Yarn and BBQ road trip

Admiring a colorwork scarf, "Spectra,"
 pattern by Stephen West.

What could be more fun that a road trip on a beautiful September weekend with destination points of two yarn shops and a barbeque joint?

My DH and I were watching "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" Friday evening and one of the segments featured Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint, located in Nolansville, Tennessee. "Want to go there for your birthday?" my husband asked. It didn't take long for a yankee girl, who grew up near the Chicago stockyards and loves pork to answer, "Sure!"

Nolansville is south of Nashville and west of Murfreesboro—kinda out in the middle of nowhere—but Murfreeesboro and Brentwood (a Nashville 'burb) are home to The Knaughty Knitter and Bliss Yarns... which are both open on Saturday. (Yay!) Let's go!

Bliss Yarns is in a strip mall with rocking chairs outside for those rockin' knitters. The staff is super friendly and greeted us immediately. They have a wonderful selection of quality yarns in a vast array of colors. I picked up some Rowan Wool Cotton (on sale), a hank of hand painted Dream Smooshy sock yarn, and one lonesome hank of Fantastic by Kollage (93 yds. of 100% merino) in an Apricot Buff color (also on sale). No immediate project plans for these, but I know their time will come.

Adding to my stash from the Knaughty Knitter.

The Knaughty Knitter in Murfreesboro is a few blocks off the main street in a cute little yellow house with parking on the side and back. Nostalgic oldies music was playing on the intercom and Meredith, the owner, greeted us as we entered. Meredith is very talented. She writes her own patterns and designs projects for her knitting programs that she offers to students and customers. I picked up her pattern booklet, "A Knaughty Dozen Little Cowls."

The Knaughty Knitter has a great selection of yarns, roving for spinning, notions and various fiber art pieces for sale. Additions to my yarn stash included Ultra Alpaca by Berroco, Jojoland's 100% wool Rhythm, Camelia 100% superwash by Garnstudio, a ball of Di Ve, and some Rio de la Plata kettle dyed hand spun wool in a natural camel color. The colors of these yarns are just screaming "Autumn."

Have smoker, will travel!

In between visiting the yarn shops, we had lunch at Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint (have smoker, will travel). Martin's is located directly behind the Krystal's on Nolansville Road—the main road through Nolansville. You can't miss the traveling smoker parked in front and the 40-foot smokestack. They had been jumping all day due to the re-telecast of the Diners, Drive-ins and Dives episode that featured the restaurant.

Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint

I had the pork sandwich with slaw and Larry had the Redneck Taco, brisket with a cornbread pancake  (featured on the TV show). The pork was slow cooked to perfection and had a bit of a "bite" to it from the spice rub they use. The Lazy Magnolia brewery's Southern Pecan ale makes an appropriate accompaniment. Martin's has a relaxed, casual atmosphere and good service. You help yourself to Nehi and soft drinks in the ice tub and you won't walk away hungry. We want to try the ribs next time.