A Pet Vacation at Dumplin Creek Critter Care

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Sevierville is blessed with several pet boarding services—and I like them all. However, this one is a little special. Come with me as I boarded my dog for a few days at Dumplin Creek Critter Care. This is a great pet vacation place!

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To begin,  Dumplin Creek Critter Care is convenient to the interstate, only half mile or so from I-40 and Exit 407. Located at 315 East Mount Road in Kodak, this location is convenient to locals and visitors alike. The phone number is (865) 414-3979.

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Diedra Williams is the owner and operator of Dumplin Creek Critter Care. She is a Sevier County native. She always had a dream of working with animals. She worked worked for 11 years helping in kennels, then as a vet-tech, then as an assistant. In 2016, Diedra realized that she was ready to start her own venture. She wanted to open her own business. In this capacity, she can continue working with animals by providing a safe, fun, supervised environment for pets while owners are away.

Diedra has given me permission to use some pictures in this story that come from her business Facebook page. Here is a link to her page https://www.facebook.com/Dumplincreekcrittercare/

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She boards dogs, cats, and ‘other critters’ such as birds, snakes, rabbits, and more. Contact her with questions about other family pets that don’t fit in those categories.

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There are several things that make Dumplin Creek Critter Care special, in my opinion. First, pets have access to a fenced in back yard with grass and natural ground. Other places tend to have concrete because of cleaning necessities, etc. This is good for dogs who need to romp and exercise with a blue sky over their heads.

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Another nice thing about this business is that the owner may have fewer animals so she can spend more time with them. It is obvious that she loves animals and enjoys being with them. The pictures above are my dog, Little Dolly.

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When I pick up my dog from Dumplin Creek Critter Care, I notice that she is not as ‘stressed’ from the noise of other dogs and probably gets some extra attention during the day due to the smaller numbers of animals requiring care. My dog is 13 years old so that is becoming more important to us. The love and care is obvious in Diedra’s pictures.

I have noticed a really nice room for cats too in this business. Take a peek if you visit.

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Finally, Diedra has a very active Facebook page during the day—and it is enchanting. I started following her Facebook page long before I boarded my dog because I just loved looking at her pictures. She will post photos during her day. You can see dogs exercising or getting groomed and it is fun. You will start noticing animal facial expressions.

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With Diedra’s photo captions, you start noticing the personalities of the animals, particularly the dogs. Also, their personality quirks. What fun!

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I am convinced that she makes some the best animal /human selfies on the internet. Love them!

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Some dogs are clowns and some are athletes. There is always something fun going on at Dumplin Creek Critter Care.

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Best pet Christmas photos ever!

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Are these photos not enchanting? How did she get them to smile?

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A happy chihuahua (and owner) after vacationing at Dumplin Creek Critter Care.

If you need pet boarding services, this is one of the great places in Sevierville. My dog gives her highest recommendation. Two paws up!

 

Lift Your Spirits! A Trip to Sevier Distilling Company.

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A dreary, cold Friday prompted Karen and I to investigate a new distillery in Sevierville. This one is special and I think that you would enjoy spending an hour or more there. It is easy to lift your spirits at Sevier Distilling Company. Come along, if you like, and see this new business in town.

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We walked in to see beautifully displayed merchandise. You won’t see a T-shirts displayed more attractively than this.

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The room is clean and sleek with an ‘industrial mountain’ vibe in the decor. I love it. Look at the beautiful floors reflecting the room. This business has only been open since October 2017 so go to the Sevier Distilling Facebook page to see the metamorphosis. Here is a link: https://www.facebook.com/sevierdistilling/https://www.facebook.com/sevierdistilling/

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The sign behind the bar is stunning. Absolutely beautiful. It was created by local artist, Chuck Ottolini. The sign changes colors as well. Note the examples in the picture collage  above.

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Ottollini also created the front of the bar area. It is stunning. This alone is worth a visit!

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Staven, our server and distillery guide, was quite helpful. He took his time explaining the products and the distilling processes.

I was admiring their floor mats too.

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We ran into one of the family members who owns the distillery, Chris Yett, pictured here with his friendly dog. I have known the family for years so that was another reason that I wanted to visit the business. His dad is checking on things in the background.

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You have a opportunity to taste the products. They say that there is no sugar in the product and no GNS (Grain Neutral Spirits). Sevier Distilling Co. makes everything and processes on site. There are three flavors for sale. The Tennekeela was sold out during our visit due to a high volume of sales during the holidays. As you would guess, that product is a tequila.

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Besides tastings, you can also order a cocktail or spirited concoction by the bartender.

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It is always fun to go behind the scenes and tour a factory or facility. Staven showed us where the processing takes place. He took his time and answered all our questions.

IMG_5127We saw where they fill the jars, then label and seal the jars by hand.

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It is always interesting to see the grains and ingredients that go into a product.

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We saw various machines and heard about chemical processes. The white container above holds distilled water. The blue containers hold honey for the Yenoh product.

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Study the label very carefully and see if you can discover what Yenoh was named for…

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They lifted the lid to let my look into this vat of corn mash. It smelled like corn bread!

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I was fascinated by the vats and containers. So interesting! They looked like a Jules Verne or steam punk creation.

IMG_5155We looked out the back door to see these things. The flag measures 1800 square feet with an 180 foot flagpole. The picture above shows two 1,000 gallon vats and one 5,500 gallon container.

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Beautifully displayed products.

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One of my favorite things is the name of the vodka because it is based on the family name. I know them and ‘get a kick out of it.’ Also, they told us that Chris somehow posed for the design above. On the next visit,  I will ask to see him to recreate the emblem for a photo. So clever!

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There are a lot of nice souvenirs to choose from at Sevier Distilling Company. The leaning Yetti shot glass was our favorite.

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Sevier Distilling Company is open 7 days a week. Right now, they are operating on winter hours, pictured above.

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As our visit ended, Karen and I decided that we must return with more friends. Sevier Distilling Company is very clean, attractive, and relaxed. The servers do not rush you and they are glad to answer any questions. I felt no pressure to buy any products, but they apparently sold a ton of things over the recent holiday. It was very enjoyable and I could have lingered another hour there.

The behind the scenes tour is excellent and gives one insight to the growing industry in our county. It was a very enjoyable afternoon, even though it was cold and dreary outside. Sevier Distilling Company can certainly help you lift your spirits when you are out and about in Sevierville. 

 

 

It is Time for a Reality Break! Try Reality Break Massage Therapy

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It was only the third day of the new year and I was ready for a reality break! An ad for Reality Break Massage Therapy appeared on my social media a few weeks ago and I noticed the name of the owner/therapist. I immediately made plans to visit at the first opportunity. I had an appointment on Wednesday and couldn’t wait until the day arrived. Here is what you should know about Reality Break Massage Therapy.

First, you should know that the owner/therapist is Nikki Grooms. I met her years ago at Oak Haven Spa when she gave me my first therapeutic massage—and it was fabulous!  In fact, I never forgot it and always judged massages by the one that I received from Nikki Grooms. She gave me her business card and I never forgot her name. Over the years, I lost track of her, but found her again due to the social media ad and a Facebook ‘share’ from another client, local artist Bev Gwinn Jones.

Here is some information from her bio: Nikki Grooms has been a licensed massage therapist since 2005. Her resume includes working at Oak Haven Spa, the St. Somewhere Spa at Margaritaville, and Blackberry Farm. In addition, Nikki has worked for several chiropractors. Nikki opened Reality Break Massage in 2016 with a vision to offer quality spa services at quality prices. It is personalized therapy as well.

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From downtown Sevierville, you may need 25 minutes to arrive at the spa as it is in the Seymour/Boyds Creek area. It is mainly a two lane road and you will inevitably get behind a slow moving car so leave early enough to arrive on time. You don’t want to miss a minute. It is a lovely drive through the countryside. The sight of rolling hills, cows, and rivers will start melting the stress away. The picture above is actually on the way back home.  I couldn’t resist the mountains.

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The ad mentioned a Peppermint Bliss treatment so I knew that was the one for me! How cute the bed cover was with the little peppermint sticks.

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Look at the numbers the mailboxes to find the house if it is your first visit. It is located in a beautiful neighborhood. I pulled into the driveway and Nikki met me outside. Then, she walked me to the spa entrance. Everything is decorated for the season and so cute. Once in the door, you are close to a restroom, shower, and the spa area.

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Everything you could need is there.

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The spa room has soft lighting and music to enable relaxation and therapy to begin.

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The decor and lighting make it so cozy and comfortable.

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There are a variety of oils which will enhance any session or treatment.

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Ninety minutes later…Voila! I emerged a new person!

Her bio states that Nikki graduated in 2003 from King College with a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a minor in Business and Economics. In addition, it says that “her passion for massage and helping others continues to grow as she works on expanding her small business.” This is certainly true and evident during your session.

To book an appointment with Nikki Grooms at Reality Break Massage Therapy, you can go to the website    https://realitybreakmassage.amtamembers.com

or click this link to see prices and book online     https://squareup.com/appointments/book/C3M98FJ2J5P60/reality-break-massage-therapy-sevierville-tn

Clients can also call or text (865)789-0086 . Texts may be returned quicker than phone calls.

I was so happy to connect with Nikki Grooms again and plan to have another massage soon. In fact, I hope it to become a monthly therapy. After all, people in my field need a break from reality as often as possible!  I’ll take mine at Reality Break Massage Therapy.