and crunch of the salad was like a fiesta for my palate. I will certainly order the salad again on a future visit!


















Our son Jack was very pleased with the number of choices on the kids menu. Though Jack is not a picky eater, if he were I don't think he would've had a hard time finding something to please him. The kids menu has allot of kid friendly selections: Mini Corn Dogs,Grilled Cheese, Chicken Nuggets, Hamburger, Cheeseburger, Macaroni & Cheese, Grilled Chicken Wrap, Grilled Chicken Salad and the kid favorite-Chicken Fingers. All kids meals come with a choice of side (mashed potato's, fries, broccoli, fruit, etc. as well as a child's cup of milk or soda). Jack decided upon the mac and cheese and french fries. The mac and cheese tasted much like the "blue box", which I am certain carries a "Kid Approved" seal.








Beef"O"Brady's has that pub feel..."a place where everyone might know your name" but it is a great place for families, couples, friends and business people alike. It's a place that my family will enjoy dining at again.







Beef O Brady's Grand Opening is on May 10, 2010.

Cuisine: American, Casual Dining

Features: Family friendly , Children's menu , Beer and wine , Major credit cards accepted , Takeout and Outdoor Dining

Menu price range: Most entrees less than $10

Handicapped Access: Yes

Parking: Lot

Location:

5519 Grove Boulevard

Hoover, AL, 35244

Directions

Phone:205-987-9464


Mon - Sat:11:00 am - 11:00 pm

Sun: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

Beef's on the Web

Beef's on Facebook

*Leigh is a full time mother, a part time photographer and writer. Her photography and written work is featured in several professional business and local publications. She owns her own photography business, Photographic Memories. Leigh resides in the Alabama with her three children and husband "Big Daddy". You can read more of Leigh's daily adventures by visiting any of her three blogs: Tales from Bloggeritaville , Plates and Places , as well as Photographic Memories

Friday, May 7, 2010

Best Post if the Week: Week Forty Nine


It's time to link in your best post of the week!

The purpose of this column is to make it easier to keep up with each other's blogs, so that even if we don't have time to read all of the Alabama Blogger blogs every day, at least we get the week's highlights.

So, link up, tell us why you linked that post, and let's start reading! And remember - the best way to get new blogging friends is to comment on other people's posts, so be sure to say "hi" to your neighbors when you visit!

p.s. - please feel free to interpret "this week" as loosely as you like!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Consigned Design in Alabaster- bet you didn't know it was there.

By Cheri

In a small plaza on the corner of Rt. 119 and Fulton Springs Rd. in Alabaster, AL. is a cute consignment shop run by Wendy B. I have been eyeing this place since we moved here this past Nov. and finally made the time last Friday to stop in and check it out. I was pleasantly surprised.

Consignment stores, thrift stores etc: can be a gamble whether they have up to date items, how clean and organized the store is and this one rates right up there. Wendy has an up to date, organized and clean store; one you would like to frequent from time to time.

Look at these cute dressed mannequins. Don't they just scream "summer" and sherbert ice cream?


Wendy has really dressed up and accessorized to go from office, to evening and then casual.


On this one wall she has lots of really cute formals to choose from. Prom time is coming.


And in this case and the case at check out she carries some Dooney & Bourke handbags besides some consignment bags.


On her carousels she has jewelry...jewelry and more jewelry that is so reasonably priced that you couldn't just walk away with one piece. Isn't that clear beaded necklace so versatile? And look at those pearls.


Summer time hear we come.


More accessories and she even carries SHOES!


Last week when I was there I was not able to spend as much time as I would have liked but did spy some purses on top of one of the carousels and couldn't resist. I scored these two purses for $18.00. It wasn't until I got home and noticed the one on the right had an embossed "S" on the bottom and here it was a Saks Fifth Ave. purse. I am not a name brand person, I just like what I like, but I wondered "why" there was that "S" and now I know.


Wendy will tell you that when you look at the tags, on the back, there might be a date stamped on it. The date will let her know (you too) how much it will be discounted at the register.

Even with the wonderful prices that Wendy has you may get lucky and pick up something with an additional discount.

** Added bonus: If you love Mary Kay and do not have a consultant, Wendy does sell Mary Kay products too. Usually on Monday nights after the store closes she will have one on one consulting, but you need to call and be added to her list. If you feel uncomfortable with other women, Wendy will be glad to make arrangements with you to work solo. (Disclaimer: I have not been paid or even asked to mention Consigned Design or Mary Kay on this blog...I just wanted to share).

Consigned Design
72 Fulton Springs Road
Alabaster, AL 35007-5362
(205) 664-7540

If you haven't linked up and introduced yourself yet, be sure to go here to do so!