Bold Cast IX Guest Catherine Barker

What a joy podcasting has been! I have to tell you how delightful it was to host my next door neighbor on Bold Cast this week! You'll adore her! Catherine Barker is a North Carolina native. She shares about meeting her husband at NC State University! Her thrills and surprises of motherhood and the rewards of starting her first blog!



Her family is very special and you'll love her tips on motherhood and cooking! Get the scoop on one of my favorite recipes she shared right here on the podcast!

Meet Catherine Barker, Author of The Cat That Barked blog!

Catherine Barker @ The Cat That Barked
You'll find our Bold Cast here on iTunes. 

Once you've heard the podcast, you'll really love this out take of life with a toddler! :) Mercy! Thank you, Catherine! This was so fun! Love this one of the calm parents! :)





Welcome to Bold Cast with Malise Terrell of CarolinaMamaBlog. She is Interviewing special get
Meet Catherine Barker a North Carolina native! Wife, Mom, School Teacher and Blogger! We're blessed to be next door neighbors! Catherine shares all the good things like how she met Daniel, their favorite foods, Mom life and her Toddler Tips! Thanks for listening.

You can find Catherine on her blog The Cat That Barked at www.thecatthatbarked.com  on Twitter
@meowbarktweet

Check out this episode!

Thanks for listening!
Warmly,
CarolinaMama

BootLeggers Burgers Best of Lynchburg on the James River

Bootleggers Burgers hosted us for a fabulous experience at this incredible restaurant in downtown Lynchburg! The burgers were just the beginning of how amazing it was! They are famous for they delectable burgers. Let's just start here....




Immediately upon arrival, it became apparent the Parmesan Truffle Fries are legendary! So, we ordered an appetizer to share. Yes, they were worth the splurge! They were perfection! 


As we started enjoying the abundant options on the menu, we were tempted with the onion rings and burgers like this one.... The truffle fries kept us calm. :) 



 Let me start properly, Bootleggers is part of a major downtown Lynchburg revitalization right by the James River. The expansive and chic restaurant was built into a cliff that overlooks the river. It's beautiful!



The architects planned a beautiful and spacious outdoor patio dining experience! The landscaping is gorgeous and gives it a European feel. The patio is across the entire front of the restaurant so there are lots of outdoor seating options on a beautiful night like our visit. 


We chose a perfect seat right at the patio so we could enjoy the upscale feel indoors and the outdoor beauty! Here was our view! 



You have to go with intention because you really need to know Bootleggers is there. Our son spotted it as we were looking for parking. Down the stairs and voila! :) It was a fun adventure that lead to our great dining! 



Here is another view of the patio dining! This is the other side of the restaurant. We did go early because Visit Lynchburg let us know how popular it is and we were able to avoid a wait on a Friday night! And it was light enough to enjoy the views! 



Happy place fro the evening....


We loved the design. The wall landscape mural was representing the history of Bootleggers. Very outdoorsy and old Virginian. 


There was also plenty of booth seating for cozy meals with friends and family. 







For a University of South Carolina alumni, the Palmetto "Pimento" Jalapeno Cheeseburger was irresistible so Boulder Mt. Man and I shared the burger (no extra fries were ordered or necessary!) 



... and we shared the incredible Cobb salad! Pretty clearly the calorie count was not minimized though we tried! And we couldn't decide on all of the amazing homemade dressings, so we had choices! :) They were all good especially the homemade blue cheese. 




 The happy well fed family! We were just getting started. Here you can get a visual of the ambiance and fun atmosphere of Bootleggers!


Then, there was an outstanding Chocolate Peanut Butter Milkshake! Summer!!! 
Teenagers can enjoy these things because they've already worked it off! 
And they don't have to hare! Actually, this was the ideal time to splurge on dessert! 


Fun view on our way out after a fantastic experience! 



Again, everything about BootLeggers was well done! Here are more of my favorite, the 
French flower planters on the European balcony! 

Just go! You'll enjoy BootLeggers as much as we did! 




You can check out their incredible menu here!  Enjoy!

Warmly, Carolina Mama

FTC Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Bootleggers of Lynchburg, Virginia and Visit Lynchburg. All opinions are my own. 

The Kirkley Hotel Lynchburg, Virginia the Best of Family Travel and Conference Center

Recently, we were hosted for a visit to an amazing boutique hotel in Lynchburg, Virginia. Now, I get to tell you all the things I love about it! My own opinion and favorites! We were so delighted with The Kirkley Hotel's affordable luxury!! Thank you Lynchburg, Virginia for hosting our visit as well!


The Kirkley Hotel is wonderful for Family Travel! From the warm welcome from the Front Desk Staff



... to the beautiful fresh flowers throughout the hotel, it was a beautiful experience. 





Let me tell you a little of the Kirkley Hotel history!
"In 2007 the Greenbergs purchased the Kirkley seeing its potential to give guests the opportunity to experience some aspects of the luxury they had consistently provided, but at a very affordable price.
The Kirkley Hotel and Conference Center in Lynchburg, Virginia is not like a chain such as Marriottor Hilton brand hotels. It is unique, personal, warm, and creative. All of the interiors, and much of the furnishings, have been designed by Peter. All items are residential in warm tones and lasting materials. The hotel features luxury bed linens, luxury bath towels, custom amenities and dozens of small touches that make the Kirkley a home away from home."

The Kirkley is located conveniently to all of these Lynchburg, Virginia attractions. We loved our spacious and comfortable room.


The room had plenty of room for a desk and two relaxing leather chairs. We had a view of the Smokey Mountains! The best! So fun, for those of us in the heart of the Triangle! 


The view was so pretty and the Blue Ridge Parkway was near by. The Blue Ridge Parkway is America's most scenic drive extending 470 miles linking the Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks! 

Here are more of the Kirkley amenities that we loved: 
  • Luxury Bed Linens

  • Luxury Bath Linens - plenty of linens because I love extra towels!

  • Starbucks Coffee - even our favorite Verona! :) 

  • Elegant Furnishings

  • Complimentary Wifi

  • Complimentary Fitness Center 

  • Indoor Pool (pool renovations were happening) 

  • Free Parking


We enjoyed some down time in our room in the evenings after great explorations in Lynchburg and the area! 


The Kirkley is awesome for conferences. 



All the details make it a beautiful stay. 


Here is the Kirkley's The Great Room Restaurant! The restaurant is bright and modern and the food is outstanding! We loved their breakfast! 



The dining room was so clean and neat and inviting! It was very spacious and comfortable. There were several different seating options!


The Kirkley and The Great Room and beautiful fresh flowers throughout! 


Here is my beautiful omelette! It was delicious with spinach, peppers, and ham! 
I had to order the biscuit and sausage gravy side! Loved it! 


There was abundant fruit, yogurt and sweet bites! 


Our son ordered one of the incredible omelettes with sausage and he thought it was delicious and filling. That's good news for mom's of athlete's! 


We got up earlier and started breakfast first with coffee, of course!
We loved taking our time and visiting and enjoying the meal. The Great Room offers a 
full breakfast with unlimited fruits, yogurts, bagels and sweet rolls along WITH the 
choice of eggs and proteins! Also included is all of the juice, milk and coffee! 



Here is a view of the unlimited breakfast bar with all of the choices you can 
self serve as you wish. 


This was another beautiful part of the Kirkley! Here is a gorgeous room with outdoor and rustic appeal for campfire feel! We loved it! 



The conference rooms are available at the Kirkley. 


The property is spacious and the parking is abundant. We had beautiful weather in Lynchburg!



We loved visiting Percival Island Nature Area right on the James River in downtown Lynchburg! It was such a treat. The island has 15 miles of secluded hiking! We loved it! And we got to enjoy the LOVE sign of Virginia as loves! Virginia is for Lovers! 




The River was beautiful to cross over by foot hiking over to the Percival Island trails! 



Visit Lynchburg! There is so much to do! Visit Liberty University museums: Map: https://goo.gl/maps/9cT1x9eKkVv

Go to the Appomattox Court House National Historical Park : Appomattox Court House National Historical Park commemorates the heroic acts which took place in April of 1865 in this, the original village, to bring about the end of the Civil War. A walking tour is available.

The highlight of the Park is the McLean House where Generals Lee and Grant crafted and signed the terms of surrender, bringing an end to the bloodiest chapter of U.S. history.

Also see, Museum of the Confederacy: This American Civil War Museum interweaves the story of the Confederate States government, the military, civilians, and enslaved and free African-Americans.

You can also visit to visit the National Historic Districts listed on the provided map, the Old City
Cemetery Museums & Arboretum and the Lynchburg Museum.

We hope you get to visit The Kirkley Hotel! We know you'll love it and all of the amazing attractions in Lynchburg, Virginia and the Great Smokey Mountains!

Warmly,
Carolina Mama

FTC Disclosure: As mentioned in the first paragraph, The Kirkely Hotel hosted our family for a Family Travel visit and review. This post is sponsored by The Kirkley Hotel and Visit Lynchburg, Virginia. All opinions are my own. 

Bold Cast VIII Guest Dr. BJ Lawson

Happy Father's Day to all of our Dads! I am honored to share with you Bold Cast with special guest Dr. BJ Lawson. Dr. Lawson is a long-time North Carolina resident and Duke University School of Medicine graduate. He is co-founder of EHOP Health and Journey 2 Health.com. As I have shared here prior, I am so happy to be working with Journey 2 Health to spread the word about this incredible health and wellness resource to eat well, move well and live well! He is a family man so how appropriate to share his podcast with you this Father's Day weekend!

Dr. "BJ"Lawson, Co-Founder of Journey 2 Health

You'll love our chat. SO check it out here on iTunes or on our podcast syndication. You can follow Journey 2 Health on Facebook and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/Journey2Healthcom/
http://twitter.com/J2HealthJ2H

Check out this episode!

Remember if you want to start your own Journey 2 Health with a private comprehensive coached team, go to Journey2Health.com . Everyone who signs up for a team now is able to receive a free Guided Journey for a family member or friend! Just use this Journey2gether link:


Again, Happy Father's Day!

Warmly,
CarolinaMama

FTC Disclosure: Again, sharing I work with Journey 2 Health. All opinions are my own and I invited Dr. Lawson to be on our Bold Cast as I would any other successful businessman. 
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Father's Day at Bonefish Grill for Chef Paul Prudhomme's Creole-Style Redfish

Bonefish Grill always feels like a celebration! I have loved working with them through the years. so I had the idea of checking out the New Orleans Creole Blackened Redfish recipes by Paul Prudhomme, one of my favorites, and sharing my own thoughts and opinions with you! I'm sharing my full scoop with you here.

Bonefish Grill for Father's Day Creole Blackened Redfish would give Dad the special treatment! Let us tell you all the reasons you'll be glad you did! See the Bonefish Grill free gift cards offer at the end of the post! :)

For us, it's a family affair! Dad's love to share time together and have great food! :)





The seasonal specials available through June 19th . . . make your Father's Day plans now! You'll be thrilled! We arrived for an early lunch which was my Birthday lunch! It was ideal! We love the casual yet upscale atmosphere at Bonefish! 


The fresh fish experts at Bonefish Grill are spicing up summer with their new Creole-Style Redfish. Melding tastes from around the world for over the last 300 years, New Orleans creole cuisine is gaining popularity across America. As a leading tastemaker, Bonefish Grill is ratcheting this old world cooking up to new world tastes.
Redfish itself is a new type of fish on the polished casual favorite’s menu. The mild sweet fish with a medium firm texture was introduced in the 1980s in the New Orleans kitchen of famed Chef Paul Prudhomme. Bonefish Grill’s Creole-Style Redfish is topped with crawfish — a fresh water crustacean similar in taste to lobster and very popular in the South — then accented with a creole-style sauce and served with sweet corn spoonbread.
This dish took me back to New Orleans! 
Here is our Redfish dish! We are crazy for the Bonefish Garlic Mashed Potatoes so they were our side of choice with the incredible Blackened Redfish and Creole Crawfish sauce! 

Bonefish Grill is spanning the globe of culinary inspiration for other items on its new seasonal menu, including:
·         Crab Cake Topped Wood-Grilled Atlantic Cobia – for a new twist, Bonefish Grill creates a delicious combination of flavors, pairing a popular starter with an interesting fish offering a rich, sweet flavor that is slightly firm, with a light flake. Served with a jalapeño bacon cream sauce it is finished with jalapeño slices and served with jasmine rice and French green beans.
Because this New Orleans girl loves her Red Fish, and Bonefish Grill wants their customers happy, they let me substitute Redfish with their Crab Cake! Heaven indeed! It was an incredibly delicious pairing! I love their steamed broccoli and potatoes au gratin to round out the meal! By the way, the jalapeño was the perfect seasoning. Truly just an accompaniment. 


·         Fresh Maryland Soft Shell Crabs - a delicacy only available a few weeks of the year, the Soft Shell Crab is sautéed crispy, stuffed with a Maryland-style crab cake and served with choice of two fresh sides.
·          Cedar Plank Norwegian Salmon –Sourced fresh from Norway, this Atlantic Salmon family is higher in fat content, Omega 3 fatty acid and has a velvety texture. Roasted on a western red cedar plank from the Pacific Northwest it is topped with a fresh, light citrus, honey-based glaze and served with a vegetable medley of asparagus, spring peas, pearl onions and button mushrooms.
·         Kate's Wild North Atlantic Haddock –This nostalgic favorite of loyal Bonefish Grill guests features this mildly sweet, wild white fish — cut in-house — garlic crumb dusted, wood-grilled, topped with feta and a lemon basil butter sauce.
Let me tell you how our teen sons love Bonefish Grill! They pretty much sum up our family spirit at Bonefish! Happy! :)  We paused for a moment before we were seated.








Our feelings exactly! :) I was so happy to get to spend my Birthday at Bonefish! Perfect timing and Thank you Bonefish Grill Cary! They served me their signature Dark Chocolate with pecans! Another favorite! 

                             

Bonefish Salads are excellent as well! The lemon vinaigrette with pine nuts was something I wish they sold in a bottle! :) 

                                

Bang Bang shrimp with green beans is one of our son's favorite things! 



A classic Bonefish Grill Half-Pound Wagyu Beef Burger* toasted brioche bun, fully dressed with sharp Cheddar and special sauce, add bacon is a favorite in our family, too! 

                             


***Exclusively at Bonefish Grill restaurants June 15-18, when a guest purchases $50 in gift cards they’ll receive five additional $10 bonus cards for a total of $50 in value.

We hope you get to take your Father or someone special to Bonefish Grill for the Creole Redfish specialties! Enjoy! 

Warmly, 
CarolinaMama

FTC Disclosure:  This post is sponsored by Bonefish Grill. All opinions are my own.