Recipe Thursday

I'd love to share with you a grilled chicken recipe that everyone in our family can agree on.  With 4 kids, having everyone agree isn't something that happens often.

To make this vacation friendly, I suggest mixing up the spices at home and bringing them with you in a ziplock bag labeled "Lime Chicken".  It will make preparation quick and easy at the cabin.

Spicy Garlic Lime Chicken

Ingredients

• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• 2 or 3 limes
•  
• 1. In a glass baking dish, sprinkle chicken breasts with spices.  Squeeze limes over chicken and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
• 2. Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat.
• 3.Lightly oil the grill grate. Discard marinade, and grill chicken 6 to 8 minutes on each side, until juices run clear. 
•  
• It isn't too spicy and you can use more limes and let marinate a little longer to infuse the lime flavor.  
•  
• We like to make guacamole with this and sometimes slather it on top! 
•  
• Enjoy!

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Coming This Fall....

 

 I am just about to hit "Send" on an order of shampoo, conditioner, lotion and body soap!

We are super excited to be bringing these luxurious, yet eco-friendly toiletries to our cabin.

The Sonoma Soap Company® Amenity Collection is exquisitely formulated to nurture the hair and body and protect the environment. All formulations contain natural and organic ingredients and are free of those ingredients identified as dangerous or threatening to our environment.

• Soaps and liquids are 100% biodegradable.
  
• Soap bars contain vegetable base.
  
• Formulations are free of the following potentially harmful chemicals:
  ๐ Paraben Free
  ๐ Phthalate Free
  ๐ Mineral Oil Free
  ๐ DMDM Hydantoin Preservative Free
  ๐ Artificial colorant Free
  ๐ Diethanolamine Free
  ๐ Formaldehyde Free
  
• Cruelty free – No animal testing
  
• Liquid formulations contain all-natural fragrances at subtle levels to reduce potential for irritants.
  
  
  AND... all MADE IN THE USA!
  
  
  I will announce their official arrival to the cabin on our Facebook page.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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Are You Ready For Some Football????

College football season is upon us and when you stay at Cinematastic View, you won't have to miss a game while on your vacation.

I just finished clicking and ordering the ESPN Game Plan thru DirecTV.

With up to 15 games a week, including teams from the Big East, ACC, Big 12, Pacific 12 and the Southeastern Conferences as well as key match ups- you are sure to find the games you want to watch.

We are thrilled to offer this service to our guests and feel it is one of the many ways we try to go above and beyond for you.

We even have DVR so you can record your game- that way if you get delayed in your return to the cabin you won't have to worry because it will be right there waiting for you.

Fall is coming- bringing with it beautiful leaves to create stunning mountain views. 

For more information on our cabin and rates, please visit www.cinematasticview.com.

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September Fun in Pigeon Forge

September is a great month to take a visit to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains.

In between the hustle and bustle of the summer and the peak fall season is the month of September.  Just because the temps are cooling off and the crowds are thinning doesn't mean that the action is disappearing.  There are lots of fun things planned for the start of the fall season.

Some of the events lined up for September are:

1-3 Labor Day Tent Sale

Incredible Christmas Place

3-8    Sevier County Fair

Traditional hometown fair with a midway, carnival rides, games, contests and concerts at Sevier Co. Fairgrounds.
http://www.seviercountyfair.org

7-8     Shades of the Past Hot Rod Roundup at Dollywood Splash Country

 http://www.shadesofthepast.com/

Classic automobile lovers! Come visit Pigeon Forge to see the best vintage and classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles! Buy! Sale! Trade! All right here at the Shades of the Past Rod Run as we celebrate 30 years of coming together for this wonderful event! 

15-17  Grand Fall Rod Run

Grand Resort Hotel and Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, TN
Buy, Sale, Trade, or just admire these classic cars for this fun annual event. For further information please contact 1-800-251-4444. 

22   The 9th Annual Old Mill Heritage Day

Come teach the little one’s about what this great nation was built on at the 9^th Annual Heritage Day at the Old Mill Square in Pigeon Forge Sept 22^nd. See various demonstrations on crafting, a petting zoo for the kiddies, and even a farmer’s market! For more information please contact 1-865-428-0771.  

24  South Atlantic Shrine Association Shrine Parade

on the Parkway at 9 a.m.

27  15th Annual Taste of Autumn
Autumn is right around the corner and the most delightful way to get ready is to attend Gatlinburg’s Taste of Autumn.  Attendees can sample unlimited offerings from some of the area’s finest restaurants and attractions. For a small donation, attendees can enjoy unlimited sampling from 17 participating vendors with live entertainment from 5 to 8 p.m.  One hundred percent of the proceeds from the Taste of Autumn benefit the 2012 United Way Sevier campaign. Tickets are $25 (children under 7 are free).

29-30  Fall Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament

865-661-3474

29- Oct. 27  Pigeon Forge Rotary Club Craft Fair

Patriot Park

The Rotary Club Craft Fair is the perfect place to find a special, one of a kind handcrafted Smoky Mountain souvenir. See local and area artists demonstrate their talents, and get the opportunity to purchase their masterpieces. Proceeds from the fair benefit several local charities, including the Boys & Girls Club.

Phone: 865-909-3446

We'd love to have you visit our wonderful cabin while enjoying your Smoky Mountain vacation.  September rates are as good as it gets!!!
www.cinematasticview.com

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Christmas in July---- er... August!

I guess this is the week that people have begun to think about and make their plans for the holiday season.  I have come to this conclusion because I have had a flood of inquiries that revolve around Christmas and New Years.  

I am anxious to see who is going to commit and what lucky family will choose our cabin for their holiday celebration.

Some of my facebook friends will remember this photo:

This was my cart in Target on the day after Christmas.  It is a tradition that I get up early the day after Christmas and shop at Target and Hallmark.  I have been collecting Hallmark ornaments since 1992!  I love buying things the day after because the next year I have new material to work with.  It is a lucky thing that I have a storage room for all of this, but my husband keeps telling me we have enough!!  I love Christmas and I love decorating for Christmas.

This year, I had my sights set on buying things for our cabin.  Keep in mind that on the day after Christmas we didn't own a cabin.  My husband saw that as an obstacle, I however used my positive attitude and girlie rationale to say "half off now or full price next year, you pick!"  I don't mean to make Barry sound like a grinch.  He isn't really.  He just likes to give me a hard time about my Christmas obsession collecting.

Last year I also made these for our dining room table, with the idea that next Christmas they would belong to the cabin.

I am going to go with a very natural and cabin-y Christmas using burlap, muslin, red and silver.

I have a board on Pinterest for Cabin Christmas Inspiration, you can check it out here:

http://pinterest.com/sherriv/cabin-christmas-ideas/

I would love it if you would follow me there!

I think it is safe to say that no one will be disappointed in the decorations.  I have seen other cabin's version of Christmas decorating that involves the cheapest tree from Walmart and some silk ball ornaments.  Some don't even have lights!  It is expensive to rent cabins at Christmastime and I want my guests to leave feeling like they got their moneys worth.

I also have plans to treat them to something special and a little different.  I have some family members that spend their Christmas' in vacation rentals.  They have told me that they bring along supplies to create their own ornaments to add to the tree to give it their own touch/feel.

I thought this was a fabulous idea and so I am planning on gathering some supplies and printing up the instructions for their family to create some ornaments to use while they are there and then to take home with them to remember their special trip.

Right now, this is my favorite.  I would love to hear your opinions on this.

http://christopherandtia.blogspot.com/2010/12/handmade-yarn-wreath-ornaments-2010.html

I have a few other surprises for them, but in case they end up reading this blog, I don't want to ruin everything!

Can you believe that I just sent 2 children off to the first day of school and I am already thinking about Christmas??  After writing this post, I feel a trip to the Hobby Lobby Christmas aisles are in order! 

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