Chattanooga Is Home

This past Sunday I took some me time to head out and shop for a birthday present. I headed out to Frazier Avenue to take advantage of the unique and fun shops on the North Shore. I love to browse the shops like New Moon Gallery, The Big Much, and Blue Skies. Stopping in for some Clumpies ice cream or a coffee from Mudpie usually enhances the experience even more.

30 Frazier Ave
Chattanooga, TN
(423) 266-8010

On this particular day my only stop was actually Blue Skies. Their unique collection of stationary, hand made items, and jewelry make it the perfect collection to find one of a kind gifts for almost anyone. In the back corner, there is a fun section for kids and babies complete with large U.S floor maps and Robeez.

I was able to purchase one birthday gift, one Christmas gift, a little something for me (a moleskin!), and some cards, all under $75.

If someone were wanting something unique and a pleasant shopping experience without the hustle and mayhem of Hamilton Place Mall, then I suggest Blue Skies. The Frazier Avenue shop is at the top of my list to visit this upcoming holiday season.

[tags]Chattanooga, Chattanooga shopping, Blue Skies, unique gifts, Chattanooga unique[/tags]

My husband tells me that I am a better cook than his mother. There is a small joke in there- his mother doesn’t cook. Damon grew up eating take out, TV dinners, and enjoying restaurant fare.

I grew up in a family that rarely ate out, but had a variety of good, home cooked meals almost every night.

When we got married, blending our eating habits was interesting. My husband liked home cooked meals, but wanted them to look and taste like he got them from one of the many restaurants found in Chattanooga.

I would say that I am an ok cook. Put a recipe in front of me and I can usually cook it up right. Sometimes I experiment with ingredients and have fun, but I can’t say that I love cooking. I get stressed out when thinking about what to make for dinner. The prep, the nutrition, the time- it all aggravates me to no end.

To help end the frustration, this Friday I took some time to myself and went to My Family Dinners to prepare 12 meals for my family.

My Family Dinners
541 Signal Mountain Rd., Suite #225
Chattanooga, TN 37405
myfamilydinners.com
423-902-7642

I first learned about My Family Dinners a few years ago when owner Bevelle Puffer appeared on the early morning show, Eyewitness News Today on WRCB. At the time, she was running the business from her home and using a community center on Signal Mountain for the meal prep sessions.

Now, a few years later, Bevelle has opened My Family Dinners in a space at the bottom of Signal Mountain, near the Wal-Mart.
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This week I finally paid a library fine from 1999 and was reissued a library card for the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library. I’m excited that I get to use the library again, and look forward to checking out my first book. But since I have a two year old, I will be even more excited when I get the time to read the book.

But besides the benefit of checking out books, I get access to other services the library has. Such as the Rosetta Stone language series.
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I have been suffering from allergies since I was young, but it wasn’t until I moved to the Tennessee Valley that they really became a nuisance in my daily life. In fact, the day after I moved into Carter Hall up on Lookout Mountain, I immediately got a sinus infection due to allergies.

This season has probably been the worst for me. I blame part of that on the fact that I am now at home full time, without the benefits of conditioned air in an office building. Another place to put the blame is on the new playground where we have been spending a lot of time. And then there is just the overall quality of the air here in Chattanooga.
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It was a really warm day in Chattanooga today. My husband was able to work outside this evening without his jacket. I really wish the warm weather would stick around, but it looks like the weather predictions are not favoring my wishes right now.

Chattanooga and the surrounding area is an attraction to people who love to be outdoors. From hiking to hang gliding, there is always something to do outside. But with the recent cold, who wants to be outside? Not me!

Well, fortunately there is plenty to do inside as well. Here is a suggestion: go paint something. (more…)

The past few days we have had to take both of our cars in to the mechanic to be looked at. My husband’s car had an issue with his oil and my car was making jerky movements when you turned left. And since it is January, it was time for their emissions to be checked so we can complete the renewal of our car tags, which is something else Bill Fryar’s can do and I wouldn’t have to wait in line for an hour or more at the nearest emission testing station.

Our mechanic is Bill Fryar’s Auto Service. Damon found them on the Car Talk website with a good review and they are really close to our house. Every time we go in there they are very quick to call him and give him the lowdown on what the problem is or isn’t. And we usually get the car back, fixed, the same day. Prices are reasonable, which helps in our decision to return to Bill’s every time we need something looked at. (more…)