Smoky Mountain Getaway

Troy, Tristen, and I just got back from the Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, Tennessee! We had a great time! We stayed at the same cabin I rented last year (in Wears Valley) from Saturday until Tuesday. We had planned to go to Dollywood, but it was closed on Monday and Tuesday so we missed it.

Saturday night we went to Gatlinburg and looked in all the cute shops, drank hot caramel-apple cider, and then rode the ski lift. The view was amazing! Sunday we went to Cades Cove and saw a ton of wildlife. I bet we saw over 100 turkeys and deer. We even saw two bucks fighting! Troy says they were in "rut." It was a little sprinkly so we had a picnic in the car! We relaxed that night at home in the cabin and had spaghetti and then chilled out in the hottub.

Monday we wanted to go to Dollywood, but they were closed (I was SO mad because I checked the online calendar and didn't see that). So instead, we rode around, rode go-carts, shopped at the Pigeon Forge outlets, and headed back to the cabin for a bonfire and roasting marshmellows. That night we went to the Dixie Stampede, a dinner attraction. They served an arena full of people roasted chicken, potatoes, soup, corn, and apple pie dessert (you had to eat with your fingers) while we watched a Christmas performance (they were on horses and told the Christmas story). It was a lot of fun!

Tuesday morning we went riding horses on the mountain side. It was so much fun--made me want a horse! But I was sore the next day from riding! We ended up leaving a day early because I was afraid I wouldn't get everything ready for Thanksgiving (at our house). It was a nice, little family trip!

Troy would kill me for posting this!

Roasting marshmellows at our cabin's firepit.

While walking around Cade's Cove, we found this barn and Tristen had to climb the haybales.
Wild Gobblers!

Turkey Roasting & Carving 101: Roasting Tips

I like this one! For the novice turkey-roaster, such as myself...
Turkey Roasting & Carving 101: Roasting Tips

Hot Artichoke and Asiago Cheese Dip Recipe

Doesn't this look tasty...I subscribe to this email daily. Lots of good stuff!

Hot Artichoke and Asiago Cheese Dip Recipe

National Peanut Festival

Mom called earlier this week and wanted to take Tristen to the National Peanut Festival fair, so he and I left Saturday afternoon to meet them. Rodney's daughter and son-in-law and their precious children were there also, as well as his parents, so we had a house full! Tristen LOVES to visit there. He can go fishing, ride the four-wheeler, and just talk to Mr. Rodney.

We left around 4 for the fair and had a blast. It was COLD!!! Forty-five degrees! My favorite part was the petting zoo and the pig races. Tristen had fun with all of us! We really missed Troy, who had to work :( boo. Tristen shot the bb-machine gun and won a gigantic dragon. We ate roasted corn, boiled peanuts, pizza, and of course, funnel cakes! We had a good time.

Sunday afternoon we went to Grandmama's to celebrate her 91st birthday! Her birthday is November 3rd. She is doing great and getting along reasonably well for a 91-year old. Everyone was there, including Susan's family. Bo and Blake are too cute!

Riding the Himilaya

Tristen riding the mechanical bull...

Shooting the BB/Machine Gun to blow the star out..

The gigantic dragon prize

Post-op meal

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Sharp Shooter

We decided to practice shooting the guns this afternoon! When I was in college, Daddy got me two pistols to keep at my trailer and in my car (I had a pistol permit at the time). We practiced shooting them and then I put them in the drawer and didn't take them out until today! (Well, except that one time at the beach, Jill & Drew will remember....;) ).

I was scared to death and started acting crazy, but Troy made me calm down and we loaded the little pistols and shot a target! I actually did pretty good! I hit the target everytime and got in the black near the bullseye the last few times. It was fun shooting!

This does NOT mean, however, that I will be shooting animals, i.e., deer, dove, turkeys, or whatever else. I still can't stand the thought of that!

And this is when I said, "Freeze Sucka!"

Troy actually hit the bullseye, but those others are mine!

Getting our house together!

I'm so happy to have a wonderful husband! We are actually doing things together that "real" married couples do, and are loving it! We're having the best time getting our house together. We've been saving for new furniture and some of it arrived! We got a new leather couch and loveseat and our chair has been ordered. I took a personal day Friday and Troy and I went rug/table shopping in Montgomery. We found a beautiful rug at the Rug Depot (?) on Wetumpka Highway. I love it! The owner asked if we were newlyweds and gave us each a book, The Power of a Praying Wife and The Power of a Praying Husband. He told us to read ours and then swap. So far I've read the first chapter and I'm really into it! I thought that was so sweet of him to give them to us.

We haven't had any luck finding coffee/end/sofa tables yet and went to almost every furniture store in Montgomery. But Troy saw some in the Rooms-To-Go catalog so I'm going to check it out today.

When our new chair and ottoman arrive, I'll post pictures! We ordered it in a fabric with lots of red/gold/brown. I think this is it...

Here are some pictures of our new furniture! (please don't think I'm bragging! Just excited about my new home)

Troy loves grilling on the new deck (that he slaved over)! It's so relaxing to sit outside in the evenings and have a glass of wine or coffee in the early morning!

Good Things to Eat...

Thought I'd share some of the good and easy things I've cooked this week:

Fiesta Chicken
(almost like Marcia's El Palacio Chicken in Pass the Plate)

4-5 chicken breasts
bag of Doritoes
1 can Cream of Chicken
1 can Cream of Mushroom
1 can Rotel tomatoes
2 cups cheddar cheese (I bet Velveeta would be tasty too)
onion/bell pepper chopped

Layer the bottom with Doritoes (crush up a little). Put chicken breasts on top. In a separate bowl (or I think I just dumped it all on top), mix Rotel and cream of mushroom & chicken, onions adn bell peppers. Spread over chicken. Top with cheese. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour or a little longer. Serve with Mexican rice. YUMMM!!!!

Tomato Pie
1 deep dish pie shell crust (bake according to directions)
4-5 large tomatoes (slice and place on paper towels to soak up juice--otherwise your crust will be soggy)
1 Vidalia onion, sliced and sauteed a bit to tenderize
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. basil
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. oregano
1 c. Parmesan or Cheddar cheese (I mix the two)
1 c. Mayo
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumpled

Bake the pie crust. Cool. Cut up the tomatoes into 1/8 inch slices. Drain them on paper towel or you'll end up with a soggy crust. Then mix together tomatoes, onion, basil, salt, garlic powder, oregano, and pepper. Let it sit in the fridge for about an hour to marinate. Mix together grated cheese and mayo. Then using a slotted spoon, put tomato mixture into pie crust and spread mayo/cheese mix on top of it. Sprinkle bacon crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for about 40-50 minutes. GOODNESS!

And from my Four Ingredient Cookbook:

Chicken Rice
2-3 cups cooked chicken (I boil mine)
1 box Uncle Ben's Wile Rice mix
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 soup can of milk.

Mix all ingredients and pour into a greased (yumm melted butter) 2-quart dish. Cover and bake on 350 degrees for around 30 minutes. Super easy and good!

Sour Cream Muffins (from Mrs. Margaret Phillips whom I teach with)
2 cups self-rising flour
1 stick butter, melted
8 oz. sour cream

Melt butter in a large mixing bowl. Add flour and sour cream and mix. (the mixture will not be smooth). Drop into greased mini-muffin tins (1/2 full) and bake on 375 for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Bon Appetit!

Mr. and Mrs. Troy Curtis Stinson

We did it! Troy and I were married June 8 at sunset at the Valley of Fire, Nevada. That's about an hour north of Las Vegas. It was so beautiful there. Very calm and peaceful. I was nervous at the hotel getting ready, but completely calm and relaxed when the actual time came! Troy looked so handsome in his new suit and tie (please note how well it matches our surroundings).

Our driver picked us up around 5:00 and of course I forgot the marriage license. But we were still in L.V. so he turned around (not easy in all that construction) and we ran back up to the room to get it. The driver, Dave, talked NONSTOP all the way there, which was about an hour's drive. Once we arrived, it was very laid back! We signed everything and then made a few pictures and began the ceremony!

The Valley of Fire is a Nevada state park. It is so beautiful. We were the only ones out there, so it was a very private ceremony. Reverend Ralph performed the ceremony. He talked a lot about love and even about his mama! As we said our vows and were looking at each other, we both teared up. It was so sweet! And now I have the most wonderful husband and we are very happy!

Wedding Dress

I just bought a wedding dress on eBay! Can you believe it? I wanted something really sleek and simple and found this one and just took a chance bidding. I didn't really check up on it a lot and just put in one maximum bid and actually won. eBay is fun, I want to win more!

Anyway, the dress is by Dessy and the front is simple. But the back is beautiful. When it arrives, I'm going to get it altered (assumimg I can even squeeze into it) and see if she can turn the square neckline into a sweetheart neckline and add some beading or a diamond brooch (broach?).

Wedding Bells Will Be Ringing Soon!

I booked our wedding! We're actually going to the Valley of Fire, which is outside of Las Vegas. We booked it through the Las Vegas Wedding Company and they will pick us up at the hotel and take us there in a Hummer ;) We're getting married June 8 at sunset and I can't wait! It is really beautiful there--all natural and the canyons are breath-taking.

Things to take care of this week:

• book hotel at MGM Grand ($71/night! How great is that? And there are much better deals out there)
• book shows--we're going to Zumanity, the sensual side of Cirque de Soleil
• Book spa day for my honey and me
• Find a wedding dress (going Saturday, or maybe the next so I can wait on Liv)
• Buy Troy a new shirt and tie to wear with his suit
• Look for a responsible renter for my house
• Start packing up things from my little house :( I will miss it.
• Keep Ann from getting preggo (Troy's ho-dog who goes into heat like every three months) She's staying at my house in my backyard since it's fenced. But she's whining to the neighbor dog.

Shine! 2009

Whew! We have wrapped up our 2009 production, Shine! It was a great show featuring numbers from Chicago, Billy Elliot, Motown, The Wiz, Wizard of Oz, and Wicked. I in All That Jazz (on the back row), Motown as a Supreme, and a dancer in Ease on Down the Road and Brand New Day (both from the Wiz, the "soul" version of The Wizard of Oz). We had a great time putting the show, but I am exhausted! Glad to get back to normal. Troy told me he'd be glad when I started cooking supper again. (he will soon get to enjoy my superb cuisine every night after we say our I Dos!).

Garden of Paradise 2

Garden of Paradise II

Last weekend Troy and I planted our garden! We planted tomatoes, okra, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, eggplant, and peppers. I cannot WAIT for summer when they are ripe and ready to eat! YUMMY! Last year we put up tons of squash and okra. And we cooked with tomatoes almost every day. I'm proud of our little garden of paradise 2 (Kay has the rights to the original Garden of Paradise). Coco loves to run through the garden and get filthy.

Soon-To-Be Mrs. Troy Stinson!

Troy proposed to me the night before Easter! I was so excited! We have been talking about getting married for some time and he finally popped the question! He put the ring in a "Golden Prize Egg" and kept on at me to put something in it. I was in the middle of cooking casseroles for Easter dinner, but paused to do it for him. When I opened it, there was the ring! I just jumped up and hugged him and he asked me!

I am so happy to be marrying this wonderful man. I couldn't ask for anyone better! He is sweet, caring, and hard-working and I love him so much! I have NO doubts that this marriage will last forever. We have never even had a fight! Now we have disagreed, but we always talk things out and both realize that we are our own individuals and can't change (or want to change) each other. I honestly have never been happier.

We decided to go to Las Vegas to get married! Whoo hoo! I am so excited, too. We are going June 7-10 and will be married on June 8. Maybe we'll get Elvis to marry us. I don't care, I just can't wait to be his wife!

Here is a blurry picture of my ring. He got me exactly what I wanted! He actually asked me about six months ago what kind of ring I would like and I told him that I wanted one exactly like the Tiffany's Classic six-prong solitaire. He did a great job. I love it!

30th Birthday

I was so depressed about turning thirty. And it really was bad. People said, "Oh, it's not that bad!" but it was. Now Friday night, March 13, I had a great time in Birmingham with my friends and Troy. I tried to do my hair like Beyonce but that didn't work. (BTW, you can buy a "bump" to go in your hair if you want that big poof!) We went out for dinner and drinks and Troy got to spend time with them and we all got to reminice. But remember, I was still 29.

On the 14th, Doomsday, it poured ALL day! First, we got stuck in traffic outside of Birmingham for over an hour (barely moving). Then we finally got home and I went out to Troy's. It was storming, so there was nothing to do but sit around and mope. I even had to do a little crying on the couch. Thank goodness I fell asleep around 9-10 because I was tired of that day.

But things looked up on Sunday. My sweet mom came up and brought Grandmama with her along with a bunch of presents and a cake. I really do like getting presents! They made me feel better (mom, that is). Troy also gave me some Coco Madomoiselle, which is tres fabulous, let me tell you!

Thirty is better now and I hope it will continue to improve!

Wow, a new blog!

I haven't posted anything on here in forever! I've been so busy this spring, I just don't want to make the time! On pretty days, I like to stay outside and soak up some sun with Edward (rereading Twilight series).

But the most of my time has been spent practicing for Shine!, our show that will be April 23, 24, & 25. I would love for everyone to make it! We are doing a bunch of numbers from The Wizard of Oz, Wicked & The Wiz; Chicago; and a few Motown numbers. I just do backup dancing but I've been practicing 3-4 times a week and not getting home until 8:30-9. Then I always have schoolwork to do!

So these are my excuses for not blogging! I'll try to keep it a little more current!

Fashionistas!

I need your help! We're going to a Mardi Gras ball tomorrow night and I'm bringing out the brown bm dress from Jill's wedding. It's so pretty I want to wear it again! I've already worn Casey's to another one a couple of years ago.

Anyway, I have this jewelry that Melissa had made in Fairhope and I love it and want to wear. How should I wear the necklace? Long or do it around twice? I have matching earrings and a bracelet and don't want to overload. Or no necklace? I appreciate your advice! Please disregard the pale face, red eyes, chapped lips and Cousin-It hair. I've been at school all day with youngens. And it's weird taking a picture of yourself.