Operation Grow a Snapdragon in an Egg

Day One

SB2K12 in the Smoky Mountains

Who knew I would still have a spring break when I was 26 years old!?!? Well, I don't really, but Joe does, and I'm not about to be left out. After a ski trip to Vail fell through, we decided to go to Gatlinburg and go "camping."

This is Joe's idea of camping:

 Yeah, yeah- this picture looks nice.

How about this one?

And thanks to me being a brat, here is how we actually camped:

 ohhhhh wilderness..

We got a last minute deal on this sweet cabin, and we were off! Of course the weather forecast consisted of constant thunderstorms for the entire time we were there...but once again, the weatherman was wrong! You just cant trust those crazy fools! It did, however, pour rain on us for the entire trip from Nashville to Gatlinburg and it was pitch black when we got to the mountains. We had to go allll the way to the top of a mountain to get the keys to our cabin, and I think I developed a new stomach ulcer. It was probably the scariest thing I have ever done (note: I didn't actually even do anything - Joe was driving the Prius.)

We FINALLY made it all the way back down to the cabin and immediately checked the place out and hopped in the hot tub.

I woke up super early the next morning because of my work alarm (not usually a spring break-er kind of problem) and the eastern time zone was really throwing me off, so I got to see my first sunrise in a loooong time. Definitely worth it!

 smooooky

The whole cabin was decorated with interesting bear chotskys, such as:

When college Joe woke up, we got ourselves together and set off for our first day of hiking, at the Alum Caves Bluff. This trail was recommended to us by a park ranger, who obviously took one look at us and assumed that we should hike a "strenuous" trail. This immediately made us both feel very cocky. 

 We loved this hike, there was a crazy cave to climb through and so many pretty views along the way.

After we finished our hike, we were super tired from the strenuousity and headed home. We got there right before a thunderstorm came, and we enjoyed the rest of our night at our bear-themed cabin "Under the Stars" with French 75's.


The next day we were ready for another day full of hiking so we headed to Cades Cove. It was raining when we got there so we drove around the park and searched for bears. 

no spottings :( we did see lots of deer and turkey

Once the rain stopped, we hiked around Cades Cove until I couldn't walk anymore, and then we did another loop around the park at sunset. No bears were sighted.

 kayakers going down the waterfall!!

Investigating bear poop

We picked up some Cuban food on the way home and enjoyed our last night of vacation!

Someone made a stop at a knife superstore on the way home, while someone else was super bored and creeped out. Back to the real world!

Spring is Here!!

Our very own groundhog has emerged from his hole and was spotted munching on some weeds in Joe's backyard. NO MORE WINTER!!

Look close and you can see his fanny and tail. Our wildlife photographer (JKG) needs some practice!

Here is a fine specimen enjoying the spring flowers on her w-a-l-k. Good to know that someone can enjoy the nice weather without sneezing, blowing their nose, and wanting to scratch their eyes out! Claritin has been my best friend this past week.

Fun fact: Knoxville, TN is the city with the worst spring allergies. Make sure you never live there.

Happy Leap Day!!

Today marks one week that I gave up desserts for Lent... OMG I am counting down the days until Easter (33.) I would kill someone for a cookie right now.

Someone got a special Leap Day Treat from his fiance today! How sweet of me to make him a surprise when I couldn't eat any myself.

Little Old Lady

Oh hello, it's my thirteenth birthday!! I got a shiny new name tag so I can be returned to my owners in case I decide to surprise everyone and run away! I've been thinking about making a run for it if my dad doesn't impulse-buy me a new and bigger bed soon anyway. I prefer to upgrade at least twice a year.

Shutters

I saw this at a lamp shade booth in Sugar Magnolia and thought it was such a creative idea! The shutters looked like they were drip painted a million different colors which SEEMS like it may be easy to do. I love all of the symmetry. I'm sure you could find shutter just like these at Charles Phillips Antiques. Inspiring!

Good Eats

Here are some things that Katherine and Joe have been eating lately, since I know how curious you all are...



A most beautiful homemade cake that Joseph received for Valentine's Day... the only day that my heart shaped cake pans leftover from Aunt Gloria's birthday seem normal.

This cake broke the hand mixer! Extreme!

 Barefoot Contessa's Perfect Roast Chicken.... mine wasn't exactly perfect, but I'm working on it.

Also working on getting some kitchen string and making better knots! whoops

"We need to eat this sausage we bought at the farmer's market before it goes bad" breakfast:

Apple-cinnamon flavored sausage locally made in Oxford - it was so good, and you could really taste the apple and cinnamon

How cool are my egg poachers!

The heart-attack special

Our Friday night dinner:Honey-Thyme roasted carrots

Roasted vegetables, steak, champagne from Jonathan and Libby, AND we didn't have to go out to the bars with our friends! Best night ever!