Swag

So I'm spending my Christmas Break tending the Trading Post cash register. Look at the swag I scored from Mr. De Loy Brown of De Loy Brown Exxon distributor. Woo Hoo. Travel Alarm clock, executive pen set, & 2010 calendar. Don't be jealous.

Feeling Fallish

It's Fall Break. I really wish I had time to make these:

Bakerella's Pumpkin Pie Bites. Coupled with some of this:

Instead of this:

How's that for service with a smile?
I wear the Tennessee shirt so I fit in. I guess you could say it's my mountain girl, gas station attendant uniform.

Rockwood? In Southern Living?

While working the register at the Trading Post, perusing my latest Southern Living magazine, I spied the most curious sight. An advertisement for Tennessee Christmas Activities in Roane County! Our beloved Rockwood and neighboring Harriman are hosting Christmas Home Tours in December. I'm really looking forward to seeing the stylish side of my adopted second hometown.
Rockwood Christmas Home Tour, Saturday & Sunday, December 5 & 6
Historic Harriman Christmas Tour, Saturday & Sunday, December 12 & 13

Ya'll come see us, now!

One Year Ago!

One year ago my blogging adventure began with this post....
A year later, we are 8 months into this Gas Station Adventure, and ready to cash in our chips and begin the next adventure.

TP Favs

Here are my 2 favorite things in the Trading Post inventory right now:

Diet Orange Crush
The bestest, caffeine free diet drink around!

Chex Mix TURTLE Bars
Sweet, chewy, chocolatey, salty and more satisfying than a Snickers. Only 130 calories, 3.5 fat grams!! Indulge!!

Ok, maybe I have 3 favorite things at the TP. Can't forget this one:

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Top O' the Morning, Lads & Lasses.
I think we've got the St. Patty's Day Spirit Award nailed this year! Colcannon or Corn Beef and Cabbage, anyone?

Call Me Betty

I know you're wondering what I did with our bumper crop of produce. So far, I made this:

Chocolate Banana Crunch Bread
Oh wait, you need to see a close up of the chocolately, crunchy goodness. See the little melted chocolate morsels in there. (If you can't, sorry, but that's the best I can do with my camera phone.)

And I also made this:

Cilantro-less Fresh Salsa
If only we had a bumper crop of cilantro to jazz it up. I smell a WalMart run! Oh, Nathan....

**Author's Note: 3 Hours after this initial post, Nathan did indeed make a Walmart run for cilantro and a few sordid items. The Salsa is no longer cilantro-less, but indeed cilantro-ful.

Spring Break '09

Welcome to the Trading Post. My name is Kate. I'm filling in for the shop keeper. Currently he is unavailable. How may I help you?
What's that? You want 2 packs of Misty Light 120 Menthols in a box? And a six pack of Busch? Sure, no problem. What's that you say? Lottery scratch-offs are your bailout plan?

Oh, so sorry you didn't win. Let me just take those losing tickets off your hand. Second Chance Lottery, here I come. You know, "Play it Again, the Fun's Not Done".Who knows, maybe I'll hit the jackpot on your bad luck and wasted dollar.

Trading Post Produce

Nathan started a new produce program at the Post. Sales are pretty good so far, but we have a bumper crop of tomatoes, bananas, potatoes and cabbage. In between customers, I've been scouring the internet for some creative ways to use up the extra cabbage, bananas and tomatoes.

Any suggestions or favorite recipes?

Miss Polk Salad 2009

As part of my country education, I learned of a new native plant this summer courtesy of Nathan's Uncle Bobby.  Polk Salad was growing in abundance in the TP back yard.  Uncle Bobby pointed it out to me and proceeded to inform me, in a way only he could, and don't I wish I had audio on this... "That there is Polk Salad.  Some people like to eat it.  But you got to boil it first."  Thus began my love of Polk Salad. 

Although, until recently, I thought it was Poke Salad.  Whilst perusing the Rocky Mountain General Store in Harriman, my eyes spied something...

What?  What is this?  A contest for Miss Polk Salad??  Surely it can't be.... and next to this glorious sign,  a portrait of the reigning Miss Polk Salad 2008 perched on a golden easel.  

My New Year's Resolution... 

To become the 2009 Miss Polk Salad. (As soon as they update the website)

For all your Polk Salad questions, visit The Tennessee Polk Salad Association website. 

Trading Post Weekend

Nathan's nephews and dad  (Gramps) came to visit the TP this weekend.  Lots of fun was had by all.  

 

Gramps took Eli for a 4-wheeler ride.  I think this is right before Eli got clothes-lined (literally) by the Shooting Shack target track.

Being silly with Aunt Kate.

Haydn didn't want in this one.

Chillin' out with Pete and Mo.  Who were soooo very happy to have company for 2 nights. 

Goofing around in Wal-Mart while spending their lottery winnings.  I think this just about sums up the difference between being 9 & 4.

And of course, they got elfed.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Shootin' Shack: Evolution

 The weekly Shooting Match at the Trading Post has grown quite a following and the Shootin' Shack needed to be enlarged, weather proofed and refined.  Not the greatest pictures, as it hasn't been cleaned out from the previous night's match, but doesn't it give an air of authenticity? The ghosts of shooting matches past.  Just imagine bearded men in cammo, holding shot guns and smoking and dipping.  The ultimate Man Cave. Where to start.... 

Wood burning stove keeps it nice and toasty despite below freezing temps.

"Managers" booth and shooting window.  This is where Nathan, Lee, and Matthew stand and check out the cards, x's and money during the rounds.

Bench seating all around.  This is the "extension."

And the award for most ingenious use of shot guns shells goes to.... this gun rack.  I think this is my favorite improvement.  Very clever.  I wish I could have gotten a shot when the all rifles were lined up here...

Now this is pretty clever, too.  A bicycle wheel and cable system runs the targets out and back in with the crank of the pedals. No one has to run back and forth in the line of fire.

Lee's Post

Here is Nathan with his new pal Lee. Lee made this sign for the store as a gift to Nathan. Lee is a jack of all trades, tinkerer, maker of homemade wine and other beverages.

Shootin' Shack

Here's the latest addition to the Trading Post. A "Shootin' Shack." Last weekend, Nathan held an inaugural "Turkey Shoot." Lots of buzz and about a dozen folks participated in the shoot despite freezing cold temperatures and sleet/snow/drizzle.
Such Rustic Charm!

View from inside the shack to the target. Grab your shotguns and come shoot with us.

Rescue

I arrived at the Trading Post and was greeted by "Smiley".

I guess you can see how he got his name. Nathan rescued this poor guy last week. While tending the store, he heard tires squealing then saw this sweet lab hobbling across the road with a mangled leg. No one has claimed him, so he's been hanging around the Trading Post recovering and getting healthy. Nathan is trying to find a home for this guy. But I think he might like it around here.

Pete, on the other hand, is not quite sure what to think about this rambunctious puppy. Look at those eyes!

Trading Post Post

Here are just a few things happening at the Trading Post. Finally out with the old carpet. You served your 30+ years well. RIP

In with the new.
Here's the living room with the fresh paint and carpet.

And the bedroom, a little cozier and bare-foot friendly.
The Camo Cafe is enjoying visitors. Lots of hunters coming through eating Nate's good burgers.
And Nathan's changing too. He's fitting in very well these days. Just needs some camo carharts to go with his new toy!