Vacation - and post vacation menu

Last week we were in Pigeon Forge TN, in a 3 story cabin on the side of a mountain. The trip was my choice for celebrating my 60th birthday (next week).  Beautiful!

This was our view.   It was a little cloudy when I took this - most days it cleared up nicely. There is a higher mountain behind the cloud.  You can see the 'smoke' rising on the mountain hence the name Great Smokey Mountains.   

The one thing I wanted to do was a helicopter ride. Son-in-law, Jake, went up with me - and I loved it.  I would like to go again only a longer ride next time.
This group was all very friendly and I felt totally comfortable with them

One day we went to the Titanic display  It was nice - lots of information about the passengers etc.   We were each given a card with an actual passenger's name and story.  At the end of the exhibit we could check the list and see if we survived.  I had a lady who was travelling first class with her husband and 2 small children.  She, her husband and her daughter (about 2-3 years old) did not survive.  Her son was under a year and did survive but he died at the age of 18 from food poisoning. 

The staircase in the exhibit is an exact replica of the staircase on the Titanic.   We got to walk up it to some of the exhibits and then back down to exit.  

 On Wednesday, we headed to Dollywood.  It was pretty crowded and hot.   Addie tried a few rides.  She liked the flying elephants- riding with her daddy.    She tried the duckies - all by herself.  Did pretty well for a few rounds,,,,

then decided it was not so much fun.  She cried for a couple rounds before the ride ended.    She was such a trooper all week, walking or riding in her stroller.  

Here she is at the aquarium in Gatlinburg.   She stood and watched these fish for about 10 - 15 minutes - just could not get enough of them!   We sure enjoyed the time with her.  

And now we are back home - and need to detox from all the restaurant eating.  At least one night our son-in-law grilled some salmon and we had broccoli, asparagus and brown rice on the side.   And we managed to avoid the fast food for most of the week. 

The family told me they wanted salads all week - so here is my menu of salads.

Sunday - Chef Salad - lettuce, carrots, celery, radishes, cucumbers, peppers, turkey deli meat, provel cheese, hard boiled egg, grape tomatoes and green onions. 

Monday -  Patriotic Spinach Salad - baby spinach, strawberries, blueberries, sliced almonds, goat cheese.

Tuesday - Mexican Beef Salad - romaine, roast beef deli meat, avocado, sliced tomatoes,black beans with a lime dressing

Wednesday - Oriental Chicken Salad - (Applebee's copycat - modified a little)  romaine, red cabbage, grilled chicken tenderloin, mandarin oranges, chow mein noodles, cucumber, red onion.

Thursday - Olive Garden Salad (modified a little ) - Romaine, red onion, roma tomato, black olives, parmesan/romano cheese.  I found an Olive Garden dressing recipe on Pinterest that I am going to try too. 

I also found a recipe for their breadsticks - might try them. 

Friday - Taco Salad -  lettuce, tomato, red kidney beans, taco meat, doritos, mexican cheese blend, green onion.

Saturday - Italian dinner at church - celebrating our pastor's retirement

Sunday - Apple, Cranberry and Pecan Salad - spinach, dried cranberries, Granny Smith apple, pecans, gorgonzola cheese, red onion.

Wonder how long it will take for my family to say they want something else?