Do you remember the Trail of Tears?
Sadly, the only thing I could tell you was it had to do with Native American Indians being forced to move out West. It seems my history classes focused more on the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Civil War than anything else. (more…)
Since it was Labor Day weekend, we were itching to get out of the city and do something different. We took a friend’s advice and went to see the Rock Garden in Calhoun.
When I think of rock gardens, I think of front-yard landscaping in front of Arizona houses – brown and ugly. This is totally different. It’s more like whimsical castles and bridges made from rocks. And it’s totally free!
Dewitt Boyd, aka “Old Dog” started the gardens, located behind the 7th Day Adventist Church, in 2007. He and other volunteers have spent years working on the different formations. The first one we came to was dedicated to one of the ministers of the church and had names of people in the rocks that contributed. As part of the building, there was a large rock wall that made a secluded outdoor living space to sit and reflect. (more…)
Located at the intersection of Hwy 75 (Helen Highway) and Hwy 17 in North Georgia, lies the 162-acre Hardman Farm State Historic Site. It is one of the newer additions to the Georgia State Park system. The farm was built by Colonel James Nichols in 1870 and originally called West End. After discovering the Indian Mounds, he built the red-roofed gazebo on top of it. As a side note, the nearby Anna Ruby Falls was named after Nichols’ daughter. (more…)
I just discovered a new tea shop in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood in Atlanta.
Tipple & Rose Tea Parlor and Apothecary opened in late 2015. Located in the heart of Va-Highlands near Dark Horse Tavern and Surin, the shop is housed in a former hair salon.
Entering the long narrow shop, you pass by the wood tables and exposed brick walls to get to the counter towards the back of the store. There, scrumptuous looking desserts tantalize you through the glass window. The L-shaped counter has workers busily brewing tea, dishing out desserts and ringing up purchases. On top, you will find a multi page tea menu. Organized by type (black, green, white) and region, there is a corresponding number to it. At first I thought it was just so the staff know what you want.
The owner explains that the menu numbers correspond to the numbers on the sniffing jars sitting on the other glass counter. How I missed it, I don’t know. There’s a huge board of about 100 jars.
I tried my hand at this. One of the black teas was called Gingerbread. As I held the menu, my husband found the corresponding number and passed me the jar to sniff. I love this place already! (more…)