Pigeon Forge Pretties - Traveling With My Guy

My Guy and I just celebrated our 36th Anniversary with a trip to our favorite getaway destination, The Smoky Mountains.  We went for total relaxation, so we enjoyed some window shopping and meandering.

We always ride the strip in Pigeon Forge when we arrive, to see what has changed since our last visit.  This has been a busy year and we have not been able to visit for quite a few months.  There were a couple new restaurants and one new attraction.  The Tomb - located in Walden's Landing.. 

Of course, loving all things Egyptian, I had to check it out.  We decided to wait for the rest of the family to actually partake of the attraction, but we did check out the lobby. 

The new movie theatre at Walden's Landing is now open, so we decided to see the movie Cowboys and Aliens...we love a good Western and we really enjoyed this movie. 

The Alien portions are not overdone and we found the movie to be refreshing and entertaining....Mike, who is not a big movie goer, even said it was the best movie he had seen in a long time. 

We visited the Harley Davidson store and bought some more shiny stuff and really, really soft cloths so that Mike can continue to polish the paint off of his new Streetglide....I don't know if I mentioned, but his Softail Classic was stolen a few weeks ago as he was attending a downtown blockparty event.  Just in case you don't speak motorcycle, both the Streetglide and Softtail Classic are types of motorcycles....I wouldn't know that if I did not have a husband who absolutely loves them. 

Any visit to Pigeon Forge must include a visit to The Christmas Place.  We all know how hot it has been here in Tennessee as well as many places around the Country.  Take a look at this picture and you can see how the North Pole folks are dealing with the heat.

Right about now, 5 cents for a snowball sounds like the best deal ever....give me a $1 worth, please.

Stepping through the door into the North Pole, we find it much cooler....look how happy Santa is standing beside a snow covered tree. I'm seeing lots of these flocked trees this year and looks like they are going to be very popular...I've been thinking about getting one for the last couple years.  This might be the year for a new tree. 

I love what they can do with styrofoam to make the displays look so gorgeous. 

I love this tree in a wagon...I don't know why but I just think it is so stinking cute. 

I love the glass shelves resting on cylinder glass containers filled with faux candies.  This would be a great idea to adapt to a Holiday buffet table.  On a smaller scale, this could be used for a beautiful themed dessert display or risers for a food buffet.   

 

I hope you enjoyed sharing our trip...now, let's play a game and enjoy the rest of the day. 

Joining the following parties:

Alphabe-Thursday

Home Sweet Home

Open House Party

Show and Tell Friday

Feathered Nest Friday

More Snow In Tennessee And A Holiday Flashback

We have snow on the ground again in Tennessee.  We have 2-3 inches and the schools are closed.  The snow started me thinking about the wonderful snow we were blessed with on Christmas Day this year.  When I started thinking about Christmas, I realized that I had not posted my post Christmas goodies from my normal after holidays buying trip.  If you are sick of Christmas, feel free to skip, but if you still like a little taste of red and green, here you go.

I found some beautiful things this year at 50-80% off....I love after Christmas shopping.  Found a beautiful white holly tablecloth from Kohls and picked up another Christmas Santa Chef as the one I found last year was claimed and being in the Christmas spirit, I gave him away.  Was lucky enough to find another on sale this year.  Snowman nesting bowls came from Cracker Barrel and the knit stockings and Elf hat are from Lowes.  Pier One had some great items at 60-70% off...I got a set of candleholders with ornaments hanging inside, a tiered Christmas Tree server, some napkins, mini gravy boats, and two cute snowmen.  Dillard's yielded the Red polka dot Christmas bowl peeking out from under the napkins and a cake knife and server set.

The Santa Chef is just so darn cute.  Last year, I thought there was a Mrs Claus with kitchen items as well, but could not find her this year.  I'll look next year and might find her. 

I bought four of the little gravy boats to use as individual serving pitches for syrups for pancake breakfasts....yum.  Hope you enjoyed my little Christmas flashback....it was fun to relive these beautiful items and share them with you.  As usual, I am astounded that we are already near mid-February.  Hope you are making each day count.

My Christmas Memories

I Remember

My Great-Aunts Gladys and Sadis coming through the front door of my Granny and Grandpa's with big smiles and saying 'Christmas Eve Gift' or 'Christmas Gift', depending on the day they visited.  I always loved this...they would be smiling and laughing as they presented themselves as the gifts.

Granny Powell's Christmas cake.  Filled with raisins and nuts and topped with a chocolate buttercream and more pecans.

Grandpa giving us brown paper bags full of fruits, nuts and hard candy.

Walking home from church after Christmas play practice.  Enjoying the feel of the brisk, cold air and watching the 'smoke' rise as we breathed.

Playing dolls with my sisters after we had opened our presents.  We used a cardboard box for a table and a piece of wrapping paper for a tablecloth as we enjoyed tea with our new tiny dishes. 

Going Chirstmas shopping and having to hang out in the parking lot in the car with Daddy while Mama shopped.  Made better when we were at Sears and Daddy would go in and buy a hot bag of Spanish peanuts for us to munch on.

Sitting my two sweet babies under the Christmas tree and trying to capture that perfect picture.  Not realizing then that they were all perfect pictures.

Enjoying the love and feeling the pride as I enjoy Christmas with my family each year.  Knowing that each moment is precious, each look to be cherished and hugs and kisses are the best thing God ever invented.

I will be working hard on last minute wrapping and baking the next couple of days and then enjoying the wonder of the season with my family.  I hope all your hopes and dreams are realized and that you live each moment of this holiday season, realizing that family and friends are true treasures.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to each and every one of you.

Rich Red and Wintry White....What's Not to Like

I love traditional Christmas colors and have decorated in red, white and green this year.  Snowmen are a part of the season and keep finding their way into every room in my home.   My sideboard in the breakfast nook.

Pinecones and snow.  If I could figure out a way to get under the glass, I'd play in the snow.

My China Cabinet is all decked out for the holidays.

Don't peek till Chirstmas....good advice, but rarely followed.

Thanks for visiting.  Joining the party over at Marty's at A Stroll Thru Life.  Please be sure to drop by the party.

Merry Sparkle And Shine

We finally got the presents under the Chirstmas tree last night.  I only have a few more things to pick up, that I have not been able to find and then I am finished.  I don't have to work Friday and am planning to finish my shopping.

My entry foyer is ready for holiday visitors. 

Santa is watching, so you'd better be good. 

I forgot to light my candles before taking photos, so just imagine that they are glowing warmly.  A silver tray holds a bit of chocolate and incoming holiday greetings. 

One last decoration for today...look at those eyes and those cute little fingers.  I think this is my most creative project today.

Snowmen and Stripes In The Family Room

Armoire decoration in the Family Room. 

You could eat on this candy for months.

Coffee table decoration, still in the Family room.

Twirling and sliding across the ice. 

Snowman and woman Tango.

Linking to Tabletop Tuesday.  Please click the link to visit and enjoy some decorating by quite a few talented Elves.

It's December

The tree is up and waiting for presents.

 One present has somehow found it's way under the tree.  I think I'll keep this one for myself.

The wrapping is in progress and the shopping is ongoing.

If the garlands are piled on the garage floor, but out of their storage containers, does that count as being in progress??

Hope everyone is enjoying their decorating.

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Out and About At The End Of September

Mike and I are taking a few days off to kick around and relax.  We began our sabbatical yesterday with a good hearty breakfast...you know where:

Then, it was off to our favorite go-to vacation spot for a few days of nothing but rest, rest and rest....with maybe a few good meals and fun thrown in....but mostly, rest.

The new movie theater at Walden's Landing is not yet complete even though it is slated for an early fall opening.  This will be a six plex and I think there are plans to increse it to an 11 plex at some time in the future. 

There is a new gourmet popcorn shop across from the theatre.  Mike tried the Peanut butter and chocolate popcorn and declared it a keeper. 

They have some cute packaging ideas along with the normal tins of popcorn in differant sizes.  The owner asked me if I was a Spy, when I took a picture and I assured her that I did not yet have my Spy Licence, so was just taking a picture to let folks know about the new shop on my blog.   She was very nice and offered several samples to indulge ....I like the old standard in popcorn...butter or kettle corn and sometimes a litte caramel corn.  I'm not too crazy about all the concoctions like cranberry popcorn, chocolate and popcorn, strawberry popcorn and the like. 

We had a homestyle dinner at the Old Mill and then walked around to take some pictures...the water is a little high coming over the Dam due to the rain that has been coming down all day. 

I love this cute little Halloween themed bolster pillow that I saw in a shop window. 

Little Ms Pothead is sitting under the Gazebo trying to stay dry.  We had so much fun walking around in the rain and checking out all the shops. 

I love this fall village scene from Dept 56 Snow Village....Crazy Cal's Kettle Corn cracks me up...this little cutie might be coming home with me. 

Is this not the cutest thing....Dept 56 has created a village around the Christmas Story movies.  Check out the leg lamp accessory...it just polishes off the whole scene.  Love it.

A few years ago, Dept 56 created some Disney themed pieces and then discontinued them...I don't remember if they were a seperate village line or part of one already established but coming this fall is a new line called Mickey and Minnie's Christmas Village.

I love this idea of displaying the Tree House in a tire swing.  The people at the Christmas Place are so creative in their displays.  I could spend all day in the Village room, just looking around.

I'm joining TagAlong Tuesday and Tabletop Tuesday.  Please go by and visit each of these great blogs by clicking the respective link.