We started the new year in the North Georgia mountains. Joe’s parents have a cabin in Blue Ridge, and we usually go up there for New Year’s Eve since my mother-in-law does a traditional Southern meal for New Year’s Day. We were bummed that Joe’s sister and her family couldn’t make it, but Lucy enjoyed all the attention from her grandparents.

We arrived late Friday night, and on Saturday we were up early to head to downtown Blue Ridge so Lucy could see the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, which travels from Blue Ridge to McCaysville. Lucy loves trains, and she really liked getting to see one up close. We’re thinking about taking the girls on the train ride this summer.

We waited for the train to leave, and then we headed over to the park to let Lucy play. She completely bypassed the smaller playground and made a beeline for the large playground with the longer slides. She certainly isn’t timid! She spent a lot of time sliding down the big, enclosed slide.

After the slide, Lucy played at the rock climbing wall. She liked to peek through the openings and shout, “Boo!”

It was a fabulous morning. We headed back to the cabin, and Lucy took a 30-minute nap (SIGH), which meant we were all dragging the rest of the day. After sundown, we put on some Disney movies and Curious George and watched until 11:30 p.m., when we put Lucy to bed. She probably could have made it until midnight, but we decided she had stayed up late enough. The funny thing is that Lucy made it through the movies while Joe’s parents and I dozed off.

We watched the ball drop online and toasted at midnight and then headed to bed.

On Sunday, we had a lazy morning and at the typical Southern meal of greens (for wealth), black-eyed peas and rice (for luck), meat (for progress and prosperity). There was also spaghetti for the vegetarian (me!) and broccoli for my veggie-loving daughter.

We had a nice, laid-back weekend, which is what going to the cabin is all about. I’d love to the mountains one day. I always miss the peacefulness when we come back home.