In North Georgia

Meatloaf Tuesday is Back!

You did it! Starting this coming Tuesday, March 2, MEATLOAF TUESDAY returns to Sautee Trail Cafe.

Add some mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet tea … takes me right back to Grandma’s kitchen … and it just doesn’t get any better than that.

Sautee Trail Cafe is on Highway 17, at Cool Springs, about halfway between Clarkesville and Sautee.

View Larger Map

It’s a beautiful sunny day here in north Georgia. They’re predicting snow again this week, so go outside and soak in some Vitamin D.

Attention Meatloaf Lovers!!

Help us to encourage Judy to BRING BACK MEATLOAF TUESDAY at the Sautee Trail Cafe!!! If you haven’t had the meatloaf at Sautee Trail, it’s really yummy … Grandma’s recipe, and when they serve it with mashed potatoes, it feels just like home.  Next time you stop by for an Old-Fashioned Burger (great burger, fries and drink for $4.95), or the best pancakes in north Georgia (plump and light, with lacy brown edges just like Grandma used to make), be sure to let them know that WE WANT MEATLOAF TUESDAY BACK!

It sure has been an interesting two weeks … snow one day, a spring-like 65 degrees the next … and now winter again. Today’s blue sky and sunshine make it look warmer outside than it is.

We spent a couple days huddled by the fire with the essentials … phone, pizza, and lots of firewood. We were trapped by a fallen tree and without power for one day, and trapped by a fallen tree with power on another.  Winter in north Georgia is rarely dull.

My Mom visited for a couple of days from Michigan to attend the Duggan-Maley Tent 116’s 40th Anniversary Gala in Atlanta. We had a great time at the event, and got to meet some more wonderful circus fans, as well as the Musical Conductors of both the Big Apple Circus (Rob Slowik), and Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Red Unit (Brett Barlow)! It was also a delight to meet the beautiful daughters of Bello the Clown (of the Big Apple Circus), Annalisa and Amariah Nock.  There are a few pictures of the event on the CFA2010.com website, too … the official site for the 2010 Circus Fans Association of America Convention, to be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan this September.

Be sure to see the circuses while they’re in town!  You’ve still got time. We’re heading down to the Big Apple Circus at Stone Mountain on Friday. It’s a show you really don’t want to miss.

Thanks Bobby and Jinger of North 40 Lodge for making my Mom feel right at home … she loved the Mountain Laurel!  (PS. winter special is still going on at the North 40 Lodge … rooms starting at $65 a night!)

On the left is a picture of the room … cozy and toasty, and the bed (with flannel sheets!) is ever so comfy.

Snuggle in … looks like winter’s not through with us yet.  If you’re headed for Atlanta, be on the lookout for zebras and other exotic wildlife on the freeway … the Circus is in town!

We’re having a SNOW DAY! It’s a blue sky, bright and sparkling, snow covered day here in north Georgia.

If you’re  stuck at home, don’t despair … there are *lots* of fun things to do  …

• Make a snow angel
• Bake cookies
• Make snow cream*
• Curl up in front of the fire with old photo albums and get lost in happy memories
• Clean out drawers and closets and discover cool stuff
• Pull out all your old jewelry and put all old broken gold chains and earrings aside to turn in for cash on Monday.

I think I’ll make some *Snow Cream

1 cup milk
1/2 cup sugar
scant 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
large bowl of snow (about 3 quarts)

Blend milk, sugar and vanilla. Stir in enough snow to make an ice cream consistency.

Variations – There are many variations for snow cream. For example, substitute canned cream for milk for a heavier flavor. Add Nestles Quik for a chocolate snow cream, or use instant cocoa mix. Another variation is to add plump raisins and cinnamon, or add a beaten egg for a nog taste. Puree an overripe banana and add to the mixture. Sprinkle on some colored sprinkles, chocolate chips, granola … get creative.

Note: ALWAYS – ALWAYS make sure the snow is clean. It takes at least one to two hours for snow to clean the pollutants from the air, then use only snow that has fallen after that first cleansing snow.

Whatever you do, be sure to look outside every chance you get and soak in the amazing beauty of freshly fallen snow … enjoy your snow day!

It sure has been wintery!  Snowed all day Thursday, snowy rain on Friday and today the sky is blue and it’s 45 degrees!

Tom got some good pictures of the snow while passing Skylake, but we didn’t get enough of the white fluffy stuff to build a snow person.

Just another month and spring will be here … and for you golfers, we’ve got the perfect event for you! Dust off your clubs and welcome the warm spring days supporting a good cause …

The 6th Annual Golf Tournament supporting the Pickens Animal Rescue will be held April 7th, 2010.  Sponsors are needed. There are more activities than just playing golf, too … like a contest for the golf team with the best name.

Click here to open the flyer if you’d like to print it out and post it to help promote this event.

For registration, details or sponsorship, please contact Kimberly Holfels at kbr5050@etcmail.com.

There are so many good dogs waiting for good homes … please do what you can to help.

Stay warm and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

It was a beautiful weekend. The frost, ice and then a dusting of snow turned the gray sleeping forest into a sparkling winter wonderland.

We even put a few images of the ice on the leaf-o-meter for you who might have missed this amazing display from Jack Frost and Mother Nature.

This is looking down the hill from our porch … it was pretty as a picture postcard.

The CIRCUS is coming to Town!

Gather the kids and head for Toccoa on Wednesday for a special performance of the internationally known Circus Pages!  The Circus Pages (pronounced pay-hes) always provide wholesome family entertainment and a memorable performance.

Originating in Cuba in the 1960s, three generations of the world renowned Pages family create a mesmerizing show for all ages … international animal trainers, daredevils, aerialists, acrobats, and clowns.

Their respect and love of circus, each other, and their animals shows in each of the performers and every performance. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

There will be two shows on Wednesday, February 3 … 4:30 and 7:30 pm at the National Guard Armory on Savannah Street in Toccoa. Look for coupons like the one pictured here (I got mine at the BP in Clarkesville, next to Clarkesville Vet), and get FREE ADMISSION for TWO children under 14 when accompanied by a paying adult.

Our almost-3 year old Grandboy Nile is really excited about CIRCUS DAY … and so are we. For those of you who don’t know, we’re a circus-loving family. My mom is the president of Circus Fans Association of America, North America’s leading circus fan organization, founded 1926, and currently with over 1200 members.  (Click on the link above for information on joining the CFA.) We attend every circus that comes close, and urge you to do the same. Help us protect and preserve an American icon, the traveling circus.