opryland hotel

But there was beauty, everywhere you looked:

The Opryland Hotel is seriously one of the most magnificent places I have ever stayed. Absolutely gorgeous. And just like last year, I didn’t have nearly enough time to look around!

I only got night shots, and they’re still amazing:

There was plenty of goofing off:

I’m trying to bring Traci to the dark side…that would be giving up the sweet nectar that is soda. It’s not happening. But that’s why I love her! :)

We even fit in some thrifting:

Kate and Chris’s faces are the BEST. (We weren’t too sure about those chairs.) And no, that is not a beer in my hand, it’s a root beer. ;)

I got to meet the man who inspired us to change our lives, and our family tree:

Financial Peace Plaza

Thanks SO MUCH to Jen for having me along!! (More on that soon!)

But more than anything, there was a lot of smiling:

(Chris and me)

TONS of hugging:

(Marian and me)

Bonding:

(Lorie and me)

A LOT of laughter:

(Myra, Chris, Richella, me, Traci and Rhoda)

Making new friends:

(Shauna and Ashley, new friends; me and Layla, an “old” friend)

And generally having an absolutely fantastic time!!:

I reconnected with the friends I’ve already met over the past year, and I finally got to meet so many bloggers I knew were friends but I had never met in real life. It never ceases to amaze me how I can meet someone for the first time, yet it’s as if I’ve known them for years and YEARS.

It’s instant friendship and love and understanding, and I am so fortunate to call all of these women friends and coworkers. It overwhelms me. What a blessing blogging is.

To say we had a blast would be an understatement. :)

Cheers to all of you – bloggers who were friends before we knew we were. :)

(If we met and I didn’t mention you, I mean YOU too!!)

A special shout out to my roomies – Chris, Rhoda and Beth:

IMG_0863

I already miss our late night talks!! :) You are a few of the loveliest, funniest, best women I know.

I got home from Nashville just in time for the storm of the century (echo, echo, echo)…ice, snow and wind for the next couple of days. This was our bedroom window one hour into it tonight:

That would be a sheet of ice. Thankyouverymuch.

We are warming up, hunkering down and planning on staying in for the next 24 hours, at least. I hope to get some projects started and a few finished since we’ll be stuck inside. Stay safe if you are facing the same!!

**Some photos borrowed from Beth and Kate! :)


While I was away at Blissdom, I highlighted a bunch of “newbie” blogs – it was fantastic!! SO many talented ladies out there!

I gave each newbie their own post for that weekend, but to keep things simple for readers I thought it would be best to condense all of the posts (with links!) into one.  :)

So, here we go, in the order they were posted!

A Little of This, a Little of That

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Young and Crafty

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Green Door Designs

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Ms. Smartie Pants

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A Thoughtful Place

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House Bella

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Ohh Baby Designs

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Two Become One

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My Cottage Charm

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Cleverly Inspired

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Evolution of Style

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Virginia Beach Housewife

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Thrifty Decorating

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Parents of a Dozen

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Thrifty 101

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Simply Brookes

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Twenty Something

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Restorative Living

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MerryPad

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View Along the Way

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The Bird’s Nest

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Bread and Butter 143

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The Sweet Survival

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The Striped Box

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Two Girls Being Crafty

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The Frou-Frugal

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Lissalaneous

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Full of Great Ideas

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Lucy Designs

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One Thrifty Chick

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Choose to Thrive

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The Little Apple Seed

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A Chirp in the Forest

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In My Own Style

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Erika with a K

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Year of Home and Health

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My Life as Prose

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Free Stylin’

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Nat Mac’s Knick Knacks

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Little Brown House

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Wow! I am blown away by the talent out there in blogland!! Hope you enjoy browsing these newer sites. :)


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