The state of Tennessee borders eight states, Missouri and Arkansas to the west, Kentucky and Virginia to the north, North Carolina to the east, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia in the south. About one third of the Tennessee River runs through north Alabama; we stopped at several ports-of-call when we cruised up here from Mississippi over a dozen years ago. Chattanooga is situated in the southeast, so we visit Alabama and Georgia quite frequently.
The first day of fall found us visiting friends in Birmingham. We love the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and always find an excuse to visit. Hoping to beat the lingering summer heat, we opted for a morning stroll at the garden. It seemed rather busy with construction going on here and there. They must be getting ready for fall planting and activities.
The Japanese garden is our favorite, and that was where we wandered around for a couple of hours.
traditional Japanese garden gate
We love watching the turtles and the colorful Koi fish swim so gracefully in the tranquil garden pond. Too bad we had nothing to feed them.
Do you see them turtles sunning on the rocks?
Pretty anemone hybrida by the iconic bridge
Japanese granite welcome lantern
Bamboo boardwalk
The bamboo forest was awe inspiring. These towering giants grow fast and are invasive. We have friends who had a hard time removing them from their backyards.
towering bamboos
Summer blooms are over at the Dunn Formal Rose garden.
Getting lost in the 67 acres of beauty at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens on a nice day is relaxing and oh so peaceful. When fall finally arrives, the Japanese maples will take on a stunning color. Until then, enjoy the tour!
I admit it. I'm a yard sale junkie. Our first house was furnished with many kitchen tools and knickknacks bought from a flea market in lovely New Hope (Bucks County), Pennsylvania. In the past ten years, we've visited the marché aux puces de Saint-Ouen in Paris, France, the Brimfield Antique Flea Market in Western Massachusetts, and community yard sales from Tennessee to Florida.
So when the annual longest yard sale came around (first weekend of August) I was ready. Driving on Lookout Mountain Parkway through TN, GA and AL is very scenic with vistas of mountain and farmlands in the valley. This year, I went with locals who know the yard sale circuit well. Friday found us on route 28 and 127 in the direction of Dunlap. We stopped in private homes, barns and many vendors along the side of the road. The town of Dunlap is yard sale central. Many vendors lined both sides of the main drag. There were more vendors past route 111; unfortunately, it started to rain, giving us the perfect excuse to close our wallets and stop buying more stuff we don't need :-)
This Louisiana couple found some furniture
A lovely drive through rolling hills to this house in the distance
Estate sale at this house. Teapots, anyone?
I was on a roll. On Sunday, I rounded up another friend to go to Mentone, Alabama, about 45 minutes away. We had a blast shopping, chatting with the friendly locals and out-of-state vendors.
Many vendors were set up in this campground
A hefty $50 for this license plate!
this Southern gentleman and his wife run a store in Summerville, Ga
We ate at the popular Wildflower Café, which is housed in an 1800s log cabin. You have to be careful walking to your table as there are small uneven steps throughout the restaurant. A strolling guitarist serenaded the diners at their table. The café is famous for its tomato pie, but the polenta shrimp grits was to die for!
Prime rib sandwich, polenta shrimp and grits, tomato pie
When we cruised into the deep South, we made many wonderful discoveries—one of them being this black-eyed pea salsa. It was so good it instantly became a favorite. A true crowd-pleaser at potlucks and parties, it adds a delicious, festive touch to any holiday table. Packed with bright flavors, fresh ingredients, and nutritious black-eyed peas, it’s the kind of dish guests gather around—and always ask for the recipe. If you give it a try, let me know how it turns out in the comments below!
In the spring of 2006, we crossed the Gulf of Mexico from Anclote Key (near Tarpon Springs) to Dog Island. We took our time cruising the Florida Panhandle, exploring the magnificent beaches of the so-called “Redneck Riviera.” It was a stretch of coastline as colorful in personality as it was beautiful in scenery.
A lovely sunny day to explore Shell Island, Panama City
Barge traffic on the Gulf ICW heading towards Mobile Bay
On our way to Mobile, Alabama, we cruised past Lulu’s, a lively-looking restaurant along the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) in Gulf Shores. It seemed like a fun spot, but we didn’t have time to stop. Later, we learned that Lulu’s is owned by Jimmy Buffet’s sister, Lucy, and several friends told us how much they loved it. One of them even received Lulu’s cookbook as a Mother’s Day gift, and she fixed us the delightful black-eyed pea salsa—also known as L.A. (Lower Alabama) caviar. Thank you for sharing, Janice!
Black-eyed peas are widely grown in the South and are a staple in many Southern dishes. Traditionally eaten on New Year’s Day, they are believed to bring luck. If you’re looking for a unique appetizer that’s healthy, delicious, and easy to make, black-eyed pea salsa is the perfect choice. The zesty vinaigrette paired with the black-eyed peas will tantalize your taste buds, making it a fabulous addition to any cocktail or holiday party.
This black-eyed pea salsa recipe is adapted from a dish served at Lulu’s. It makes a large batch—ideal for holiday gatherings—but you can easily halve it if needed. I guarantee this black-eyed pea salsa will be a hit with your guests. Enjoy!
3 (15-oz) cans black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1 cup green bell pepper, diced
1 cup yellow bell pepper, diced
1 cup red bell pepper, diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 cup red onion, diced
1 cup cilantro, finely chopped
Dressing
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
¾ cup balsamic vinegar
¼ cup sugar
2 tsp salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1. In a large bowl, whisk the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sugar, salt and black pepper. Set aside.
2. In large glass bowl, toss together the black eyed peas, all the bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onions and cilantro. Pour dressing over the black eyed peas mixture, and toss to combine. Transfer to plastic container, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
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