goodbye summer

From sweltering in June to wearing a jacket in August.  From days of overloaded schedules to days where you don't even look at the clock because time simply doesn't matter.  From the burden of big decisions and change to peace in the knowledge that God is working all things for our good.

2014 was the summer of extremes.



The (somewhat) short of it...

Hiked the nestled and windy trials that led to the glorious splendor that is Hocking Hills, Oh.

Began a Paleo diet and finally began to lose weight and not be exhausted ALL the time.

Lounged on the beach with our toes in the sand and looked on as our boys splashed and giggled and made memories that they (and us) will cherish.

Watched my boys stretch out of their comfort zones and learn something new...Tae Kwon Do.  Boy do I love watching them practice their blocks and kicks.  The spark of confidence has found them :)

Nurtured seedlings into a bountiful garden.  Well ok, maybe not all of it was bountiful but zucchini, tomatoes, and peppers for sure!

Tried our hands at canning...homemade salsa, pepper relish, and pickles.

Celebrated the gift of family and the ties that bind us to our roots no matter time or distance.

Hubsy was finally able to quite his day job after 3 years of building his own business (a lot of blood sweat and tears on both our parts). Woohoo!

Kiddos began attending a new school.  Scary for L.  Total excitement for E.  I love how they have their own unique personalities.

Marveled at the artistry of our creator that is oh so evident in the sunsets we are treated to every night.  Love our new house/location.  The sky is just so HUGE.

And now for the pics...

It's been a while...

...since I linked up with Carissa for Miscellany Monday.

Here's a little bit of what's been going on in my neck of the woods lately.

1.  Been doing a lot of this lately...taking care of myself and finding time to relax that is.  

Still wish I could work in more soaks in the tub, I'm lucky if I take a bath instead of a shower

once or twice a year.  Got to do it more! 

2. We recently had friends over for an evening of virtual bowling,

 beer, and these sweet little blondies.  Oh my were they good.  I think 

I may have enjoyed eating the batter most ;)  

It's the baker's right to lick the bowl and spoon I say.

3. There is simply WAY TOO MUCH of this.  

I try to keep positive because Spring will indeed come but

the snow and lack of sun is seriously starting to get depressing.

I live vicariously through my IG friends who share their spring pics.

I am just itching to grill out and go on a hike already!

4.  Took the boys to Tractor Supply cruisin' for chicks ;)

We were not disappointed.  These sweeties were my favorite ones.

I seriously want a few chickens in the worst way but I'm not sure how my neighbors 

would feel about that one.  I could maybe give them free eggs?

Alas I don't think I can take on chickens this year *sigh*

One day my sweeties...one day.

5. I let Valentine's Day slip by with out much in the way of decor 

and I refuse to let that happen for Easter!  I started putting out some decorations

and printed out this lovely vintage egg I got off Pinterest
but I have a few more projects I want to finish.
Hopefully I can get them done before Sunday!

 

6. Oh hey...I got dressed up.

Yes it's a big deal for me that's why there's so many pictures ;)
We had an annual fundraiser gala to go to so this was my "one time a year to dress up" night.
Hubsy said why don't you go ahead and buy a new dress rather than wear the same one as last year?
Seriously, what girl would say no?  So I got this Calvin Klein baby at Ross Dress for Less
and it fits like a glove.  I'm happy to report that I have lost 8 pounds since January 1st.
Been trying to eat a lot more healthy and "clean".  Not following any particular diet strictly by any means
which is probably why I have not lost more.  I'm happy that it is starting to come off though...
only 10 more pounds to go!

Have a happy Easter week my dears!
What's up in your neck of the woods?

Miscellany Monday

Linking up with Carissa today for some miscellany fun.

{1}

 We are all stocked up for Halloween but wondering now if we'll just end up eating it all ourselves while watching Halloween movies.  Hurricane Sandy is a comin' and there's no way I'm taking my kiddos out in those winds and rain to Trick-or-Treat.  Several areas around us have post-poned Halloween until the weekend but so far our township has not.  We'll have to wait and see, just imagine the sugar high we will be on if we have all that chocolate to ourselves!

{2}

I've come to the realization that we eat A LOT of dairy products. We buy 3 different types of milk/lactaid products every week.  Plus there are 3 containers of cottage cheese, sour cream, and a billion containers of yogurt in there.  We surely single-handedly support the dairy farmers of  America.

 {3}

We went to a Halloween party this weekend thrown by none other than Natalie the BusyBudgetingMama herself (more on that another time).  I got quite a kick watching my two boys completely surrounded by all that pink!  They didn't know what to do.  They may or may not have impressed the girls with their broadsword and nunchucks.  It was hard to tell :)

{4}

One nice thing about the yucky weather is finally busting out some of my pretty scarves to wear.  We had a nice family dinner at my mother-in-laws made even more special by her famous roast.  It is awesome ladies. The secret is the pickle juice in the gravy.  Yes that's right, pickle juice.  I have not been able to duplicate it.  Some things are just better left to the original ;)  It was especially nice because we haven't really been doing many family dinners lately.  Everybody's schedules are so hectic, it just makes these few times we are gathered together even more meaningful.

{5}

I'm re-reading this book.  It's been a couple years and I found it is helping me immensely to revisit it.  It's written like you are on a road trip with God on your way to surrendering your life to Him.  Complete with all the crazy "stops" you make along the way this book really opened my eyes to what it means to have a surrendered heart.  I definitely recommend it and may even share some insightful tidbits here and on my social media sites.  I'm enjoying this God Crazy ride!

How was your weekend?

For any in Hurricane Sandy's path, please stay safe!

Little Randoms...iphone pics

{1} 

Fall is here which means my nesting instincts are taking over.  Crisp weather automatically means we must bake right?  Well, that's what happens to me anyway.  I've been a comfort-food-making fool lately.  Been making muffins and soups and apple crisp and I even cooked a full turkey dinner!  

Who IS this domestic diva?

Banana Bread Muffins : MIL's recipe

Bayou Stew : recipe here

{2}

My favorite season for hiking is fall.  Something about the beauty, smell, and crunch of the leaves really speaks to me.  We're lucky to have a natural waterfall near our home.  Nothing grand mind you but special none-the-less.  Hubsy and I have been walking the trail to this waterfall since we were 18.  The path is winding and there are several little bridges that criss-cross over the creek.  The summer here has been so dry that when we hiked this path a few months ago the waterfall was barely a trickle.  It still wasn't completely recovered this time but there was at least a little more oomph behind the flow.  Is there any sound more relaxing than water?  Um no.

 {3}

I've tried some new duds and accessories recently too.  I'm so excited about my new JCLU t-shirt.  First and foremost I adore the shirt itself and the verse from Mark 9:23 displayed on it but secondly I love how it can be a conversation starter about Jesus.  I'm not one to usually just bring up the subject and I found that the t-shirt helps me as a good lead-in.  A big thanks to Ruthie for introducing me to the JCLU website!  I have a feeling the UPS man will start to know my house because I'll be ordering quite a few of their t's :)

 

My mom recently crossed the pond for an excursion through England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.  We are of Scottish heritage on her side (even have an ancestral castle on the shore of Loch Fyne that I was blessed to see with my own two eyes!).  Some of the trinkets she brought home for me were a lovely scarf full of pattern and pressed Scottish heather gems amongst other Clan McNaughton items.  I'll have to take a better picture of the jewelry sometime because the pressed heather is truly gorgeous but you can't tell much here.

  I loved that the scarf was light and airy so I could try wearing it in my hair.  Usually scarves have too much bulk for me to wear like that but this one was perfect.

 

{4}

 Promise.

After a particularly rough evening were I was feeling quite defeated, I happened to be outside at just the right time to witness this fantastic firey sunset that lasted but a few minutes.  A true promise from God that His mercy continually flows anew for all to receive. And I am no exception.  I love when He does that ;)

{5}

And because Lord Seamus McNasty O'Shae is just too darn cute not to share, 

here's a couple fun pics of my cutie.

A twig "cigar"... he's sophisticated like that

Warming up on fresh laundry

Linking up with Carissa today for Miscellany Moday!

Happy Monday all!

Miscellany Monday

Happy Monday all!

I hope you had as nice a weekend as I did.

Started off Saturday with a little coffee out on my deck.  I absolutely adore sitting out there in the early morning when there are no lawnmowers going, no dogs barking, and no kids yelling.  

It's just peaceful solitude.

(but its a challenge to keep my little early risers quiet for anyone else who may want to enjoy it too.)

 

Later on we had a wedding to attend for a friend of mine.

They say rain on your wedding day is supposed to bring good luck.  I felt bad for them because it was absolutely downpouring.  Thankfully it didn't last long and it cleared up soon after.

I wore my "go-to" dress.  

It's really the only dressy dress I have and has gotten many miles over 

the past few months that I've had it but I still love it.

Of course I had to throw together a new pair of earrings to wear to mix it up a bit though :)

Hubsy and I had a great time.  We so rarely get out without the boys and always have a good time when we get to focus on each other.  Not to mention weddings always bring out the memories of our own and we get to re-live the feelings of that special day.

 We had gorgeous weather on Sunday and decided to take full advantage of it and have a great family day outside with the boys at a local park.  One of our goals this summer was to teach L to ride a bike without training wheels.  Most kids probably learn earlier but for some reason we just don't seem to get him much practice.  Well we decided to take him out to try it and just when I thought he would never get it, within 2 minutes he was riding on his own like a champ.  It's always such an awesome moment as a parent when your child all the sudden masters a new skill.  So proud of him.

And not to let E out, he had some success of his own.  This was the longest distance he had ever ridden his bike and he hardly needed any help from em at all in terms of getting going.  He did have a little crash though but little man was a trooper bounced up and got right back on.  Had to keep up with big brother after all ;)

We also went for a hike which is one of my favorite things to do.  I wore a bandana since I hadn't exactly done anything to my hair.  Well, the boys decided they wanted to be "pirates" too.  Maybe it was the bandana paired with the hoops that made me look like a pirate...I don't know.

His lordship Sir Seamus got the royal treatment of being carried on the hike because just walking around while the boys biked wore him out.  Poor poochie could barely keep his eyes open on the ride home.  He wasn't the only one, L and E passed out pretty quick too. 

Wear 'em out and put 'em to bed...that's our motto ;)

It was one of those rare weekends where we got to enjoy a lot of relaxed "together" time, 

those are the best ones in my book.

Linking up with Carissa....

How was your weekend?

Decisions, decisions, decisions

Life is roller coaster.

I know, "thank you Captain Obvious" right?

Well, life has been up and down and up and down a lot lately.  Especially on the emotional front.   Sometimes several times in one day.

There is literally only one thing I am sure of in my life right now.  

Me and my "boys" will go through it together. 

I seriously have no idea where my life will be in 5 years.  

Heck not even in 1 year if I'm truthful.  

Every aspect is up for debate. 

Job, house, lifestyle, business....you name it.

It's a crazy place to be.  

Exciting and scary as hell at the same time.  

Only time will tell.  

I just pray that God's plan is revealed to us and we make the choices that He wants us to.

Have you ever felt like that?  No direction.  No plan.  

I need a plan.  I'm not a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kinda gal. 

But somehow I've had a lot of this going on in the past 10 years.  I blame it on the Hubsy :)

He is a man of action whereas I would rather hang back and see what happens.  God has blessed me with this man.  If it weren't for him I wouldn't have had nearly the experiences I have had.  

They make for good stories.  

Maybe a lot of stress at the time but good stories and memories in the end :)  

I wouldn't want to be on this roller coaster with anyone else.  He makes life less scary and holds my hand every step of the way. 

I don't like indecision but I'm probably one of the most indecisive people out there.  Even more so now that we have kids.  Just scared of making the wrong choice I guess.  But now that I'm a bit older with some grown-up life experience under my belt, I realize that whether right or wrong, God has provided all I need in every circumstance and I have no doubt He will do the same this time.

And now for your viewing pleasure I have included some 

relevant prints about all this thinking I've been doing....enjoy

What are you thinking about?