The Most Wonderful (Hectic, Crazy, Cold, and Beautiful) Time of the Year

As you may have noticed, I haven't been blogging too much lately. Well, I hope you can forgive me, but my family and I have been extra busy getting ready for the holiday season! Christmas has always been a big deal in my family. In fact, my husband and I are driving almost 1000 miles for this Christmas season and are staying gone over a week to visit family and friends "back home."

Although the driving gets tiring and my mind gets restless in the car, seeing my family and friends whom I haven't seen or have gotten to spend quality time with in a while makes all of the hardship, gas money, and boredom in the car worth it. Every. Single. Time. We love and miss our friends and family greatly, so the driving is a very small price to pay.

We might be spending the actual holiday of Christ's birth in our hometowns, but Josh (the hubs) and I have gotten into the spirit by decorating our very own (and first!) Christmas tree, decorating gingerbread houses at holiday work functions, enjoying and walking in our local Christmas parades, enjoying our hot cocoa, and have been watching Christmas movies almost non-stop since December began! (We might be going
 overboard. But hey Christmas only comes once a year right?) Our pup has even gotten into the spirit by lying on his blanket beneath the tree. Let's not forgot the real reason for the season though-----Christ's birth. I pray you keep Him in mind as well over your crazy, hectic holiday plans.
Pictures of our Christmas season are posted below.

I hope all of you have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season this year!

Autumn Day at the Apple Barn

Hello lovely readers,

This past weekend my family and I traveled to Sevierville, Tennessee (home of the legendary Dolly Parton) and participated in some fun fall activities at the Apple Barn!

The Apple Barn is a large collection of rustic stores and restaurants that provides good, hearty food, flavorful cider and wines, and artisan-crafted goods. The location of this little village is off the main road in Sevierville across the street from a beautiful flowing river that I just HAD to explore. :)

We ate at the Apple Barn Restaurant, which was delicious. They even had gluten free options for me. You walk in the restaurant, and you're met with a beautiful mantle and fireplace to welcome you in. The restaurant is very quaint and made you feel like you were eating at your grandmother's house versus a restaurant.
Their menu was full of southern, hearty dishes like chicken-and-dumplings, chicken pot pie, and tender pork loin. The food was delicious and even came with a free dessert!

After eating, we wondered the shops which were full of artisan crafts including soaps, candles, food, candy, and Christmas decor. The stores were set in log-cabin like buildings with exposed wood accents, crafted staircases, and decorative mantles. I ended up purchasing an apple butter scented candle. It smells heavenly in my living room. I also bought a caramel and peanut-dipped candied apple that I saved for the ride home.

The small village included two restaurants, a candy store with a fudgery, a winery, an apple cider bar (which we didn't get to experience due to the crazy long lines), a general store, and a Christmas shoppe. It was the perfect setting for a perfect autumn day with family.

Hope the rest of your autumn is heavenly and full of fun, family memories!