One Down, Two to Go...

Back in October, I started to build three rocking horses patterned after an antique in the Old Sturbridge Village Museum.  This weekend, I finished the first of the three.  This one is made of cherry boards that I purchased at Hobby Hardwood Alabama, a real gem of a sawmill that specializes in custom, high-grade hardwoods.  Here is the result:

The other two will be made of oak and maple.  You'll see those when they are completed.  The original was made of pine sometime around 1850.  Based on the wear and tear, you can imagine the countless hours of joy that it brought to generations of kids...

Date Night...

As some of you may know, Mary Ann and I are fans of the Tedeschi Trucks Band.  Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi are the husband-wife duo who head up this remarkable 1-piece ensemble.  It would be impossible for us to pick a favorite among the very talented musicians.  And not long ago, we learned that the band was going to appear in Chattanooga on Friday, 23 January.  We went to the band's Website and got great tickets, near the center of the 8th row.

I took Friday afternoon off and we drove over to Chattanooga, about two hours from the house.  I had gone on-line to check out the restaurant scene.  I finally settled on Terramae Appalachian Bistro -- fairly close to the Tivoli Theater and highly rated in both Urban Spoon and Trip Advisor.  We were not disappointed.  We had a liesurely and beautifully-served meal in the delightful surroundings of an old hotel building.

Terramae Interior

After a short drive to the theater and a brief search for parking, we were treated to a terrific concert in the elegant surroundings of the Tivoli, a 1920's music and movie palace.  The crowd was a bit rowdy, but the music prevailed.  Because of the difference in time zones, we were home at midnight.

I count that as a date.

I'm So Glad I Moved to the South...