It’s football time all over the country, but particularly in The South.  My project began as “Tailgating Through The SEC”,  but after visiting and painting all 14 SEC schools I decided to change the name  to “Tailgating Through The South”.  As much as I love the SEC, I have so many ACC friends and family.   Also what about our friends in Texas?

Last week marked the beginning of football and tailgating 2013!

We began our Gainesville trip with a great dinner at The Bistro on Friday night.  After dinner we had to visit Salty Dog to celebrate the beginning of a new season of college football.

  Salty Dog is the typical college bar.  I also have the recipe for their killer Bloody Marys.

Salty Dog Bloody Mary

Serving Size: 6

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 36 ounces V8 Juice
• 12 ounces vodka
• 12 dashes worcestershire sauce
• 12 dashes (or more) Chuck’s hot sauce (sold at Wards Grocery and NW Seafood)
• 2 teaspoons horseradish
• 2 tablespoons olive juice (dirty)
• 1 lemon, cut in wedges
• 1 lime, cut in wedges
• Salt to taste
• Black Pepper to taste
• 1/2-1 teaspoon oregano
• pinch or more cayenne pepper
• Olives as garnish

Instructions

1. In a large pitcher, mix V8 Juice, vodka, worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, horseradish, olive juice together.
2. Squeeze the juice of the lemon and lime and add to mixture.
3. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Add oregano.
5. Add pinches of cayenne pepper to taste.
6. Garnish with olives. Can also garnish with celery.

Notes

This recipe was given to me by Salty Dog Saloon in Gainesville, FL on a paper napkin with just the ingredients. No quantities were included. I experimented with the ratios. Adjust according to your spicy/hot preferences.

By Salty Dog Saloon in Gainesville, Fl via KathyMillerTime
Adapted from Salty Dog Saloon in Gainesville, FL

Recipe Printed from www.kathymillertime.com

Met the nicest Gator guys ready to celebrate the new football season.

The next day our season began with the UF/ Toledo game.  An uninvited guest joined us at Pops’ Place for the exciting tailgate.

As beautiful as this spider is, my nieces are even more beautiful.  Hannah Bea and Kelly Ann

Remember my buttons?  A big T for my Tennessee Vols, a Gator Mom button and a “Beat Everybody” Except Tennessee.

Those 12 o’clock games in Florida are HOT!!!  We enjoyed the game.

After the game we returned to Pops’ Place to watch the Tennessee game.  A Vol Victory ensured I had a doubly good day.

8:00 same Saturday night.  Georgia at Clemson’s Death Valley.  My photo of Howard’s Rock, waiting for the players, the fans, and football.

Our Clemson  Braddock friends, Griff, Elyse, Kellis & Blair were ready for the game.

The build up for the 8th ranked Clemson Tigers and the 5th ranked Georgia Bulldogs season opener seemed a little extreme, especially watching the Clemson players ride around the stadium in a bus.  But the moment the players touched Howard’s Rock and ran down The Hill amid thousands of orange balloons, thousands of screaming fans, one couldn’t help but get caught up in the excitement.

 After watching many 1st game mismatches it is always wonderful to have a BIG Game to look forward to.  As a neutral observer in this game, I just sat back and enjoyed the heck out of a great intense game!  Go Dawgs! Go Tigers!  What a game!

I love college football!  Speaking of the ACC, what about FSU and their awesome looking quarterback, Jameis Winston?  Our good friends Rick and Joanne (my road trip buddy)  traveled to Pittsburg for the FSU/ Pittsburg game.  They were joined by son, Tim and daughter-in-law, Megan, both FSU graduates.

Hope to be painting a FSU tailgate soon.

Dave and I will be traveling to many tailgates throughout the season.  Please follow the stories as we enjoy our trips across The South.  We will be at the Tennessee Florida game in Gainesville; no surprise who I will be rooting for.

We will travel to New Orleans for a great night on the town, expecting to see some great sidewalk music;

then to Baton Rouge for the LSU/ Florida game Oct. 12.

 Can’t wait to meet some great tailgating Tigers!!!  Want to hear from you Tiger fans.  Let us know where the great tailgating spots are.

My “Tailgating On The Bayou” painting celebrates the trinity of Louisiana cooking; onion, green pepper, and celery.

From Baton Rouge we will travel to Natchez, MS to spend time with great friends, LSU fan Pete  and Mississippi State fan, Carol.

Think we might hit the Corner Bar again.  This place is so wonderful they serve my wine in styrofoam cups!  Can’t beat the beer though.

Then on to Oxford and Ole Miss.  Dave did not make the trip with me and is so excited to experience The Grove and Taylor, MS.

From Oxford we will travel to Starkville and Mississippi State.

 Want to see some cowbells and taste the MSU cheese.

My “Tailgating At The Junction” painting celebrates the  ringing of the cowbell tradition.

 Our final stop will be a revisit to Tuscaloosa and Alabama.

Lisa and Ann Kathryn Parrish always enjoy a good Alabama game.

 Would love to eat at some wonderful Bama restaurants while we are in town.

We are heading your way.  Need your help and advice on wonderful places to visit.  This is interactive.  Please email me at kathy@kathymillertime.com or comment on the blog.

Come celebrate with me.  I’ll save you a seat at the table.