Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Mother's Day in Oxford, Facebook Stuff (15 Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurants) AND Mountain Dew Cake

Good Wednesday evening!

RANDOMNESS #1 - When we visited Mrs. Faulkner this past Sunday for Mother's Day, our visit coincided with my great-niece and great-nephew's visit.

I was a little bit thrilled about the coincidence.

Here are just a few pics of our Mother's Day visit to Oxford this past Sunday.


The only thing cuter than an upside down baby...


Is a curled-up-on-the-floor-toe-holding baby.

Am I right?


Mackenzie has the perfect profile for the high ponytail.


Grandpa and Mackenzie.

RANDOMNESS #2 - Remember this guy.


Yep.

That's Tucker...

WAY back in December.


This is Tucker today.

I have a Tucker story if you have the time.

Last week, I took The Tuckster to the vet for a check-up.

I left in plenty of time to arrive early (no small feat for me), but when I went to the gate to put his leash on, I was met by our backyard neighbor's pit bull, Delores.

DISCLAIMER - I know Delores isn't her real name, but we started calling her that when she first arrived, and it stuck.

Delores had dup a big hole under her fence, ESCAPED and had come to our gate to play with Tuck.

My first thought was to put her inside our fence while we were gone so she would be safe.

My second thought was to NOT put her inside our fence in case she dug a HUGE hole that Tuck would use at a later date.

My third thought was to take her home, but where I had once been SO early, I was now SO late.

I called the proper "people," and when we returned home, Delores was safe and sound in her own space.

I am sorry to say, things went downhill from there.

Tuck was FANTASTIC on the ride to the vet.

He was equally FANTASTIC getting out of The Big Gold Van and walking into the lobby of the vet's office.

He went INSANE upon entering the lobby and seeing two well-behaved beagles.

So INSANE...

Well...

Long story, slightly shorter...

I kind of ended up on the floor of the lobby of our vet's office.

And while it is a very clean vet office...

It is still, and will always be, a floor where dozens...

NAY...

Hundreds of animals visit every single day.

Between moppings.

Don't get me wrong.

Tucker meant no harm to the beagle duo. He just wanted to play with new friends.

I could just tell from the beagles' owner's face, it wasn't going to end well, so I decided we would wait for our appointment outside on the bench.

In theory, this would have worked great, but a pick-up truck chose that exact moment to pull into the parking lot. Out of the pick-up truck hopped an average-sized man and a HUGE German Shepherd-type dog.

HUGE!

The dog couldn't see Tuck from his vantage point, but I choose to think he sensed his presence.

Otherwise, I would have to admit he wanted to eat me.

It took everything the average-sized man could do to hold him back, and he apologetically explained to me, "He doesn't play well with other dogs."

I wanted to ask, "How does he do with humans?"

But it was pretty apparent.

The man decided to wait in his pick-up truck.

I decided to wait in the lobby.

I felt it was a good decision for all concerned.

By the time our appointment was over, my black jeans were covered in dog hair from my time spent on the lobby floor...

My shirt was "I-just-fell-off-the-pier-into-the-lake" wet...

And Tucker was exhausted.

He climbed into the back of The Big Gold Van, curled into a ball and promptly fell into a very sound sleep.

I felt the same way, except I probably would have had a good cry before promptly falling asleep.

All that being said, Tucker is one sweet, lovable 41-pound-and-growing pup.

And we love him.

A lot.




Maybe not as much as well-behaved Eunice...

But still a lot!

Facebook Stuff

Even if I wasn't a lover of all lists, this would still intrigue me!

15 Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurants In Alabama That Will Blow Your Taste Buds Away

1. Big Spring Cafe - Huntsville - Big Spring Cafe opened in 1928, making it Huntsville's oldest operating Cafe. It's also known as the "Home of the Greasy Burger."

2. Down South BBQ - Foley - Down South BBQ serves some of the best barbecue on the Gulf Coast. This BBQ joint offers includes BBQ plates, delicious side dishes and their famous cornbread sandwiches.

3. Mrs. B's Home Cooking - Montgomery - Mrs. B's Home Cooking features down-home, Southern cooking that's served cafeteria style. Customers simply enter the food line, grab a tray and load up on delicious meats and vegetables. Everything is delicious at this popular Southern-style restaurant.

4. Po Boy Factory - Huntsville - Po Boy Factory is a Cajun and New Orleans seafood restaurant that's well known for its delicious made-from-scratch dishes. Most of the dishes from their menu cost less than $10, which include popular food items such as po boys, shrimp, jambalaya and oysters.

5. La Placita Mexican Grill - Madison - La Placita Mexican Grill is one of the best Mexican restaurants in the Madison area. The portions are huge, prices are great and the service can't be beat. What more could you ask for?

6. Flip Flop Deli Shop - Gulf Shores - Flip Flop Deli Shop is a great place to grab a bite to eat during lunch. Don't forget to get some of their delicious ice cream before you leave.

7. The Choice Restaurant - Gadsden - The Choice Restaurant, located in downtown Gadsden, is a popular spot for breakfast and lunch. Everything is homemade and the prices are very reasonable. You won't leave disappointed.

8. Greenbrier Restaurant - Madison - Greenbrier Restaurant is a local favorite that specializes in catfish, barbecue and seafood. Due to the diversity of Greenbrier's menu, there's something available for everyone.

9. Kitchen on George - Mobile - Kitchen on George is one of Mobile's finest restaurants. It's located within the Oakleigh Garden Historic District and the incredible dishes are created from locally sourced ingredients.

10. The Garage Cafe - Birmingham - The Garage Cafe features an amazing courtyard. When it comes to food, their specialty sandwiches are incredible!

11. Archibald's BBQ - Northport - Archibald's BBQ is best known for their amazing ribs. According to "USA Today" and "Good Morning America," they have some of the best ribs in America.

12. Taqueria El Cazador - Huntsville - Taqueria El Cazador is a Mexican restaurant that's located inside of a bus. What makes this restaurant unique is the fact guests can actually eat inside the bus, even though there's limited seating. They're best known for their tacos, but all of the menu items are delicious.

13. Sammy's Sandwich Shop - Birmingham - This family-owned and operated sandwich shop is known for serving the best burger in town. It's also a popular lunch spot among the locals.

14. Holy Smokes BBQ - Scottsboro - Holy Smokes BBQ is possibly the best BBQ joint in Scottsboro. Their fall-off-the-bone ribs are incredible, and their stuffed baked potatoes are a definite must try.

15. Tip Top Grill - Hoover - In addition to offering their guests a spectacular view, Tip Top Grill also offers delicious burgers and hot dogs. At one time, this unique restaurant was a gas station.

NOTE FROM THE ENCHANTING BELINDA - I am sad to say I have only been to Tip Top Grill. However, before Summer comes to an end, I plan on visiting The Garage Café and Sammy's Sandwich Shop here in Birmingham. I will let you know what I think!

Mountain Dew Cake

You will need the following:

1 box lemon cake mix
1 can Mountain Dew
4 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3 cups powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Spray Bundt pan with cooking spray.

3. With mixer, combine the cake mix, 1/4 cup Mountain Dew, eggs and vegetable oil.

4. Mix on low for 30 seconds. Turn speed up to medium and continue mixing for 2 more minutes.

5. Pour cake batter into prepared pan and bake 45 minutes. A toothpick should come out clean.

6. Let cool in pan.

7. When cake has cooled, prepare glaze.

8. Mix 3 cups powdered sugar and 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon Mountain Dew together in a medium bowl.

9. Stir until there are no lumps.

10. Pour the glaze over the cake.

I made this cake this week, and it was very easy and delicious.

It looked good, too.

Have a great Wednesday night. I will be back soon!

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

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