Monday, August 9, 2010

Ultimate Turtle Brownies

1 box (1 lb 2.4 oz) brownie mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box
36 caramels, unwrapped (from 14 oz bag)
3 tablespoons whipping cream
1 1/3 cups milk chocolate chunks
2/3 cup coarsely chopped pecans

1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Spray bottom and sides 9-inch square pan with baking spray with flour. Make brownie batter as directed on box. Spread 1/2 of batter in pan. Bake 18 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in large microwavable bowl, microwave caramels and whipping cream uncovered on High 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until smooth.
3. Pour caramel over partially baked brownie; spread to within 1/4 inch of edges. Sprinkle with 2/3 cup of the chocolate chunks and 1/3 cup of the pecans. Drop remaining brownie batter by small spoonfuls onto caramel layer. Sprinkle with remaining 2/3 cup chocolate chunks and 1/3 cup pecans.
4. Bake 34 to 37 minutes longer or until center is almost set. Cool 1 hour at room temperature. Cover; refrigerate 1 hour before serving. For brownies, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Store covered at room temperature.



Chunky Cherry Muffins

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon almond flavoring
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped cherries, about 8 ounces
3/4 cup chopped pecans
Preparation:
Line muffin cups with paper liners or spray well with a baking spray. Heat oven to 375°.
In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, baking powder, soda, salt, and brown sugar, stirring to blend. Whisk eggs with butter and vanilla; stir into the dry ingredients along with buttermilk. Stir until blended. Stir in chopped cherries and pecans.

Fill muffin cups about almost to tops of papers. Bake for 20 to 24 minutes, or until light golden brown and the tops spring back when pressed lightly with a finger.

Makes 12 to 15 muffins



Friday, August 6, 2010

Winter Magic Kickoff & Chili Cookoff






















November 10
 
Chili_Cookoff_small_smEntertainment, Fundraiser, Food
Description:The City of Gatlinburg kicks off Gatlinburg Winter Magic tm from 5 to 8 p.m. on the Downtown Parkway by turning on over three million lights. Enjoy live entertainment by the Marvelettes, sample chili recipes from local restaurants and businesses. Spectacular fireworks at dusk during the opening ceremony are sponsored by Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg.
Location:Downtown Gatlinburg

13th Annual Taste of Autumn

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September 23
 
 
Description:Sample signature dishes from the area's finest restaurants. Enjoy live entertainment, live auction with a cash bar. Proceeds benefit United Way of Sevier County.
Location:Gatlinburg Convention Center

Festival of Trees






















November 23 - 27
gcc_event_winterfest_09_sm
Category:Arts, Entertainment
Description:Festival of Trees and weekend performances of a holiday classic presented in Gatlinburg.
Location:W.L. Mills Conference Center

Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival


































September 1 - October 31
gcc_event_harvestfest_02_sm
Category:Arts, Entertainment, History
Description:Fall decorations, old fashioned hayrides, events, entertainment, and local craft exhibits.
Location:throughout Gatlinburg
  
  
Admission:FREE

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair



































Date(s):October 7 - 23
Season:Fall
Category:Arts, EntertainmentCraftsmens_Fair_Fall_small_sm
Description:Art, crafts and music lovers can find almost 200 booths featuring some of the nation's finest work. Artisans and craftspeople are on hand to demonstrate their skills, answer questions and offer their unique art for sale. Live Country & Bluegrass entertainment. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location:Gatlinburg Convention Center
Website/Link:http://www.craftsmenfair.com/
Contact Info:(865) 436-7479
Admission:$6.00

Berry Springs Lodge 2010 Summer Newsletter


Hello from Berry Springs Lodge,
 

The big talk this summer is the extremely high temperatures throughout the country. No matter whom you talk to from Florida to New York everyone is saying it is hot! We had quite a few 90 degree days so far this year but it has not been bad. We have been dry so far this summer, humidity levels have been very low. If you take a short ride into the national park it cools down 10 to 15 degrees. We are so lucky to live where we do. July 4th was our official 10-year anniversary date. We celebrated with fireworks shot from the ponds. You would think we were at a local stadium. The fireworks that you can get in Tennessee are spectacular. Everything went fine until Patrick tried to help the boys ignite some of the fireworks. He put two of them upside down in the shot tubes and blew the tubes apart. Must be getting old!! Needless to say the finale was kind of weak with two tubes short. Maybe no one noticed!! LOL.



Again we want to thank you for being our friends and guests. Hope to see you all soon.

Thank you and God bless

Patrick's   "Home Inn-Provements" 
This summer has been a lot of fun so far. We drained the bass pond and pulled all the big bass out and put them in the catfish pond. Have you ever seen the program on the discovery channel about the guys that catch giant catfish with their hands? They reached up under the banks and grabbed the fish out by their mouths. That is what it kind of felt like trying to get the fish out of the pond. We drained the pond down to about 1.5 feet in depth and used a net to screen the fish to one end.

 

 

 

 

 The large carp were first to go. They would get to the end of the pond and jump out of the water and over the net. You would have to catch them in the air as they came over. It was not easy but it was very funny to watch. I wish I had a video of that event to show you. The bass were much easier. You just had to reach down and grab them.

My good friend Scott (The one who built the Lodge) brought his trackhoe down and left it for me for a week. I had all kinds of fun digging up everything I could. The upper dam that supplies water to the ponds had grown up and filled with sediment over the years so this was a good opportunity to clean it out. And believe it or not I did not get stuck!! Most times it seems I get equipment stuck some where on the property. Good thing it was very dries this year.

 Sue's  Recipes     
 Hi everyone.  We just did this one the other day for the first time.  It turned out great!

 

 

Apple Walnut Cake

 

3 eggs

1 3/4 cups sugar

3/4 cups vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspons cinnamon

3 cups granny smith apples, chopped

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

powdered sugar or a glaze for top when done

 

Crean the eggs, sugar, oil and vanilla in a mixing bowl.Stir in the flour,salt, baking soda and cinnamon.  Fold in apples and walnuts. spoon into a greased 10 inch round cake pan or a 11 by 7 retangular pan. 

Bake at 350 for 30 to 40 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool 10 minutes. Flip out of pan and when completely cooled drizzle glaze and powdered sugar on top.

*glaze---mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 1/2 tsp. vanilla and 1 - 2 tablespoons milk. Mix until smooth.

 

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Relaxing, quiet location with a great view that is close to Smoky Mountians


This is a place you really do not have to leave. The view along with the manicured park like setting is relaxing. On site are 2 fishing ponds, trails, bikes and lawn games for use also. Patrick and Sue do everything possible to accomodate thier guests. We are looking forward to a return trip.



 

Monday, August 2, 2010

BERRY SPRINGS LODGE-ABOVE AND BEYOND-5 STARS


what a fantastic gem berry springs lodge is in the smokey mountains.
the accommodations , food, and service was more than anyone could have asked for.
patrick was the perfect host and his wife sue served the most delicious breakfasts we have ever tasted.
patrick was very helpful in giving us directions to places we wanted to visit, and anything we needed he was always wanting to help.
we have stayed at many bed and breakfasts in our travels from coast to coast, and berry springs lodge is now our number one favorite.
the lodge is set in a seluded area on a mountain top, with some of the best views of the mountains we have ever seen, and it is a place where you can go to relax and have a great time and experience nature.
we want to thank patrick and sue for making this an experience we will never forget.
we plan going back to berry springs lodge in the near future and encourage anyone to go and enjoy this very unique bed and breakfast in the smokey mountains

hardy,va