Last year this time while on a blog break, we took a day trip to Bryson City, North Carolina and we plan to do a repeat visit this afternoon.
Take a peak at more of images I snapped of the Smoky Mountain Railway.
~All images captured with my big girl camera ~ Nikon D7000 & preferred lens Nikkor 18-105mm zoom, unless otherwise noted.~
Our weather forecast is calling for sunny skies and mild temperatures (low to mid 50s), so I expect it’ll be a spectacular day.
I encourage you to can join other Skywatch Friday photo enthusiasts here and now, it’s time to play along with Lexa in Celebrate the small things.
I celebrate…
- kick starting the Christmas season with my homemade Maple Nut Fudge!
- sharing another freebie with my readers. If you need Christmas design templates for your return shipping address, check out these 6-designs by Avery, here. I have used these in the past.
- finding cool Christmas inspiration and freebies on Pinterest.
- going to Dillsboro, NC tonight for their annual luminaries display. You can visit the streets of Dillsboro from our trip two Christmases ago here.
- finally getting a chance to make home-made peppermint marshmallows for the first time in many years. This is a fun, easy, recipe that puts that extra festive mood in my cup of hot chocolate and the timing is perfect with our forecast lows this weekend dipping into the 20s. The recipe at the bottom.
Life should be celebrated, even when it seems like you have no reason to celebrate. Just look around, I bet you’ll see something good! What are you celebrating?
One way to celebrate is with Friendship Friday and Friday Features Linky Party, where you’re sure to make new friends and get lots of inspiration to boot!
I’ll be running late with my visits, but I will hop over at some point this weekend or early next week. I invite you to join me for Monday’s Music Moves Me for a month of rocking around the Christmas tree and a lot of fah-lah-lah. Thanks for visiting and get out there for a fototastic day!
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I love marshmallow. But I have to be careful and not have it in my house or I’ll eat every serving in one serving.
Jeffrey, I love marshmallows, but I’m not sure if I love them as much as you do. lol BTW, if you consider making my recipe you might want to err on the conservative side when adding the peppermint oil. I discovered after making another batch that 1 teaspoon seems to be a bit too much. I’d recommend using 1/2 teaspoon and then upping the amount a little at a time until desired pepperminty taste. Working with flavored oil is tricky, but I like the taste better than extracts.
The Polar Express!! My kids love that movie. It’s an annual tradition to watch it now.
Wouldn’t you know that I deleted my Pinterest about a year ago, and now that I am a Girl Guide Sparks leader I always need craft ideas!! I had to go on a friends’ account the other day to find some holiday crafts that my girls can make to hand out to residents at our local senior citizens home. I am tempted to rejoin…. but… must…. resist. LOL
I think I am going to be grateful for your fudge recipe this week.
And marshmallow fluff mixed with cream cheese makes a great dip for fruit!
Les, I haven’t seen The Polar Express movie. That came out when my kids were bigger & no longer interested in animated films. It’s good to have traditions. We still watch Christmas Vacation every year.
Pinterest is really addictive; I understand your reluctant stop rejoin. Glad my recipes helped.
I’m late visiting this weekend, but I’ll try to stop by before the night ends.
Can you believe I didn’t know people could make marshmallows? Your peppermint ones, and the nut fudge, sound scrumptious!!! I visited the other post and loved the Dillsboro houses and decorations! Have a lovely weekend! :0
Bryson City looks very festive. Have a good trip.
You’re wonderfully joyful. I hope you have a good time on your trip. Please don’t be angry with me, but many people get a certain word wrong. It’s one of my missions in life to correct it. The lights aren’t luminaries. Luminaries are important people. The lights are luminaires, or in Spanish luminarias. I’m sorry, but my OCD and Queen of Grammar status compels me to teach people about these words.
Love,
Janie
What a wonderful way to ring in the season – trips and yummy things! Enjoy!
Hi, Cathy! I’m happy to know you will be taking your day trip under sunny skies. Drive safe. Bryson City looks like a charming community and I would love to see the luminaries display in Dillsboro tonight as well. One of my favorite Christmas memories takes me back to the late 80s when I went caroling one night here in Florida. I needed to push a wheelchair carrying my mother because she had fallen off her bicycle and broken her ankle. The streets were lined with luminaries and their warm glow in the dark created a magical experience. I can’t recall ever having so much holiday spirit. I am thankful for the memory of that night.
Remember your recent posts about Andy Griffith’s hometown? Son Opie showed up in my new post today and I think you’ll get a kick out of it.
Have a safe trip and a delightful day and evening, dear friend Cathy!