Hello Monday ~ September 30, 2024

 

Hi friends!  I hope you had a good weekend.  Mine had some ups and downs, but I really tried to stay positive.  

First, thank you all for the prayers for Friday.  I still have some ongoing battles, but I am so thankful for this community to know y'all are part of my prayer warriors during this hard season.  

By Friday afternoon, I needed to rest my brain so I went to a holiday market show with a friend.  There was Christmas music playing in the background and lots of fun booths.

Friday night, I went to Jennifer's house and she made a wonderful quiche and sourdough bread.

I brought this huckleberry moscato.  I bought this in Gatlinburg last weekend and it is made with huckleberries from Montana, my favorite! It was a great night of hanging out and catching up with one another.

I was just heartbroken over the weekend hearing about the devastation in North Carolina.  It is so hard to imagine, especially since I was there lastsweekend.  This is one of my favorite areas of the country.  My heart goes out to these people and towns.

Saturday, I stayed at home that morning then went with some friends to a pizza farm that evening.

This is a cattle farm and they make pizza using meat from their farm's cattle.  It was a unique experience.

Sunday morning, I kept the nursery at church then went to lunch with some friends I haven't seen in so long.  It was so good! I ran an errand then went by Brook's boyfriend's house.  His parents went to Glacier National Park last week and they bought me this Huckleberry Jam.  I was so excited and this was so thoughtful of them!

I went back to church Sunday night for our once a month meal fellowship.  It was good to be with people again who are so much part of my life.  I came back home and that wrapped up the weekend.

I hope you all are safe after this stormy weekend.

Love to all.

Friday Favorites ~ September 27, 2024

 Here we are at the last Friday in September.  Where did that go?  I'm sure the next few months will go by fast too.  I am really trying to enjoy each day of fall!  Join me for a few favorites and a huge request at the end of this post.

Spending time with my best friend face to face was a favorite.  We had a few short spurts of time just the 2 of us, but it was good just to do life with her for a few days.

Being surrounded by fall decorations and mountains was a double favorite.  The only thing that makes fall decorations better is seeing them with mountains in the background!

I also loved taking walks outside on my trip.

Going to Buc-ees 5 times in 6 days was fun too.  I usually just have short stops for bathroom and a drink, but it is still fun to be there!

I had a day of vacation by myself.  It was actually pretty good and I was proud of myself for being brave.

The next day, my daughter came to meet me and we spent the day at Dollywood.  I will recap this next week, but spending a day with my daughter laughing and screaming on roller coasters was just what we needed.

Now for a request, I have two huge events in my life beginning at 9:30 this morning and then at 10.  I would really love your prayers if you don't mind saying a quick prayer for me.  I have to face someone I haven't seen in a long time who has really hurt our family.  We have to go to court for a serious matter and I am praying I can be released from this.  In addition to some marriage issues I have in my life right now, this is actually a different matter, but it is all tangled and very difficult.  

Thank you friends.

I hope you have a great weekend!

Monthly Musings ~ September 2024

 It is time for the September Monthly Musings all about fall routines and fashion.

1.  What are your best tips for getting into a fall routine?

These are just a few things to incorporate as the weather gets cooler:

Light a fall candle

Take a walk outside

Start thinking of Christmas gift ideas

Purge items in your home

Watch a good movie/series on tv you have been putting off during summer

2.  Please share your favorite fall recipes.  

One of my favorite fall recipes is chocoloate chip pumpkin bread.

3.  Favorite fall fashion staples?

My favorite fall fashions staples are cardigans and dresses and boots.  As winter comes, I wear more sweaters/sweatshirts.

4.  Favorite part of back to school this year?

I do think overall, people like to have routine and school seems to provide that.  Not having kids at home, back to school doesn't change anything of my daily routine, except I have to account for the extra traffic when I drive to work.

5. Do you celebrate Homecoming where you are?

Since I don't have kids in school, I don't celebrate homecoming at football games.

6.  Apple pie or apple cider?

I will just take a regular apple.  I don't care for applie pie or cider.

7.  Do the leaves change colors where you live?  If so, when?

The fall colors usually change mid-late October.  They are beautiful! 

Here is a great link to see when the colors are predicted in your area!

 I was able to see a few leaves already changing when I was in the NC mountains last weekend.

8.  Favorite fall sweet treat?

I love a bag of autumn mix, which is a mix of candy corn and mellowcreme pumpkins.  However, I have to limit myself to only buy it once a season.  Other than that, I don't really change my treats for the season.  I eat frozen yogurt year round :).

9.  Hayride or bonfire?

I would probably prefer a bonfire because it seems like a time for people to gather and visit. 

10.  Movies that give you all the back to school feels?

I think of When Harry Meets Sally as a classic fall movie.  As far as back to school, I think of Breakfast Club, 16 Candles and Ferris Bueller's Day off.

Have a great Thursday!

What's Up Wednesday + Hodgepodge ~ September 25, 2024

 

1. It's officially fall y'all...in the northern hemisphere anyway. What are three of your favorite things about this particular season of the year? 

Cooler weather

Fall colors of leaves

Wearing boots

2. Your favorite fall fabric-denim, flannel, tweed, corduroy, tartan, polar fleece, leather? Do you own something made with your favorite fall fabric? 

Sweatshirts would be my favorite fall fabric!

3. According to Everyday Health here are ten healthy fall foods- apples (flavonoids may improve brain health), pears (for heart friendly fiber), cranberries (helps your body fight oxidative stress) winter squash (for eye health), pumpkin (another great source of Vitamin A), leeks (an anti-inflammatory food), brussel sprouts (full of fiber and anti-oxidants), sweet potatoes (loaded with Vit A and C), parsnips (keep your bones healthy with Vit K), and broccoli (may help prevent cancer). 

How many on the list do you eat on a regular basis? Which one is your favorite? Which one gets a big no thanks from you? 

I eat apples on a regular basis. I also like squash, pumpkin (in bread :)), brussel sprouts, sweet potatoes and broccoli.  No thanks to pears, parsnips and leeks.

4. Tell us about the last time (or a recent time) you experienced a wave of nostalgia? 

I was at Dollywood this week and it reminded me of when our family went there 11 years ago.  I was thankful to have a fun day with my oldest daughter this time.

5. Sept. 22nd was National Daughter's Day. Like mother, like daughter...does this idiom ring true for you? You may answer in terms of your own role as a daughter or, if you have daughters, then your role as a mother of daughters. 

Well, I had no idea it was national daughter's day.  My daughters are my lifeline.  I love them with all that I am.  Each of them are like me in different ways.  

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I am going to transfer into What's Up Wednesday for all my random thoughts!

What I'm eating this week........

I skipped dinner Sunday night because I ate so much over the weekend!

Monday, I had a smoothie after a day at Dollywood.

Tuesday's dinner was frozen yogurt and a quest bar. My day started though with a brisket egg taco from Buc-ees!

I have no idea what I will have the rest of the week.  

What I'm loving..........

I am loving the cooler weather!  I loved sitting in a sweatshirt outside Saturday night in the mountains of North Carolina.

What I've been up to..........

I spent the 6 days traveling and I so enjoyed the time away!  

Here is part 1 of that recap...

What I'm dreading.........

I still have some hard conversations to be had soon and some upcoming legal things over two different cases. Life is hard right now.  

What I'm working on.........

I am catching up on work after being off a few days. I am thankful for the flexibility to be off work though and be able to go on a trip.

What I'm excited about.........

I have a few things on the calendar the next week, so that is good for me. I enjoy a little time at home, but I'm excited for things to do too.  

What I'm watching/reading.........

I started watching the Golden Bachelorette last week.  Yes, I did.  I am trying to catch up on Only Murders in the Building and Emily in Paris.  I also just started watching season 2 of The Old Man.

I am behind in reading.  I went on a 6 hour trip and honestly had no down time to read.  

What I'm listening to..........

I got caught up on all my podcasts while traveling and am listening to my playlist called " Serenity".  It is a good calming playlist for night.  

What I'm wearing...........

Today I am wearing this new outfit from Amazon.  It is so comfy!

What I'm doing this weekend......

I hope to hang out with Jennifer at some point and go to my great niece's soccer game.

What I'm looking forward to next month.......

My youngest daughter is flying home for a weekend visit!

Have a great day!

Hello Monday ~ Vacation/September 23, 2024

 It's finally fall!  It looks the weather is going the right direction, although, it was a warm first day of fall for me.

I am a little out of sorts as I usually type from my computer for posts, however,I am using my tablet today. There are lots of pictures below!

I left town Thursday & drove to Banner Elk, North Carolina. I made stops at two different Buc-ees along the way. Once I arrived, I took a little walk to stretch my legs. I just wanted to be swallowed up by a Hallmark  movie once I saw the town.

A deer right by my car to greet me when I arrived!

View of the mountains from my balcony

I was probably most proud of myself when I carried my luggage up to the third floor by myself!

Friday was spent at the most beautiful wedding venue I have ever seen!

The cocktail hour was in this building. 

This is my best friend & mother of the bride

I assist the florist with this greenery on the arbor.

Reception area

Charcuterie board for cocktail hour

Friends made cookies & mother of the bride made the cake & her sister decorated it!

I was exhausted Friday night!

Saturday morning, I drove around the town a bit.

I joined up with my friend & her family for a hike.

My friend has twin grandsons, so it was fun to meet them 

Later that night, we toasted to our Best Friends bottle of wine.

We had fun laughing Saturday night with her husband, brother & wife, & her youngest daughter & husband. We ate pizza, cake, ice cream & cookies & drank wine. We had lots of wedding snacks & wine leftover from the prior night.

Sunday ,I drove to Pigeon Forge & had a day of vacation by myself. I took a walk on a trail in the Smoky Mountains & visited an attraction called Anakeesta. I loved seeing all the fall decor!

I also saw new products at another Buc-eess stop!

I rode a ski lift up the mountain.

I was a little nervous,so I talked to one daughter while getting on the ride & the other one the rest of the way.

It was a warm first day of fall. I was missing the nice NC mountain weather!

I rode in one the red cars going down the mountain.

It was a good day, but I was exhausted once again.

Have a great Monday!

Linking up with Holly & Sarah