Throwin’ it back to the Smoky Mountains!

March 20, 2014 by Leave a Comment

IMG_6774 Happy Throw Back Thursday!  I’m throwing it way back to the fall.  Do you remember when my family and I went to the Smoky Mountains?  Such a great time was had by all.  I miss that trip terribly and cannot wait to go back.  It’s the draw of the relaxing days spent at the cabin…The awesome Pigeon Forge dinner shows… The family friendly shows.  Did I mention the shows???  While on our vacation we had the opportunity to go to quite a few shows.  Our favorite (by far) was the Smoky Mountain Opry.  It had everything for everyone in the family.  There were talented comedians: IMG_6797

This guy was amazing!

Seriously so much talent was found at the Smoky Mountain Opry:

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                    There were favorites from Broadway musicals:

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There was even a circus!  Which the kids loved.  The kids did start to get restless like most kids do.  But the Smoky Mountain Opry is prepared for that!  They have a special skybox that has the sound piped in.  The kids can play and the parents can still watch the show through a viewing glass.

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Ruby and Banjo were major fans of that skybox!

When you find yourself in Pigeon Forge be sure to see a show at The Smoky Mountain Opry!  You definitely will not be disappointed.

This review was sponsored by the Smoky Mountain Opry, but all opinions are strictly my own. 

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Hello Dolly!

November 17, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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Another adventure that our family went on while in the Smoky Mountains was to a truly unique theme park… Dollywood!  As you walk through the gates you are transported to the days of Country Fairs and the laid back life in the Smokies.  We just happened to be there on the opening day of the National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration.  It was the perfect day to be there!  Dolly Parton was somewhere in the park, but unfortunately we didn’t cross paths.  However, we got to see singer Louise Mandrell!  She was there to receive the James D. Vaughan Impact Award from the Southern Gospel Music Association.  The Association actually has a Hall of Fame and Museum at Dollywood.  In fact before we realized the significance of the day we were surprised that a red carpet greeted us at the entrance.  For a second there I thought the folks at Dollywood were pulling out all the stops to make sure our family (with their “mommy blogger” tickets) had an amazing day.  😉

We did have an amazing day, though!  There’s so much to do at Dollywood.  From the family friendly atmosphere… To the country stores…  To the shows…

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To the rides…

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Hanging out with their cousin!

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There’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy at Dollywood!

 

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While we were there everything was decorated for the fall season and it was gorgeous!  I can’t even imagine what it looks like all decorated for Christmas.  Maybe Santa will send us there in December.  😉

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Thank you for showing us a really great time, Dollywood!

This review was sponsored by Dollywood, but all opinions are strictly my own. 

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What’s to do in the Smoky Mountains?

November 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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Remember that little ‘ole government shut down that took place… Oh, back in October?  Well, we were actually on vacation when that whole thing went down.  Yep.  On Day #2 of our vacation to be exact.  Our vacation to…  Wait for it… The Smoky Mountains NATIONAL Park.  Day #1 we went into the park just fine.  Day #2 we were greeted by this:

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Talk about throwing a wrench in someone’s plans.

Fortunately for us there are tons of other fun things to do in the Smoky Mountains area besides the park!  Prior to making the trip to Tennessee we were invited to attend the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Show.  So even if the park had been open we were still going to attend the show.  Dinner.  Great show.  How can you pass that up?  Well, it ended up being such an amazing show!  Lots of laughs and delicious food to help us get over not being able to go back into the park.  🙂   Plus, it’s fun for the entire family!

Even the grounds of the theater are fun:

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Our Banjo being a mummy.

Now back to the show and the food…

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Everything is served family style and it’s what you would expect out of a real Southern feast:

  • Feudin’ Fried Chick’n
  • Open Pit Pulled -to-Pieces Pork Barbeque
  • Southern Style Creamy Soup
  • Smashed Mashed Taters
  • Buttery Corn on the Cob
  • Keep It Comin’ Cornbread
  • No Tellin’ What’s In It Coleslaw
  • Granny’s Famous Specialty Dessert

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We couldn’t even eat it all!  You are given plenty of time to eat before the show starts.  That way you can really focus on the entertainment.

The story of the Hatfields and McCoys is told in a way that I had never heard before.  So that kept it interesting!  In terms of entertainment there’s music, dancing, “fighting”, romance, and a great story line.  It all comes together for a feuding good time!

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Will we go back to this Pigeon Forge, Tennessee show next time we are in the Smoky Mountains?  Most definitely!  The kids loved it and it was definitely one of the best shows around.  Stay tuned for my thoughts on another great show…  The Smoky Mountain Opry!  🙂

 

This review was sponsored by the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, but all opinions are strictly my own. 

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Gatlinburg Falls Resort

October 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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Isn’t the fall simply breathtaking?  All the changing of the season going on…  When the leaves take on various hues of splendor.  If you live where there’s no change in season then I’m very sorry for you.  🙂  Because you are missing quite the sight!  It’s one of my most favorite times of the year and here in the midwest we get to enjoy the change in season.  So if you are missing out then get yourself very fast to a climate that changes or just visit one once in a while during the fall months.  😉

My family and I (all 9 of us– my little family, my parents, my brother and his family) spent the first week of October in the Smoky Mountains.  Now that is a sight to be seen.  Remember that Audi and I have been to the mountains of Tennessee before, but it was August.  Definitely pre-season to the change.  The leaves were just starting to change there the first week of October, but we’ve been told that we missed the really gorgeous peak which is happening right now.  I’m sure it’s always a beautiful part of the country, though!

For our stay we were welcomed by the Gatlinburg Falls Resort.  Our accommodations were spectacular and made the trip that much more enjoyable.  Especially since the National Park closed the day after we arrived due to the Federal Government Shut Down.  Nice, huh?  The park is open now, though!  Without the wonderful cabin we would have been quite sad, but it brightened our vacation immensely.  We stayed in the Treehouse cabin:

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And was it ever decked out!

It had its very own theater room:

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Hot tub:

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And game room that we had trouble prying the kids away from!

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Plus, all the essentials:

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Washer and dryer, sleeper sofas, 3 bedroom, 3 full baths, and two half baths.

Each bedroom had a king sized bed, its own bathroom and fireplace:

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My favorite parts of the cabin came on the outside…

Great porch views:

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A cul-de-sac and tree house for the kids to play in:

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Can you tell that we had such a dandy time???  If you are looking for a Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg cabin then look no further than Gatlinburg Falls Resort.

We cannot wait to go back!

 

This review was sponsored by Gatlinburg Falls Resort, but all opinions are strictly my own. 

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Dandelions are dandy!

August 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment

I saw this shop in Maryville, TN and it’s obviously my kind of place. 🙂 Have a dandy rest of your weekend!

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Where we be.

August 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment

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Audi (the mister and I) are road tripping it to the Smokey Mountains for our 10th wedding anniversary. We purposefully stayed over in Nashville for the night to visit the Loveless Cafe again. About 5 years ago we went there and have been dying to go back ever since! Good southern food and the chance to spot one of the many celebrities who frequent the place. According to the staff (overheard in the restroom) we narrowly missed eating dinner with Martina McBride! Oh well the food was still yummy. 🙂

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