If it has anything to do with East Tennessee, this Dollywood blogger loves it. Ellen Liston was born in Kingsport and grew up in a rural environment that she says has many similarities to the Sevier County area and the beautiful Smoky Mountains here. When she's not at Dollywood or enjoying the multitude of activities and attractions in these mountains, Ellen can usually be found cheering on the Tennessee Volunteers, particularly at football and Lady Vols basketball games, or hanging out with her family--sometimes cheering on the Vols together! Some of her favorite things are reading almost any kind of book imaginable, history, crime dramas (especially Perry Mason and Forensic Files), old movies, 80s music, and most anything to do with her Scottish heritage, including kilts and bagpipes. She and her husband Scott live in South Knoxville on 6 acres with their yellow labs, Charlie and Rudy, and a Maine Coon cat with a major attitude, Sam.
Christmas in July has become a popular concept, and it makes me so happy to celebrate my favorite holiday and that special time of wonder and joy. We especially need it right now when the thermostat here in the Smokies in NO way resembles crisp air, hot chocolate and snowflakes falling on my nose. The Hallmark Channel devotes its entire mo…
September is a month that I always welcome when I see the calendar turn. I know that these 30 days provide remnants of summer and its warm days complemented by a glimpse of the coolness of fall at night all in one package - and it's also a great time to explore Dollywood, the Smokies and this beautiful area that pr…
As the most visited national park in the country, there is a lot to know about Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Facts like how big the park is, how many species of trees there are, how many people visit annually and some of the best places to take a hike to enjoy the bounty of outdoor beauty to be found. We've rounded up some fun facts that you mig…
When I think of favorite childhood Christmases, they always involve food. Baking sugar cookies with my mama with all the feels and sprinkles. The amazing aroma and warmth of chili on a chilly Christmas Eve after the candlelight service at church. My grandmother's kitchen on Christmas Day, helping her take her amazing homemade rolls out of the oven and waiting un…
When it’s time to try to figure out what to do for an evening out, it usually comes down to this question: dinner or a show of some kind? As luck would have it, the best answer to this question when I can spend a night in Pigeon Forge is both! Whether I want the show part of my evening to…
If you’re like me, the only problem with a festival that features a full range of delicious goodness from sweets and beverages to salads and entrees is what to try first. Well, Dollywood has eliminated that problem for you by bringing back the Flower & Food Festival Tasting Pass, which allows you to enjoy five festival creations for one price.
The week surrounding the opening of a big attraction like the new Big Bear Mountain roller coaster, combined with a visit from our Dreamer-in-Chief Dolly, is a whirlwind. The days after all the excitement is spent catching up and getting “back to normal.” But for the past several years after Dolly has visited the park, it also has been a ti…
I love everything about summer. Warm weather and sunshine, the splashy fun of pools and lakes and trips to the beach, and long, lazy evenings spent outside are the best. However, nothing compares to the tastes that summer brings – hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, watermelon slices and homemade ice cream, and s’mores around the campfire. So while I’…
I sure do love the long, lazy days of summer and am always a little sad when they come to an end. But any sadness is soon eclipsed with sheer happiness, as the season of pumpkin everything begins. Dollywood is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the pumpkin experience, especially in the culinary creations of this fall favorite icon.
