Dena's Excursions

My shopping excursion at River Mountain

2009-09-21T07:18:00.000-07:00

I must be honest -- I don't do a great deal of clothes shopping. My husband is the clothes horse of the family, not me. I spend most of my time in front of my computer writing, in my garden, or working the Johnson City Farmers Market. I don't spend a lot of time dressing up to go out and hit the latest area hotspots. Nevertheless, when I happen to see an outfit that really grabs my attention and that I absolutely must have, I will find a place to wear it. Such an outfit jumped out at me recently at River Mountain Antiques & Primitives in Downtown Kingsport.

Debbie Dykes, the owner, recently moved her shop to 120 Broad Street in Downtown Kingsport. (For more on the move, follow this link -- River Mountain Antiques & Primitives -- to her blog.) She has a lot -- and I do mean a LOT -- more space. As a result, she has added new merchandise and different lines, which include several new clothing lines. One of the clothing lines that she has added and which really caught my eye is Sacred Threads.

Sacred Threads is a line of clothing that is created of homespun fabric and has a patchwork look. (The photo to the left showcases an example of the style. And, no, I am NOT the model!) Everything I saw at River Mountain was very stylish, yet the outfits are also extremely comfortable and easy-to-wear. The thing that really flabbergasted me, however, was just how reasonably priced they were. (I had to ask Debbie a couple of times if the price was actually correct.) At these prices, I could easily become as much of a clothes horse as my husband.

Of course, I could not leave River Mountain without purchasing more of "Ordinary Evelyn's" jam -- strawberry rhubarb and berry berry. (Actually, that is why I went to River Mountain in the first place. Okay, I came away with some great jam for breakfast, AND I looked good, too.)

If you decide to go into River Mountain Antiques & Primitives to stock up on jam (as I did), be sure to take the time to look at all of the other great merchandise in the new shop. Debbie has also added clothing lines to suit almost every taste, so you can look good as well and at a very affordable price. For more about her new lines, see River Mountain Antiques & Primitives.

Fall for Downtown Kingsport

2009-09-17T08:38:00.000-07:00

It is time to plan your own excursion ... to Downtown Kingsport. On Saturday, September 26th from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., the 1st Annual Fall Show and Sell will be held by Downtown Kingsport merchants, businesses, and restaurants. There will be over 30 booths set up with great buys on arts, crafts, and antiques. In addition, you can enjoy a Taste of Downtown and sample food from several of Downtown Kingsport's great restaurants. There will be plenty of fun for children, as well, with a Children's Art Contest sponsored by Kroger and a Fun Story Time with Clifford, the Red Dog sponsored by the Humane Society -- Rescue and Runaway. Of course, there will be lots of music, including performances by Black Lillies and by Jeff Markham, just to name a couple. Visit Main Street in Downtown Kingsport and join in the fun!

Want to learn more about some of the great Downtown Kingsport merchants? Visit: The Barefoot Chameleon and River Mountain Antiques and Primitives to find out about fantastic savings and great new features! You can also Explore Downtown Kingsport.

Appalachian Fair starts today!

2009-08-24T07:06:00.001-07:00

Appalachian Fair starts today!

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How to Make Mushrooms Stuffed with a Cheese Souffle | eHow.com

2009-07-27T07:31:00.001-07:00

How to Make Mushrooms Stuffed with a Cheese Souffle | eHow.com

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Alpha Services

2009-07-24T08:22:00.001-07:00

Alpha Services

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Charming Clutter -- a food review

2009-07-24T07:10:00.000-07:00

Once again, I have been sampling great food not at a restaurant but from a wonderful shop in Kingsport called Charming Clutter. (To read more about what Charming Clutter has to offer, follow this link -- Charming Clutter -- to their blog.) Charming Clutter -- located at 2420 East Center Street in Kingsport -- as a fantastic gourmet corner full of great tasting foods that are easy and quick to prepare. Your family and guests will never know that you did not make dinner from scratch. These foods are the perfect answer to the family-on-the-go and offers the better option of having a great-tasting meal at home rather than something grabbed at a drive-through.

I tried one of Mama Leone's Traditional Soup Mixes -- Pasta e Fagioli. The mix is chocked full of dried vegetables and herbs, pasta and beans plus some other great spices. You can cook this soup up on the stove in about 20 minutes or do as I did and place it in a crock pot. (Just turn on your crock pot as you leave for work, and dinner will be waiting on you when you return home.) Even though the soup is quite hearty by itself, I decided to add some Italian meatballs to mine. It turned into an absolutely wonderful one-pot meal! The flavors were excellent, and no one would have ever guessed that I did not spend the entire day slaving in a hot kitchen.

Dessert is always welcome at the end of any meal. (Or you can just make the dessert your meal.) I do not bake, so the easy-to-make desserts from Plentiful Pantry are like manna from heaven! You can buy just the mixes or the gift set complete with its own baking dish. (The baking dish, by the way, is really nice in and of itself.) My husband and I quickly became addicted to the Apple Crisp. It really does taste like it was made from scratch using fresh apples. You can also find Berry Crisp, Cherry Cobbler, and Cherry Chocolate Hot Fudge Cake. Want to know how simple these great desserts are to make? Just add water and/or butter and place in the oven. I am now a baker!

You can all types of food items at Charming Clutter, such as pasta sauce from Napa Valley Harvest; pestos and other great Italian foods from Bella Cucina; flavored oils and vinegars plus dipping oils from B.R. Cohn; all-natural dips from Sable & Rosenfeld; and barbecue sauces from Low Country Barbecue. You can also find real Mexican Vanilla from Blue Cattle Truck Trading Company. There is so much more, too! You will just have to visit Charming Clutter yourself.

Gardening 101: Where are some locally-owned, budget-friendly greenhouses in Northeast Tennessee?

2009-07-15T17:44:00.001-07:00

Gardening 101: Where are some locally-owned, budget-friendly greenhouses in Northeast Tennessee?

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Dena's Place

2009-07-15T08:38:00.001-07:00

Dena's Place

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River Mountain Antiques & Primitives -- a food review

2009-07-14T06:48:00.000-07:00

Normally you would think of a restaurant review being about -- well -- a restaurant. River Mountain Antiques & Primitives in Downtown Kingsport is not a restaurant; therefore, this cannot be a restaurant review. I have dubbed it a "food review" instead, because you can find some great food at River Mountain Antiques & Primitives.

Debbie Dykes, owner of River Mountain, carries a line of products called "Ordinary Evelyn's." Evelyn McGlothlin, who lives in Clay, WV, and is the owner and chef, is quick to tell you: "However you use it I hope you find it to be not so ordinary." Her products are not ordinary. For example, I tried the Rhubarb Strawberry Jam. It has got to be one of the best jams that I have ever tasted! Sweet with loads of flavor. It is a jam that you can have on a biscuit or piece of toast for breakfast or drizzle over some ice cream for a fantastic dessert. You can also find other jams and jellies that are just a good -- Wild Elderberry Jelly, Berry-Berry Jam, and Cranberry-Walnut Jam. There is even Apple Butter.

"Ordinary Evelyn's" is not just about jams and jellies, though. You can find great starters for dips and chilis, as well. You might want to try Dilly-Dill Dip at your next cookout. There are also some fantastic mixes to help spice up an ordinary cheeseball and make it something "not so ordinary." Try the Fiesta Chili Cheese Ball Mix or the Red Hot Pepper Cheese Ball Mix. Of course, if your taste runs to the not-so-hot, you can partake of the Orange-Almond Cheese Ball Mix or the Serious Ranch Cheese Ball Mix.

You will find a wide variety of products from "Ordinary Evelyn's" kitchen at River Mountain Antiques & Primitives, and all of them are excellent. They will also help preparing a meal or putting together some munchies for your next get-together so much easier. That means that you get to spend more time with family and friends.

Be sure to visit River Mountain Antiques & Primitives located at 334 Commerce Street in Downtown Kingsport. For more information on this wonderful shop, which believes in supporting other small businesses such as "Ordinary Evelyn's, visit their blog at River Mountain Antiques & Primitives.

Have fun at the Fun Fest Farm Fest at The Exchange Place in Kingsport

2009-07-09T09:02:00.001-07:00

Have fun at the Fun Fest Farm Fest at The Exchange Place in Kingsport

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"A Peek into Our Backyard" -- a tour of the gardens of the Historic Tree Streets District

2009-06-30T07:36:00.001-07:00

"A Peek into Our Backyard" -- a tour of the gardens of the Historic Tree Streets District

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A morning at Winged Deer Park

2009-06-25T07:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning I visited Winged Deer Park and spoke with some of the kids that are participating in the summer Discovery Camp. We first talked about companion planting, and then I got to see these young people in action.

There is a community garden at Winged Deer Park, which consists of several raised beds. [For more information about the community garden, see my article: Free vegetables.] The young people have been putting in a lot of work helping to care for the vegetables growing there. They are also developing an appreciation for the amount of work require to maintain vegetable gardens. One young lady approached me and said, "I never knew gardening was such hard work!" She, however, kept right on raking and weeding without one complaint. Most of the young people were really excited to see that so many of the vegetables are starting to ripen and were eager to harvest some to take home to their families.

The nature camp at Winged Deer Park is free to area kids and gives them a chance to experience the wonders of nature as found at Winged Deer Park. They also go on hikes at Winged Deer Park, as well as, at Buffalo Mountain Park. On this particular morning, some of the younger children were making bird feeders, too. This program is such a great opportunity for kids to get away from video games and computers and to get outside and learn about the wonders of nature. In addition, they get some great exercise, which children these days really seem to need. It was great for me to hear all of their many questions and to witness their genuine interest in the gardens and the wildlife.

By the way, I received a really cool backpack from Brad Jones and a neat Discovery Camp tee-shirt. I also got to harvest a couple of very nice yellow squash, which I had for dinner last night. If you would like some fresh vegetables yourself, all you need to do is devote some spare time to the gardens. Just help weed and clean-up. For your efforts, you will be able to harvest some of the fresh vegetables for your dinner table. There is absolutely NO charge. This is FREE food. All you need to spend is just a little sweat-equity. Not a bad deal, especially in this economy. For more information and to volunteer at Winged Deer Park, call: 423-283-4815.

Thought you might like to know that I just hate having my picture taken, because I think I just do not take very good pictures. I decided to post this particular shot, hoping that Brad would distract folks. Plus, I think he looks kinda good. Captures his true essence. (It also gives you some insight into why he is so great with the kids!)

Still Hollow Farm

2009-06-15T05:59:00.001-07:00

Still Hollow Farm

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Budget-Friendly and Locally-Owned Restaurants in Tennessee - Associated Content

2009-04-27T11:56:00.001-07:00

Budget-Friendly and Locally-Owned Restaurants in Tennessee - Associated Content

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Garden Fair 2009 at the Exchange Place

2009-04-27T11:33:00.000-07:00

I went on a real excursion this past weekend when I attended the 2009 Garden Fair at the Exchange Place in Kingsport. If you missed this event, you missed a lot! There were vendors from all over, selling heirloom herbs and vegetables plus various types of annuals and perennials. There were also folks with various types of yard art, herbal medicines and soaps, and even natural products for your dogs and cats. In addition, there were things happening all over the farm from sheep-shearing to bread baked in the brick oven.

I will be writing more about this great event on my Examiner site later tonight. In the mean time, you can view the slideshow on the sidebar to get a glimpse of all the great happenings at the Exchange Place.

A great time was had by all!

Welcome to Poor Richard's Campus

2009-03-17T05:06:00.000-07:00

Poor Richard's Campus is now under new ownership. (Visit their blog at Poor Richard's Campus.) They still have great food and are still the home of "Maxine's Finest Iced Tea." If you are hungry or just want to grab a quick lunch or a sandwich and some spirits after a long day at work, PR's is the place to go. Following are some of their great menu items, which are sure to tempt your taste buds! And bring your friends to a place where everyone is special.

Signature Sandwiches
All sandwiches are served on white, pumpernickel, Italian, or flat rye bread, along with a pickle spear. Also choose from mayonnaise, mustard, horseradish, or ketchup. Toppings are an additional charge: sauerkraut (20 cents), lettuce and/or tomato (20 cents).
•Our Hero -- PR's Best! Choose ham, turkey, or pastrami and add provolone cheese plus a secret sauce, onions, lettuce, and tomato. All served on an Italian bun .... $6.99 .... ½ Hero .... $4.49
•Canadian Mounty -- An avalanche of Canadian bacon covered with sharp cheddar .... $5.99
•The General -- Roast beef, turkey, and Monterrey Jack cheese .... $5.99
•Hardy Hoagie -- Imported ham, salami, and Swiss cheese .... $4.99
•Super Hoagie -- Imported ham, salami, turkey, and Swiss cheese .... $5.49
•The Better Rueben -- More corned beef than before, with Swiss cheese and tangy sauerkraut .... $5.99 (And do not miss out on Rueben Tuesdays!)
•R.B.'s Delight -- Juicy roast beef topped with buttery gouda cheese. Great when spiced up a bit with horseradish .... $5.99
•Veg-A-Ball -- Super sharp cheese and gouda cheese, spike with sauerkraut .... $4.99
•Club Croissant -- A freshly-baked croissant with mayo, turkey, smoked cheddar, lettuce, tomato, honey mustard, bacon bits, ham, and Swiss cheese .... $6.19

Ask about PR's new addition -- the Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich!

Remember, too -- You can always make your own sandwich by picking from PR's large assortment of meats and cheeses!

•Deli Dawgs -- Pick your pedigree with either mayonnaise, mustard, or ketchup .... $4.49
Additional toppings: shredded cheese (40 cents); chili (30 cents); slaw, onions, relish, or sauerkraut (20 cents each).

Choose from a wide variety of Salads and Soups ($1.49 - $6.75)

Happytizers include: Nachos, quesadillas, potato skins, chicken tenders, fried mushrooms, cheese sticks, chips and salsa, Chili Vann Ransom ... and do not forget Buffalo Wings Night!

There are various "Extras," also: Kosher pickle, potato chips, bagels (plain or with cream cheese), and Gourmet Chips (freshly sliced potatoes, deep fried daily).

There is a "Kids Menu," with no item over $1.49. Also, kids eat FREE on Saturdays!

Be sure to also choose from PR's daily selections of delectable desserts!

Everything is made FRESH DAILY.

Thirst Quenchers include: Maxine's Finest Iced Tea (and the shaved ice is back), Pepsi products, and milk. Also, available are a wide variety of Imported, Domestic, and Draft beers plus your favorite spirits. Drink specials everyday starting at 4 pm with 2-for-1 specials that change daily.

Poor Richard's Campus 825 West Walnut Street Johnson City, TN 37604 Phone: 423-926-8611 • Fax: 423-926-1707
In a hurry? Fax ahead your order.

Be sure to become a follower of Dena's Excursions. You will not want to miss any of the news about the great places and people in our area!