Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Someday I will learn to keep up with a blog.

1. TRAVEL THE NATCHEZ TRACE
The 444-mile parkway meanders through the scenic South, connecting the lower portions of the Mississippi River to central Tennessee.

Lauren and I checked this one off in June, on our way back from a friend’s wedding in Birmingham.

2. ROCK ON A BONNAROO
This four-day, multi-stage music festival in Manchester, Tenn., crosses genres and generations, generating good times for all.

I’m just going to admit that this is not my kind of thing, so it will probably never happen. Everyone I know who has gone has enjoyed it though.

3. GO TO A SHOW AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY
This famous Nashville venue is steeped in tradition, and its stage showcases country music legends and present-day performers.

I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing the Opry twice – once with Vanderbilt (after eating at Cock of the Walk), and once with my family. I really enjoyed both trips!

4. VISIT GATLINBURG AND PIGEON FORGE
Tucked amid the splendor of the Smokies, there’s nothing sleepy about this small town experience. From go-karts to mini-golf, the cities’ offer a bevy of tick-free entertainment in the middle of the great outdoors.

Since I moved to Tennessee, I’ve visited Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge twice – once with my sister, and recently with Jake and his family. Unfortunately, I think they’ve both become overly tourist-centric, so I’m not excited about returning again unless we stay in a very remote cabin and don’t leave the mountains. I had fun both times anyway, especially with the cabin.

5. DIP A BISCUIT IN GRAVY AT LOVELESS CAFE
It’s hard to say what’s the bigger draw — Chef “Biscuit Lady” Carol Fay’s made-from-scratch creations or the savory red-eye gravy. So get both.

Jake and I finally went to Loveless Cafe recently, and it was great – definitely worth the wait! The biscuits were heavenly, the ham was the best I’ve ever had, and the fried chicken was tasty too. The Biscuit Lady herself even showed up as we were pulling out of the parking lot.

6. PUT A PADDLE IN THE HARPETH
This natural playground appeals to outdoor enthusiasts and city escapists.

I haven’t paddled the Harpeth, but I have done some canoeing in TN!

7. GROOVE AT GRACELAND
It would be cruel to ignore the King’s Memphis mansion with its meditation garden and unforgettable Jungle Room.

Jake and I did make a quick trip to Memphis, but we missed Graceland. Maybe next time…

8. PET A SHARK AT THE TENNESSEE AQUARIUM
Fish are just the tip of the iceberg at Chattanooga’s underwater adventure site.

I haven’t made it to the Chattanooga aquarium, but I have pet a shark at the New Orleans Aquarium.

9. VOLUNTEER
Any true Tennessean ought to embrace the state’s nickname, and the beauty of this must-do is that it can be done anywhere.

We haven’t been lately, but Jake and I did really enjoy volunteering at the Nashville Humane Association last summer. I LOVE the kitty room – no photos allowed though.

10. SPORT A SPECTACULAR HAT AT IROQUOIS STEEPLECHASE
All seersuckers and sundresses, this annual Nashville horse race is a slightly toned down version of the Kentucky Derby — but really only slightly.

We’ve definitely enjoyed dressing up for Steeplechase for the past 2 years!

11. SEE ROCK CITY
Splendid rock formations guide visitors on a botanical journey. The highlight is the overlook, where a clear day affords a glimpse at seven different states from one spot. Where else can you do that?

I’ve driven past the sign several times, but we haven’t ever stopped.

12. BOW TO ATHENA AT THE PARTHENON
It’s hard to ignore the Greek masterpiece situated in the center of Nashville’s Centennial Park, and really you shouldn’t. Afterall, there is a 42-foot Athena inside.

The Parthenon was one of my first adventures in Nashville, since it’s right down the street.

13. PARTY IN A PEW AT THE RYMAN
Famous as the former home of the Grand Ole Opry, the historic music venue today remains a much sought-after showplace for hundreds of acclaimed artists.

I haven’t been to The Ryman yet, but I need to go!

14. WATCH OR RUN THE COUNTRY MUSIC MARATHON
Thousands travel to Music City every year to take part in the state’s largest endurance event, and the energy on race day is incredible.

Running is not my thing, but I have the utmost respect for my many friends who have run the Country Music Marathon!

15. DOWN A BIG BEER ON BEALE STREET
Once a street for all things smarmy, the redevelopment of this Memphis street has rejuvinated a hot entertainment district.

Jake and I visited Beale Street briefly on our recent trip to Memphis, but it was cold and empty, so we sipped beers at Flying Saucer instead.

16. WALK THE GROUNDS AT THE HERMITAGE
Once a simple frontier farm, the Hermitage evolved into a prosperous plantation under the guidance of its most notable resident, President Andrew Jackson.

This is very high on my to-do list, we just haven’t gotten around to it yet.

17. SIGN YOUR NAME ON THE WALL AT TOOTSIE’S
Lit up like a neon-landing strip it’s hard to miss Nashville’s honky-tonk haven, which is good because it deserves some attention.

I’ve walked by Tootsie’s many times, but I haven’t ever gone in.

18. CAMP OUT IN FALL CREEK FALLS FOREST
Cascading streams, dense timber, and gorgeous gorges provide the perfect backdrop for an outdoor adventure

I don’t know about camping, but hiking Fall Creek Falls is high on my list too.

19. SQUARE DANCE AT MULE DAY
A four-day festival of everything Mule, this has been a Columbia, Tenn., tradition for nearly 170 years.

I haven’t heard of this one, but it could be fun.

20. TAKE A TRIP THROUGH HISTORY AT STONES RIVER BATTLE
One of the Civil War’s bloodiest conflicts is recaptured at the very Murfreesboro location it occurred almost 150 years ago.

Hmm, could be added to the list.

21. HEAR THE FISK JUBILEE SINGERS
A true musical treasure, this group of vocal artists travels worldwide preserving the unique tradition entrenched in African-American spirituals.

Sounds like fun – anybody want to go with me?

22. MEANDER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH
Perched atop the Cumberland Plateau, this architecturally-impressive campus boasts 13,000 acres of splendid setting.

We could maybe drive by on the way to somewhere else, but I don’t see making a whole trip out of this one.

23. BUY A SHOT GLASS AT THE JACK DANIEL’S DISTILLERY
The birthplace of Tennessee whisky, Lynchburg is not too far away and offers free tours. Don’t expect to get a swig of the stuff though, Moore County has been dry since the Prohibition.

Another thing very high on the list!

24. BATTLE THE WHITEWATER ON OCOEE OR LITTLE PIGEON
These lively East Tennessee waterways offer a high-energy adventure, and guides are just a google search away.

Since I’ve lived in TN, I’ve gone rafting 3 times on the Ocoee – I also rafted on the Ocoee and Little Pigeon once each when I was younger.

25. GET A PLATE AT THE WORLD’S BIGGEST FISH FRY
More than five tons of catfish are cooked at this weeklong festival in Paris, Tenn.

I’m not a huge fan of fried catfish – I know, I’m a terrible Cajun/southerner.

26. TREAD THE SIDEWALKS ON MUSIC ROW
It’s nothing flashy, but this set of streets is where stars are made, and that alone makes it worth a visit.

Jake and I stayed on Music Row when I first moved here – we’ve driven up and down several times since then.

27. SATISFY YOUR GREASY DESIRES WITH A ROTIER’S BURGER
A massive mound of meat served between two pieces of toasted French bread? This burger is hard to beat.

Also on the list – with Brown’s diner.

28. SAMPLE THE MUSIC CITY MICROBREWS
Looking for a tasty beverage with local flavor? Yazoo, Blackstone and Bosco’s all produce excellent ales that have been recognized nationally.

I’ve enjoyed Yazoo and Bosco’s, but we still need to stop by Blackstone.

29. DARE THE DEPTHS OF THE BELL WITCH CAVE
These chilly Adams, Tenn., caverns are said to be the doorway through which the Bell Witch enters and departs our world.

Sure, I’d go.

30. JAM AT THE STATION INN ON SUNDAY NIGHT
Known for a keen bluegrass sound, on these evenings well-known artists may mingle with local amateurs, blending their talents for an entertaining Nashville-esque performance.

I ought to go sometime, but again – I’m not a huge fan of the music scene.

31. SEE EAGLES SOAR AT REELFOOT LAKE
The Dyersburg area offers one of the few places in the country for observing bald eagles in the wild.

Where is Dyersburg?

32. INDULGE IN A MINERAL BATH
The Armour Hotel in Red Boiling Springs houses the state’s only working mineral bathhouse. The smell may not be savory, but the healing effects are said to be heavenly.

I’m skeptical…

33. GET INTO THE GOO AT THE RC AND MOON PIE FESTIVAL
A seed-spitting contest, synchronized wadding, and cloggers — it’s hard to imagine a more interesting festival itinerary in this Bell Buckle town.

I love moon pies – anybody want to figure out when it is and go visit?

34. HEAR THE SYMPHONY IN THE SCHERMERHORN
Music City may be a little bit country and a little bit rock ‘n’ roll, but it’s also a little bit choral, classical and even cabaret. The Schermerhorn is the perfect setting to sample another chord in Nashville’s musical melody.

I don’t know why I’ve never gotten around to going, but I still want to.

35. PLUCK SOME PRINCE’S HOT CHICKEN
Not for the weak-willed or tender-tounged, the fried fowl is fiery but also fantastic.

Also high on the list – I’ve heard it’s great.

36. PEEK IN THE MEN’S ROOM AT HERMITAGE HOTEL
How could you miss making a jaunt to the john when it could be in America’s best restroom? Voted 2008′s No. 1 in a contest held by the Cintas Corporation, Nashville’s five-star hotel pit stop is set apart from all others.

Maybe I’ll send Jake to take a picture.

37. SNAG A PIECE OF HISTORY AT HATCH SHOW PRINT
Nashville’s letterpress print shop delivers eye-catching creations that have visually logged local advertising and entertainment history since the late 1800s.

Umm, we might skip this one.

38. WATCH OTHERS BID BIG AT A LIVESTOCK AUCTION
Part of the everyday life for many Tennesseans, this will provide you an opportunity to rub shoulders with the salt-of-the-earth folks that are part of the fiber of the state.

I’m not sure that I couldn’t do this in Texas too.

39. RENDEZVOUS FOR RIBS AT RENDEZVOUS
Flame-broiled and rubbed with spices, the ribs are what draw tourists to this Memphis joint.

We skipped Rendezvous and enjoyed delicious pork sandwiches at Central BBQ.

40. SING KARAOKE IN MUSIC CITY
There are plenty of places to step on stage and share your vocal talents — or lack thereof. Who knows, you might just get discovered.

I think I’ll stick to Guitar Hero!

Ok, so – only 9 officially? I’ve got work to do!

Here is our itinerary:

For fun, procrastination, and to distract me from the fact that it’s freezing and raining here, I checked out our weather for next week:

Sunday and Monday we’ll be in Miami:

Tuesday we’ll be in Nassau, Bahamas:

Wedneday we’ll be in CocoCay, Bahamas – it’s about halfway in between Miami and Nassau, so just imagine the weather there, only on a private island!

Thursday we’ll be in Key West, Florida:

Then sadly we head back to Miami on Friday, and ultimately back to freezing cold Nashville. The images should keep the weather updated, so feel free to check back here and be extremely jealous while we’re enjoying the beautiful warm weather!!

Second random thought – I’ve been trying to knit several projects lately.  I’ve always bought my knitting needles at Michael’s, because it’s easy, but I needed 16″ size 6 circulars, and they didn’t have those.  I stopped by Haus of Yarn, our local yarn store, and picked up some Addi Turbos, and they are amazing.  I don’t think I will ever buy bamboo needles again!  I’m currently working on a neckwarmer for Jake (Darkside Cowl, Ravelry Project Link).  I finished My So Called Scarf (Ravelry Project Link) for my sister (picture below), which I really love, even though it’s a bit short – next time I will suck it up and buy two skeins.  On my to-do list: Cascade Christmas Stockings, some gifts for my nieces Emma and Ashley, a scarf for my mom, and a scarf for me.  So many projects, so little time!

A much needed PhD update – I’ve got a project narrowed down, so I’m currently in the process of selecting my committee and getting ready for my qualifying exam and proposal.  I feel like this took forever, but as it turns out, I’m still on track to finish by the four year mark (crossing my fingers).  I’m really excited to get started on the project!

In just a few short weeks, Jake and I are going on our anniversary cruise!  Can you believe it’s been a whole year already?  I’m SO excited about the cruise – we’re sailing out of Miami on Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas to the Bahamas for 4 nights.  Naturally, I will be back with a million pictures.

And finally, I am cooking my very first Thanksgiving turkey tomorrow!  Jake and I are hosting several friends/family who will be staying in the Nashville area for Thanksgiving.  Hopefully everything will turn out well and I won’t poison anybody.  I’ll try to post the results of that as well.

Ok, enough random updates – back to cleaning!

The Standard: 4, 5, and 6

Our 4th visit to The Standard’s wine tasting was alright – we took a break after that trip. For old time’s sake we caught up for visits 5 and 6, the last two of the season. I think the dishes were more on par with what we expected after the first few trips, but the food and wines were not as great as our first few pairings. I still recommend The Standard to anybody looking for some really nice Southern food.

Dim Sum

We’ve been back for dim sum twice. The second time everything was still great, plus we tried a few new dishes. The third time we went on a Saturday evening, so we sat in a different area and ordered off the menu. While the food was still good, I would not recommend this at all. Everything took a while to prepare, and came out at random times. Find time on Saturday or Sunday early afternoon and get the full cart experience.

Wii Fit

We got a Wii Fit, and I LOVE it! I’m still trying to make my Mii have a normal BMI, but hopefully soon!

Graduate School

School is so busy right now, it’s insane. I submitted my first journal paper about a month ago, so I’m waiting to hear back on that. I’m taking two classes right now, working on another project, and trying to make some serious progress on narrowing my PhD topic.

tnmccoys.com

Jake and I finally got a shared domain name – www.tnmccoys.com. I’m not sure how long we’ll keep it, depending on where we end up, but it will serve us for now. You can also go to jake.tnmccoys.com for his site, or alli.mccoys.com to redirect here.

Ravelry

I joined ravelry, so hopefully I’ll get better at finishing knitting projects and showing them off:

http://www.ravelry.com/people/amccoy (I don’t think this will work though, unless you’re a member)

Random To-Reviews

Tin Angel, Greek Festival, Cuisine of India, Flying Saucer, Royal Thai, McDougal’s, WOW Wingery…

Pictures

Jake and I have been out to Stones River to do some shooting. Check out some pictures here:

I’ve been trying over the past two years to get over this, but this summer I tried something different – I stopped wearing my watch. If I don’t know what time it is, I can’t stress out. Every once in a while though, I can glance at a clock on display in the room, or another person’s watch, defeating the plan. Overall, I think this is helping. I don’t get anxious in meetings and classes anymore, because I don’t realize when we’re getting close to the end or running late. I’m this much closer to less stress!