Daddy Daughter Date to Tip Top Cake Shop

It's no surprise by now that Tip Top Cake Shop is my favorite bakery who has my business for life. I LOVE them. I love everything about them. The shop, the treats, the taste, the talent, the uniqueness, the people behind the counter, the owners, the owner's children. This place doesn't just make a beautiful cake that tastes great....they invest in the families of their community. They are so loving, serving, giving, and full of Jesus. 

Aron and Kendall Pomeroy, the owners and main bakers/decorators of Tip Top Cake Shop, host the most awesome events but my favorite one they do besides (mother and daughter date) is the Daddy Daughter Date Night always around Valentine's Day. Ellie and Eric have been going every year since she was one. 

Ellie got so excited for this special date this year! I got her a special new Valentine's Day outfit to wear on her date with Daddy. She wore the pearls he bought her, and I curled her hair. Daddy took her to Bellacino's in Easley (beside Tip Top) for pizza. They go here on dates a lot together. One time, Kendall saw them in there noticing they frequented the business for pizza nights, and she brought them a box of yummy goodies just because she loves her community that well! It was so special. 

Ellie and Eric enjoyed sharing a pizza, then walked over to Tip Top ready to decorate some Love Monster cupcakes! 

Ellie eyed her naked cupcakes and told Eric, "I'm going to sniff it." Well, a sniff turned into a bite! Ellie bit one of her cupcakes for a taste even before the date was officially started! Haha! Little stinker! They sat together coloring, decorating, stealing licks and bites of icing, and bonding together. Ellie wanted to eat these goodies more than anything and she was having a blast! She ate all of her love monster decorations, and then went for one of Eric's decorations! 

I asked Ellie what her favorite part of her night was and she told me eating her cookie and decorating her yummy cupcake with Daddy! 

Nights like this are so so so important for parents and children. Bonding with your kid (at any and every age) is so special and important. I am so immensely thankful I have a husband who is a devoted Daddy. Eric desired to be a daddy one day so dearly and his love for Ellie is immeasurable. He would and does do anything for his little girl. She is a daddy's girl and their relationship is so wonderful! Eric is showing that little girl what it is to be treated like a princess, to be valued, adored, loved, pursued, and respected. (And I hope I show her how to do the same for a husband)! 

If Ellie knows first the love of God, then the love her Daddy and Mommy, then she is exactly where she needs to be in life. In loving arms to hold her, guide her, help her, and cherish her always. 

Thank you, Tip Top Cake Shop for always putting families first!

Blue Hole Falls - Trail Guide

 This trail is easy and really awesome, beautiful, and great for summer exploring. We scoped it out today to plan for our summer waterfall week with family. 

Blue Hole Falls is located in Mountain Rest, SC, very near Yellow Branch Falls and Stumphouse Tunnel.

Dog friendly.

Distance: 1 mile. (I clocked 1.45 but I did extra climbing and exploring). 

Address: Ok, so it's "one of those" trails on a gravel trail where your GPS says "You have arrived," and well, no darling, I haven't. However; the coordinates are not very far off and I can help you! Don't worry. So, when you get out your Google GPS, type, "Oconee County School District." I don't know why...yes, it is weird, but that is the given name of  the coordinates. I picked these up off of "AllTrails". I am not the only reviewer to declare the coordinates are off, however, the GPS does indeed take you down the correct path, and you only need to drive a wee bit further than it brings you. So, as you drive along, you will come eventually to your first gravel road labeled with post marker "744". 

You drive down the gravel road and eventually GPS says turn right down another gravel road. Do it. Now, when GPS lies and tells you your destination is on the left and you have arrived, just shut her up and keep driving for about another mile, until you see on your right an obvious open path for parking, and a one bar black gate with two bright reflectors on it's sides, and 3 large boulders to the left of the gate. Park here! UNLESS that black gate is open... then drive through it. If the gate is closed, park, and go under/around the gate and walk a short distance down the gravel road to the actual trailhead on your right. If the gate is opened, just drive to the trailhead. 

You will know you have reached the actual trailhead if you are walking down the gravel road by looking right and seeing two large boulders, a small puddle of a pond (currently full of frog eggs!! Yay!!!) and a Blue blaze on a tree. You should be able to hear the roaring water now too, because again this trail is super short with a great reward! 

(Above: This is your actual trailhead whether you parked at the black gate or were able to drive through, here is where it truly begins. Note two boulders, a small pond, this is all going to be on your right side as you approach it.)

We took a moment to stop at the puddle like pond to observe the frog eggs; I encourage you to do the same! Just don't touch them as they are very fragile.

So now just follow the blue blazes down the path until on your left, there is a small stump tagged with a pink neon ribbon. 

Now, follow these pink ribbons a previous hiker placed to help show you the way down. There is a short but steep descent to the falls which you will have to mildly scramble back up. It is slippery. It is also very easy to grab roots and rhododendrons to help you climb. It is not difficult. For skill levels a little more new, you can do it, don't think you cannot! Just take your time and slide down on your rear if you need to. And again, it truly is short lived. You will come to some rocks right on the water at the falls perfect for pic-nicing. You made it!!

The falls are nice! Sadly, they are currently a bit obscured by some fallen trees, but no reason you can't still enjoy the view! 

You can also carefully and cautiously work your way down the stream on the rocks on the edge that are dry, holding on to stable and firmly rooted tree branches to see the greater drop of the water. I did not allow Ellie (my 3 year old) to do this so she sat on a nearby boulder within my sight and ear shot and ate her lunch while I took a quick peek. 

Reminder wet rocks are slippery rocks. wear good hiking shoes, bring food and water.

Blueberry Pecan Muffins - Healthy, Nutritious, & Whole 30 Approved

 

Ingredients:

* 4 medium/large ripe bananas

* 3 eggs

* 1/4 cup coconut oil melted

* 1/2 coconut flour

* 1 tsp baking soda

* 1 tsp cinnamon

* 1/4 tsp salt

* 1 cup of fresh blueberries

* 1/2 - 3/4 cup of finely ground pecans

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.

2. Peel bananas into a large mixing bowl and mash completely with a potato masher. Add in eggs, melted coconut oil, and combine well.

3. Add in all other ingredients and mix very well. 

4. Pour evenly into muffin tins (greased with coconut or olive oil lightly).

5. Bake for about 40 - 45 minutes. But do check on them every so often after 30 minutes.

I baked mine this long to firm them to my desired consistency. Allow to sit and cool once you take them out. They will be softer and more crumbly but still hold a shape. SO DELICIOUS and totally guilt free hallelujah!!

Enjoy!