SATURDAY ESCAPADE IMPROMPTU DAY

    

                                                             WOOT WOOT!!!

                           HELLO EVERYONE.......

              The traveling mouse is up and at it again. 



Today (SATURDAY) I decided to venture out of my comfortable space and get out on the road again.  

                First we headed down to the

 

 

ATHENS FARMERS MARKET.......

 

 

YES we did...where we seen tons of wonderful things.....

 

 

 

I purchased my favorite vegetable/fruit in the world.... 

 

 

TOMATO

 

 

If you HAVE NOT been to the

 

 

 

ATHENS FARMERS MARKET...Check it out.

 

 

 

THEY HAVE EVERYTHING.......

Anywhere from veggies to granola, to coffee.  They have artistry such as jewelry and even woodworking, and handmade aprons.  You will find a variety of wonderful items at the Athens Farmer's Market..

 

You will also find a lot of friendly, smiling faces.  

 

Also most days you will find entertainment, as there is oftentimes someone there playing some type of musical instrument.  

 

 

 

COME ON DOWN and JOIN IN THE SMILES AND SOCIALZING OF ATHENS FARMERS MARKET...

 

AFM - WHERE EVERYONE IS YOUR NEIGHBOR !!!

 

 

 

 

              AFTER that we scurried onto BIRMINGHAM !!!!!!!!!!! 

 

 

We had plans to do a certain thing --NIKI'S WEST -- but we got side tracked and ended up at the

BIRMINGHAM ZOO..

so it was an IMPROMPTU day and it was


 

 

FANTABULOUS !!!

 

 

 

We had a GREAT day .....

 

 

 

 

 

 

                  We went to eat at    

 

Niki's West, a well known restaurant in Birmingham.  

AFTER THE ZOO...

 

Let me tell you....it was WELL WORTH IT...
 

Charlie had liver and onions..Now don't faint..I know, a lot of people don't like liver and onions, but honey, these were not bad...They were good...When people can make liver and onions taste good...They got something going on... :)  He also had Cucumber salad --YUM, and Coconut Crème pie...(TO DIE FOR) I forget what else..Now on to mine.  haha

 

Well when I got up there (My eyes were bigger than my stomach, as my Mother used to say)  I had ordered more than I thought before I knew it, and I had TOO MUCH FOOD)


 

 

I ordered Greek baked chicken, mac n cheese, turnip greens, pinto beans, broccoli, and of course you have to have a dessert-- so I got cherry pie (YUMM)

 

 

 

They have been serving the greater  Birmingham, Ala., area since 1957.

 

 

Owners, Pete and Teddy Hontzas, are second generation owners who took over the business from their father, the late Gus P. Hontzas.   This place has some GOOD FOOD.....

 

 

 

                                                             http://nikiswest.com/




Another great day come to an end.....

For the TRAVELING MOUSE.....

and her family



THANKS FOR CHECKING OUT

SOUTHERN DAY TRIPPERS

GUNTERSVILLE STATE PARK

 

Today Charlie and I traveled to Guntersville State Park to see the eagles.
 

We had a great time as we headed out about 8:30 AM and headed north on Hwy 72 towards Huntsville, AL..

We went 231/431 from Huntsville towards Guntersville.  On our first stop...We turned right at the sign that said Guntersville Dam. 

We went about 3-4 miles and take a fork to the right (towards the boat launch) ...then look on the right for a small gravel pull off.  Walk out the little open area...there is a eagles nest high in a pine tree on the right.  There is a picture of this nest  below. 

Eagles Nest


 

 After we visited the nest site, we went to the boat launch and seen the bird

 

nested in the tree. 

 






We saw this eagle perched in this tree across the river at the boat launch.



 

 

Eagle flying
This eagle was seen flying over at the nesting site later in the evening after we got through eating at the Lodge.  

 

We then went on to the Guntersville Lodge and ate brunch. We had a nice time there also. 







































There is a bear loose in the foyer..








 

ITS A OWL!!!!!

Excuse me?
 




DEER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!









 We saw quite a few deer while we were out on road

This one acted like she wanted to go home with us. 

I decided to name her Lola.   She was adorable :)

Lola the Diva Deer :)

 

 

 

Big Daddy Buck
 

We had a good time together today exploring the many wonderful animals that God has put on this earth.  I did the driving and Charlie and I took time about doing the photography. 

This is a great trip to take for the entire family.  If you have children this is a VERY educational trip. 

Each year Lake Guntersville has Eagle Awareness Tours....Check out the best time of year to go for EAGLE AWARENESS.....(256)571-5440

It is truly awesome to see these birds.  :)  

THE MOM AND POP GIFT SHOP

THE MOM AND POP GIFT SHOP

 

 

 

I took a little trip down to Killen, AL Friday and visited a cozy gift shop located on Highway 72.

 

It is right across the road from the Killen Church of Christ.

 

I went inside and met some friendly ladies who had some AWESOME gifts.

 

 

Just to name a few things:

 

Awesome Christmas Gifts for MOMS

 

CUTE CUTE CUTE Baby Gifts for the new MOMS

 

 

Guys...

 

 if you are looking for that SPECIAL, one of a kind gift for your wife!!!  Tonya has all kinds of gorgeous handcrafted unique jewelry.   

 

She will fix you right up !!

 

 

They have the

 

"LOVE YOU MORE THAN GRAVY AND BISCUITS NECKLACES" and they are adorable.  

 

 

You need to head on down to

THE MOM AND POP GIFT SHOP

 

They are open:

Wed 10-5

Thur and Fri. 10-6

Sat 10-4

 

 

 

1519 Hwy. 72

Killen, AL 35645

256 757-9560

 

Check The Mom and Pop Gift Shop out on Facebook at

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Mom-and-Pop-Shop/301284229931076

 

Go see them and tell them that Lisa Giovino from Southern Day Trippers sent you !!!

http://southerndaytrippers.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

UNCLE MICK'S CAJUN MARKET AND CAFE'

UNCLE MICK'S CAJUN MARKET AND CAFE'

in
 

Prattville, AL

 

 

 

 

 

Today we decided to hit the road and head south to a restaurant I saw advertised on Facebook.

 

It sounded WONDERFUL and I wanted to see if it was as good as it sounded.  

 

We headed out and took I-65 South and got off at Exit 179....we went straight into downtown Prattville...and there it was on the right hand side of the road.  It was VERY easy to find. 

It was three hours from Athens, AL., but let me tell you what it was well worth the drive..

 

 

UNCLE'S MICK'S CAJUN MARKET AND CAFE'

 

 

 

Uncle Mick

 

Mickey Thompson is the owner of this awesome Cajun restaurant and it is truly wonderful dining experience. It is nestled in beautiful

downtown Prattville, AL.

The decor of the place was really COOL!!Uncle Mick has a place for you to sit inside or a back porch for you to sit and relax on and dine.

He is a super friendly guy and it was wonderful to meet him. We hope to get to opportunity to go back again sometime.   

 

 

I could tell already that I was going to like this place.  Uncle Mick was behind the counter  serving the food.  He was so very polite to every one and was giving samples, and allowing his customers to try items before they got their meal.



 

 

I ordered:

 

1/2 Crawfish Etoufee and 1/2  Shrimp A La Creme, Cajun Potato Salad and Fruit 

Garlic Bread

 

 

Charlie ordered: 

 

Grilled Tilapia with Lemon Butter Sauce

Crawfish Etoufee, Tomato Salad/Feta Cheese and Blackeye peas  Garlic Bread

 

For dessert:

Bread Pudding w/ Bourbon Sauce

 

 

 

 

THE BREAD PUDDING IS SOOOOOO  GOOD !!!!

 

 

EVERYTHING WAS WONDERFUL!!!!

 

 

    

He has a great selection of Entrees:

 

Crawfish Etoufee

Seafood Gumbo

Chicken and Sauage

Chicken and Sausage Piquante

Alligator and Sausage Sauce Piquante

Red Beans and Sausage

Crab Meat Au Gratin

Grilled Tilapia with Lemon Butter Sauce

 

and tons of sides 

 

He has lots of desserts --of course I suggest the

BREAD PUDDING !!! haha

 

It is WONDERFUL!!!

 

 

GO SEE HIM!!!

 

IT IS WORTH YOUR TRIP...

 

IF YOU LOVE CAJUN FOOD

 

YOU WILL LOVE

 

UNCLE MICK!!!

 

 

               Tell him that Lisa Giovino from Athens, AL and
                        SouthernDayTrippers said HELLO   

Check out Uncle Mick's Cajun Market out on Facebook at

 

http://www.facebook.com/UncleMicksCajun?ref=ts&fref=ts#!/UncleMicksCajun/info



HELLO READERS

We are striking out soon, hopefully

this weekend for another trip....so stay tuned.......

I am excited about an other upcoming trip.....

Oh how I love to go on road trips....

SQUEAK!!!    

THE BAKERY AT ELKMONT

THE BAKERY AT ELKMONT

                         

WELL, people do I have some things to share with you.....

A while back I told you a story about a young lady named Caren who had a dream. 

She dreamed of cakes, and cookies and sweet smellings smiles and laughter

that she created all with God's help. 

I told you how she opened a bakery and began to beautiful create beautiful cakes and

people were in awe of her creations.

For years she created cakes as a hobby and had fun.

She experienced many new ideas……

After much prayer and patience,

God had allowed a far away dream to come true....

**RECENTLY VOTED BEST CUPCAKE IN THE

HUNTSVILLE, AL  AREA** 

                                                                          

    

Once again, I am enticing you to come on and stroll in,

you will smell the warm hint of fresh cake

tickle your nose, and

the sweetness of fresh baked muffins and cupcakes

…..mmmmmmmm

This was indeed the smell of a fresh colonial bakery……

This was the good country welcome of

a dream come true......



Caren Samples present:

The Bakery at Elkmont opened with a prayer,

and asking for God's blessing.




Come on by and be blessed with the sweet treats

we have to offer you.   

From the youngest to the oldest, people came out on

the first day to try the new delectable desserts.



THE COOKIES, AND CUPCAKES ARE WONDERFUL

          

          The Bakery at Elkmont is full of wonderful fresh baked

goodies..waiting for you to take home to please your loved ones.

They have a variety of cakes to choose from

and they do custom cakes for all occasions.

Gorgeous Minnie Mouse Cake 
My husband ordered this beautiful cake as a surprise
from Caren for my birthday this year.  
It was AWESOME!!

Call and ask for Caren;
she will make you happy too.  o 

Her and her staff will be happy to help you with all of your bakery needs.

"THE BAKERY AT ELKMONT!
was featured in the Food Section of
The Decatur Daily

on October 24, 2012.

 



They are located at

23925 Thach Road

Elkmont, AL 35620

Monday - Friday 7 am - 4 pm

Saturday 8 - 12

Sunday Closed

                                           

                                          

 

The Bakery at Elkmont will be closing as of the end of

                  July 2014, and will not be taking any new cake orders. 

 

The Bakery at Elkmont AKA Bake-a-Cake Caren! While she is closing The Bakery, she will not stop cake decorating or cooking. I would love for you to keep up with me on my new page - Bake A Cake Caren! I will be posting cake photos as usual, but I will also be posting recipes as well as cooking, baking & cake decorating tips & tricks!

I will be moving everything over to the new page & deleting this page some time after. So, please "like" my new page & share it with your friends!

 

Phone	1 256.497.4418
Email	ElkmontBakery@gmail.com
Website	http://www.ElkmontBakery.com

Check out their facebook page. See all of the many cake designs.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.381964475163727.105409.380347371992104&type=3#!/ElkmontBakery

Call and ask for Caren.

(256) 497-4418

They will be pleased to help you with all of your bakery needs.

TELL THEM LISA FROM

SOUTHERN DAY TRIPPERS SENT YA :)



CLASSIC CLOSET AND KASEY KIDS

    Today I wandered down the road to a

       WONDERFUL shop that

  I love to go to....

A couple of delightful young ladies work in this shop and are

totally great at their jobs. 

  If you are looking for something nice to wear for that

special occasion…THEY CAN FIX YOU UP.

If you don’t want to spend a fortune……but you want to get some nice

clothes and in the meantime meet some wonderful new friends.

HEAD ON DOWN TO THE

CLASSIC CLOSET …

VISIT

Lori Ish-Masonia and Donna Moran Ellis

They are waiting to help you find exactly what you need. 

They even have accessories, such as purses, jewelry, and shoes. 

They have casual wear, and formal wear. 

If you are getting ready to take that walk down the aisle for that special

man in your life

then you need to check out their bridal section. 

They have a large selection of bridal gowns.        

Let them help you make your special day ......

Announcing Kasey's Kids
now located inside CLASSIC CLOSET   

Consignment for Children's clothing...

COME CHECK THEM OUT ALSO !!!!!

LOTS OF CHILDRENS CLOTHING

AWESOME BUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They are located right off Hwy 72 on Jefferson Street.…  

CHECK THEM OUT!!!!  They would love to meet you !!

THE CLASSIC CLOSET

1102 Jefferson Street

Athens, AL 35611

(256) 230 3877

Check them out on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/jetjoc1984/posts/3557035200439?ref=notif&notif_t=feed_comment_reply#!/ClassicClosetConsignment

Go by and see them.....

Tell them that Lisa Giovino J from

SOUTHERN DAY TRIPPERS SENT YOU !!!