Our Trip To Doolywood: Part 1

Thursday, September 29th, we packed up the van and camper then headed to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. We left the house around 8:45 am and got up there around lunchtime. We grabbed a quick bite to eat at Burger King before heading to the campground we were camping at. 

Upon arriving at Clabough's Campground, DH stared setting up the camper and screened porch. Once the camper was up; I started making up beds, putting away our clothes, and organizing the snack food. When everything was ready, DH and I went to Walmart to buy a mirror (I had forgotten mine) and batteries for the camera. We drove around a little looking for the turn off to Dollywood and a steak house we were wanting to try. We also went looking for one of the free fall roller coasters to see how much it would cost to ride. 

We headed back to the camper and picked up DD, then we headed back to the roller coaster - The Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster. DH and DD rode it one time ( I opted out), then DH rode it again. Both of them enjoyed and DH would have rode it a 3rd time, but it was time for some supper. 

DH and DD on their way up the mountain.

On their way down.

DH on his way back up again.

On his way down...

going as fast as it would let him go.

Having decided we wanted pizza for supper, we headed to a pizza place we had never eaten at before - Mellow Mushroom. We ordered a medium size pizza - half cheese and half with sausage and mushrooms. The pizza only had 6 slices, but it more than enough and was very delicious. I also ordered a small salad and when it came it was way bigger than a small salad. It was good, too.

  

As we drove back to the campground, we couldn't help admiring all of the fall decorations that were up all over town. Most of the buildings were decked out and there were decorations on almost every corner. It gave me a lot of ideas to take home and try out. 

Back at the camper, we settled down for some tv watching. It wasn't long before we called it a night so we could get plenty of rest before our day a Dollywood. 

Check back tomorrow for Part 2. Simply loving to life I am living!  

A Week Of Breakfast Breads: Strawberry Muffins

As I may have told you before, we LOVE strawberries. One of the ways I like to use fresh strawberries or strawberries I have put up in the freezer is to make muffins. I make a batch of muffins and set some aside to warm up for breakfast the next morning, then freeze the rest for future meals. 

Strawberry Muffins

• 6 Tbsp of butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cup of sugar 
• 1 large egg & 2 large egg yolks
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract
• 3 cups plus 2 Tbsp of flour (I use 2 cups plus 2 Tbsp of white flour and 1 cup of whole wheat flour.)
• 3 tsp of baking powder
• 1 tsp of salt
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 3/4 cup of strawberries, chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. 

Add the egg, egg yolks, and vanilla. Mix well. 

Add flour mixture and alternate with the milk. Mix until everything is just combined. 

Add the berries a little at a time folding them in gently. 

Add batter to greased muffins time. Sprinkle the top with sugar. 

Bake for 30 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Remove the muffins to a wire rack and cool completely. Enjoy!

When I make these muffins using frozen strawberries, I thaw them out and let the drain in a seive to remove some of the moisture, then pat them dry before adding them to the batter. 

If you love strawberries and muffins, then this recipe is simply for you! 

A Week Of Breakfast Breads: Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

Cream Cheese Coffee Cake is one of my favorite breakfast breads. I found this recipe while I was watching an episode of America's Test Kitchen. Every time I have made it and served it to family or guests, it has been a big hit. People have also been impressed with the way it looks when it is cut. 

Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

Lemon Sugar-Almond Topping

• 1/4 cup of sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp of lemon zest
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds (optional -I don't like almonds so I just use the sugar and lemon zest as the topping.)

Cake

• 2 1/4 cup of flour (I use 1 1/2 cup of flour and 3/4 cup of whole wheat flour.)
• 1 1/8 tsp of baking soda
• 1 1/8 tsp of baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 10 Tbsp of unsalted butter (1 stick plus 2 Tbsp)
• 1 cup plus 7 Tbsp of sugar
• 1 Tbsp of lemon zest plus 4 tsp of lemon juice from 1 to 2 lemons
• 4 large eggs
• 5 tsp of vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cup of sour cream
• 8 oz of cream cheese, softened

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 10" tube pan. 

Stir together the 1/4 cup of sugar and 1 1/2 tsp of lemon zest. (If you want to use almonds, now is the time to add it to the sugar and lemon zest. 

In a large bowl; whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. 

In a stand mixer bowl; beat the butter, 1 cup plus 2Tbsp of sugar, and 1 Tbsp of lemon zest with paddle attachment on medium speed until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. 

Add eggs 1 at at time, beating after each addition. Scraping down the sides of the bowl when necessary. 

Add 4 tsp of vanilla extract and combine well. 

Reduce speed to low and add 1/3 of the flour mixture and half of the sour cream, mixing until incorporated after each addition. Repeat with half of the flour mixture that is left and the rest of the sour cream. Scrape down bowl and then add the rest of the flour mixture. Mix on low until batter is thoroughly combined. 

Remove bowl from mixer. Fold batter once or twice with rubber spatula to incorporate any remaining flour. 

Reserve 1 1/4 cup of the batter and set aside. Spoon remaining batter into the tube pan and smooth the top. 

Return empty bowl to the mixer. In it beat the cream cheese, the remaining 5 Tbsp of sugar, lemon juice, and remaining tsp of vanilla extract on medium speed until the mixture is smooth. Add 1/4 cup of reserved batter and incorporate. 

Spoon cream cheese filling evenly over the batter in the pan, leaving about 1 inch from the edge of the pan. Smooth out the mixture. Spread the remaining batter over the filling and smooth the top. 

With a butter knife or offset spatula, gently swirl filling into the batter using figure-8 motion. Be careful to not drag filling to the bottom or edge of pan. 

Firmly tap pan on the counter 2 or 3 times to dislodge any bubbles. Sprinkle lemon sugar mixture over the batter and gently press into the batter to adhere. 

Bake until the top is golden and firm, and a long skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean (skewer will be wet in inserted into the cream cheese filling. Baking time is usually 45 to 50 minutes. 

Remove pan from oven and firmly tap on the counter 2 to 3 times (top of cake may sink slightly.) Cool cake in pan in a wire rack for an hour. 

Gently invert the cake onto a rimmed baking sheet and remove from pan. Place wire rack on top of the cake and invert cake sugar-side up. Cool to room temperature for about 1 1/2 hours. Cut into slices and serve. Enjoy! 

Obviously, this is one breakfast bread you will need to make the night before if you plan on serving it for breakfast. It is easy to warm up in the microwave for a few seconds or a few minutes in a low degree oven. 

This recipe isn't available on America's Test Kitchen's website, unless you have a subscription. However, you can view a video on the making of the cake at the following link: Cream Cheese Coffee Cake Video.  

Living life simply and loving the simple life!  

A Week Of Breakfast Breads: Banana Nut Bread

Truth time, I do NOT like Banana Nut bread and the rest of my family, not so much. However, my daddy loves it and since my momma can't stomach the smell of cooked bananas, I make it for him. On Father's Day and on his birthday, he knows he is going to be getting banana nut bread for a present. He shares some of it for a co-worker of his and I have made some for this co-worker as a present for Christmas. Daddy says it is really, really good. So, if you like Banana Nut Bread this recipe is just for you! 

Banana Nut Bread

• 1/3 cup of Crisco (or shortening)
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 3/4 cup of all-purpose flour (I use 1 cup of white flour and 3/4 cup of whole wheat.)
• 1 tsp of baking powder
• 1/2 tsp of baking soda
• 1/2 tsp of salt
• 1 cup of mashed bananas (usually takes about 2 to 3 bananas.)
• 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts (optional)

All the ingredients you will need.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour one 9" X 5" X 3 " loaf baking pan. I like to use 3 little loaf pans. 

Mash bananas up with a fork until you have enough to measure 1 cup. I cut the bananas into slices before I mash then up. 

 

In a mixing bowl, place the shortening and sugar. Combine and beat for about 1 minute. Stop and scrape down the bowl then beat for another minute or so until light and fluffy. 

Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add eggs and beat until well combined.

In a large bowl; combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. 

Add half of the flour mixture and half the bananas to the sugar mixture and beat for a minute. Scrape down the bowl then add the rest of the flour and bananas. Beat until well combined. 

At this point, add chopped walnuts and combine. 

Pour the batter into your prepared pan or pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes. (If you use little pans, they take about the same baking time. Just keep an eye on them.)

Cool for 5 minutes in pans, then remove from pans and place of wire cooling rack. Cool completely. 

I use the 3 little loaf pans so that daddy can eat on one and freeze the rest for some other time. This bread freezes well. 

I am sure you could bake this batter in muffin tins. You will just have to adjust the baking time. When they start to getting golden brown on top and a toothpick comes out clean, then they are done. Enjoy!

Living a simple life and loving every second of it! 

A Week Of Breakfast Breads: Monkey Bread

DD loves Monkey Bread. I think she could eat the whole pan if I would let her. I like because it is easy to make and is quite yummy, too! It combines brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon to make a decadent breakfast bread. Any leftovers can be warmed up the next morning in the microwave for a few seconds and it will still be yummy.

Monkey Bread

• 2 - 5 count cans of Pillsbury Grand or Jr. Grand Biscuits. (I use the Flaky Original Layer Biscuits or the Flaky Layers Butter Tastin' Biscuits.) 
• 1 Tbsp of cinnamon
• 1 cup of white sugar
• 1 stick of butter, melted
• 1 cup of brown sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 8" X 11" pan.

 

Place the tbsp of cinnamon and the cup of white sugar in a Ziploc bag. Shake bag to combine. 

 

Cut the biscuits into 4 pieces, then place them in the Ziploc bag. Shake the pieces in the bag until well coated. 

 

Place the pieces into a greased 8" X 11" pan. 

 

In a large glass measuring glass or a large bowl, melt the stick of butter. Add the cup of brown sugar to it and combine. 

 

Pour the butter/brown sugar mixture over the pieces of biscuits in the pan. Use a knife to separate some of the pieces so the mixture can go in between the pieces. 

 

Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, Check to see if any of the pieces in the middle of the dish are still gooey. If so continue to bake, checking at 5 minutes intervals until the pieces are no longer gooey. 

 

Let the monkey bread cool for about 10 minutes before serving. If served right out of the oven, it can burn your tongue. 

 

Spoon some onto your plate and enjoy! 

 

Living a simple life and thankful for every minute of it! 

A Week Of Breakfast Breads: Pancakes

This week I am sharing some of my family's favorite breakfast breads recipes. All of these breads would make a great accompaniment to any breakfast or as the star of the meal served with fruit. A few can be prepared the night before. Some can be divided up and frozen for future meals. Others are best served warm right out of the oven. All of them are unique. 

DH loves pancakes. I am not a big fan of them, but I can eat them if they are sweet enough and I have strawberry syrup to pour over them. The recipe I use comes from my Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer owner's manual/cookbook. It is a simple and easy recipe to throw together. I usually mix up the dry ingredients the night before, then DH adds the wet ingredients when he is ready to make them the next morning. I make them sweeter than the recipe calls for but the recipe can easily be adjusted to your family's taste.  The recipe gives instructions of how to make the pancakes using the mixer. I just use a whisk to mix the ingredients together.

Pancakes

• 1 1/2 cup of flour (I use 3/4 cup of all purpose and 3/4 cup of whole wheat.)
• 2 tsp of baking powder
• 1 tsp of sugar (I add about 3 Tbsp.)
• 1/2 tsp of salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/4cups of milk
• 3 Tbsp of shortening, melted (I use butter. I think it gives the pancakes a richer taste.)

 

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. 

 

Add the 2 eggs, the milk, and the melted butter, then use a whisk to combine the ingredients together. 

 

Heat a heavy griddle or cast iron pan. Use a non-stick cooking spray to spray the griddle or pan with or melt butter in the pan. 

 

Pour about 1/3 cup of batter for each pancake onto the griddle or pan. Cook 1 to 2 minutes or until bubbles form on the surface and the edges become dry. Turn and cook 1 to 2 minutes longer or until golden brown on the underside. 

When the pancakes are cooked, place the on a platter and keep them warm in an oven on low heat about 200 degrees. 

Serve them with butter and your choice of syrup. Enjoy! 

Living a simple life and loving every minute of it!

My Pillows

While I was in high school, I had a wreck in a Volkswagen Beetle and flip it several times. I almost got a ticket for driving left of center while I was flipped upside down. Yes, it sounds ridiculous but it is completely true! I was banged up and bruised but had no major injuries. However, the effects of that wreck began to show up years later in my neck. 

About 15 years ago, I started having a terrible time with my neck and shoulders. I went to the  doctor and he diagnosed me with bulging disks in my neck. He prescribed anti-inflammatories along with pain pills. The anti-inflammatories tore up my stomach and weren't helping. The doctor then gave me exercises to try. They helped some but the problem still remained. It was getting worse and I was losing sleep. 

After one very bad week, DH made me an appointment with a chiropractor. I was amazed at the relief he provided me. I have been going for 15 years now. I started out going every 4 to 6 weeks, then I was able to push my appointments out to 6 to 8 weeks and now I am up to every 8 to 12 weeks.

Besides giving me adjustments, he has given me advice of what to do or not do. He has advised me on when to ice or apply heat. He also recommended two different types of pillows for me. A D-shaped Cervical pillow for my neck and a body pillow to help with hip joint pain I inherited from my daddy's side of the family. 

The D-shaped Cervial pillow has a d-shaped hole in the middle to lay your head in while the lobe supports the neck. The design is to help restore the natural curvature of the neck, which it does. This pillow has provided me with a more comfortable night sleep. An added plus is that Miss Oakley loves the pillows too. The hole in the middle is just the right size for her to curl up in. 

Pic via Core Products

Most of my daddy's side of the family seems to have a hip problem of some sort. Whether it is a sciatica nerve issues or inflamed hip joints. My is more of the inflamed hip joint issue. Going to the chiropractor helps me out a lot. The adjustment relieves a lot of the pain and gives me some relief, but what has helped me the most is using a body pillow which was recommended by my chiropractor. I sleep with the pillow between my knees when I lay on my side or use it to prop up my right side (which is the problem side) while I am on my back. Since I have started using a body pillow, I have had a lot less issues with my hip. 

Pic via Walmart

Both of these pillows go with me where ever we travel. I don't think I would sleep very well without them. I have even got DH hooked on using a body pillow. Both these pillows are simple good thing!

Living life and loving every minute of it! 

My Go To Beauty Products: My Favorite Fragrance

When it comes to fragrances, I am very picky. I don't like anything heavy or overpowering. Most of the VERY expensive fragrances are to cloying for me. They also tend to inflame my asthma symptoms. I like light, floral fragrances. Fragrances that you wear that don't wear you. So when I found the Sweet Pea Collection at Bath & Body Works, I was hooked. 

Pic via Bath & Body Works

Sweet Pea has a lot of floral and fruit notes to it, but it stills manages to be a light fragrance. I use several of products in this fragrance line. I love the fragrance mist which covers me with enough scent that people get just a hint of it when I walk by. I also use love the body lotion, shower gel, and bubble bath. 

Two of my favorites in this line is the body cream and sugar scrub. The body cream doesn't leave your skin feeling greasy like some lotions or creams can. It leaves your skin feeling silky. The sugar scrub is a great product to use to exfoliate your skin. DH spoiled me for my b-day this year by buying me several tubes of it. We have heard it has been discontinued for now, but I am hoping that it will come back soon because they are in the middle of a packaging change. 

I love Bath & Body Works. They have a lot of fragrances and products to choose from. I like a lot of their different fragrances and have tried some, but my favorite is the Sweet Pea. It is my signature fragrance collection!

Living a simple life and loving every minute of it! 

My Go To Beauty Products: My Make-Up

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I rarely wear make-up. I definitely don't wear make-up while I am at home or when I go to work. After years of rubbing off my eye make-up and smearing mascara everywhere when my allergies were bothering my eyes, I just don't bother with putting make-up on. However, I will put on make-up when we go out to eat or to a movie or to a party or church.

I have used everything from Avon to Mary Kay to Maybelline make-up, but Cover Girl make-up is what I use the most. Although right now, I am using L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Sculpt Mascara. I like L'Oreal's mascara, but I am not over the moon about and will probably switch back to a Covergirl mascara when it is gone. 

I believe make-up should look as natural as possible. I live by the axiom of you should wear the make-up the make-up shouldn't wear you. So I tend to choose neutrals and shades of brown. I add a pop of color with my green eyeliner. 

For a foundation, I like to use Cover Girl Clean Matte Liquid Foundation in Classic Ivory. It matches my skin tone well and is easy to blend in. For a foundation powder, I use Cover Girl Professional Powder Make-up in Translucent Light or Fair.  It matches the foundation I use well. It also gives a polished look without giving a caked on look. 

For my eyes, I like to use eye make-up in shades of brown. I buy Cover Girl Eye Enhancers 4-Kit Shadows in Country Woods or Natural Nudes. Those shades match my coloring well. They enhance my eyes without being overbearing. To make my green eyes stand out, I like to use a green eye liner - which may or may not be Cover Girl depending on whether I can find it in green. For my lashes, I like to use black mascara. 

I don't like the feel of lipstick on my lips, so I go for more of the gloss or lip balm product on my lips. I use shades of pink or peach, because anything else just looks to harsh on my face and for my coloring. 

I am by no means a make-up expert, but I know what looks good on me and what doesn't. I have picked up a few make-up tips from family, friends, and tv shows that have really helped me with my putting on make-up over the years and I am still learning more. Over on Pinterest, I have a board called Make-Up Mastery where I am compiling tips, ideas, and tools for me to learn more about make-up and to improve my make-up techniques. Go and take a look at it! 

Living life simply and enjoying every minute of it!

My Go To Beauty Products: Olay

Growing up, the soap of our household was Jergens soap. It was the only soap that didn't break my momma out. When I got married and set up a household, we started out using Jergens. It wasn't that soon before, DH started breaking out. So, we tried all different kinds of products from Dove to Ivory to Dial. All of those products dried me skin out terribly. We finally landed on Olay soap. It didn't dry my skin out and DH didn't react to it, so we had found our new soap. 

Pic via Olay

As I have gotten older and getting closer to 50 with each passing years, I started noticing littles wrinkles and that wrinkles that kept appearing. My skin is really in good condition because I don't smoke, drink, or lay out in the sun or tan. I rarely wear make-up due to seasonal allergies that affect my eyes. Yet, my skin is changing with age. So when I started looking products to help out with wrinkles and bags under the eyes. The first product I tried was Olay products and I am very pleased with them. I use 3 products from the Regenerist line of products. 

As a moisturizer, I use their Olay Regenerist Regenerating Lotion W/Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15. It doesn't have a heavily scented smell. It is easy to put on. It makes my skin feel soft and moisturized.  I also like that it has a sunscreen in it. I use it when I am going to be outside instead of regular sunscreen which makes my stings my skin. 

Pic via Olay

For a face cleanser and exfoliant, I use Olay Regenerist Regenerating Cream Cleanser. It is easy to use. It cleans and exfoliates my skin gently. I like the tube it comes because you can get every last (or almost every last) bit of cream out of it.

Pic via Olay

Around the eyes, I use Olay Regenerist Eye Lifting Serum (which I just found out that they are discontinuing.)  I really liked this product. It did make my eyes look better and it didn't sting when I accidentally got some in my eye. I am really disappointed that it is being discontinued. I guess I will have to switch to Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Eye Swirl, Eye Treatment. When I buy some and try it, I will let you know what I think about it. 

Pic via Olay.

Pic via Olay.

Aging is a natural process and I believe in aging naturally as gracefully as possible. However, it never hurts to take care of your skin and using products out that are out there to do so. While products like this do help, I still believe the best thing you can do for your skin is to not smoke, not drink heavily, not lay out in the sun or a tanning bed, eat a health diet, get plenty of rest, and wear make-up as little as possible. 

Simply aging as gracefully as I possible can and loving every minute of it!