Judy and Ken Discover "Soup and More"

Our friends all know that when we travel we like to sniff out those special local places that have delicious food, welcoming atmosphere, and nothing remotely akin to the big chain fast food places.

Today we weren't traveling.  In fact, we were less than 4 miles from home, right on West Pennsylvania Avenue in Southern Pines, NC. WHAT A WONDERFUL MEAL!

The place is called Soup and More, but as we found it's MUCH more. 

 Their website on YELP will fill you in a little.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/soup-and-more-southern-pines

It's cozy but not crowded, clean, well-lit, and comfortable.

Some diners ate on the porch.  The wait staff is attentive

and superb, making a point to know each guest's name.

Special kudos to J.P. (as in J.P. Morgan)!

Yep, this sign is 100% accurate.  You'll see the menu

a little further along.

The restaurant is owned by two couples. One of the

owners is Sheldon Mooney (check out the Mooney

Burger on the menu).  I think I'm accurate in saying

that Sheldon returned to this area to head up the

cuisine at Little River Country Club in 2009.

Now, he and his partners are living the dream 

of having their own restaurant.

Judy had the toughest time selecting her favorite,

but settled on the three-salad plate.  It was no big

deal to sub a double portion of the chicken salad

and omit the egg salad. (This plate is huge!)

A saw a bunch of menu items that tempted me,

but the club sandwich won me over. It was as good as

it looks.  Some of my Atlanta readers will understand

when I say it's every bit as good as the famed

Stone Mountain Club at the Blue Ribbon Grill.

That's a high compliment.

This is not the full menu, but some of the most

poplular items.  I could eat here many times without

repeating.

Here is the full menu.

Judy and I had strolled to our stream this morning

so I had my camera with me.  When I heard J.P. refer

to our "eclectic crowd" today, my light bulb lit up.

Where better to share this find than on my Eclectic Blog.

We give "Soup and More" Five Stars.

 Drop in soon and get acquainted.

Believe me, you'll find something you love.

Family Night Frolics

A monthly Family Night has been a wonderful "new"

tradition for the Loyd/Kirby/Talbert families the past

few years.  Each gathering is sure to create instant memories.

Let's pray.

"Okay, how about me first, you second, then him, then her.

No, how about YOU first, then left to right.  Or maybe

boys first, then girls.  Or . . ."

Eating may come first, but the evening is just as much

about play, and that means ANYTHING GOES!

 "What does it LOOK like we're doing?  We're COOKING!"

There's a fine line between

"Many hands make light work"

and 

"Too many cooks spoil the broth."

Stephen is honored to be the first to try the

Mississippi Mud Pie.  Or whatever it is known as locally.

Matt takes one for the team in giving up his body for

SOCCER!!

Note:  they had to drag Matt in, kicking and screaming.

This little highlight clip is full of action.  Matt starts

out with the advantage, but is later overwhelmed by

sheer numbers.  Something akin to the strategy of

African Army Ants, I believe.  And did anyone hear

a whistle on that nifty tackle by Hunter?  I didn't think so.

One of the kids suggested we pull out an old box they

had played with a few weeks ago.  Somehow, the box

didn't have a lot of life left in it.  That didn't keep them

from inventing games with it.  But now we have a new box.

Claire, and later all four kids, enjoy trying to walk on cans,

a simple but challenging task.  It requires balance,

coordination, and perseverance.  Which is why I only 

took pictures.

 This may never succeed as a new way to play tag,

but it's very motivating to see how far you can walk

without falling.  And as the girls noted, it's tougher

on rough terrain than on pavement.  Though assuredly

easier on the knees.  

I'm exaggerating about the falls.  In fact, the girls

demonstrate astonishing mastery of this new mode 

of transportation.  I don't think it will replace the

Segway, but it cost zero cents to make.  8 cans from a

 recycling bin and a few feet of handy unused macrame cord.

Maybe your family would enjoy a family night.

If you try it, be sure to let me know how it turns out.

Happy trails!

Mockingbird Calls Before Dawn

Disclaimer:  This is a mockingbird, but not one of ours.  It was DARK!

This morning I was up before dawn, and with our

windows open, the clear melodies of our resident

mockingbirds were striking.  It was dark, so I covered

the camera lens and just recorded the songs, one

after another.  The prolific repertoire of some mock-

ingbirds is legendary, and I think this one (plus some

backups) is auditioning for Songbirds Got Talent.

I taped for two minutes, then, smiling, went back to bed.