Travels in the South

Hello sweet friends.  How was your Valentine’s Day yesterday?  In honor of the sweetest day of the year, mom/dad shared a little love yesterday as well.  They went out to dinner and afterwards enjoyed this delicious concoction.  And hey, splitting a dessert means half of the calories, right?  But who’s counting calories on Valentine’s Day – snorts.

This lovely creation is called a Margarita Cheesecake which is seasonal special at a local steakhouse called Logan’s Roadhouse.  Now, it’s like other cheesecakes made with cream cheese but it has Logan’s signature margarita blend on the graham cracker crust.  And don’t forget about the sliced strawberries all over the place.  Mom said it was – what was the phrase she used – delightful to the fullest!

So, if you are near a Logan’s Roadhouse, make sure you check it out for this wonderful dessert.  You won’t be disappointed.

 

 

 

 

Travels in the South

Hello friends – welcome back to mom/dad’s Travels in the South.  Today is a good one…. snorts – I say that every week don’t I?  Rolls with piggy laughter.  Well as you know mom/dad have been changing their way of eating.  It’s definitely a work in progress for sure.  Well, a couple of weeks ago mom took dad out for his birthday.  Dad wanted to go to a local steakhouse for dinner.

Dad went for a steak of course ❤   He ordered a prime rib and mom said since it was his birthday he could have french fries.  Nice of her huh?  Snorts!  Mom went with the strawberry fields salad.  Doesn’t that look awesome?  It has everything in it from nuts to grapes to strawberries to oranges.  Yummy huh?

 

Travels in the South

Are you asking yourself, “Self, just what is this creation on Bacon’s Travels in the South this week?”  I’m glad you asked my friends.  See last week for dad’s birthday, he wanted to go to our local Bojangles where he wanted to try this creation.  Now I’m going to let mom describe what it is… she says I don’t need to know what’s inside of it.  I think we all knows what that means.

This fabulous looking bowl is called the Pulled Pork Bowl.  It starts with Bojangle’s spicy Cajun pintos, then they add a sweet and smoky sauce along with pulled pork and topped with cole slaw.  Even I was questioning if this would be good or not.  In fact, I tried not to like the taste I got out of the hub unit’s bowl.. but I couldn’t help myself.  It was delicious!

So if you have a Bojangles in the area, stop in and try this creation – I think you’ll like it too 🙂

 

Travels in the South

Hello sweet friends and welcome to another great edition of Travels in the South.  This past weekend, my mom/dad had to go to Alabama for a quick trip.  While they were gone, they stopped at a restaurant called Top O’ The River in Gadsden, Alabama.  Now this restaurant has special meaning to mom/dad.  You see it was over 20 years ago that dad and his family ate here.  They then told mom about it and mom and  her family ate here.  But mom/dad together have never been here.  So going to this restaurant was kind of like a coming home if you will.

When mom/dad arrived at the restaurant, there was not a single available parking space in the entire lot.  It was barely 5:00pm and there were 100’s of cars.  Mom says this is a sure sign of good food to come.  Finally mom spotted a parking space, they parked and entered the restaurant.  That’s when they saw lots of people waiting in line.  Mom/dad knew they were going to be in for a long wait so they put their name in and started looking at the menu.  You can see the menu here.  Amazingly, mom/dad might have waited less than 15 minutes and their number was called.  Mom/dad were ecstatic to say the least.  There were lots of big parties here that night so thank goodness it was just mom/dad.

Mom/dad got a fantastic seat at a booth next to the windows which was what – overlooking the top o’ the river.  Cute huh?  And what a view they had that you can see from this picture.  Beautiful and serene, lots of green trees and there were some ducks swimming around in the water.  Can you imagine what these trees are going to look like when Fall finally decides to get here?

The sweet little waitress came to the table and mom asked her what was good to get.  She said that there platters were awesome and way more food than one can eat… although the platters say for one.  So mom/dad said why not and went with the platter to share.  Boy, were they surprised when the waitress came back with some starters in the form of cole slaw and cornbread.

If you have never had southern cornbread, you are in for a treat.  Cornbread is one of mom’s specialties and dad says she makes the best. In fact here in the south, a good cornbread  will get you a good man… so says mom/dad – snorts.  But mom said this cornbread was fantastic!  Cornbread is made with cornmeal, milk, eggs, some people add a little sugar although mom doesn’t, and this cornbread had corn and jalapeno peppers.  This cornbread was served with a delicious creamy cole slaw and sliced onions on the side.  Mom/dad said they could just eat these starters and be just fine.  That’s country folks my friends – simple food for a fantastic experience.

But mom/dad ate all they could and before they knew it, it was time for the main course.  Remember the platter was suppose to be for ONE person? Well here is that platter in it’s glory.  There is boneless catfish fillets, popcorn shrimp, fried shrimp, chicken fingers, hush puppies and french fries.  Doesn’t that platter look simply amazing!  And the size of it compared to dad’s hand.  Remember, the platter was for one person.  There is no way!  Mom/dad were so glad they decided to share the meal.

They ate to their hearts desire both of them afterwards being so full and happy.  That’s what this experience was all about.  Enjoying each other, sharing a wonderful experience and just enjoying the time and scenery.  For a while, time stopped and mom/dad sat for a while and just relaxed for a bit away from everything.  And of course, you all know my daddy.  He’s never met anyone that he can’t talk to.  Today was no exception.

On the way out of the restaurant, he met the restaurant mascot, Mr. Catfish at the exit door.  They had a moment to discuss politics, the secret recipe for those wonderful catfish fillets and dad got directions home… that is after they visited the back deck of the restaurant for one last final view.

And that final view is what I leave you with today my friends.  A reflection of a great meal with some wonderful memories made.  And I have to ask you.  When was the last time that you had a dinner with family that you just sat in comfort with each other, laughed and just let everything stop for a moment.  Enjoy my friends.

 

Travels in the South

Today we continue our travels in the south series.  I’m going to take you back to Tybee Island, Georgia.  Why?  Because that happens to be one of the places in the entire world that mom/dad can get to for an escape of reality to find inner peace.  You believe that, right?  Snorts with piggy laughter.

So there mom/dad was in one of the many stores on Tybee Island, wondering around aimlessly looking for ‘it’.  You do know what ‘it’ is, right?  When woman know they need something but can’t quite put their manicured finger on what it is they need.  You follow me now?  So there they were in this store, mom looks up and says to dad, “There it is!”  Oh dear have mercy is what I think dad mumbled.  What was it?  Take exhibit A in the picture to the left.  For a moment mom thought they were in the South Pacific on Easter Island.  Where else would they be finding this ‘dude’?

You know Easter Island – There are mysterious moai statues that are huge – averaging 13 feet and weighing 14 tons.  Although they stand silent reaching for the stars, they speak volumes on how did they get there and how were they constructed which to this day is a mystery.  So was mom surprised when she found “Junior” here on Tybee Island, Georgia of all places.  Now, mom thought Junior would be awesome standing either on her front porch here at the Hotel Thompson or on the deck.  See, mom’s weird like that.  And I’m sure us anipals would have endless nightmares of Junior chasing us in our sleep.  So, this is the one time that I can say dad talked some sense into mom… this time.  But if Junior is still there the next time mom/dad visits the island, I can’t promise it won’t come home… yay.

 And another “it” that mom found while shopping endlessly for nothing, was a treasured Tybee Island rock.  You know this rock did make it home to the Hotel Thompson and is now treasured with our other pet rocks.  They all get along and have been talking non-stop about the beach and the fantastic water.  I foresee a pet rock excursion taking place to Tybee Island in the near future.  Do you?

Now, I’m stepping away from this part on food – take it away mom/dad ❤

For obvious reasons, Bacon doesn’t need to see this.  This creation is one of mine and Jim’s favorite breakfast foods while visiting Tybee Island.  We even introduced it to Jean/Bill from Canadian Cats and to Fozziemom/Fozziedad from All Fur One and One Fur All when they visited.

It is hash browns well done crispy sprinkled with chopped up fried bacon.  See, that’s why Bacon didn’t need to see this.  It is insanely evil and so delicious.  You won’t look at plain hash browns the same way.

Hope you enjoyed this week in our Travels in the South series.  Until next time

 

 

 

 

 

Travels in the South

Welcome my friends to another edition of Travels in the South.  Today I want to share another food experience with you from mom/dad.  You know those two are professional eaters what can I say.  That might be where I get it from, right?  Snorts with piggy laughter.

Well, there’s a certain restaurant nearby that was offering “Endless Aps”.  No not phone aps.. appetizers my silly friends.  Well mom also belongs to their food club where every time you eat there you acquire points towards free food.  Well part of the food club is that you get special things that you have to ask for.  For instance, chips and salsa come complimentary with your meal.  How about that?  BUT you have to ask and then show them your membership.

So mom/dad ordered some chips to start with… and did I mention they are endless?  Do you see where this post is going – endless – snorts.  Well daddy wanted to try all of the ‘endless aps’ that were on special.  Mom ordered a side salad and was going to sample things here/there which I’m sure was not how this was suppose to go but did this day.

Dad wanted to try everything so here you go – Potato Skins, Mozzarella Sticks, Pot Stickers, Fried Green Beans and Boneless Wings in a Tennessee barbeque sauce.  And nods head – you read that right.  Fried Green Beans which mom says is her new favorite.  Now, don’t drool too much on your keyboard my friends ❤

 

Travels in the South

Welcome my friends.  Let’s take another stroll down memory lane with our friends Bill and Jean from Canadian Cats who visited us back in February of this year.  There are still so many pictures that we come across that we haven’t shared.

For instance this picture of daddy who thinks he has the power to bend palm trees on the main strip at Tybee Island, Georgia.  Really daddy?  Please refrain from moving things – you are not a super hero… yet.  Snorts with piggy laughter.

Daddy for some reason thought that palm tree looked like the leaning tower of Pisa.  Mom tried to tell him it wasn’t but well you all know my daddy.  He doesn’t paddle with both oars at all.

And then, while everyone is shopping in a store, the boys disappeared.  Where were they and what were they up to?  It couldn’t be good, right?  Of course not.  Mom and Jean looked up and down the aisles looking for those crazy two.  That’s when they found them on aisle 5 in the store.  What were they doing?  Are you ready for this?

They were caught picking up ho-ho’s.  Really boys?  You two can not be trusted anywhere in public. Shaking my piggy head.  And just what do your humans do when unattended?

 

Travels in the South

Oh sweet friends – welcome back to another edition of Travels in the South.  Today we bring you some entertainment.  While Fozziemom and Fozziedad were visiting, all decided to go to Tybee Island, Georgia.  Once there, they were hungry and thirsty so went across the street to one of mom/dad’s favorite restaurants called Bernies.

Last week, on this post here – I showed you some of the food that they had at the restaurant – strips of bread and beer cheese and buffalo shrimp.  Who could ask for anything more?  Well these four would ask for something more – snorts with piggy laughter.

You see, Bernies sells an alcoholic concoction that they call Jell-O shots.  Not just any Jell-O shots but Jell-O shots in different flavors and topped with Pop Rocks.  Yep Pop Rocks – you know the little candies that pop in your mouth and was the roar years and years ago.  Well mom thought hey ya’ll, let’s do some Jell-O shots.  And everyone was like sure why not we’ve never had any before.  So the table of Jell-O virgins had shots all around all in different flavors.

You take a little stirring stick and break the Jell-O from the sides and then gulp in down in one or two swallows.  At the time of swallowing, you have the magical Pop Rocks popping in your mouth.  Well one Jell-O shot led to several Jell-O shots and the table was feeling great.

So great was the Jell-O shots that even Bashful had to get into the action.  And we all know that rock likes his alcohol for sure!  So everyone left the restaurant in good spirits and walked back across the street to their hotel.  Now last week, I hinted at something extra that my mom did with her circus wig.  So now, I’m going to tell you what she did.  Come closer.

Everyone went to their rooms and it was decided that they would change into swimsuits to go to the pool, which was right across their rooms.  So mom changes into her swimsuit and giggles like a school girl in the bathroom.  She comes out with her robe and tells daddy what she did.  Daddy falls across the bed he is laughing so hard.  Mom then goes over to the joining door to Fozziemom’s room and knocks.  Fozziemom answers and she tells Fozziemom that she needs her opinion in something.  Fozziemom was so quick to say sure what do you have.  Mom then opens up her robe showing her bathing suit.  And let’s just say mom put that wig ‘down under’.  She then proceeded to ask Fozziemom if she thought mom needed to shave before going to the pool.  Honest truth.  That shows you how whacked my mom is.  Snorts with piggy laughter.

So until we meet again – cheers!

 

Travels in the South

 Welcome back my friends for another edition of Travels in the South.  Today, I’m going to take you on an inside look at Fozziemom and my mom.  Needless to say that these pictures are ‘inside’ pictures at some crazy stuff that might have happened during Fozziemom and Fozziedad’s travels here this past May.

 Now when mom/dad got home, I heard my mom/dad bust out in spontaneous laughter all.of.the.time upon certain stories being told.  Of course, I didn’t know the entire story until I came across some pictures on mom’s iPhone.  Then I was like what in the world were they doing?  Were they on drugs?  Were they drunk?

I mean do these pictures look ‘normal’ to you?  Of course I asked daddy if they were normal.  Daddy said that normal was just a word and never to be used to describe mom or Fozziemom.  I guess that tells us a lot huh?

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Dad said that mom and Fozziemom (get this because it’s good) even got out on the side of a mountain road proceeding to dance in these wigs.  Closes my eyes and shakes my piggy head.  What were they thinking?  Can you imagine driving along on some winding roads.  You turn a corner and see two strange ladies dancing and singing way out of tune wearing this circus wigs?  I don’t know about you but I would be hitting the accelerator a little harder – just sayin’.  These two were and are clowns!

But I do want to share some awesome food that everyone had when they finally turned in their wigs and arrived at the beach – snorts with piggy laughter.  One of the most simplest appetizers that mom/dad love are bread and beer cheese – yep nods head – beer cheese.  This little strips of bread are grilled, buttery and cut into strips.  They make the *perfect* dipping accessories for that glorious beer cheese that is so gooey and wonderful – not too strong of beer at all.  It was perfect.

And the other picture is one of mom/dad’s favorite foods at the beach – buffalo shrimp.  These are shrimp that are lightly battered and deep fried.  Once they come out of the fryer, they are tossed in a buffalo sauce just like you would do with hot wings.  They are served with blue cheese dressing.  Yummo!

Awesome and happiness in these pictures my friends!  You can quit licking the screens now 🙂

 

 

 

 

Travels in the South

Today, we are going to step back and reminisce over a great meal with some great friends, Bill and Jean from Canadian Cats.  If you remember, they visited us here at the Hotel Thompson earlier this year in February.  Well I came across some pictures that were taken that mom/dad forgot to share.  After you see this pictures, you will understand why mom/dad didn’t share them with me.  In fact, I’m going to let mom take it from here so I don’t have to discuss this.  I’m sure you will understand.  Take it away mommy!

“Thanks Bacon.  For obvious reasons friends, you will understand why Bacon didn’t want to be any part of today’s Travels in the South.  I do have to say that owning a shall we call P.I.G. it does make it difficult to partake in some foods here at the Hotel Thompson.  For those obvious reasons, when the need kicks in to eat pork we go out.  And yes, we have had conversations with Bacon that he is definitely not that kind of pig – thank goodness.

When Bill and Jean visited, there is a really good barbeque restaurant near us that the hub unit likes to visit from time to time.  I mean come on, you know sometimes you get the *need* for delicious food.  We took Jean and Bill to this restaurant.

The first course was an appetizer of “Redneck Egg Rolls”.  Okay we are in the south and it was appropriate, right?  They take egg roll sheets, fill them with smoked pulled pork, homemade cole slaw and jack cheese.  Then they deep fry them until they are golden brown.  They serve them with a smokey ranch dipping sauce.  Can you say yum?  These are good, crispy and really you will want more.  The hub unit just can’t get enough.

Then no one could really decide what to get so we ordered the feast for four.  It came with the works – slice pork, ribs, chicken and brisket.  Then don’t forget all of the sides – french fries, cole slaw, baked beans and garlic toast.  No way was the plate emptied by the time everything was done.  But I will tell you this – we walked away with full bellies and not just from the food.

We laughed.  We talked.  We spoke of the past.  We spoke of the future.  Sometimes there was even silence.  Not bad silence.  The kind of silence you get with great friends when everyone is happy and feeling so loved.

Just because you are out of sight from the ones you love, it doesn’t mean you are out of our thoughts.  We look forward to the next time sweet friends ❤ “