Patches, Pins, & Stickers, Oh My

Monday greetings!  I hope everyone had a fun weekend.  Mine was hot, but totally relaxing here in my T@Bport.

I was thinking about my week in The Holler with Momma Sharon and it occurred to me that one thing that ALWAYS happens when we camp, didn't happen this time around.  We always come home with a new sticker or two and you can bet money on that happening if Uncle Rob is around.  Would you believe that there was zero shopping last week!!  Because Murphy the Camping Dog was along, it kinda altered Mom's outings and that totally explains the lack of new stickers.

BUT . . . there was a little package from California waiting on us when we got home and that DID contain stickers.  Mom had ordered a patch, a pin, and a sticker from our T@Bbin' artist buddy, Sara, before we left.  

Sara has designed a whole line of T@B-related fabric that she sells through Spoonflower and she recently added the patch, pin, and sticker to her Etsy store.  The patch and pin will go on Mom's CDO chef's apron and we found the perfect place for the sticker . . . on the Yeti!

If you are a member of the T@B Family, take a minute or two and visit Sara's hella-cool creations. You just might find something you cannot live without.

Until I have another little Story to tell, stay cool and always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love, & Patches, Pins, & Stickers"

Toot Toot

Ha ha, bet you weren't expecting me back so soon.  We were up and out of The Holler pretty early this morning.  The temperature was 68° when we rolled out of a campground that was still asleep.  We took the long way home along the Parkway to catch Hwy 421 down the mountain.  Sure it adds some time to our trip, but we don't mind. Murphy was asleep, Yacht Rock was on Sirius, and we were in a groove.

So I bet you are curious about the title of my Story and the clipart. Momma Sharon and I thought it would be cool to toot Uncle Rob's horn just a bit.  He came to our rescue each evening so I could write a Bedtime Story for you.  Remember I told you that Mom left a critical piece of techie equipment at home?  Well she ordered a spare so we will have it with us at all times and it was waiting on us when we got back.

I am going to let you in on a little secret.  My Camper Mom left this same cable home LAST summer too.  She didn't get too upset this time around because she thought Aunt Becky could bring it on Monday when she came up with our church group for lunch.  Nope, that would have been too easy . . . she couldn't find it!

So toot toot!  Thanks Rob for coming to Mom's rescue once again.  This is a good time for me to give you a link to the Stories that he and Miss Anne write . . . https://rtspod.blogspot.com

Have a good weekend everyone.  Stay cool out there and until I have another Story for you, always remember . . .

"Peace, Love, & Thanks Uncle Rob"

Soulful Repeat

Evenin' friends and neighbors! It's my last night in The Holler and once again my Camper Mom said "have at it" when I asked if I could send you another Bedtime Story.  

Today was a repeat of our soulful Wednesday.  Miss Murphy was up extra early at 4:20 to take care of business and again at 6:30 begging for breakfast.  Instead of everyone going back to sleep, we just laid in bed and listened to the day wake up.  It was a cool 66° inside so I told Mom just to take her time getting herself ready for the day and enjoy the coolness.

She and Murph took a long walk around the lake this morning, saw a whole raft of motorcycles parked at the entrance waiting for one fellow to sprint to the bathroom (LOL), and then strolled down 5th Avenue daydreaming about what it would be like to have a seasonal site here.

Uncle Rob picked them up for a backroading adventure at 11:30.  He had a whole series of roads picked out to explore and a picnic site to boot!  Along the way, they found a funky gem shop that required a quick stop and saw lots of campers parked beside the muddy New River. Lunch was at the 221 access New River State Park picnic shelter.  I've camped there a couple times so I know it was a great spot for lunch.

Our afternoon was spent lazing around except for when we watched Mom pack up the Baby Clam for the trip home tomorrow.  Supper was over at Miss Anne's place and the menu included a taco casserole with all the fixin's, a Mexican salad that I sent over, and an ooey-gooey dessert that Momma Sharon delivered.

Our mountain respite in The Holler comes to an end tomorrow as we head down the mountain for home just in time for some wicked hot temperatures.  Maybe thinking about our fun week here will keep us cool. I really appreciate you taking time out of your day to read the Stories I've written for you this week.  Until I am on the road again or have some fabulous news to share with you, always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love, and Mountain Renewal"

A Day Good For The Soul

How-deeee from The Holler.  Miss Murphy had a good night and despite making Momma Sharon jump through her morning hoops at 5:30 (bathroom, medicine, & cuddles), 6:30 (bathroom,  breakfast, & cuddles), 8:00 (bathroom & cuddles), they both woke up in good spirits.  

Today has been one of those days that is good for Mom's soul . . . waking up in the mountains with the windows wide open and staying in bed until 9:00 . . . having coffee outside as the morning unfolds . . . cruising on the Blue Ridge Parkway with the windows down . . . "drive-by shootings" with her new camera . . . finding the perfect spot for a picnic lunch . . . driving on gravel roads not knowing where they would lead . . . supper with The Cousins . . . knowing it can happen all over again tomorrow.

Murphy after breakfast deciding what to do next

Wild flowers seen along Sheets Gap Road

Historic Harmon School . . . a 2-room school house built in 1920

View from Sheets Gap Road

Cruising the Blue Ridge Parkway with Rob & Trisha

Picnic lunch by the side of the road

Murphy checking out the picnic area

Wild flowers along the side of the road

Momma Sharon & her pic-a-nicking buddy

Bluff Mtn. Trail near Doughton Park

A field of color

Even the Parkway comfort stations are terrific

"Drive-by shooting" with Mom hanging out the window

Raccoon Holler bottle tree

Murphy catching some afternoon zzzzzzzzzs

Tonight's menu:  lasagna, Caesar salad, garlic bread

Sleep well everyone and until I have another Story to tell, always remember . . .

"Peace, Love, & Days That Are Good For Mom's Soul"

Blackberries right beside our campsite

Quiet Times In The Holler

Evenin' friends!  We are all sacked out for the evening listening to distant thunder and rain on my roof.  That's life in the mountains in July.  There's a soft light glowing on the counter, the TV isn't turned on, and our sweet Murphy is asleep.  We had a tough night last evening, because Murphy had another seizure.  Although it wasn't as violent or long as others, it still takes our breath away when it happens. Momma Sharon thinks she just got too tired from all the activity yesterday.  So today, we took it real easy.

Mom and Murphy took our jar of Bacon Jam from the Lodge Store in Pigeon Forge over to Miss Anne's to share with the Cousins.  Uncle Rob had baked biscuits and made a sausage and egg casserole.  It was a fine way to start out this Tuesday in The Holler.

Just down the hill from their campsite is a grove of pine trees with paths through it.  Momma Sharon has wanted to walk through those woods every time we camp here, but never has.  Miss Murphy was prancing all around and obviously up for an adventure, so off they went.  There were paths in between the trees, lots of ferns, and even a secret hut that we think some camping kids built.

After a quick trip over to West Jefferson to buy some lights for Miss Anne and some Starbucks for Mom, everyone got back just before storms started rolling in again.  I provide a pretty cozy place to spend an afternoon and naps were in order for all three of us after a bite of lunch.  I always like our quiet times together!  

The menu for this evening was pork tenderloin, baked beans, coleslaw, and garlic bread.  Mom pitched in with the slaw and bread and Chef Rob took care of the beans and pork, cooking them on his fancy GMG pellet cooker.  We eat like kings and queens, don't we?!

After supper, Rob pulled the TV outside and they all watched "Hidden Figures" while Jackson and Murphy slept.

So that's how we spent our Tuesday here.  I got some good quality time with my Camper Mom and my sweet Murphy Girl.  It's time to turn out the light and go to sleep with mountain rumbles.  Thanks for stopping by for another Story from The Holler.  I will have another one for you tomorrow evening and until then, always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love, & Quiet Times In The Holler"

We Be Camping In The Holler

Well, well, well . . . look who's back!!  Momma Sharon really dropped the ball in making sure all our techie equipment was in the bag.  She forgot to pack the one thing that connects our card reader to the laptop in order to download photos.  She sat here last night trying to figure out how to connect the wifi in the new camera to the laptop, but finally gave up after an aggravating 30 minutes or so.

To make a long story short, Cousin Rob came to our rescue and his laptop talked to my laptop and the result is a Story!  We are back in The Holler camping with Rob and Trisha and Jackson.  Momma Sharon and I look forward to this annual trip every July and Murphy the Camper Dog is with us too.

My friend Pod isn't with us any more, so now I will be hanging out with Miss Anne.  She's a long, sleek, brand-spanking new Forest River Surveyor.  But she's about as far away in the campground as we could possibly be, so Mom and Murphy have to hop in Splish to go visit and for supper.

There's lots of new stuff going on for me on this trip too.  I am parked in site 95A and I've wanted to be in this campsite for a long, long time. Miss Anne was supposed to be here, but she's too big.  Little ole skinny me sits perfectly!

So this is my home until Friday.  It's dark at night, has cool breezes blowing through and plenty of shade, and there are beautiful balsam trees to look at.  Check it off my bucket list!

Now look past my little camping flag and you will see the latest camping accessory . . . my rainbow awning.  Momma Sharon had a company make it for me and it's a perfect fit.  I've been dying to try it out for a whole month now.  Today we have had some rain showers and I can report that it is shedding water perfectly.  I am really diggin' the peak out front created by the middle pole.  I made sure we put out our noodles on the guy lines for safety.  

Not only do I have a new awning, I have a new screen room - a baby Clam, just perfect for the two of us.   We really don't need it this week, but once again, we are itching to try it out.  Pretty sweet, huh?

After Momma Sharon took care of feeding Murphy at 4:00 yesterday, they headed up the hill to hang out with Rob, Trisha, and Jackson and to eat supper.  Now there are two things you can count on when camping.  Number one is that if Cousin Rob is there, the food will be off the charts.  Number two is that we don't eat your average campground meal of beanie weenies.  No siree!  On last night's menu was salmon that Rob cooked, shoe-peg corn salad that Mom made, supplemented by slaw and cold smoked cheeses.  

Well I guess that's a good introduction to our week in The Holler.  Time to send this Story off to you and listen to the rain on the roof.  Thanks for dropping by!!  Until I'm back with another Tale tomorrow, always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love & Camping In The Holler"