On Top of Old Smoky

Vacation time is here again! I can always tell when it has been a while since I've had a day off, I become irritable and somewhat negative. I was feeling this way weeks ago so I put in for a few days off. I had my mind on a mountain getaway with a pit stop to see my favorite bundle of joy...Anacapri!

Saturday we went to Fall for Greenville. It was Anacapris first big outing and Robs first time trying out the baby bjorn. The day was a success!

The Kenney Klan

The festival offers food from many different restaurants in the area. By the time we made it though the sea of tents we were full and ready for some USC football! I want the discussion of this night to end on a high note so I will simply say that the company was great, the game...not so much.

Sunday we were up and at 'em, leaving the house at 12:00 (for us, by which I mean Pat, that is early). 4:00pm we drove into the driveway of Tofu's Glory. It was so much more than I had expected! I should have known that Pat had his mind set on this destination for a reason.

Sunrise view from our porch

Monday, my mom and I watched the fog slowly roll out while sipping our morning coffee. Ahhh, doesn't get much better.

Mid-day view

And finally a sunset view!

Our morning walk

Afternoon walk

The girls taking it all in.

Now I understand why they are called The Great Smoky Mountains.

Pat and I took a trip into Bryson City. I love small mountain towns, no one is in a hurry and the people are friendly. There is so much to do in the area: fishing, whitewater rafting, railway rides, zip lines, kayaking, gem mining and of course, hiking.

Bryson City, NC

While Pat and I were exploring my mom amused herself (and my dad) by playing pool. Just before they left I decided to see exactly what she was made of. We didn't play by the rules or keep score but I think she's good!

Family photo...

A few of my favorite pics...

Oh, and did I mention that I got to see this little girl???

2 months, 10lbs and absolutely adorable!!!

This getaway left me rejuvenated and ready for the chilly weather!

Linen Closet Catastrophe

When I open my linen closet I like for everything to look uniform. I have a particular way of folding towels and sheets. Towels, that's the easy one (even though Pat can't seem to get it); in half, in thirds and in half again. Sheets are a different story. I'm not sure how I mastered folding a fitted sheet but I know I learned it from my mom. My abilities have been admired by my friends and per their request I am going to attempt to demonstrate how I fold a fitted sheet.

Stand holding the sheet by two adjacent corners with the sheet inside out (starting with the shorter side is easiest) . Place one hand in each of these two corners.

Bring your right hand to your left, and fold the corner in your right hand over the one in your left.

Reach down and pick up the corner that is hanging in front; bring it up, and fold it over the two corners in your left hand; the corner that's showing will be inside out.

Bring the last corner up, and fold it over the others; with its right side showing. It should lay over the other three corners.

Now all four corner should be gathered

 Lay the folded sheet on a flat surface and straighten it into a rectangle. I use the dryer or in this case the couch.

Then fold into thirds

And thirds again

Then I place the pillowcases on top

And finally, wrap the flat sheet around the fitted one and the pillowcases.

And there you have it, a set of perfectly folded sheets! Now there are no excuses for balled up fitted sheets cluttering your linen closet (or in my small house, a linen hole).

I apologize for the poor quality of the pictures (it's hard to do by yourself) but I hope that you try it and have success with the never ending battle of man vs. fitted sheet!