Wednesday, March 31, 2010

April Meet-Up!

Don't forget that our next meet-up is Friday, April 2nd. We're meeting at Jason's Deli on 150 (across from Chick-Fil-A in Hoover) at 11:30am. If you need to be late, that's okay, because we're usually there for quite a while!

Be sure to RSVP on this post (or the original post) if you can be there, and feel free to send this to any other Alabama bloggers/social medialites out there!

The Twitter hashtag is #AlaBlogMeet.

Can't wait to see you all!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Something to do in your neck of the Woods

By Kristin

Something to get the creative juices flowing...

My girlfriends and I try to do something together every so often. We have been friends since highschool, and since we graduated almost 12 years ago...that is really saying something.
We don't talk on the phone everyday, we all have very busy lives, but we make that time to get together, to refresh our spirits. Sometimes you just need a time out from being Momma, Wife, Girlfriend, Daughter, and Sister.

We decided to try something new last night, and we headed out to Corks and Canvas. They are all over Alabama now, and under different names (Sips and Strokes is another).

For the $30 pricetag, you can BYOB (in my case it was sweet tea) and snacks, and then you are instructed in reproducing a piece of art work. All of the supplies are included, and you have an instructor available who is painting along, answering questions, and assisting as needed.


This is the original painting. With The Waves by Natasha Wescoat. I LOVE it...its so colorful and adventurous.





Well...our painting that we were recreating was based on With the Waves, and it was entitled Funky Tree...because lets face it, that is what it was.












Over the course of two hours, my girlfriends and I put our own creative stamp on this picture. We talked, munched, laughed, compared our masterpeices in progress, and generally had a great time.

Step One....The red, the blue, and the melding of the two.


Step Two...The hills...





Step Three...We penciled in our tree, painted the tree, and then added our circles.


And Voila! My finished product. Funky Tree a la Kristen. We added the colorful brushstrokes at the base of the tree to represent the leaves, and I outlined my tree in black.


Its not exactly perfect. But this is the first time that I have picked up a paintbrush to do anything other than painting a room...so I think I did a pretty good job. We all had such a great experience, and time FLEW by...it was pushing 9pm before we knew it.


This is the perfect activity for date night, or for a group of friends to get together and have a good time. And when you go...come back to tell us about your experience, and show off your MAD skills!


I blog at http://thedevinemrbaileyjackson.blogspot.com/ and I have fun stuff like meal planning (a must for working families!) and stuff going on in our world...drop by and see me sometime!


~Kristen

Monday, March 29, 2010

April Introductions


The main reason that I created Alabama Bloggers was to introduce all of us to each other. I have found such value in the relationships that I've formed with other bloggers around the world, and I wanted the same opportunity to do so within my state. Since there seemed to be no other centralized meeting place, I created one.

I have most definitely built relationships with more Alabama bloggers, and I know a lot of you have done the same. But unfortunately, I don't have time to visit all of you.

As the one year anniversary of this site approaches, I wanted to maximize the original purpose of it and set aside the month of April each year to spotlight individual Alabama bloggers by giving us all a chance to introduce ourselves.

Then at the end of April, I'd like to run a carnival of some sort, like we did at the beginning of Football Season last year. If you have any ideas for a theme for the carnival, let me know!

So, if you'd like to write a post about you and your blog, I would love to run it as a part of April Introductions!

Feel free to write about anything you want, but here are some ideas:

Why do you blog?

What do you blog about?

What is your favorite part of blogging?

Where are your favorite places to go in Alabama?

Where are your favorite places to visit in the Southeast?

Who are some other bloggers that inspire you?

If you'd like to participate, please let me know! Simply email me your post (preferably in html, which you can get by writing it in your blog, then viewing the html and copying and pasting) to rachel@alabamabloggers.com, and I'll schedule it and let you know when it will go up!

If you have any questions, please let me know!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Best Post if the Week: Week Forty Four


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, March 25, 2010

VJ's on the Run Way, Birmingham

By Leigh Bratina


The only thing we overlook is the runway", this is the slogan of V.J.'s on the Runway Cafe. It's true! For it can be said that the food is certainly not overlooked...it is the spotlight, as it should be in this quaint little diner. In business since 1950, it was once a honky tonk that happened to serve up food in the daylight hours. Today it is all about the food. VJ used to be located in another location close by, but the former location actually IS on a runway now.

V.J. is a local favorite of the military in the Air Force as well as business owners located in close proximity to the restaurant. But it isn't the convenience that brings them back....it's the food. Down home southern cooking, to be truthful. The menu is extensive and offers up some great dishes such as burgers, Reuben's, hand rolled tamales, and chicken or tuna sandwiches or salads. Be sure not to overlook the menu of vegetables (meat and three) that changes daily. On this day, my mother and I had just gotten through chaperoning my youngest son's class to the museum of flight. We were ready for a good meal and we got what we bargained for. My mother ordered a 4 vegetable plate ($6.50) of mashed potatoes with gravy, pinto beans, turnip greens, and fried green tomatoes. I choice something greasier, a grilled Swiss cheese with fries ($4.50). Our kind waitress brought over a plate of rolls and corn breads for us to try while we waited. All were divine, the rolls were good, homemade and "yeasty", the cornbread was not even the least bit sweet (yes!) but had a great kick of peppers in it as I chose to try the Mexican cornbread. I ended up ordering a dozen to go so I could serve them up with my chili on the menu for my families supper. As I ate my sandwich I looked around to see that all of the food looked delicious. My mother and I agreed that a future trip was in order. We were already planning our next trip back and what we would order before we had even left!

On the way out I picked up at the cash register, 2 slices of pound cake and one cinnamon roll as big as my hand. One for each child as a sweet surprise after supper (we don't do desserts in our house, so a real treat for them). I will be certain next time to try out a dessert for myself. All desserts are homemade as is most (if not all) of the food. The tea and coffee is freshly brewed. On Friday's the dessert special is strawberry shortcake ($3.50). You can bet that I will come back on a Friday to try it out. Our order total for all was $25 and change (2 drinks, 2 lunches, dozen rolls and desserts to go). Keep in mind that V.J.'s does cater. It is the perfect and easy way to take care of those holiday meals.

Phone orders 808-0582 Fax 808-0581 Hours M-F 7AM-8PM


*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 VJ's on the Runway on Urbanspoon

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Center Stage: Plain Chicken

By Jamie

Welcome back to
Center Stage where we take a fanfare look at one of the many great blogs being churned out here in Alabama. You can find past spotlights here.


I'm an awesome cook.

Well...I'm more like an awesome heater-upper. And taker-outer. But I would like to become an awesome cook.

So I've been hanging out at this Alabama blog:
Plain Chicken
Stephanie Parker at Plain Chicken is a self described "accountant by day, amateur chef by night." She kicked off her blog in November 2007 with very little fanfare and a recipe for Toasted Pecan, Caramel, Butterscotch Oat Squares. I approve of all of those ingredients.


Plain Chicken covers every type of recipe including desserts, sides, appetizers, entrees and 38 posts labeled "Bread." Hello new best friend.

Stephanie also features her cats Jack, Marmalade and Sherbert on Mondays.

I'm fairly certain they're just for show.


Jamie is a planner of events by day and chaser of shiny things by night. Follow her trails at Jamie's Rabbits. If you'd like to have your blog featured on "Center Stage" then contact Jamie so she can swing by your neck of the internet woods. Please know she sometimes shows up uninvited, so you may see your blog on stage if she really digs it.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Amy's Extraordinary Alabama: Ribbon Sandwiches.

By Amy

Older generations possessed such creativity. I think life forced them to be more creative. Things just weren't as readily available and life wasn't as "easy" as it is now.

Here in the South I think our food shows that creativity. Especially in our small southern towns.

Today I'm going to introduce you to something I think you will turn your nose up at. I'm not judging because I did the same thing when someone first introduced me to this food concoction.

It was in the late 1930s or early 1940s that Mrs. Tillie Chappell and Mrs. Hugh Neighbors Sr. came up with what is called Ribbon Sandwiches. What is a ribbon sandwich you ask? Well hold on and don't turn your nose up just yet.

First you take a slice of bread. Then you spread peanut butter jelly on it. Then you take another slice and place on top of it. Then spread homemade pimento cheese on top of it and top it with another slice of bread. Yes friends you read that correctly. Peanut butter and jelly and pimento cheese.

This photo is my attempt at Ribbon Sandwiches. Usually they are sliced in long thin strips.ribbonsandwiches_032010_0003web

When I first heard of this strange creation I thought how in the world could that possibly be good? I tried my first one a few months ago and it's really not that bad. No it's not something I would make for myself, but they don't taste as horrible as they might first sound.

I spoke with Mrs. Tillie Chappell's granddaughter to get some more information about Ribbon Sandwiches. Her grandmother and Mrs. Neighbors were having a Ladies Tea at the First Methodist Church and it was all they had on hand. Thus the creativity of southern ladies.

Mrs. Chappell and Mrs. Neighbors used apple jelly when they created the first Ribbon Sandwiches, but today people use either grape of apple. They are served at many showers and special occasions, but can also be found at summer picnics, tailgating or packed in a lunch for a long boat ride on the lake.

In 2004 The Great American Race stopped in our town. Many city residents had organized some refreshments for them and served Ribbon Sandwiches. The participants loved them and our town was voted best hospitality for that year's race.

You just never know what you will experience living the small town life. The food concoctions of ladies from 70 years ago might make you wonder, but you have to admit they were definitely creative.

So what sort of small town creativity have you experienced?

Donna The Buffalo Winners!

The winners of the Donna the Buffalo concert tickets for March 30th in Birmingham are:

kdonovan78
Mama SeWELL

Because this is a time-sensitive prize, it is imperative that you contact me at rachel@alabamabloggers.com by FRIDAY (March 26th) to claim your prize. I will email you as well if I have your email. If I don't hear from you by then, I will find a different winner so that the tickets can be used.

The winners of the Donna the Buffalo CDs are:
Leigh of Bloggeritaville
AmberRose78

Please email me your mailing address so that I can get your CDs to you!

Friday, March 19, 2010

Best Post if the Week: Week Forty Three


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, March 18, 2010

Shono's Japanese Grill, Hoover

By Leigh Bratina

I recently had the opportunity to try out the new Shonos Japanese Grill located in the Old Walmart Shopping Center on Highway 31 (formerly Cici's Pizza was there). My parents had been telling me about the place and about Eddie, the owner. First, let me go on record as saying I LOVE Japanese food. I could eat it everyday, but in doing so I would break the bank. Why is Japanese food so expensive? I don't get it. However, at Shonos's, you and your wallet are in luck. Shonos is not the typical Japanese restaurant where you are seated at a large table with a bunch of strangers and the food prepared in front of you. AT Shonos Japanese Grill it is just that, a grill. Almost a Japanese Restaurant meets American Diner. When you walk in the door, you will first notice the grill in front of you, with owner Eddie carefully preparing orders. I went at lunchtime and the place was packed. We were seated in the back at one of the last 3 tables that remained. A quick look over the menu and I was relieved. Diners can order a la carte or as the entree. I stuck with my usual Japanese fair, the vegetable entree' for $5.50. Soon my garden salad with the ginger dressing was delivered. I found it to be very good, though somewhat heavy on the ginger, but very tasty. While I ate, I noticed the table next to me receiving their meals. I turned to my lunch companion and asked, "Do you get ALL that food?" "Yes!", she insisted. As I finished up my salad, our meals were brought out. It looked delicious. My meal of vegetables contained grilled teriyaki vegetables, containing zucchini, squash, mushrooms, onions and bamboo shoots. Also on my plate was a large helping of perfectly steamed rice. You have the option to order the steamed or fried, but I get the steamed because I am not fond of the egg in the fried. Though, I noticed my companions plate. Her rice appeared to not have any egg in it. She agreed that there was not any. I sampled hers....lets just say next time I will get the fried. It had a great flavor. She ordered the chicken entree at $5.95, and received all that I got on my plate with the addition of a hefty portion of chicken, for only 45 cents more. WOW!

If you are not looking for a large meal, as mentioned, al la carte is the way to go or there are some smaller dishes on the menu, such as the Teriyaki Bowls. The bowls are served with rice and the meat. The bowls are available in shrimp or chicken for 4.50 and 4.95 (shrimp) respectfully. The menu offers a great selection of choices. The only drawback to me was the absence of the ginger and mustard dipping sauces that you will find at the larger more upscale Japanese Restaurants. My friend did ask for a "white sauce". I tried it and found to be OK, but was certainly not the dipping sauces I craved. I do plan to go back.


When you do go into Shonos, be sure to chat it up with Chef Eddie. He is a funny man and has 27 years of experience in the business. He has lived all over, cooking up these delicious and affordable meals.

(If you are watching your weight, this is a wonderful place to eat, for the food is grilled and low in fat but not in taste. I highly recommend the vegetable entree')





*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 Shonos on Urbanspoon

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Montgomery Happenings: March

By Kristin


Hello All!
Its that time again...when I assure you that there are indeed fun things that you can do with your family this month in Montgomery.

In the last two weeks, we were struck down by the flu...not the piggy kind. So what is the best medicine to recovering hubby and son? Some quality outdoor time at the Zoo. We ended up going Saturday afternoon...and it was not as warm as I would have liked. But we bundled up and had a good time. Anything was better than another afternoon stuck inside the house.

So lets see...what is happening March 15-30th here in the Tri County Area.

Friday, March 19, 2010 Local Celebrity to Host Movie Premiere in Prattville
Grayson Russell will be at the Carmike Cinema's Premiere of "Diary of A Wimpy Kid." Russell made his debut in "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby." Locally, he starred in McKinnon Motors commercials. He will be signing autographs at 6 p.m. before the showing of the movie.

Saturday March 20th, If you are a fisher, you and the kids can attend the Crappie Masters Weigh-in & Kids Fishing Rodeo
Located at the Alabama Nature Center in Millbrook. The Bass Pro Shops Crappie Masters All American Tournament Trail will host its Alabama Championship and National Qualifying Tournament in Millbrook on March 20, 2010. Tournament waters will be the Alabama River from Goldstar Park in Wetumpka to the down river side of Swift Creek near Autuagville. Daily weigh-ins will be held at Lanark home of AWF and the Alabama Nature Center, at the Lanark Pavilion. AWF will also host a kid's fishing rodeo at Lanark in conjunction with the event.



Friday, March 26th You can head out to Cooter's Pond in Prattville for the City of Prattville's Movie Under The Stars
"Planet 51" begins at dusk and will be shown on a giant 30-foot movie screen. $5 large pizzas and popcorn available, or bring your own food and drinks. Event is in conjunction with the upcoming Fountain City Arts Festival.


Get your tickets for The Greatest Show on Earth! The Ringling Brothers are coming to town! At the Garrett Coliseum from Thursday, Mar 25th thru Sunday, Mar 28th.




Maxwell AFB Open House and Air Show 2010

Saturday and Sunday, March 27 & 28th from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Free!

Air Force Thunderbirds, US Army Golden Knights parachute team, aerial demonstrations, aircraft displays, food, vendors and more. The show, which is free and open to the public, provides a rare opportunity to see a number of current and vintage aircraft in one place, at one time, Colonel Mahan said. Attendees will be able to roam approximately 30 acres of aircraft and exhibits, ranging from massive cargo planes to nimble fighter jets.




As previously mentioned, Jasmine Hill Gardens And Outdoor Museum is now Open For Spring, on the Weekends.


"Nobody" by Richard Aellen is playing in March at ASF, from March 12 - 28, 2010.

Coming next month, The Montgomery Zoo Weekend will be Saturday, April 24th and Sunday, April 25th, 2010. This popular two-day event will run from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm both days.




And mark your April Calendar for some out of town fun...Head up to the lovely little town of Calera for A Day out with Thomas!
Thomas will be visiting the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum April 9, 10, 11, 17, 18. Day Out With Thomas™ is a family event that offers aspiring engineers and their families the unique opportunity to take a ride with the classic storybook engine, Thomas the Tank Engine™ at regional heritage railroads across the country.


I hope there is something fun that you can plan to do with your family.

I blog at http://thedevinemrbaileyjackson.blogspot.com/ and I have fun stuff like meal planning (a must for working families!) and stuff going on in our world...drop by and see me sometime!



~Kristen

Monday, March 15, 2010

Donna The Buffalo at WorkPlay .. and Music and Tickets Giveaway!!

If you've never had the chance to enjoy a concert at WorkPlay, you must find an opportunity. The intimate atmosphere (which even includes some cozy BOOTHS in the back!), the sophisticated set-up...it's amazing. It's definitely one of my favorite date locations in Birmingham.

And, a show is coming to town that sounds like a great fit for a night of relaxing at WorkPlay!

Donna the Buffalo performs at the WorkPlay Theatre on March 30th


Donna The Buffalo
WorkPlay Theatre
Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

Doors 7pm, show 8:30pm
$15
all ages
(205) 879-4773
500 23rd St South
Birmingham, AL 35233

www.donnathebuffalo.com

Donna the Buffalo's eclectic and often socially conscious music has it's base in traditional mountain music and is infused with elements of Cajun/ zydeco, rock, folk, reggae, and country. The group’s core are vocalists Tara Nevins, who plays fiddle, guitar, accordion, and scrubboard, and guitarist Jeb Puryear. Keyboardist Dave McCracken, bassist Jay Sanders, and drummer Vic Stafford complete the ensemble.

Donna the Buffalo represents one of the most respected brands in the world of touring roots acts. For 21 years DTB has performed feel good, infectious music that often moves listeners physically and spiritually. In the words of a longtime fan, "Their songs are well known to contain lyrics offering poetry and sage commentary on the attractions and struggles with love and politics in this life. Their magnetic musical mix has often been described as dance music, and, for sure, there is everything from foot-tapping to get-up-and-feel-ecstatic moving in their sound; but there is also some deeply satisfying solace in what DTB has to say and how they say it. The dynamic songwriting tandem of Jeb Puryear and Tara Nevins have penned over 140 songs in their collaboration with DTB."


The band's 2008 release Silverlined, on Sugar Hill Records, rose to #8 on the Americana Music Chart. With a twenty-one year tenure to celebrate, hundreds of gigs ahead of them, and an ever-evolving grassroots sound; it looks like Donna the Buffalo is riding a cloud that is truly Silverlined.

If you would like to win one of two copies of the Silverlined CD OR one of two pairs of tickets to the concert, leave a comment here!

BE SURE TO NOTATE if you'd like to win concert tickets, as I know not everyone would be able to attend and I want to make sure to only include those that are in that drawing.

You can get up to three extra entries by:


This giveaway is open until Monday, March 22nd, and the four winners will be randomly chosen and announced on Tuesday, March 23rd.

Good luck!

Sugah You Can Do It!

By Jessica

Hello, I am Jessica or the author of Thoughts of a Bama Belle.
I am so excited to be contributing to Alabama Bloggers!
My blog is mostly about real life entertaining, family, and life.
We have a facebook fan page and can be found here
Please join us for lots of ideas on holiday treats!

I hope you will all enjoy our time together here at Alabama Bloggers.
I want to show that you can create beautiful meals and treats for your family.
This piece will lovingly be referred to as


Sugah You Can Do It!


Because YOU CAN!


In the spirit of St Patrick's Day let's make

HOT SLAW
(not spicy, unless you want it to be. The hot refers to it being warm)

(from Mother's handwritten cookbook again)

Our shopping list:

1 large onion
1 green bell pepper
1 head of cabbage cut up or two bags of pre-washed shredded cabbage

1 large can of stewed tomatoes
1/4 tsp of Tabasco (or other hot sauce)
1/4 cup of white vinegar
salt & Pepper to taste
1 package of link sausage (cut into bite size pieces)


In Bacon grease (either fry 2 pieces of bacon and save the grease or as most southern belle's have a container in the fridge grab you a spoonful) To that add chopped bell pepper, onion and cabbage
Stir well until cabbage turns a brighter green.

Add the other ingredients ( tomato; s&p; Tabasco; vinegar; sausage)
simmer covered for about 45 minutes



Serve warm!
We always add extra hot sauce to our own bowls


For dessert

Grasshopper pie?


Ingredients

25 chocolate sandwich cookies

1/2 cup butter, melted

2 cups marshmallow creme

1/4 cup creme de menthe liqueur

2 cups whipping cream


  1. Crush cookies and set aside 1/4 cup of crumbs. Place remaining crumbs in a medium bowl and mix in melted butter. Press mixture firmly into bottom and sides of a 9 inch springform pan or pie plate.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whip together marshmallow creme and creme de menthe until smooth. In a separate bowl, whip cream until soft peaks form, then fold into marshmallow mixture. Pour mixture into pan and sprinkle reserved cookie crumbs on top. Freeze at least 2 hours, until firm. Remove from freezer 20 minutes before serving to soften slightly.

I hope you enjoy!!
I look forward to getting to know all of you and remember


SUGAH YOU CAN DO IT!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Exploring Outside of Alabama: Gaylord Opryland Hotel

by Rhoda

IMG_8578

I’m going to share pics of the Gaylord Opryland hotel in Nashville. I’m sure many of you have visited here before, but in case you haven’t, it’s quite the astonishing place. I first visited the Opryland Hotel back in 2007 when I was in Nashville for a Deeper Still conference, so if you’d like to see even more pics, click on that link.

IMG_8579

You almost have to see it to believe it, but hopefully you can get an idea of the magnitude from these pics. They really do treat their customers so well and we felt pampered and pleased at the time we spent there.

IMG_8580

It’s all indoors, but the amount of greenery and plant material inside is just amazing. I’m sure they must have a host of gardeners taking care of all of this and everything is SO lush and verdant. IMG_8582

So, just enjoy the tour….IMG_8583

IMG_8584

Ponds and fountains are abundant.

IMG_8585

And the flowers are so colorful and pretty, you almost think it’s Spring in there. IMG_8587

And you almost forget that you’re inside a microcosm since it feels like your outside, only….you’re NOT. We were shocked when we stepped outside to leave at the end of the conference to discover it really was 32 degrees outside. IMG_8588

They even have waterfalls. IMG_8589

And a beautiful gazebo. IMG_8590

IMG_8591

IMG_8586

One of our lunches one day was at Ristorante Volare and it was like being in an outdoor cafe in the Mediterranean. Simply heavenly! IMG_8614

IMG_8618

Lunch was just delish, a wonderful pasta dish.

IMG_8619

And dessert was amazingly yummy too. They fed us well at the Opryland. IMG_8573

The view from our room wasn’t bad either, a pretty courtyard and small pond.


Thanks, Rhoda! Rhoda's full article can be viewed here.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Best Post if the Week: Week Forty 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!

Newly Joined Alabama Bloggers!!

I just finished updating The List again, and here are the new bloggers listed:

Mama Bear @ Bears In Exile (Huntsville)
Cherry Berry @ Cherishing Every Second (Jasper)
Linda @ Diary of a Terrible Temp (Birmingham)
Jules @ Dump The Rump
Steph @ Plain Chicken (Birmingham)
Shannon @ Great Homes Alabama (Birmingham)
Mrs. Chaos @ Confessions of Mrs. Chaos
Debi @ The Giraffe Head Tree
Scott @ Wilsonsway (Birmingham)
DaisyGirl @ Letting Go, Letting God
Amy @ Those Funny Little Girls (Mobile)
Bama Belle @ Thoughts of a Bama Belle (Birmingham)
Adrienne @ Pampered by Adrienne
Lisa @ How 2 Marketing Advice (Birmingham)
Lisa @ Lisa Isbell (Birmingham)
Lisa @ White Oak Attic Online Thrift Store and Old General Mercantile (Birmingham)

Be sure to go visit them and welcome them!!

Also - if you haven't categorized yourself yet, don't forget to do so!

Send Your Kids to an Art Camp Where They Can Play in the Mud!

Cahaba Clay Works and Earthborn Studios are offering a kid's art camp (ages 8-12) everyday from 10 am to Noon during the weeks of June 7-11 and July 12-16.

Each child will bring home five finished creations by the end of the week. The camp is only $125 per child. ($25 discount for siblings).

They will be able to have an amazing artistic and fun experience, including:

*Learning how to throw a pot, glaze and bring home their fired piece at the end of the week.

*Making a folk art wall hanging with acrylic paints -learn about what makes a folk artist different and what they typically paint.

*Creating a tile relief out of clay. Ready to hang on the wall by the end of the week.

*Throwing a mug they can drink out of. Add a funny face to it and laugh while drinking your hot chocolate.

*Sketching with pencil and paper their self portrait.

Enrollment is limited - call 205-702-7055.

There will also be plenty of artisan pottery for mom to look through at discounted prices. DSCF3149

Also, Adult classes and Mom and Me classes are offered Tuesdays and Thursdays all year long.


I had the opportunity to take one of these classes, and had an amazing time!DSCF3101

To read more about my personal experience with pottery class, click here.

Cahaba Clay Works and Earthborn Studios are located in Leeds. Call or go to their websites for directions.

Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way to post this information. All opinions are my own.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Categorize Yourself!

I know that everyone doesn't like putting their blog in a niche, and that is CERTAINLY okay with me. However, it's also nice to find blogs in certain niches when you're looking for them, so I've decided to offer a new way to organize the Alabama Blogs: by category.

If you don't see the category that you feel that you fit in, let me know! I'll be glad to add it! However, if you do, simply add yourself to the appropriate linky, and be sure to check others out in your same category!

Feel free to add yourself to more than one category!!!

Art

Bargains/Shopping

Books

Cooking


Crafty

Decorating

Devotional/Religious

Gardening

Health

Hobbies: Genealogy

Humor

Law

Life

Local Interest

Mommy Blog

Photography

Politics

Small Business

Technology

Work At Home



Please let me know if you want me to add a new category - I'll be glad to!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

March/April Blogger Meet-Up

March has gotten away from me much quicker than I expected it to! So I'm pushing our next meet-up out to Friday, April 2nd. Everyone really seemed to prefer meeting in Hoover, so let's meet at Jason's Deli on 150 (across from Chick-Fil-A) at 11:30am. If you need to be late, that's okay, because we're usually there for quite a while!

Be sure to RSVP on this post if you can be there, and feel free to send this to any other Alabama bloggers/social medialites out there!

The Twitter hashtag is #AlaBlogMeet.

Can't wait to see you all!

Amy's Extraordinary Alabama: Small Town Life.

By Amy

While Alabama is home to a few larger metropolitan areas like Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile and a few others most of our state is made up of the small cities and towns.

And as I've mentioned before I live in one of those small cities and over my next few posts here on Alabama Bloggers I'm going to introduce you to my small city and some of the reasons I love it.

Small town life can be quite entertaining if you let it. And while quirkiness abounds in any area it seems to take center stage in smaller cities and towns.

Last summer I was walking into my chiropractor's office checking email on my blackberry when catching a glimpse of something amiss I look up to find a new character I've never met before in our beloved little city.

Meet the "Crazy Cow."


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The "Crazy Cow" is a fundraiser by a local church youth group. One morning a business owner will show up to find the crazy cow in front of their business along with a note. The note informs them that in order to have the "Crazy Cow" removed they must pay a certain amount (I think it's around $10.00) to have it moved to the business of their choice. The next morning another business owner is surprised with the oversized decoration.

When I asked my chiropractor about it he eagerly looked forward to having it sent to another chiropractor friend of his in town.

By the time the "Crazy Cow" traveled its way around town everyone enjoyed many great chuckles at the game and the youth group had raised some funds to help their summer programs.

So now I want to know, what are some quirky, small town games and fundraisers that the majority of your town participates in?

Monday, March 8, 2010

Center Stage: Erin Shaw Street

By Jamie

Welcome back to
Center Stage where we take a fanfare look at one of the many great blogs being churned out here in Alabama. You can find past spotlights here.


As I'm dropping by blogs listed in THE LIST - my ADD is desperately wanting. It wants to be captured by some pictures, a great header, or some incredible storytelling. So when I stumbled upon a blog that included recent posts about her Elvis tree, teaching yoga to her toddler and a love for a vintage 90210 notebook - I planted myself in the archives wandering around for days.

Without getting worn out.

Erin Shaw Street

Erin Shaw Street is an Alabama blogger who gives you glimpses of a very unique, yet normal life. She's a magazine editor by day. And magazine editor by night. She seems to always be writing, but we're the better for it. Her life as a wife, mother, lover of fonts and malls are all simply stories to spin - whether at work or at play.

Only four more years of archives to go. A task I'm actually relishing.

Jamie is a planner of events by day and chaser of shiny things by night. Follow her trails at Jamie's Rabbits. If you'd like to have your blog featured on "Center Stage" then contact Jamie so she can swing by your neck of the internet woods. Please know she sometimes shows up uninvited, so you may see your blog on stage if she really digs it.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Best Post of the Week: Feature Another Blogger Week!


Wade made a great suggestion last week that we have a "feature someone else" week. So, this week, link in the best post you read this week (or last week) 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.
If you haven't linked up and introduced yourself yet, be sure to go here to do so!