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Summers of the Past

Hoping to link up with the Blended Blog, I’ve taken a trip down memory lane to reflect on

Summers of the Past

I remember bits and pieces of summers of the distant past.  Although I can’t recall specific events, I do remember that my little sister and I would go to work with Mama and spend the summer days exploring (snooping) and enjoying the coffee.

Also I remember spending weeks at the lake house my grandparents owned.  It was at Lake Hewitt in Interlachen, Florida that I learned to swim and water-ski.

As I entered my teenage years there were some summer activities with my church youth group, such as camp at Lake Yale and choir tours to other churches in the Southeast.

 

These days my summers are jam packed with activities.

I barely have time to catch my breath from one event before taking off on another

ADVENTURE WITH LB!

In this AWESOME photo we spent a summer day biking on the beach

and later grilling out in Jekyll Island, Georgia.

We often find ourselves at the beach during the summer and it is safe to say that LB will typically plan a vacation to a beach or someplace tropical every summer.

LB and I have enjoyed three summer vacations on

Sanibel Island and Captiva Island

Each time some bizarre event occurs.  On our first trip to Sanibel, while we were “beach combing” one afternoon, a fisherman staggered over to where we had set up camp and took a seat in one of our beach chairs.  He had managed to HOOK HIMSELF through his boot and into his foot.

The fisherman managed to stay calm, took out his multi-functional tool, and began to operate, while LB stood by for moral support.

Being that I am likely to faint on such occasions, I snapped a couple of pictures and quickly excused myself.

Happily all ended well.

Then there was that time while enjoying a birthday/summer vacation in Captiva that LB rushed me to the ER at 6AM to learn that my heart is in excellent condition.  Apparently I’m prone to panic attacks when I have a birthday.  Those photos are locked away in my photo vault [for never sharing].

 Recently we have found that

Taking a Cruise

is a great way to enjoy summer vacation.

There are so many things to do on the shipand on excursions to the shore

and engaging in other things that you know better than

there’s never a dull summer moment!

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

 

Nights of Lights

LB and I headed to St. Augustine yesterday afternoon in hope of seeing the city lit up with holiday lights later that evening.    As I’ve mentioned time and time again, St. Augustine is a favorite place I frequently visit.  Beginning November 18th and continuing through January 31st it is an especially lovely place to visit.

  The 24th Annual

Nights of Lights

dazzles the city of St. Augustine as approximately three million lights adorn the Plaza de la Constitucion and other areas of the historic district.

However, until the sun goes down, it is nice to find something to do to pass the time.

Did someone say SHOPPING?

If I have already passed the St. Augustine Premium Outlet, the shops on Saint George Street are my next choice.  There aren’t as many stores to chose from, but H.W. Davis Clothing and Shoes never disappoints.  Recently a few other shops have become worth exploring as well.

On this particular trip, there was less shopping, and more sightseeing.  I discovered a couple of buildings under construction in the Saint George street vicinity that are likely new restaurants or shops coming to the area.  In addition, I discovered a few places that may not be new, but are new to me.  For example the

Colonial Oaks Music Park

a rustic performance and event venue complete with a stage and picnic tables.  There is an oak, as the name suggests, in the center of the park.  Its branches are spread over the picnic tables offering shade in the summer and a place to hang lanterns and lights.

 Obviously there is no one on stage, but it looks to be a nice place to relax and enjoy a band or a show.  I’m sure LB and I will be back.

Once the sun set, it was time to check out the holiday display.

The Plaza de la ConstitucionFlagler CollegeThe Discoverer of Florida…

Juan Ponce de Leon landed near this spot 1513. This festive fellow…And a photo op in Santa’s sleigh…

Nights of Lights is a great opportunity to grab a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy the dazzling display with someone you love.

Thank you for the holiday cheer LB!

I’m looking forward to another Christmas season with you (on your left arm).

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Kim

Disney Bound

About a year ago I read a blog post about:

What to Wear to Disney World

The post began with a lesson on proper amusement park footwear.  Next was provided advice on what type of  bag/backpack to carry.  The same post went on to include various summertime outfits that were very cute.  It was very informative and well written.

This week we experienced Magic Kingdom Monday in my family; I couldn’t help but remember the “What to Wear to Disney World” post.  However, when it comes to planning what to wear when visiting the Amusement Park, no one has it figured out like my sister and her family.Gina recently introduced me the the concept of

Disneybounding

For anyone who isn’t familiar with that concept, Disneybounding is a subdued, yet fashion-forward way for Disney fans to express their enthusiasm.

Although you likely had not considered this, there are rules and regulations that must be followed in order to obtain admission to the park.  Besides having a ticket, you must not disregard Disney’s prohibited activities.  One of these prohibited activities is dressing in costume; i.e. “engaging with other guests or impeding the operation while posing as or portraying any character in costume” (source) unless you’re under the age of 14.  Because fans aren’t permitted to dress up as these much loved characters, a sub-culture of fashion has arisen.  Instead of wearing costumes, Disneybounders dress in everyday outfits that are inspired by any particular Disney character within the Disney universe.

Here are some fun examples:

Stuart inspired by Aladdin posing with Minnie Mouse.

Here Levi strikes a fierce pose as little Mickey Mouse.

Sydney and Dillon are Minnie and Mickey inspired.

Sydney channeling a gloomy Eeyore.

And on another occasion a lovely Disney Princess.

Here Stuart is inspired by a character I couldn’t place.  When I asked Gina, she told me to “guess”.

I think Stuart’s inspiration may have come from GOOFY, but my apologies if I’m wrong!

Stuart has always been creative, but I believe my favorite creative character re-creation came from Hei Hei.

Good job Stu!

The baby girls in the family are little princesses and both Lydia and Thea dressed as Belle on our recent trip to the Magic Kingdom.It appears that Levi is impressed.

In addition to Disneybounding, there is another Disney fashion trend that is timeless.

The donning of the

Mouse Ears

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This season produced a particular favorite: the coveted rose gold sequined Minnie Mouse ears.

I considered several possibilities for a part in the Disneybounding experience on our recent trip, but I’m not as flamboyant as I would like to be, and opted for a simple tee shirt.

That’s Me!

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Kim

 

Magic Kingdom Monday

Earlier this year, it was decided that the whole extended, seventeen-member family, should take a trip to

Disney World

Where Dreams Come True.

I have to say that it was a wonderful idea and Stephanie did a great job organizing everything for the whole group.

It isn’t easy running the show.

Disney Pixar GIF by Disney

But it went off without a hitch, as everyone made it to the Orlando Fairfield Inn safe and sound on Sunday and later in the evening met at Disney Springs for dinner at Planet Hollywood.

After dinner we explored the shops at Disney Springs.  Zara was my favorite.

Then the Real Fun Began

On Monday, part of our crew woke up extremely early in an effort to beat the crowd to the Magic Kingdom. The rest of us slept awhile longer and made our way to the park later that morning.

We were met by the welcoming committee at the entrance to the park.(Kyle is okay)

Stephanie and Amanda introduced us to the Disney App.

They used it to assemble our family into a Disney group and to choose/amend the group’s FastPass options for various attractions.

We FastPassed our way to the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Dumbo, Buzz Lightyear, the PhilharMagic Show, and Space Mountain.

We were also able to use the app to order lunch ahead of time and avoid standing in line at Pinocchio House.  It was pretty handy.

Then there was the carousel ride with Lydia. 

I enjoyed our time chatting on the Carousel. That was my favorite.

I can’t say enough good things about the members of my family. They love to have a good time!

My Mama doesn’t typically spend several hours per day on her feet.  However, she seemed to enjoy herself.  My nephew Clay is a take-charge young man who made the day easier for Mama.

Clay’s wife Chynna and my daughter-in-law Emily, handled their small children with grace, right through the inevitable afternoon cranky time.

LB was able to navigate a Dayquil-dazed Kim through the park, and offer a tissue when necessary. And as I mentioned, Stephanie put the plan into action and kept the group together…making it a memorable day for us all…

Mary, Gina, Stuart, Stephanie, Amanda, Richard, Emily, Lydia, Kyle, Clay, Chynna, Dillon, Sydney, Levi, Thea

and My Favorite Cameraman…

LB

#MemaDoesDisney2017

Happy Birthday GIF by Disney

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Kim

It’s Friday, I’m in Love!

It is time for my Friday Favorites!  I love Fridays and I love to share my favorites on Friday!

Favorite # ONE

Vacation Day #3

which happened on Friday, October 27th!

This wonderful day began with a waterfall.

I Love Waterfalls!

*Waterfalls in this publication and other waterfalls in this blog can be reviewed at RomanticAshville.com (an Insider’s Guide to the NC Mountains).

If you missed my Waterfalls and Walking Trails post, this post may seem uneventful.  Go back and read it, as you have missed a monumental moment in my life and great information should you plan a trip to the Mountains.

We left our Hampton in Franklin, NC and set our GPS for Highlands, NC.

Along the way we found a location that has been named “Bust Your Butt Falls“.  LB pulled over so we could investigate.

I had to change into my boots to be able to make the climb down.  We have enjoyed a lot of physical activity on this vacation. Luckily I didn’t bust anything.  After we had taken multiple photos at this location, we continued our drive to Highlands.  But along the way, there was another… WATERFALL to experience.

We almost passed it by, but at the last minute decided to stop.This waterfall is named Dry Falls

…likely because you can walk behind/under without getting soaked.(A view from under the falls)

Vacation Day #3 was a great day!

What an exciting find for us, as we had never heard of Dry Falls.  Dry Falls, also known as Upper Cullasaja Falls, is a 65-foot waterfall located in the Nantahala National Forest, northwest of Highlands, North Carolina (source).  After enjoying the beauty of nature, LB and I headed on toward Highlands. Highlands is a town within the Nantahala National Forest.  LB pointed out an interesting fact, Highlands is 4,118 feet above sea level.  This brings me to

Favorite # TWO

Colonial Mustard’s.It is a gourmet grocery store located at 341 Main St, Highlands, NC 28741.  This is a small shop with A WHOLE LOT of jellies, jams, spreads, dips, etc. that have been set out to sample on pretzels, animal crackers, and wheat thins.  Because there is a sign at the door stating children under 13 are not permitted, the result has been some negative reviews online.  If you spend some time in the shop, this request will make sense. 

The back door provides a place to announce your visit.Check out the bottom of the door. 

At Colonial Mustard’s, LB and I sample almost everything, and pay for it with our purchases.  We have a great time wandering through Colonial Mustard’s.  Even with all the boutiques to peruse, this shop is by far our favorite. 

Favorite # THREE

Frayed hem jeans…

I’ve seen them on Instagram, but found them in Highlands.

First at McCully’s…then at Lulu Bleu

and later online at BooHoo.com.

LOVE Favorite # FOUR

which is having my own personal CameraMan!LB follows me around with that cell phone camera and never fails to impress me with the most interesting photos from each one of our adventures!

Don’t be jealous!

Favorite # FIVE

Our stay at Hampton Inn and Suites, Greenville, South CarolinaA Beautiful Brand New Hotel!

I loved it!

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Kim

 

 

 

Waterfalls and Walking Trails

Vacation Day Two

Thursday, October 26th

would turn out to be a day for physical activity.

It wasn’t the plan and I certainly did not dress for the events to come.

Nevertheless

on day two of our fall vacation we awoke to a beautiful, cloudless sky at the Amicalola Falls (State Park) Lodge.

First stop: Breakfast.

As information:  Breakfast at this lodge is unbelievable… but it isn’t complementary.

The buffet has everything on a breakfast menu that anyone could imagine:  Grits, Biscuits, Sausage Gravy, Fried Potato Wedges, and more. What this man wanted most was COFFEE! Starting the day with plenty of coffee and a hearty breakfast turned out to be a good thing.

We left the lodge to check out the park.

There were trout homes to see… apparently.And I was curious to see the little guys. Nothing.

Then on to the top of the falls for a look downward.There are steps leading to the bottom of the falls, but alas, I was without stair climbing shoes…so LB and I drove to the bottom of the falls.

We found that the climb up would not be quite as hard as the climb down would have been.No matter… LB and I wanted to see the falls and started the climb.LB had a tendency to venture off of the beaten pathand I caught it all on camera. If you think he is adventurous here, wait till I tell you what he got us into later in the afternoon.

Amicalola Falls is beautiful!It is well worth the walk to see.So beautiful, in fact, I had to MAKE LB leave to go back to the car. After I convinced him to leave Amicalola Falls State Park, we intended to head toward the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Being that I was not so much into sitting in the passenger seat for another winding drive, LB had another plan in mind.  He would be taking me to see another waterfall.

He turned onto a shadowy road and this is what I sawAs if the roads in the North Carolina mountains aren’t scary enough for a girl from the flat state of Florida.Two miles of this single lane road.

Luckily we met only one vehicle along the way and everything worked out nicely.  When we arrived at our destination, another couple was leaving.

So… we were the only two people there.Rufus Morgan Trailhead.

Not wanting miss the opportunity to see a beautiful waterfall, we took a chance (against better judgment) and began the trek upward.Now that it is over, I am seriously amazed that I actually did this.  There were no trail markers and barely a trail.  As we started up, the pathway was somewhat clear.  However that minimal clarity soon became obsolete and was replaced by despairing thoughts such as “what am I doing here?” and “what if we can’t find our way back?” and “is that the sound of dueling banjos nearby?”

Then… there it wasOkay… there it is… we made it.

It is truly a lovely little waterfall.

Let’s get out of here.

I’m right behind you.

Go.

Autumn is a Second Spring

…when every leaf is a flower ~ Albert Camus   Every leaf is a flower during autumn, which a one of the reasons many people flock to the mountains in October.  LB and I enjoy taking a trip to see the changing leaves as well.  We have made this an annual tradition and look forward to it each time.  Our trip north begins by heading west for a stop at one of my favorite places.  This year we hit the road on

Wednesday October 25th

…30 minutes later we arrived at

Classy Crossroads Boutique

in Macclenny, Florida.

After just minutes in the store, I spotted this vest and immediately wanted to touch itIt was so soft! And so CUTE!Classy Crossroads specializes in denim and boots (more brands than I can name), but there are so many cute tops,  jackets and vests in the shop. Also very cute, were the handbags by BCBGeneration, Betsey Johnson, HOBO, Steve Madden, and others.  I foresee this navy HOBO handbag in my future… Everyone needs a navy handbag.

I foresee some pretty jewelry as well… You can never have enough earrings.How is that for prophecy!

Some items are marked with “Do Not Open Until XMAS“.

Nevertheless… I’m spoiled.

Thanks LB!

After that shopping experience, we set our GPS destination for Dawsonville, Georgia, with a short stop at Fajita Grill… my Facebook Friends would have noticed my “check in”and anyone who know me (and My LB) knows we’ve gotta have our Mexican food fix! It was late (and our first meal of the day), but we were satisfied with dinner, and ready to finish this first leg of our journey… our first overnight stop…

Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge

Not the best first impression picture, but this is what we saw upon arrival.

It was 43° and I was happy that I brought my wool coat.  I would only wear it that one time during the trip, but it was worth bringing along for that moment.

We were safe and sound and so happy to be on

VACATION!

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