A Weekend at LBL Piney Campground

After what has seemed like forever we were finally able to set a weekend aside to go camping. We had originally planned for Easter Weekend but with the unforeseen events of the Westy crapping out on us we had a little set back. The hubbs went away for training for a while and well now he's back. 

Friday afternoon we loaded up and headed out to Land Between the Lakes (LBL) as soon as I got home from work. 

I'm absolutely loving that it stays lighter out longer now. Spring / Summer weather please stay awhile won't you. We made it to our spot for the weekend at Piney Campground, set up and had time to relax and kick our feet up before the sun went down. It was a bit chilly that evening, which I wasn't expecting. Nothing that a little campfire and some S'mores couldn't cure. 

Waking up to the sounds of the birds chirping, the wind blowing and a chill in the air was absolutely the best. The pups were enjoying a relaxing morning laid out by the Westy while I was cooking up some breakfast. 

Pancakes and Turkey Sausage was the perfect way to start our morning. I could really get used to this, sitting out on the picnic table enjoying our breakfast. Doesn't get much better than this. 

Our campsite was right near the boat dock with a little path leading across. After breakfast the pups and I took a little walk out to the pier while the hubbs met us there on his bike. It was so peaceful and relaxing. I could have sat there for ever just over looking the lake. 

After breakfast we decided to take the pups for a walk around the campsite before heading out on a bike ride. We ended up going for a good 16 mile ride down to almost the other side of LBL and back to our campsite. Man where there some nasty hills we had to up and down along our ride. I managed though, not one time did I have to stop and rest. I pushed through, telling myself each time "just make it to the top". 

After our ride, a nice little nap and some tasty lunch we sliced open some watermelon to cool down with. One of my favorite summer time fruits, it was just what I needed. 

For dinner we did something a little different. Hobo Stew. I'd never had Hobo stew before and wasn't quite sure how it would turn out but I'm a believer. It was a perfect campfire dish. We chopped some 

veggies, marinated bison rolled it all up in foil and tossed it on the fire. About 30 minutes later we where feasting on this fine meal with a side of cornbread muffins. 

Another first for me, campfire popcorn. The hubbs went up to grab some more firewood from the general store and came back with popcorn. I've seen it before in stores I've just never made it myself. It didn't seem to be popping at first. I assumed it would start right away but took a bit. But once it got going and was finished we had a lovely little buttery snack. 

Can we just go ahead and talk about how spoiled these two are. Bailey clearly was just fine laying on the gravel earlier that morning but for some reason she seemed so much more relaxed laying on the blanket once I pulled it out. Spoiled much. Then you have Dingo who can't be more than a couple inches away from us it seems like. After we had finished off our s'mores and were sitting by the fire he helped himself in to the hubbs lap. They both think they are lap dogs and take full advantage of it. 

The next morning we had breakfast before taking the pups on a walk and packing up to head back home. Fired Eggs with Turkey Sausage between a toasted English Muffin with a slice of melted Pepper Jack Cheese. I think it might have been my favorite meal of the weekend. Aside from the S'mores of course. And I mean you can't beat a view like that now. 

We decided just to leave the bed down for the drive home since we where going to be washing the sheets and the inside needed a good cleaning. So of course these two mutts took full advantage. I'd be pretty tired to if I decided to go darting through the back screen of the Westy in the middle of the night and run around the camp site. Yup that would have been Dingo. He must of saw or heard something and jump right out. The mesh screen we have for the back that allows you to leave the hatch open does not attach to the bottom. Only the top and sides so he just went right under it. He's such a turd!!!  

We had such a great time and are already looking forward to our next trip out in a few weeks.

Picking Up The Pieces

Just a little bit of life lately and a Instagram dump. Because every blog needs a catch all here and there right, to keep you up to date on the latest and greatest of what's going on in our life. hee hee. 

Dinner in Nashville a few weeks back at Hattie B's. It was quite tasty, we must have gone at the right time because we got right in. Typically this place is packed with a line out the door and down the side of the building. I went with the chicken tenders, coleslaw pimento cheese mac n cheese. I was semi disappointed to find out that they only serve their Chicken and Waffles on Sundays. :( 

Finding ourselves in Nashville once again we went to Blaze Pizza for lunch. You can choose from one of their pizza's on the menu or you can "customize your own" and its made right there in front of you. This place reminded me so much of Chipotle and let me tell you it was so so good!!! We'll def. be going back here. I got the BBQ Chicken and the hubbs got the Green Stripe. Both where delis!!!

Our most resent Nashville outting was complete by gathering some goodies from some of my favorite stores that we don't have in Clarksville, such as Trader Joes, REI and Fresh Market. I'll say we cleaned up pretty well and are going to be eating some tasty snacks. I finally got my hands on Cookie Butter which I'd been looking EVERY where for, for months. Its soon good!!! 

 What better way to enjoy your 3 day weekend, Thank You Labor Day. Then go for a nice long run on post. I typically don't run on post. In fact this was the first time I ran on Ft. Campbell. I wanted to change things up, you know put a little spice in my life. I didn't have a set milage I wanted to run when I headed out but knew I wanted to make it a long one. And that I did, 15 miles just shy of 2.5 hrs and I was sweating my booty off. But it felt great. I'm officially training for my 2nd Full Marathon, which I plan to complete next April for my 30th birthday. Yikes we aren't talking about that though. 

 This past weekend the hubbs and I headed out early EARLY Saturday morning for a quick two day trip to Louisiana for a wedding. One of the Soldiers in his platoon was getting married to the Post's Deputy General's Daughter and had plans to attend. Driving through the city of Monroe we where talking and the hubbs made a big deal about it. I wasn't sure why he was making such a deal for then he reminded me about the Duck Commander store / filming location. Well of course we had to stop then. We / I are big fan and I had to get the obligatory picture in front of the sign. The "shop" turned store was packed with loads of goodies and souvenirs to take home. We took a quick look around before heading back on the road. 

 Only 3 hours away from home, if only we come make a quick stop. But only having two day's we just couldn't swing it. 

 We stopped for lunch once in Shreveport at a local restaurant and the hubbs orders Fire Gator bites even after I told him I would NOT be trying them. Something about it just completely weirds me out and I just can't do it. The idea of eating Alligator, NO thank you. However he pretty much twisted my arm and I tried the tiniest bite. No it wasn't horrible but just the idea of it I couldn't get behind. Mixed in was fried Jalapeño slices so I chowed down on those since the hubbs doesn't care for Jalapeños by themselves. 

Busy enjoying ourselves and the beautiful wedding I failed on getting any pictures of us at all. EPIC FAIL. I was so bummed, but there's always another time. I did get a picture with my fabulous boots on. I mean you can't go to a country themed wedding and not wear your boots!!! It was a absolutely beautiful wedding and I couldn't be more happy for the newly weds. I'm so glad we where able to make the trip out to be apart of their celebration. 

The next morning we slept a little bit, if you call 5am sleeping in. We decided to take advantage of the hotel's complementary breakfast they have. I mean after all I'm pretty sure we paid for it in our rate some how or another. Waffles, Yogurt, Banana's and a Muffin just to name a few things that may have crossed my plate. On the road by 6:30am headed home. 

Our GPS took us out of Louisiana through some back country roads and blessed us with this beautiful sunrise. It doesn't get more relaxing or better than looking over a fog covered pasture with cows out grazing around. 

On our drive home we finally had a chance to stop at the largest Bass Pro Shop ever. The outside looks way neat, and on the inside you'll have just about everything your normal BPS has. I think it get's the title being the largest one simple from the building size. There is a restaurant inside, a body of water aka mini pond that has boats for display and I believe its the worlds tallest free standing glass elevator in the middle. It's one of those places where we can save we've been and check it off the list of must see's. 

Back at it first thing Monday morning. My BB group is hosting a 5 day clean eating challenge this week and its just what I need after a weekend of splurging. I'm going all out and doing 10 days. We have another little trip planed next weekend and I / we plan to fully indulge in lots of yummy goodness. 

Day 1 workout complete, and lunch curtesy of Hops Java and Juice in downtown Clarksville. This little joint has only been only about 2 maybe 3 months and let me tell you they are fabulous. All clean, organic, natural ingredients. Plus selection of baked goodies, a ice cream bar and pup cups (puppy ice cream). Its just what we needed here in town. My new Monday lunch spot, Military Monday Discount day. 

Tuesday I headed out for a 6 mile ride after my morning work out and it was so chilly. I'm not at all ready for the cold weather, I mean really who is. I'm really enjoying my bike and even more so that we both where able to purchased one when we where home in Texas. I try to make a point to go riding at least twice a week in the mornings before work and then the two of us go together on a longer ride on Sunday's. We've been going on post and riding around a couple different area's which has been really nice. I foresee lots of fun times ahead of us. :) 

"We've got Spirit, Yes we do. We've got Spirit, How about You?"  It's Spirit week at school and today was Story Book Day. Dress up as a Story book character. Barbie and I decided that we'd go together as a team, seeing's after all we are always working together and getting into one thing or another. I'm not one for dressing up all the time and to be honest this was the first time this week I remembered or even put effort into what I was going to wear. I have to say our outfits / costumes turned out pretty darn cute and we had so many complements on them.  

I suppose that catches things up for a bit. Until next time folks. 

Just another Day

Early Tuesday morning we got up and took our bikes to Veteran's park which is just up the road from where my NeNe lives. The park is great for just about any outdoor activity running, biking, football, frisbee golf, feeding the ducks or just taking a stroll around along the beautiful trail's. I love this park because not only does it have so much history but it is family friendly and huge. The full trail around the park is about a mile and a half. The first time around the 5am sprinklers where on and we got sprayed. That wasn't very welcoming so early in the morning. We continued on and went around about 3-4 times at a good pace before heading home. NeNe had a eye doctor's appointment that morning so we decided we would take her and spend some more time with her as well. It was a good thing because they ended up dilating both eye's when they where only suppose to do one. I felt awful for her, but we where so grateful that we had drove. I was also able to visit and catch up with NeNe's good friend Memory. I honestly don't remember her to much but I she is just the sweetest lady ever. 

Lola finally warmed up to the hubbs and wouldn't leave his side.

Later that morning NeNe fixed a fully breakfast casserole for brunch while the hubbs and I went and gathered a few things for dinner. Dad and my brother where coming over and we where cooking a tasty meal for everyone. After brunch we went and did a little random window shopping at a few stores before heading over to visit with my friend Angela. I always love coming home and really getting to catch up with good friends. Sure there's Facebook, Instagram, Texting and Calling but there's just something about being about to really spent time with someone you care about and love so much. Each and every time Ang and I get together its as if no time has ever passed. We pick right up where we left off. Not a second has been missed and that's what I love so much about her. It's so easy. We can go weeks or months at a time with out talking and you'd never know. Although one afternoon was not nearly enough time. I wish we had so much more time in Texas but there's just always so much to do and so many people to see. It makes it hard to get around and please everyone. 

We had a great dinner and visit with my dad and brother at the house. We made Croissant Sammies with a Cucumber / Tomato Salad and Baked Sweet Potato Bites. Everyone really seemed to enjoy dinner. I absolutely love that I've been about to spend so much time with my dad this trip. Normal I don't get to see him all that much so this time around has really been a treat.
Speaking of treats, after dinner we went up to the mall to take a stroll around and see if we could find any good cycling books at Barnes and Nobles. No such luck there but I did score a couple of new Fiestaware pieces. A few weeks back I dropped one of my plates and it shattered. I had been looking for a replacement with out buying the whole set and hadn't had much luck. That was till we went to Macy's.
We'd talked about going to The Cheese Cake Factory for dessert afterwards but decided to make a little bit of a better choice. Frozen Yogurt. I think we chose just right.


I'd never been to Pinkberry before and let me tell you it was sooooo good. Different from the normal Frozen Yogurt places we had been to. They only had a couple different yogurt flavors to pick from, a small but tasty selection of toppings. The girls working made up your bowl for you. You told them which size cup, which yogurt flavor and which toppings up to 3 that you wanted. It was one set price and didn't go by weight like most other places I'd been to. Now if you wanted additional toppings you could have those added on as well. I went with Chocolate Yogurt, Strawberries, Granola and Cookie Dough bites. It was so good. Just thinking about it now makes me wish we had one back in Clarksville. I remember living in Hawaii and not being a huge fan of FroYo. My love for it started when we moved to Cola. Seriously the best afternoon or late night dessert. Really its good anytime of the day if you ask me.

Take Me Out to The Ball Game

Saturday night while having dinner with Justin, Rebecca and another Couple at the house they had mentioned having two extra tickets to the Rangers game Monday night and asked if we wanted to come. Free Parking, Free Tickets, Box Seats, umm why in the world would we turn that down. Yes please. I couldn't even tell you the last time I went to a Rangers game. Not to mention the hubbs and I had never been to a sports game together. Crazy to think that almost 9 years later and we are still finding "first's" to do together and experience.

Monday afternoon we had lunch with our mom at a yummy Mexican joint followed by Ice Cream from Braums. Seriously the best Ice Cream ever. I had been dreaming of their Peppermint ice cream and their Chocolate Chip ice cream for weeks now. I'm pretty sure I could eat my weight in it but that would be a little crazy. We are staying with my NeNe while we where in Arlington so we headed to her house to unload the car and visit a bit before our night out at the Ball Park. It has been almost two years since I'v been home (November 2013 for my Mamaw's funeral) so getting to sit down and visit with NeNe was much needed and so nice that it was under been terms this go around. Pleasure not because of a family emergency or a death.

We where suppose to meet up with Justin and Rebecca for drinks before heading to the game but we where doing a little bicycle shopping :) and didn't make it. We had finally found a couple that we liked (we did a little window shopping before lunch) and decided to go back and purchase them. I'm so excited because this will give us something to do together, plus it gives me another way to get a good exercise in.

We dropped the bikes off and headed out to the Ball Park to meet up with JT, Becca, Kim and Doug. I just so happened to have brought my "Your Texas is Showing" tank, which was perfect for a evening at the game. I was already planing out in my head the yummy ball park food I wanted to indulge in. Its a bit pricey to eat at the game but since we didn't have to pay for our seats or parking I was totally ok with splurging a bit on food. Plus we're on Vacay so its ok right. :)