Getting Wild and Crazy at Wildcat Creek

The National Park Service doesn't have anything on my parents (correction, father). Nor does an engineer with his fancy, smancy degree. I take it my father has watched one too many episodes of How It's Made or how it's built or how it's anything. My family home is located near the beautiful Wildcat Creek in Calhoun County, Florida. This creek feeds into the even more beautiful Chipola River. (seriously, you haven't tubed until you have gone down the crystal clear waters of the Chipola) We have a small national treasure on our hands, complete with natural springs and our very own "waterfall" that disappears into the ground, just to come out at the banks of the Wildcat Creek. But we are the lucky ones that are the only ones to get to enjoy it.

Waterfall, kinda

My father and his nephew and his sons have been diligently working on their little "mangrounds" or campground, to normal people. It started when they began clearing out a trail from my parents house to the nephews house, which is located across the creek and through the woods a good little ways, so that the boys can ride their four wheeler back and forth between the two houses. The only problem was how to cross the creek. Well...this is what they came up with.

Bridge

That's right, well drilling stem and cattle fencing. Looks safe, right? But I guess it works. And the other ramp is for this.

The doggies can't walk across the bridge because their litttle paws would fall through, so they have their own special crossing. Now for a peek at the "work in progress" campground.

There are a few candle lanterns hung up and then the infamous tractor tire rim grill. The pallets were used in the first attempt at a bridge, but was quickly abandoned for obvious reasons.

My father made this little bench/table to put down there, so that when they have their manly bonding time, they have somewhere to sit and eat.

Pretty nifty, right? Who knew that pops had woodworking skillz up his sleeve! And here are a few more random pictures from down at the creek!

Next time I am home, I will have to go deeper in the woods to the spot in the creek where there is a beautiful sandy beach area. But I had on my good shoes, so that didn't happen on this past trip!!

Over the Mountains and Through the Woods.....

This past week, I had the opportunity to go with my grandmother to Tennessee for a few days. I met her and her cousin and his wife in Pigeon Forge on Sunday. I beat them up there, so I got to get in a little retail therapy before my "Senior Week" kicked off! All in all, I had a wonderful time and enjoyed getting to spend time with my grandmother and see the beautiful scenery that the Smoky Mountains are known for. The only complaint I can say is that my idea of a steak house IS NOT Golden Corral and hopefully this week will be my only appearance at one of those establishments again. (Not a big fan of the stop and sweat buffets)

On Monday, we braced from the cold and headed out to Dollywood. It was Gospel Week and there were many Gospel groups there singing. I didn't take any pictures while at Dollywood. My hands were too cold to get my camera out! We left at lunch and then road up through Gatlinburg and hit the road tour through the national park.

On Tuesday, it rained and rained and rained some more. We didn't really do anything on Tuesday, due to the rain. Although I did slip away and went to the huge Christmas shop and picked up some ornaments for me and Mama Bernice. (and maybe one for JR and Brutus to celebrate their first Christmas)

Wednesday turned out to be a gorgeous and warm day. We started out in the morning for Cades Cove. I absolutely loved it out there. I wish Joseph had been there to see all the beautiful scenery and wildlife. Really breathtaking.

Wednesday was a great day, that is until after lunch. Lindy and Marie decided to go back to Dollywood for some more shows, so we decided to just hang back and do a little sightseeing/shopping by ourselves. We hopped in my car and away we went. That is until I heard a CLOMP, CLOMP, CLOMP. Of course, grandma heard it too. So I pulled over, just thinking maybe I had a limb or something caught under my car. Umm....no. It was my tire. Yes. My front left tire decided that now was the time to start coming off, with my worry-wort grandmother in there with me. To my defense, I knew I needed new tires and was trying to get a new set before this trip, but my tire size is not standard and everywhere I called was out in Tallahassee and Thomasville. So I was hoping that they would be okay until I returned. But they apparently weren't. So we found a nice little tire shop and thankfully, they had my tires. No trip to Knoxville to hunt some down!! So I got to ride home on four brand new tires, so nice and smooth. I was just thankful it did it when it did and not driving 75 down the interstate!

So that was my trip. I had a great time and I was happy to go and let my grandmother enjoy seeing the mountains again. Maybe next year the whole family can go!

What are those Dapper Darlings up to??

What are those bad  sweet, little puppies up to these days? Well, since they have grown they haven't been able to hide under the coffee table, so they have moved on to the ottoman. And needless to say, the police will probably come arrest me now, because they removed the "do not remove tag, due to federal prosecution" tag. Anyway, here are a few pictures.

JR showing his teeth, telling me to get out of their playhouse!!

And last but not least, I have to share with you a little visitor that the pups LOVE to play with!!

You got it, they love to play with Mr. Hanky. So everyday when we get home, Joseph and I get a big HOWDY HO from him! They like to let him lay in their bed with them. It is so gross, but we have to laugh and say how Mr. Hanky has made his appearance and it isn't even Christmas!! (to all of you that don't watch South Park, that is where Mr. Hanky comes from) Sorry to gross you out, but we have tried everything to get them to stop, but I guess it is too much fun!! Anyways, hope everyone has a great weekend, from our smelly pups to yours!!

Break out the comfort food!!

Last night I had a major craving for something warm and home-y feeling. It was yucky, overcast weather all day and I just wanted something warm. So I thought that I would share one of my favorite comfort foods, courtesy of my wonderful mother!  Here is what you need to make Santa Fe soup:

Here's what you need to do. Brown the ground beef and onions. Drain. Next add the two packets of taco seasoning and the 2 packets of ranch seasoning. Then add your tomatoes, beans, and corn. Bring to a simmering boil and then reduce heat to low. Simple as that!! I serve mine over rice with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream. Enjoy!!

The Dapper Darlings

I haven't updated recently on our new additions to the family or on precious Oscar. The babies love their new home and they get plenty of love and attention. Oscar has finally warmed up to them and I know that as they get bigger, the more he will play with them. Right now they just aren't that much of a challenge for him. He can throw them down with one easy swoop of his mighty paw. Then the boys get upset because he can just thrash them about, so they generally end up playing with just each other and Oscar goes back to watching them play from his comfy perch on the couch!!
As you can see, these little ones are growing like weeds!! They are super fun, but a lot of work. If we can survive until they are house broken, then we can survive anything!!!

The Hunt for a New Couch

I have started the exhaustive search for a new couch. As much as I love the ones I have now, they won't be lasting too much longer. The couch is broken and is currently being held up in the middle by a small coke bottle. So yes, I need a new one!! I have seriously been considering getting a sectional from Pottery Barn. But I can't decide if I want to go with the upholstered one or the slipcovered one. I know the slipcovered one has the advantage of being able to come off to be washed, but I'm just not sure. Or am I even a sectional kind of gal? But I guess if Candace Olson is a big fan of them, who am I to question her wonderful taste?

Slipcovered

Upholstered

Then the question begins on what color do I go with? Twill or brushed canvas? Suede or herringbone? White or cream? Tan or caramel? It goes on and on. I do know that I want it to be a neutral color. I would love to have a white couch, but I know that we are not the we-can-have-white-furniture-and-not-get-it-dirty type people. I have requested some swatches from Pottery Barn, so I guess I will be better able to decide what fabric/color to go with!! I have to be able to see and feel the fabric. I'm not the kind to drop a small fortune on a piece of furniture sight unseen! Like yesterday, I ran over to Haverty's just to check out what they had. I saw a sectional from across the showroom and thought it looked nice. Then I got up close. Bad. Very bad. I don't know what kind of crazy fabric the manufacturer had picked out to use. It was hideous. It was like a cross between a herringbone, chenille, popcorn-y type hot mess. I said no with a quickness. So...the search continues!!

Cute or [candy] Corny?

Now that it is "officially" fall, I thought it would be a good time to start decorating for the season. Okay, that's a lie. I was really in the dollar store and found some decorations and thought that I would get some stuff to put on my porch. No preplanning done whatsoever. So with the stuff that I got at the good ol' Dollar General and Big Lots, I made a dorky, sad little display. But it was cheap and I knew I had to act fast. Which brings me to one of my BIGGEST pet peeves with stores. It. Is. September. NOT December, NOT even November, and NOT even October for goodness sake!! Funny, Halloween is still a month away and I would have been hard pressed to really find any Halloween stuff. They were moving out the Halloween and Fall stuff already and had Christmas stuff up. I guess if you need Halloween stuff, you need to get it in July or August and don't even worry about Thanksgiving. Stores might display Thanksgiving decorations for like 3 days in early September. So that is my MEMO to stores, try to not go too psycho crazy and start making us think about Christmas before Halloween has even passed!
[JUMP]

That was me getting off my soapbox if you were wondering.

So here are some pictures of the stuff that I scored.

I love these pumpkins. Go Dollar General!

I got these little leaf plates for cheap and the Give Thanks thingie at Big Lots.

My little display at the door.

Sad wreath. But it is Orange and Red without a bunch of fake leaves on it!So what do you think? This stuff a Trick or a Treat?