Which would you rather do or go camping?

Camping, of course! Just one of the many questions Granddaddy asks. :)

Just got back from Cades Cove this afternoon. Definitely wasn't ready to come back.The weather was perfect - couldn't have been more perfect, actually. It will probably be a late fall there, considering it's been a pretty wet summer. Trees are still going strong and green.

We spent about five hours at Mom and Dad's new place/cabin/log home extraordinaire, exploring, thinking about the layout, how we (the sister and I) could help decorate, what would look good where, and why in the world did they choose the 3 foot fireplace over the 5 foot one? Dad explained. But would more heat really escape out the fireplace if it was just that much bigger??? I know. He's right. :) I'm just a very opinionated daughter. Either way the house is really coming along and they're still thinking it will be complete within a year's time from start to finish! That means they're looking at about starting the move in February or March.

Sitting around the campfiire with Granddaddy and Grandma is one of the best things in the world. Grandma's always insisting everybody just stay where they are while she makes popcorn or gets out all the fixins for hot dogs. "How about some chow chow? Y'all want some pork and beans? No you just stay there. I've got it." Granddaddy's just being goofy and telling us stories about a thrifty colonel he worked for in the Air Force or picking on Dad: "Kirby, would you rather be here on Monday, or go to work? You don't have to answer right now you know."

This trip was  a little sad though. Granddaddy and Grandma always run into people they know at the campground, but as they've gotten older, the abundance of friends has started wearing thin. Granddaddy explained that all his friends have started to pass away and their spouses just don't go camping anymore either. It's not often Granddaddy's voice takes a solemn or sad tone, so it's always hard to hear when it does. I was kinda wishing we'd have more time to stay, just so we could be their camping buddies for a while. I think he's going to call his friend Bill Sharp (who's too old and ill to go camping alone anymore but not too far to visit) to come up and stay a few hours. Everyone loves Mr. Sharp. I have no idea how old he is. But it's very. He and his dog Roxy have been camping up there for years and years and years etc. And he always has a friendly smile and story. Old people are the best company around a campfire. Or anytime for that matter.

As a side note, lately I've been reading Louis L'Amour's Education of a Wandering Man. Well, I took a break to read Notes from the Tilt-a-Whirl by N.D. Wilson (which I should write about later). But Education. It's a fantastic read. Who knew that a book of memoirs could be so interesting??? Still reading through, taking notes etc. Some books you just wish wouldn't end anytime soon.

Well I have some unpacking to do now. Happy rest of the Sabbath!

Dessert Tables

Is this not one of the best ideas for a dessert table ever?

 

The designer's name is Amy Atlas. And this is her site.

It's not fall yet...

But it almost is!

All summer, we look forward to the beach trip to St. Augustine, FL. It's a beautiful little town with lots of history, uncrowded beaches, and one of  the best snowcone stand in the world. That snowcone stand houses a bagillion flavors. Not even kidding.

 

Popular flavors this year: Bahama Mama (Steph), Irish Cream (Allie), Grape (Dad), Sugar Free Strawberry (Mom). I never stick with just one, so I picked a different one every time. And all this about snowcones is NOT the point of this post. 

What it comes down to is that we love the beach trip. But the minute we get back, it's time to gear up for fall. For sure. And there really is no better way to get excited about fall than to go camping at Cades Cove. Just look.

 

  

  

 

This view, mixed with Appalachian music, a campfire, a puffy vest (as one of my best friends, Lindsey, reminded me) apples, a little river, and that barely warm clear fall sunlight that you can't capture in pictures...is perfect. The Smokies are small mountains, at least in comparison to the ones out west, but there's something so cozy, calm and comfortable about them with all their colors and warmth. (Except Metcalf Bottoms. There's definitely something creepy about that place) Everyone you meet at Cades Cove is friendly, even if they aren't rooting for your favorite team in the SEC, and has most likely been camping there for years too. My family's been going to the Smokies every fall and more, ever since my mom was little. Now my parents are building a retirement home there. Haha not really a "retirement home"; just one that they will live in once they retire. :)

So yes. We are off to the Smokies tomorrow to go camping with Granddaddy and Grandma, and looking forward to welcoming in fall. Fall is amazing.

God is most certainly good.

What's this about?

What is this blog even going to be about? Oh, I'd say just about anything and everything...times infinity. Or maybe not times infinity...but I just like saying that, so it's going to stick. No takebacks. :)

I'm guessing this blog will be mostly about what I love. It will probably not be too orderly as I get distracted very easily...SQUIRREL! But it will definitely have to do with decorating, something funny, something strange, and something small and seemingly insignificant that I am completely fascinated with or by. Sentence ending in a preposition right there by the way. Do prepositional phrases count too? I can't remember.

Today, Mom just went out west on a roadtrip with her friend Mrs. Young. They migrate there every SuFall. That's the season between summer and fall for those of you who missed that class. Right now they're in Oklahoma City and they've only just left this morning. They're heading over to Arches National Park as their first stop to...I'm not exactly sure of the destination. But I think for Mom (on a roadtrip), every stop is the destination, as there is rarely a state park, national park, or monument that goes untrodden by her rather short legs and size 6 1/2 shoe. At least if it is somewhere off the road in the general direction she's going.

They drove Mrs. Young's car. I wonder if Mrs. Young is letting Mom listen to Jonn Denver on repeat. Mrs. Young doesn't listen to much music in the car. She listens to ball games. Mr. Young listens to sermons and lectures and other smart stuff. But he didn't go on the trip, so I guess Mom and Mrs. Young won't learn anything or get more holy. At least not through the speakers in the car.

I do miss them already though!

This is longer than I was anticipating...Goodnight!

First Post....

Well. This is my first post. I’m drafting it on Word. Why? Because I wanted to get started on this post tonight but after much thought (about 15 minutes worth), I couldn’t come up with an appropriate name. I asked my sister what I should name it and she came up with “I Have Room A.D.D” which I believe means that she noticed I redecorated my room again.