This week I sat down with Sherrol Gideon at The Sweetest Things Tea Room to talk about her life and the restaurant she owns with her sister, Vivian Jefferson.

Sherrol and Vivian started their restaurant on north Jefferson Street, but recently moved into the old Pablo’s on The Square. Those who want to stop by should look for the old Pablo’s sign, but Sherrol hopes a new sign will be up before Christmas.

Sherrol and Vivian were both born in Athens. They also both graduated from Athens High School and Athens State University. Sherrol has B.S. in business administration, while Vivian has a B.S. in technical business.

The sisters have both lived in Athens their whole lives, except for when their husbands were in the military. Vivian’s husband was in the navy, while Sherrol’s husband was in the army.

Sherrol has a daughter, Charity Gideon, and a granddaughter, Ensley. Charity has a B.S. in accounting and works at NASA in Huntsville.

The restaurant is a family affair as their mother, Ada Troupe, also works there. Sherrol says her whole family loves to cook and refers to her mother a great cook. When Sherrol was a little girl, she would stand on a chair at the counter and help cook.

Annie Troupe, her 99-year-old paternal grandmother is a great cook, Sherrol says. They would spend summers with her helping her with her garden, putting up fresh vegetables and making cobblers and butter rolls.

Their Uncle Buck worked at the old Donut Hole on Madison Pike back in the 1980s and made doughnuts from scratch.

Some of their specialities at The Sweetest Things is homemade desserts and chicken and dressing, which is the Friday special. Cakes and pies are made fresh daily and the most popular cake is caramel cake. Sherrol’s favorite is the carrot cake.

The Sweetest Things can cater parties for businesses, churches or at your home. Those interested should call two-to-three days in advance for specialty cakes, cupcakes or cookies.

The restaurant, which is decorated in a Parisian theme, now has Christmas music playing. On the walls are historical pictures of Athens.

People have visited the restaurant from as far away as Romania, New Mexico and New York. They have served an actor from California.

The whole family attends New Hopewell Baptist Church in Tanner. Sherrol says they pray together at the beginning and at the end of the each day at their restaurant.

The Sweetest Things is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Teas are by reservation only. Call 256-232-5042 during businesses hours for more information.

Upcoming events include:

• The adult choir at Piney Grove Baptist Church in Ardmore will present “Close to Christmas” at 10:30 a.m. Sunday;

• The 2-S Arena on Thach Road will host the 2-S Winter Buckle Series at 3 p.m. Sunday; and

• The Ardmore Welcome Center on Interstate 65 will host a holiday open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday.

If you have any news to share or a special event in your life, please email me at agibbs@my.athens.edu or write to me at P.O. Box 553 Athens, AL 35612-0553. I hope to hear from you soon.

One more thing — when you finish reading this article please call your mother and tell her you love her. I sure wish I could call mine.