Well it has been a while again! Sorry about that! But just to catch you up on things: my internship went great, finished it up, and have been debriefing about it ever since with alot of people. Definitely helped me learn some things about myself as well as ministry but it really did solidify some things in me but more on that later! Now... Its official: I'm in my last year of college! The beginning of the end, the finish line, the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow... I can't wait to finish! It's been such a long journey and I have to admit quite an incredible one too! This semester I'm taking nothing but Senior level courses, all required, and more hours than I've ever taken yet (yeah, yeah testing my "thresh hold" as some might say). And yes it has been a bit overwhelming; however, it has been good! I've learned alot out of these classes already so I'm actually quite excited for what's to come! :) Lately, God has been dropping some phrases here and there for me to listen to and learn about. Such words like "endurance", "Seek Me", "Know Who I Am", and "Living In The Moment" have all been said to me in some fashion or form in the past couple of weeks. As I beginning digging deeper with him, I hope and pray that I truly begin a spiritual journey like never before with him: getting to know him, learning to live in the moment and enjoy it, and in the end addressing some insecurities of my own. Now for the fun part! As you guys remember me telling you some posts back that I wanted to start doing my own little fun food blog about checking out local restaurants in the area and telling you about them and how awesome their food is. Well... It's Toccoa's turn now! As my last year of school, I want to help the local restaurants and eateries of Toccoa and the surrounding areas by checking them out, seeing how they've been significant to their area, and of course how awesome the food is! So here we go y'all its a double doozie with Toccoa's local landmark and favorite, Bell's Hamburgers and GA Fried Chicken, and Lavonia's favorite little hidden Bar-B-Que treasure, Gumlog's Bar-B-Que & Fish Lodge! Bell's has been a classic staple of the Toccoa community for at least 50 years. With a country rustic feel inside, extremely hospitable staff, and some awesome Southern cooking, this is one place you can't miss when you visit up here at the Appalachian Foothills. Now I've been here twice and I've loved both times! With everything from steaks to hamburgers, fried chicken to fish, french fries to Cesar salads, and milkshakes to cobblers this place has it all! My first time there was with my roommate Chelsea, I had their Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and cole slaw and it just about put me over the moon! My second time there I was with my dad, little brother and sister, and my boyfriend and it was pretty good! I had the basic chicken tender basket, fries, and some steam veggies (hey now, a girl's got to keep her figure). I really liked the breading they use for the fried chicken: very simple with a bit of spice to it! I promise you - There is no one that isn't going to find any thing on the menu they won't love! My dad absolutely devoured the fried chicken (as did my little brother and sister)and my boyfriend really enjoyed their bar-b-que! So again, you'll find at least one thing you're gonna love here! Be sure to check them out soon! :) Now on to Gumlog! I first found out about Gumlog completely unintentionally. Last Sunday I went to church with some of my best friends, Megan and Nate (and soon to be Zoe) Brown! Since it was the first time there for me at their church, I was told to fill out a welcome card and turn it in at the back of the church and I would get a little gift to thank me for my visit there. Well I did so and I expected like a candy bar or a water bottle but instead I got a 50% off coupon for Gumlog's Bar-B-Que & Fish Lodge! I had never heard of the place and so the Browns were kind enough to take me and share this lovely little unknown treasure of Lavonia. Literally the place is on back roads and it seems to be set up either in an old barn, work shed, or moonshinery place. Either way, we get there and it completely jam packed full of people! That's when you know, people, you've found something good... Started in 1974 by an old moonshiner (as it says on its menu), Gumlog's has provided some of the best country home cooking you would have never known existed. Anything and everything you can think of with fried chicken, Bar-B-Que pork and beef, catfish and other marine delicacies, and all with a pitcher full of sweet tea left at your table during your visit for you to fill up your glass and enjoy! The atmosphere is warm, friendly, cabin country style with red and white checker cloth tables, wooden booths and tables, and deer's heads handing from the walls. It can also be easily seen that this place has had to expand due to its popularity with at least 2 or 3 big sections of the restaurant not matching the original design and structure of the building. Regardless, you're gonna love what they got to serve there so be sure to check it out!! :) Also, if you know of some great places here and around the Toccoa area (including but not limited to Lavonia, Hartwell, Commerce, Cornelia, Clarksville, Royston, Elberton, or even Westminister, Seneca, or Anderson, SC) let me know and I'll try getting out there to see them! Well that's it for me! I'll see y'all around! Later days! :)