Pumpkin Patch 2011

One of the great things about living where I do is that I now live only 10 minutes from this wonderful family! The Macks and I go way back now and it used to be that seeing them involved at least a 2 hour roadtrip but usually meant a weekend of memories were gonna be made. Now that I live closer I'm not sure if I actually get to see them more often (and I need to remedy that) but we still make just as great of memories when we're together. And without further adieu, here is our fall day at the pumpkin patch!

The Sisters:

The Siblings:

Getting ready to begin our cornmaze contest:

Emberlynn was my partner. I told her not to worry because if we got stuck in the maze at least we could eat the corn!

Soon enough we partnered up with Talitha and Jonah to finish finding our way through the maze.

We successfully found all 10 of the checkpoints and back to the exit. Sadly, we were in last place but we sure had fun while we were following the map and we all feel a bit more directionally aware now. Thanks, friends, for including me on the fun fall adventure!!

Have you been enjoying the fall? What's your favorite thing about Autumn?

Mud

My day involved muddy feet:

and running around in a maze of corn with this little cutie:

Time for bed! More photos and stories tomorrow!

Redecorating and Etsy

So if you don't read my blog in reader form, you may have noticed a few changes going on around here. You may also have heard of Blogger's latest launch of Dynamic Views. Well, it does seem like a really cool idea but after trying it for a couple days, I decided they need to work out a few more kinks before it really is the best way to go. So since I was already messing around with the blog, it got a bit of a makeover. What do you think? How often do you like to change up your blog? I think I get tired of looking at the same thing every time I visit, but I wonder if maybe some continuity is a good thing sometimes...

Anyway... the other thing I wanted to tell you about is that I listed a few things to my etsy shop today. Did you know that I had a shop? Well, I have been ignoring it for about 3 years but my faithful little shop was still there when I thought about it again. When I first opened it up I sold a scarf that I knitted (and felted) within a couple of days and then nothing else sold and the shop fell into disuse.

This summer I picked up several vintage aprons at various garage sales and rummage sales. Even though I'm sure I don't need all of these (along with the many adorable ones I was given for my wedding) they were just too cute to pass up! So my solution (if it works!) is to sell them on Etsy. Today I spent some time ironing, photographing, and listing my aprons. Check out the shop and spread the word if you know of anyone who is a vintage apron fanatic. Also check out my Etsy gadget on the right of my blog--part of the remodel. :-) Any tips from those of you who have had success at selling on Etsy?

Do you like the headless photos? :-)

Showers of Blessings

I know many of you are concerned for me right now as Chris just left on his third deployment. I have a lot of thoughts and emotions that I would like to write about and process through at some point--maybe some of those things will end up on here someday and perhaps they will be things that remain in my memories, but for now I wanted to share a few things that really blessed me today. This is just a glimmer of the love that I've been receiving over the last couple of days and week and I'm so thankful for all your prayers and love for me and my husband. We are both feeling a supernatural peace right now in a way that we know is not from ourselves but from God. So if you are praying, know that God is working through them. Thanks, friends!!

Shortly after I woke up this morning the doorbell rang. I was still in my PJs so I tried to look somewhat presentable and hurry to the door only to find noone was there. I did find this lovely little gift of homemade shortbread cookies (dipped in chocolate and drizzled with white chocolate-yum!) and a card waiting for me. Turns out, our new neighbors across the street were thinking of me and wanted to let me know that I'm always welcome to call on them at any time. They also thanked us for our service for our country and particularly for Chris' job in protecting the freedoms we love. I didn't even know they knew Chris was leaving as I have only chatted with them a few times outside and never mentioned it. Apparently Chris briefly mentioned it last week. So this was just really touching.

I also got a visit from a huge blue jay who flew onto my porch and stayed there for several minutes. I've never seen one around here and I have no idea why he came to visit--certainly not for my basil that is almost dead... Definitely a reminder to me that God cares for the birds and how much more does he care for me.

These were given to me last week by my friend Erin but I'm still enjoying them this week so I thought you should see. They make me smile.

And probably the most special thing I got to do today was meet 5 day old Ezekiel Emmaus Cooper. Friends from church just had a baby and I got to pay them a quick visit. Sadly, I don't have photos and that was probably the cutest part of the day. Oh well. You'll just have to imagine what this baby looks like but he was pretty cute and his 2 big brothers and parents are thrilled that he is here! I am too!!

Again, thank you for your prayers. We covet them. I probably won't be able to give you a lot of updates about Chris until he is home because he can't really tell me much anyway, but I'll try and let you know what is up and how we are doing when I can. Thanks for the love.

grafiti for Autumn

Apparently Autumn is big into grafiti these days...

Sunset

We finally got some "beach access." Just in time for a beautiful sunset!

Feet

After our hike we came back down to the beach to relax. We had some lunch and then Chris got to spend some time in the ocean.

Cruel wife: laughed at his socks/wet-suit combo and documented it.

There he goes! He's that little speck on the left.

Meanwhile I spent a couple hours reading in the warm sand. That's what I call a perfect afternoon!