Month: October 2017

Tuesday’s Treats #92

/ The WheatandTares

The Swan Coach House

Location: Buckhead, Ga


Ok, so I have to be completely honest. I’m not what many would call a “girly girl.” I’ve always leaned toward the more rugged, tomboy type, or maybe just down right practical. I am much more comfortable in jeans and a T-shirt, boots and a ball cap while packing a pistol than I am dressing in frills and thrills, painting my nails and accomplishing the latest trendy shopping list.

It’s not that I have anything against all that stuff or any angst against “girly girls,” and it’s not like I can’t hang with the best of them. I’m a pretty good “adapter” when the occasion calls for it, and I have a huge variety of personality types in those who are close to me. In fact, two of my very best friends in the whole world are exactly that, girly girls, and they won’t be ashamed to say it. So, you shouldn’t fault me, or even shame me, for not being a “girly girl,” ok? It just hasn’t been my thing. Ever. In my whole life. In. My. Whole. Entire. Life. I’ve simply accepted that fact about myself and, despite being looked at as being weird sometimes, I’ve just learned to become comfortable in my own skin.

I went on that little diatribe to describe to you just how much I might not have been necessarily giddy the day I was to meet some of the most amazing women I know at this well known restaurant in Buckhead. I had never heard of it before, but the website was definitely full of “sugar and spice and everything nice,” metaphorically speaking.

So, I dressed appropriately, in a cute little black and white, trendy apparel, planned to arrive a little early, and just enjoy the people I was joining for lunch. I can say, from the moment the valet took the keys to my truck, I was pleasantly surprised and impressed.

Everything gushes with Southern Belle charm, and it is absolutely beautiful. We were escorted up the elevators and directed to Sally’s Porch, which is completely “described to a T” on their website:

Sally’s Porch is a radiant glass-enclosed front porch where sunlight filters and flows in through full-height glass windows. Furnished with four antique round tables and green curtains, this is an excellent choice for daytime soirees.

…I’m not even sure I knew what a soirée was before that day. I’m just kidding, but it was quite stunning with the sweet roses on the tables, the charming decor and the beautiful floor to ceiling windows with the warm sunbeams shining through.

The meal was tasty with their famous timbales of chicken salad, a frozen fruit salad and Swan House cheese straws, complete with a beautiful flower center. It was finished with a yummy slice of key lime pie. Everything was done to perfection and great care was taken in every presentation. A nice little gift shop is located downstairs where there is a plethora of specialties from which to choose, including a cool gallery of local art, pottery and such. After our lunch meeting, we went to tour the old Swan House Mansion and learned of its beautiful history and character, too. It was very intriguing, to say the least. (Oh, and Hunger Games fans, there’s even a sweet surprise for you inside.😉)

Treat yourself to a day of purely feminine, Southern Belle charm, this is the place to go. If you’re looking for a fun girls day lunch or dinner, this is your place. If you’re looking for a great place to make your daughter feel like a true princess on your Daddy-Daughter date, this is a wonderful choice.

…You get the picture. 😉 I don’t think you’ll be disappointed, and I think you’ll find this to be true, as I was reminded that day, it’s a beautiful thing when you can elegantly move past your own place of comfort and familiarity and join someone else in theirs to form a beautiful bridge of friendships, both old and new.

Please, be sure to check out their website for all the beauty and details.

Tuesday’s Treats #91

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

Morada Bay

Location: Islamorada, FL


This place has an amazing, paradise-like atmosphere. We sat under the covered patio, the ceiling fans and large wall fans were oscillating, the birds were singing and the sun was shining. It was absolutely beautiful!





The food is just as deightful. The fish tacos, fresh catch fish BLT, fries and the jerk Mahi wrap were delicious. The coconut rice was phenomenal. The key lime pie was just okay. It tasted pretty good with the berries, but it was a little too sweet for my preference.


Update: my apologies for not posting their website!

So This is What Sin Looks Like

/ The WheatandTares

Good stuff right here!

The Daddy Blitz

One movie I can never pass by when flipping through the channels on television is A Few Good Men. In the movie, Tom Cruise played a military lawyer, named Daniel Kaffee, who defended two U.S. Marines charged with killing a fellow Marine at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba. Kaffee was essentially a used car salesman lawyer, who exclusively negotiated plea bargains, to the extent he had never seen the inside of a courtroom. Because higher ups did not want a trial, Kaffee was chosen over more qualified lawyers to take the case. After a dramatic courtroom scene, Kaffee turned around while exiting and remarked, “So this is what a courtroom looks like.”

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With or Without Hope

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My heart is heavy for so many going through storms this week. I pray you are encouraged… 💗

the grizzle grist mill

Originally posted on APRIL 27, 2015. I thought it fitting for today’s daily prompt…

My heart was heavy today, thinking of all the brokenness in this world.
The weight of it resting upon my shoulders like a wet, woolen blanket.
Tears filled my eyes as I pondered the wounded, the shattered, and the lost.
Heaviness so intense, I could hardly breathe.
Air stagnant with heartache, weariness and emptiness.
So many wandering in this place. So many without a face.

I drove by this house sitting beside the road.
Abandoned, dark, damaged and alone.
People driving by, hurrying to destinations, never stopping to see, never caring to know.
Shoved off to the side, barricade built, weeds and trees rummaging to find a home.
Broken down roof, shattered windows, busted doors, all haunted by lost potential.

The broken lives of those lost are a lot like this old house.
They take the abuse…

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Tuesday’s Treats #90

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Square Grouper

Location: Mile Marker 29, Cudjoe Key, FL

This place has amazing atmosphere and an amazing grouper tater tot and chocolate peanut butter pie! Honestly, that’s about where I’d pause on my “raving” reviews. The rest of what our part had was good but not great. This restaurant is ranked #2 on the Trip Advisor reviews for best restaurants in the FL Keys; however, after a couple of weeks of vacationing there, my listing would just be a little different.

That being said, let me brag on the three things I loved the most:

The key lime pie was ok, but it was a little too sweet and not tart enough for my preference. The brownie sundae “thing” was amazing with the Heath bar crumbles on top, and the homemade lemonade was really good until you get to the last 10% of the glass when it tastes more like water.  💦

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heeseburger was great. It was served on a Chabayta bread, and the beef was thick and juicy. The fries were tasty, and the pickle was sour just as it's suppose to be.

The square grouper sandwich was definitely different and unique, but it was just kind of okay. I’m not sure if it was the build up for it (from TA reviews and the waitress’ recommendation) or the actuality of the food, but either way, we were let down. The skirt steak salad looked delicious, but our son said it was a sweeter tasting steak than he expected or desired. He also said the goat cheese was pretty heavy, and you have to really like goat cheese to enjoy it. <<<<<<<<
we enjoyed our meal with comfortable seats, decent food and enjoyable company. I guess I'd just have to say, considering it was ranked #2 in all of The Keys, and comparing it to a few other places we ate, we all left feeling kind of "meh." 😒 It really wasn't bad; it’s just if I’m going to pay $200+ for a party of seven at lunch, it might need to be a little better than this.  Evidently, it’s a local favorite despite our opinion, because as we were finishing our meal, the waitress mentioned that we had come at  just the right time. There was, now, an hour and a half long wait. This was about 3:00pm, and it was lunch time! … They do have a really cool lounge area that doubles as the waiting area (last pic), and they’ve got a neat aquarium in the center of the restaurant with genuine “square grouper.” 😉 So, be sure to check them out here, and you can decide for yourself if you like your Grouper a little more square. 😜

Tuesday’s Treats #89

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Mile Marker 88

Location: Islamorada Key, FL

The food at this place is AMAZING!! We went here for a “late night snack,” and we ended up eating a whole meal. 😂 The blackened Mahi Caesar salad, blackened Hogfish salad and the blackened Mahi sandwich were the best! However, the most incredible thing was the rolls that were brought to the table before the meal. They were served with this olive oils dip that had garlic, tomatoes, and herbs. Oh. My. Word! I think I could have just picked up that dip bowl and drank it! Wow!!

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e here is just as delightful. They have inside and outdoor seating, and we chose outdoor seating at the "swing" tables. The booths rock back and forth like a gentle swing, and you can spend the time looking out over the lighted bay area that has fish swimming all along. It was beautiful! Oh, and our waiter was incredible as well. He was very engaging and friendly. We got there late, and although the course of our meal took us well over their 10pm closing time, he continued to be gracious and servant minded throughout. Check out the location and menu here.

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Passing Time

/ The WheatandTares / 1 Comment

In light of this week’s events, I thought I’d share. Let’s work hard to remember the important things in the midst of chaos…

the grizzle grist mill

Time brings about so many changes.

Some good, some bad, some exciting, some sad.

There are times when I wish I was a child again.

No worries, no responsibilities, no cares.

There are times when I wish I was all grown-up;

Then others would treat me like a lady not a child.

Time is like sand slipping through our fingers.

If we don’t wake up and enjoy the moment,

It will be lost from us forever.

So, take this moment, do not let it disappear from you.

Enjoy the time you have.

Enjoy the ones you love

For they may not be here tomorrow.

Penned – MG – 5/1/91

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Tuesday’s Treats #88

/ The WheatandTares

Culver’s

Location: Various Atlanta areas


Culver’s is a great little burger joint that’s popping up all over the Atlanta area. The burgers and chicken are good. The fries and tots are delicious, and the frozen custard desserts are a perfect ending to a good meal. The places I’ve visited so far are always clean, and the staff is always friendly. If you’re looking for a good, quick little burger stop that’s a little different, and a little better than your average fast food, check them out. Oh yeah, they do a little reward thing in their receipts where you can call a survey number, do a quick little survey, and get a free custard cone or cup! 😉 Here’s their website for locations and menu options.