:: Finally Fall

Hello Friends, How is everyone enjoying the changing of the seasons?

 Here in N.C. fall has finally arrived with it's cool temps & amazing blue skies.  

I am dying to get to the mountains for the big show, I hear it's getting there but not quite yet so maybe I'll still make it that way in time for the leaf change. Until then I settle for visiting Morrow Mountain State Park just across the lake from us, it's my little slice of mountain life without the two hour plus drive.

My mother & I enjoyed a nice hike and a snack overlooking this view a few weeks ago.  Then just the other night I spent an evening enjoying a beautiful sunset with my best friend.

Guys seriously....these views!!! 

There's nothing better than the top of a mountain & a beautiful sunset.

So happy to spend quality time with my sweet mama & my beautiful best friend.

If you ever get the chance, check out Morrow Mountain,

 it's a great place to spend quality time with your favorite people.

peace, love & hugs

Carrie Ann

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:: snow day

We finally had our first snow of 2013 last Thursday. It was so exciting when the first flakes started to fall. We all gathered around the window doing our snow dances while watching the huge flakes fall to the ground. The kids were super happy to finally have their first snow day, and a Friday at that...even better.

The only downside was that it put us a day behind in our weekend plans of taking a trip up to the cabin. The upside was that when the power was back on & the roads cleared we were able to extend our snow day to a whole weekend because there was still quite a bit of snow in the mountains.

This is the view out of one of the old cabins tiny windows. I love how my mother has her aqua ball jars lined up in the windowsill framed by her sweet handmade curtains.

There are few things I love more in this world than a good ol' wood fire, and this woodpile kept us nice & toasty all weekend. Thankfully Papa kept us stocked up with freshly split wood...and I think he really enjoyed it too. It was so nice to enjoy the crackle & pop of a real wood fire while knitting, reading, playing games & drinking coffee.

We did venture out of the cabin for several meals at the local cafe. We also took a little road trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway to one of our favorite scenic destinations Mabry's Mill. The roads along the parkway are never scraped, so you definitely need four wheel drive to travel safely along these slippery roads. It was worth it though to see the Mill with snow for the first time.

What a beautiful sight it was. My family has now decided that the next time they call for snow we are hopping in the truck and high tailing it to the mountains so we can enjoy the snow falling while nestled into a toasty warm cabin.

{peace, love & hugs}

Carrie

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:: memory tree

I'm baaaaack...

two days in a row, wow I'm doing good.

As I said yesterday I have lots to share with you, and this is just one thing of many. This past week has been a whirlwind of activity in our nest. First, we celebrated my 39th birthday on the 4th of June, yes, I am officially on my victory lap as Papa put it. Second, we celebrated our youngest daughter's 5th grade graduation, so Elementary school is now a thing of the past for our family. Last but not least, is the greatest of our celebrations....High School Graduation...our oldest daughter graduated from High School this past Saturday.

As part of the decorations for her graduation party, I created this memory tree. I wish I could take credit for this idea, but I recently attended a birthday party for a friend & she had done something similar to this for a decoration so I thought I would create my own version.

All I needed to do was raid my yard waste pile from this springs tree pruning. I stripped what remained of any leaves and brought it inside & popped it into my trusty mason jar vase.  Saturday morning on my way home from the farmer's market I pulled off the road and plucked my lovely wildflower's from a ditch. I just love queen anne's lace, it is just so lovely and delicate.

The most difficult part of this project was going through lots of photo albums choosing photos and scanning them all {most of her photos are pre digital camera}. Once I had all of my photos scanned I made a layout on an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet in adobe illustrator. I probably placed about 10 photos per sheet and tried to pair them up by size so I could cut them out and hang them back to back so it could be viewed all around...this sat on the center of our island for her party.

Once I had the photos laid out I printed them from my ink jet printer & took them to the kitchen to age them. I put the whole 8 1/2 x 11 sheet on a small baking sheet and poured our morning's coffee over the sheet to cover it. I popped it in a 250 degree oven for a few minutes then pulled it out & drained the excess coffee back into the pot to be re-used for the project. Then you put the sheet back in the oven to continue the drying process, once it's dry it will pull away from the baking sheet, it's a good idea to check it often. Once it was dry & ready to go I cut out the photos placed them back to back punched a hole in the top and tied them onto the branches using thin yarn. It's a little time consuming waiting for the paper to dry out, but over all this is a really simple project, and my daughter loved it. In fact, I think this may be a keepsake she can take with her to college and display in a vase or hang upside down as a photo mobile.

This is a great idea that could be used for so many occasions. 

So, why not make someone you love feel very special and share all of those wonderful memories....make a Memory Tree. This could also be used to display family photos on an every day basis, in fact I think I'll be trying something very similar soon, hmmm so many possibilities.

I hope to check in again with you next week, for now we are off to Nationals with our oldest wren. This will be her last club soccer tourney before she goes off to college to begin her soccer career there. We are so so proud of her and all of her accomplishments....

We Love You Squeezy!

{peace, love & hugs}

Carrie

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:: first snow

The kids were beginning to think it would never come, but finally here it is on the 19th of February, my daughter's 18th birthday we get our first snow of the season. The kids were so excited they couldn't wait to get out this morning...it's not a lot, but it's snow & they are out of school what more can a kid ask for. Sadly it's already melting away & as I take these shots the water is gushing through the gutters, so I'm afraid this one will be very short lived. Hopefully we'll get another soon, we have been known to get snow into March in the past so we're all crossing our fingers. I would be happy with one that keeps us snowed in for about two days, then melts away because by then I would be missing my quiet house {*wink}.

Libby enjoying her first snow ever, it scared her at first, she didn't know what to think of this white stuff all over the ground...too funny.

Maybe later I'll bundle up and sit by a little fire and let the spotted dog play, but for now I'm off to enjoy some coffee & quiet while the kids play outside.

Hope you are having a wonderful Monday : )

{peace, love & hugs}

Carrie

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:: embracing a new year

This morning as I relaxed with my cup of coffee I began to think about what my word for this year should be. A challenge posed by Layla over at The Lettered Cottage. What do I aspire to do with this year ahead of me? What will my word be? In times past I've struggled with being a Stay at Home Mom. I've always felt like I should have a career and without it I didn't have a real WORTH. I wasn't bringing anything {ie: income} to the table so to speak. I've spent my years at home busying myself with hobbies, small businesses {etsy}, and blogging. I haven't ever really embraced the calling that God has set out in front of me. The REAL job of being a full time mother & homemaker. It truly is a blessing that he's given my family. We are so fortunate that I've always been able to stay at home with my children. In the beginning things were tighter financially, {but we never went without} and over the years things have gotten better and better...which has me thinking of how our family can be the best stewards of his gracious gifts.

For many years I had many negative feelings that came along with being a homemaker. When I was growing up most mothers worked, including my own. She & my father took great care of our home and were great parents, but I still didn't have a real example of what being a full time stay at home mom looked like. No guidelines...if there really are any. Even I started working at 15 {I really wanted a car}, I had had a job outside of my home for 10 years before children. Don't get me wrong, I truly enjoyed every second of being a mother and being with my children I still do {I'm so blessed}, but I still had the thought nagging at me "you don't have a real job" mother's everywhere are cringing at that statement because we all know that we don't have one real job we have fifty, or so it seems. I understand all this now as time has gone by and I've matured. Now I can finally accept God's plan for my life.

So this year I've decided that my word should be EMBRACE, as I truly want to embrace the life & responsibilities the Lord has set out before me.  I want to be as good at it as I possibly can. I want to think about it, I want to set goals for myself and accomplish them, I want to explore what being a MOM means to my family & I. I want to create the home of my dreams, and live purposefully & healthily, and share those gifts with my children. I want to clean, organize, simplify & prioritize. I want to prepare healthy meals, and show my children how to do the same. I want to rid my home of all the extra stuff, the stuff that isn't truly necessary {and learn how to use & need less}. I want to be a good steward of the time the Lord has given me, and use it to his Glory. I've never been one to make New Year's resolutions, but this year I think I will resolve to EMBRACE the wonderful gifts God has so graciously bestowed upon me and with an ever grateful heart.

What will be your word for this year? Feel like sharing your inspiration with everyone else? Layla is hosting This Little Word of Mine....I'm gonna let it shine linky part on January 16th I'm going to link up, will you?

{peace, love & hugs}

Carrie

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:: our neck of the woods

Hello friends, I have been totally awol in the last week. I've tried and tried to get here to visit but it just hasn't seemed to work out. Even now I really should be doing something else. The summer is coming to a close here, and we have our first school open house tonight. I can't believe school starts in a couple of days. This time is always a little stressful for me because I feel a great need to get everything in order around my home in preparation for the first day of school. Does anyone else feel like me? I really don't want to start things out on a chaotic note....that just wouldn't be fair to the kids or me {right?.}. The truth of the matter is that it will be much easier to tackle all of my projects when it's just me in the house again, so I may just have to smooth things over until I can really get in and tackle my list of to do's. For heaven's sake, I still have mountains of laundry to do...some of it from our vacation...how bad is that?.

Well anyway, I thought I would snap a few pics of my home this week to share with you. If you are like me you love to see what other people do with their homes. For me personally I'm finally feeling comfortable enough with my home to really share it....the good...the bad....and the ugly. I'm trying to embrace my own style and realize that my home doesn't have to look perfect, or follow the current trends, my home is a place for me and my family and we are the ones who must love it. That said, my style and taste is always evolving, my house may stay the same in big ways, but I love make small changes whenever I can. It's the small inexpensive changes that keep me from getting completely bored. The photo above is what's on my coffee table in our library/family room right now. I'll share more glimpses throughout the week, so I hope you'll come back to visit our neck of the woods.

Hope you are having a wonderful week : )

{peace, love & hugs}

Carrie

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:: no place like home

I don't know about you, but for this ol' bird there is no place like home.

I had a wonderful time on Oak Island with my family this past week.

I felt the sand between my toes, the salt on my skin & in my hair,

did I mention the sand between my toes....the sand in my bed,

the sand on the floors....the sand....the sand...the sand.

I don't think I make a very good surfer girl.

Now, my hubs and my kids....that's a different story.

Every year my kids are ready to pack up and move to the coast full time,

and for a little while I actually entertain the idea.

I think of waking up each morning to the lulling sound of waves crashing on the seashore,

beautiful sunrises, and long walks on the beach...then I remember the sand, and the salt air...

and for heavens sake my HAIR {ha, just kidding, that's what hats are for right.?!}.

I tease, I tease....I really do love the beach.

I love watching my kids frolicking in the waves...

I very much enjoy watching my handsome hubby emerge from the surf.

I love perching under my umbrella with a good book in hand 

soaking up the sun, fun and good times.

So thank you Lord for giving my family such a perfect week at the shore,

and for every glorious piece of sand between my toes & everywhere else.

Until next year....

It's good to be HOME.

* peace, love & hugs *

Carrie

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:: puppy breath

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:: sprouts & snow

Happy Monday sweets. Today is quite an exciting day for me. First of all, I noticed that my little seedlings have finally started to sprout...I'm very excited...now I'm just trying to remember exactly what they are. I know, I know, they make markers for these things but I just figured I would be surprised to see what they are as they grow up and I can actually identify them. These are looking a lot like rosemary leaves, but who knows at this point.  I just love how the little sprouts are holding onto these little droplets of water.

    

My other exciting news is that it's SNOWING....I can't believe it. I'm a little concerned for all of my beautiful flowers, trees and shrubs that have already come into bloom. Take a peek at some of this snow covered loveliness. I wish I could cover them all to protect them from the bite of the cold and snow.

Here is my lovely Red Bud tree in full bloom with it's lovely bright magenta petals. It really is quite beautiful covered with this light dusting of snow. As I look out the window it's still snowing.

Here she is against the snowy white sky.... so lovely....

 

Our pretty hot pink Lorapetalum bushes....also in full glorious bloom.

Also in full bloom are all of my lovely Phlox, 

they seem so delicate & tender I hope they make it.

See all of my little lovelies in bloom, some are protected by my favorite little Dapple tree, but others are fending for themselves in this cold and unusual weather.  Just 8 days ago I was celebrating my Anniversary and the official first day of Spring (March 20), Now I'm watching it snow & worrying about all of my sweet little plants....this is just some crazy weather.

12 years ago on the first day of spring in a very Old Castle I married the love of my life and became a mother for the first time to this lovely little lady below....

soon after we added another little sweetie...and then another....

We are all living Happily Ever After.

Thanks be to God.

:: peace, love & hugs ::

Carrie

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{ kid heaven }

My kids had the best weekend ever they both got to spend time doing something they love,  and they were both in  H E A V E N.

 

Saturday my sister and I took Miss "P" to an event to raise money for a blind horse farm.  Miss "P" couldn't have been happier, she new there was going to be a pony ride and there was no way she was going to let us miss it.  Lucky her, it ended up actually being a horse and not a pony.  She was in complete heaven....doesn't she look lovely perched atop that horse.

Sunday my little guy and his dad spent some boy time going to see the Carolina Panthers.  When their tickets fell through, they went ahead and drove to the game and bought tickets on the street. There was no way my little man was going to miss this game...he was so excited.  It's so fun to see your kids get so excited about something they love, and boy does he love his football.  He ended his perfect day at one of our favorite rib joints " Sticky Fingers ",  and he and his dad sent me these pics so I could drool over what I was missing out on.  I'm so happy they had such a great day of good father son bonding time, I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband and children.

Now, Now, the weekend involved some fun time for Mama too.  After the horse ride on Saturday, My sis and I got to get out and do a little shopping.  Mama was in dire need of some fall and winter attire, so we went to my favorite place to shop... Anthropologie... never has there been a more perfect place to shop for clothing, and home. I love going there to see their displays... they are absolutely the most creative, and now I want to recreate the cardboard tree stumps they had on display somewhere in my home... don't know where, but they were sooo cool looking.

I didn't walk away from this little expedition to Anthro empty handed... { not that I ever can really }I found two great fall/winter pieces to add to my wardrobe, a lovely lightweight sweater and a super soft knit jacket that will see much wear this winter I'm sure.  Since the budget was pretty much blown at this point... it was off to Old Navy for some layering pieces.  You really can't beat their prices on their super soft basic long sleeve henleys and tees,  and their winter coats and jackets were on sale 50% off, I found a great casual coat for $29 bucks.  We both racked up there, and I blew the rest of my budget....but at least now I have a winter wardrobe.

Woo Hoo for Mama Wren... I won't be cold this winter.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend as well.

:: peace & love ::

Carrie

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