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When we arrived at Opryland, we were greeted with a Super Hero Supply Pack stocked with a cape, the most fun pen and autograph book! LC fully got into Wonder Woman mode quickly! She also was given a DC Super Hero’s Mission Checklist with activities to complete around the resort.

This atrium view just never gets old! I am amazed at all the beautiful and unique plants that are grown into the hotel! Hearing the waterfalls and seeing all the flora and fauna, I feel as if I’ve been transported to Costa Rica…but luckily just right down the road in Music City!

We started our day at the DC Super Hero Craft Zone-crafting is definitely a way to our heart! LC had a blast decorated her Wonder Woman badge.

After crafting, we headed over to the Hall of Justice Character Lunch! The lunch was super delicious with chips/queso, a fresh salad and grilled cheese for LC! There are also “secret codes” around the resort for special drinks and desserts!

Our favorite characters-Wonder Woman, Batman and Superman all stopped by to chat and to take pictures!

The resort is also hosting a Revenge of the Riddler Scavenger Hunt, a DC Super Hero’s Mission Academy Live show throughout the summer! These engaging activities are fun for the whole family!

After a busy day exploring, we grabbed Auntie Anne’s cinnamon pretzel bites settled in for one of our favorite Opryland activities-the nightly water show! The water show is always so nostalgic and brings back fond memories of my childhood. I love the All-American themed music and lights this year!

On Day 2, we headed to our little slice of paradise-Soundwaves! We rode the waves in the Wave Pool, jammed out to the music videos, floated down the lazy river and squealed down the tube slides! It was an absolutely awesome day just my girl and I! Unfortunately, the DC movie at the pool was cancelled due to a rain storm but make sure to add to your plans if you head to Opryland this summer.

We ended our stay with breakfast in bed before heading home. We are so incredibly appreciative of the opportunity and will add it to our core memories!

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Over the past year, I’ve been reenergized in the kitchen! It’s been fun to try out new recipes and my family members have been happy recipients! However, I can’t take all of the credit because I’ve been so inspired by these cookbooks! Here are a few that have been go-to’s for meal ideas!

What To Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking

Quick and easy meal ideas sorted by the amount of time! We’ve tried many of these and they have been hits!

Dinner Tonight

Healthy and hearty meals, some Whole 30 approved, Paleo

The Wishbone Kitchen

This one makes me want to plan a trip to the Cape immediately!

The Feel-Good Way

Franklin Mom and my friend, Cara Clark just launched The Feel Good Way, packed with nutritious recipes, health information and prayers to help make the most of the every day!

Every Day With Babs

Babs is just the best! This book will have you feel like your grandmother is in the kitchen alongside you sharing special tips and tricks!

The Simplified Cookbook

Emily Ley is always giving us suggestions on how to simplify our lives and now she is sharing ways to make mealtimes more meaningful!

Do you have any cookbooks that you use a lot?

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Are you looking for a place to getaway and truly relax and take a deep breath? We found the perfect spot! We ventured to Chattooga Lakefront Cabin and fell in love with this peaceful cabin that made us feel right at home!

The cabin has its own private dock, a cozy fire pit and a lakeside hammock that is just asking for you to take a nap! The lake is a great spot for fishing and they even have kayaks, canoes and paddleboards that guests can use on the lake! And after a day on the lake, what better way to unwind than in the private hot tub?

The screen porches were fabulous for morning cups of coffee or for catching the sunset over the Chattooga!

We enjoyed these treats from local markets! We ventured over to Walhalla’s cute downtown area for dinner! The cabin is also not too far away for Clemson games! A few recommended restaurants are Carolina Pizza Company, Wicked Licks Ice Cream, Stump House Taproom and Walhalla Steakhouse Cafeteria! Walhalla also has cute shops to browse!

We instantly felt at home and like we were at a relative’s home! The cabin has three bedrooms (one is the cutest bunk room), two bathrooms and the best living and dining spaces perfect for family gatherings!

We loved this selection of games!

And the best part-the cabin is pet-friendly so we could take our little best friends! We love traveling especially when they can join us!

We absolutely loved this place and anre already looking at dates to go back next year! This would make the perfect long weekend or summer vacation! It’s quaint, relaxing and somewhere you are sure to make long-lasting memories! Book your stay here.

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I will never get over watching my children grow up visiting Gaylord Opryland during the holidays! Each year, I reminisce by looking back at photos from past years. It’s so hard to believe how little my two were when we first visited Opryland during Christmas. These are memories that I cherish seeing their eyes light up seeing the resort dazzling in 9 acres of twinkling lights, decorating gingerbread houses and riding through the atrium in the Delta Boat Christmas Cruise!

There is truly something for everyone to enjoy at Opryland! From the free Delta Atrium Light and Fountain Shows to Pinetop Village which offers ice skating, bumper cars, ice sledding, snowball build and blast and cozy fire pits!

Owen has now added one of these warm parkas from ICE to his Christmas list! ICE featuring Frosty the Snowman was so fun to see! These hand-carved sculptures continue to amaze me! We even got to see one of the sculptors at work! The nostalgia of the beloved story of Frosty warmed this mom’s heart even in these chilly temperatures!

In addition to ICE, you can also find horse drawn carriage rides, an outdoor nativity, breakfast show, holiday dining and so much more!!

Nashville residents are in for a treat! Opryland is offering specials for locals including the following:

Exclusive for Local Residents, Tuesdays, December 3, 10, & 17, 2024, 6pm-8pm CT, “Nashville Nights” includes special entertainment, perks, and discounts exclusively for residents of Davidson County and adjacent counties.

With proof of residency, you’ll receive:

· FREE hot chocolate at the Magnolia Lobby

· One FREE Snowman Scramble Scavenger Hunt booklet per family at the Magnolia Portico

· 50% off ICE! tickets for Nov. 12 & 19 and Dec. 3, 10 & 17 only; book online in advance with code NASHNIGHT24 at ChristmasAtGaylordOpryland.com

· December 3 & December 17: Caroling with Chris & Friends – Join Chris Kirkpatrick from *NSYNC, Jacob Underwood from Otown, and our caroling quartet from 6:30-7:00pm CT for a stroll from the resort’s Magnolia Portico to the Nativity scene singing everyone’s favorite Christmas songs.

Opryland is truly a magical place year round but there’s nothing like it during Christmas!

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My friend, Lydia Menzies and The Supper Club are celebrating BIG!! Lydia and Supper Club members all over the country have been working hard this year compiling a beautiful book filled with creative party ideas and tablescapes!

This gorgeous coffee table style book includes people, places and parties to inspire you to gather those you love and hold dear together! 

I had the best time putting together a dessert themed photoshoot for the book with Laura Camacho, Julieanne Taylor and Julie McAllister in Charleston. I cannot wait to see how the party comes to life in the book!

Lydia and The Supper Club have inspired me with their creativity for several years! I have already ordered a few copies and cannot wait to have in my hands!! I am thrilled to be included in such a wonderful book full of amazing people and ideas!

Lydia is also very generous and will be donating a portion from preorders to help with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.  Samaritan’s Purse and Greenville Humane Society are two of the recipients. 

When you preorder, you’ll be included in the Pre-Order Party hosted by The Supper Club next March. You’ll also receive an email each month with a surprise gift! Don’t miss out on the fun!

Order your copy here! 

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The weather is getting cooler and it’s the perfect time to cozy up with a warm coffee. Here are a few local seasonal sips to try this fall:

• Hey Pumpkin at Neighborlily
• Patsy Cline at Grindstone Cowboy
• Toasted Yammy Latte at Honest Roasters
• Pumpkin Cookie Frappe at White Bison Coffee
• Apple Bottom Jeans at Frothy Monkey
• Salted Caramel Cider at The Coffee House Franklin
• Spiced Caramel Chai at High Brow Coffee
• Harvest Moon Latte at Eighth and Roast

What’s your favorite drink to have this time of year? Also, please share other favorite spots around town! 

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How cute is my friend’s house?! It’s perfectly pink and so festive for Halloween I wish I was a better holiday decorator {my kids remind me all the time ha} but I do admire the talents of others! It’s always so fun to drive around this time of year to check out the displays! 

Here are a few seasonal things not to miss:

• The house and haunted garage at 930 West Main Street in Franklin is an annual tradition! The owner goes above and beyond with a different theme each year! Always such a treat stopping by! 

• Franklin Walking Tours has the best ghost tours in town! 

•  Take a daytrip over @grindstonecowboycoffee in Eagleville for seasonal sips and live music 

• This time of year is always one of my favorites for a walk around Radnor Lake

• We watched You’ve Got Mail and it is the perfect fall movie- bake some pumpkin bread to snack on for the movie! 

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I’ve had a few people ask for ideas for Fall Break staycation ideas, so thought I’d share a few thoughts:

• Wander through the quaint village of Leiper’s Fork!  Enjoy breakfast at The Country Boy, stroll through the shops and check out the Leiper’s Fork Library! There’s also a playground behind the library! 

• Take a drive along the Natchez Trace and stop at the Garrison Creek exit to splash in the creek or enjoy a short kid-friendly hike! 

• Be a tourist in your own town! Head downtown to Fifth and Broadway for lunch and then The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to experience interactive exhibits, lots of music history and always so much fun! 

• Stop by the Nashville Farmer’s Market for some seasonal goods and then head over to the free Tennessee State Museum

• The Factory at Franklin is always a great spot to spend the night painting pottery at Third Coast Clay, grabbing ice cream from Fork of the South { or enjoying their new tea room! } And of course, checking out all the unique shops like Lemon or Made in TN.

• And of course hitting up the pumpkin patches and farms {Check to see each place’s hours/times} Gentry’s Farm, Lucky Ladd, Cheekwood, Walden Farms and The Wilson Farm to name a few! 

• A few daytrip ideas are Columbia, Owensboro, KY, Huntsville, AL- you can check out my blog under travel here for more recommendations on these towns!

Are you traveling or staying around for Fall Break?!

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year! ???? Fall at Cheekwood is so very special! I love Cheekwood during all the seasons but the pumpkin houses, scarecrow trail and all fall festivities are magical!

Here is what is coming up in the next few weeks that you don’t want to miss:

Thursday Night Out: October 10th from 6 to 8 p.m. with a country western two-step dance band, The Cowpokes! Food Trucks will also be onsite!

Fall Break Friday Night Hoedown: October 11th from 5:30-9 p.m. The Friday Hoedown is a lively soirée of fall fun with square dancing, free mechanical bull rides, make your own herb popcorn, and seasonal food and libations ????

Cheekwood Harvest runs through October 27th with more than 75,000 pumpkins, three pumpkin houses, a scarecrow trial, seasonal treats and so much more!

My favorite the Halloween Pooch Party ????will take place on October 26th and 27th! Bring your pups in their Halloween costumes for a parade and contest!

You can also enjoy beer in the gardens on weekends and Harvest Teas on Tuesdays and Thursdays!

Basically, every day is a good day to spend at Cheekwood!

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