Photographed in Jasper, GA
Raised in:
San Antonio, Texas
Lives in:
Houston, Texas
Favorite Tex-Mex spot in Houston:
Escalante’s.
Now would ya look at that:
Previously featured here and here and, but most famously, on both Glamping trips.
“It’s the Grinch! Scatter!” – Tony the Elf
HO HO HO, MERRY MUSIC MONDAY IS BACK!
I’ll be carrying on the tradition that we established two years ago: five Christmas songs every Monday for the next month. It’ll be the best ever, just as it was during the last two rounds (catch up here). Lezgo!
1. Stream: King’s Kaleidoscope “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
…from Joy Has Dawned EP (iTunes | Spotify). King’s Kaleidoscope is the worship band for Mars Hill Church and has made some of my favorite versions of classic hymns. It’s no surprise they’ve now done the same with classic Christmas songs as well.
2. Stream: Nick Lowe – “Children Go Where I Send Thee”
Children Go Where I Send Thee
…from Quality Street: A Seasonal Selection for All The Family (iTunes | Spotify).
3. Stream: The Last Bison – “Carol of the Bells”
Carol of the Bells
…from Sleigh Ride – EP (iTunes | Spotify). We shared some songs and an interview with this Virginia based band when they were just known as Bison. I was so excited when they released a Christmas EP. This track is the highlight for me – banjo, mallets, violin – perfect.
4. Stream: Justin Bieber – “All I Want is You”
All I Want Is You
…from Under the Mistetoe (iTunes | Spotify). I just needed to make sure everyone remembered that Biebz has a Christmas album. Looking back the days we threw them snow balls…
5. Stream: The Raveonettes – “The Christmas Song”
The Christmas Song
…just a great single (iTunes | Spotify). This has been one of the first songs I listen to every season and has been one of my favorite Christmas songs since high school.
Subscribe to Go Christmas on Spotify for over 300 songs of Merry Music Madness.
Photographed in Atlanta, GA
Raised in:
Barnesville, Georgia
Lives in:
Atlanta, Georgia
Favorite southern sporting event you’ve attended:
Derby Day.
Now would ya look at that:
It didn’t occur to me until I became an adult that not every boy grew up with a father around. Even then, some that did grow up with a dad didn’t get to grow up playing catch. I consider myself blessed to have had both of these things as part of my childhood. On more occasions than not, my dad was asking me to play catch instead of me bugging him until he caved in. He was rarely too busy and was always encouraging.
My dad and I have two main things in common; our faith, and our love of team sports, particularly LSU. When Southeast Toyota approached us about doing another road trip*, this time to the LSU vs. Alabama game, I couldn’t believe that it was even a possibility. My dad and I haven’t lived in the same state for the last 13 years so opportunities like this are rare.
Toyota outfitted us with a sleek 2014 Corolla for the trip and it did not disappoint. I was most impressed with was the gas mileage, as we averaged 35 MPG the entire weekend!
The outcome of the game wasn’t what we wished but we had an experience we won’t forget.
The folks at Southern Living were kind enough to invite us to visit their headquarters while in Birmingham. I photographed some staff in Good Looks (being posted soon) and they gave us the grand tour. Mom and Caroline were jealous, to say the least…
A favorite stop on our tour – the Southern Living test kitchen where they test and perfect hundreds of recipes a year to feature in their many magazines.
When Texans who don’t live in Texas see a Whataburger, they stop, always. Luckily, there was one across the street from our hotel.
Dad and I shared a rack of ribs for dinner in Birmingham at Full Moon BBQ…
Saturday was our first time to Tuscaloosa, so we parked our Corolla and wandered toward campus. We toured the grounds and tailgate spots and then did a little bar hopping. Steamers, The Houndstooth, and The Bear Trap treated us well with beer and football until game time.
GIF time…
Photographed by Mark with Fuji X-Pro 1 and iPhone.
*Full Disclosure: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (“Toyota”) provided me with us of a 2014 Corrolla for a short period of time, event tickets and a gas card. I am receiving no other compensation from Toyota. The opinions I have shared about this vehicle are my own.
Photographed in Johnson City, TN
Raised in:
Steven (Father): Johnson City, Tennessee
Finn (Son): Johnson City, Tennesse (so far).
Lives in:
Johnson City, Tennessee
Favorite place to play in the South:
Steven: Twisted Falls (also known as Twisting Falls) in Carter County, Tennessee.
Finn: Uhm, *shrug,* play is fierce. At Papa and Peaches (grandparents), I guess. I like to jump but I don’t want to jump. I want to jump on the bed.
Now would ya look at that:
See more Blackburn Family cuteness here.
On Steven: Old Navy shawl collar cardigan and jeans, Gap chambray, Guess desert boots.
On Finn: Old Navy sweater, Crazy 8 chambray, Gap cords, Geox boots.
Photographed in Atlanta, GA
Raised in:
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Lives in:
Nashville, Tennessee
What you’re listening to the most this month (so far):
Two Austrailian artists – Panama, and Thomas Purcell, a DJ who goes by the name Wave Racer. I found Wave Racer on Soundcloud. He did a remix of the song “Always” by Panama (here) and then I became hooked on them as well.
Now would ya look at that:
Jamie Clayton, yet again!
Photographed in our backyard
Raised in:
Marietta, Georgia
Lives in:
Woodstock, Georgia
Favorite movie based in the South:
Big Fish. It captivates the day dreamer in everyone. The colors, bizarre characters and creatures make for a true Burton film. Plus, Ewan Mcgregor is a freakin’ stud.
Now would ya look at that:
On October 26th, we Glamped. Same crew, new location, better bar menu, cheese plate, wine selection, quinoa chili, one tent, midnight snacks, and on and on the Glamping goodness goes. This is hands down one of the best nights of our year every year, and we strongly encourage the rest of the world to start their own Glamp Train. Enjoy a little video, some favorite photos, Caroline’s cocktail recipes, and the Glamping: Vol II playlist all in this one epic Glamp Out 2013 post.
Sarah: J.Crew necklace and vest, LOFT tee, Gap cords, Target gloves, Father in law’s old boots.
Will: J.L. Powell hat, Oliver Peoples glasses, Gap plaid, Timex 1600 watch, J.Crew khakis, Bean Boots.
Tig: Ray-Ban’s, Target flannel and deer shirt, Shiner Bock, AG Stevie jeans, Lucchese boots.
Mark: Buffalo Jackson hat and ‘Redwood’ flannel (c/o), J.Crew pants, Bean Mocs.
Allyson: Forever 21 chambray and jeggings, Target deer waffle, Mom’s socks, Bean Boots.
Matthew: Patagonia ‘Better Sweater’ jacket, Ralph Lauren plaid, Glass of Malbec, REI pants, Bean Boots.
Caroline: Tradlands ‘Alamo Square’ flannel (c/o), Gap vest, LOFT leggings, Smart Wool socks, Bean Boots.
The Tres: 2 oz wheated bourbon (we used W.L. Weller), 1/2 oz Mexican Coke syrup, 2 dash Bad Dog Sarsaparilla Dry bitters.
See also: The 2012 Glamp Out, in case you missed it last year.
An extra very special “thank you” to Buffalo Jackson, Tradlands, and Bad Dog Bar Craft for contributing to the Glamping goods. Also, thanks to Jess Graves for gifting The Fontenot’s our 7 person Eddie Bauer tent.
Photographed in our backyard
Raised in:
Tomball, Texas
Lives in:
Jasper, Georgia
Go-to comfort food:
My family’s gumbo. We make a huge batch of it once a year and keep our freezer stocked.
Now would ya look at that:
The Drink: We saved our favorite for last. This cocktail is special for both of us, and we each have a story behind our first experience with it. The Vieux Carré was invented at the Hotel Monteleone by Walter Bergeron in the 1930’s and literally translates to “Old Square,” one of the early French terms for the French Quarter. If you like Old Fashioneds and/or Sazeracs, this might be your new go to cocktail.
Jamie introduced me to this drink at Nashville’s Holland House Bar & Refuge, which is where he was introduced to it as well. The bartender, Jon (now owns PourTaste) asked Jamie what he wanted, and he said something with whiskey. Jon made him the Vieux Carré, and since then it’s been his all time favorite cocktail.
Fast forward a bit to a trip I made to Nashville about two years ago. I had just taken this photo of the Holcomb’s with Jamie and Tig in tow, and after we all went to Holland House to get drinks. Jamie wouldn’t let me look at the menu, he just ordered me a Vieux Carré. It completely changed the way I looked at drinks, since up to that point the most complicated drink I ordered was a Gin & Tonic.
The recipe below is Holland House’s recipe, since both Jamie and I have never had a version we like better. The key difference? They use orange curaçao in place of Benedictine.
Put all ingredients in a mixing glass and stir.
Strain into a rocks glass with a large cube – we used a Tovolo sphere.
The Glass: Courtesy of Jess’s cabinet.
Flask: 
The Plaid Hatter: 2 oz bourbon (we used 
Enjoy the