Show & Tell || Hometown

It's time for another one of my favorite link-ups, Show & Tell Tuesdays. I'm truly enjoying this series (thanks Andrea) and today I'm extra excited to learn all about y'alls hometowns! 

If any one ask, I tell them I'm from Houston, TX. Now that isn't a complete lie. I was born there..but I only lived there 9 months. So I can't count it as my hometown, however if I'm honest I tell David that's my hometown and we need to move back asap. ;) 

So my true hometown is a little town (though it has city it's name) in the Shenandoah Valley of VA. 

SALEM 

I have lived in this cute little town (city) the majority of my life. Some days I love it and some days, well ya know everyone is ready to explore the big ole world. :) 

Today I want to share with you some of the top things I love about Salem!

1. FOOTBALL

We love us some Salem Football. Friday night the stadium fills with probably all of Salem to watch the Spartans play. Hoping to add another state championship flag to the gym (7 and counting!)

Yes this is our local high school stadium. 

I grew up going to the games, went all during high school and now enjoying taking our girls. 

There is just something about wearing maroon on Friday Nights and singing your Fight Song. 

{Salem Born and Salem Bred and Till I die I'll be Salem Dead.. So RAH RAH FOR SALEM SALEM! RAH RAH FOR SALEM SALEM! RAH RAH FOR SALEM! RAH RAH RAH!  Maroon and White will win tonight we'll win this game tonight all right SO RAH RAH FOR SALEM SALEM! RAH RAH FOR SALEM SALEM! RAH RAH FOR SALEM! RAH RAH RAH!}

#sangitinmyhead3times #hardcorealum

2. OLDE SALEM DAYS

I look forward to this day every year, it's the best way to end the summer and kick off Fall in my opinion. Every September, our town picks one Saturday to hold their annual OLDE SALEM DAY FESTIVAL. There are old cars to look at, craft vendors, merchandise vendors, art vendors, music, face painting, and FOOD. The food ya'll, it's truly why I go. 

You have fried oreos, fried chicken, turkey legs, Chinese, and the best KETTLE CORN POPCORN. 

Okay I honestly go for the Kettle Corn and I buy the largest bag possible. :)

Thankful for David's healthy loving heart, we live close to downtown. So we typically place the girls in strollers and walk down from our house. So we work off all the food, I mean Kettle Corn. 

3. Green Hill Park 

We love love love Green Hill park. 

Not because it has a great walking/bike trail they we love to take advantage over all spring/summer/fall. 

Not because it has an awesome park for the girls to play on.

Not because we have family picnic's there. 

Not because we go to skip rocks or stick our toes in the river. 

Though we truly do enjoy all of those things. 

We love this specific park for a few other reasons. 

Number 1: It's were we got engaged! 

David and I would spend a ton of time walking around the park when we were dating. It was our favorite place to just go and talk. 

Number 2: We had our rehearsal here. 

Yep instead of driving all the way out to the lake. We rehearsed our wedding in the main field at Green Hill. :) 

Number 3: Tensley's Maternity and 1st Birthday Photoshoots were here. 

Our sweet friend Kyra got some great shots for us that day. 

This Bench is our favorite. We got engaged on this bench!
If I could carve on names into it, I totally would!

Back when we were just Boswell party of almost 3.
Crazy now we are a party of 4!

4. Local Food

What can I say...I like to eat! :) 

There are a few restaurants that I just love in our little valley. 

Mac N Bobs

I love Mac N Bobs.
In middle school I would walk down every warm Friday with friends for an after school snack.
In high school after every home Football game we would all meet up.
Now I just eat there with family and friends when I get the chance.
David and I have even walked here for brunch a couple of times.
My favorites are the Katie Salad and the Calzone. 

Texas Tavern

This is our Millionaires Club!
Yep you read that right, best part they only sit 10 at a time!
This is also located in downtown Roanoke.
When I took Cotillion growing up after our lessons on dance and etiquette. We would go here and eat.
I even suggested going here to eat dinner when Adam Ward invited me to prom his senior year.
David and I would go late at night when we were dating. (He really liked me ;) )
My favorites are the Bowl With and Cheesy Western

The Homeplace

Okay so this is like 15 minutes up the mountain from Salem.
But the drive and food are so so worth it. Truly!
I have never eaten at a Paula Deen's yesterday, but I believe some of these Southern Dishes could hold their own up against Paula.
My Favorites are... EVERYTHING! ORDER IT ALL!!!
ps. best part..it's homestyle. food is placed all over your table, you pass it amongst yourself and eat. 

Roanoke Weiner Stand

The Roanoke Weiner Stand opened in 1916.

I have heard countless stories about my family driving into town for different events and always stopping by the Weiner Stand for Hotdogs. 

 I don't eat here very often (it can get to my stomach sometimes) but when I do I really try to enjoy it. 

This is one of our places we enjoy going too when we go downtown to eat lunch with my Aunt Carolyn.

My favorite is the 2 hotdog combo, fries, and a soda. 

Blue Apron 

I love this restaurant. 

I have been for girls dinners or business dinners. 

Oddly enough David and I have never had a dinner date here though. 

(Clearly I will be making reservations this week). 

I love their menu, I order something different every time. So I can't truly suggest a favorite. 

You really can't go wrong when you order. 

I can say that I love that they give you a half portion size or a full portion size.