Vacation~Monday, July 7, 2008

Monday morning we went to the Knife Works Store. This store is loaded with knifes and anything else you can possibly imagine. One year, I did all of my Christmas shopping here-lol! The pictures from this store are of the exhibits they have there. We also went to the Apple Barn and the Apple Barn Winery. We always have to pick up a 3-pack of wine from there. It is so good-and sweet-hehe! These two places are in Sevierville, TN. We came back home for a nap and then went back out to Pigeon Forge. No-we didn’t ride that ride either-none for me-lol! I took pictures of the sign where we stayed and of our cabin. I don’t know why I didn’t take pictures of where we ate. I thought I took pics of everything-aaahhhh!

Feel free to comment here or you can even click on the pics to enlarge them and comment on them too. I didn’t downsize them-I hope you have high speed internet-lol!

Posted by Mercedes at Mercedes’ World

Vacation~Sunday, July 6, 2008

This is not good to post about my vacation way after the fact. I am trying to remember what all we did that first day. Well we left the house at noon. We arrived there about 5:00 EST. I didn’t take many pictures the first day-oopsie. I can’t seem to remember where we ate either-or why I don’t have pictures of that. Anywho-here is the view from the top deck of our cabin. Feel free to comment here or you can even click on the pics to enlarge them and comment on them too. I didn’t downsize them-I hope you have high speed internet-lol!

View From Top Deck

View From Top Deck

Top Deck

Posted by Mercedes at Mercedes’ World

See Ya Soon

I sure hope our Vacation turns out better than this-lol!

I have everyone in my Google Reader (I love this) so I will have to catch up on your blogging when I return. I know I will have tons to read about. You can also stop by here-I will have something posted everyday: Auto-post is awesome! Toodles Noodles! Mere

Who Wants a Postcard?

I am going on vacation next week. We will be leaving on Sunday, July 6, 2008 and we will return on Saturday, July 12, 2008. I would love to share our vacation with you by sending out postcards . I posted yesterday about the details of our vacation plans. Here is all you have to do if you would like a postcard from our vacation:

1. Head over to our Vacation Plans post and check it out-if you haven’t already.
2. Come back here and leave a comment letting me know that you would like a postcard (so I can be looking for your email) AND tell me one place you would especially like to visit.
3. Send me an email with your full name and mailing address with the location/type of postcard you would like to receive-Please choose ONE (or more and I will choose one):

• Smoky Mountains
• Gatlinburg
• Pigeon Forge
• Asheville, NC
• Biltmore Estate

I will stop checking my email officially at Noon CST on Saturday, July 5, 2008. 🙂

Are you on the list yet?

1. Shannon H. @ Shannon’s Moments of Introspection
2. Jamie @ Bumps in the Road
3. Gina @ Gina’s Public Diary
4. James Viscosi @ James Viscosi’s Scribblings OR Dennis’s Diary of Destruction
5. Lofter @ Life at the Foot of the Stairs
6. Miss Zen @ Shades of Pink
7. Tamy @ 3 Sides of Crazy
8. Shadow @ 1 Door Away From Heaven Part II
   
9. Darla @ Beauty Inside and Out
10. Pixie
    

Vacation Plans

photo off of internet

Jedd and I haven’t been out of town in almost a year. We haven’t been back to Pigeon Forge in almost two years. We have decided to take a longer vacation this year. I have finally planned and booked our lodging for next week. We are leaving on Sunday, July 6, 2008. We will be visiting Pigeon Forge and The Biltmore…and many more sites. I had to book two places in two different states-aaahhhh! I have been researching and reviewing reviews on TripAdvisor.

The Invasion Is About To Begin

It is time for the Annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival and it is located right down the road from me.

Happy Birthday~Gina

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My dear blogging buddy, Gina at Gina’s Public Diary, has a birthday today! Gina, I know you love birthday cakes, so I made you a virtual birthday cake! I hope you enjoy! I would also like to present to you the Rainbow Blog Award! Happy Birthday~Gina!

State Fair And Rodeo

Hosted by Dan at The Back Porch!

The Thursday Threesome # 7

State Fair And Rodeo

Onesome– State: What state (or territory) do you live in? Have you lived in any other(s)? Where would you like to live? And as a bonus: Any idea what year your state became a state?
Tennessee-I have only lived in Tennessee-Tennessee became the 16th state in 1796.

Twosome– Fair: Or amusement parks: Did you enjoy them as a kid? What was your favorite ride? How do you feel about them now? Ready to go wander around one again, sampling funnel cakes and corn dogs and riding rides until you’re sick? …or would you rather just enjoy the entertainment or stay home and avoid the crowds?
I loved the County Fair as a child. My Granny lived right down the roa, so we could just walk on over. I go to the fair each year at the beginning of the school year with my Kindergarten class. I enjoy this because we look at all of the exhibits. As a child, I never did that. I usually stay away from the fair, but last year I went with my cusin and her girl and I had fun. I rode 3 rides. I am not big into the rides now.

Threesome– And Rodeo: Have you ever been to or watched a rodeo on TV? Did you enjoy it or consider it a barbaric spectacle? If you liked it, what was your favorite event? Ever tempted to race barrels or ride a bull yourself?
I have never been to a rodeo, but I have watched it on TV.I consider it a barbaric spectacle-lol. I have never raced barrels or rode a bull. I am good friends with many barrel racers. I once had a farm with horses and rode all of the time!

Find the host, rules, and more participants by clicking here!

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Memes: If you like to play, I am hosting two new memes (Scrumptious Sunday & Hump Day Humor) at my other site: Mercedes Rocks. These have finally been added to The Daily Meme! Woohoo! Please come on over and check it out! I would love to have you participate! Thanks!

Blog of the Week: Please visit my Spotlight Blog of the Week. You might be the Blog of the Week one week!

You Know You’re From Tennessee if…

Hump Day Humor is hosted by Mercedes at Mercedes Rocks

Hump Day Humor Fifth Edition

Theme for Hump Day Humor

Fifth Edition

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

~YOUR State/Country~

(example: Tennesseans…or Only in Tennessee)

You know you’re from Tennessee if:

1. You measure distance in minutes.
2. You’ve ever had to switch from “heat” to “A/C” in the same day.
3. You use “fix” as a verb. Example: “I’m fixing to go to the store
4. All the festivals across the state are named after a fruit, vegetable, grain, insect or animal.
5. You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked.
6. You know what a “VOL” is.
7. You carry jumper cables in your car…for your OWN car.
11. You think that the first day of deer season is a national holiday
12. You find 100 degrees fahrenheit “a little warm”.
13. You know all four seasons: Almost Summer, Summer, still Summer and Christmas.
14. You know whether another Tennessean is from east, west or middle Tennessee as soon as they open their mouth.
15. Going to Wal-mart is a favorite past time known as”goin’ Wal-martin” or off to “Wally World”.
16. You describe the first cool snap (below 70 degrees) as good pinto-bean weather.
17. A carbonated soft drink isn’t a soda, cola or pop…it’s a Coke, regardless of brand or flavor. Example: “What kinda coke you want?”
18. Fried catfish is the other white meat.

Find the hostess, rules, and more participants by clicking icon below! There are some great posts this week! You gotta go check them out!

Reminder: If you belong to one of the following blogrolls, I have something for you: Yummy Blog Award. Blogrolls: A1 Dogs & 2 Cats, Blog Buddies, Blog Meme Peeps, Blog Party Peeps, and Bloggers = Fun!

Memorial Day 2007

Wordless Wednesday is hosted at Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday #5

Memorial Day 2007

The Swanns

(My boyfriend’s family)

Find the host, rules, and more participants by clicking here!

Memes: If you like to play, I am hosting two new memes (Scrumptious Sunday & Hump Day Humor) at my other site: Mercedes Rocks. These have finally been added to The Daily Meme! Woohoo! Please come on over and check it out! I would love to have you participate! Thanks!

Reminder: If you belong to one of the following blogrolls, I have something for you: Yummy Blog Award. Blogrolls: A1 Dogs & 2 Cats, Blog Buddies, Blog Meme Peeps, Blog Party Peeps, and Bloggers = Fun!

Hey Nana, What’s for Dinner?

Hosted by Mercedes at Mercedes Rocks

My Continuation of Scrumptious Sunday

Hey Nana, What’s for Dinner?

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1. Baked Ham with pineapples
2. Rotisserie Chicken
3. Scalloped potatoes (with lots of butter and garlic)
4. Cream Corn
5. Green Beans
6. Baked Beans with hamburger meat
7. Stir-fried asparagus
8. Rolls
9. Hot Cross Buns (in honor of Jedd’s aunt and uncle returning from Australia-they said that people eat these often there)
10. Sweet Tea & Fruit Tea
    
11. Strawberry Pie with Redi-whip (yum): Just like Shoney’s makes

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Announcement: Scrumptious Sunday & Hump Day Humor have finally been added to The Daily Meme! Woohoo!

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Reminder: If you belong to one of the following blogrolls, I have something for you: Yummy Blog Award. Blogrolls: A1 Dogs & 2 Cats, Blog Buddies, Blog Meme Peeps, Blog Party Peeps, and Bloggers = Fun!

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Oogey Gooey Butter Cake

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Hosted by Mercedes at Mercedes Rocks

Theme for Scrumptious Sunday

Fourth Edition

Sunday, March 23, 2008

~Cakes~

Jedd’s Mom makes this cake frequently. I’m not sure what recipe she uses, but I do know that she loves Paula Deen. I posted before that she was going to Savannah and will be visiting Paula’s restaurant. I wasn’t sure definitely when she was going, but I found out she is going the week of April 6, 2008. Anywho~this recipe is called a cake, but it is more like a bar-type dessert.

Ooey Gooey Butter Cake

Ingredients

Cake

1. 1 (18.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix
2. 1 egg
3. 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

Filling

1. 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2. 2 eggs
3. 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4. 1 (16-ounce) box confectioners’ sugar
5. 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well. Pat into the bottom of prepared pan and set aside.
3. Still using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth; add eggs and vanilla. Dump in confectioners’ sugar and beat well. Reduce speed of mixer and slowly pour in butter. Mix well.
4. Pour filling onto cake mixture and spread evenly. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. You want the center to be a little gooey, so don’t bake it past that point!
5. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Cut into squares. Just remember that these wonderful little cakes are very, very rich, and a little will go a long way.

Here are some variations from

Paula Deen’s Lady & Sons Just Desserts cookbook.

1. Pineapple Gooey: Add a 20-ounce can of drained crushed pineapple and an extra egg to the cream cheese filling. Proceed as directed above.
2. Lemon Gooey: Use a lemon cake mix in place of the yellow cake. Add the juice (approximately 1/4 cup) and zest of 2 lemons to the cream cheese filling. Proceed: as directed above.
3. Carrot Cake Gooey: Use a spice cake mix, and add 1 cup chopped nuts and 1 1/2 cup finely grated carrots to the cream cheese filling. Proceed as directed above.
4. Peanut Butter Gooey: Use a chocolate cake mix. Add 1 cup creamy peanut butter and an extra egg to cream cheese filling. You can sprinkle the top of batter with 1 cup chopped peanuts if you like. Proceed as directed above.
5. Chocolate Chip Gooey: Use either yellow or chocolate cake mix. Sprinkle 1 cup chocolate chips and 1 cup chopped nuts on top of filling. Proceed as directed above.
6. Banana Gooey: Use a yellow cake mix. Prepare cream cheese filling as directed, beating in 2 ripe bananas and an extra egg. Proceed as directed above.
7. Nutty Gooey: Use a yellow cake mix, and add 1 cup chopped nuts to the cake mixture. Proceed as directed above.
8. Chippy Gooey: Stir 1 cup white chocolate chips, peanut butter chocolate chips, butterscotch morsels, Heath Almond Toffee Bits or Heath Milk Chocolate Toffee Bits into filling. Proceed as directed above.
   

*I will post what I have for Easter Dinner later on today.

Jedd has to work, so I will be going alone today.*

What we had for Easter Dinner: Hey Nana, What’s for Dinner?

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Wanna Tour My Hometown?

10 Places I Would Take a Tourist to See in My Hometown

My hometown is small, but these are some of the sites that are there or are in a neighboring town! Some of these are also annual events. We also have three lakes right here! BTW~My hometown is the only one in the world with it’s name: Tullahoma!

1. Tims Ford State Park We have family get togethers with Jedd’s family here. I used to live on the lake back in high school!
2. Parish Patch Farm & Inn This is where Cortner’s Mill Restaurant is-great place!
3. Arnold Air Force Base I used to work out here. You can tour the windtunnels-if they will let you-lol!
4. Bonnaroo Awesome annual music festival. I will have to include a list of the upcoming bands soon.
5. Old Stone Fort (State Park) I was a weekend/Summer Daddy’s girl growing up. He always took us here for fun!
6. Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration I love horses! I like Spotted Saddle the best!
7. Jack Daniels Distillery along with little ‘ol Lynchburg, TN Right down the road. I used to live in the hills & hollows of Lynchburg.
8. George Dickel Distillery Come on over and check out Cascade Hollow!
9. Monteagle and Sewanee (beautiful places with pics) There are some great historic sites, the Cross, and great food here.
10. Lookout Mountain (about an hour away) If we are in Sewanee, might as well drive a little bit more down the road and check out some more Mountain Action!

This is a video made by a couple of guys a few years younger than me! They are describing Winchester, TN and the surrounding areas! Phillip Fulmer (Tennessee Vols Football Coach) is from here. When I was in high school, I hung out here often! Everything they say was oh so true. BTW~Jedd is from Winchester/Decherd. This is rap-type music with all of the pictures of locations included! They visit Sewanee: University of the South and the Cross and also Tims Ford Lake. There’s even a cute black lab in it! And they cruise down Dinah Shore Blvd. Check out the SunDrop (my favorite drink)! LOL! This is hilarious! I love it! Hope you enjoy this!

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Sunday Dinner

Sunday Eatin With My Mountain Man’s Ma & Pa

(title courtsey of Diamond Hog)

1. Pork Roast with mandarin orange sauce
2. Pork BBQ Ribs
3. Loaded mashed potatoes
4. Fried Corn
5. Green Beans
6. Wild Rice
7. Rolls
8. SunDrop Cake (SunDrop is not everywhere. It is a soft drink kind of like Mountain Dew, but much better-loaded with sugar, carbs, and caffeine-oops. This cake is so moist and awesome. Sometimes she makes it with Cherry SunDrop) Kinda like 7-Up cake.

Jedd’s Mom has just recently retired and she is going on a trip this week to Charleston, SC and Savvanah, GA. She is also going to Paula Dean’s Restaurant in Savannah! She hopes to see Paula there, but says it is unlikely! It’s funny-since she has retired, our Sunday meals aren’t as extravagant-that doesn’t make any sense-lol!

It’s On in Tennessee

                      

 

It’s on in Tennessee! The Tennessee Volunteers (#2 in the Nation) are playing the Memphis Tigers (#1 in the Nation) in men’s basketball in Memphis at the FedEx Forum.

     

I am not a huge fan of basketball but watch it often since I live with a Sports Nut! I really love watching The Lady Vols play basketball.  I have really enjoyed watching the Tennessee Vols men’s basketball since Bruce Pearl (head coach) arrived on the scene!

              

Jedd went to play cards and watch the ballgame elsewhere and I am still watching the game.  It is so exciting and intense! Whew! My friend, Gina, lives in Memphis~so we know who she is rooting for: Memphis Tigers-lol. Of course I am rooting for the Tennessee Volunteers, but whatever the outcome~it’s a great feeling to know that the top two teams in the Nation are right here in Tennessee! Woohoo!

                  

Go Vols!

  

Ok~Today, Tennessee plays their last game of the season at the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Florida.  This is gonna be a tough game.  Jedd isn’t too optimistic about this game.  Let’s show him he is wrong.  I guess he forgot that his blood bleeds orange.  Come on Tennessee Volunteers~The SEC is 4-0 on bowl games so far this year.  You gotta make it 5-0 and three more to go today.  Go Big Orange~Kick some Badger Butt!  Good ‘Ol Rocky Top~Rocky Top Tennessee! Go Vols!  Woohoo!

        

And for all of you Tennesse fans out there~here is a slideshow I created in September of ’06~Enjoy!

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Birthday Celebration

In September 2007, we celebrated Jedd’s grandmother’s birthday.  She chose for the family to meet at Cortner Mill  Restaurant for lunch.  Cortner Mill is located in Normandy, Tennessee. I have lived in this area almost all of my life and this is the first time I have been to Cortner Mill.  This place is really neat, with a lot of history behind it. 

Cortner Mill is located on the Parish Patch Farm  and Inn: “a Peaceful Privacy of a Country Estate – Romantic Get Away, Wedding Chapel, or Corporate Retreat”. I have always driven by the place, but never actually driven down to the estate.  It is absolutely beautiful.  The countryside and falls are relaxing.  If you are ever in this neck of the woods-you should check this place out.  On Sundays (when we went) they are open by reservation only.  The food was delicious. We did not go to the Parish Patch Inn-just to Cortner Mill.  I will have to go back and check the rest of the place out.