Rocky Top

in All Posts

Wish that I was on ol’ Rocky Top, down in the Tennessee hills, aint’ no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top, ain’t no telephone bills…

IMG_4506

Rocky Top, you’ll always be home sweet home to me! Good ol’ Rocky Top, Rocky Top Tennessee, Rocky Top Tennessee…

 

(If you have no idea what I’m singing, check out this.)

 

Yeeehaw!  I love Tennessee.  Today was a day of nature, sun, family, and food.   My mom and I went on a 4.0-mile hike with little James (Maggie stayed home; her legs are too short).  It was a great way to relax my legs after yesterday’s 12.0 mile run, but it was a little tiring by the end!

IMG_4460

IMG_4470

IMG_4478

IMG_4486

IMG_4490

IMG_4479

IMG_4468

IMG_4495 

IMG_4476

The only problem with climbing up that quarry rock was trying to get down.  Going up wasn’t bad, but I turned around to head back down and thought, “Wow, that was really stupid.”   It was higher than it looked from the ground!  All I could think was “do not hurt yourself seven days before your marathon… do not hurt yourself seven days before your marathon.”

IMG_4509

James forgave me for dragging him down the quarry (he sprinted up it!) after I let him chase squirrels through the forest.  🙂

IMG_4497 

Prior to our hike, my mom and I munched on leftover’s from last night.  Here’s the quiche recipe.

IMG_4441

With cornbread, too.  Of course.

IMG_4442

And we grabbed lattes because I was dragging.

IMG_4447

We rushed home and began to prepare a beautiful feast for our family.

 

My mom is really good at setting themed tables.  I need a dining room table so I can do this, too – themed coffee tables don’t have the same impact.

IMG_4513

IMG_4514

Dinner was a team effort.

IMG_4517

IMG_4518

IMG_4519

My plate:  Perfect Baked tofu, sweet potatoes, broccoli, bread, roasted apples, green beans.

IMG_4521

IMG_4522

IMG_4523

And vino, of course.

IMG_4515 

Dessert was some of this ah-maz-ing pumpkin loaf (not homemade, but just as good!):

IMG_4511

To bed I go!  I’m beat.

{ 62 comments }

 

  • loreejo October 23, 2010, 8:57 pm

    looks like a great day caitlin! glad you made it down the rock safely so you could eat that yummy-looking dinner!

  • Kristina @ spabettie October 23, 2010, 8:57 pm

    I LOVE THAT SONG !! <3

  • Maryea @ Happy Healthy Mama October 23, 2010, 9:19 pm

    Wow-what beautiful scenery! Looks like a fabulous dinner.

  • Kaitlyn (College Girl Runs) October 23, 2010, 9:25 pm

    Pretty pictures! Have a good rest of your weekend 🙂

  • Hope October 23, 2010, 9:27 pm

    Gosh James is so super cute!!! Yum dinner looks great!

  • Liz @ Tip Top Shape October 23, 2010, 9:29 pm

    I love the table! Your mom has some serious table decorating skills 😀

  • Shari October 23, 2010, 9:33 pm

    What a beautiful landscape! Love all the changing leaves 🙂

  • Kiran October 23, 2010, 9:33 pm

    Love to views! And very nice themed table decor 🙂

  • Camille October 23, 2010, 9:36 pm

    What a lovely hike!
    The dinner table is adorable!

  • Amy October 23, 2010, 9:50 pm

    Roasted apples! Those look so good.

  • Terri October 23, 2010, 9:56 pm

    Love me some Rocky Top – although the football game today was a bit of a disappointment! It’s gorgeous here this time of year (I live near Knoxville), isn’t it? 🙂 Trying a long run tomorrow with a knee brace – wish me luck!

    • caitlin October 24, 2010, 8:20 am

      GOOD LUCK! Be safe!

  • Ellen@FirednFabulous October 23, 2010, 9:59 pm

    James is a warrior! ha. Love that dog. Sounds like you’re having a great time…there’s nothing like being with family! Cannot wait for the holidays!

  • eatmovelove October 23, 2010, 10:10 pm

    Your photos are really stunning – great shots!

    …especially of that roll…;)

    Is your mom vegetarian?

    • caitlin October 24, 2010, 8:21 am

      She’s 95% vegetarian. I read her a chapter of Skinny Bitch and it pretty much pushed her over the edge a year ago or so.

  • Wei-Wei October 23, 2010, 10:16 pm

    I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend! (I love that remark about Maggie’s too-short legs. :D)

  • Jamie @ Food in Real Life October 23, 2010, 10:23 pm

    Dinner looks fab! Do your parents eat vegetarian as well?

    • caitlin October 24, 2010, 8:23 am

      My mom does but my dad is most definitely not. 🙂

  • holly @ couchpotatoathlete October 23, 2010, 10:36 pm

    No offense but I guessed that pumpkin roll was storebought — homemade ones that I have seen are never that perfect!

    What a nice day to spend with your mom!

  • Christine October 23, 2010, 10:38 pm

    Is that the quarry near IJAMs?

    I moved away from Knoxville about a year ago and you’re making me miss it (even more than I already do)!

    • caitlin October 24, 2010, 8:26 am

      Yes! It’s awesome.

  • Katherine @ Left Coast Contessa October 23, 2010, 10:41 pm

    Aw, James looks so serious! Looks like you had an awesome day!

  • Laurie October 23, 2010, 11:10 pm

    I gotta tell you I had the BEST breakfast and I said to myself “this is a Caitlin breakfast”.
    Steel oats (I’m not sure you like those because you seem to talk about the other kind), diced apple, craisins and chopped almonds. It was crunchy, chewy, sweet, salty and tangy. YUM!!

    • caitlin October 24, 2010, 8:23 am

      That sounds pretty epic!

  • Jasmine @ Eat Move Write October 23, 2010, 11:18 pm

    I love fall decor. Your mom’s table was so cute, and you’re right coffee tables? not so much.

    Glad you’re having a great one with your mom!

  • sarah k. @ the pajama chef October 23, 2010, 11:28 pm

    beautiful scenery!

  • maria @ Chasing the Now October 23, 2010, 11:38 pm

    I love your mom’s table set up. Looks very fall, but fun!

  • Maddie October 24, 2010, 12:10 am

    Looks like a beautiful hike! I love all of the fall decorations and dinner looks fabulous.

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey October 24, 2010, 1:03 am

    That honestly looks like such a great dinner!!!

    Do NOT hurt yourself before your race!!

  • Amber K October 24, 2010, 1:45 am

    I’m glad you made it down that rock safely!

    What a yummy looking dinner. Then again, you always have the best looking food!

  • Red October 24, 2010, 2:07 am

    I love your mom’s beautiful themed dinner table setting. And the family feast looks delicious and fabulous.

  • Laurie @ Cookies n' Cardio October 24, 2010, 3:29 am

    Yay Tennessee! I’m a Memphis girl! Di you say yall were in Knoxville?

    How do you (or your mom) make your roasted apples? They look delightful! I’m sure they’re simple…

    • caitlin October 24, 2010, 8:25 am

      We’re in Powell, technically!

      Sliced Granny smith + Honey Crisp apple, lay on top of melted butter, top with cinnamon and honey and bake at 375 for 40 minutes. Drain once in the process of baking (just tip the pan over slightly over the sink and use a spatula to prevent the apples from falling out.)

  • Marina October 24, 2010, 7:37 am

    I love hiking. All those two times I did it, it was awesome 😀 I have to hike some more.
    Love the themed table!

  • Erin October 24, 2010, 7:57 am

    That heart bowl in the pictures above looks like a hand painted Polish bowl. If you turn it over it should have the artist’s signature and the place where it is painted. Polis pottery has to be some of the most gorgeous pottery. It can be very hard to find that pottery here in the states. Where did your Mom get it?

    • caitlin October 24, 2010, 8:26 am

      She says she can’t remember 🙁

  • Ali October 24, 2010, 8:31 am

    Forget about the table and the food, your momma’s TRICEPS are enviable!! 😉

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin October 24, 2010, 8:45 am

    That’s such a pretty hike! I’m so jealous it’s warm enough there to wear shorts and a t-shirt!

  • Nikki M. October 24, 2010, 9:21 am

    That all looks soooo yummy! We roasted broccoli for the first time this week and loved it! Even my husband couldn’t stop eating it 🙂 I’m going to try your baked tofu recipe this week. I haven’t been a fan of tofu yet, but your recipe looks really yummy!

  • Britton October 24, 2010, 9:22 am

    I went to UT and I just went back to visit last weekend. I love Knoxville! If you get a chance, you should go to a restaurant called Tomato Head. It’s amazing and has lots of organic vegetarian items.

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) October 24, 2010, 9:36 am

    Looks like a great day with your mom! Ya gotta love TN! My husband is from there and I lived there a little bit off and on in the beginning of our marriage. Oddly, it feels like home to me.

  • Jessica @ Jessica Balances October 24, 2010, 9:38 am

    I love that you’re in TN 🙂 I live in Nashville so if you’re ever passing through, you should organize a meet-up!

  • Halley (Blunder Construction) October 24, 2010, 9:47 am

    Pumpkin loaf, that is some kind of magic. A fall delicacy to be reckoned with!! That dinner looks so wholesome, I can feel the warmth from here.

  • Kjirsten- Balanced Healthy Life October 24, 2010, 9:58 am

    What a cute table scape! The pumpkin loaf looks so amazing!

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss October 24, 2010, 10:42 am

    I severely miss Tennessee. I grew up there and was forced to move to AL. *sigh* There’s nothing like those mountains.

  • Chelsea @ Healthsea October 24, 2010, 11:22 am

    How do you do your roast apples? My apologies if it’s here somewhere, I can’t seem to find it.

    • Caitlin October 24, 2010, 5:03 pm

      Check out commment 27!

  • monicanelsonfitness October 24, 2010, 11:53 am

    Really awesome pics!

  • Jen October 24, 2010, 12:19 pm

    Love the Polish pottery!

  • Mastering Public Health (@MasPublicHealth) October 24, 2010, 2:58 pm

    Wow, those sun/moon/stars plates and dishes are so beautiful. I never ask bloggers where their belongings are from but I just have to in this case! Does your mom know?

    • Caitlin October 24, 2010, 5:03 pm

      Those dishes are literally 20 years old LOL I have NO idea where she got them from!

  • Natalia - a side of simple October 24, 2010, 4:05 pm

    How did you prepare the broccoli? It looks especially good and although I love broccoli, I think I’m hankering to prepare if differently than I usually do. Thanks, Caitlin!

    • Caitlin October 24, 2010, 5:04 pm

      roasted style – check out my recipes/side dishes/method for roasting veggies for the how to!

  • Lacey @ Lake Life October 24, 2010, 5:45 pm

    I LOVE your mom’s moon/star dishes!

  • Rachel October 24, 2010, 6:30 pm

    I was just at that rock quarry. The nature center is beautiful, especially this time of year. Good luck on your marathon this weekend! I’m just doing the easy Komen 5K in knoxville on Saturday, but I’ll be cheering you on from afar!

  • Krista @ Can't Survive on Yarn Alone October 24, 2010, 7:37 pm

    Kudos to climbing up that rock! I hate heights and would have been stuck up there if I could have even gotten up there.

  • Kate @ Ordinary Girl, Extraordinary Journey October 25, 2010, 1:52 am

    Ahhhh Rocky Top! I grew up in Nashville but always loved going to East TN in the fall (that’s where your mom lives, right?). Now that I’ve moved to California, I am really missing it!

    The dinner party food looks fab! Can’t wait to go see the Baked Tofu recipe!!

  • Anne @thefitbridesmaid October 25, 2010, 8:56 am

    Know the song, but not the words. I usually sing:
    “Da da da da da da Rocky Top da da da da da
    da da da da da da Rocky Top da da da-da-da da”

    Glad you had a great hike in Tennessee!

  • Camels & Chocolate October 25, 2010, 5:20 pm

    I’m a Vol and Tennessee transplant now living in California, so to see your post titled Rocky Top AND the words to the song? PURE GOLD. Another reason to adore you, Caitlin!

    • Caitlin October 25, 2010, 9:21 pm

      Yay!

  • Tanya @ Vegan Faith October 26, 2010, 4:02 pm

    I would love to know how you roasted those apples!

Previous post:

Next post:

Healthy Tipping Point