ALIVE: The Food Variety | Terry's Turf Club

I've lived in Cincinnati my entire life--well, minus the four years I was living in Kentucky for college. It almost pains me to say I'd never been to Terry's Turf Club, but it was the truth. Featured on Diners Drive-ins and Dives, it became even more popular than it already was. With limited seating, wait times are usually crazy even on a week night. So the opportunities to go aren't always there. Anyway, last night some friends and I had the time! And boy am I glad we did. Hands-down, best burger ever, great atmosphere, and friendly staff. Not to mention the awesome decor of neon signs.

I had the burger with Red Wine and Mushroom Sauce with grilled onion and lettuce. It was pretty fit that the name of my blog includes the word messy because this burger was just that. I had it all over my hands and loved every second of it! The burger is the main attraction here, but I can't go without mentioning that the fries were pretty tasty too! 

A couple friends got the most elaborate deviled eggs I've ever seen...

And a shot with all of the neon lights turned on. How cool!!!

If you're ever in Cincinnati, this is definitely a must-eat! Have you ever been? What is your favorite local spot in your town? 

Call for Participants: ALIVE Lists

You may have noticed the "ALIVE" tab up top. Maybe you've clicked on it. This post is to serve as the initial post that will explain it a bit more. Right now this is in the very early stages, but I need some participants before moving forward! I'm hoping this will be something big! And who wouldn't want to be part of the beginning phases of something big?!!

ALIVE List: What is ALIVE?

ALIVE is more than your typical “Bucket List.” It adopts the life to-do list concept, but takes a different perspective. Rather than counting down and checking off items until you meet your ultimate demise, it’s about celebrating the fact that you’re ALIVE and accomplishing those experiences. It’s about creating and maintaining a list, accomplishing experiences, and documenting. The documenting part is key in celebrating and remembering all of your experiences!

Have I grabbed your attention yet? Want to participate? It’s easy! I’ve created a few tools to help get you started and navigate the process.

ALIVE List: Getting Started

ALIVE List: Accomplishing Your Experiences

ALIVE List: Documenting (Coming Soon!)

Most of all, I want you to share your experiences! I would LOVE guest posts from ALIVE participants that document an experience being checked off. Maybe you want to devote an entire (or even part of a) blog to ALIVE, that’s great too! Every Monday I want to share a list from ALIVE participants. I’ll also share my own list, accomplishments, and any resources I can provide to help you along the way. 

My list is broken down by categories. It helps me keep my goals in perspective. Bold items are in progress.

Service 
1. Volunteer 5,000 hours in my lifetime
2. Pay for a stranger's meal in a drive-thru
3. Make a difference in someone's life
4. Help build a home with Habitat for Humanity

Personal & Professional
1. Find the job of my dreams
2. Graduate with a bachelor's degree
3. Graduate with a master's degree
4. Learn to speak another language
5. Learn to play guitar
6. Get married
7. Adopt a child
8. Read the Bible cover-to-cover
9. Fall in love...forever
10. Write a blog
11. Make a memory jar and review on New Years Eve.
12. Make a quilt

Travel
1. Italy
2. Ireland
3. Greece
4. Australia
5. All 50 U.S. States
6. Boston, MA
7. Four Corners Monument
8. Niagara Falls
9. Chicago, IL 
10. Travel on Route 66
11. Grand Canyon
12. England
13. See Old Faithful 
14. Memphis, TN
15. Germany
16. Scotland
17. Go on a cruise
18. Have a campfire on the beach
19. Stay at a B&B
20. Redwood National Forrest
21. See the Golden Gate Bridge
22. See Mt. Rushmore
23. New Zealand
24. Attend a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater in CO
25. Switzerland

Miscellaneous
1. Swim with dolphins
2. Ride on a Ferris wheel
3. Have a huge water balloon fight
4. Fly on a plane
5. Play in a gigantic fountain like the one in Austin, TX
6. Have a paint fight
7. Own a jeep
8. Spend an afternoon watching clouds
9. Spend a night watching the stars
10. Put Mentos and Coke together
11. Solve a Rubik's cube by myself
12. Try sushi
13. Toilet paper someone's house
14. Pull an all-nighter
15. Go skinny dipping
16. Learn to make sushi
17. Watch fireworks from a rooftop
18. Learn all the words to "One Week" by the Barenaked Ladies
19. Learn to juggle
20. Tailgate a Jimmy Buffett concert
21. Sit at the runways at the airport and watch planes take off
22. Go to a professional baseball game

Sports
1. Go to a Packer's game at Leambeau Field
2. Go to a Superbowl
3. Go to Opening Day for Reds Baseball
4. Go to a game at Fenway Park
5. Go to a professional football game

Food
1. Cheers (Boston, MA)
2. Terry's Turf Club (Cincinnati, OH)
3. 50 West (Cincinnati, OH)
4. The Diner (Richmond, KY)
5. Zip's Cafe (Cincinnati, OH)
6. KY Bourbon Trail