December 31, 2009

Tailgate Recipe: Fruit Skewers with Strawberry Dip

One of my Christmas presents this year was the "2009 Christmas with Southern Living" book (I also have 2007 and 2008). I love these books - they are filled with recipes and decorating ideas.

One of the recipes in this year's book looked very, very easy - and something that would be easy for your tailgate come next fall. But I also thought this would be something easy and light for your New Year's Eve parties -- and would be a perfect compliment to champagne... Mmm!

Fruit Skewers With Strawberry Dip

Prep time: 20 min.; Yields 12 servings

1/4 cup pineapple juice
1 medium Braeburn apple, cut into small chunks
1 medium Granny Smith apple, cut into small chunks
12 seedless red grapes
12 seedless green grapes
12 large fresh strawberries, halved
12 (6") wooden skewers*
2 (6 oz.) containers strawberry cheesecake yogurt (Yoplait)
  • Combine pineapple juice and 2 Tbsp. water in a large bowl.
  • Add apple chunks to bowl, tossing with juice to coat fruit.
  • Thread 1 piece of each color apple, 1 of each grape, and 2 strawberry halves onto each skewer.
  • Serve fruit skewers with yogurt for dipping.
Make skewers up to 3 hours before party. The pineapple juice keeps apples from turning brown.

*Plastic coffee stirrers can be substituted for wooden skewers if the points of the skewers are a concern for young children.

Source: "2009 Christmas with Southern Living"

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December 29, 2009

Quick Poll: Would you wear the color pink with orange?

So I was browsing one of my favorite retail sites, Lulus.com, and I stumbled across this dress. Never in a million years would I have put orange and pink together - but I think I like them together on this dress. What do you think? Vote below.




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December 27, 2009

Music City Bowl - Go Tigers! We'll miss you Spiller!

LP Field in Nashville.

It's bowl gameday...I'm anxious and ready to start watching the Tigers take on Kentucky tonight (again) in the Music City Bowl...

I'm sad that football season is officially over until next fall, but I'm especially sad that this is CJ Spiller's last game in a Clemson uniform....but he'll always be a Clemson Tiger! I think it's so great that Clemson retired his #28 jersey. I'm excited to see what he can do in the NFL...he'll probably convert me to a pro football fan.

I hope he has a great game, along with the rest of the team - and I hope they can bring home a bowl win for Clemson fans. Go Tigers!!

If you're in Nashville for the game - thanks for being there to support our Tigers and I hope you had a blast! I would love to share your experiences or photos on this blog - please email them to us.

To read some great insight about the Music City Bowl and CJ Spiller, please visit a great fellow Clemson fan blog, Clemson Podcasts Blog.

And if you haven't seen it already, check out the full page ad that IPTAY took out to thank CJ Spiller in the USA Today at the end of football season.


Photo Credit: Clemson Podcasts Blog

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December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas from the Clemson Girl family to yours - we hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that Santa brought you everything you had wished for.

We'll be watching the Tigers take on Kentucky on ESPN tomorrow night - Let's hope they get a big Win as a Christmas present. Go Clemson!

Photo Credits: Snowman, Clemson Scarf, Orange Toboggan

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December 23, 2009

Clemson at the Music City Bowl - Your complete travel guide

The Clemson football team arrived in Nashville today!

Who's going to the bowl game this year? I considered it, was on the fence for a while, but finally decided not to go. But I will be watching of course!

However, if you're going, I wanted to provide the complete travel guide for you like I did for the ACC Championship game.

Please post comments if you have info about Nashville or the game you would like to share - especially if you went the last time Clemson was at the Music city Bowl and you know some secrets to having a blast while there.

Weather

Well, the good news is there isn't any rain forecast for this weekend - but, it's going to be COLD according to the National Weather Service forecast for Nashville. So make sure you pack those winter coats, scarves, gloves, and toboggans - and maybe a Clemson snuggie! Burrr!

Christmas Day: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. South southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. South southwest wind around 10 mph.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 39. Southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. West southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. West wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24.

Directions to Nashville
Traffic should not be too bad - but you can visit the Tennessee Department of Transportation site for maps and road information.

Visiting Nashville

Nashville is a fun town - so hopefully you're planning on spending a day before or a few days afterward while you're there.

For the best restaurants in Nashville, visit Urban Spoon and see the top rated with reviews, directions, etc.

For city attractions and places to visit while in Nashville, visit www.visitmusiccity.com.

Also, FYI, if you're from the east coast, don't forget to set your watches back an hour when you arrive in Nashville - they are on Central Standard Time.

Have you been to Nashville before? What do you recommend Clemson fans should do while there? Comment on this post.

Saturday, Dec. 26th
MusicFest & Battle of the Bands presented by CMT - December 26

"Nashville’s calling card is music. From rock to bluegrass, jazz to country, Music City is home to some of the best musicians and entertainment in the world. MusicFest is the ultimate party atmosphere downtown the night before the game. Thousands of fans will converge on 2nd and Broadway for the outdoor block party featuring SEC & ACC pep bands and cheerleaders. Multiple venues will open their doors to Bowl fans for a memorable downtown event where various genres of live music will play throughout the night. Show your Bowl Patch (Patches available via MusicCityBowl.com) and receive special Fan discounts at participating Patch Partner locations. Admission is Free to Battle of the Bands! The event is from 5-7 p.m. and is open to the general public, just come on down. CMT serves as the presenting sponsor. After the Battle of the Bands head down to the Sommet Center to check out Music City's Nashville Predators take on the Chicago Blackhawks at 7 p.m." (Source: Online Fan Guide, Music City Bowl Web site)

Sunday, Dec. 27th/Gameday


The Music City Bowl, featuring Clemson vs. Kentucky, will be at the Tennessee Titans field - LP Field (click here for a map or view directions). The 68,000-seat, open-air, natural-grass LP Field is located on 105 acres on the east bank of the Cumberland River overlooking downtown Nashville. On Feb. 20, 2001, the field was rated as the 4th best playing surface in the National Football League, according to a league-wide player survey.

The game is on Sunday, Dec. 27th and starts at 7:30 p.m. CST - which means, all of you east coasters will see the game at 8:30 p.m. EST.

The game will be on TV on ESPN.

Gameday Parking

Hooray to the folks at the Music City Bowl for providing so much helpful information on their Web site (unlike the ACC Championship organizers). There is actually an entire page on their Web site dedicated to parking information, including a shuttle schedule.

Unfortunately all the parking permits for the LP field have sold out (according to their site), but it looks like from their parking map that there is plenty of public parking in downtown Nashville, with a shuttle service to the stadium, $10 per person. Shuttle pick up doesn't begin until 6:00 p.m. CST though.

And don't forget to check with your hotels who also might run complimentary shuttle services to the stadium. Or call a local cab.

If you have a parking permit for the LP Field, refer to your permit for the time lots will open. You can see a better view of the permit only parking around the stadium by visiting the LP Field parking Web site.

Tailgating

Fan Zone Area
"This pre-game party leads up to the Bowl. Open to the general public, fans from the SEC and ACC will have an opportunity to party within steps from LP Field in the South End Zone Area Lot R (admission is Free). Interactive games will be provided for the entire family. It’s a great start for gameday and a great way to be a part of all of the pageantry of the Bowl. Festivities begin at 1:00 p.m. CST Open to the general public." (Source: Online Fan Guide, Music City Bowl Web site)

Tailgating Rules of the LP Field parking lots:
  • Infringing on another patron's space
  • Throwing or kicking of balls or other objects
  • Running or jogging
  • Disorderly conduct
  • Distributing handbills or pamphlets
  • Picketing or electioneering
  • Saving parking spaces
  • Tents or canopies without permits issued by LP Field
  • Weapons of any kind
  • Drugs
  • Tailgating in a manner or location not permitted by LP Field
Don't feel like packing food for tailgating?? Check UrbanSpoon.com to see restaurants located around LP Field.

In the Stadium

Again, game starts at 7:30 p.m. CST.

Check the seating chart to make sure you know where your seats are located. The 200's sections are club level.

Still need to get your ticket? Ticket will-call will be open on game day only. It is located at Gate 1 at LP Field.

Alcohol: Alcohol WILL be sold at LP Field during the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl. Beer will be available on all seating levels and liquor will be available on the Club Level only.

A few rules and FYI's to consider:
  • All bags, backpacks and purses larger than 8 1/2'' X 11" are not allowed in LP Field.
  • Banners will be checked by the LP Field staff as you enter the stadium. No advertisements, no wood or metal can be used. Banners must be in good taste and may not be hung over equipment or existing signage, including field wall.
  • Binoculars are allowed inside LP Field; however, binocular cases are not allowed inside LP Field.
  • Video cameras are not allowed in the stadium.
  • Children under 2 years-old are admitted FREE to LP field as long as they do not require their own seat (Must sit in parents lap).
  • Elevators for handicapped fans are located at gates 1 & 6 are located in center of east and west club concourses of LP Field.
  • There are 60 concession stands throughout LP Field. There are also sports bars and a specialty area on the Club concourses. Food includes such items such as burgers, sandwiches, fries, hot dogs, pretzels, nachos, pizza, deli, sandwiches, and more. Travelers checks are accepted at the concessions when signed in cashier's presence. ATMs are located on the main concourses. No credit cards are accepted at concession stands.
  • No umbrellas allowed in the stadium.
Keep Connected

Whether you're going to the game or not, you can follow the Music City Bowl events and information by becoming a fan of theirs on Facebook or by following them on Twitter.

If you have any additional questions, contact the Music City Bowl staff at 615.743.3130 or e-mail them at generalinfo@nashvillesports.com.

One last reminder for the bowl-bound Clemson fans...

Be sure to stop by your bank and get $2 bills to spend in Nashville - stamp them with a Tiger Paw stamp or draw your own using an orange or purple marker.

From Wikipedia: "It has been a Clemson tradition dating from September 24, 1977 for Clemson fans to spend two dollar bills on away game trips. This began when Clemson played Georgia Tech "for the last time" as Tech refused to travel to Clemson. Of the seventeen games played between Tech and Clemson between 1953 and 1977, only once, in 1974, did the Yellow Jackets deign to come to Death Valley. To show the Atlanta business community how much money Clemson fans contributed to the local economy which would not be coming to town anymore, Tiger fans spent vast quantities of two dollar bills, many of them stamped with Tiger Paws. This was the start of Clemson's two dollar bill tradition, which, while very popular in the 1980s and 1990s, may have waned a bit."

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Please drive safely to Nashville and have a great time - please e-mail us pictures to share on the blog. If you have any info to add to the 'travel guide' here, post a comment on this blog post.

Go Tigers!!

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December 18, 2009

Stay warm this winter...

Tulle4Us.com is a great Web site I frequent that has adorable vintage style clothes that are very affordable. Thay have an amazing selection of winter coats and jackets in a variety of unique colors and patterns - and they are obviously popular since the majority of them are sold out (boo).

But I found these gems that I love and would be perfect for the bowl game and just wearing in general - and they haven't sold out!

What do you think? Aren't these great?

Cropped Polka Dot Weave Jacket - $55


Novelty Double Breasted Jacket - $39.00


Corduroy Cropped Jacket - $25.80



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December 15, 2009

Tis the season to stock up on Clemson gameday apparel...

Do you have orange and purple on your wish list this year? Just because football season is pretty much over (except for those of you going to the bowl game), doesn't mean you can't wear orange and purple year round.

And don't forget, basketball season is still in full swing, and baseball is right around the corner...

And if you don't frequent other Clemson events, it's never too early to start preparing for next year's football games.. :)

Check out the latest and greatest across the Web... since it's the holidays, a lot of these sites are having major sales and free shipping, so take advantage.

Did you spot something purple and orange while Web shopping you'd like to share? Send me a link to clemsongirlblog@gmail.com.








*9.5 more days until Christmas!

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December 11, 2009

More handmade Clemson Christmas gifts – Piece of Knit

Yesterday I posted about some great handmade Clemson stuff I had found on Etsy.com. Well today I want to share some great custom knit, handmade Clemson items from Piece of Knit – a home business started up by Holli McCarley, a South Carolina native. Holli knits toboggans, stocking caps, purses, and scarves. She can make them in adult sizes, kid sizes, and baby sizes.

How adorable is this! This would look so cute on a newborn Clemson Girl.

These adorable knits would make great stocking stuffers! Of course I love the Clemson ones, but she can make them in any colors you request.

Holli is a stay at home mom in Iva, SC with three adorable little ones. She has always been crafty and loves working with her hands, but decided to make a business out of knitting and crocheting after friends kept asking her to make their kids toboggans – and the great response she received. Her business, Piece of Knit, has been a blessing to Holli since now she can stay at home with her three kids and do something she truly enjoys.

Oh yeah..and she can make one for that ‘other’ team.

If you are interested in placing an order with Holli or if you have any questions, you can contact her at hollimccarley@yahoo.com. She takes orders 24/7 and will work with you to make sure you get your gift in time for Christmas. Her knit products are very, very affordable (range from $10 to $20), especially considering you’re getting something handmade and customized in your requested colors!

Husbands and boyfriends are almost impossible to shop for…
Why not get them a knitted toboggan in their fave colors to wear this Winter.

I really wish I had one of these toboggans for this weekend with how cold it’s going to be. In fact – I need the toboggan and a matching scarf! :)

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December 10, 2009

Unique Clemson Christmas Gift Ideas

One of my favorite new sites to browse and shop on is Etsy.com which let's anyone who's crafty set up their own store to sell products. Well, a quick search for 'Clemson' and I found a wealth of really neat and unique Clemson products.

These would all be such great Clemson gifts because you probably can't find them anywhere else.
Click here to browse the 'Clemson' results also.

Check out some of my favorites below...a lot of these are fun, great stocking stuffers too.

Clemson corn hole bean bags - turn your ordinary cornhole set into a Clemson themed set just by purchasing these bean bags - $24.99.

There are a ton of orginal, custom made Clemson ornaments that are amazing - but here are just a few. The first being my favorite - I actually laughed out loud when I saw it. So random and creative - I want this on my tree!

Clemson Snow Bunny Pixie Doll Ornament with tiger paw - $24


Clemson Palmetto Ornament - $20

Clemson Quilted Ornament - $14

Pets need Christmas gifts too, right? Get your favorite pet lover some of these hilarious and cute items... the first is my favorite. If you bring your dog to the football games, this is a must! Your dog can help you carry tailgating essentials in the clever pockets - but I'm not sure I would trust them with your beer and/or your tickets.

Upcycle Saddle Wags - Clemson Tigers - $37.00


Seersucker Dog Collar with Purple Bow - $20

Don't forget the Clemson gifts for your kids, grand kids, nieces, nephews, etc. What little girl is not obsessed with American Girl dolls these days (hard to believe because I had one when I was little!) - so why not get their American Girl doll a Clemson cheerleading outfit - includes pom poms and matching bag! Love this!

Clemson Cheerleader Outfit for American Girl Doll - $18

Such a clever idea...brain wash them young by sticking these in your kids' lunch boxes. :)

Clemson Tigers reusable eco-friendly snack bag - $6


Clemson Pride Headband - $11


Clemson Custom Hot Wheels Diecast Collectable Car - $6.00 (Only 1 left!)


Clemson Bottle Cap Hair Bow - $5

Search for 'Clemson tutu' on Etsy and you'll find a ton of sellers who make them - I really like this one below, and it's made by a South Carolina native.

Clemson Tutu - $20

The next couple of items will add a bit of Clemson flair to your kids' rooms - or maybe your own. :)

Clemson Light Switch Plate - $16

This pillow is pricey, but I thought it was so fun and different..

Clemson Peace Pillow - $40

The next two are some great items for your beverages - I love the coffee cozy (only $6). What a great way to keep your coffee warm and show your Clemson spirit - plus it's reusable. And these coasters are gorgeous and expensive looking - great gift (only $24).

There are a number of talented jewelry artists on Etsy - so a search for 'Clemson jewelry' will give you endless options. Check out this beautiful orange beaded bracelet - only $20.


Finally...let's end this post with some quirky, fun items to get noticed at any Clemson event.. How about those 'Spirit Gloves' ($10)? Lol! Or a fun beaded Tiger Paw hat - I actually think this would be cute for a Clemson baseball game (only $24). And finally - why not treat your feet to some funky fur flip flops ($10)!

So what do you think? Do you shop Etsy? Do you have a favorite Etsy seller?

Do you like any of these items?

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