On Top of the Mountain

We had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving celebration yesterday "on top of the mountain at our younger daughter's & husband's home. She has much better pictures of the view than I have posted here. This is the view from their front porch. I think the camera was on close-up because that house is not really that close. Getting to their home normally takes just under an hour from our home but as I mentioned on November 13, the rock slide has turned that trip into 2 hours. As the saying goes, "you can't hardly get there from here." We took two different routes. On the trip there, we went north to Sweetwater and then south. The trip took us through the Cherokee National Forest, passing through places like Coker Creek, Tellico Plains, Turtletown and Ducktown. The curves you see on the roads on the map are deceptively mild compared to the actual journey. If you are prone to carsickness and riding in the front seat usually cures that; you still need to consider taking a Dramamine before traveling that route. However, it is a GORGEOUS drive. If you were having a leisurely day, I would definitely recommend it. Returning home took us through Georgia and then back up to Cleveland - - through Blue Ridge, Ellijay, and Chatsworth. The difference was only 8 miles. The time was about the same but the roads home were much straighter and a lot of divided four lanes. I am glad our kids are only having to travel this trip twice a week since they are staying in town with his parents.

If you have looked at our daughter's post, you already saw these decorations. My husband and I had taken a picture of ourselves in front of this tree last year so I wanted to repeat it. We weren't the only ones in attendance. Josh's parents, sister and husband, our older daughter, an uncle and his wife, maternal grandmother, and paternal grandfather were all there for a DELICIOUS dinner of fried turkey, ham, and all the traditional side dishes. Since our parents have all died, we are blessed to get to join Josh's family for holidays. I've said it before. We not only gained a wonderful son but another extended family who have become friends.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2 KJV
I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains. Psalm 121:1-2 MSG

Birthday Supper

A week from today, my baby will be 26 years old. Now that she's married, she gets two birthday dinners - - one from us and one from her in-laws. They celebrated with our family last night as well as some of my daughter's friends from high school and a couple of new friends we made this past year. Supper was nacho salad, Mexicali pie, and Rotel/Velveeta Dip. I cooked ground beef in Taco Seasoning and also cooked some chicken in the oven in it. I can't begin to tell you how delicious it was. We had the absolute best time with some of our most favorite people.

After supper, we watched the movie, Up. It was really good - - but my children had told me it was and that I would enjoy a cartoon. If you haven't watched it, it is worth your time.

My daughter and her husband had to travel 2 hours to get home because of the rock slide on the Ocoee. Did you know this is the road that is beside the rapids where the 1996 Summer Olympics were held? Here is the article about the slide from the station who actually shot that coverage. It will be at least 3 weeks before the road is open again. In addition to clearing the road, the stability of the mountain has to be considered, too.

Children are an heritage of the Lord. Psalm 127:3a

Mexicali Pie
(I may have given you this recipe before but I am not sure and don't have time to do a search.)
16 oz ground beef (3/4 pound is actually enough.)
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green and/or red bell peppers
Brown the above ingredients.
Turn off heat and mix in the following.
1 1/2 cups frozen whole kernel corn
1 cup chunky salsa
3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded cheese. You can use reduced fat - - whichever blend you like.
1/8 tsp black pepper
Put this in a baking dish and top with:
1 cup (3 ounces) crushed corn chips
Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool 10 minutes before serving. If you are not using stoneware, make sure to first spray your casserole dish. This DELICIOUS.