TheSnackHound

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Memphis Travel. All opinions are 100% mine.

B.B. King stands for Blues Boy King, who, God Bless’Em, is still touring at the age of 85. What will I B. in Memphis? I can B. someone who is surprised that if I want to see Elvis Impersonators, I am barking up the wrong tree. They’re in Vegas. Memphis is where Barbecue and Blues rule, and where I can B.a pig, I suppose. Even if you are a vegetarian, there is sure to be something on Beale Street for you. Just check of the Memphis-savvy travel guide at itinerary.memphistravel.com to root around.

I personally would probably come back with a stomach ache and a camera full of pictures of hokey or novel pun filled signs and plenty of stores to tell. Right now can enter to win a trip package. There are packages for singles, single with a friend, couples and families. Weekly winners have already been chosen, why not you?

One tour package includes a night at the historical Peabody Hotel (yes, the ones with the ducks in the fountain), carriage rides and dinner at the Majestic Grille.  Singles with friends dine at B.B. King’s and most packages include one “flip side” excursion including the Farmer’s Market, Jerry’s SnoCone, and even a Roof Top Party. Yeah, if the barbecue doesn’t agree with me, I’ll fill up on SnoCones. There are no calories to them, right?

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of FriendGiftr. All opinions are 100% mine.

What if your friends buy you a gift card for a restaurant that you hardly ever go to because its way on the other side of town. Of course, you wouldn’t mind trying it, but its such a “make a day of it” and you can’t think of what you want to do over there.  In the meantime, you go out to other places a bazillion times.  I am guilty of being that type of gifter because I tend to choose places that are just near me, and I forget that they don’t have a franchise near my friends.  Then, if I pick a national franchise, OF COURSE, they will be in their state, but maybe six hours away.

Over at FriendGiftr, you need not worry about that any longer. You can buy one gift card, and before its in their hot little hands, the friend can swap it out for another. It’s nothing personal! You can even give it to them over Facebook or other social media. They’ll receive a informing them of your gift. There are restaurants as various as Cadillac Bar, Darden Restaurants (Red Lobster, Bahama Breeze) and even Domino’s and Papa Johns if they don’t want their rear end to leave the sofa. The cards can be split so if they only use $12.00 on pizza, they can convert the rest of the card into something else. If they prefer to dine at the snack kiosk at Blockbuster or swipe beef jerky from the check out area of Bass Pro, they can knock themselves out with that, too.

Why not just give cash? Well, some people think cash is tacky unless you are giving it to your nephew who is in high school, or for a graduation. My take is that I never go out and treat myself to dinner…the cash will just end up going in the gas tank, and sometimes that’s not the giver’s intent. They want me to have dinner “on them.”

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson. All opinions are 100% mine.

On June 27, 2010, Stupid Human Trick and Stupid Pet Trick auditions for the David Letterman show will take place near Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing. In fact, you will find the hoopla happening right in front of the Branson Landing fountains. If I happen to be in the neighborhood, I have already decided exactly what I will do. I will display my talents as a woman with a dark chocolate sensing nose.  I can smell any piece of chocolate and tell you if it is dark chocolate or not.  Truly, it has a distinctive smell over milk chocolate or :::shudder::: waxy Palmer’s candy.  The aroma also directly correlates to the cocoa content and quality of the chocolate.  You may have little faith and think that its artificial oils.  Just take a gander at a super pure Cacao bar and tell me that.  The list of ingredients are scant.

Hmm…I am not sure that I will be able to pull that one off.  While I have no doubt of my powers, I simply cannot predict what the other talent categories will be.  They may, in fact, boot me out just because my talent doesn’t qualify as “Stupid.”  If the chocolate industry had a “nose” like the perfume industry does, I would apply to be that person.

Better get hotel reservations now if you are a hopeful form across the miles. The Hilton Branson Convention Center is also just a little jaunt away if the hotel in the middle of the action is booked. In fact, the Branson Hiltons welcome your four legged celebrity so you he or she can give you their undying encouragement no matter how Stupid your human trick is.  Oh, yeah…they can enter too.

Of course, I would be around for a few days after the audition. It would be a waste to go all that way and not do anything else. There is a gold package offered in conjunction with the Payne Stewart Golf Club for accommodations and ball hitting. When I am passed over for the Stupid Human Tricks opportunity I will want to feel more down in the dumps than I do.  I always slice the grass pretty badly and it will make me even more frustrated, and that’s how I roll. Just get all the “dumps” over in one swoop rather than trying to artificially perkify myself.  Then, I would go eat at the Barbara Fairchild Diner.  Imagine if at Kenny Roger’s Roasters that Kenny Rogers actually served your food.  Well, at the Barbara Fairchild Diner, Grammy nominated country music singer who sang about Teddy Bears may just serve you lunch and sing to you!  That’s way better than having your birthday at TGIFridays and be serenaded by restaurant-stopping off-key warbling.   That seems like a full day.

If you are planning a trip to Branson, where would you explore?

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson. All opinions are 100% mine.

(At left: We need a little Christmas, right this very minute. Um….a little more than that. Well…Steven Seagal volunteers for the police force in New Orleans. Maybe Santa moonlights, too.)

Are you generally sick of everything and everybody? Or, are you generally a happy person, but just overwhelmed by the choices and the baking of the season? If either of that its you, it may sound mighty attractive to load up the kids and the dog or cat and go somewhere else for Christmas, somewhere where nobody knows you. “But how will Santa find us?”

Well, Santa and the Mrs. are hanging out at the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel through December 23rd this year. They needed to refuel and recharge a little bit before the big day. Mrs. Claus will be reading stories for all of the kids, and of course, the big guy himself will stop in for a visit.   It goes without saying that you need to book right now.  Then hop in the car.  You don’t want to miss a guaranteed sighting of the man and woman in red to present all of the corroborating evidence that you have been very very good this year.  I haven’t figured out if the most effective way to handle it is to present a large volume of evidence, or is it sheerly based on content.  Someone could write one sentence of something really, really good that they did and clinch it right there.

Over at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing, you can experience the “It’s a Wonderful Life” package, where you may receive a spa treatment with your stay. It will surely melt your troubles away. However, I can’t guarantee it will melt the fat from all of the extra cookies away.

There is so much to do and see.  You can stay at the hotels the entire time, nice and cozy warm, or you can venture into the adorable downtown Branson area to peep at some Christmas lights and do a little shopping.  You can even “let yourself go” and not do your hair because everyone you know and anyone that would run into you and point a finger at you are miles away.  Why is this such an obsession?  I would want to end the year up “nice” instead of being tempted to get into an argument about my hair with someone who was just gunning for one.

So, hop in the car and go have a talk with the Big Guy before you run into your neighbor, Myrtle McBusypants.   Well, if you do, then just book the massage before you present your evidence.

For years, there were folks I knew around the Northeast that would take a day or a one night trip to New York City.  They would look at all of the fantastic Christmas window displays, buy some Christmas presents, and then maybe take in a Broadway show or see the Rockettes.   Of course, all sorts of culinary delights awaited you if you had the time.

The Hilton is promoting the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing as the real ultimate place to go this holiday season.  Yes, Branson.   I always remember on The Simpsons that there was a brochure that said: “So You’ve Settled for Branson.”    Actually, in the past decade, it is being promoted as a “family friendly Vegas.”    There are a few different packages to choose from at both this property and the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel.  All of the packages are in tune with the season and have names like “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”   Packages includes features such as visits with Santa, Spa Treatments and more. For example, at the Hilton Promenade, the Santa in Branson Packages includes breakfast for four, picture with Santa, cookies and milk, and gifts for registered children.

The package that I think would be the most memorable would be the Polar Express package.  For $289, a family of four receives deluxe accommodations, first class tickets on the Polar Express, hot chocolate, a souvenir ceramic mug and more.   If you have additional children, or have other folks who would like to ride with you, additional advance tickets are available at $49.00 per adult and $39.00 per child.  Children are considered between the ages of 2 and 12.  Of course there is a Christmas Song that is “to kids from 1 to 92,” but the idea of “kid” is a little less loose here.

So, if you need a little break this holiday season, either before the festivities begin, or want to celebrate by taking a break from the relatives, Branson, with the views of the Ozarks might be a new place for you to try.

“Why yes, Gladys. I told him the drapes do match the carpet…and the wallpaper…and my apron!  It was also all on sale. 

“Oh.  What was that?   You meant to tell me that there are only 16 days left until the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel’s Cooking School Weekend?  Well, my yes, I would love to go…but if I could only convince Ward and the boys.”

Gladys was absolutely right.  The Cooking Weekend in Branson begins October 16th, so you will have to book right away to get yourself a spot.

From the wine tasting to the seven course meal, you’ll learn to prepare everything that is served to you throughout the experience.   I think its a great idea to structure the instruction this way.   It is difficult sometimes to know if what you are making turned out if you never tasted the dish prepared by someone in the know first.  Also, you can get excited about making something you like.

On Saturday, you will learn to smoke meat, as you will have been served smoked rainbow trout and smoked pork loin the night before.  Brimstone Cheese Fondue also will be created, and fondue is one of my weaknesses.  Additional skills will be learning to plan seasonal meals and honing your arrangement skills with various cheese and appetizer trays.    Saturday, you will be treated to a scrumptious meal of Bison Short Ribs, Apple Normandy, and Berkshire Pork Porterhouse.  In my true style, I would probably be filling up on too much Harvest Salad and bread and would have no room for the main course. If you are following the trend, you’ll know that on Sunday, you’ll find out what Apple Normandy is and how to make it as well.

If you are registered for the event, or are now considering going, let me know!  It certainly seems like the place where you could take your kids and spouse if they aren’t participating in the class, as there is plenty to do in Branson.  If Gladys had her druthers about her, she would tell her friend that whenever she looked at event calendars, there seem to be so many art festivals, tours, museums, concerts, sales, and shows happening all the time.   There is even a car museum.  In other words, Ward and the boys will have plenty to do while the aspiring culinary genius is working her magic.   Your family will be far from being stuck in the hotel.   They may just be in such a jolly mood that they won’t mind Mom’s idea of them all opening a restaurant with her new found confidence in her Smoked Potato and Ham Soup.

The Silver Dollar City’s Southern Gospel Picnic wrapped up in Branson, Missouri on Monday. This year, instead of just focusing on quartets, there were acts of all sorts from a variety of musical genres. Of course, since it wasn’t the Southern Gospel CONVENTION, but the Southern Gospel PICNIC, there was food and plenty of it. One of the menu items that lifted my eyebrow was slow-roasted apple glazed chicken. Although I am more of a veggie, seafood, and chocolate gal, I am very intrigued.  I have had applewood bacon before, but am very interested in knowing what apple glaze is. I may have to book a room at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing right now, for next year, unless one of you (my faithful readers) enlightens me before next year.

You may too late for this year, but you surely can get your food and entertainment. You can eat at the Barbara Fairchild Diner. It is not like a Kenny Rogers Roasters, where it is simply named for a singer. Country Music chart topper Barbara and her husband Roy Morris serve up the sandwiches and the ice cream. They are open from 11:00-3:00, and it all sounds like a lot of fun. I don’t know of anyone who has been there yet, but if you have, comment and let me know how you liked it.  According to a Branson Directory website,  Blair Zell of Geneva, Illinois, was at the Diner on September 5th, and said of the experience: Barbara took our order, delivered our food, and sang to us. What fun!

Yeah, that does sound like fun.  Sounds a lot better at some quaint little sandwiches I have been at in the various places I have lived in where a side of grumpy seems to be on the menu.  It comes even if you don’t order it.

The Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel is the other Branson property that often has great getaway packages.  In fact, there is a special package for the Cooking School Weekend, which will be held Oct. 16, 2009 – Oct. 18, 2009.  Rooms will only be $199.00 per night with the package.  It’s going to be great.  You’ll learn to make a four course meal and select wines with Chef Nathan.

Many national groups have their shindigs there for several reasons. There is so much to do with over 40 theaters, numerous golf courses, and blocks of shopping. The attendees will never get bored. Secondly, the location is smack dab in the middle of the country, that makes it much easier for people on the east coast and west coasts to meet without making anyone fly the entire way across the country.

Have you been to Branson lately?  Tell me what you ate, and what you thought!

In any town, it might be a good sign when you see that the local police like to eat there.  Of course it means that you will probably be able to eat crime free, but it also means that the restaurant probably takes good care of the uniformed ones.  Also, since they can stand to eat there many times in a month, the food is probably half decent.  Of course, you could have a few officers who bond over their mutual lack of taste, but that is another story.   Danna’s in Branson is one of those places with good BBQ and efficient service.

Though you may not go all the way to a city just to try one restaurant, though I don’t know how eager you are for a good meal, there is also special Winter Escape Packages at the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel.  It makes for a great getaway.  While staying, you are centrally located to shopping and a riverwalk to stroll. You can see Taneycomo Lake and downtown Branson from the Promenade. If you prefer to have a place to settle in and do a little work while you are there or plan to “stay in” with your honey, Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel has king or queen “Serenity” beds with chairs and ottomans, MP3 hookups and LCD tvs in the rooms.

On the 17th, there will be a Titanic Ice Carving competition, held at the bow of the Titanic museum/exhibit, which is a large ship and holds the largest display of Titanic relics. While attending the competition, you can also take advantage of a special exhibit featuring , Millvina Dean’s Suitcase. She is the last living survivor of the Titanic.

I have a cousin who is moving to Las Vegas in the next few months. She has been out there for weeks at a time in the past few years and keeps talking about all the restaurants. I keep asking her about the “up all night” gourmet Las Vegas Restaurants they show on the Travel Channel and the Food Network that I am wanting to try. There are some local places that looked really work checking out.

She tells me she has never heard of them, and is just talking about the casino buffets. Can you imagine going to the complete other side of the country and not as much looking at a Las Vegas Phone Book once you get there to be a little adventurous? I could see going there once and being overwhelmed by all the goings on, but if you are a “regular” I can imagine the usual places would get old. I have to push her out of the culinary nest, I guess!