Happy Friday, Friends!
I am so excited for this next week. My hubby and I are taking Little Miss on our first official family road trip and we depart this weekend!
We are leaving from Chicago and headed to Gatlinburg in the Smoky Mountains for a few days, then spending a day in Asheville North Carolina, and a few days in Charlotte NC before we head back home. It might end up being a complete disaster with a crazy 1-year-old in the car, but I’m really looking forward to seeing some beautiful mountains and scenery. Adventure awaits us! 🙂
I’m also super excited because I am finally getting to meet one of my best blog friends Sarah from The Frugal Millionaire in person. She lives in Charlotte and we are planning on getting together and I’m so looking forward to it. One of my favorite parts of blogging has been connecting with others and making new friends along the way. I just think it’s so cool to be able to turn online connections into real friendships!
If you’ve ever been to Gatlinburg, Asheville, or Charlotte – any suggestions for must do activities or family-friendly places to eat? Please do let me know in the comments below if so!
Here are some of my favorites this week:
1. Favorite Freebie
I mentioned this freebie briefly in Wednesday’s post, but thought it was worth mentioning again for those of you that might have missed it.
If you love learning about how to incorporate healthy habits into your life, be sure to check out this FREE 4 Essential Habits of Healthy Living Audio eCourse from Spark Health. You’ll learn how to get fit, eat better, and have more energy!
2. Favorite informational blog post this week
Why Narcissists Try to Make You Feel Bad About Yourself from Psychology Today
3. Favorite Pinterest find
I found this pin from Mom On Timeout for these delicious baked pumpkin spice donuts with maple glaze. I realize it’s a bit on the ridiculous side to be thinking about fall flavored treats already, but I can’t help myself! I’m already counting down the days until pumpkin spice lattes are back at Starbucks too. I’m totally going to give these donuts my best baking shot!
IMAGE SOURCE: MOMONTIMEOUT.COM
Feel free to follow me on Pinterest for money saving tips, fun ideas, and tasty recipes!
4. Favorite inspiring quote
I found this pin of this amazing quote on Pinterest and fell in love. It’s such a great reminder that we are in control of how we feel and how we approach situations in our lives.
Hope you all have a lovely weekend!
XO Christina
[Photo source: Ashley Ella Design]
Hi Christina. Just a note to let you know how much I am enjoying your ideas. I am drooling over the pumpkin donuts! Keep up the great work! And enjoy the trip:)
Aw thank you so much!!
Christina, i am enjoying your blog and getting to know you and your family. I read your post this morning while sipping on my pumpkin coffee. Fall is my favorite time of the year. We were in Marion, NC this spring, which is just west of Gatlinburg. It is beautiful country and there is so much to see and do. One of the places we enjoyed visiting was the Orchard at Altapass, Spruce Pine, NC. It may be a drive for you, but worth the time. There is music, the best apple pie, and an amazing, breath-taking view. I know you will enjoy your first road trip with Little Miss.
You are too sweet, thank you Linda!! I really appreciate the tips for what to see too, I am adding the orchard to my list. You had me at apple pie! 🙂
We are kindred spirits. enjoy
Christina!!! I seriously can’t WAIT for our meet-up!! We are going to have such a fun time, I just know it haha. Too bad I work or else I’m sure we could EASILY talk the entire day away!
And those pumpkin donuts look amazingggg. I really want to go “all out” this year for the holidays. Too bad you don’t live in Charlotte or else we could make those donuts together (hint hint!!) 🙂
Good luck on your trip!! I’m sure Little Miss will do great!!
I know, I am so pumped!! I bet you are beyond excited to decorate your new house for all the holidays too, so much fun! 🙂 And thanks!! See you soon!
Holy cow those donuts look amazing! Also your roadtrip sounds super fun! I love North Carolina. Have some pulled pork and hush puppies (oh, and sweet tea!) while you’re there!
Don’t they?! I’ll have to be sure to try some hush puppies…I never have before!
Safe travels on your family get away!
I love the quote and I think I might follow it today on this beautiful Friday 🙂
Thank you so much Lisa! Happy Friday to you! 🙂
I think I have to give in and accept that fall is pretty much here. Every blog I’ve stopped to read this morning has something pumpkin in it haha. I hope you have an awesome time on your trip! I want to see lots of photos!
Haha well I’m glad I’m not alone in my pumpkin obsession! Thank you! I will be sure to take a bunch 🙂
Sounds like a fun trip planned! Hopefully your daughter gets some good naps in and everything goes well. Those donuts look amazing! A few week back I made maple glazed donut holes and they were sooooo good 🙂
That’s the hope Chonce! We will see though 😉 . Yummm I’m definitely giving the donuts a try!
Road trips are the best! 🙂 You will have a blast I’m sure of it! Love the favorite quote of the week! This is something I try to practice everyday! Only we our self have to power to make us feel anything, we can choose to let something mean someone says to make us sad, or we can just choose to be happy and not let what others do or say effect us and our happiness! ^_^ And whoot I still am totally digging the free audio course as well!
Thanks Rebecca! We had a great time 🙂
I also reside in NC, far from Charlotte! Ashville is beautiful! I hope you enjoy the trip, sounds like so much fun! We took an 8 hour trip to NY when my littlest one was 2 and it was challenging (to say the least).
BTW excited about the pumpkin donuts and pumpkin spice iced coffee with Dunkin donuts as well!
We LOVED North Carolina Shirria. The most beautiful state in my opinion, I already can’t wait to go back! 🙂
Enjoy your trip! Traveling with a 1 year old? I would just throw out any expectations or concrete plans and roll with the flow. I’m sure you will have an amazing time!
Thanks! We had a great time, definitely had to go with the flow though with my crazy toddler haha.
I have never been a big fan of the mountains, until we went through the Smokies! I believe I could happily live there forever! Have a great trip, Christina, and I think I may just indulge in a little pumpkin donut making myself. What a scrumptious picture that is! 😀
Agreed Kay! The mountains were absolutely breathtaking, I loved it!
I am SO excited for you Christina! Enjoy your trip, I look forward to hearing all about it. Also, those donuts look delicious– I can pretend it’s fall here when the weather is still scorching!
Thanks so much Daisy!
Have an amazing trip, Christina! I hope you get to feel fully relaxed and rejuvenated by the end of it! 🙂
Thank you Catherine!
Hope you are having a good trip! We are heading to Pigeon Forge area next month for a family reunion. I hope your travels went well with Little Miss. I’m nervous traveling with the twins! If you go towards Pigeon Forge way, the Comedy Barn is a fun, family friendly show. And if yall like pizza you should try Pizza Inn in Knoxville! Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Thanks Jeniece, it was a great time! May the force be with you traveling with the twins, they will probably be easier than my 1-year-old haha.