Last week I mentioned going to two Smoky Mountain foothills communities to enjoy the beautifully decorated buildings. It was a gorgeous day, as you can clearly see in this picture taken at The Apple Barn & Cider Mill in Pigeon Forge.
I shared some day shots of Gatlinburg on #WW The Village if you want to take a peak, but the main reason we went were to see the evening Christmas lights pageantry. The weather was mild and the crowd was light ~ prime conditions for casually walking around.
This is Gatlinburg looking toward the Smoky Mountains. 
In The Village, we bought some candy at the Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen. A family tradition we’ve done over the years off and on. This was an on year. 😀
This is another shopping plaza across the street from The Village. I love the gas lanterns! It adds that old world charm, don’t you think?
There’s something magical about this place at Christmas. I love the sense of wonder that fills me; the best part is that feeling lingers on for hours and capturing the moments then lets me to relive that sense of wonder any time.
Do you have a favorite town to visit at Christmas? Is this something you do yearly?
I’m linking up with the SWF team and invite you to join other photo enthusiasts across the net. Next up, I’m joining Lexa in Celebrate the small things.
I’m celebrating…
- the joys of baking my first Christmas Stollen.
- my love for home-made confections like my Peppermint Cathys.
- making Santa’s Nice List (see image below). Check out to see, if you made the list, here & here.
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!
That’s a wrap for now. Next week, I’m taking all of next week off; I plan to return January 4th. Meanwhile, enjoy my scheduled posts, the warmth and beauty of this Christmas holiday, and I pray for God to bestow many blessings on you and yours in the coming new year.
~All images captured with my big girl camera ~ Nikon D7000 & preferred lens Nikkor 18-105mm zoom, unless otherwise noted.~
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I’ve read about Gatlinburg in a couple of Bill Bryson’s books. It certainly looks a picture at night, at this time of year.
Paul, thanks for visiting. Gatlinburg is a lovely town, especially for the Christmas season. Other times of the year, we tend to avoid it because it’s SO busy with tourists. It’s not a very big town and at the height of the Smoky’s busiest time (July & August) they get about 10 million visitors. That’s crazy! We prefer to steer clear of the park, especially on the weekends during the summer. Unfortunately when DH is working then that’s next to impossible. Right now things work out well with him unemployed and we can visit anytime, but then this is off peak.
What beautiful photos, Cathy! You are lucky to live so close to such beauty! I know my Mom and Stepdad really enjoy their trips to the mountains whenever they are able to make it there.
Kim, I agree, we are lucky to live in area with so much beauty. The one thing DH & I have commented on is that, if we have to move because he can’t find a job around here then this is going to be REALLY hard to give up. This is just about the most perfect place in the world for us ~ not too hot, not too cold, taste of all 4 seasons, mountains all around us, and if we want the Atlantic coast is only 8-hours away. What’s not to love about living in East Tennessee?
Aha, I figured it out. I love the pic of the barn with the big wreath, framed by the tree branches, all under a big beautiful blue sky.
Alan, thanks! My husband and I had a beautiful day. We couldn’t have asked for better weather than what we got for mid-December. I think God was smiling down on us!
Beautiful Christmas scenes!
Thanks for your visit and comment on my blog.
Merry Christmas!
Lea
Great pictures and I love the gaslight! A dream of mine would be to go to Germany and/or Austria before Christmas and visit their markets. I heard Rothenberg has a beautiful Christmas store. I go to Niagara On The Lake which is a historic town and very picturesque. I am going there tomorrow
Birgit, visiting Germany or Austria for Christmas would be beautiful. Some European communities are quite festive. They really know how to celebrate the season. The interesting thing is when I watch a documentary that they aren’t shy about saying Merry Christmas. The political boob heads in the USA can learn some things from the German folks. I hope you have fun taking in the sights at Niagara on the Lake. Do take pictures to share!
That looks like an amazing town to visit. Lovely pictures. I thought I was done baking Weihnachtsstollen for this year but my husband informed me today that he needs 2 more. So I guess it’s back to baking tomorrow. Have a nice Christmas!
Looks like a lovely town. At the moment I’m doing my Christmas crazy knit, trying to get a bunch of gifts knit in time. I started yesterday.
Thanks so much for the pictures! I love it when towns and homes decorate with Christmas lights. Everything looks like a fairyland! Yay for Stollen, Peppermint Cathy’s, and being on the “nice” list! 🙂
Lexa, I don’t know about that nice list thingy, but DO NOT tell Santa I’m disputing the validity of my discovery. 😀
Beautiful Christmas energy on your blogs ~ lots of wonderful photos!
Wishing you the magic and love of the season,
artmusedog and carol
Carol, thank you! The same warm wishes to you, my friend.
Happy holidays.
Love the night pictures.
Those lights are beautiful! My favorite place at Christmas is my home, with Franklin and Penelope.
Love,
Janie
Such a festive post. Merry Christmas!
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Thanks, my friend. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Oh, those are beautiful pictures. I would have loved to be there with you. Back in the day, I’m sure the gas lanterns were not as quaint and lovely as they are now, but I wonder if people did not walk the streets and be grateful for them. Such warmth.
Thanks for sharing your art. Have a Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year 🙂
Donna, yep it would have been fun to have you there, too. I’m sure you’re right the lanterns from bygone days probably aren’t as pretty as the ones we have now. I sure do like them! It does add an element of warmth. Thanks for dropping by!