Facing Fears at Oak Mountain State Park (Alabama)

Well, I am still catching up on posting my memories. LOL!!! Soooo, I am an avid hiker, and it is a big part of my life. Unfortunately, lately, it has slowed down a bit. But back in November I worked the nerve to go solo hiking at Oak Mountain State Park in a neighboring state, Sweet Home Alabama. 

I have had this place on my bucket list for 2025 to hike and I was determined I would. So, close to the end of the year I DID! I was a little nervous hiking solo a new place so far off, but I did it and I was so glad I did. It was a good place to work up the courage AGAIN for solo hiking. 

Again, I could have not asked for a more perfect day!! I hiked a total of 7 in half miles this day. I hiked half the mountain and then the bottom around a beautiful lake. 

Why? Why do I keep hiking? Many reasons. One- it has been a wonderful help for my mind and emotions. I will spare you the details but it is a help.

Second, it has helped me learn to push myself and do hard things. Face some fears and also makes me more appreciative of this beautiful world we live in. 

After a scary incident a year ago, solo hiking has been very hard for me. I used to hike all the time by myself, but one traumatic situation has caused me to have a lot of fear. I had a hiking buddy, but she can no longer go as often. I enjoying hiking a lot as time allows and so that means either, I let fear and lack of a hiking partner stop me or a face it my fear and be prepared and trek on out. 

I am learning more about being prepared and tools to help protect me. Here above the pink thing is mace and I have a visible and easy reachable knife if you will look close you can see it. 

Thirdly, I like to hike for the views, nature, and to feel the sun, breeze, even rain on my face. It is refreshing and really lifts my moods. I learn a lot on the trails. I really do. A lot about nature, being quiet, learning to build endurance, and so much more.

Little chipmunks were scurrying all over the trails this day. I kept hearing rustling all day along the trail and finally realized what it was as they kept poking their heads out and running real quick across the trails. 

I did have to share some of the trails with mountain bikers. It was fine and most were respectful. But some scared me to death when they whirl past me on a ridge. Trail etiquette is important. I wish all knew it. 

I packed a picnic to save on money. I honestly just love a good hike and picnic. I ate a yummy turkey sandwich, chips, and some cookies. Some of my favorite hiking snacks because that is a MUST (haha!) when I am hiking are gummy bears, jerky sticks, crackers, pretzels, and granola bars. I miss a good trail mix but my allergy to nuts prevents that now. 

Thank you for tagging along with me as I share these special moments and share about a hobby of mine!!!

Oh, I also love to hike for the movement and activity for my body. It has been super helpful for me in my health!!!

I hope you all have a blessed day!!!

With Love, 

Chrissy T

Tuesday Tea Talk ~ Celtic Tea Party

Hello Beautiful Friends!!! As you know I missed a lot of blogging from October 8th until recently. I am playing catch up on some of my memory making. I love to post my memories here! If anyone knows me, I am a sucker for a good tea party. I actually host one every two months for the pre-teens in our church. 

A friend of mine and I love to find unique teas to attend. This one was so beautiful, and we had the best time. This past October we attended a Celtic Tea under a tent. This was our second year in a row attending and it was so much better and nicer than the past year. The food, tea, decor, the temperature, and environment. It was so lovely. I loved the table set up because we were able to connect and have conversations with strangers and make new friends that have the same interest in teas like we do. 

They had a harpist and it was so whimsical!!!! There were also a few more events going on around the Tea Tent so there was quite a lot of different Celtic Sounds!!

The food this year was good. BUT THE TEA!!!!! My favorite was the Vanilla Rose (Oolong Tea) tea. It was so delightful and light. I loved it. 

 

This table runner was absolutely beautiful. It was like a tapestry; it was so bright and beautiful. I wish the picture could do it justice. 

You can see that rich blue under the plates, and it was absolutely beautiful. 

This was the teacup that was at my place setting. I enjoyed the scones the most. The sandwiches were okay. I also loved the lemon curd! It was so yummy. 

The scones were a chocolate chip. I never had that before. They were good. Different but good. I personally would have not called them a traditional scone. 

 My friend Jen is on the right in the blue. We got little trinkets this year to remember the tea. We got a tea strainer and a fan. That was super neat. 

I can't wait to share with you the Christmas Tea we attended next Tuesday! We visited a mini mansion built in 1830 called The Martha Vick House. Make sure to pop by next Tuesday for that. PLUS...... I am hosting a Tea this coming Saturday for the Pre-Teens at our home. 

Do you enjoy Tea? To be honest, I am not a huge tea fan, but I love the foods, environment and some Oolong Teas as well as fruity teas. I do not care for herbal teas due to some allergies I have. :) 

I hope you have the best Tuesday!!! Grab you a cup of tea or a warm drink! Tell me what you may have!!!

I may have some English Breakfast Tea today with a piece of chocolate cake. 

With Love, 

Chrissy T

BRRRR in the Deep South! Blessings in the Inconvenient

 Hello Beautiful Friends!!!! A great part of the US has been hit by the recent winter storm and here in the DEEP SOUTH of usual 60 degree winter days we are shivering a bit!! Feels like 4 degrees here today in my area and ice covers the trees. It reminds me of my 15 years of shoveling snow, power outages, and snow/ice days when we lived in the north. Every now and then I miss those cozy cold, icy and brrrrr kind of days. I mean....not enough I want to live in the cold all the time but the occasional moments I embrace.

I am embracing them because like it or not here in the deep south people DO NOT go anywhere when ice, sleet, or any type of snow mix surprises us and shows us a rare visit. People truly do not go anywhere, business close and even fast food places. Now, I understand why because of the rarity of it all and the lack of knowledge how to drive in it because it is so uncommon. But I do giggle because I spent many days trudging through snow and ice to go places in the north. You just had to keep on going up there. So.... that means you are forced to slow down and embrace the moment!!!!!!

I think ice on trees are magical! They make it look so fairytale like. Whimsical!!! I love it when the sun hits the trees and everything glistens. NO SUN today or at this moment so far so I am not getting quite that whimsical feeling in these pictures. HAHA!

We had lovely guests this weekend from Illinois. Our pastor and his wife came to minister to our church to celebrate our 7th anniversary of our church plant. BUT unfortunately, we had to cancel the celebration service due to the weather. But it gave us an entire weekend to laugh, eat, fellowship, connect, receive counsel and wisdom and encouragement. 

                                                                Source-Pinterest Image

These type of things like winter storms can make you slow down in a fast-paced life and enjoy moments of cozy, fellowship and embrace stillness a little more. We can always find the hidden blessings in the inconvenient things if we look for it.

What are your favorite ways to embrace inconvenience???

I love to ask questions because that is how we interact and this becomes a spot of communication and connection. My goal for this blog as well as recording memories. 

With Love, 

Chrissy T

Outdoorsy Moments ~ Fall Hiking Recap ~Tishomingo State Park

 Hey beautiful friends!! I like to keep record of my hiking adventures and memory making moments. Since, my computer is now fixed I am FINALLY able to "journal" it here. 

Hubby and I were finally able to make it to Tishomingo State Park in Mississippi. We have had this on our list for a while. It is a 4-hour drive one way, so we made a little overnight trip. 

Tishomingo State Park did NOT disappoint. Living in Mississippi we are super limited on HIKING spots and especially spots that look like this place. It made me feel like I was in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Alabama. 

Oh, it was the most perfect lovely hiking day! The weather, the beauty, and the foliage was exactly what I needed. There is nothing a good trail and nature can't solve. :)

I love hiking! It has been such a wonderful outlet!!!

Winter is here now!!!! So, there has been a little less hiking. But I am so ready to hit the trail again. Waterfall chasing is coming soon!

Are you an OUTDOORSY person??? What is your favorite way to spend time outdoors. 

Blessings, 

Chrissy T

It's Been a While.....

 

Hellllllooooo, beautiful people!!! It has been a while! I ended up purchasing a new computer only for it to be a lemon (a complete waste of money) and it ended up having a manufacturing defect. Then I had to send it off and then it wasn't fixed when it returned. It has been a pickle of a mess. BUT.... we are getting back into the swing. Holidays came with a blur and many topsy turvy moments of life in between but hopefully I can pop on and connect with you all more regularly. I HAVE MISSED YOU ALL!!!!!!!! I have SERIOUSLY missed visiting your blogs. 

I am sharing a couple of my favorite January quotes that I have saved this month that are speaking to me. I love me some quotes. Are you a quote lover???

I will be honest; it has been a very trying few months for our family. I cannot go into detail due to the privacy of my family, but I am slowly and I truly mean SLOWLY trying to mend and piece back this life of mine. I am thankful for the undergirding of strength I have from the Lord and a couple of friends. 

As I am doing that "mending" I have definitely found myself more at home which I am a homebody in general (except for a good hike or outdoor trip) and I am learning to practice the art of QUIET. YES.....to me it is an art!!! It takes practice, skill, and endurance. In the meantime, I am trying to get motivated to get our home in order and back to normal. 

What is your go to way to soak in quiet moments? 

Blessings, 

Chrissy T

Computer Broke

 Good day beautiful friends! I have been missing in action here because when I got back on my trip my computer finally broke. It is hard to do a lot of what I want on my phone. I hope to be back soon and visiting your blogs as well! Until then….. Be Blessed!  

My View

 Hello beautiful friends. This is my view out my window this morning. The sun ☀️ was rising. Normally, I am more of a nature kind of sunrise lady but this was a pretty sight. 

Well, my breakfast was quite unique. I chose biscuits and gravy and an egg. It was delivered like this. It was good but different. I didn’t care for the chicken sausage. I didnt realize it was chicken sausage. But it was still good.

I am about to head to my conference. I wanted to pop in! I hope to catch up reading all of your posts soon! 

Blessings!