Mountain Vacation

Last weekend, Matt & I planned a lovely escape to the mountains.

We found a deal through Travelzoo for a Golf & Spa Resort in Waynesville, NC.

The timing worked out perfect since the heat wave has passed

and I have been feeling much better in the second trimester.

Our Travelzoo voucher was good for a Sunday and Monday night stay,

so Matt did some digging and found a cute little log cabin for Friday & Saturday night.

The cabin he found was perfect with a lovely view of the mountains.

It was a great way start to our extended weekend vacation.

The highlight of the cabin was the outdoor hot tub on the patio.

Matt didn't know hot tubs are a no-no for pregnant women,

though it still felt great to dip my legs.

We were able to relax, read, and play some Trivial Pursuit.

By the time Sunday rolled around,

Matt & I were ready for some pampering and luxury in our Golf & Spa Resort.

We had plenty of time, so we drove through the Great Smokey Mountains NP.

We stopped at Clingmans Dome and walked the half mile trail to the top.

The trail proved to be quite steep and difficult for this pregnant lady.

If it weren't for all the elderly couples also on the hike,

I may have thrown in the towel before reaching the top.

There's something about active elderly people that make you suck it up and push on.

We had a beautiful day and the up-hill hike was well worth it.

We had a clear views of the national park in North Carolina and Tennessee.

We passed Chimney Tops along the way.

Matt told me about his experience hiking to the top on a previous trip.

I decided I wasn't up to the challenge.

(This trail was much steeper than the last one).

After all the curvy mountain roads, I started to feel a little nauseous.

We stopped for lunch in Townsend, TN.

Matt decided to take an alternate route back through the mountains.

He assured me it would be quicker and less curvy.

He was very wrong.

We ended up on Highway 129.

It turns out, this is a famous section of highway called The Tail of the Dragon.

It is used by motorcycles and sports cars because of the hairpin curves in the road.

318 curves in 11 miles - to be exact.

We had to pull over often for motorcycles trying to get around us.

There were guys with cameras on the side of the road

taking pictures for people to buy (much like pictures taken on a roller coaster).

This was not a good route for a nauseous pregnant lady.

I was relieved to reach the freeway and get to our luxury resort.

Unfortunately, our luxury resort was not so luxurious.

We went to check-in and reminded the front desk about our dog Lucy.

(We were told over the phone that bringing our dog would not be a problem.)

What we weren't told is that by bringing our dog,

we would have to stay in the nasty pet building of their "resort".

It was bad.

I have stayed in a much nicer Motel 6.

It was basically a "pay by the hour" dump situated on a golf course.

We immediately propped open doors on each end to air out the musky smell.

The bedspreads, carpet, lighting and window fixtures

hadn't been updated since the 80's.

The 19" tube TV added to the 80's ambiance.

If this was the feel they were going for - they nailed it.

We made the decision to cut our losses and check-out the next day.

That night and the following morning,

we were serenaded by German shepard police dogs.

Oh, did I forget to mention there were about a dozen police officers

also staying at the "Golf & Spa Resort" with their K-9's?

We ate breakfast the following morning and signed up for a 10:15 tee time.

The course was nice.  I'll give them that.

After playing a full round we hopped into the truck,

and never looked back.

Seven Daughters

We went out for breakfast on Sunday

after a quick trip to Lowes.

While waiting for a table,

Matt noticed a younger couple waiting

with SEVEN girls.

Their ages varied from toddler to pre-teen.

We didn't want to jump to conclusions.

It was possible some of their girls

brought friends with to breakfast.

Once we finished eating and got to the parking lot

our suspicions were confirmed.

Matt shuddered at the possibility

of one man having seven daughters.

I wonder if the conversation went something like,

"Honey, I bet our next will be a boy."

And so on...

and so on...

Surprise!

We have ourselves a bun in the oven!

Baby S. is due March 21, 2013

I found out we were pregnant 

the day after we returned from visiting MN (July 10th).

I had found out in the morning while Matt was at work.

It was the longest day ever waiting for him to come home.

I had months to formulate this elaborate plan

on how I would break the news to Matt when it actually happened.

I had decided I would buy a bakery bun

and place it in the oven for him to find

(much like the picture above).

The only problem was, I was working all day.

 Before leaving work, Matt phoned home

and asked what I needed from the grocery store.

I told him to pick up sandwich buns.

My plan was back in motion.

I would slip a bun in the oven

while he was upstairs changing out of his work clothes.

Instead of buns, Matt came home with sandwich thins.

It doesn't have quite the same effect.

I tried it anyway and once Matt got downstairs

I told him to look at what I had in the oven.

Before he looked he said, "I bet it's popovers."

Good guess, honey.

99% of the time he would have been right.

He opened the oven and gave me a funny look.

He didn't get it.

I told him, "I have a BUN in the OVEN".

He smiled, hugged me, and asked "really?" a few times.

Then he immediately went outside and started mowing the lawn.

Meanwhile, I'm standing in the kitchen trying to decide

if I should go to him to see if he was in shock.

I had kept this secret all day long and now I needed to talk about it!

After he was finished mowing, we were able to have our talk.

He didn't want to get too excited,

in case something happened.

He knew, as well as I did, that anything could happen

during the first trimester.

We had our first ultrasound at eight weeks.

Once we saw the little heartbeat flickering on the screen,

and heard that incredibly fast beating sound,

that is when it all changed.

We really were pregnant.

I was very nauseous

and had absolutely no energy

for a very good reason.

Baby S at 8 weeks

Baby S at 12 weeks



To pass the time between appointments,

and to feel some added reassurance

until I can actually feel the baby kicking,

we bought a fetal heart monitor.

Here is a video of baby's strong heartbeat.

We are not finding out the gender early.

Start placing your bets!

Bacon Pancakes

I love breakfast.

I love pancakes.

I love bacon.

Why not try bacon pancakes for breakfast?

I made these a few weeks ago.

They tasted like pancakes with a hint of bacon.

I think Matt would have preferred bacon with a hint of pancake.

If I make them again,

I might double up on the bacon.

It was a fun experiement anyway.



Raised Garden Bed

Last June, I found this blog via Pinterest

with instructions to build a raised garden bed.

We moved into our house in June

so I was unable to get it constructed and planted

before the summer heat took over.

I did manage to put together the actual bed

shortly after returning from MN in July.

I gathering all of my supplies from Lowes

and followed the blog very closely.

After a quick power tool lesson from my husband.

I had a lovely garden bed put together.

I used a handsaw for the corner posts but cheated

and let my husband use the circular saw on the 2x6's.

We won't plant anything until next spring

which will give me plenty of time to build a few more beds

and maybe a trellis?

The thought of having fresh vegetables in my own back yard

makes me very, very happy.

Where Have We Been?

Yes, i've been neglecting this blog,

for some time... and for good reason.

Everything I have to say that is blog-worthy,

is not quite blog-ready

yet.

What I can say is...

this place is HOT in the summer.

I have never wished away summer

like I've wished it away here.

Matt & I are both ready for fall.

Matt has been busy in the garage.

He insulated our garage doors.

He installed shelving and cabinets for storage.

He also found great ways to mount our kayaks!

He is so smart

and handy.

SugarBrew 2012

This past weekend,

Matt & I packed the car with camping gear

and the fluff dog,

and we headed for the mountains.

When we moved to NC,

Matt decided to join the ski patrol

at Sugar Mountain.

 (Located only two hours away from our home.)

In order to put in volunteer hours,

see the place, and meet his fellow patrollers,

Matt volunteered at SugarBrew 2012.

It was a fun and relaxing event.

Multiple beer and wine vendors

setup stands and gave out samples to try.

There were also some good bands.

Matt's job was to take sample pitchers

from the stands to the judge's table.

He did a very good job.

Lucy and I got to watch.

I took an opportunity to see the mountain

by taking one of their chairlifts to the top.

It was a little cloudy,

but I got a nice view of the area.

I think we're going to like Sugar Mountain.

(Especially in the winter!)