Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe

• Who can find a virtuous woman? her price is far above rubies
• She eateth not the bread of idleness

It's been a really bad week around here for everyone in the family. It's been extremely hot outside; we're still having air-conditioning issues so it's been hot inside, as well; hubby is stressed from work; son is stressed about college; I'm stressed about our upcoming move and relocation; all together it was tense and just Not Fun.

There was one ray of brightness in a rough week, though, and was the road trip I took to Juliette, Georgia, to visit the Whistle Stop Cafe', famous from the movie Fried Green Tomatoes , based on the Fannie Flagg book Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe'.

The movie is set in fictional small town of Whistle Stop, Alabama, but the real-life cafe and downtown is found at Juliette, Georgia.

The cafe' building was built in 1927 and was operated as a general store until 1972. After that it was used for several different purposes until it was Juliette was chosen as the site for most of the filming of the movie.

Afterwards, it was opened as a real cafe', and remains open today. You can check out their menu and hours of operation at the Whistle Stop Cafe website.

I felt like I was walking into the story as soon as I spotted this familiar window.

The interior is filled with vintage and antique items...

...as well as furnishings familiar from the movie.

Some of the fixtures are from the building's general store days.


..and some are strictly restaurant operational.

It was fun to look around and spot the different items

Pictures from the past...


...and this old butcher block and scale.

Look, it's Ruth and Idgie!


The spillway--and yes, it was hot inside and out that day!



How neat is this shoe shine stand?


Or this coal heater?


From the scene at end of the movie, when the cafe had been closed for years

And then of course there's the food--good old Southern fare...




starting with fried green tomatoes--of course!


yummy fried chicken, mashed potatoes, cornbread, and fried okra

followed by hot deep dish pecan cobbler and ice cream!


And outside, planters full of tomato plants...

and the infamous barbeque pit.

I think this is an old smokehouse...

...it's out behind this train depot turned gift shop. It's for rent--anyone interested?


They have a sense of humor in Juliette...


...don't you think?

The Opry House


The block-long "down-town" is mostly gift and tourist-y shops


Click on the pictures to see them up close--this signs says "If the door is unlocked, we're open"



I had gotten lost on my way and we got there a little later than I had planned...



...so I didn't have time to go inside these cute little shops...


although this thrift store was tempting...but it was getting time to try to follow the bread crumb trail back home, so I had to pass.





I did take the time for quick trip across the tracks to see the spillway, first from the park at the top level...



...and then from around the side by the old mill...

... and of course a drive past the cemetery that was filmed for the final scenes of the movie.

My son went with me, and was tolerably patient with me as I oohh'd and aahh'd over everything I saw--as well as the several wrong turns I made along the way. Let's just say that I saw a bit more of the Georgia countryside than even I had intended!

I had such fun on my "road trip". It was certainly a lot better than sitting around stewing about the heat, and the air conditioner problems, or worrying about the future. Our time in Georgia is getting shorter and shorter, so I'm doing my best to enjoy every minute of it!

This post is linked to:

Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors

Vintage Thingie Thursday at Coloradolady

Until next time...

Blogging Through the Bible in 90 Days--Day 22

• Who can find a virtuous woman? her price is far above rubies
• She looketh well to the ways of her household...
• She eateth not the bread of idleness...

Well, I have to say it--I'm still behind on my Bible in 90 Days reading schedule--surprise!!

This was a bad week for me. I let the cares of this life and circumstances beyond my control take me on a physical and emotional roller coaster. I haven't felt well; it's been too hot in our bedroom to spend time in there reading; I was really disappointed about an invitation to a fun upcoming event that I had to turn down; complain, complain, complain; shift blame, shift blame, shift blame. Sounds like the Israelites, doesn't it?

I've been thinking a lot about some of Paul's writings to the church, too--even though that's not part of our reading this week! Especially the part where he tells them that those things that he knows to do, those things he doesn't do, and those things that he knows not to do, those things he does.

So I'm just going to say that Ive been having an Israelite/Paul week.

I'm still hanging in there, though, and every day that I read I find something to inspire, or to teach, or encourage, even if it's just that I'm not the only one who complains or is self-willed.

Hoping that you're finding some encouragement, too!

Until next time...

Vintage Indian Motorcycles

My husband has always liked motorcycles. When we first started dating, he didn't have even have a car at the time, just a motorcycle. He got rid of it not long after we were married, but I know that one of these days we'll probably end up owning another. In the course of our travels, we've seen a lot of different motorcycle dealerships and shops, but he was really excited when he spotted one for Indian Motorcycles. When we had a chance to stop in and look around, we found not only brand new Indians, but a nice collection of vintage ones, as well.

All of the pictures below are "clickable", which means if you click on them you can see them larger, then hit the "back" button on your toolbar to come back here for the next picture.

1913 Indian Twin, 7 HP

1940 Indian Chief, valued at $55,950

I love the detailing on these older bikes.

1951 Indian Chief, valued at $38,100

Isn't this light a cool feature?

This is a real "Wooden Indian"!

This was the most unique one, for sure...

...a 1937 Chief

Cool, huh?

(edited to add: if memory serves me correctly, this is a real, working motorcycle. There are a few non-wooden parts on it make if functional)

But I think this one with the sidecar was my favorite...

it's a 1947 Chief, and for sale, too...

for a mere $24,995!

How about this cute mini-bike?

Even the signs are interesting.

There were, of course new bikes, and some of them were sweeeeet. I'll be honest, I'm not a big motorcycle fan, they scare me--but even I would ride on one of these.

Which one is your favorite?

This post is linked to:

"Say Cheese" at It's a Blog Party

Vintage Thingie Thursday at Coloradolady

Until next time...