even more…

Posted: October 25, 2010 at 11:00 am

I feel very well rested this morning. Even though we had an incredibly busy weekend, we were in bed pretty early each night. I think I got around 9 hours of sleep last night. I even woke up once thinking it was the middle of the night…and it was only 10:30 pm! How’s that for having more time to sleep than expected? 😀

Would you believe that I still have even more to share from our busy weekend? If you’re catching up, here’s what we did on Saturday:

Now, it’s time for the fun we had on Sunday – Oktoberfest! Although not really in the traditional sense of the word since Peter doesn’t like beer and I can’t drink beer, being pregnant and all. A trip to the little “alpine” town of Helen was still in order though as part of tradition.

After church on Sunday, we hit up Subway for lunch as the easiest thing before getting on the road.

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My stomach is so squished lately that I felt ready to explode after just 2/3 of the sandwich. I guess the persistent heartburn from the squishing doesn’t help either.

After lunch, we made a short pit stop to bum some free wifi in a McDonald’s parking lot (oh yes, we did) and then hit the road! I love driving up this time of year. Looking out the window with all of the fall colors passes by calms me so.

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Wouldn’t you say Makenzie agrees?

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After a bit of driving, we made it! Welcome to Oktoberfest and the little German town tucked away in the North Georgia mountain region.

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The town has so many things to see. You can walk around and enjoy all of the beautiful details of the streets

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visit the stores for lots of interesting crafts – wood, classic Dutch items, glass-blown products, handmade candles, traditional music boxes, jewelry, creepy dolls. You name it, they got it. I hate those dolls, though.

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You can go on a horse and carriage ride

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…or grab a seat in the biergarten for an afternoon refreshment. Next year, my friends, next year.

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You always, always, must make a pit stop for the fudge though! Always.

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We got some plain chocolate and maple walnut to come home with us. Then, did the other obligatory part of Helen – cheesing it for the camera.

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Then, we had to call it a day! Like I said, we had an eventful weekend, but all in the name of good, laid back, family fun. 😀 How was your weekend?

  • Do you like beer? I do but only if its a high quality, specialty one. Nothing will compare to the beer I tasted at the Hofbrauhaus in Germany, though. I don’t love it like wine or margaritas though.
  • Do any inanimate objects creep you out? Seriously, those porcelain dolls give me the heebiejeebies. I loathe them. They look like they stare right into your soul!!!
  • Don’t forget to ASK ME ANYTHING for the November Q + A series.

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63 Comments to “even more…”
  1. I wish I liked beer. I love wine, but beer makes me gag. I’ve tried so many types and they all taste the same to me–yucky. 😉

  2. Little M’s big grin warms my heart! She is so sweet, and so blonde! 🙂
    I love beer. My favorite is Young’s Double Chocolate Stoudt. Really does taste like chocolate! The darker the better.

  3. M knows how to chese it up! So cute..

    Im not a beer fan. The only beer I really like is cider beer–like Hornsby or Woodchuck!

    • Tina says:

      It’s because she gets excited to see the pictures on the camera screen. She will give her biggest smile and then immediately “See! See!” to look at the picture. She’s already such a girl. LOL

  4. What a fun Day!! M is just too cute for words!!

    I’m not a huge beer drinker. Wine’s more my style 🙂

  5. Looks like a fun weekend! I’m not a big beer fan…we went to the german american festival last year and while I sampled lots of food…the beer just wasn’t appealing to me! I prefer wine or liquor!

  6. What a cute little town — makes me want to go back to Germany 🙁 I’m not a huge beer fan either, but Oktoberfests are usually a lot of fun anyway. I love the old buildings — the wood slat architecture — it is so quaint and beautiful — reminds me Beauty and the Beast!

  7. That is such a cute town!
    I do like beer (although I still have a month before I can legally say that 😉 )

  8. Becca says:

    What a great sunday! That fudge looks delicious!

    … I’m definitly a beer drinker. Must be the Canadian in me but give me a (good!) beer, a hockey game and a burger and I’m one happy girl!

  9. I love towns like that! There’s one in Washington that we always visit with my husband’s family.

    Glad you got a good night’s sleep! Isn’t it amazing how great you can feel after getting a bit of rest?

    • Tina says:

      Sleep is my best friend. It is the ONE thing that makes the baby not being here yet more bearable. I get more sleep. Hahaha.

  10. Angela says:

    Looks like fun! We also have big Oktoberfest celebrations here (the 2nd largest in the country I hear) but not being a big beer fan, I’ve never really gone out for it. Can you believe I made it through 4 years of university and STILL don’t like it!?
    It looks like you guys had a great weekend. I love the last photo of you and Mackenzie!

  11. The fudge looks delicious 🙂 That town is too cute! What a fun place for Oktoberfest.

    I do like beer, but usually after one or two it gets a little heavy for me! I want to try some specialty-types, though, and see if that makes a difference!

  12. I don’t like the taste of beer either but am very happy with a glass of wine!

  13. feener says:

    i want to go to that town…how cute. i love beer, i love stella artios

  14. Gosh she is TOO cute. Just love it.

  15. i only like dark beers, like porters and stouts, and typically only like microbrews. i’m quite the snob 🙂

    and next time you should take me with you 🙂

    • Tina says:

      Yea, I’m very picky about it. I really don’t like it at all unless its one that happens to strike my fancy. I would so LOVE to go with you!

  16. That photo of your darling girl sleeping is… darling!

    And I love beer and agree that Hodbra in Germany is fantastic – though the chains in the US are good too.

  17. What a cute little town! We’ve got an area similar to that up here- with all the fun little shops.

    And I would never say no to fudge… that stuff is amazing and dangerously addictive!

    I drink more beer now than I used to. My preferred is a pale ale- but I won’t pass up a bud light if I’m handed one… so you can safely assume I’m not overly picky about it. 🙂

  18. I love beer but am so darn picky about it! 🙂 But I’m willing to try anything!

    Love that little town. I could get “lost” in a place like that all day.

  19. Brooke says:

    you got some really gorgeous photos this weekend!

    i’m a beer snob, i drink next to no domestics. Newcastle is my new favorite.

  20. Ughhh, I can’t STAND beer- any brand, any flavor. What I don’t like about beer, I make up for in red wine, though HAHA! 🙂

    I, too, think dolls are creepy, as well as all things “clown” UGHH! The movie “It” will forever tarnish my view of clowns.

  21. That place looks really pretty and fun – even if you can’t drink 😉 It’s nice to wake up well-rested for a change, I feel the same way today! I got 8 solid hours last night, plus an hour nap yesterday.

  22. Nichole says:

    I have never made it to Helen, but so glad you got pics! Looks awesome. How fun:) You are looking amazing mama!

  23. Yes. I like beer. A lot. And love Hofbrauhaus! We’re really spoiled that Chris’s best friend is a talented brewer who wins competitions, and is forever providing us with high-quality ales. Which right now are sitting in my refrigerator and mocking me. Not fair.

  24. Dorry says:

    What a fun Sunday – I love Mackenzie’s hair! And great shots by the tree. Green is your color! I’m not a big beer drinker…but every now and then I’ll crave one. Like you, I go for a specialty brew. And yes, I agree that dolls are totally creepy!

    • Tina says:

      Yep. I don’t ever really have one, but now and again its fun for something different. Green is my favorite color!

  25. Hey Tina! I’ve been absolutely swamped at work, but I’m catching up! I LOVE this little town! It’s gorgeous! Honestly, if I could live in a town as quaint and cultured as a town like that, I would. I’m trying to get out to the Yorktown/Williamsburg area here in VA.

    The next post I put up will be about the foliage here…you’re like me. There’s a peace in the fall when it comes to the colors. The warmth of the colors is so relaxing!!!

    You’re looking as beautiful as ever momma!

  26. Becca says:

    Ahh! M is too cute! =D
    And those are some great pictures of you guys! =)

    Now I want fudge… Yum. 🙂

    I’m not quite old enough to drink (I’ll be 20 next year), but even if I was, I wouldn’t be drinking. I made a promise to myself a few years ago that I would never drink alcohol. Losing the best friend in a drunk driving accident solidified that idea. I feel like it’s too easy to lose control with it, and I don’t want to risk it.

    Those dolls ARE creepy… =\

  27. Aw that looks like fun!!!

  28. Aww looks like you guys had a great weekend! Your pregnant belly is so cute : )

  29. Yeah dude I don’t love most things like I love margaritas!

  30. Steph says:

    Love my red wine, but beer has a special place in my heart as well – especially a good home brew 🙂

  31. We always talk about going to Helen and just never seem to get around to it. It looks beautiful though. I am not a fan of beer, but Tony loves it. Those dolls give me the willies…so do clowns!

  32. What a great weekend!!! Awesome pics!!! I do like beer, only certain kinds thought like Blue Moon with an orange, or Corona with a lime, Stella with an orange…the flavored stuff 🙂 I can;t drink it now, obvi…not sure if I ever had Oktoberfest beer though?

  33. Lisa says:

    What a fun weekend!

    I just wanted to say thank you Tina for your input on my blog. Its very helpful to know that others calorie count, but do so in a healthy way! Looking foward to your posts aabout it! =)

  34. YESSSssss, the beer at the Hofbrauhaus was SO good 🙂

    I adore Helen… what a great fall day trip!

  35. Camille says:

    Oh my gosh, that is an adorable little town!
    It seriously looks like some of the places I saw in Europe. I had no idea that anywhere like that existed in the US!

  36. Hannah says:

    Hey tina,

    glad you had a great time – i love M’s car seat – is it little elephant ears?Too cute! Where did you get it from? I would love to get one for my daughter!!!

    • Tina says:

      It’s a Recaro seat (the Signo I think?) that has the head padding, which must be what you’re talking about. It does look like little elephant ears though! I really do recommend the seat. We love it.

  37. Ahh – what a fun day for you and your family! Looks like a good time was had by all.

    I’m not a beer fan. I forced it down in college, but don’t touch it anymore. Wine, however, I love!

  38. M always looks so darn happy! Love it. I do really like beer, I just don’t drink it often. This time of year I tend to splurge and have some pumpkin ale. Yum.

    Those dolls that you pictured and the old school ones where they would shut their eyes when you lay them down freak me the heck out!

  39. Becca says:

    What a sweet little town! I’m petrified of dolls. That episode of Buffy where the ventriloquist’s dummy comes to life still disturbs me to this day!

    I have grown to like lager, but I still don’t think I can stomach beer. There’s something about the smell. I do like fruit beers, though. Which makes me a big girl, I’m sure!

  40. Aw looks like a great time! And a sleeping child in the car? I’m sure that was a perk 🙂

  41. Maura says:

    I went to bed at 9:30, was asleep by 9:45. At first it made me fearful that I was getting old, and then I realized…who cares. Sleep is glorious.

  42. Krystal says:

    OK, that town is JUST like Frankenmuth, Michigan. A place about 40 minutes away from here. German town, fudge shops, horse and carriage rides, little shops, Oktoberfest and all! If you’re ever bored and just messing around online, Google it! We go there a couple times a year, just to hang out. They’ve got a fun hotel called the Bavarian Inn.

    • Tina says:

      I remember you talking about that place a lot. Now I see why you love it if so much if its like Helen. 🙂 Didn’t you go to that Inn for a night away just the adults not too too long ago?

  43. […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tina Reale, Tina Reale. Tina Reale said: even more…: I feel very well rested this morning. Even though we had an incredibly busy weekend, we were in bed pr… http://bit.ly/9PBP81 […]

  44. There’s a place we vacation to in Washington-Leavenworth. It looks like that town you went to. Super cute and fun!

  45. Karen :0) says:

    How FUN!! Your weekend looks like it was a blast! Especially Octoberfest! I’m not a beer drinker at all. Actually, I really don’t like alcohol at all. It’s not something I’ve ever really liked the taste of! :0)

  46. Ela says:

    Kudos to you for getting all that sleep! What wonderful inspiration.

    With the dark drawing in here, we’ve definitely been going to be earlier also.

    I especially love that pic of you and M and the tree.

    I definitely am creeped out by certain inanimate objects. Life-sized dolls/statues can be worse, I think! And artificial plants…

    Never really liked beer – I drank it a bit in college just because it’s the cheapest pub drink when you’re out, but eventually decided that even I wasn’t cheap enough to drink something I don’t like, and started going for vodka-tonic, etc. Nowadays, I don’t drink alcohol at all.

    love
    Ela

  47. Natalie says:

    I’m not a beer fan…but I do like wine!! I LOVE those nights when you wake up and realize you still have a bunch of hours to sleep!

  48. katie says:

    you are seriously a beast at life for balancing all that you do- i MUST TAKE NOTES!!!!
    and nope, not a beer drinker
    and CLOWNS FREAK ME OUT! oh my gosh

  49. what an awesome day!! baby M is growing up! she looks so much like you its so beautiful! 🙂

    I hate creepy dolls too!!!

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