A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

FAVORITE NEW BLOG: Jasmine L. Holmes: Not a Mommy Blog

From Jasmine's "about" page: "This blog is my attempt to create a little corner of the internet to reach out and encourage women in all stages of life." Jasmine does just that.

Young, female, black, Reformed...could she be any more of a target for public dismissal, ridicule or hostility? And yet, Jasmine reveals a wisdom beyond her years as she writes with courage, clarity, grace, humor and transparency. Her posts consistently challenge my thinking and encourage me to live out my faith in the day-to-day.

FAVORITE LOCAL BUSINESS: Soleil Garden Center

Located on the north side of Union City, Tennesse, at 2317 Nailling Drive, Soleil Garden Center provides a wide variety of plants and garden supplies to meet your landscaping needs. A walk through the Grand Pavilion is like a walk through the Garden of Eden.

But the beautiful plants, gurgling fountains, and unique gift shop are not the reason I love Soleil. I love Soleil because of the people who own and operate Soleil Garden Center. They treat my youngest, one of their employees, like family. According to my daughter, not only does she work at a place that looks like a fairy garden, surrounded by beautiful flowers and plants, but her bosses make her feel appreciated and truly loved. Helen sincerely looks forward to going to work every day, and I think that says a lot about the people she works for!

If you live in Northwest Tennessee, stop by and say Hi! You can check out their Facebook page HERE.

FAVORITE READ SO FAR THIS YEAR: Changes That Heal, by Dr. Henry Cloud

I am reading a lot of books this year. Back in January, I set a goal of reading two books per month. I have averaged a book a week. Fiction, theology, history, biography, technical books on writing, classic literature, old favorites, new releases...I am trying to keep it varied!

Twenty books into 2018, my hands-down pick for if-you-only-read-one-book-this-year-make-it-this-book is Dr. Henry Cloud's Changes That Heal. Okay, I admit it: I am totally blown away that a book on mental health is trumping even C. S. Lewis for me this year. Maybe it's the timing.

From the back cover: "In Changes That Heal, Dr. Henry Cloud, a renowned clinical psychologist, combines his expertise, well-developed faith, and keen understanding of human nature in a four-step program of healing and growth."

Reading through this book, I feel like Dr. Cloud has been a fly on the wall in my physical house...and in my heart house. Numerous case studies bring clarity to the various topics Dr. Cloud discusses, and his practical, easy-to-understand advice has been a game changer for how I understand myself and how I relate to others.

These are a few of my current "favorite things" - what's on your list of favorites?

MMMMM, DIRT!

Photo courtesy of Dawn Guy of Troy, TN. Thank you, Dawn!

When I was a little girl, my grandmother used to tell me, "Everybody needs a little dirt to scratch in." Grandmother loved working the earth. For as long as she was able, she maintained a garden and small orchard. At 98 years old, Grandmother no longer has the physical strength to dig with a shovel or run the tiller (although her mind is still sharp as a blackberry thorn!); she does, however, keep several potted plants in her room at an assisted-living facility. Grandmother stills believes that "scratching in the dirt" is good for the soul.

Research backs up Grandmother's claim. In her article "How to Get High on Soil," Pagan Kennedy wrote that M. vaccae, a microbe found in soil, "has been shown to boost the the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine circulating in the systems of humans...In other words, [M. vaccae] works in much the same manner as antidepressant pills." (Pagan Kennedy, "How to Get High on Soil," The Atlantic, January 31, 2012. For entire article, click HERE.)

The smell of healthy soil, it turns out, is a natural mood booster.

We country folks are not surprised. When heavy rains of early spring give way to sunshine, farmers head out to the fields with ginormous "do-alls" and 36-row corn planters. The air fills with the rich earthy smell of freshly-turned soil. Roll down your car windows as you're driving down the road and inhale deeply, and your mood instantly brightens. Inhale too deeply, and you just might get high!

Almost seems like we humans were created to scratch in the dirt...like we were meant to live life in a garden.

* * *

"...the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. And the LORD God planted a garden...and there he put the man whom he had formed..to work [the garden]." Genesis 2:7-8, 15

SONSHINE TEA ROOM

Good news if you are visiting Troy, Tennessee, at lunchtime:  Sonshine Tea Room, operated by Nancy Johnson, is now open and serving up lots of deliciousness! Located on the square in downtown Troy, Sonshine Tea Room serves lunch Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. For an afternoon treat, guests can order desserts and beverages until 3:00 p.m. (UPDATE: Sonshine Tea Room is now serving dinner from 5:00-8:00 on Friday and Saturday evenings. Evening menu includes grilled steaks, pork, and chicken. For more details, click on the link at the bottom of this post!)

The Sonshine Tea Room, located on the square in Troy, Tennessee

The menu is simple:  sandwiches, salads, soups, and a special of the day. All sandwiches are handmade and served on freshly baked bread, and they come with a side order of  homemade french fries, tater tots, sweet potato fries, or sweet potato tots.

When I visited Sonshine Tea Room last week, I enjoyed a turkey club with avocado spread, served with sweet potato fries. The sandwich was layered generously with sliced turkey, Swiss cheese, crisp bacon, and a creamy avocado spread, and was served toasted on a hearty white bread. Yes, I ate the whole thing. I was so stuffed after lunch that I had to go walk a couple of laps around Troy Trojan Park before I felt like I had room to breathe!

In addition to other specialty sandwiches, the Sonshine Tea Room offers hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and their famous "man sandwich," created by Nancy's husband Ronnie - the Grilled Cheese Burger (two juicy, hand-patted burgers served between two grilled cheese sandwiches).

One of the bright and cheerful dining rooms at Sonshine Tea Room

The daily special varies. Past lunch specials have included spaghetti, chicken and rice casserole, poppy seed chicken, meatloaf, and grilled chicken served on a bed of fresh salad greens. Beverage options include sweet and unsweetened iced tea, fruit tea, lemonade, a variety of hot teas, coffee, and water.

My favorite part of the meal, however, was definitely dessert. I ordered a hot apple dumpling. My, oh, my! Talk about some flaky, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth apple goodness! Other dessert options (which also vary from day-to-day) include sweets such as chocolate cobbler, fresh apple cake, and strawberry cake, prepared from scratch each day.

On my visit, the waitress was super friendly and eager to please and the service was quick. Menu prices for meals run from $9.95 to $13.95; drinks are $2.00 (free refills); and the delicious homemade desserts are $3.00. Guests are welcomed to eat in, or you can call your order in ahead if you prefer take-out. Also, Sonshine Tea Room can be booked for events such as rehearsal dinners, birthday parties, and meetings.

I'm already in the mood for another hot apple dumpling and a cup of coffee, and with fall in the air, Sonshine Tea Room's front porch would be a great place to people watch and check out the activity in downtown Troy!

To check out the special of the day, view a menu, or get driving directions, visit Sonshine Tea Room's Facebook page by clicking HERE.

LADIES' DAY!

Hey, Lady! It's that time again! On Saturday, April 18th, we will be celebrating the second annual Ladies' Day in Troy. The event has moved from the town square to the commons area at Obion County Central High School, so we have plenty of parking and vendor space and we don't have to worry about weather!

Ladies' Day 2015 is going to be even bigger and better than last year's event, with over 40 vendors, speakers, a fitness demo, fashion shows, special music, delicious food, and lots of door prizes. Admission is free, so grab your girlfriends and head over for a fun-filled day of celebrating the ways women make our town and our county great!

I will be there enjoying the festivities, and I would love for you to visit my book table. You can purchase an autographed copy of my newest book - Wish You Were Here:  Letters From the Foot of the Cross - or just stop by to say "Hi!"

The fun starts at 10:00 a.m. and runs until 2:00 p.m. Obion County Central High School is located at 528 U.S. 51 North in Troy, Tennessee. Pull around back for plenty of parking - signs will direct you to the event!

For more info, check out the Ladies' Day in Troy Facebook page HERE.

I hope to see you there!

INDIES FIRST - BRAYLEE'S COTTAGE & ZOO

Hundreds of independent bookstores across the country will be hosting local authors on Small Business Saturday, November 29, thanks to a movement call Indies First.

In conjunction with Indies First, Braylee's Cottage & Zoo in Union City, Tennessee, is welcoming several local authors for a meet-and-greet from noon until 2:00 pm. Featured authors include:  Lisa Smartt (the Doug & Carlie series; The Smartt View); Merry Brown (the Exiled trilogy; the Four Families series); Kenny Luckett (Across the Pond; Story in the Shadows; Miles Across the Pond); and myself, Camille Kendall (Slow Sun Rising; Bethel Road).

Braylee's Cottage & Zoo is a specialized bookstore serving Obion County and the neighboring communities and is located at 228 South First Street in beautiful downtown Union City. Business hours the day of the event will be 11am-9pm, and the authors will be on hand from noon until 2:00.

If you plan to be out shopping in Obion County this Saturday, stop in to say "Hi!" and enjoy delicious refreshments while you support your local book store!

(To learn more about the authors and the books they have written, click HERE, or visit the authors' personal websites by clicking on the names above.)

ADBC Fitness Studio

In my last post, I complained (so sorry) about how I'd been fighting one of those skull-cracker headaches that just hangs on for days and days and days. That kind of headache makes writing almost impossible. And writing, for me, is a definite stress reliever. And cumulative stress aggravates the headaches. Which makes it difficult to think clearly and to focus and to write. Which...

You get the idea. It's a lousy cycle to get stuck in!

Today is day two of no pain meds. My stomach feels much happier. And the ache in my head now is like random raindrops in a puddle after a long storm, an occasional drip!/twinge, tapering away to nothing.

And the sky is BLUE today, and the sun is shining.

And best of all, I started today with yoga at the little fitness studio on the square in Troy.

What? Haven't heard about it?

I think ADBC Fitness Studio is the best kept secret in our rural little corner of the world.

ADBC Fitness Studio, located on the town square in Troy, TN

The narrow store front really doesn't give passers-by a fair indication of the big things that go on inside this exercise studio. Owner Caroline Duncan offers fitness classes for younger people and seniors, and personal training for individuals. She even has an extremely fit and aggressive team of folks training for the Tough Mudder run that will be held in Nashville in a couple of weeks.

I participate in the morning fitness class which begins at 7:30. Three days a week we do a cardio workout. One day a week, we target particular muscle groups with a weight workout. And Thursdays we have yoga.

I enjoy all the classes - the exercise, the people, the conversation. But my very favorite class is yoga on Thursdays. It's like the chocolate cake you treat yourself to after eating your cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. (Hmm, maybe that's not such a great analogy for a fitness class!)

So, anyway, I've been fighting this nagging headache. And I haven't been writing. Blegh. I commented to Helen yesterday, "I just want to have a day when I feel great!, when I can get excited about working on the book again."

After yoga with Erica this morning, I believe that today is that day.

I love my hometown!

HEY, LADY!

What are your plans for the weekend?

Saturday, April 5th, Troy is hosting its first Ladies' Day on the Square from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The event will showcase businesses owned and operated by women in the Troy community. A few of the activities planned for the day include a fashion show, a fitness demo, refreshments, and sales booths. Door prizes will be given away every half hour. Come out and join us for a fun day on the square!

(For more information and a detailed schedule of the day's activities, click HERE.)

OUTSIDE-IN

After almost ten years back in Obion County, I am finally getting out and exploring the neighborhood. With only one student at home, I find I occasionally have free time, and I seem to have a bit more energy these days, too. All that said, I am discovering amazing people and places right here in the hills of Northwest Tennessee.

Beginning today, I am going to write a post every now and then to tell you a little about my hometown. If you're from Obion County, go check out these people and places. If you're not from Obion County, I hope you enjoy a snapshot of life in the country!

Today's snapshot:  OutsideIN

LeEllen Smith didn't want to witness ministry from the side-lines - she wanted to find a way that she could jump in herself and meaningfully serve others in her community. OutsideIN, located on the north side of the town square in Troy, Tennessee, was born from that desire.

LeEllen explains, "The mission of OutsideIN is to repurpose materials which were thought to be useless in an effort to reinvent lives that were thought to be hopeless." OutsideIN employs women who, because of past addictions, incarceration, or lack of education, have found it difficult to get or keep a job. Through job training, education, and mentoring, LeEllen and the other volunteers at OutsideIN encourage these women to use their God-given talents to do productive, meaningful work and to develop the confidence to move forward to better jobs and more stable lives.

The shop at OutsideIN takes donated T-shirts and refashions them into a variety of products, including fun and funky maxi-skirts, hi-lo skirts, and sundresses. These are sold at the shop and are also marketed through other outlets.

LeEllen's daughter Micah helps sort donated T-shirts.

Bryleigh and Susan modeling maxi T-skirts.

Micah modeling a reverse-dye hi-lo skirt.

These garments are so fun - and comfortable! - that I've purchased one to wear to my next book signing. Looks like just the kind of funky skirt a writer would wear, don't you think?

Helen wearing an OutsideIN BlessDress.

LeEllen also wants to share the privilege of ministry with the ladies who work at OutsideIN. For every garment that is sold to a paying customer, a second garment - a BlessDress - is donated to an orphanage in Zambia, Africa, with which OutsideIN has partnered. Through the "Wear One, Share One" program, the ladies at OutsideIN are able to experience the blessing of ministering to others through their work and service.


Now that I've introduced you to OutsideIN, maybe you're wondering how you can learn more about OutsideIN or how you can be part of this ministry. You can check out their website HERE. Or their FaceBook page HERE. Or you can email LeEllen at leellen@wearoneshareone.org or call her at 731-446-8326.

How can you help the wonderful ladies at OutsideIN? If you're spring cleaning, OutsideIN can use good-condition T-shirts, and they are also in great need of more sewing machines. Do you have a friend or relative who owns a boutique? LeEllen is always looking for more outlets for OutsideIN products. You can also help by simply spreading the word - share this blog post or OutsideIN's FaceBook page or website with your friends.

Next time you're in Troy, stop by and pick out a fun new skirt or dress to add to your spring wardrobe!

(Photos used by permission, from OutsideIN's Facebook page.)