The Derosia Team

Who doesn't love the smells of fall....apples, cinnamon, pumpkin, nutmeg, and more? The leaves are changing and beauty is all around us. The air is getting cooler and the animals are preparing. Bonfires are a blazing and kids are picking out the perfect pumpkin for carving. Check out this blog post for some recipes that are sure to keep the lovely smells of fall filling your home! This one is great for younger children....it might be a little messy, but everyone will have a blast! Apple Cider Cloud Dough: Here’s what you need for Apple Cider Cloud Dough: 7 cups flour 1 cup vegetable oil 6 packets of spiced apple cider mix 1-2 tablespoons of cinnamon & clove spices plastic tub To make the cloud dough, simply combine the flour with the apple cider packets in a large tub. Then add in the vegetable oil and mix it with your hands. Continue mixing until the dough forms together. If you can form a ball with the cloud dough, then you know it’s ready! If you feel ...

Is it really already summer? Do you live in Sevier County? Coming to this area for vacation? Whatever brings you here, check out our latest posting for some fun things to do with the family to kick the boredom that seems to hit almost immediately.  Swimming....what's summer without a little fun in the water? There's plenty of places to get your splash on! Check out Dolly's Splash Country for lots of water and rides that will thrill all ages! Pigeon Forge Community Center has a great outdoor pool complete with a water slide and diving board!  Sevierville Recreation Department's outdoor pool boasts a splash pad, water slides, and diving board! Want to go swimming and enjoy a great meal? Check out Honeysuckle Meadows Pool...It is located on Happy Hollow Road in Wears Valley. For only $5 you get access to the pool and the catch and release pond and there deli has amazing home cooked food! Looking for a free place to swim...check out Metcalf Bottoms ...

Spring is right around the corner.  While the first day isn't officially until March 20th, we can see plenty of signs.  Daffodils and tulips are sprouting all around. Days are getting longer and trees are beginning to bud. Don't forget daylight savings time ends on Sunday, March 11th. Don't forget to move (or spring) your clocks one hour forward. Spring is the perfect time to enjoy some hiking or picnicking with the family in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You certainly can't go wrong with a drive around the Cades Cove Loop and a picnic in one of their fields. If you are lucky you may be able to see deer, turkey, bear, coyotes, chipmunks, and other wildlife. Here's some hikes perfect for the entire family to enjoy together.  Porter's Creek: This trail is located in the Greenbrier section of the National Park. The trail follows the river most of the way and culminates at a gorgeous waterfall. Take a side trail to walk just a couple hundred yards to...

THANKSGIVING FEAST Visiting our area from out of town? No family in the area? Don't want to go grocery shopping? Don't want to dirty your kitchen? Whatever the reasons, if you don't want to cook a Thanksgiving meal, the multitude of restaurants in our area offering a traditional feast will surely not disappoint! Read below for some great choices, but be warned just reading this post will make your stomach growl and your mouth water! Check out this link for locations and hours of all restaurants in Sevier County open on Thanksgiving Day! http://www.visitmysmokies.com/blog/gatlinburg/dining-gatlinburg/smoky-mountains-restaurants-open-thanksgiving/ Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant Let them do the cooking for you and order a scrumptious feast for $99. Includes turkey, all the sides, sweet tea, and some delicious pumpkin pie. You can also dine in from 10:30 am to 9 pm. Ober Gatlinburg Open 11-6 and offering all the traditional Thanksgiving classi...

Fall has officially arrived...even if the temperatures tell another story! Leaves are beginning to change, animals are preparing for the weather, and we are ready for all things Fall! What's not to love about sitting around a bonfire, the crisp cool air, the smell of pumpkin pie, the taste of a hot cup of apple cider, spending time with the family going on a hay ride to find the perfect pumpkin for carving! Check out below for some fun activities and delicious recipes to get your whole family excited about Fall! 2017 Love Loud Corn Maze: Check First Baptist Church of Sevierville's 3rd annual Love Loud Corn Maze. It is their way of giving back to the community and we are loving it. Everything is free and there's something for everyone. Corn maze for the entire family, small corn maze for the little tykes, hay ride, popcorn, pumpkins, games, s'mores, photo opportunities and more. Check it out across from Sevierville City Park October 2,3,4, and 6. It opens at 5:30 ...

Tourist destinations like Sevier County have their share of chain restaurants, but it is the small individually, owned establishments that the locals hold near and dear to their hearts. These restaurants are often off the beaten path or offer delicious favorites that keep the locals and guests to our area coming back often. The Johnson's Family Restaurants is a group of restaurants located in Sevier County that offer great food, excellent service, treat their employees well, serve everyone like their family, and give back to the community. They opened their first restaurant in 1991 and haven't looked back. They lost one of their restaurants to the devastating fires in November 2016, but that did not stop them. They continued to pay their employees salaries and helped those who lost their homes secure permanent housing. Soon after the devastating wildfires they opened two new restaurants in Gatlinburg. On October 2, 2017, less than a year after the fires, they will be re-openi...

ROCK ON ! Painted rocks have quickly become a craze that is exciting for the entire family. There is something about finding a brightly colored rock while out and about that is sure to put a smile on your face. Adults and kids alike are having a blast painting rocks and putting a Facebook Page on the back, so that they can follow where their rock has traveled. 100's of pages are dedicated to rocks! The game is simple; paint a rock and hide it or just find a rock and re-hide it! Some pages even post hints on where the rocks are hidden. Loa d the family up in the car and make a day out of seeing how many rocks you can find or hide! Here's some local Facebook pages, so if you are in town and want to participate join one of these! Townsend Rocks   HICV SMOKY MOUNTAIN RESORT ROCKS. SCSMR: Sevier County Smoky Mountains Rocks Let us know if you and your family participate in the rock craze! Happy rock painting, hiding, and hunting from The Derosia Te...

Independence day is fast approaching. This holiday, which began when the thirteen original colonies claimed their independence from England, has evolved into a celebration of barbecues and fireworks with friends and families. Sevier County, TN sure knows how to celebrate in a big way. Check out this posting for several ways to ensure the entire family has a blast this 4th!  The City of Gatlinburg hosts the very 1st Independence Parade in the Nation. Spectators begin setting up their spots early on the 3rd to ensure that they don't miss anything in the parade which begins at midnight. The 42nd Independence day parade will salute Firefighters, First Responders, and Law Enforcement for their heroic efforts in the November 28, 2017 wildfire disaster. Enjoy inflatables, mascots, bands, colorful floats and more. Prior to the parade the 129th Army Band will be hosting a free concert on the Ripley's Aquarium Plaza at 6:00 p.m. on July 3rd. For even more festivities, check ou...

EARTH WEEK In Gatlinburg, TN Earth Day is not a one day celebration. Instead, there is a multitude of activities for the family to enjoy all week long. This year's celebration is April 17-21! Check out this post for info on all the fun activities! MONDAY:  Gatlinburg Goes Green Seminar at Hilton Garden Inn from 6:00 pm-7:30 pm featuring Chief of Resource Education for the GSMNP, Nigel Fields. He will be hosting a seminar on wildfire ecology. Check out this event to learn how resilient our mountains are and the steps being taken towards recovery.  TUESDAY: Spur Clean up through a partnership with Keep Sevier Beautiful from 9:00 am-12:00 pm. If interested meet at the Gatlinburg's Spur Welcome center with a pair of gloves and some zest for picking up trash. There will be a competition for the business team that picks up the most litter. The winning team will earn a pizza party. Ben & Jerry's will be on site with free ice cream for all participants.  WEDNESDA...

Looking for the perfect thing to do with your loved one or even the whole family. Check out this post for some great ideas! Local Goat New American Restaurant 2167 Parkway Pigeon Forge Valentine's Day Four Course Meal Special for two only $50. You save $15 off the regular menu price.  Shared Appetizer • Cheese Fondue Salad (choice of two) • Small House Salad • Small Strawberry Salad Main selections (choice of two) • 6oz Sirloin Special with Crab cake and Steamed Broccoli • 10oz Prime Rib with baked potato • Grilled Salmon with sautéed Broccolini • Pecan Crusted Chicken with honey butter sauce and Whipped Sweet Potatoes • Teriyaki Kabobs with Steamed Broccoli • Seared Ahi Tuna Steak with Asian stir fry Shared Dessert • Chocolate Fondue Special Drink offerings in addition to the food special: Valentine's Champagne cocktail with real 24 carat gold flake and a Love Potion cocktail for two. TGI Fridays Nino's Pizzeria and Eatery 105 Long Spring Roads #8 Sevier...

Merry Christmas Christmas time is a great time to celebrate friends, family, and the spirit of giving. A ravaging wildfire may have caused destruction in our area, but from this we see that the Christmas Spirit is alive and well in our area. So many local businesses, residents, and visitors have stepped up to make sure that everyone in our area has a very Merry Christmas and remembers the reason for the season! There are truly angels walking among us.  Check out this post for some fun activities to do with the family, yummy recipes, and a few options to enjoy Christmas dinner out on the town! Make a snow globe You'll need: a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid; a plastic figurine; waterproof glue; distilled water (you can also use boiled and cooled tap water); liquid glycerin (available at crafts stores); glitter. Let your child pick out the figure, then glue it inside the lid and let the glue dry. Fill the jar with water, a squirt of glycerin (it helps the glitte...