Special Moments~ Hot Chocolate, Diamond Art, Forest Wandering, and MY FIRST FIRE

Hello everyone. I am trying to catch up and make my rounds and visit everyone. I see some blogger friends getting together which made me smile so much. I have read some fun hodge podge posts from this week. I have seen some lovely ladies share outfits with spring trends. I have seen how some celebrated St. Patrick's Day. It has been fun to catch up on all. I also see some are still walking in the cold and snow, being creative, making blog books, and creating special moments around the globe. I love BLOGLAND. 

I wanted to share some special moments I enjoyed on my getaway. I am back home now. I am really just now having time to go through all my MANY pictures. Here are some special ones I want to remember...

Drinking Hot Chocolate on a cold morning and listening to the creek. 

Lots of journaling, praying and listening was a MAJOR thing I did! I loved every minute. 

Nighttime views were breathtaking here. Totally beautiful.

All cozy and getting ready for an evening fire and listening to the rush of the creek!!!

I worked on a little diamond art and enjoyed listening to some soft relaxing music. Just being proactive in resting. :) 

Exploring out in the woods! Lots of walking, praying, listening, and TRYING to BREATHE up steep hills. 

Lots of Bible reading and study during the day in between hiking and roaming the grounds. 

I also cannot recommend enough Daily Grace Co. Bible Studies! 

As I was heading to get my dinner (Italian) to bring back to eat by the creek I seen all these precious lambs on a hillside. How fitting. He is my shepherd. 

More roaming the forest. I loved Big Canoe Creek which runs over 50 miles in the area. Here is more information about the preserve I was at. I love sharing information and promoting places that protect nature and allow areas for us to explore but also protect rare species and wildlife. 

This creek is home to a rare and endangered mussel called Canoe Creek Clubshell and recently discovered Trispot Darter Fish. 

Oh, LOOK at MY HIKING PARTENER! IT ALWAYS makes its DEBUT and models for a picture. :) I have so many medallions to add to her. But.... one day....

I enjoyed take out at a local Italian Bistro and IT WAS THE BEST ITALIAN FOOD I HAVE EVER EATEN!!!!!!!!!! I am a huge Italian food fan, and I have eaten a lot in a lot of places. Who would have known in a little small community in Alabama I would fine an authentic from scratch Italian place. Oh.... it hit the spot after all that hiking and climbing. 

You all do not laugh at my log setup. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I had to do a FIRE from complete scratch by myself. I have always had help. I was proud of this. Well.... my mom was on the phone guiding me. :)  THANKS MOM! :) 

You see I am weird. I see BEAUTY in all things. While this tree is barren, I still think it was so beautiful and the sky contrast was even more beautiful. It has a creepy vibe to it, but I like it. 

THEN THIS HAPPEN!!! YOU NEED TO TURN IT UP TO HEAR!!!! BUT I PROMISE THEY WERE VERY VERY CLOSE. I could hear them running in the woods..... COYOTES.  Yes, it made me nervous as I heard sticks and stuff cracking. 

I completed ONE MORE of my National Park Diamond Art Coasters. 

I have many neat moments which I may share later. I know you may all be sick of the word TINY HOME because it seems all I have blogged about the last few weeks. :) 

Until Next Time!!!!

Nighty Night and Good Morning from the Tiny Home on a Goat Farm

 

Hello! Yep, this is me in a loft that I had to climb up into to sleep. Very interesting and tight to say the least. But reasonable comfortable! :) 

 Last night, I crawled and I mean that every bit. CRAWLED into bed. :) I had a big hike day planned with some prayer and Bible study. 

This TINY HOME is the cutest.  To see a little more check out yesterday's post. 

Nighty Night...

Well, that was fast... and truly just like that... that is what my night felt like. I woke up a few times and didn't sleep the best but that is every night of my life lately. :) 

This window with no curtain greeted me. I literally can roll over and touch it. :) TINY HOME is the really TINY!

Let's CRAWL out of this bed and get dressed. Get some hot cocoa and check out the GOATS and CREEK!

I THINK THEY ARE EXCITED TO SEE ME! Or MAYBE it is the TREATS I was bringing. :) 

HAHA! It is all about the treats you all!!!

Moving on.... it was time for a good hike after some Quiet Time with the Lord.

This was probably one of the prettiest and cleanest Nature Preserves I have ever been to. I have been to A LOT!!!! I was the only one there when I arrived. I got my mace, knife, and BEAR SPRAY.... and headed out on the trail. 

I use an app called AllTrails to review trails, gps coordinates, and to download trail maps. I send a text to my family where I am and then I call (if I have service) my mom and start hiking until I am comfortable (this is only if it is a new trail and place) usually about 5-10 minutes or until my cell service drops. I just like making sure someone knows where I am and what all I see and etc. in case of an ER.

Usually, AllTrails is pretty accurate with lengths and rating of difficulty with trails BUT every now and then it can be off and what do you know... IT WAS OFF TODAY!!! The length of the trail was almost a mile more than stated and was more moderately difficult than moderate easy to moderate as stated. :) 

Even after the hike I checked the Hiking information board (SHOULD HAVE DID THAT BEFOREHAND) and it was very off than what the app said. 

Anyway.... I did survive BUT I was WIPED out and it was a hard trail for me. Lots of elevation gain, switchbacks, rocks, creek crossings, and down trees. But I enjoyed it. :) Even though I felt my lungs were going to collapse... sarcasm... or maybe not. :) 

I was EVER SO THANKFUL for this random bench halfway on a lookout over a creek. OHHHH.... I was so thankful!!!!! HAHA!

It is still pretty winter looking here and it was cooler for sure. I have soooo many pictures, but I am heading to bed!!! I loved this picture of the creek winding through the woods. 

Until next time...

With Love,

Chrissy T

Sooooo..... Tiny Home on a Goat Farm It Is................

Hello! Let's go on a journey with me... I decided to head on to the goat farm and stay in the sweetest and nicest Tiny Home that I have stayed in. So, if you do not know I have a BIG TIME LOVE for all TINY HOMES and TREE HOMES. I love them. I often choose to vacation in those other than hotels, large cabins or etc. I find them neat and fun. Anyway... I braved the cold!!! I bundled up and hit the road to Alabama. 

First stop upon arrival.... ONLY because I arrived too early to check in the Tiny Home....

An Antique Store, of course!

Do you notice anything funny about this picture above????!! Let me know below!!!

I debated about getting this original watercolor framed piece. It reminded me of growing up in the south and visiting family in the country & shelling peas on the front porch, BUT I have a no buy rule unless I absolutely LOVE and have a place for it. I really have become more of "window" shopper or "browser." I would rather have frugal adventures than store stuff. Just my preference. :) 

If you are a crystal fan, they had it for sure. :) 

NOW..... I did really and I mean really heavily debated about getting this. It is whole set of 

Mid Century Stieff Pewter Williamsburg Tea Set w/ Hallmark by Kirk Stieff ~1950's

They had an amazing price on it!!!! Like unbelievable. I almost would have felt bad paying the price because the tea pot alone is the price they had for all of it. 

You all know I host teas so this would have been a wonderful investment and would be used. BUT....

I don't know. I let it stay there and I will think on it. It is not a need. ;) My husband told me to get it twice, I did skip it for now. :) 

I had a little more time to wait so I went next door to this little Organic Shop, and it smelled wonderful. I met the owner and she was crushing rose pedals and making pressed flower art, and it was lovely. I did get me some Hair Serum. Remember I have very long hair!!! I love serums to keep it healthy.

And FINALLY.... It was time to head UP and then DOWN and go up and down again a road up into some foothills and found my little abode for two nights. OH.... I have so many pictures.... BUT I will not overload you!! 

Oh... I LOVE IT!!! The Goats were super excited to see me!!! The chickens and cat too!

Straight up from a magazine! Well... that is what it looks like to me. I love it. It is TINY. It takes me 12 steps from the front door to the bathroom! HAHA The picture is deceiving. ;)

My bed is in the loft. Up some mighty large steep steps. I hoping I do not have to come down once I get up there. :) 

Let's go check on the goats!!! I grabbed some treats THEY provide for safety and good nutrition. 

They gifted me a basket of snacks, water and some fresh farm eggs on the counter!!! I mean.... how awesome. 

OH, WHAT DO WE SEE HERE???? IT HAS ITS OWN HIKING TRAIL..... NO WAY!!!! Let's GO!

Well, Yes... thank you... LEAD THE WAY!!!! Where are we going?????

Bundled up, hiking shoes, hiking stick.... LET's GO!!!

Okay.... not bad..... let's keep going......

Hmmmmm.... OKAY!!! I am curious.....

Wait... is that where that sound is coming from... that slow, peaceful, rushing sound......

BE STILL MY HEART!!! Oh, the picture DOES NOT DO this CREEK JUSTICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Big Canoe Creek rapids... oh... my......

Well.... that was a nice hike. After sitting by the creek with hot cocoa, journaling, reading some scripture, and just listening..... it is time to curl up and do some creative work. Diamond Painting is on the schedule and popcorn. 

Until tomorrow...

With Love, 

Chrissy T

Oh...Well.... Hello... Chilly Freeze Breeze!

Hello everyone. We have had some lovely warm days. Matter of fact we had days of 80's this weekend. Things are in bloom and birds are just as chirpy as ever BUT.................

DO NOT LET THESE BLOOMS & BEAUTIFUL SUNNY SKIES FOOL YOU.....

IT IS COLD! IT IS WINDY AND WE HAVE A HARD FREEZE ON THE WAY TONIGHT!!!

This happens every single year. Things will bloom and people will begin to plant things and then we have a freeze mid-March every single year. It causes damage and issues for landscaping and is brutal on our trees in our area. Last year our Azalea bushes and Crepe Myrtles were severely damaged by an ice storm that NOBODY expected. It was 88 one day and the next it was 18 and ice. 

Today's high is 40 but feels like 19 due to our wind. So, while it says 40 the weather man says it is feeling 19 degrees and we will drop into the low 20's. Now, I know some of you that are still in the throes of cold are probably saying that is nothing BUT here in the deep south where yesterday was 81 and today feels like this... it a big shock. :) 

Oh, well it is still beautiful!!! I will take it either way. I love cold!! So, I am good! :) I just hope we do not lose our Azaleas completely and my rose bushes that have bloomed. 

If you like birds and identifying birds I want to share a FREE app (not sponsored) just something I thought I would share, it is called Merlin Bird ID. I love this app. I downloaded it last year and then my mom and I went camping and had so much fun identifying bird sounds and looking for the bird with our binoculars. 

Here is a link to the website and you can find out more about their ID app as well. It is TOTALLY FREE and so EASY & ENJOYABLE! My mom loves sitting on the porch listening and identifying birds. Just thought I would share a fun tool I like to use!!!! OHHH... you can also download FREE BOOKMARKS!! Check this pdf here.

In other NEWS.. LOL! I am not sure what to do about my Tiny Home trip. It is supposed to be freezing, rain and sleet. It is a 5-hour drive. Which normally is no big deal for me BUT it is in the foothills of the Appalachia Mountains and in an area, roads are not serviced well. I just do not know!!! Sigh. I am still tossing it back and forth if I should go or not. Truly, I will lose MONEY if I cancel but I also want to be safe and feel comfortable driving. It has all became a mess with this tiny home. If I do go, I will leave tomorrow. If not, well I will eat some money, sigh about it for a bit, and then move on. HAHA!

With Love, 

Chrissy T