A Weekend in Pictures 03

I just never want our weekends to end. The moments we spend as a family, the lower stress level my husband and I feel, not constantly rushing here and there and worrying about messing up Elliot's sleep patterns in the process. Weekends provide so much more room to breathe. So I have officially decided that weekends should last five days and the workweek should only last two. I'd even compromise to a four day weekend and three day workweek. Any suggestions on how to go about getting that changed? ;)

This weekend was especially fun since we took E camping for the first time. I have to say though, that things definitely did not go as planned. Between the rain, wet ground, unseasonably warm daytime weather and a babe who wouldn't nap, it was a little rough. We will probably wait until the spring for our next trip when E will hopefully be walking. Nonetheless, it was a good weekend and one that I am sad to leave behind.

Here's to never ending weekends, or at least dreaming of them!

xoxo

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A Weekend in Pictures

I feel like every weekend I try to soak up as much time with husband and E as I possibly can. The weeks are usually pretty hectic with work schedules, making dinner and bedtimes, so carefree time together is so precious to me. We spent the weekend at home, simultaneously saying goodbye to summer and hello to fall. We dined al fresco on our patio, sipped on white sangria, swayed in the hammock swings and talked about history, science and upcoming adventures. We stayed in our pajamas a little longer, left the beds unmade and made paleo waffles (as has become our weekend custom), and played in the dirt. We went for a long walk on the wooded trails and dreamed of all kinds of things.

I wish weekends could last forever. 

xoxo

A Weekend in Pictures

This past weekend went by in a blur of laughter and stories, baby smiles and squeals, so much good food, two parties for two sweet babes, porch swings, and wonderful moments with friends. 

So so good.

{high school buddies + our friends amazing new home. hello! that wall!}

{#reallife: pjs, an unmade bed & no makeup}

{obligatory first birthday cupcake face!}

xoxo

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Memorial Day 2014

We spent Memorial Day weekend surrounded with family and friends. On Saturday morning we packed up Elliot and Sambo and headed to North Georgia to spend  the evening at our friends' cabin. K spent many a weekend at the cabin growing up and into college, so taking E for the weekend was pretty great. We didn't do much, just drank coffee on the porch swing, went on a short waterfall hike, ate delicious grilled salmon and talked about life. Perfection.

Monday we drove over to K's Aunt's house to hang out at the salt water pool. Elliot was less than impressed with the cool water, despite his love of bath time, so we left shortly after lunch. It was just enough time to soak in some sun before the afternoon rain showers. We grilled burgers at home and made crispy sweet potato fries {recipe soon!}, then snuggled on the couch as a family and listened to the rain. Again, perfection.

Sometimes the simplest things are just the best.

xoxo

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Sick Days

My last few days have looked a lot like this. I move between the bed, the couch and sometimes the front porch {blankets and tissues in tow}, dosing, watching Netflix {currently loving the show Revenge}, sipping chamomile, and trying to be productive. I did manage to come up with a skeleton of a Thanksgiving menu, tell my mom where to put most of our dishes, and revamp this site just a bit.

I'm still not back in the saddle completely but am definitely on the mend. {I broke down and took an antibiotic. Boohiss, but I'm feeling better.} This weekend we are riding up to north Georgia to visit friends on Saturday, and I am really looking forward the a low-key reunion. Our time with them always means delicious food, strong early morning coffee, blankets by the fire or on the screened porch, and lots of laughter. And that's the best medicine I can imagine.

Happy weekend.

xoxo

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Lately, Around Here...

birthdays, lunch with sweet families, trail races, puppy dog cuddles, birthday carrot cake, black coffee, spiced tea & cool afternoons reading on the porch...

This has been a busy and slightly stressful week, if we're being honest, but one that is definitely going out with a bang. Yesterday was husband's birthday, so today we are headed up to the mountains for a weekend getaway. I've packed up three days worth of good food {complete with a couple of birthday treats}, lots of firewood and warm clothes, and a couple good books. We are looking forward to cold mornings with hot coffee, watching the sunrise on the side of the mountain, reading by the campfire in the afternoons, the beautiful colors of fall that can only be fully enjoyed in the midst of nature.

{Poor Sambo had his dewclaw removed but is now back to his normal adventurous self}

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

xoxo

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Birthday Celebrations

{sweet flowers from husband, GF chocolate cake that husband made!}

Today is my birthday and the beginning of my favorite time of year. Our October {and early November!} schedule is packed full of adventures, outings and dinners with friends. The mornings are cool enough to require a light sweater, and the leaves are starting to turn colors.

Since we had this past weekend to ourselves, husband took me to some of my favorite places in Athens as a birthday treat. We started early with breakfast at Mama's Boy and then headed over to check out the Athens Farmers Market. The produce was beautiful, the bread smelled amazing, and we stumbled upon some delicious smelling coffee made via hand pour while we were talking about switching to the hand pour method*. Kismet, I tell ya. We were also able to meet and talk to the owner of B&G Stables, a local farm producing grass-fed beef and humanely raised pork.

{bleary-eyed before my coffee, egg scramble with spinach/tomato/goat cheese + cheese grits + salted spring mix}

{farmer's market favorites: delicious coffees, lovely blooms, vibrant veggies}
 

We finished off the morning with a quick trip to Trader Joe's** for some weekly supplies and some pumpkins {naturally}, followed by a stop at the apple orchard. We filled our buckets with Jonagolds, Cameos and Fujis fresh from Blue Ridge, Georgia, and I happened upon some fresh herbs that I need for herbal cold and flu remedies {more on that soon!}.

We spent out afternoon at home, cleaning and organizing, ate GF chocolate cake that husband made, went for an afternoon walk, and watched Parenthood on the couch. It was the perfect way to spend a birthday. Funny how different our celebrations were ten years ago, ha! Hope you had a wonderful weekend! Here's to a great week!

xoxo

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*Side note, hand pour is how they make coffee in Panama. Locals don't have electricity or electric coffee pots or even french presses. And the coffee we drank in Panama, and brought back with us, is hands down the best I've ever had.

**I actually enjoy grocery shopping. Filling my cart and subsequently my fridge with whole, healthy foods for the week just makes me feel good.

Fall

My favorite time of year is finally here - changing leaves, cool breezes, and pumpkins galore. You don't have to go far to overhear the accolades of fall. It seems like most of us delight in this time of year. And in an effort to soak up as much as possible, husband and I already have a pretty great fall wishlist.

1  Running in our favorite trail race of the season

2  Find an apple orchard for apple picking and tasting {and apple-pie making}

3  Our birthday camping trip to Standing Indian Mountain - daytime campfires, morning hikes, sleeping under the stars, and watching the sunrise on the side of the mountain with my best friend

4  Visit a pumpkin patch and carve/paint/decorate pumpkins for the front porch

5  Host a backyard bonfire for our friends, complete with paleo hot chocolate

6  Drink spiced apple cider and talk on the front porch in the evenings
7  Have some of my oldest and dearest friends {and their new littles} over for dinner for birthday celebrations and general merrymaking.

What are your favorite fall activities?

xoxo

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Week Ending

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I think it's safe to say that fall is well on its way, with crisp cool mornings and evenings occurring almost daily. I couldn't be happier. This is by far my favorite time of year.

This weekend will be pretty calm since husband is working Saturday, but we've been making lots of plans for the month of October. What are you doing this weekend?

I will be...

- trying out some new paleo recipes {I went on a pinning spree the other day}. this one looks particularly good

- making a few extra meals to fill our new freezer {more on that later!}

- attending a wedding shower for one of my childhood friends

- hopefully going to meet baby Brooks {so. cute.}

- perusing the antique store for the perfect mid-century sideboard

Happy weekend!

xoxo

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Have a Fabulous {Fall!} Weekend!

As I'm writing this, the windows in our sunroom are open and letting in the most delicious, cool fall breeze. What a great way to start this day and to start the weekend! 

{images}

These next couple days off rest are actually pretty full for us, and I am excited for our plans...

- visiting my girl kindredly {who is about to become a mom! I seriously can't wait} and seeing baby Brook's nursery

- hopefully visiting my new fairy god son this afternoon, who will be the perfect start to a great weekend {yes, both my besties are about to have littles! so exciting!}

- time for quiet reflection and reading and discussing this book 

- morning coffee on the front porch

- firing up our grill and eating dinner on the patio beneath our new twinkle lights

- baking something pumpkin {I'm stuck between these tasty-looking muffins and my favorite GF bread}

Low-key weekends like this one, filled with friends, cool weather, and hanging out with husband on the porch/patio are my absolute favorite.

What are you doing this weekend?

xoxo

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Sensing Happiness

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This three day weekend has perfect timing. We were at a stand-still all week with our patio project due to the monsoon type rain we've been having, so time to work away! We also have plans to peruse a local art festival and have dinner with family, catch up on some Game of Thrones, and spend quality time as a little family. Hope you have a lovely Memorial Day weekend!

Seeing: Inspiration for our work-in-progress outdoor space {and the shower it will hopefully soon host!}.

Hearing: My friend Jason blesses so many people with his sermons. the Lord is using this man in a wonderful way.

Tasting: These chicken + apple sausages. i make them at least once weekly {or twice if we are being honest.}

Smelling: The sweet combination of cardamon and rose for summer.

Touching: These insanely comfortable sandals - perfect for work and for play. I love them so much I may order a second pair in black.

xoxo

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