Holy Guacamole! [ulog]

I came to SC several years ago to take care of my elderly parents and had not been back to Tennessee where my husband and I lived for several years (although I hope to move back there some day). As such, I had not seen my sister-in-law @doana or my dear friend @ladyangelwolf in a very long time — although all of us talk on the phone several times each week! It had also been a long time since I'd seen other dear friends (Kathy & Larry) who are like "adopted family" to me, although we've stayed in-touch over the years, too.

Kathy & Larry were in Tennessee this weekend to visit family and to attend a race at the Bristol Motor Speedway. My sister-in-law @doana needed some help with a couple of things as well, so I hopped in my car and drove up there to see everyone and do what needed to be done.

^{• PHOTO BY ME •} Not long after arriving, getting food was in order. @doana suggested Poblano's because they have good food and make fresh guacamole, table-side. I think I could eat my weight in guacamole! 😁 The waitress made a great guacamole for us, which we enjoyed as an appetizer.

The décor was lovely and carefully planned, not garish or frivolous. I really enjoyed the little painting that was hanging beside my seat. It was a very simple artwork depicting a courtyard outside a house, done with subdued colors and delightful brush strokes. I could not quite make out the signature of the artist with certainty, but it looks a bit like: "KENID" or something similar.

I had the Yolandas plate (chicken enchiladas with sides), @doana ordered a Spinach Enchilada plate w/sides, and @ladyangelwolf had the Deluxe Quesadilla plate. Everything was delicious, and the restaurant wasn't too crowded, thankfully, as I don't handle crowds very well since my husband passed. At the door to the restaurant, there was a lovely little "rock garden" with a waterfall:

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There was also a seating area out front on a cozy little patio where people could gather to wait for friends to arrive before dining together. @ladyangelwolf thought the outdoor furniture was cool, so I snapped a pic of it for her:

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Then we went back to @doana's house so I could do the things with which she needed my help. Before getting started, though, I took a peek at the beautiful Crepe Myrtle tree in her back yard, which had grown tremendously since I last saw it!

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My sister-in-law has so many interesting items at her house, such as this little turtle fashioned from sea shells:

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...and this beautiful turtle lamp, fashioned from stained glass, which she has equipped with a blue night-light bulb:

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I was able to do some of the things she needed me to do, then went to meet Kathy & Larry. We spent a couple of hours visiting with each other over coffee, slushees, and milkshakes. I gave them some things that belonged to a very dear, departed "sister" of ours. Then I went back to my sister-in-law's to finish tasks there, then took @ladyangelwolf back to her place, and headed home. I had to stop several times on the way home to stretch my legs. I am also grateful for clean and safe restrooms along the way...

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One brief stretch-break beside the road was at a closed country restaurant that sold Bar-B-Que from their kitchen, and I thought of @sultnpapper when I saw the sign:

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I might have to visit that place sometime, as it is only 30-ish minutes from home, sample their food, and write a review like @sultnpapper does! 😋 It was in the wee-hours of the morning when I arrived back home. I poked around at a few posts on Steemit to wind-down for the night and then slept rather soundly after a long 18-hour day. In fact, I slept through the Witness Chat hosted by @shadowspub on the @steemitramble discord, waking up right before it ended. I hated missing it (this was the first such monthly-chat with the witnesses that I've missed), but sleep was a priority after my busy trip back to Tennessee. It is amazing how such a day wears me out now that I am older, but grateful that I can still do it when the need arises!