Christmas in the mountains

Christmas in the mountains, something I have been dreaming about for years. So this summer I made reservations for a cabin for the week before Christmas. I thought it would be a great chance to become reconnected with the most important people in my life, my husband and kids. And boy was I right.

I planned and planned and planned. I had the perfect menu, the perfect gifts to give and if my wish came true the perfect location.

We packed up everything but the kitchen sink and headed off to Bryson city. I had heard there might be snow. About 10 minutes into the trip I realized I forgot the sleds. About 30 minutes later I realized I forgot three of the gifts. Oh well, life will go on. We stopped by Daddy’s to grab a cup of warm spiced Russian tea and next stop is Bryson City.



[caption id="attachment_232" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="The Iron Skillet - our second trip there "][/caption]



We arrived just on time. Had lunch at our favorite restaurant, The Iron Skillet. I could eat every meal there and be just as happy. After our bellies were filled we headed off to the cabin.

Here is where my perfect Christmas started to crumble. We walked in and the cabin had not been cleaned. We called the company and was told someone was on the way but no one showed. We called again and was told to go into town for an hour and it would be clean when we returned. We had to get groceries anyways. When we returned, the cabin had not been cleaned. I was very upset. So we called again and someone finally came to clean the cabin. BACK ON TRACK!



[caption id="attachment_222" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Kendrick Christmas Tree - Charlie Brown style"][/caption]



I realized we didn’t have a Christmas tree so I ran outside and clipped some branches off a tree next to the cabin. Sometimes you have to have a Charlie Brown tree. We unpacked everything and put all the gifts under the tree. I made a awesome pot of vegetable soup and we could not wait. We had to go ahead and open the gifts. YAY!

[caption id="attachment_228" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Scott got gloves u can use with a touch screen"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_230" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="I got a Kinect"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_227" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="The boys got all kinds of stuff"][/caption]

 

Grizzly Claus gave us some family board games to play, great clothes and much needed gloves. We had the best time playing Sorry, a very complicated Life game and the game Smart A--.



[caption id="attachment_226" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Snow!!!!This is what 1 degree looks like"][/caption]

To go or not to go

I've taken a break from the blogging world. My life was like scrambled eggs for a week or so. Christmas is full speed ahead and I can't wait. I always feel like this time of year just speeds by and it's so hard to enjoy it. One of my new-found loves is saying no. My life is usually busy with every kind of event I can get myself into but not this year. I came across this article that gave a list of things to ask yourself to decide if you should go or not.

1. Will I be glad I went?

2. Will there be people there that I like to be around?

3. Will there be food there I will enjoy eating?

4. Will I learn something new by attending?

5 Will the other guest make me feel good about myself?

6. Is this event important to me?

If you say yes to at least 4 of the 6 question then it's a go. If not stay home and read a good book.

25 Days of Thanks - Day 11

Today on this Veteran's day I am Thankful for our military and all the men and women that risk and gave their lives everyday for us.  Freedom does not come free. I am truly proud to be an American and to have the best of the best out there fighting for us.

25 Days of Thanks - Day 10

I would like to give a big shoot out to Godiva Chocolate. I am so thankful for that so sweet, loving melt in your mouth too fast chocolate. It always makes me feel good, never bad. It's beast when wrapped around a big juicy strawberry or cherry. If you have a bad day, eat a piece of Godiva and you will surly feel much better. Mama always said life is like a box of chocolate, you never know what you are going to get.

Christmas Memories

Christmas 1995. I gave my boys this blow up moon bouncer. Evidently I was not smart enough to know to blow big things up with an air compressor before midnight on Christmas Eve. Instead I stayed up all night blowing this thing up by mouth. I would blow and blow until I got dizzy and then lay back for a few minutes to recover and then start again. As you can see I just did enough to make it where they could play on it. They loved it.

Remember When Wednesday

I absolutely love love love looking at these old photos from when my kids were little. This is my two boys and their cousin (my nephew) Tyler. Must have been a hot day. Oh the love they all had for each other.

25 Days of Thanks - Day 9

On this 9th day of thanks I am thankful for my faithful concert and hiking buddy Amy M. I wanted to start a Hiking bible study and she was right there with me from minute one. I truly needed her support as a friend and fellow christian and she gives that great gift so easily.

I am thankful that we have a life time and eternal friendship. I feel in my heart one day we will be hiking those streets of gold together.

She is someone I can pour my heart out to and know that she will be there as a christian friend to support me in all my trials and tribulation.

God gave this friend to me as a gift and I am eternally thankful to Him for that.

25 days of Thanks - Day 8

I am very very very thankful for my wonderful, loving children. I became pregnant at 15 and has my first blessing at 16 years of age. This little bundle of joy change my life forever. He blessed me with all his smiles, hugs and kisses. At 19 I was blessed a second time with another bundle of joy adding even more sunshine to my life. I was meant to be a mama. I couldn't imagine my life without my two love bugs. Even at 16 and 18 they still love to give me the loving I need. They are always the light of my life and the best gift God could have ever given me.

[caption id="attachment_190" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="They may not love me for this silly photo"][/caption]

25 days of Thanks - Day 7

I am so so so thankful for my husband. My knight in shining armor. He is the best husband in the world. I can rely on him for any and everything. He makes my world go round. He is the most generous, kind and thoughtful person I know.

25 days of Thanks - Day 6

My Sisters. I just don't know what I would do without them. I know one thing life would be so boring. I love them all with every inch of my heart.

[caption id="attachment_184" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Whitfield Girls"][/caption]

Christmas Memories - Shannon Whitfield

I wanted to wait and start this in December but like everything else, I got excited. Plus I have way too may Christmas memory photos to only post in December.

My first post is of my brother Shannon Whitfield.

[caption id="attachment_168" align="alignleft" width="206" caption="Shannon and Santa"][/caption]

This is Shannon with Santa. He looks so in love with that irresistible big red bellied man. I wonder what he wanted for Christmas that year.

This photo is of him playing with the baby dolls that I got for Christmas. I seemed to be ok with sharing with him.

25 Days of Thanks - Day 5

I am thankful for my God. The unconditional and forever love He has for me. The gift of His one and only Son to save me.

I am thankful for my church, Sierra Baptist Church and all the people who fill it.

I am thankful for the right to express and worship my faith freely.

25 days of Thanks - day 4

Oh how thankful am I for my two wonderful loving parents. My dad has never let me down. I trust in him 100%. I am thankful and love every wrinkle on his face and every missing hair on his head. I helped make the wrinkles and removed the hair.

And my mom (Vicki), she is my mom that didn't have to be. Those are the best kind. She chose to love me with all her heart. She cooks Sunday dinner for me (really for me only. Just kidding.) She has filled a hole in my heart that so badly needed filling.  

I am so thankful for the times I have drinking coffee with my mom and dad. It's my favorite thing to do with them.

Remember When Wednesdays

This is not a photo challenge, just for fun. I love love love old photos. So every Wednesday I will post a photo from way back when. So if you are in my family you better watch out cause you may just see you younger self pop up in my blog.

My first one is one of my favorite. Back when times were simple and we were poorer than dirt but so very happy. I remind my baby sisters all the time that we didn't have cable, phone or video games to keep up busy. So we would hang out outside and plunder. Remember when we won the desert storm war and everyone had T-shirts. lol.

25 days of Thanks

Starting a little late on this but better late than never right. I will post a picture each day  until Thanksgiving of things I am most thankful for.

Today is day three and I am posting my most beloved Sammy. Always faithful and loving. I can always count on him to be right at my feet ready to give or accept some lovin.

Choosing to SEE

I'm not much of a reader but I have tickets to go see Steven Curtis Chapman with a friend of mine. His wife is joining him on this tour and my friend has her book. She thought maybe she could get it signed. So I of course asked if I could read it. I thought it would be good to read before our night with the Chapmans. I knew it was about the loss of their adopted daughter. But I found out it was about so much more.



Part of the way through the book I found myself laughing out loud and then an hour later telling Scott that this was the saddest book ever. He looked at me like I was crazy. He said "you were just laughing?". All I could say was "I know!".

The relationship and love Mary Beth has with each of her children amazes  me. Even through her struggles she has somehow found a way to be a wonderful mother, wife, friend and christian.  She is truly an inspiration. Her faith in God truly shines even in the darkest times. I am sure Maria is so proud of her mommy. The relationship between the Chapman children is a reflection of the of the love and support they receive from their parents.

I hope you enjoy as much as I did.

Favorite Fall Recipe

I just wanted to share one of my family's favorite fall recipe.

Quick Salisbury Steak

• 1lb. ground beef


• 1 pkg. dry onion soup mix


• 2 eggs, beaten


• 2 cans of Golden Mushroom soup

Combine ground beef, dry onion soup mix and eggs in a large bowl; form into 4 patties. Place patties in an ungreased 13"x9" baking dish; cover with Golden Mushroom soup. Bake uncovered, at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Serves 4.

F is for Foliage

Day 7 - A gift after the rain

I just don't know what draws me to rainbows but I do love them. And a double is even better. This is one of God's most beautiful gifts he gives us to look at. It completely amazes me how bright and colorful they are. For some reason I can never find the end to one. I know what is where the gold is. Do you ever try to find the end to a rainbow when you were little?

D is for Doggy

[caption id="attachment_126" align="alignnone" width="1024" caption="D is for Doggy"][/caption]

Day 6 - A little piece of Heaven

I had decided to quit my 30 day challenge because I am so good at that(the quitting part). But I thought maybe I would just continue and see how long it takes me to do it.

This is a picture of a place I have passed several times over the years but this Saturday it seemed so peaceful and absolutely gorgeous. It maybe because of how stressed I have been lately or maybe I'm just opening my eyes more to the beauty of nature. What God has created for my eyes to see. It takes my breath away when I realize how special I must be to God for Him to allow me the responsiblity of the earth that He created. This must be a piece of Heaven on earth.

[caption id="attachment_121" align="alignnone" width="1024" caption="Table Rock"][/caption]

C is for Cabbage

Day 5-Praise God

Day's 5 picture is of a 87-year-old man getting Baptised in the lake. His name is James and is one of the sweetest men I have ever known. About a month ago he was saved one Sunday morning. The very next Sunday he stopped breathing and had no pulse during church. I was sure he was gone to be with the Lord he had just come to know. We were relieved to find out that he was revived and is doing well. On this special day in September he was Baptised in Lake Hartwell by paster Rex Simmons.

This is proof it is never too late to give your life to Christ. He was born again at 87. Imagine that. He will now have eternal life with Christ.

Day 4 - Fall Fire

There is nothing like a nice Autumn fire. My husband loves to make them and I love to sit in front of them with a cup a coffee. It is a great bonding time for us. Nothing to get in our way of talking to each other. Some how we always end up taking about our kids. Go figure. The fire seems to draw you into it and before you know it you can't take your eyes off of the flames. It really calm me and seems to calm the world around me.

[caption id="attachment_102" align="alignnone" width="768" caption="Fall Fire"][/caption]

Day 3 - God's gift to me...My boys

There is nothing more intoxicating then the sight of my two perfect babies. I was truly blessed 18 years ago with Hayden and then again 16 years ago with Austin. They can fill my heart, make me smile, laugh and cry. I never get tired of looking at their sweet faces.  

Day 2 - Looking Up

I love going into the woods and looking up through the trees. A simple peek at an unreachable space.

Day 1 - I said Good Morning!

Every morning I wake up and try my best to drag my lazy but out of bed. It's one the most difficult thing I do. I always lay there til the last-minute and rush rush rush to get ready. Today was not different. Throw my clothes on heat the coffee water and gather all my stuff in one pile so that I can run out the door. I finally got my coffee fixed and was ready to jump in the truck and speed to work. Threw the door open, ran out and about the time I passed Sammy's dog house I looked up and BAM. God said Good Morning Amy this is for you. I looked across the yard and saw the most beautiful sky. I had planned to take my camera with me everywhere but as usual I had left it in the house. I dropped everything, ran back in the house and grab the camera and started snapping.

[caption id="attachment_89" align="alignnone" width="1024" caption="Good Morning"][/caption]

This is a reminder that each day we get a beautiful fresh start. No matter what happened yesterday, today is a new day.

30 days through God's eyes

I've decided to rename the challenge. God sees it all, the big stuff and the little stuff and everything in between. He sees what we don't bother to take time to see. I feel like this challenge will encourage me to take the time to slow down and look at the world in another way.

Say cheese! :)

I'm about to take on the 30 days of beauty. I have thought about it a lot and have some reservations. My camera, even though new, still isn't what I really want. It's just ok. I just want it to capture what my eyes see and it just doesn't. I'm looking forward to the challenge. I'm by no means a photographer so this will truly be a challenge for me. I feel like I'm cheating a little because I am starting at the most beautiful times of the year. Wish me luck!

Do u YoGo?

Yes, I am addicted to YoGos Express. An no it's not because my son works there. What's YoGo Express you ask. It's a frozen yogurt place. You walk in, grab a cup and go at it. It's self serve. First u choose ur flavor. They have about 10 or so flavors such as Cake Batter, Georgia Peach, Red Velvet, cappuccino and my Favorite Peanut Butter. You can get a much or as little as you want. Next stop is what I call the wet bar. They have fresh fruits and such. then u hit the sauces. I usually get hot fudge but they offer hot fudge, hot caramel, chocolate and white chocolate syrup and more. Then u have the wall of toppings. Crumbs of Oreos, cereals, vanilla wafers, candy bars, it's endless. at least 20 different choices. At the very end u place ur cup on the weighing machine and pay. $.42 an ounce. Enjoy! Yummy to my Tummy. I almost always get peanut butter with hot fudge. Scott layers his all the way to the top.

Squash Bugs - I hate U!

[caption id="attachment_72" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Plant without squash bugs"][/caption]

I planted pumpkins last month and I have been fighting with Squash bugs ever since then. And I am losing. Dang things just won't die.

[caption id="attachment_71" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Plant with squash bugs"][/caption]

Bible Study

I'm starting a Bible study in Sept. But I need some help on what to name it. Let me tell you a little about it. It is a hiking Bible study. We will meet on Sat mornings and drive to a location where we will share learn and get to know each other. There will be a Bible study and activity to go along with the short hike. At times the hikes will be longer depending on the ability of the group. After the hike we will eat a packed lunch and fellowship with each other and then head back home. This is a great way to meet new people, learn about Jesus and get some exercise. There will be about 5 to 6 women / girls in each group. You don't have to be an active hiker for this. As long as you have a pair of tennis shoes you will be good to go. I will post the site to sign up soon. Now please help me put a label on this. [polldaddy poll=3563079]

And the celebration begins

I am already receiving the best birthday gifts ever.

Austin gave me my guitar playing garden frog and it made my pumpkins grow.



Kim gave me this really awesome plate by my favorite person Paula Deen. Boy does she know me.

Top 10 garden tips.

The top 10 things I learned about my garden this year.

1. I don’t eat as many peppers as I thought!


2. Tomatoes need their own room. They don’t like to share space.


3. Okra plants are very tall.


4. Watermelon vines like to give hugs to anything near them.


5. Read the label before you buy. I have 12 inch cucumbers.


6. I really have no need for herbs.


7. Above ground means no weeds. Love it!


8. We need more then one squash plant.


9. Plant the same plants weeks apart so it will last longer.


10. And last but not least, Carrots take for ever to get big!!!!

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Composting

Beginning to compost. I truly want to be an earth lover. You know plant a tree, use reusable shopping bags and recycle. OK, I don't recycle. I want to. So I am going to recycle my garden. I bought this composter at Sam's club for $29.81. Nothing fancy, no turning thingy inside, just a container.

I have been saving up some organic material to put in my composter. I hope to have this thing full of nice rich compost for my garden next year. 

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