🍂Holiday Season

Happy Sunday lovelies!

🍁Fall is a spectacular season. The colors (especially in Tennessee) are stunning each year. I was thrilled when Nathan and I made a quick trip back up to Knoxville a couple weeks ago, because we were able to see a decent amount of Fall colors in the mountains! The weather was chilly and dreary, but it was still beautiful. 

I stopped by The Consignment Shoppe in Farragut to do some shopping while Nathan worked at his observatory. The entire store was decked out in Christmas decor! I finally felt more excited about the upcoming holidays while looking around! 🎄

I ALWAYS find the most one of a kind, unique items at The Consignment Shoppe. I looked over the store about 6 different times, and kept finding things I didn't see before! The prices are insanely terrific. No matter what you are looking for, I bet you will find it at this shop!


It was a short trip to Knoxville, but I was glad we were able to see some friends and enjoy our quick visit!

Our furbaby sure was happy to see us when we got back home! He did not want to leave my lap!

Thanksgiving was so wonderful! We spent Thanksgiving at my Mother's this year; my brother and his family came up to visit as well. I had a blast spending time with my adorable nephew, but sure missed seeing my niece! There was a plethora of food (naturally), and the leftovers filled us up for days! 😆 My favorite Thanksgiving dish is green bean casserole! It is delicious! Our day was spent with too much food, hanging out with family, and just taking it easy.
I rarely participate in Black Friday shopping (I've worked retail and know how it goes) but Nathan and I did stop at a store to pick up a gift that we got a great deal on. Score!

Snuggles with my nephew!💕

Thankful ❤️

Pumpkin Pie!

Walking off some calories, to make room for more food!

With Thanksgiving officially over, we put up the Christmas decorations! It was quite strange not putting up my own decorations in my own home, but I am incredibly grateful that my Mother let me help her decorate her home! The Christmas music was blasting while we decorated, so now I'm even more excited for Christmas! 🎄

I hope everyone else had a fantastic Thanksgiving as well! 😊

QUESTIONS

* What is your favorite Thanksgiving food?

* Do you go Black Friday shopping or shop online?

* Do you put your Christmas decorations up before or after Thanksgiving?

Gobble Till You Wobble!

I hope everyone had a terrific and filling Thanksgiving!!

I had such an incredible Thanksgiving week with the hubby and his rents! The only problem was that time went by way too fast.

Saturday, before Thanksgiving, I spent the day prepping the house for Nathan's rents! Riley certainly was keeping himself entertained.

Nathan's parents came into town late Sunday evening!
Monday, I had to work for a little bit, but for dinner, we tried a place we haven't been to yet, a German restaurant - Restaurant Linderhof! It was beautiful inside! Our waiter was extremely knowledgable about the German food, and helped us make our delicious meal choices!

Restaurant Linderhof

I went with something I normally wouldn't try! I had the eggplant ratatouille with spatzle on the side. Spatzle is a type of egg noodle, and it sure is yummy!

I really look forward to going back and trying their other dishes!

Eggplant Ratatouille

Tuesday morning, we went to Nick & J's cafe for breakfast! Nick & J's was an adorable diner, just like the diners' you see in the movies. The atmosphere was relaxing, yet fun. The service and food was even better!

Nick & J's Cafe

Western Omelette

After a delicious breakfast, we all headed home. Kay and I worked on projects with the Silhouette Cameo 3 machine. The boys worked on their projects and began smoking the meats to have for Thanksgiving.

Silhouette Cameo 3 cutting machine!

Resting Grinch Face

Ta Da!

Figuring out how to work the Silhouette Cameo machine was awesome! The possibilities are endless when it comes to crafting! I look forward to making some new projects! 😄

Thanksgiving Eve, we all went to Painting with a Twist!

It's always such a fun time going to Painting with a Twist. It never gets old!

Ready to start painting!

Our finished paintings!

THANKSGIVING DAY:

We all knew we would be eating a plethora of food later that day, which made us decide to head over to Lilly Bluff first and get some fresh air and "hiking" in. We all wore our new shirts! Nathan and I wore shirts with a turkey that said "Pour Some Gravy on Me," and Kay & Steve wore shirts with cooked turkeys that said "Let's Get Basted." 😂

Pour Some Gravy On Me T-shirt

Lilly Bluff 

The Lilly Bluff overlook is a beautiful spot! 

Obed River

Showing off our t-shirts

Holly

For our Thanksgiving feast we had our traditional Raclette dinner! We brought out the raclette Swiss grill that cooks the meat on the top, and melts the cheese on the bottom. Gruyere cheese is our preferred choice, over the raclette cheese. The turkey had already been smoked, but the grill heated up the turkey on top.

For our side dishes, we had green bean casserole, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and baby red potatoes.

Nathan made an excellent pumpkin pie cheesecake for dessert. Talk about being stuffed! 

SO. MUCH. FOOD.

Thanksgiving Feast

Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake

BLACK FRIDAY:

Nathan and I both had to work on Black Friday. Kay and Steve volunteered to come to work with me! Thank goodness they were there to help at the store, because we were BUSY! 

Kay and I made snowflake earrings with the Silhouette Cameo 3 machine and faux leather material to wear on Black Friday - along with the Christmas t-shirts we made!

Snowflake Earrings

Cookies!!!!

Meet Molly - Santa's little helper!

Selfies with Santa

After work, we had a chill afternoon relaxing back at the house. 

Nathan's parents had to head back home on Saturday. 😞
It was a pretty chill day, I began putting up Christmas decorations! I can't wait to have them all up!

Beginning to put up Christmas decorations!

'Tis the season for Peppermint Mocha creamer!!

After such an exciting week, it's officially back to reality. It is time to finish putting up the Christmas decorations and clean/organize the house!

🎄

QUESTIONS FOR YOU:

* How was your Thanksgiving?

* What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish?

* Have you started putting up Christmas decorations?

Thanksgiving, Goo Goo Dolls, and Birthday Celebrations!

The past few weeks have truly been incredible! 

There is a lot to catch up on, so I will begin with Thanksgiving!  :)

Nathan's parents came out for Thanksgiving - It went by way too quickly, but it sure was tons of fun!

We never have a traditional turkey dinner feast, we get out our raclette grill and cook turkey & steak on the top and melt our gruyere cheese on the bottom. Of course, we had the extra sides too!

You can learn more about the raclette grill here: Raclette Grill

The day after Thanksgiving (aka Black Friday) Nathan had to work, so Kay, Steve, and I went to Painting with a Twist!!! 

This painting was so enjoyable! It certainly was *merry* and a fantastic way to end Thanksgiving and begin the Christmas season!

There was a contest to draw a winter scene on the paper plates without looking (while the plate is on top of your head) - Steve won second place, and I won third place! Woohoo!

Painting away!!

Painting is always a good idea!  :)

After black Friday, Nathan's parents headed out of town, thus began the start of Christmas decorating!

Riley was determined to help....hehe!  ;)

After much anticipation,  Nathan and I finally saw the Goo Goo Dolls at Tennessee Theatre!!

The band Goo Goo Dolls was pretty much my favorite band in my younger years.

 :) The entire night was perfection!

Waiting for the concert to begin!

The Goo Goo Dolls!!! Aaahhhhhh!!!!

After an exciting night at the concert, the next day was spent traveling to Charleston.

I was ready to spend my Birthday weekend with Nathan, and my parents (at the time, I didn't know what surprises were waiting for me). 

On my Birthday, I was told that after 3pm I had to go along with whatever plans Nathan and my parents had, no questions asked.  The first surprise was that my brother and his wife, Jamie, came to celebrate with us!  The second surprise was that we each had rooms booked at the hotel (Tides) on Folly Beach for the night! I had mentioned a while back that I wanted to be at the beach for my Birthday, for me, it didn't get better than that (or so I thought).  I was stunned! It turns out, that wasn't the end of my surprises!

We all headed to Folly Beach and checked into the hotel. We then sat in the lounge and had a drink while we waited for reservations at my favorite restaurant on Folly - Snapper Jacks.

Nathan, Dad, Ryan, Jamie, and Mom hanging out in the lounge!

The time came for dinner at Snapper Jacks, and that's where the last surprise awaited for me!

I almost fainted because sitting at our table were my many bestest friends (that live in different states)!! I cannot even describe how stunned I was, or how long it took me to get over my shock of what was happening.

Never, have I ever, been surprised like that in my entire life! My husband planned it all out months in advance, to which I had remained completely clueless.

Not everyone is pictured below, but there was: Nathan, Dave, Nick, Rachel, Meagan, Ashley, Jessica, Megan, Jamie S., Mom, Dad, Ryan, and Jamie D. all there to celebrate my Birthday with me!  <3

Needless to say, my Birthday was most incredible, exciting night of my life! I'm blessed to have the most loving, supportive husband, family, and friends!

After one of the best nights of my life, I had one of my wishes come true - waking up on the beach!

Later that evening, a group of us went to the James Island Festival of Lights!!

Checking out the James Island Christmas lights was a delightful way to enjoy our last night in Charleston together.

I want to thank my husband, family, and friends for bringing me an immense amount of joy and happiness!  <3

:) Now it is time to get ready for Christmas! Christmas day will be here before we know it!

QUESTIONS FOR Y'ALL:

* Are you ready for Christmas?

* What is your favorite Christmas tradition?