Blue Plate Special

It really is the little things in life that keep you sane. With one final down, and two to go, I needed a much needed break. I found time to relax and unwind at the most unexpected place, the WDVX station's Blue Plate Special at the Knoxville Tourist Bureau. The center has a stage with single microphone. The stage is surrounded by blue plates with images of hall of fame visitors. The site is also home of the Gourmet Cafe which has a wide array of lunch items as well as coffee and drinks.

Walking in, Daniel and I were one of the handful of visitors under the age of 60. I knew this would be fun...My cold-weathered afternoon was transformed into a knee-slappin, banjo pickin' good time. A folk band, The Wilders, kept the crowd going with their upbeat tunes for an hour.

Now, I'd heard about the daily free concert before, but this was my first visit during my four years in Knoxville, and I was wowed! Can't wait to go later this week (this time I'll try the food, oh yeah!)
Not only was this a great way to unwind, but I witnessed one of the funniest scenes this week. An older man wearing a "Coolest dad in the world sweatshirt" (as if that isn't enough reason to laugh) started dancing a little jig with a full coffee cup on his head. Wish I had video coverage for that one.
Anyways, once again Knoxville has surprised me with it's little freebies of fun.

Savor the season

As I currently sit at my computer, a light rain patters against the window pane. My thoughts have drifted to Spring, and the freshness that accompanies it. It feels as though the air is cleaner, the sun is brighter, the grass is greener, and the food....ahhhh the food.

The plethora of green asparagus, crunchy lettuce, crisp carrots, succulent strawberries, and fresh rhubarb will soon be the stars of my evening meals. But, lately I've been pondering the concept of eating seasonally and what that actually entails. During a recent trip to Kroger, a supermarket chain, I began to peruse the fruits and veggies to find that they had all traveled extensive distances to get here. The shiny plastic-like food lacked the intoxicating scent that screams eat me!

I began to look at local options for fresh produce. In the past I've shopped at the local co-op, but I found numerous produce stores I never knew existed. When you walk in the door, the smells smack you in the face. The ripening of the fruit and the earthiness of the vegetables reawakens your senses to food, real food. Everyone deserves the chance to eat food at it's best. Not only is the food tastier, but generally cheaper too.

With my findings, I made a fresh tomato salsa

• 5 Roma tomatoes


• 1 avocado


• 1 shallot


• Juice of 1 lime


• Handful fresh cilantro


• 1 package of dry guacamole mix

To make, dice tomatoes, avocado, and shallots. Add to a bowl. Squeeze lime juice over mixture, and add guacamole mix. Stir. Add freshly chopped cilantro, and refrigerate.

Note: I used the excess juice to marinate flank steak. I then grilled the steak and made a taco, and topped it off with the tomato salsa.