Car Camping

Hello all! I know this will be controversial for some. I read all kinds of thoughts on it. I have people in real life say I am crazy. I am thankful my mother is supportive, believe it or not! LOL! She is a camper though! She is also a solo adventurer on the most part like me. I guess I just got it honestly.  

If you have been on my blog long enough... you know I like to explore. I also love adventure (to a degree 😏) and outdoors is my language! 

I have always wanted to car camp! Yes, you are reading that right. Car Camp. I can't explain the desire I have or why but I do. Last year, it was on my 2025 bucket list to do but it was the ONE thing I did not do on my list. Time, money, and little fear got in the way. 

(Image from Pinterest for inspiration)

It really is like "tent camping" or a very small TINY version of a basic camper "camping" if you think about it. 😉

I am planning my first car camping trip for one night once I feel better. I am still not feeling very good but one day hopefully. Researching and making plans has been a lifter of my spirit. :) 

I am not sure when I will try it. It may be this spring or maybe in the fall. I will not do it in the summer. It is too hot for me to do that in my area.  Who knows... it could be in a week or in five months. 

(Image from Pinterest for inspiration)

A few questions I have had people ask me when I mention this is a dream of mine. 

Do you really think you will like it? ~ I have no idea. I will not know until I try. I may hate it and I may love it. 

Why???? ~ I get this one A LOT. So, my answer is that I want to be able to travel for hiking and to explore more areas unfortunately I cannot always afford hotels, cabins, or even air bnb's. I also love exploring outdoors and love to sit by a fire, look at stars, drink a hot cocoa and cook "camp" food. I love the thought of being out in nature and waking up to beautiful scenery. You can see and explore a lot more by camping.

Wait! A car! Why not a tent?? ~ Well, I have tent camped a few times as a young girl. I did like it a lot. But it has been ages and I feel I am building up that bravery a little at a time. I also RV camped last spring with my mom. 

 I started traveling and staying alone in remote areas about three years ago once or twice a year to get comfortable to being alone in the woods. I have stayed in tree houses, cabins, and my last adventure was a tiny home in the woods on a goat farm.

I want to eventually tent camp. BUT I feel like I would have more security car camping until I get comfortable learning how to set up camp by myself. Since, I have felt very comfortable traveling alone now I want to car camp, then tent camp and then backpack on a hike in the woods overnight. YES! I know I am insane. I will say I do not want to backpack camp alone. That is negative. I will take either our daughter or our youngest son as both of them have experience with backpacking and long overnight hiking trips. Hannah was an intern for Rocky Mountains National Park, and she has had to backpack for long periods in the backcountry for up to 10 days. 

Why is your husband not going? ~ Because simply put, IT IS NOT HIS THING. LOL! He has no desire to sleep in a tent ever, camp in the woods during a hike, or nothing like this. He is the type of person that will only stay in a cabin or very luxurious rv type person. :) Nothing wrong with that at all. I am down for that too. I just want to experience of roughing it. LOL!

Are you not scared?? What if this or that? ~ Yes, I have fears. Yes, I will need to be smart, prepared and have a safety plan. Yes, I could ask myself all the what if's or that's and worry all the time. But what good does all that do? Any single time you leave your home there is a risk. :) 

What are you most scared of when you think about doing this? ~ 

The first thing is animals. Yes, I know. I am scared of that the most. Mainly snakes or bears or even a poisonous spider or bug. You know the one you will never know slithering in your tent or getting in your car somehow. 😕😁

I am a little afraid of weirdos! Enough said.

I am also tad afraid of the aloneness, quiet and darkness I will experience. 

So, with all that being said. I showed an image this past Monday's post of camping. I am pondering and researching car camping and tent camping. I am creating a plan to try it soon. I have full support from my family. I am looking forward to the day I get to have the experience. Who knows... I may go and freak out and drive right back home. That is why my first time will be at a local state park close to our home with 24/7 security and a park I am very familiar with because I hike and kayak there a lot. 

I can't wait to share more about this topic. The ups, the downs, if I like it or hate it. :) 

Right now, I am researching camp gear on a budget. I do not want to spend a lot on my first time in case I end up not liking it. 

Here is a great resource I have found. The Trek is a website with great tips and knowledge. 

More helpful resources....

I hope you enjoyed today's post. It really is a post of me sharing a little of my dreams. :) 

With Love, 

Chrissy

Okay... So, I did a thing....

Hello! So, from the title of this post I guess you may be thinking... "What did you do??"

Well, my friends.... 

I got a job! LOL! 😏

This season of my life has opened a door for me to get a part time Spring~Summer job. Yes, you read that correctly. After 23 years I am working outside the home. I worked once for a Christian school for a few months as a substitute preschool teacher. It wasn't for long, so I do not count it really. :) 

I am working at a Specialty Sno' Cone Cafe. Oh, yes, very professional. :) LOL! But... I love creative cooking and baking and while this isn't that it is so fun to create special neat drinks and sno' cones. :) 

It is only part time and I started today. I have to say... my feet hurt so bad. HAAHA!😆

This is just for a SEASON! The owner is a pastor friend of ours and they have this on their church grounds as an outreach of sorts. So, I love being able to help out this church. My daughter was the manager for 6 years, but she can no longer run it because of her full-time job as an x-ray tech and ortho assistant. 

So, here is to a new adventure and season!

 As ALWAYS FROM ONE SEASON TO THE NEXT!

With Love,

Chrissy T

Hodgepodge Wednesday (Thursday Edition)

I know! I know! I can't stick to Wednesday when it comes to Wednesday Hodgepodge. But I do love participating. I am linking up over at From This Side of the Pond and others. Joyce is a lovely host! Please go visit her. 

1. Big week in the US of A...do you do your own taxes? What's something you've found 'taxing' lately? 

My husband does our taxes. 

Something I have found taxing lately is deeply personal. I will say I have been almost TAXED out lately! :) 

2. When it comes to travel are you a last-minute packer or a lay it all out a week in advance type? Do you struggle to pack light? Share a packing tip that has worked for you. 

I do not pack a week in advance. I am sort of a last-minute packer, but I am organized about it. I have lists and a system. I tend to know where things are and what to take. I also pack one or two staple bottoms and then pair different tops and etc to keep from being overwhelmed with choices and packing too much. BUT even with that I always pack too much. :) I am not a light packer. 

I do not really have a packing tip. :) I travel a good bit, and I just go with it. I think the key is kind of having a system, being organized a little in nature and it helps go smoother. If that makes sense.  Having an organized environment daily helps me know exactly where things are so it is easier to pack and go. I always wash and keep my car clean weekly, so this helps prevent the sudden rush to clean our vehicle to keep it travel ready. I always have my oil changed so my car is maintained. 

I do keep a basket of travel supplies on hands for items we use for hiking, travel, cruise and beach trips. 

3. April is National Grilled Cheese Month. Hmmm...who knew it got its own month? Do you like a grilled cheese sandwich? What ingredient do you add to take yours to the next level? 

I really like grilled cheeses. I had no idea it had its own month. That is cool!

I usually just do your basic grilled cheese, but I have added a variety of different cheeses and ham before.

4. There's a well-known quote that says-

'A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for." John A. Shedd  

Is constant growth necessary or do you think it's more important to prioritize stability and peace in your life? 

Oh man tough question. I think my answer would be that there has to be an intentional balance of both. I think a healthy desire to grow regularly is important and helps us as humans expand our horizons and learning new things keeps us thriving. With that said, there has to be a balance to have contentment and stability that brings peace. I think both can be achieved.  Regular healthy growth can keep you stable and full of peace. If it begins to do the opposite, then it is time evaluate and sit still for a moment.

5. Let's wrap this up with a fun spring this or that-

• daffodils or tulips ~ Tulips
• lemonade or iced tea ~ Lemonade
• gardening or hiking ~ hiking
• ladybugs or butterflies~ butterflies
• umbrella or raincoat~ raincoat
• floral patterns or polka dots ~ Floral

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I do not have much to add here this time. I am just thinking of accomplishing some things on my Spring Bucket List. :) 

The ones with check marks I have done already. :) 

With Love, 

Chrissy T

Cakes and Flowers... a Whimsy Collide

Hello everyone! I am sorry for my lack of daily posts. I need a little break from daily posting so I am posting as I can. I posted Monday several images and asked if you would guess what I was researching and pondering. You all had some great guesses! Here is that post!

Today, I thought I would share these beautiful images!!! NONE OF THESE ARE MY IMAGES! ALL SAVED FROM PINTEREST FOR INSPIRATION.

I can't handle all this CREATIVE WHIMSY!!!!  Here are some more magical cake and flower love!

I came across these lovely ideas where cakes and flowers collide! What wonderful creativity.  I love cake and I love flowers. I always do a fun birthday cake for myself. LOL! My daughter does them for me. Hannah likes to know a few months in advance what I want. She worked and managed a bakery for years. I also love to have ideas for the tea times I do for church and friends. 

Here is my cake from last year! She couldn't have done a better job. It was a surprise party at church for me. 

Hannah did a wonderful job! I wanted a nature type cake. She did it perfectly!!!! I was so proud of her. But the BEST thing it was DELISH!!!

I want to try one of these flower cakes! Have you ever eaten edible flowers? I have had a few. I can say some are okay. Some taste exactly the way you imagine.... grassy. 😜

I have tried a hibiscus, lavender, pea flower, and pansy. I can say I am not a fan of them all but did I like the hibiscus and pea flower. I like pea flower the most. 

How fun and whimsical these cakes are!!! 

Have you ever had a cake like this?? 

Until Next Time,

Chrissy T

What Am I Pondering?!

 Hello everyone. Thanks for being patient with me as I took a break for a few days. The first one I have had since Mid-January. I have posted almost daily since then. I may also be a little more sporadic in the next few weeks or I may not. Who knows. No expectations. LOL!!! 😆

I thought I would do something different. I am going to show some images (NOT MY OWN) and I would love for you to take a guess what I have been pondering during my break and researching!! 

I will come back each day this week and share on each image what I am thinking!!

😀 Just a fun little twist...

So, what do you think I am pondering or researching based on these images....

Alright..... I would love to read your comments on what you think I am pondering or researching!!!

With Love, 

Chrissy T

Hello My Friends!

Hello! I am away from my normal routine. I am attending a conference. Yes, I know.. LOL! Another one, but it is part of our ministry so with that said I will possibly be back for Scripture and a Snapshot Sunday. Maybe before then or maybe after. :)  My days and nights are full. Conference is at 9:30 a.m. today and last until 3:00 p.m. and then starts back at 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.  tonight and then again Saturday until 12:30 p.m. Plus, we drove almost 9 hours on Thursday and had an event from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 and by the time we got back to the hotel it was 11:00 p.m.! I am super tired. 

After Saturday’s  closing session, we are going to visit friends that we haven't seen in almost 6 years and some 10 years. We lived in this area for 15 years (Midwest area of the US) and now we are in Mississippi the good ole south. 

Until then....

Love,

Chrissy T

Wednesday Hodgepodge on a Thursday :)

 I am linking up at Joyce's at From This Side of the Pond for Hodge Podge Wednesday! Please go visit this lovely blog and all the others that link up.

1. Egg on your face, putting all your eggs in one basket, a good egg, walk on eggshells, nest egg, or a tough egg to crack...which eggy idiom currently applies to your life in some way? Explain

Without being too personal I will say, A TOUGH EGG TO CRACK. 

2. April 7th is National Beer Day...are you a beer drinker? If so do you have a favorite? Beer battered fish, beer bread, beer can chicken, beer brats...which one sounds good to you? Have you made any of these? 

I do not drink any alcohol of any form. I have on the other hand had beer chicken, beer battered fish (which I like) and beer bread from restaurants, and I do like them all. I have cooked beer chicken a very long time ago. 

3. Do you have siblings? What's the best thing about being your sibling? If you don't have siblings, what would you say are the pros and cons of being an only child? 

I have a sister that is 7 in half years younger than me. Her name is Audrey. She is a very sensitive and hard-working sis. I do not get to see her but once a year and we don't talk a whole lot due to her work schedule and she is in the busyness of raising little kiddos. She is creative, sweet and tender hearted. I love her much. I think she definitely sees me in a more mothering figure due to our age gap. :) 

Our yearly picture~ November 2025

I actually found out in July 2025 that I had a half-brother from my biological father that is two years older than me. We knew nothing about him. Including my biological father. I have never met him in person. He lives about an hour and half from me. It is a complicated situation. He found me through Ancestry. com. I had done a DNA test to do a family tree and to understand our lineage because I love genealogy. Well.... surprise surprise. LOL. After 7 years of my DBA being in the system last May he found me.  We do send texts occasionally to check on each other. Maybe one day we will meet but for now I am being cautious to protect my family.

Not sure what the best thing is about being my sibling is. I guess that I will faithfully and loyally pray for them.

4. How do you feel about floral scents in products? Do you have a favorite?

I do like a few but truly ever since covid my sense of smell is very off and different. I cannot tolerate certain things I once could. I do like Lavender and soft floral scents depending on what it is. 

5. What's one thing in your home that begins with the letter G that you would say is a keeper, something you'll hold on to? Tell us why. 

I really do not know of anything truly that starts with a G necessarily. I do have my "Grandma's" Heart Shaped Jewelry or Trinket holder that I do love and am thankful to have had passed to me. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Hmmm.. this is always hard for me.  

I have been thinking how thankful that I am thankful for the pretty weather we have had. I have not really enjoyed it like I would like due to health issues but the time I have stepped outside I am wishing I was on a trail. It has been the perfect hiking, walking or exploring nature weather. 

I am also dreading packing in the morning for a trip. I am leaving at 8 am and haven't packed the first thing. Which is NOT like me. 

Until Next Time, 

Chrissy T