Atomic City Mom Did It - Earth Day 2009!

This past Saturday, I had the awesome opportunity to volunteer at a booth for Earth Day 2009 at the Civic Center. I went last year, and I am so glad I attended this time, because this year's venue was SO much better! Last year, the festival seemed a little flat. This year- the music, the people, the vendors- it was ALIVE and breathing! The kids were so in AWE of the face painter, the images were just MAGICAL!

To check out some of the cool things that you may have missed - go to Oak Ridge TN Earth Day 2009 for a list of vendors and links to other websites!

Big Goings On in Oak Ridge @ End of February...

Glen Miller Orchestra
Feb 21st 8-11 pm at the Historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge
hfhac.org or call (865) 482-7713

International Fest @ The Children's Museum
Feb. 21st 10am-4pm
childrensmuseumofoakridge.org or call (865) 482-1074

CASA's 5th Annual Barbeque & Bluegrass Bash Feb. 21st 6 pm @ Elks Lodge in Oak Ridge www.casatnh.org or call (865) 425-0888

Girls INC to host 31st Annual Basketball Classic
Feb 28th @ 4pm
www.girlsinc-oakridge.org or call (865) 482-4475

Get Ready for Spring Rowing Season 2009!
orra.org or call (865) 482-6538

If there are any Oak Ridge events I've missed, please let me know, or if there are upcoming local events you would like to see announced for March/April, please let me know and I will be sure to check it out!

DIY "Trashy" Valentines from Curbly...

Here's a really cute idea that I found on Curbly by swelldesigner. Make your own 'trashy' valentines by using your junk mail... looks like a fun way of recycling all that annoying junk mail!

If you like this kind of fun/funky art, also check out the shadowboxes by Baltimore Artstar. I really love stuff like this!

Top 10 Things to Do in Oak Ridge During Winter...

1. Check out the current exhibits at the American Museum of Science & Energy - Now until Mar. 29th "African Americans in WWII."

2. Your kiddies will LOVE the life-size doll house & rainforest @ the Children's Museum.

3. Oak Ridge Public Library for Storytimes - FREE!

4. Check out the cool little shops on Jackson Square.

5. Try EVERY locally owned & operated restaurant in Oak Ridge... at least once!

6. Take the Historic Driving Tour of Oak Ridge...

7. See a play at the Oak Ridge Playhouse.

8. Hike the greenways... on mild days _ FREE.

9. Ride the Secret City Scenic Excursion Train.

10. Listen to a concert at ORCMA.

If you can think of more, please feel free to let me know. If it's fun, I might feature it on an upcoming post!

My Superbowl Sunday Menu

Well, it appears that it is becoming an annual tradition around my house - the big Superbowl Sunday Meal! I think the only reason people keep coming over to my house for this event is really for the Buffalo Chicken Salad, a really great & EASY recipe that I learned from Rachael Ray, here's the actual recipe. It's really been a big hit for the past two years running now. You can really do what you like with this recipe, it's just so versatile. If you want to use spinach instead of romaine, go for it! It's just such a great quickie recipe... and even the guys love it!

We really are watching our budget this year, but still like to have fun with the family! So here is this year's Superbowl Sunday Menu at my house:

Homemade Chili - Three Bean
Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks for the Kiddies
Buffalo Chicken Salad - A Rachael Ray recipe
Salsa, Chips, & Dip
Southern Peach Cobbler from allrecipes.com

I gotta tell you, my cousin who is a big-time cook, actually turned me on to allrecipes.com and now I find myself using it on a regular basis when I am doing my brainstorming for meal planning ideas. There are really some great recipes, a 5 star rating system, and I like that there are critiques so that you can see how people who tried a recipe actually felt about it. I also love the fact that you can print out recipe cards, it's so cute.

That's it- my simple little menu for Superbowl Sunday... really for me it's all about the food & family. For me to do this, it's gotta be quick and easy and VERY yummy, stick-to-your-ribs kinda food...

What Superbowl food favorites do you guys enjoy every year?

bowl of chili image from Free-Stock-Photos.com

Oooooh- It's Happy Flea Market Day!

We went to to the flea market today and found some really cool stuff- as you can see by my daughter's lovely new mask! It was loads of fun-although it was really HOT. Next time it would be better to try to get there earlier to really enjoy the meandering.

It tends to get going pretty early in the AM, and starts winding down when the heat kicks in around noonish. We got there at around 11 am today, which is really late in the game, most of the vendors had already started packing up their wares.

We wandered around for about 15 minutes or so, and actually found some cute things. My younger daughter made out like a bandit with two handmade Raggedy Ann & Andy dolls. Ann is a blonde with blue button eyes and Andy is a brunette. They are so adorable and only $1.00 for the pair! The mask was a mere 25 cents!

There are always a lot of folks selling toys, Barbies, and all kinds of baby items...

I got this cute coffee cup and a cool necklace for pocket change.

Oh, and since I collect banks, I couldn't turn down a little ceramic jukebox bank. When you drop in a coin the music plays!

Don't worry guys, there are plenty of things for you to look over- my husband found an antique reel for a really good price! Of course, there are lots of tools, watches, and other stuff you might like as well!

The Flea Market

Location: Oak Ridge High School

Times: Sun-up to Noonish