Its a Family Tradition

For the past few years now, we have gotten together with my husbands family for a camping trip to the Smokey Mountains. This year was the third year so now its tradition. And this is a real camping trip: sleeping in tents, cooking on a campfire, no showers, etc. Anyone who knows me must be shocked that I go and will be even more shocked to know that I LOVE it! There is something really fun about having to get all prepared and hunkered down for a few days. There is no cell phone reception whatsoever and the nearest anything is 45 minutes away. So it is a true getaway. We arrived Friday afternoon to this...








The Elkmont Campground is located inside the Smokey Mountain park and is situated alongside a mountain stream. The water is freezing but very refreshing when you need it. And at night, there is nothing better than the sound of that stream as you drift asleep. I can say that I sleep very peacefully camping regardless of the black bear warnings posted everywhere! Of course, we had 2 protectors, Jetta and Dora that kept watch for us.



We awoke Saturday to a breakfast of fried eggs and bacon cooked on the campfire. Some friends of my sister in law came up for the day with their two girls and 10 week old baby, Kadyn...isn't he precious!?






After breakfast, we all decided to go on a hike. So 7 adults, 5 children and a baby made our way through one of the trails in the park. The trail was paved and it ran alongside the stream. So we got a decent workout with an incredible view and many many rests along the way.







On the last part of the hike, we saw a huge shadow that flew over and landed on this tree. I have NEVER seen an owl in the wild. I was just as thrilled if not more so than the kids were at the sight of it.

After the hike, the kids played hard, making mud pies, exploring, tubing, etc






And the adults relaxed...

Saturday ended with extreme hunger followed by exhaustion...

As much as I love the camping for the weekend, I am ALWAYS ready to go home on Sunday. I have reached my limit on no bathing, campfire smoke, etc. We pack up and head out but always stop somewhere for a big meal before making the long trip home. This year we stopped by the Back Porch Restaurant in Townsend and actually remembered to get a group photo minus a few of us.

Until next year...

Schools Out for the Summer

Landon's first year of school ended last week with a bang. There was spirit day, kindergarten picnic with awards, and a year end party. Since, I have been so uninvolved as a classroom parent this year, I volunteered to help with the year end gifts. This past Christmas, I saw the cutest gift that was made for neighbors, teachers, friends, etc, so I decided to copy for the year end school gift.

First gather the following:

Then, buy gift certificates for ice cream and make up a poem. ( I am embarrassed to say this took me a long time to come up with)

Make balls out of the shredded paper like so...

Then place on top of the ice cream cone like this...

Place in a cellophane bag, tie with a ribbon and attach the gift certificate and poem

Landon thought it was "cool" (no pun intended) and said his friends "liked them a lot. " Thanks to Mountain Brook Creamery for giving me such a great deal on the gift certificates! I believe we will make a stop for ice cream tomorrow. Happy Summer everyone!

Schools Out for the Summer

Landon's first year of school ended last week with a bang. There was spirit day, kindergarten picnic with awards, and a year end party. Since, I have been so uninvolved as a classroom parent this year, I volunteered to help with the year end gifts. This past Christmas, I saw the cutest gift that was made for neighbors, teachers, friends, etc, so I decided to copy for the year end school gift.

First gather the following:

Then, buy gift certificates for ice cream and make up a poem. ( I am embarrassed to say this took me a long time to come up with)

Make balls out of the shredded paper like so...

Then place on top of the ice cream cone like this...

Place in a cellophane bag, tie with a ribbon and attach the gift certificate and poem

Landon thought it was "cool" (no pun intended) and said his friends "liked them a lot. " Thanks to Mountain Brook Creamery for giving me such a great deal on the gift certificates! I believe we will make a stop for ice cream tomorrow. Happy Summer everyone!

These are Days You'll Rememeber

Oh my, last night my "big" little brothers, Bo & Rett, graduated from high school!!!!

And, YES, they are twins!! It's so crazy to think of them done with high school and moving out on their own in a matter of a few weeks!! My poor Landon is not going to know what hit him next fall when "the boys" are no longer a 10 minute drive away...poor bubba! Landon wasn't able to go the ceremony because of baseball, but I kid you not, the first thing he asked me when I got home "so, how was it?" I replied that it was pretty good and he replied "Boy, I sure wish I could have been there!" He meant it with all his heart too. However, Lucy did go and watched from her seat like a good girl!

They were seated alphabetically, so Bo and Rett sat together. As with every graduation program, we were all asked to "please save your applause until the end" however we couldn't resist. My sisters and I yelled "Thats my brother" when Rett's name was called, and after Rett came Bo, so we yelled "That's my brother too!" Unfortunately, their were faced away from us and I could not see their reaction (I am sure they loved it!)

Did I mention they are the youngest of six?! Perhaps my parents have some extra celebrating to do, two high school graduations and an empy nest after 40+ years!!!???

Anyhow, I know they are so excited to be done with that chapter and moving on to the next and I am so excited for them.

Congratulations Bo and Rett! And remember,

"If you want to walk the heavenly streets of gold,

you gotta know the password...

ROLL TIDE ROLL!" -Bear Bryant

These are Days You'll Rememeber

Oh my, last night my "big" little brothers, Bo & Rett, graduated from high school!!!!

And, YES, they are twins!! It's so crazy to think of them done with high school and moving out on their own in a matter of a few weeks!! My poor Landon is not going to know what hit him next fall when "the boys" are no longer a 10 minute drive away...poor bubba! Landon wasn't able to go the ceremony because of baseball, but I kid you not, the first thing he asked me when I got home "so, how was it?" I replied that it was pretty good and he replied "Boy, I sure wish I could have been there!" He meant it with all his heart too. However, Lucy did go and watched from her seat like a good girl!

They were seated alphabetically, so Bo and Rett sat together. As with every graduation program, we were all asked to "please save your applause until the end" however we couldn't resist. My sisters and I yelled "Thats my brother" when Rett's name was called, and after Rett came Bo, so we yelled "That's my brother too!" Unfortunately, their were faced away from us and I could not see their reaction (I am sure they loved it!)

Did I mention they are the youngest of six?! Perhaps my parents have some extra celebrating to do, two high school graduations and an empy nest after 40+ years!!!???

Anyhow, I know they are so excited to be done with that chapter and moving on to the next and I am so excited for them.

Congratulations Bo and Rett! And remember,

"If you want to walk the heavenly streets of gold,

you gotta know the password...

ROLL TIDE ROLL!" -Bear Bryant

Shrimp n Grits

My in laws recently asked for a shrimp and grits recipe that I have. I cannot remember where the recipe came from, but it is very easy and oh so good! Since I was typing it up, I thought I would share with all.





1 cup of stone ground grits
chicken broth - optional
salt and pepper to taste
cayenne pepper to taste- optional
1/4 c butter
2 c shredded sharp cheddar cheese (I prefer white vermont cheddar...yum!)
1 lb shrimp, peeled and devined
bacon (as much or as little as you like)
4 tsp lemon juice
1 c scallions or green onion
clove garlic minced



Prepare bacon in oven on 425 for 15-20 min or until brown and crispy...make sure to save the grease!

Prepare grits according to package instructions. I opt to use part water/part chicken broth. Once prepared, add butter, cheese, salt, and pepper and stir until melted, cover until later.

Add bacon grease to pan and heat on medium for 3-5 minutes until HOT. Add shrimp and cook until shrimp turns pink...about 3 minutes. Add lemon juice, cayenne pepper, scallions, and garlic and remove from heat.



Add shrimp mixture to grits, stir, and garnish with crumbled bacon.



Serve this with a salad and it becomes an easy weekday meal or fancy it up to your liking...enjoy!