Fall in the Smoky Mountains

 My birthday gift this year from Doug was a trip to the beautiful 

Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

We left Iowa on Friday morning, October 30th, after I got off work at 8:00 AM.

We travelled to the Indianapolis area and spent the night at C & C Farms.  We had our personal bed & breakfast.  Thank you Matt and Sarah for the hospitality fit for, as Doug says, "royalty."

The food was spectacular.  

Up and attem' on Saturday to begin our trek through southern Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

The land changed topography and color the farther south we went.

 Just driving into Tennessee.

 Fall colors in Tennessee.

 Doug picked the perfect time of year!  The colors are brilliant.

Traveling from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg.

Yes, it was rainy...(photo taken from inside the car.)

We arrived at the Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort at 4:30 PM to mid 50 degree temperatures.

 We checked into the resort and then "checked-out" the resort.

 This is a beautiful resort.

Inside the water park and activities center.

 We had a festive welcome dinner at the Owners Club House.

Halloween Spooky Bear and me.

Sunday was our first full day.  

We took a trolley around Gatlinburg to get a feel of the area.

The temps were in the mid 60's with intermittent drizzle.

We stopped at shops along the way. 

 We rode the trolley to visit Gatlinburg and some of the shops.

We stopped at one of the Arts & Crafts areas along the 8 mile loop around Gatlinburg.

 With a 1 hour wait at the trolley stops ,
there were too many shops to see today.

So, we decided to drive the route on another day.

The Wood Whittlers Shop

A Thanksgiving turkey for Evie.

 Doug is a kid in a candy shop.

Moonshine is quite the commodity in Tennessee.

You can even find it in the candy!

We were up Monday by 8:00 AM to begin our day with water aerobics in the beautiful aquatic center!

The work out was an hour and the water was warm.  I do need perfect conditions to exercise.  

That explains a lot.

Our first stop was at the Welcome Center at the Smoky Mountains. 

I enjoyed this Wilted Lettuce Salad growing up when the leaf lettuce and spring onions 

were fresh from our garden.
This recipe took me back to my younger years growing up on the farm.

 The welcome center had many souvenir items for sale. 

 I bought some things including a stuffed black bear.  

Biologists estimate over 1,500 black bears live in 

Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

I am hoping to see one while here.

 We bought a ceramic bowl with the signature Alewine Maple Leaf.

We ventured through the rain to the Arts & Crafts Village on an 8 mile loop through the Smokies.

It rained on and off, but it was a great adventure as an artist.

I also bought a beautiful print of original painting on silk of the Smokies Chimneys

 by Lynn Greer Rogers.

  I do have to get a souvenir of each region Doug and I visit.

Our evening entertainment was spent watching 

the Hatfield & McCoys Christmas Show 

in Pidgeon Forge.

Feast & a Feud

Back to the resort.

Microwave Cake in a Mug

I saw this recipe on Facebook and also on Pinterest.

What a great idea!

I needed a small single-serve cake.

This was it!

Simple, easy,  and surprisingly good!

It has been called...
1 Minute Cake
Magic Mug Cake
3-2-1 Cake
Mug cake
1-2-3 Cake
1-2-3 Microwave Cake
Cake in a Cup
and I used the 
Duncan Hines 3- 2- 1 Microwave Cake

Ingredients:

1 box Duncan Hines Angel Food Cake Mix

1 box any flavor regular Cake Mix  (Red Velvet, Chocolate, Spice, Banana, Strawberry, Lemon etc use your imagination on the mixes.)

2 Tbsp. water

Directions:

Mix the 2 cake mixes together in a gallon zip-lock bag.

To make the cake: Spray a microwave safe cup with cooking spray.  (I tried, and it also works without the spray.) Then take 3 tablespoons cake mix; mix this with 2 tablespoons water; 

Mix together and microwave for 1 minute. Let this rest for fifteen minutes and serve with toppings such as ... mini chocolate chips, fruit, nuts, etc. for a different twist. Top with ice cream, hot fudge or caramel sauce, fruit, or anything else you love.

From: https://www.duncanhines.com/recipes/cakes/Patti40/3-2-1-microwave-cake/

Yes, it is that simple!

Make sure to use a box of Angel Food Cake, otherwise the cake will not rise and cook like it should.

It is because the angel food cake mix includes egg whites.

Mix the 2 cake mixes together in a gallon zip-lock bag. 

I am modeling my beautiful stylish apron my friend, Cathy,
gave me for my birthday.
I think it helps me to cook better!
It definitely inspires me.

Take 3 tablespoons cake mix; mix this with 2 tablespoons water.

I used  mini chocolate chips for my add-in.
I laid them on the top of the batter after I mixed it up.
The chocolate chips sink to the bottom of the cup when it cooked.
The next time I made it, I added the mini chocolate chips on top of the cake
after it came out of the microwave.

 Microwave for 1 minute.

Let it rest for about 15 minutes, then frost or add toppings.
This is a very easy cake recipe.
3- 2- 1 and the microwave cake is done!
It's light and you can add different things to this recipe.
Give fruit, cream or other toppings a try.

I made this for my friend's 95th birthday!
Instant single-serve dessert!

Store the extra mix in a zip lock bag and write the directions on the bag.

When the craving hits, just mix 3 tbsp. cake mix with 2 tbsp. water in a coffee mug, 

and microwave on high for 1 minute. 

I have given a zip lock bag of the mix with the directions written on the bag

with a mug, frosting, and measuring spoon as a birthday gift.

Then, the recipient can make a little cake whenever they want.

I also saw a recipe for this microwave cake, but using only angel food cake.

from: http://charlottesiems.com/angel-food-cake-cup

Angel Food Cake in a Cup

3 tablespoons boxed angel food cake mix:

2 tablespoons water:

Microwave one minute.

Tastes good with fruit and whipped cream!  

This looked very good and would be lighter with fewer calories.