Thank You Donna @ One Simple Country Girl

Thank you Donna @ One Simple Country Girl for your recommendation for our Gatlinburg trip!! It is funny that you had mentioned The Eight Gable Inn…that was one of the spots that I was contemplating. I have ALWAYS wanted to stay at a B and B. But “Papa Bear” really wanted to stay in a cabin. So, we opted for that route. But next time…The Eight Gable Inn, it is!! HA!!

I do admit, I am a little nervous to be going in the Winter for the fear that there will not be a lot to do. Or that some of the attractions will be shut down due to it being the “off-season”. But the receptionist that we booked our cabin with assured us that there will be plenty of things to do and see. I sure hope so!!

Have any of you been to the Pigeon Forge / Gatlinburg area during the Winter months? And if so, what tourist attractions would you recommend?

Like “Papa Bear” told me the other night…I am really over thinking this one. Like that is anything new for me…HA!! And I know that I am…but I guess I am feeling a little guilty.

You see, this trip is supposed to be for our 20th Wedding Anniversary…so, a pretty BIG one!! But since I have a fear of flying, we are kind of limited to where we can go.

So, I think in my mind, I am just really worried that this trip isn’t going to be as memorable as it could be if we could go anywhere we wanted. Does that make sense!?!?!?

Ok, I am just rambling now, and I really need to leave for work…it is 6:34am and I should of left at 6:30…OOPPPSSSS!!

Hope you all have a WONDERFUL day!! And until next time!!

Big hugs!! Carrie  

Need Your Help ASAP

Evening Ladies (and Gents), I was just hoping that I could get your help. “Papa Bear” and I are getting ready to take a Romantic Get-A-Way for our upcoming Anniversary. And one of the places we were thinking about going was  Gatlinburg, TN.

Have any of you visited here? And if so, where did you stay? We were hoping to rent a luxury cabin…any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!!

I have looked at so many already…and I am starting to drive “Papa Bear” (and myself, I might add) absolutely CRAZY with my OCD tendencies. HA!!

I really like the Elk Springs Resort…but UGGHHH, I JUST DON’T KNOW!! See, what I mean…LOL!!

BIG Hugs!! Carrie

Sunday Supper ~ Spinach Artichoke Casserole

I don’t know about all of you…but there is just something about this time of year that speaks “Comfort Food” to me.

So, since Sunday is the one day of the week that we all are off school and work, that is the day that I generally try to plan a good ol’ family dinner.

And since I am always looking for new ideas, I thought I would share some of mine with all of you…and hope that you all would feel comfortable doing the same.

Spinach Artichoke Casserole

Ingredients:

 

One Package of Frozen Chopped Spinach

One 8oz Package of Cream Cheese

 

One Can of Artichoke Hearts

One Stick of Butter

3/4 Cup of Grated Parmesan Cheese

1) In microwave safe bowl…cook Spinach accordingly, then drain.

2) In another microwave safe bowl, soften stick of butter and package of cream cheese in microwave…this will usually take about 1 minute or so.

3) Meanwhile, chopped artichoke hearts to bite-size pieces.

4) Then mix cooked spinach with the butter, cream cheese, artichoke hearts and 1/2 cup of the 3/4 cup of parmesan cheese.

5) Place mixture in a casserole dish, sprinkle the remaining 1/4 of parmesan cheese over top.

6) Bake @ 350 degrees for about 30-40 minutes. 

Hope you enjoy!!

Big Hugs!! Carrie

 

 

 

Happy New Year!!

 Welcome 2011!!

I hope you all had a safe and wonderful start to the New Year, so far!! How did you all “Ring In The New Year”?!?!? Did attend a friend’s party? Or did you all cuddle at home with family and watch a movie?

Since it was yearend at work, I ended up having to work late. So, “Papa Bear” and I just had a quick dinner (which BTW, thanks for making pumpkin!), ran to Target and then come home cuddled up and watched a movie.  Unfortunately, I think I was sleeping by 9:30…HA!!

At work, we did have a “Snack Day” to welcome in the New Year. And possibly for the fear that we were going to have to pull an all-nighter. HA!! So, I decided to bring my ‘Sausage Enchilada Dip’. 

Speaking of welcoming in the New Year…I am SO ready for 2011!! Like many of you, our family has experienced both good and bad in the year 2010. But since trying to maintain a positive and upbeat attitude is one of my 2011 Resolutions, my hopes for the New Year are nothing but good.

Speaking of New Years Resolutions…mine for this year are based around the FIVE F’s :

FAITH…

FAMILY…

FRIENDS…

FINANCES…

and lastly FITNESS…

 ~FAITH~ In 2010 my family and I starting going to church. This has to be one of my favorite things that has happened to our family in this past year. And in 2011, I can’t wait to see how our journey in our faith will grow. Not only do I want to try to make sure we attend church regularly, I would also like to get involved more in church activities/committees, etc.

~FAMILY~ As some of you may know from reading my last few posts,  in the month of December our family lost TWO precious loved ones. So, this has put so many things into prospective in the past few weeks. Not that family hasn’t always been important to me…but in 2011, I am going to make a more conscience effort to spend more QT with my loved ones…and start treating them with the “Golden Rules”.

~FRIENDS~ This resolution kinda goes hand in hand with my previous resolution. As many of you know, good friends are hard to come by. And whenever you find one, you generally love them like they are family. So, in my opinion…the same “rules” should imply. And with that being said, Blogging is going to be a bigger part of my life this year. I truly do enjoy it. I love getting a peak into so many of your lives. I love finding new recipes and decorating ideas. And like many of you, I have made some wonderful friends thru my blog.

~FINANCES~ I think this one is pretty self-explanatory…I think we all have been hit hard in these trying times. And it has made me realize how desperately I would love to be out of debt.

~FITNESS~ I know this resolution is usually this first resolution that is broken….well at least in this house. HA!! I would really like to try to stick with this one this year. As “Papa Bear” and I FASTLY approach the age of 40, I would love to see us take our health a little bit more seriously. Both our physical and emotional health… 

So, in saying all of this…I hope that 2010 was good to you all. And I hope that 2011 is EVERYTHING you want it to be….GOD BLESS!!

BIG Hugs!! Carrie

Spending Christmas With Jesus…

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!!

I just wanted to stop by and thank all of you for your warm and caring comments!!

Our family is doing as best as can be expected. I just don’t think any of us would of thought that we would of had to bury two beautiful members of our family less than a week apart.

But they are both in heaven now with our Grandparents, who also passed away in the month of December, and I know they are taking good care of them. So, that brings me some peace…

As I had mentioned both of my Grandparents passed away in the month of December my Grandpa in 1986 and my Grandma in 2006.

I read this poem at my Grandma’s funeral…and I thought it very comforting. So, I thought that it may bring all of you who are having to spend Christmas without a loved one this year some peace, as well…

I'm Spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this Year

I see the countless Christmas trees,
Around the world below.
With tiny lights, like heaven's stars,
Reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular,
Please wipe away that tear.
For I'm spending Christmas,
With Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs,
That people hold so dear.
But the sounds of music can't compare,
With the Christmas choir up here.

For I have no words to tell you,
The joy their voices bring.
For it is beyond description,
To hear the angels sing.

I can't tell you of the splendor,
Or the peace here in this place.
Can you just imagine Christmas,
With our Savior, face to face?

I'll ask Him to light your spirit,
As I tell Him of your love.
So then pray one for another,
As I lift you eyes above.

Please let your hearts be joyful,
And let your spirit sing.
For I'm Spending Christmas in Heaven,
And I'm walking with the King.

~© Wanda Bencke ~

 

BIG Hugs!! ~ Carrie ~

 

 

Continued Prayers Please!!

First of all, I just wanted to thank all of you for all of the warm and caring comments. I ask for continued prayers for our family....while at my cousin's husband's wake our family received a devastating phone call that my cousin Lauren was taken to a nearby hospital and was in the ICU on life support. Lauren has since passed away. She was only 26. So, we had Sean's services on Wednesday and we will be having Lauren's tomorrow. I just ask that you all pray for our entire family, that we will all find the strength to make it thru this difficult time. It is truly more than one family should have to endure.

Prayers Please!!

I know that I haven’t posted in a very long time…but trust me when I say that I have been missing it so!! Even though, I still look at all of your blogs, almost daily. But today, I decided that I needed to come here and ask all of you for your thoughts and prayers.



My dear cousin, Kelly, lost her husband Friday night in a tragic car accident. He was hit head on and killed by an 18 YO drunk driver. And unfortunately, my cousin saw the entire accident. She was driving in her car only 3 cars behind him. She and her husband were coming home from his work Christmas party and they had taken two cars because she had come directly from work. Thankfully, she doesn’t remember much. She remembers seeing the car cross the center lane, hit Sean’s car and calling 911. After that, I am assuming shock set in.


Sean not only left behind his beloved wife but they have two beautiful boys, a 6 YO and a 3 YO. Unfortunately, my cousin is not a stranger to death, she lost her Father when she was only 15 YO. My Aunt had become a widow at the age of 38 and now her Daughter has become one at the age of 33. WAY too young!!!! And to make matters so much worse, Sean just went thru a major heart surgery for a heart defect he was born with this past year and came out of that with flying colors just to have his life taken away by a senseless drunk driver!!


So, during this Christmas season…please hug your loved ones a little tighter and please keep my cousin and her entire family in your thoughts and prayers!!