Cades Cove camping...

Since we live so close to Cades Cove, we camp there as often as we can get away from the farm.  It's almost addictive, with peaceful, beautiful scenery, a wonderful campground, abundant wildlife (turkey, deer, fox, black bears (with babies, if you're lucky) and of course, the relaxing drive through the cove.  This little settlement was the last area lived in by the original residents before the National Park Service bought the land.  Several of the original cabins, barns and churches still stand.  The cemeteries are full of old headstones, dating back several generations.  On this trip, we took our sweet 3 year old granddaughter (Alayna) for her very first camp outing...for more info: 
 http://www.cadescove.net/camping_cades_cove.html

There's hundreds of miles of hiking, biking and horseback trails too!  I've ridden my mule over several of them and the best word to describe the scenery....breathtaking!!  Creeks, valleys, wildlife, gorgeous flowers, ridges...you see it all!!

Alayna...morning after spending 1st night in tent!  Her first words that morning..."NeeCee, I love this tent & this cot's perfect for me!"  She stayed happy throughout the 4 days...

Uncle Jordan and Alayna, on the porch of the old Tipton place

The old Tipton fireplace was the perfect "frame" for this one!!

Poppa preparing his mouth-watering beef stew (campfire style)!

The old Tipton place

Whether you live nearby or across the country, this is a wonderful place to visit!!

Something NEW!!

It's HOT here at AWESOME ASS ACRES, but I think it's hotter in Magical Mule Folk Art Studio!  I've been staying inside to beat this humidity and heat, but have I been BUSY!!  About 2 months ago, I discovered the collectible figurines from "The Trail of Painted Ponies" and as I researched the different designs, I fell in love!  You can order through their wonderful web site...be sure to visit!
They also offer a blank resin figurine that you can paint yourself...that has really gotten me excited!!  These are wonderful gifts for kids, grandchildren, anyone that loves horses!! 
I've completed 2 (Magical Mule and "Beauty" of the Mountains) and will be offering more in the near future!!  I've posted pictures of both...let me know what you think!!  Both are SOLD, but I'm filled with ideas for more!!

Of course, this is my very own "magical mule", Solomon!  I added a little to the ears (remember this started as a horse) and painted it as close as possible to his markings which BTW, was VERY hard!!

I love this one...she has 11 different mountain flowers painted on her, with a bear on this side, looking out from a cherry tree and a raccoon on the other side sitting on a limb.  Her mane and tail depict waterfalls and a mountain stream runs down her back!!

We also found a surprise in our peafowl yard last Friday...6 babies!!  I didn't know if the eggs were fertile, and 6 is all she had, so the odds were against her hatching all of them, but she did!  I'll be posting pictures of them soon!!

 Take care and stop in again!!

BACK PAINTING...MORE PICS FROM TRIP!

After our return from our East Coast trip, we packed up again and headed to Cades Cove, our favorite campground in the mountains!  Had some rain, but it was still very relaxing and there's nothing like tent camping when it's cool weather!  Big campfire every night, cozy sleeping bags, quietness all around, making new friends and those beautiful mountains!!  I'm back painting today...planning on some pendants and a set of bowls for Halloween.  We're hoping to head over to Etheridge, TN next weekend and help our friend, Jimmy, drive wagon tours through the Amish community there.  He's covered up this time of the year...even had the pleasure of having Ms. Wynonna Judd on a tour this past week...sure wish I could've been there - you know with my singing country music and all!!!  We might have worked out some kind of partnership tour, who knows!!  Well, for now, my focus is on getting some pendants painted, featuring his black and white spotted Percheron draft team...Babe and Lil' Huey...I hope they'll sell for souvenirs of the tour!  I've also posted a picture of Eddington, one of the standing stallions at Claiborne Farms, in Paris, KY.  Take care and come back soon!!

MULES & MORE!

Alot of you know by now, that we operate a small farm (AWESOME ASS ACRES) in East Tennessee, near the beautiful Smoky Mountains. We have an assortment of animals, and we love all of them, but we have a farm because of our horses and mules! I decided to post some pictures of them today on this dreary, wet Sunday!! The dark sorrel/bay is Maude, the spotted App mule, is the holder of my heart, King Solomon and the young light sorrel is our yearling, Cha-Cha. The dark chocolate is Minnie, Cha-Cha's mom and a Haflinger cross and the beauty with the blonde locks is Dolly, a full Haflinger...we ride the mules and the horses are our wagon team. Some of you have asked about our animals and I thought I'd re-introduce them!! Take care from AAA!!