Saturday, July 26, 2014

2014 Pigeon Forge Rod Run

September 11-13



Formerly the Fall Grand Rod Run, the 2014 Pigeon Forge Rod Run is the last of the three biggest car shows of the year. Along with the new name is a new location, the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge. Join the festivities, including live music, door prizes, awards and a huge swap meet with hundreds of showcars. For more information go to  www.rodrun-pigeonforge.com or call 865-687-3976.


 This Pigeon Forge rod run is one of the largest in the nation as it draws thousands of visitors and classic hot rods for miles…literally! If you love muscle cars, you’ll need to pack a bib to catch all of your drool at the Pigeon Forge Spring Rod Run. Just about every make, model, and color of every muscle car made can be found at this Pigeon Forge car show. Vendors are also setup selling hard-to-find parts and accessories for classic hot rods as well.

Friday, July 18, 2014

Death by Chocolate Cake Recipe

Death by Chocolate Cake
 
Ingredients Cake
4 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup water
8 ounces sour cream
1 (18 ounce) box chocolate cake mix (I use devils food)
1 (3 1/2 ounce) box instant chocolate pudding mix
6 ounces milk chocolate chips (set aside 1 ounce)
6 ounces white chocolate chips (set aside 1 ounce)

Directions 
  Beat 4 eggs, water, oil,& sour cream until smooth.
Add the box of cake mix and pudding stirring until smooth.
Add chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips mixing just until blended.
Pour evenly into 4 8 inch round greased pans.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.
Cool until completely cool
Frost and top with additional chocolate chips and enjoy! 
 
Ingredients Frosting
 2 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar  
 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 
 6 tablespoons butter 
  5 tablespoons evaporated milk 
 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 
Directions
 In a medium bowl, sift together the confectioners' sugar and cocoa, and set aside. 
In a large bowl, cream butter until smooth, then gradually beat in sugar mixture alternately with evaporated milk.
 Blend in vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. 
If necessary, adjust consistency with more milk or sugar.
 

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Pigeon Forge Shades of the Past #32 Rod Run





The Shades of the Past #32 Rod Run is scheduled for September 5 & 6 at Dollywood's Splash Country in Pigeon Forge. This car show features hot rods, custom & classic cars through 1972. All events and awards will be at Splash Country on Friday & Saturday. Spectators, vendors & participants can go to www.shadesofthepast.com for more information.


  There are countless rod runs across the country, with many occurring during the summer months. But there's one that is well known by all rodders and it occurs every Labor Day weekend, or at least for the past 31, hosted at Dollywood's Splash Country in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The event's official name is the Hot Rod Roundup, hosted by the Shades of the Past Street Rod Association. While official names are nice, the better known event name and its nickname rings with all rodders—Shades.




 The event draws nearly 3,000 cars, ranging in vintage from Model Ts to muscle cars of the 1970s. There's plenty of scenery; a good chunk provided by Mother Nature as the site is nestled within the Great Smoky Mountains, further massaged by Dollywood's Splash Country, while the remainder is provided by plenty of polished and detailed rolling sheetmetal.


Amidst the event's feverish-pitched pace, as it is two days and not the customary three, a great deal is going on simultaneously and rodders always have plenty to do and see. There's the coveted Top 25 selected by a three-man panel from the club, the Top 5 selected by the Top 25 car owners, and then the overall winners in Best Street Rod... Best Street Machine... Best Street Cruiser... and Best of Show... 


 

Then there is the giveaway roadster, a long honored tradition at the event with the building chores falling to Alloway's Hot Rod Shop. (You are in the running to win this roadster by being an entrant, but you must be present at the award's drawing on Saturday afternoon.)...


Another winner-take-all is the check for $10,000 presented by Shades Car Club to another lucky entrant who has his name drawn from the hopper loaded with all the entrants' numbers....
Every year there's the 50/50 drawing and if this year was anything like the past few years it gets everyone's attention—and it did. The pot was $50,000... Now that's some kind of walkin' around cash.


Sunday, July 6, 2014

Gatlinburg's 3rd Annual Smoky Mountain Songwriter's Festival

 August 21-24
 Free Live Music Venues throughout Gatlinburg with songwriters performing and telling you the story behind your favorite hit songs. PUBLIC INVITED. Come "Celebrate our Appalachian Musical Roots". All genres welcome. Songwriter Opportunities include Song Competition, Band Playoff and a Workshop Series.


 “Celebrating Our Appalachian Musical Roots" 4-day festival downtown Gatlinburg featuring "Hit" songwriters. Public Invited. Free Live Entertainment. Songwriter Opportunities: song competition, workshops, band playoff and stage spots. Rain or Shine.



 The 3rd Annual Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival will be "Celebrating our Appalachian Musical Roots" this year. The public is invited for free live music, workshops, band playoffs and a songwriter's competition. To find out how to enter  or reserve a stage spot, go to smswf.com. 

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Sue's Gooey S'Mores Bars

 A great summer time dessert!


Ingredients


2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
2 1/3 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 bag (11.5 oz) milk chocolate chips (2 cups)
1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow creme
1 cup miniature marshmallows

Directions

 1 Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with shortening or cooking spray.
2 In large bowl, beat sugar, butter, vanilla and egg with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon, until light and fluffy. Stir in graham cracker crumbs, flour and salt. Reserve 2 cups graham cracker mixture. Press remaining mixture in pan for crust.
3 Sprinkle chocolate chips over crust; press slightly. Drop marshmallow creme by tablespoonfuls over chocolate chips. Wet back of tableware spoon and use to lightly spread marshmallow creme. Sprinkle with marshmallows. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture; press lightly.
4 Bake 17 to 22 minutes or until marshmallows are puffed and light golden brown. Cool at least 30 minutes. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows.
Enjoy!