This Weekend in North Carolina...

There is so much going on.  No time to waste with an intro let's just do this!





Friday is the last of Wagram's {Cypress Bend Vineyards' Concert Series.}  Take advantage of great music and wine on this Friday evening.  This vineyard, like many other NC vineyards, is based around the muscadine grape.  Wagram is located in Scotland County, perfect for anyone in South Carolina to pop up for a visit.

If you are in the Christmas spirit then you should venture to Hickory on Friday evening.  They will start the evening off with their Christmas parade and then light the Christmas tree.  This is a popular event across North Carolina for the weekend before Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile over in Seagrove you can delight in the magical creations of North Carolina's finest potters.  Seagrove is the capitol of NC Pottery and this is a fabulous event to start or finish your holiday shopping at!  Make plans to attend the {Celebration of Seagrove Potters} this weekend.

If you're in the Fayetteville area on Friday you can catch a concert.  {Third Day's tour "Lead Us Back"} will be at the Crown Coliseum for one night only.

Maybe you are in the mountains this weekend and would be interested in venturing to Franklin?  If so you can catch {Lysa Terkeurst} at the Smoky Mountain Center for Performing Arts.  I have had the priviledge of hearing Mrs. Terkeurst speak live and you do not want to miss it!



I love the High Point Theater.  This weekend you can catch {Mipso}.  This Appalachian meets Americana new age band out of Chapel Hill will give you a couple hours of good music and set your weekend off right.

Mocksville, that little town between Winston-Salem and Statesville on I-40 is hosting their annual Night Before Christmas Bed Race on Friday night.  See local businesses, non profits, and schools battle it out on the main drag in some interesting "beds".  Stay on in Mocksville to enjoy the Christmas parade and lighting of the beautiful oak trees (once there were four, now there is not) on Saturday evening.  I can give you a few ideas of places to dine and to check out in this tiny town...I do know a bit about it.

Christmas lights abound at the {NC Arboretum} in Asheville!  Beginning this weekend you can see the beauty of the season wrapped in the mesmerizing colors of the holidays.  If you long for Disney at Christmas then you should enjoy this light show.  The director is a former Project & Special Events Manager for Walt Disney World!

500,000 Christmas lights....are you in the Charlotte area?  If so head to Belmont and visit the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.  The Holiday at the Garden features many fun events for families and I am told Santa will be there this season as well!



WRAL in Raleigh is hosting the 71st Annual Christmas Parade on Saturday (in Raleigh).  Raleigh's parade is the largest one south of DC and north of Atlanta.  Did you know that 60,000 people will attend the parade while 250,000 will watch it live from home?  If you're new to Raleigh check it out!  If its a tradition then happy celebrating!



Long before we celebrated a feast of maize and pumpkins the Native Americans thrived in this land.  This weekend in Raleigh at the Museum of History you can learn more about the Native American culture, history, and lifestyle at the {20th Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration}.
Members of North Carolina's 8 recognized tribes will be on hand for demonstrations.  There is a special event for teachers and their students on Friday.  Click the link for more information!

Lenior is ready for Christmas!  This weekend they will celebrate the kick off to the holiday season with food, fun, crafts, merchants, and music.  Enjoy the {Lenoir Christmas Festival} all weekend long.

In case you need another reason to go to Asheville - their {Holiday Parade and Jinglefest}is this weekend.  A big parade and then a huge party at Pack Park.  Ingles Grocery and Bojangles sponsor these events of an enormous load of fun.



NASCAR and North Carolina go hand in hand.  These days at Charlotte Motor Speedway it isn't fast cars but holiday fun that is on every turn.  The {Speedway Christmas} event in Concord (on the track) is a huge hit for the holidays.  There are three million lights ready to greet you at the track and 800 different displays.  Did I mention you drive on the track?

The largest and most sought after display of lights in the Southeast is in my backyard. Head over to Tanglewood in Clemmons and visit the {Festival of Lights}.  This event is a fairy tale of sorts as you drive through the beautiful Tanglewood Park.  Words cannot do justice to this one of a kind light show.

Let's Eat: Thanksgiving Ideas (Sides)

The new look of Let's Eat!  I'm excited to change up my weekly post from what we (may) be eating to ideas for us all with themes.

And what better time of the year to do all this than the holidays?

Today I'm focusing on side dishes for Thanksgiving.  It could be safe to say the days of one person making the entire meal are passing away.  When I was growing up my Mammaw made the entire meal and the rest of us just showed up with empty bellies!  Today, it seems we have moved to more of a potluck style gathering.

This girl loves a potluck.  (When it is a potluck with people she knows...if I don't know you I'm a little weary of that casserole because I may be wondering if a small cat nation was sitting on the counter as you created it.  Truth!)

Today I have compiled a list of some of my most loved sides and some new sides to try out.  I cannot wait to hear what your go to side dish is!  Be sure to leave some comments here, on Google+, or on the Facebook page!

Favorite Sides

1.  Stuffing - Generally the hottie who bakes up your turkey is going to go ahead and prep that stuffing.  I just have to say, do you really need a turkey for stuffing?  Oh.heck.no.  Stuffing is like the food god of autumn.  We need stuffing with every entree - chicken, pork, shoot I would even eat it with seafood (deviled crab stuffing!)



2.  Green Beans and or Green Bean Casserole - I think we have the old Campbell's company to thank for this dish (casserole).  So many people really love some GBC and I admit I like a helping but just one.  Green beans are a weakness for me so bring them on and if you dare - mix in some corn with them.

3.  Turnip Greens - Realizing I could be alone on this one...I love turnip greens with both turkey and ham.  If you can cook them properly (and a bit unhealthy) then share your recipe because I have yet to make them the way my Mammaw did.



4.  Deviled Eggs - Somebody who is new to this blog just said - Oh my god, a Southerner!  Well, you don't have to be Southern to like any of these foods listed and especially not to like deviled eggs!  I only fix them at holidays and boy do they go quickly!

5.  Sweet Potato Casserole - Because you have to have at least three casseroles on the table for it to be a true holiday!  I also think that there is a requirement that says you must eat sweet potatoes at Thanksgiving.  North Carolina appreciates that as we're one of the top sweet potato producers in the land.

Sides to try:

1.  Hashbrown Casserole - Probably one of the best casseroles known to man.  It is very rich and hearty and it won't last five seconds.



2.  Parmesan Herb Roasted Potatoes - Yes mashed potatoes have their spot on the table but mixing it up and making a little healthier white potato (or red potato) never hurt anyone!

3.  Apple, Cranberry, Walnut Salad - I just realized salad is never, ever on the table when we eat Thanksgiving lunch!  Everyone is always talking about the calorie load on Thanksgiving so why not lighten it up with this festive salad.

4.  Wild Rice with Mushrooms - I vote to replace anything that looks like mac and cheese with this!  Yeah, I cannot stand mac n cheese.  But this recipe from Southern Living looks like a winner, winner, turkey dinner.



5.  Double Cranberry Applesauce - Aren't we all used to the canned jiggly circles of cranberry?  Ewww.  Side note:  I didn't touch cranberry sauce until well into my twenties.  I really like fresh cranberry sauce and if you can deviate from the can and whip some up, call me I'll try it!  While checking out Southern Living I stumbled upon this cool play on cranberry sauce - combining it with apple sauce.  Yummy!

Vist my Fall 2015 Pinterest Board for recipes, fashion, decor and more!
Follow Amanda's board fall 2015 on Pinterest.

Weekending....

Our weekend was very low key.

Friday we ate tacos and watched Alexander & The Horrible, Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.  Cute movie.  I couldn't remember the book.

2nd visit this season...isn't it festive!  Red, green, white, tasty!

Saturday we ventured to Sam's Club and bought K-Cups that will not fit our machine (2.0).  We also finalized some Friendsgiving planning.  The hubs had to work that afternoon/evening so the kids and I cleaned house (anyone else having a gnat issue?) and then ventured to Wally World for, well, nothing.
Sunday was church and a grocery run.  I believe my daughter will be in the drive thru nativity this year.  One thing I miss about small churches is the Christmas Program.  Large churches just... well... are too large!!!  I still love my church and all it affords our children.

Anyhoo we had a burning party (correction just a burning of a rotten, wooden playset, we live in the country, tis normal.)  Then we went through our garage.  We had tons of empty boxes so we let them arc up in the fire.  Then I found something quite nice.  When our house went down I lost all my wedding pictures.  In the garage in a toppled over box was....

Our cake topper, our champagne flutes, and a gifted/painted copy of our wedding invitation.

My weekend ended with some cabernet and this girl.

I hope your weekend ROCKED out!

Thankful 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

10 - Baking cookies with my kids.  It can be a bit chaotic as I'm a control freak in the kitchen; these are times that I love most.  I love how involved they are in the ingredients and mixing and stirring and dropping.  Then they watch the baking process in amusement.  This time of year we have on holiday music as we "work" and that makes it extra special.  Too soon they'll care very little about creating things in the kitchen with their <eye roll> mama.  I have learned to be thankful for this age and these experiences.

11 - Swimming...nothing is so freeing to me or my daughter as jumping in and taking off.  I was deathly afraid of the water for 12 years and am I so glad that I got over that fear?  Yes!  It makes me proud to see my little fish glide around the pool.

12 - Watching my kids grow.  Quite honestly, this is not a gift everyone is afforded.  I have two healthy and happy (and wild) children.  Even though it can be hard on me to accept they are only this age for a tiny blippit of time I am delighted that I get the honor to watch them grow and develop to the next phase, no matter how difficult it may be.

13 - DVR - lame right?  It beats the heck out of buying a VHS and remembering to press record!!!

14 - Facebook Messenger - If it weren't for that little service I wouldn't ever get to talk to my husband.  All the communication technology makes me wonder how husbands and wives did these crazy shifts twenty, thirty, forty+ years ago.

15 - Hot tea.  I'm new to this but I'm really enjoying it.  After I got sick a doctor recommended hot green tea to help my stomach recover.  I highly recommend it....every day, morning and night.

Blog Recap

What's crackin' this Saturday, sweetie pies?  I'm super excited to be going to Sam's today!!!  I know it may sound totally stupid to you but today is their Holiday Open House!  That means more free samples (it will seriously cover a meal) and loads of good deals ($100 iPhones).

The week is now behind us and here's what was on the blog!  Grab some coffee or tea and let's see what you may have missed :)

Sunday was the regular {Let's Eat}post.  It was the dinner plan for the week.  Needless to say I deviated away from that whole plan.  Maybe this is a good time to tell you I'm changing up Let's Eat for the holiday season!  Look for it on Tuesday of next week.

Also on Sunday...{Thankful 5, 6, 7, 8} 

Monday came and it really wasn't too shabby!  Oh and I didn't post.

Tuesday I shared the {Birthday Weekend Recap!}  I had the best of times with my stud muffin in AVL & WNC!  Check it out for loads of pictures and a brief section on why I love "looney bins."

Every Wednesday you can generally count on.....{This Weekend In North Carolina} to be posted!  So many fun things going on right now in the state!  The post this week focuses on the Piedmont region with some fun stuff up in the High Country.

{Fall Fashion #4}???  Yeah I think it was four was up on Thursday and I was asking you about ponchos!

Friday we wrapped up a fun and busy week with H54F

Friday night we were rocked by the overwhelming blessings we have in our lives and it inspired {Be The Light}

If you have some time go like the Facebook page A Brownie World Facebook Page!

Have a great Saturday!!!  Be safe, warm and have fun!

Be the Light

Tonight we packed boxes for children in countries torn apart by poverty, angry governments, and agents of hate.  In those boxes we put items to show children who have so little our hearts can be so big.  There were teddy bears, clothing, hygiene items, and more in each box.

And then we prayed.

We prayed over each box for God to show those children good health, clean water, happiness, and love.

Because we know when all hope is gone the love of God endures forever.

Our days are easy - food is there, water is there, warmth, doctors, and all the creature comforts imaginable is there - at our fingertips.



Because of our blessings we are millions of miles from what those children face every second of every day.

And still I ask why?

Why, God, did you chose me to be here in America where I am free from so many things that ravage these babies?

Why, God, did you chose those little people to be in a world of fear and evil?

The answer?

You were blessed so that you can bless others.  Shine your light in the darkest of places through your acts of kindness, love, and humility.



Tonight our brothers and sisters of Paris have been devastated.  I pray that as we prepare for a season of Thanksgiving that you will be a light of kindness, love, and humility to those near to you and so very far away.

Be the hands, feet, and prayers.

For the scariest of nations, the City of Lights, and the homeless you see here on the street.  Do something to show you know the Truth so others will see that Truth and be drawn into it.

God bless you.
God bless us all.

H54F

Linked up!


1 - Guys I just can't stop thinking about our weekend getaway last week.  It was great.  I'm ready for another weekend trip but it will probably be in the spring.

2 - The kids had big weeks!  In the county we live, all second graders have a chance to learn to swim through a "water safety week" at our local YMCA.  The schools take their students for half the school day and they learn probably one of the most valuable skills there is to know as a human being - how to swim.  My daughter can swim but she had a blast being in the water with her friends!

My baby boy isn't so much of a baby anymore.  He started Preschool this week at our church.  It is so bittersweet!  Preschool is fabulous for kids and it is purely fantastic at how much those little sponge minds can take in during those pivotal early years.  I know he'll do just fine and he'll grow and thrive.  I'm just not too sure I'm ready for my baby to start morphing into a big boy!

3 - Midweek holiday meant family time.  We enjoyed being home with the hubby (before he left for work.)  The weather was amazing so we had lot of outside time!  When the sun set, which is around 5:30 here, I made a casserole off the back of a mix and we watched Inside Out.  Watch it.  That's all I have to say.  It is a good way for us all to realize sadness is necessary and so often is the bridge to happiness.

4 - Christmas is in the air.  Note:  My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving.  Hahaha!  This week we turned on the Christmas music, watched some Christmas show, and devoured some Little Debbie Gingerbread men!!!  I just love the entire holiday season.



5 - A wonderful walk this morning in crisp air and with the beautiful decorations of the upcoming season just set my Friday off to a good start!

Have a great weekend!  If you are playing on Facebook go check out the page! Click Here!