belle chèvre // elkmont, al

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We had an incredible one. We went to my hometown and spent Thanksgiving with my family. A few years ago, my parents started a new tradition called the "Christmas Adventure." They plan a surprise trip to places that are within a few hours drive from our home. This year they did the Christmas Adventure during Thanksgiving since we weren't going to be together over Christmas. 

{the cheese plate}

{honey goat cheese ice cream}

This year's adventure had two stops. The first was Belle Chèvre  in Elkmont, Alabama. Belle Chèvre is a world renowned goat cheese creamery and when you taste their cheese you know why! It's mild and each flavor (which include fig, honey, tuscan, pimento, and more) is incredibly delicious. Belle Chèvre has a small cafe (The Cheese Shop) that offers cheese plates, sandwiches, and fondue... all of which feature their cheeses. And, you can't leave the cheese shop without trying the goat cheese ice cream - it was one of the best ice creams I've ever tasted in my life!!!

{the creamery}

{cheese makers at work}

{my siblings playing with the goats}

Then we toured The Creamery, where the cheese is made. We got to peek into the cheese making and play with the goats! The Creamery is housed in Elkmont's old cotton warehouse. Belle Chèvre has done an incredible job renovating the building. If you need a day trip from TN, GA, or MS, Elkmont is in North Alabama and it's an easy drive from many surrounding cities. And, if you are a cyclist, bring your bike. The Richard Martin trail has made Elkmont a popular destination for many cycling enthusiasts. Maybe you and your family could make Belle Chèvre a Christmas Adventure of your own!
-mrs.h

summer reading: cereal mag

Have you read Cereal Magazine? I'm a little obsessed. Not only because it's about food and travel - two of our passions here at mr.&mrs.h, but it's different than your typical travel magazine. It highlights places that aren't on the front cover of Travel&Leisure, Departures, etc (not that there's anything wrong with those), but it's just not the "same ol', same ol'" resort that's been covered a million times. 

Instead Cereal ventures to travel destinations that pique the imagination... somewhere a little off the beaten path or maybe a major city you've been to several times, but they'll cover a restaurant or shop that's doing something new and inventive. It's always educational too. For example, this past issue they covered pepper... one of the most common spices we use, but the history, and information was phenomenal. And, the previous issue they covered Ravello, Italy--a hidden jewel on the Amalfi Coast. Plus, the photography is gorgeous and there are few things I love reading more than a "cult-magazine" that inspires my appetite and adventures. 
-mrs.h

all images

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