Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!  It will be another quiet one at the farm since we don't have any little kids, our neighbors do not either and we are on top of a mountain.  Maybe the cows and raccoons will visit but the garden is done so all they can get is weeds.  It will be a warm Halloween, in the 80's again.  I am not at the farm this year again since I am in southern California and it will actually be colder here in California then it will be in eastern Tennessee.  If we should get some trick or treaters Tim will be there to pass out the candy, if we had some.  I hope you all have a fun and safe Halloween!

Pre Game Family Fun

What does a family do when their favorite baseball team is playing in the World Series and we all just happen to be in the same state during the game?  We get together for some pre game fun then watch the game together.  I was lucky enough to fly over Wrigley Field yesterday then feel the energy that Chicago has for the Cubbies.  For this Cubs fan it was an amazing sight and feeling.  My sister Pam and SIL Karyn put out an amazing pre game spread and we enjoyed it all and had some fun with it.  We have always known how to have fun as a family and yesterday proved it once again.  Even though the Cubs lost it was fun watching the game together during the high points and feeling eachother's sorrow during the low points.  This fan is not giving up because the Cubs are going to win the next three games.  Thanks Pam, Brian, Craig, Karyn, Carrie H and Peyton for getting together for the game and pre game fun!  GO CUBS!

Flying The Friendly Skies!

We had an early start this morning as I have an early flight out of Knoxville.  I am headed to San Diego for a. Our of weeks!  WooHoo!  I will be staying with my sister and brother-in-law and I am so excited to be going.  It has been a year since I have been there so it will nice to be back.  We have lots of plans but tonight we will be watching the Cubs game.  My brother and sister-in-law are coming down so we will be all together for the game.  Let's go Cubbies!  San Diego, via Chicago, here I come!

Gatlinburg's Arts & Crafts Community

We spent the day checking out Gatlinburg's Arts & Crafts Community.  It is located in the Glades area of Gatlinburg and has been established for 75 years.  Over 100 artists and craftsman reside their with shops, galleries, restaurants,  and lodging.  The shops are located on a large loop and being off the main drag makes it easier to pull off the road to check out the shops.  We saw some incredible crafts and got to see some really great demos.  The pottery and wood carving is amazing and there were so many things I saw that would make perfect gifts for family and friends.  I even got some ideas of items I could try to make.  It is a great way to spend the day and we didn't even get through the whole loop which means I will be returning for another round.  Thanks Robin and Lisa for a great day.  It was fun!
Today we have to say good bye to our friends Bob and Robin.  They are continuing on their journey and will be heading to Florida to visit family and friends.  We have had a such a great time and it still amazes me that when ever we get together, no matter how much time apart, it is like we never were apart.  We just pick up where we left off.  Thank you Bob and Robin for visiting at the farm.  We loved every minute and we love and will miss you!  Safe travels my friends!

Bowling Update

The Pin Busters are still going strong and have just finished the first round but in dead last.  I do believe I am definitely the reason for our standings but my team members are so sweet and do not seem to mind.  I really do not mind because I am doing this just for fun which is what they both agree with.  I have gotten a little better and yesterday was one of my better matches and we took all the points.  So, now that we are in our second week of the next round maybe we will get better.  The only regret is that I am going out of town and will miss the next three weeks but I will be bowling while I am gone for practice.  Go Pin Busters!

More Apple Barn Fun

After spending the morning at Cades Cove we were hungry and decided to go into Pigeon Forge for lunch.  There are a ton of places to eat but we decided to go to the Apple Barn for lunch.  When we got to there it was packed.  The parking lot that is normally only about half full during the week was completely full and cars were being parked along the road.  We surprisingly got a space and headed directly to the Apple Barn Farmhouse for lunch.  On Sundays there is only one menu and it is a bit more expensive but for the money you get a lot of food.  When you get seated you are served the apple julep and some apple fritters with apple butter.  We all decided to order the Pecan Chicken Salad with fruit.  When it was served it was huge and delicious.  There was so much that we all got two meals out of it.  After lunch we walked around the Apple Barn then headed to one of my favorite stores, especially during the holiday season, Old Time Pottery.  We walked around the store and picked up a couple of items.  I did not realize that Pigeon Forge had an Old Time Pottery so now that I do I will definitely be visiting it more often.  We had a great time in Pigeon Forge.

Cades Cove

On Sunday we had an early start, well at least the girls did.  While the guys were still sleeping and later playing golf the girls, Robin, Lisa and me, got up early and went to Cades Cove in the Smokey Mountains National Park near Gatlinburg.  It take a couple of hours to drive to Cades Cove from the house because of its location in the park but it is worth it.  We got there early because it can get very crowded and with the colors at their peak the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area is busy especially on a week end.  We got there right after that area of the park opened and were greeted with deer right away.  Cades Cove was a farming area until around the 1930s when the land was purchased by the park service and converted to a National Park.  The community moved out but all of their cabins, barns, etc were left.  The park service left the housing area and created an 11 mile loop you could drive, bike or hike to see what life was like in the mountains back then.  It also is a beautiful area with great views of the Smokey mountains.  We saw lots of deer this trip in all of the meadows and not just one or two but there were at least four to five every time.  We did not get to see any bears but heard they were around.  The weather was perfect, a little cool but sunny, and we had a great time.