What do you do when you've ghosted an old friend for no good reason whatsoever, but they keep popping into your head. Like, at the most random times, this person just pops up and you wonder what they've been up to, how are they doing, are the seeing anyone new?

Welllll, that's how I feel about you guys, the readers of this blog. I don't really know what happened. We were good, we saw each other every week, sometimes two times a week. We laughed, we chatted on Facebook, we hearted each others Instagram posts, then one day, I just stopped responding to your messages. There wasn't anyone else, it wasn't you, it was me. ​

The day to day life crept in and I just stopped texting back. I guess I was just busy. 

I was busy sewing, it has become my therapy. I love the tactile feel of the fabric in my hands. I love the visually stunning colors and patterns of the fabrics. I love the smile on the faces of the children who receive my projects. When I am sewing and focusing on the next stitch, I don't have time to think about anything else, which is key for people like me who have anxiety. Which is also getting better, by the way. 

I was busy making new memories and experiencing new experiences. I was busy yard sale-ing and grocery shopping and making dentist appointments and running errands and paying bills and going to co-op twice a week. 

I was busy failing miserably at my low carb diet and put on *mumbles* pounds that I had previously lost. I was busy getting back on track at least four times. I was busy being a Wife and a Mom and a Daughter and a Friend. I was busy being a teacher and a taxi driver and a chef and a shoe-tie-r.

I was busy living life and it was amazing!!! Even the sucky parts.  But just know you were always right there along the way. I knew we'd talk again, I just wasn't sure when or how.   So, I apologize for ghosting you and I will try to keep in better touch from now on. So, what were you busy doing? 

We're all familiar with the ch-ch-ch-chia pets that rose to popularity in the 80's, but did you know Chia seeds are high in essential the omega-3 fatty acids our brains need to function properly and they are also a good source of fiber, antioxidants, Iron and calcium?  

The evidence is overwhelming, adding a plant based fiber source to your diet can help raise your good cholesterol, while lowering the bad. It can also help your body feel full longer which can aid in weight loss. 

The benefits are obvious, but one question remains... how in the heck do you get those tiny little buggers inside you where they can do their job? Well, wonder no more, my friends, say "hello" to overnight chia pudding. ​

This recipe, if you can even call it that, is so easy and delicious you will kick yourself for not trying it sooner.

In a jar or cup with a lid, combine the following ingredients...
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup low carb or almond milk
1/3 cup chia seeds
2 tsp (or more) vanilla extract
A good dash of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
​Sweetener of your choice, I used Splenda
A small dash of salt
Put the top on and shake, then refrigerate overnight, shaking here and there. (I'm not sure if this step is completely necessary, but it works for me) 
​This was enough for two servings. 

Since the chia seeds are mostly fiber, you can count off most of the carbs, making this an excellent keto breakfast or snack. 

DISCLAIMER: A huge "thank you" to Gatlinburg Falls Resort for hosting my family and me.

Have you ever visited a place that just felt like home, even though it wasn't? A place where you can unwind, relax and leave the day to day struggles behind. A place to make memories and laugh with your kids without having to worry about school or work or all the little things that bare down on us.

A place far removed from the sirens and traffic and busyness of the city. A place that feels like your very own little slice of heaven. A place with beautiful, serene views that you never tire of.

For me, this place is the Smoky Mountains. Every time my tires hit the Sevier county line, I feel like I'm back home. I see that beautiful mountain range come into view and all the worries of life fade away and my only concern is where to focus my attention first.

Being a native Tennessean, trips to the Smokies were a yearly occurrence as a child. Even now, I remember the feeling I had when we would get right on the outskirts of the main strip that runs through Pigeon Forge; the anticipation and excitement that would well up inside me as the putt-putt golf courses and fun roadside attraction started coming into view.

I can remember the feeling of driving "up the mountain" to get to Gatlinburg proper. The sheer awesomeness (for lack of a better term) of the mountain faces and the flowing creeks and the trees with their beautiful foliage and the longing to actually spot a bear. Even as a kid, I knew this place was magic.

The smell of funnel cakes and yummy street food permeate the air as you drive down the parkway. The sound of live music being played by a band and the smiles on the faces as you drive by.

The quaint artisanal shops and hand made candy shops are forever ingrained in my mind and I am so glad that I have a chance to share this amazing, wondrous place with my own children., because about a year ago, that was almost not a possibility when Gatlinburg became the victim of a horrendous wildfire.

The damage was pretty bad, and it looked very bleak, but I'm pleased to report; in the three times we have been to Gatlinburg since the fire, nothing has changed.

The people are still as friendly as ever, the scenery is still just as breath-taking, the homes that were lost are rebuilding bigger and better than ever. If anything, the fire has only strengthened the resolve of this beautiful, close-knit community. Gatlinburg is still open for business.

If you've never been to the Smokies... what in the world are you waiting for?! Within a day's drive for most of the eastern United States, the Smokies are the number one family destination in the south. For me, it's one of those places you can visit several times a year and never get tired of or run out of things to do and see.

On our most recent family adventure to the Smokies, we were fortunate enough to be hosted by the amazing folks at Gatlinburg Falls Parkside Resort. Voted #1 family resort in The Smokies, Gatlinburg Falls boasts over 400 cabins scattered throughout the Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Sevierville and Wear's Valley areas.

Whether you need a cozy one bedroom cabin or a monster 18 bedroom mountain mansion, Gatlinburg Falls has you covered. Amenities vary from cabin to cabin, but you can be assured no matter where you choose to stay, you will be surrounded by first-class accommodations and the best customer service anywhere.

The cabin we stayed in, Cypress Lodge,  boasts 4 king sized master bedrooms, with a full bath in each room on the top floor. A fully furnished kitchen with updated appliances, enough dishes for a small army and seating for a family of 8 plus bar seating. I light up just thinking about the memories that were made over morning lattes at this bar.

Adjacent to the kitchen is a beautiful living room, complete with a fireplace, (electric, of course, for safety) a half bath, for convenience and a broom closet stocked with everything from extra blankets and pillows to an ironing board. (yes, people still use those things)

The entire bottom floor is a kid's dream come true. (The grown-up kids loved it too) With a pool table, air hockey table and several full-sized stand-up game consoles, there was never a cry of "Mooommmmm, I'm bored!" like in years past.

This floor also has a full theater room with a wall-sized HD screen and a surround sound system that will literally knock your socks off. (yes, I'm old, I use old people vernacular, sue me) The entire cabin is equipped with wi-fi (it actually works on all three floors of the cabin, which is tough to find that high in the mountains)

There's also a bunk bed downstairs for late night slumber parties and a deck off the entertainment room with a Jacuzzi tub that would easily fit six people. This floor of the cabin got lots of use, to say the least.

The only other place that got as much use as the game room would probably be the beautiful deck. It sounds so cliche', but watching the sun rise over the mountains is truly an experience one MUST have before they die. Even the kids were in awe of the beautiful show Mother Nature provided for us each morning.

I know I say this every time I go to The Smokies, but this was truly an adventure I will never forget. The views from any and every vantage point were amazing. The kids were good, there were no vehicular emergencies as in years past, (the time we glazed our brakes driving through the National Park), the weather was nice, even for winter in the mountains; there was just the perfect amount of snow on the ground, but not the roads... It truly was one of those "pinch me" moments.

I crossed several things off my bucket list on this trip... Share a blanket with the hubby on the deck of a beautiful cabin in The Smokies while the sun rises, get my obligatory picture in front of the sign at the entrance to the National Park, step out of my comfort zone and explore new places, say "yes" to every adventure, no matter how crazy and the best of all, just be in the moment and enjoy whatever life has to offer.

If these chairs could talk, oh the tales they could tell. The stories shared and memories made here will last me a lifetime... or until the next time I can make it back.

DISCLAIMER: Shout out to Cost Plus World Market for sponsoring today's post.

So, to recap, because I know that was a lotta llama info... This Saturday, December 9th, join me at the Cost Plus World Market store located at 2615 Medical Center Pkwy. # 2400, Murfreesboro, TN for a whole lotta llama shenanigans. (If you're not in Middle Tennessee, you can check here for a participating store near you)

We will have a hot cocoa giveaway (while supplies last) from 1-3p and a LIVE LLAMA meet and greet from 10a-12p and 1-3p. You will have an opportunity to take a llama selfie as well. I didn't even know llamas had opposable thumbs or knew how to use cameras, but I'm not judging.

And, don't forget about the Golden Llama Treasure Hunt or the epic #lottallamalove selfie contest... Ahhhh, so much llama love, so little time. Here's a little tease to get you out of the house and into your local Cost Plus World Market store...This amazing Llama Dulce de Leche White Hot Chocolate beverage, created by Vanessa Coppola of seevanessacraft.com.

Note: Not all locations will have live llamas, but each participating store will have a llama cutout to take selfies with. You can get more info, find a full list of participating locations, and RSVP via Facebook here.

"Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go"...  We all know these familiar words to the old tune, depicting a fun, horse driven sleigh ride through the woods to visit family for the holidays, but what should be a Norman Rockwell-esque trip could quickly turn into a Wes Craven-like nightmare, if you don't prepare accordingly.

Road tripping with kids is not for the faint of heart, but don't let that dissuade you from trying. With a few (common sense) tips, you too can be getting your kicks on Rte 66 or I-40 or whatever road gets you to family this holiday season. 

Before you even plan which route you will take, you should get it in your head: this will not be like the spontaneous road trips you took with your girlfriends, in your 20's. Nope. This is your Mama's road trip, literally. This road trip will be full of spilled drinks, impromptu bathroom breaks, hitting, whining, tears and at least five "Are we there yets?".

On every trip we've taken, I always allot for at least this  _____ much BS. It's inevitable; something will happen to irk your nerves or ruin your car's interior, so if you go ahead and prepare for it, it's won't be such a huge deal when it does happen.

That being said, be mindful of how you react to simple things like spilled drinks and the extra potty break when you juuust asked if anyone needed to stop.  Yes, cleaning up a spilled drink is a pain in the behind, but it is not the end of the world. Remember you were little once too. Don't ruin an entire trip over spilled milk. Bitch about it later, to your partner, like a normal couple.

What?! You say you don't have ESP? Every parent is supposed to have ESP... or so thinks our children. It is your job to plan ahead for any and every situation you could possibly encounter on your journey and pack every single thing they will ask for, especially that one stuffed animal they haven't played with, in at least seven months... yeah, grab that, they will surely ask for it.

Since most of us don't have ESP, you will probably want to make a list. Thinking about how many days you will be gone, you will need one outfit a day, per kid, plus an extra for that one super dirty kid, who always finds a mud puddle to stomp in, even in Arizona.

Other than clothes and the basic necessities (shampoo, deodorant, shaving cream, diapers, wipes, etc), you will also need to remember to pack any medicine or vitamins you will need for the duration of your trip.

Some people suggest using the weekly pill thingies but I DO NOT, they are not safe for children and just because your kids know not to mess with Daddy's blood pressure meds, other kids you may come in contact with, may not.

B.Y.O.S. ... Bring your own snacks. Trust me on this one. A little bit of prep before you go will save you a ton of money and headaches, while you're on the road. Before the trip, ask each child what their favorite snack is, then forget what they say and just buy what's on sale. Take it home and put it in snack size baggies and be done with it.

Entertainment (and noise cancelling headphones) could quite possibly be the number one, most important thing that will keep you sane, when traveling with kids.

When we went to the mountains last Summer, I packed allll kinds of stuff... reading books, activity books, coloring books, crayons, markers, travel bingo and wouldn't you know it; the only things that actually made it out of the backpack were the video games and the tablet.

Lucky for me, this wasn't my first rodeo and I had planned accordingly by adding a ton of Micah's favorite movies to the tablet, before we left for the week. 

Think about the electronics you will be taking with you... phone, game boy, cameras, etc.  They will need chargers. Don't forget the chargers!!! You can not imagine how bad you will feel if you try to take a picture of little Susie with Great Granny Ethel and all of a sudden your camera says... "Nope, not today. You forgot to charge me!" Devastating to say the least; Great Granny Ethel might not be here next year.  (Do people even use Game Boys anymore?!) 

When your drunk uncle Fred starts bitching about politics or "the gays" or the immigrants or the price of tea in China; take a second, breathe in, hold it, breathe out, then remind yourself the reason you're all together in the first place and just let it goooooo.

At the end of the day it's really just about making new memories with your kids, whether they be Norman Rockwell or Clark Griswold, they are all worth making.  Happy holidays from me and mine to you and yours! May Santa bring you everything you wish for and then some.

DISCLAIMER: A huge "thank you" to Cost Plus World Market for sponsoring today's post.