Our family has not taken a photo together, well-groomed anyway, since before the oldest grandchild was born.  That took place almost seven years ago!  So, the shots above are long overdue.  So much has changed.  Christi and Matt have been added to the pack through marriage and four grandbabies have been born.  It is hard to believe all that has taken place.  It leaves me at a loss of words, so I will end this by saying, "I am thankful."

(Too bad the top photo is tilted.) 

I Smile Every Time

It is true!  Every time I see a hot air balloon, I can't help but smile.  It isn't a regular smile but "I just stepped out of my world for 15 seconds, gazing upon something beautiful and felt a smile on my face from the peace I feel in the depths of my being" kind of smile...pretty intense.  I love it and fortunately I experience this at least once a week.  When we moved several years ago to the home we are currently in, I noticed these floating mood enhancers and became surprised at their frequent appearance.  Anyway, several days ago, my first look to the outside world before leaving for work is what I am sharing with you now.  The sun was still in its early ascent, the Fall leaves changing, starting to descend and the crisp morning air prickly on my face.  Just lovely!

This experience makes me feel loved actually.  Apparently, because of the physiological and emotional response, I really like hot air balloons.  Even better, I get to see them all the time.  With having such a rough past couple of years, I can't help but think that these cross my path on purpose.  They truly pull me out of myself and alter my attitude.  It's amazing though, if I lived Truth, I might have a different outlook on life all the time.  Imagine that!

Three Years of Dancing

My husband and I have been married for three wonderful years today!  I am so thankful for him.  I am thankful for his dedication to our marriage, to our children and honoring them, to our families and friends, his work and the community.  I am thankful that he is forever seeking growth within himself, encouraging the same for me and searching for growth as a union.  I am thankful that he hands all this over to God.

I love you Matthew!

(Photos courtesy of Visual Cadence)

Rosemary Chicken Rub

2 tsp salt and pepper

2 T parsley

2 T oregano

2 T basil

2 T rosemary

4 tsp butter

Combine all the dry ingredients, toss on the bird that is already in the crock pot, add tabs of butter to the top of the chicken and cook on High for 5 hours.  I did add some garlic to this recipe and thyme.  It is the first time I have used this recipe and overall I enjoyed it.  When I make it again, I will reduce the salt a little bit (don't tell my husband).  Also, after the chicken is cooked, removed from the crock pot and cooling, remove the meat from the bones.  Add the bones and skin back in to the crock pot along with 5 cups of water and let the broth cook on Low overnight.  Come morning, your house will smell amazing and you will have homemade chicken broth.  Yummm!

Strawberry Craziness

This beautiful work, Strawberry Whoopie-pie, was a sweet and a coma inducing treasure we enjoyed at The Brick Store in Decatur, GA.  When a friend and I ordered it to share, we thought we might get a conservative sized sweet.  Instead, we received this monster that took three separate meals to devour.  All this to say, I recommend you order one!

Today we did something that neither of us has ever done...apple picking!  In the last week or so, I had read other blogs or heard friends talk at work and on FB of their own experiences and it sounded too good for us to pass up. Also, we live close to Ellijay which is known for its apple orchards.  We had a great time and even came home with some freshly fried apple pies to go with our apples!  If you get the chance, go apple picking this Fall and if you happen to live close to northwest GA, visit Reece Orchards.  Also, this orchard and others in the area are near Burt's Pumpkin Farm.

Lettuce Learn About Fall Gardening

This year is the first time I have ever experimented on Fall gardening.  Well, we will be eating these lettuce leaves tonight.  I would say it has been successful so far!  Many different types of lettuce, carrots, snap peas...yummm!  Because this has been an experiment, everything is in containers on our back deck, but I look forward to expanding in to the garden plot in the backyard.  Also, I have been prepping the heirloom seeds I have collected for next Summer's garden.  I LOVE sharing seeds with folks, so friends that live nearby, let me know and I will share some with you!

Life That Has Crossed My Path

No Rhyme or Reason...

 ...the amazingly artistic underside of a mushroom from our front yard.  I had no idea!

 These two above shots visually describe what our neighborhood has looked like for the last two months due to the county laying a gas line across the entire county.  Disheartening and impressive all at the same time.

 Does anyone know what kind of plant this is?  We came across it at Sawnee Mountain Preserve while out on a family hike.

Last but not least, this little guy may be the culprit to the disappearing leaves of my green bean plants in the garden.

My Second Pregnancy Has Taught Me

With each subsequent pregnancy, the pain gets worse.

It takes longer to heal.

Your hair will still fall out in handfuls several months later.  I should be bald by now.

My clothes do not fit the same and might not ever.

My body is thicker now and I have the feeling it might stay that way.  I have tried cutting out flour and processed sugars, which I have done in the past with great results, and my body was not even phased this time.

Headaches, headaches, headaches.

Crickets, Fall and Gifts

Whew, is it obvious that I am back at work and having trouble with time management?  I just completed my fourth week of work and thankfully I jumped right in to it easier than I thought I would.  My heart and head wanted to stay at home with our boys, but reality and our finances were telling me otherwise.  

Many things have taken place since I last posted and I hope to update pictures and stories from our beach trip, the farm, starting a Fall garden, seeking out specialists and weighing adoption.  The list goes on, while some of it is fun and some is so heavy that my heart will ignore it for a time for the sake of not wanting to cry one more tear, it is all life.

Change of subject...I hope you all out there are well.  The temperature has dropped significantly here in the last week and I am loving it!  The A/C is off, windows open, beautiful butterflies fluttering around and the oak in our backyard about to drop an amazing amount of acorns.  Do you have any Fall plans?  Have you started your Fall garden?  Have you been watching football or sitting on the back porch after the sun has set wrapped in a blanket from the chill in the air?  I hope you allow yourself the chance to enjoy this beautiful time of year.

Oh yeah, if you are already looking for Christmas gifts to buy for the special people in your life, consider helping me clean out my handmade craft stash.  I will make you a deal!  I am running our of room to store all my items, don't know what to do with them, yet still want to be creative and make more things.  Ahhh!  What is a girl to do?