The time of curling up with a warm blanket, drinking hot chocolate, and watching Christmas movies is here. And "a most wonderful time of the year" it is. One of my favorites is OF COURSE White Christmas. So what better time to reminisce about the treasured trip I recently had with my sisters than now.
Sisters, sisters
There were never such devoted sisters,
Never had to have a chaperon, no sir,
I'm there to keep my eye on her
Caring, sharing
Every little thing that we are wearing
When a certain gentleman arrived from Rome
She wore the dress, and I stayed home
All kinds of weather, we stick together
The same in the rain and sun
Two different faces, but in tight places
We think and we act as one
Those who've seen us
Know that not a thing could come between us
Many men have tried to split us up, but no one can
Lord help the mister who comes between me and my sister
And Lord help the sister, who comes between me and my man
We are tight my sisters and I. Always have been. Always will be. The age range between us is small and large with my sis, Tam, and I only 14 months apart while Hannah and I are 13 years. But we learn from each other. We grow with each other. Not to say there are not disagreements because the Cornelison girls can argue with the best of them as those who have known us through the years can testify!
We needed a little time away. Needed to reconnect. And thanks is due to my Mom and her sisters who started the most excellent tradition of the sister's trip. Their example of sisterly love and loyalty led us. My Mom and Aunts have been going on their annual sister's trip for a while now. They don't speak about them in detail. Thank goodness. We DON'T want to know the antics they get up to together. Besides that it is what is all about. The time to cast off the joyful burden of wife and mother for a few days and act silly and carefree.
We went to a cabin in the mountains of Gatlinburg, TN. My sis, Tam, the vacation research fiend found it for us. It was PERFECT. Tiny, cozy, complete. Surrounded by the red and gold of fall with the noise of nature soothing the soul. There we caught up, laughed, watched a lot of Jane Austin movies, soaked in the hot tub while teasing the baby sis who is the still unmarried one (such fun. well at least for Tam and I. ;-), attempted to plan our next big whole family vacation to Yellowstone next year (we kept getting sidetracked) and generally just relaxed without any pressing items to attend to. I washed my hair every day!!! I know, RIGHT!
As usual for a Cornelison vacation of any type we came armed in advance with a list of shopping excursions and "a must eat here" list. This week was all about the outlets. Oh yes! The outlets they make my eyes go dreamy even as I write this, and my husband starts to shudder. It is ok, sweetheart, it is just a daydream.
This years "Must Eat Here List"
1) Flapjacks- otherwise known as the place with the best chocolate chip pancakes in the world
2) The BullFish Grill- Ahi Tuna and the soup I will not talk about because they DO NOT FIX IT ANYMORE!!!
3) The Melting Pot- I have an addiction, Folks. Cheese and chocolate.Amen.
4) Krispie Kreme- Is there a better way to start an early morning shopping trip than HOT ONES!!
Now that you can see how extremely concerned we were to maintain a healthy and moderate diet on this trip you can rest assured. And we even took our vitamins.
This years "Must Shop Here" list
1) The Christian Book Discount Warehouse- I hit the first of many jackpots. No I will not list them. Many were Christmas gifts.
2) The Christmas Store- Oh the ribbon, glorious ribbon. I imagined it on so many things and in so many rooms in my house. Some of it did I confess make it into my bag. Alas the ornament for the year was not found there. I was not too disappointed though there was THAT RIBBON. You can now see it on my newly decorated for Christmas dining room chandelier. Soon you will see it in the dining room table runner I am planning in my head to be put on paper, to be then sewn, then to grace my dining room table with such elegance that I will smile with delight every time I pass by.
3) The Scrapbook Outlet- YES! You heard right- outlet. A heavenly place filled with paper, metal, chipboard, stickers and all such delights all automatically 50% off just because you walked into the store. Truth time. No I did not need all that paper I got. But convincing my mind of that while little creative ideas soared in spirals of delight was just impossible. You don't think so. I dare you. Double dare you. You go. You'll see.
4) Tanger Outlets- my goal to hit all the children's stores- esp. to my utter delight the new outlet they have there- Naartji! Yes I danced on the sidewalk when I discovered this treat before my eyes. The kiddos desperately needed some winter clothes. Here was a wonderland full of them. Tam's shopping goal here was to get some great jewelry with her bday money. And Hannah's was to hit all the trendy skinny people stores like Banana Republic, Ralph Lauren, and Tommy Hilfiger. Just to look she says as she is a poor college student. We all know she was pointing out possible Christmas gifts. Tam and I being understanding sisters of course made notes for the parents. ;-)
All in all we had such a delightful time. This post can not even sum up the half of it. We know each other. They have been in my life through it all. We are different people in many ways. I am way more dramatic and sappy than my sisters. Tam is funny. Really funny. And always looks perfectly put together. Why was I not born with that gene? Thanks, Mom. Hannah has a sweetness about her that just draw people in. Not that one either! Thanks, Dad! But the same in all the ways that count. And we are bound by ties tied tight. I treasure them beyond words. They hold my utmost loyalty and respect. Until next year, dear sis's. I love you more than words can say.
No there are no pictures with the sisters. Because I value my life.
