Twenty years since I dropped my oldest daughter off for school and drove home with our other three little ones.
Kennesaw Mountain Field of Flags: one for each person killed on 9/11/2001 plus 13 extra at half mast for the Marines, Sailor & Soldier killed in Kabul two weeks ago.
Twenty years since I heard the breaking news of a plane flying into Tower one of the World Trade Center as we were just minutes from our house.
Twenty years since I rushed into the house and turned on the news only to watch in horror as a plane flew into Tower Two on live TV.
Twenty years since the stories of hijacked planes rang in my ears as I hugged my three little ones.
Twenty years since a plane crashed into the Pentagon.
Twenty years since brave men and women stopped a plane from crashing into another target, but lost their lives in a field in Pennsylvania.
Twenty years since I checked my oldest out of school.
Twenty years since I called my husband nonstop while he was working out of town on a construction project. He didn’t know and I begged him to come home.
Twenty years since my daddy opened the doors of the church building and brought the community together for hours of prayer for lives lost, our nation, our government.
Twenty years since we held hands and hugged necks of strangers in our community because we were all shocked, saddened and confused.
Twenty years and my heart breaks for these families and our nation now as much as it did then. It doesn’t seem that long, yet here we are.
A lot has happened in twenty years. My babies are grown. They remember. They’ll always remember, just as I do. That day impacted their lives forever and helped mold them into the young adults they are today. They grew up in a different world than I did. We talked a lot about how the world changed after 9/11. As I said, we have not forgotten.
Unfortunately many of our nation have forgotten and we are not very United. I do not feel very secure and do not trust our government. 9/11 was tragic, but I miss 9/12.
Would someone please explain to me how it is August already? I know I’ve been absent on the blog (I stay much more active on my social media), but where has this year gone?
In an effort to share a few going-ons in our life, I thought I would share ten things that I’m loving right now as well as give you an idea into our year! Who knows, maybe this will become a permanent addition to the blog.
1. It’s farmer’s market season and I love visiting our little local, Saturday market here in Cartersville. Audley & I do very little grocery shopping during the summer, choosing to focus on supporting local farmers and small businesses. If you have a chance, check out your own local markets. Eliminate the middle man and find much better quality food to enjoy!
2. Hit the outdoors and enjoy a waterfall hike. Our health is one of the most precious things we have, and it’s up to us to protect and nourish our health. One way to do this is get outside more, taking in natural Vitamin D, breathing in fresh air, and exercising our body, both internal and external. The North Georgia Mountains are abundant with waterfalls to choose from, but I’m sure there is one near you as well.
Helen, Georgia
3. One of my resolutions this year was to dig a little deeper into Bible Study. I am loving Candace Cameron Bure’s devotional books geared towards women. From dealing with our own brokenness that we often don’t want to face, to discovering power in kindness, these little studies are simple yet impactful. I found my copies on Amazon and Dayspring and they are definitely worth investing in.
4. Another resolution I had for this year was to write more personal notes and remembering to send cards. This beautiful stationary from American Stationary really makes that goal easy, as I love the beautiful colors and textures of the paper.
5. Graphic tee-shirts for all occasions are all the rage right now, no matter your age. I love these cute shirts from Kelley & Co. Of course when your daughter is Kelley & Co you can’t help but love her work as well! Check her out on Facebook or Instagram!
Less News, More NatureGirls trip anyone?
6. I have 6 pounds of fresh huckleberries arriving tomorrow, so its time for a little jam session. Huckleberries aren’t native for us here in Georgia, but hopefully the ones arriving from Idaho will satisfy my craving for this sweet berry!
7. Head out one Saturday morning to catch sunrise on the lake/river/creek/secluded field with someone special. A thermos of coffee, fresh donuts, and a blanket are all you need for this inexpensive but romantic date. Audley and I love taking our canoe out for sunrise, but believe me, a blanket and viewing point are all your need!
8. From Kindergarten on I’ve maintained a summer reading list every year. I may not earn a free personal pan pizza or tickets to an Atlanta Braves baseball game any longer, but the satisfaction of finishing another great read is great in itself! This summer I’ve finished Mary Kay Andrews The Newcomer, The Long Weekend: Life in the English Country House by Adrian Tinniswood, When the Astors Owned New York by Justin Kaplin, The Fabulous Bouvier Sisters by Nancy Schoenberger and Sam Kashner, Below Stairs by Margaret Powell, and The Glitter & The Gold by Consuelo Vanderbilt. I also purchased several books about Laura Ingalls Wilder while on our road trip (see my social media) last month that I can’t wait to dive into.
9. Summer gardens are at their peak and even beginning to fade away, so now is the time to plan and organize your fall garden/container gardens with cooler weather vegetables. Start your seeds for sugar peas, collard greens, brussel sprouts, cabbage, spinach, parsley and the like for fresh veggies through the next season. Hopefully some of the summer heat will begin to loosen its grip soon and help make for a productive winter.
10. Finally, if you don’t know already, I’m going to be a grandmother in just two months! It’s a girl! I’ve spent several weekends up in South Carolina helping Gracie and Michael pull together the nursery this summer using paint and *gasp* wallpaper. The color scheme is just beautiful and I’m loving this gorgeous mural from Photowall that pulls everything together. It adds so much color and personality to this sweet room. I can’t wait to see everything completely arranged after her showers.
I hope August is full of simple pleasures and you find joy in the small things as we roll through the last days of summer!
At last! Autumn has arrived, not only is it calendar official, but you can feel it in the air in the south! This is my favorite season and I’ve been rather impatient waiting on it to arrive this year.
Thanks to the coronapocalypse, fall is a little different this year. Audley and I are skipping football games and missing tailgating, there aren’t any county fairs or rodeos, among other things, but there is no reason to not enjoy it! We have a “bucket list” of things we are looking forward to do this season. It got me thinking Maybe I should share it in case you were at a loss of how to enjoy the season in this crazy time. Almost all of these keep social distancing guidelines in mind.
* Go for a sunrise canoe ride
* Light autumn scented candles all through the house
* Pick apples and make apple crisp
* Make all the soups
* Bake a pumpkin pie using fresh pumpkin
* Visit a pumpkin patch
* Take a drive & enjoy a little leaf peeping
* Light a fire and make s’mores
* Celebrate National Coffee day ( September 29)
* Go camping or glamping
*Watch fall & Halloween themed movies
* Carve a pumpkin
* Pull out the patchwork quilts & get cozy
* Enjoy a girl’s day or even road trip
* Take a leisurely bike ride on a scenic trail
* Drink apple cider
* Meet your spouse for a coffee date
* Decorate your porch just a little extra this year
* Star gaze
* Make & eat caramel apples
* Go hiking
* Visit Starbucks for at least one Pumpkin Spiced drink
* Plan an autumn picnic
* Run through the leaves
Being outdoors is very good for boosting your immunity system, so many of our plans involve fresh air and sunshine, even with a few cooler temperatures. Take advantage of this anytime you can in the coming months! It’ll keep your spirits up as well.
What’s on your bucket list this fall? I would love to hear what you’ve been up to!
Nothing says “BRING ON CHRISTMAS” like family time, twinkle lights, Christmas carols, and tree lightening ceremonies! Entering its sixth year, 6 Flags Over Georgia is celebrating the season with all the above plus rides galore with their annual Holiday in the Park celebration. Bring out the family for an evening of festive fun throughout the whole season! You’ll want to make it a tradition to keep year after year!
Madeline and I ventured out to the park for media day last week and had such a fantastic time strolling through the park under twinkle lights, listening to the wonderful sounds of the season, munching on s’mores, and letting our inner children out for a fun mother/daughter evening!
Christmas always makes me feel young, but diving into the season truly brings out my childlike spirit.
With a variety of shows from the comedy of Bad Bob Humbug to the “Step Into Christmas” musical revue at the Crystal Pistol, s’mores pits scattered around the park, themed light displays all around (including a tunnel with lights dancing to the music), carolers and a tree lighting at the main entrance there is something to bring out the Clark Griswald in us all!
Here’s a peak at some of the fun we enjoyed in the park.
The festive Crystal Pistol theater
Mrs Claus at the North Pole entrance
It’s a peachy Christmas season here in Georgia!
As you can see, Holiday in the Park offers something for everyone in the family no matter what your age!
“Holiday in the Park is the Southeast’s premier holiday experience and is a family tradition for all to see and enjoy,” said Park President Dan Kaetzel. “Nowhere else will you experience all the magic of the holiday season with more than 30 thrilling rides, enchanting shows, the mouthwatering flavors of the season and of course a visit to the North Pole to see Santa Claus. It’s the perfect time of year to gather family and visit our extraordinary park.”
Holiday in the Park operates on select days now through January 5, 2020.
Fiddle Dee Dee by Jennifer Jones 