New year, new.......

Well, not a lot to be honest!

We saw in the New Year at home, as usual.  We let the boys stay up as late as they could.  Sebastian made it till 9, Isaac was just before 10, and Oliver 12.05

Here he is with some sprite to toast in the New Year.  The boys went back to school on the 6th January.  Man, was I glad to get my me time back.  That probably makes me sound selfish, but it keeps me sane.  

This semester the boys are doing after school club.  Oliver is doing remote control car club, and Isaac is doing science club.  Luckily for me, they both fall on the same day.  Daddy should be able to pick them up also, which is a brucey.

Oliver has now begun his games in Basketball.  He is doing ok, spends about a 1/4 of his time on the bench, but at least that way he is learning as he watches.  He has decided he does not want to do baseball this spring.  That is fine by us, he seems to have lost interest in all sports apart from football (soccer).  Both him and Isaac want to do soccer camp this summer, fine. 

January is a dry month in this house.  Both Paul and I over did it over the holiday season, so no alcohol this month.  I did it last year, and found it ok.  This year I am doing it again, and enjoying it even more.  Not sure why, could be cos Paul is doing it with me, or could be because I am trying to raise money for Cancer Research UK.  Check out my Justgiving page here.  Still no sponsors yet, but hopefully someone will by the end of the month!!!!

I have been spending my evenings playing with my sewing machine and iron.  Exciting, I know.  I have made a couple of envelope pillows (tutorial here).  They are awesome.  I used some small pillows we purchased at Ikea as the insides.  These are only $1.49 each, so are very cheap.  Shame the don't deliver, might have to take a trip back there....  I am educating myself with the help of Pinterest, and I can already see my skills improving.  

I am thoroughly enjoying sewing, and crafting generally.  Which brings me to a point about my blog. At the moment, it is a blog about expat life style, but I may start putting more crafting stuff up.  Does any one take issue with this?  Is there anything people would like to see me make?  I have in my head to make a quilt out of the boys old clothing.  I bought a fair few supplies this morning.  I tend to pick up most of my material as remnants.  Jo-ann Fabrics are currently doing 75% off their remnants section.  Needless to say, I went a bit crazy this morning!  I think I am nearly at the stage to begin the quilt.  I also have a few other things in mind.  So watch this space.....

With regards to traveling, we have booked our first vacation of this year.  Spring Break will be at Kure Beach, near Wilmington, NC.  We have a house right on the beach, which we got for a bargain price.  Because of this we are going for a full week.  I am so looking forward to being able to see the sea again.  There is plenty to do in the area if the weather isn't great.  Plus it comes with usage of an indoor pool.  That should tire the chimps out nicely.....

Think that is about all.  Boys are doing good, I am good, Paul is good.  Its Sebastian's birthday on Monday, can't believe he is going to be 4.....

Day 3 - Cherokee and the Great Smokey Mountains National Park

The next day dawned much brighter. It was so lovely to watch the clouds roll over the mountains.  We had a rough plan for the day, so got up and out fairly early.

Previously we had not noticed our closeness to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  We visited the north of this park almost two years ago, when we went up to Pigeon Forge / Gaitlinburg.  This time, we had to travel through Cherokee to reach the park from the south.  Cherokee was not much to look at, particularly in the off season.  A few tourist shops, but most looked quite run down.  

We drove a couple of miles into the park, before coming to Ocanaluftee Visitors Centre.  When we visited Cade's Cove previously, we did not stop at the visitor centre.  We now realize what a mistake this was. The visitors centers are a wealth of information, and worth stopping at, even if we do have to make sure the boys don't wreck anything!  As well as being a visitor centre, Ocanaluftee has a Mountain Farm Museum. This is a collection of historic log buildings from throughout the Smokys and preserved on one site (source).  The boys had great fun running through the buildings and exploring.  Thank goodness for wellies!

The boys exploring and plotting

Paul had been researching other things we could do in the area, and we noticed a waterfall not too far from the park.  We took a little drive, and eventually found it.  Mingo Falls can be found on the Cherokee Indian Reserve, just outside the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  We parked the car, and began the ascent.

There are many, many steps covering just under half a mile.  I have since discovered that it is considered moderate in difficulty, but our 3 boys (2 in wellies) managed it ok.  Seb was a little slow.

It was certainly worth it, absolutely beautiful. 

We took a nice slow walk down, and the boys attempted to posed for some photos at the bottom.  Ha!

We drove out of the park, and headed back towards Cherokee in search of some lunch.  We hadn't passed anywhere that looked appetizing, so fast food was on the cards.  I then noticed a sign for Johnny Rockets Restaurant, on the same sign as an advertisement for a casino, so we drove out to have a look.

Turned out the restaurant was in the hotel/ casino complex.  This building is completely out of place here.  It is quite an eye sore!  I am sure it brings great revenue to the area, but looking at the buildings around the complex, I am not sure how well that the wealth is put to use.

We eventually settled on Burger King for lunch.  Nice and easy, and everyone ate.  After lunch we drove back into the centre of Cherokee.  We visited the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. This was fairly well priced, and provided a couple of hours of entertainment.  Admittedly the boys rushed around, but they did find it interesting

There is a lot of history here. A lot of wrong doing by the British and American governments.  I am no historian, so will not even try and document it.  The museum was originally opened in 1948, move in 1976, and totally renovated in 1998.

As I say, fascinating, if the boys had been a bit bigger, we may have been able to read the exhibits with a little more time.  But we all enjoyed it.

We took a little stroll around town.  Dotted all around are bear figures, decorated in different styles.  The Bear Project started in 2005 with the intention of showcasing talented artists in the area (source).  They are well cool!

We headed down towards Ocanaluftee Islands Park.  Nestled in the centre of Cherokee, this is a collection of island in the middle of the Ocanaluftee river.  The water is shallow, and looks fairly clean, so I imagine it would be good for wading in the summer.  Not in January though!  They have an amazing bamboo forest you can walk through.

Nice to see geese in the water, rather than a field!

Not long after, we headed back to the cabin.  We had certainly enjoyed our time away.  Going away over Christmas is a pretty good idea.  I think it may be something we do again while we are here.  Particularly when the boys are off for nearly 3 weeks. Maybe next year we will go somewhere hot.  Caribbean cruise anyone?

You wouldn't get a view like this though.......

Day 2 - The Polar Express

We awoke the next morning to rain, and plenty of cloud.  It was stunning watching the clouds come and go over the mountains.  We chilled around the cabin, played computers, and watched tv. 

We decided to head out for some lunch at about 1.  We headed up to Bryson City in the hope we would be able to find enough to do before boarding the Polar Express at 5.  The weather was really quite terrible.

We headed to the ticket office first, so we could pick up our tickets for the train.  We headed over the road to Nate and Nicks Pizza place for lunch.  Don't think the hostess was best pleased with me declining the table right by the door, and wanting one further back.  Did she not realize our children would scare off my potential customers?!?  Any who, we were seated and order 2 small, one medium pizza between us.  The boys shared a cheese, I had a make your own, and paul went for the Farmers speciality pizza.  We also ordered some fries to keep the boys happy.  We were not disappointed.  The pizzas were delicious, and not a slice was left.  We left happy and sated.

Included in our Polar Express tickets, was entry to the Smokey Mountain Trains Museum.  The people in there didn't seem bothered to see our tickets, and were a little rude and disinterested.  I am grateful this was included in the tickets, as it was not worth the $9 it should have cost

We have been pretty disenchanted with model railway displays recently.  They all seem over priced, and not worth the money.  After purchasing a few souvenirs, we still had nearly 3 hours till we could get on the train.  We decided to head back to the cabin.

2 hours later we headed back to Bryson City.  We arrived about an hour before the train left, and the town was buzzing!  So many people.....

We decided to go and join the queue to get some snacks ready for the train

Ok, so it's not a steam train like the story.  It is 2 engines, with about 9 carriages.  So many people.....

After being held in a certain area (like animals), they were eventually ready to let us on the train.  We were glad we waited around, as we were one of the first to get on in our carriage.

We set off, pretty much on time, with delightful music from the film playing.  They then played part a reading from the story itself, as we meandered slowly through the beautiful countryside.  We were served cookies and hot chocolate in a keep sake mug (we had chosen the middle tier of carriage, hence the keep sake).

We drove past Santas village, where we were able to wave to the great man himself, before he boarded the train.  The people who live near Santas village in the North Carolina North Pole, had done an awesome job of decorating their houses.  The staff aboard our carriage were able to point out whose house was who, rudolf, frosty etc.  Santa then did a walk through of the train, giving out gifts.  A silver bell, just like in the story.

And just like in the story, our boys managed to loose theirs under the seats.  Luckily Paul was able to find them again (as well as lots of yucky litter......).  We then partook in a delightful sing song, as the train wound its way back to Bryson City.  It was fully dark by now, and it looked very pretty with all the lights

I *think* the boys had a good time.  They did say it was awesome, yet could not wait to get back to the hot tub.  For us adults, it was a little of an anti climax.  You are led to believe it will be a magical experience, yet when you think how much you paid for the magic, it should be a lot better.  Ok, it's supposed to be for kids, but their were an awful lot of adults, fully loving the magic.  Perhaps if it had been a steam train it may have been better.  Or they could have not packed you in like cattle?? I know they are old carriages, but to clean them during the day ready for the 3, (yes 3 Polar Express trips,) they run each day may not be too hard.  I don't know. Maybe because we didn't grow up with the story, so don't feel the magic.  We came away feeling a little uncomfortable with the amount of money we spent on this little excursion.  I am pretty sure we will not go on another Polar Express train, unless it is a steam one, and that's only a maybe.

Hopefully the next day is better (and better value for money too!)

Bryson City - the journey up

Luckily I woke up the day after Boxing Day feeling much better.  We had a quick breakfast and began packing.  Paul took Oliver to basketball practice for 10, and by the time we had to leave to pick him up at 10.45, the car was packed ready to go.  It amazes me how quickly we can pack up for a few days away, it's like we are well practiced or something.....

We got Oliver and got on the road, after a quick stop at the Withers to pick up a camp bed.  Although the cabin slept 6, 2 of those were on a sofa bed in the living area.  We decided to borrow a camp bed, so we could put all three boys in together, and leave the living area for living.  We also wanted to try one out, and see if it was worth investing.

We decided to travel up the scenic route, as we couldn't check in till 4.  About an hour in to the journey, we started looking out for places to eat.  We noted that once we hit the mountains, there was not much of anything, and decided to stop sooner rather than later.

We ended up stopping in Cashiers, Near the border, at a little diner with proper southern food.  It was yummy.  Everyone must have been hunger, as there were no empty plates

After refueling ourselves, we jumped back in the car.  The boys were happy watching DVDs in the back, which gave us the opportunity to look at the beautiful scenery.  We drove through some gorgeous little towns.  The one below is Franklin 

As I said, there was beautiful scenery.  Below is Bridal Veil Falls, a waterfall you can drive under.  So pretty and so unexpected.  Round a corner, and there it is.

More beautiful scenery......

Below is a town called Highlands.  This looked quite touristy, but well worth a visit.  Maybe one day.....

As we got nearer, we started wondering if there were any short cuts.  We came off the main road, and attempted a cut through.  Slight problem: big mountains, dirt tracks, so we about turned.  Not before taking this stunning photo of what I think is the Savannah River.

Eventually we got near the cabin.  Luckily our Satnav agreed with the directions the owner had given, and we soon found ourselves going up a very narrow, windy, dirt track.  Our cabin was right at the end.  And well worth it.

Such an amazing view....

Guess who figured out how to use the timer on their photo button on their phone (clue: it wasn't me)

So we had made it to Over the Edge (the name of the cabin).  Oliver helped Paul unload the car.  We were in Natahala National Forest, which has loads of activities to do in the summer months

The boys had a sandwich dinner, and played some computers.  They were eager to get in the hot tub.  We have Seb the option of the hot tub or bed.  He said bed, crazy boy!!!  Think he just wanted to try out his camp bed.  The other 2 loved the hot tub, and had a great time relaxing in it......

....before getting out and heading to bed, ready for the next day.

Happy New Year!

I haven't got the time or the inclination to write a big post about 2014.  And it would be big.  We did so much, so much happened.  Here is the Facebook status I put up last night

2014 has been probably one of the hardest years of my life.

It started so well with awesome holidays, and finally having 2 boys in the same school.

Unfortunately it went down hill massively in September. A trip back to the UK on my own, followed by another trip with the whole family 2 weeks later.

Saying goodbye to my mum is simply the hardest thing I have ever done. I miss her so much and think about her everyday. 

Things have been hard since. Isaacs behavior at school has not been great. My Gran died at the end of November. A friend, not much older than me also passed about a week ago.

I have given a lot to this year, and it has taken a lot from me. I also had many positives, but typically the negatives standout. 

2015 WILL be a better year for us. I look forward to embracing it, and any challenges it throws at me. I will do my best to succeed in everything I do this year.

MERRY NEW YEAR Y'all!!!!!!!!

Says it all really. 

Here is the link to the most read post on my blog this year.  Its the one I wrote just after mum died.

2015 is going to be a better year!!!!!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

After last Christmases craziness, this has been a very relaxing time.  The period between the boys finishing school and Christmas Day was a week.  It was very chilled.  We did very little, spent a lot of time around the house, preparing for the big day.

I tried a couple of new things.  I made mulled wine in the slow cooker on Christmas Eve, and de seeded a pomegranate for the first time, in preparation for our Christmas Day cocktails.

Christmas Eve was spent at the Barton's. Six families, 12 adults and 14 kids (2 are missing from the picture below)

 And no fighting from anyone! Everyone was well behaved, and the kids left felling pretty sleepy.

The adults left feeling a bit fuzzy.....

Once we got home, our kids, or rather Isaac, sprinkled the reindeer food into the lawn, and set out cookies, carrots and milk for Santa.  They must have been good this year, as they had quite a pile.

And the mulled wine I mentioned earlier went down a treat.  It was yummy, and definitely something I will do again.

Isaac managed to contain himself till 6am on Christmas Day.  The boys were crazy excited. We were wise parents, and had put the coffee on the night beforehand!

The boys got straight down to opening presents.  I have never seen a child so happy over underwear before....

                                      

This was probably one of Oliver's favorite presents,  a bag to hold the skylanders.  We weren't even sure it was going to arrive on time.  Thank goodness for Amazons lightning deals!

                                     

Considering Isaac's birthday was only a month before, he did very well.  He is probably easiest to buy for, as he is in to pretty much everything, and plays with all he gets. 

                                     

All the boys received some form of play doh. They are really into it at the moment.  Seb really wanted the buzz saw pictured below, and luckily for him he got it.  The play doh was out most of the day.

       

We had a big turkey, which was a gift from Paul's work.  It was tasty, but far too big for us.  I think next year, when we receive it, we will give it to a food bank, so someone can have it who really appreciates it.  A lot of ours went in the freezer, but too much went in the bin.  

I think Isaac played with all his presents that day.  Oliver made about half his Lego. Sebastian still has toys he has not played with yet (it's New Year's Eve tomorrow). Santa was exceptional bad this year.  He gifted some Lego to Oliver the was meant for paul.  Whoops.....

I did pretty well too.  I got a new iPad, chocolate, a jewelry stand, Lego and other little bits.  Paul also did well, with plenty of clothes, rum and a few other little bits.

The boys went to bed at a normal time on Christmas Day.  Paul and I stayed up not too late, and didn't drink too much either.

I woke up the next morning feeling terrible.  I was sick a couple of times in the morning, and felt like death.  While I was up in the morning, paul managed to make the present for the boys from the Gosling's.  It is an awesome climbing frame.  Oliver has mastered it.  Isaac is getting there.  Sebastian can't even make the first rung yet.  He will in time.......

                                  

I spent most of the afternoon in bed, sleeping.  I managed to drag myself up to help get the boys to bed, and managed to keep done some food, so knew I would be on the mend.

Good job too, as we were off to the mountains the next day!

Christmas is here!

Christmas officially arrived in the Gosling household last weekend.  I had been saying for a while that I wanted to go and choose our own Christmas tree, we decided to actually do it (I am getting much better at following through on the things I say I am going to do!)

After much research, discussion with hubby and texts with Rachel, we decided to go to Hidden Trails Christmas Tree Farm.  This is 30 miles south from our house.  Isaac fell asleep in the car!  It was a bright sunny, warm day.  Not your usual Christmas weather.

The people were really nice, and there were plenty of trees.  You cannot cut Fraser firs (the more traditional tree that we are used to), as they do not have any, as they do not grow below 5000ft.  So we inspected the rest.  They had many varieties, but the strangest to us was Leylandii Cypress trees, cut to be shaped like Christmas tress. After coming from England, where these are privacy trees, that can become a blight, this was very strange.  Anywhoo, we had more of a look around, and eventually settled on what I think is a Carolina Sapphire (someone please correct me if I am wrong!). This is a long needle tree. Here are the boys with the tree.

                             

The boys had fun playing around the trees.  They were fortunate enough to get a small gift each, a little stocking with sweets, and they all had a photo done with Santa (this was extra).  Our tree was $40.  Same as it would have cost in Home Depot/ Lowes. But it is a nice feeling to know our money will stay local, with friendly people, maintaining a beautiful place.  They shake the tree to get rid of bugs/dead branches, then bag it, and help you get it in the car.  Awesome service.  

We got the tree home, and stuck it in some sugar water over night.  The next morning the decorating began.  The boys (and by boys, I mean Paul) had great fun.  

The finished product! ( you may notice loads of needles on the floor. These came from moving and positioning the tree.  I vacuumed them up the next day, and there has since been little to no needle dropping.  Does help the water is getting topped up every day)

                             

While we have been getting all Christmassy, I have been engaging in some arts and crafts.  I have had some slate tiles in the garage for ages.  You know me, I like a bargain, and picked these slate tiles up in Lowes about a year ago for about $3.  They are a pack of 12.  While I was clearing out the arts and crafts cupboard, I found a small amount of really thin Christmas wrapping paper.  Then I had an 'ah-ha' moment.

I cleaned up the tiles with a clorox wipe, and let them dry.  In the mean time, I cut out one of the pictures from the wrapping paper.  I put a coat of modge-podge (glue) on to the tile, waited for it to go tacky, then added the wrapping paper.  I then waited 30 minutes to an hour, then coated the whole tile in more mode-podge, going over the wrapping paper also.  5-8 coats later, here is the result

                            

I am well pleased with these.  Not sure if they are going to be coasters (I need the felt pads for the bottom if so), or just display pieces (I have 2 currently on mini easels that I bought from AC Moore, they look well cool).  They made me happy, and are very pleasing!