Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving weekend started with my waking moments on Wednesday. 

 That was the day I was starting my prep cooking, my table setting,

my getting the house in order for guests. 

 I woke up thankful that morning,

 with my thoughts wandering over all in my life for which I am grateful.

And also wondering "why not wake up this way every day?!"

Gonna work on that one!  It certainly set the pace for the rest of the day.

I like to decorate my pies with hearts.  And this year I was short on crust and almost didn't make any.  So when I had to run to the store again for some things forgotten, I picked up premade crusts to make the cut-outs.  Baked them a little bit with a touch of egg-wash and sugar, then placed them on the pumpkin and apple pies.

Later that day, I overheard Christa telling Jess

"These hearts are my favorite thing about mom's pies."

So glad I didn't leave them off!

My favorite...

Now for the obvious:

I'm thankful for my 4 girls.

They have grown into wonderful women who, if I were to handpick my friends,

I would pick them in a heart-beat.

(I think I might see how many times I can work the word heart into this post)

And they have brought young men and grandchildren into my life whom I love,

and who have stolen my heart.

I am so very thankful for each of them.

(Hope and Charlie serving his soldiers Thanksgiving dinner at Ft. Leonard Wood)

(Lucas and Robert having some bonding time)

(A dad and his boy)

And if the balloon gives you a hint, around Thanksgiving

there is always a celebration of Christa's birthday.

And this year Robert threw a surprise party, which he pulled off quite well.

There were friends, young and old

who celebrated her life

with gifts,

but more importantly,

with their presence

and love.

(Check out that face!)

And for an added bonus, while in G-ville we got to watch a UF/FSU lacrosse game being

officiated by our very own Peter...

 

under the lights on our beloved UF campus.

 (Steven & Nolan)

(Julie with the b-day girl)

Where two of the youngest generation got a chance

to get acquainted

which made the littlest guy quite happy.

And the circle of friendship continues!

I'm thankful.

  Does my heart good!

While driving past the stadium, where so many memories in the past have been made,

we couldn't pass up the chance to make some more,

and introduce the Little Guy to some of UF best.

(Yes, Lucas is being used as a football!)

A sidenote:  Speaking of football, thank you, Rachel, for carrying on the

Thanksgiving morning football tradition!

She organized a pick-up game in my imaginary hometown of Asheville

and happened to be the only girl playing (hmmm),

and her team won, thank you very much.

Rach, I need the play-by-play!

Another sidenote:  I did get to watch my first NFL game of the season

 with my little Lexi friend keeping my lap warm.

Denver/Jets. 

  Sorry, Jets, but I was rooting for that Tebow.

But I keep digressing,

 but since this is my blog,

 I guess that's my prerogative.

It's just that this Thanksgiving week was so busy.

And so many moments snapped with my handy DSLR.

"Busy", though, is not really the accurate word.

The time was filled. 

With wonderful moments.

Wonderful interactions.

With life.

Such as,

checking out the cedars outside a city apartment window

Being the recipient of an intentional kiss for the first time.

Cozily chillin' on the couch

After protecting the Little Guy from the slight chill outside

Or pursuing the uncatchable, just for the fun of it!

Yes, life is filled with "busy-ness".

Those moments that are captured by the Canon,

and others that are captured by my heart

to be held always with fondness and thankfulness.

And in that Wednesday morning musings,

know that my thoughts encircled

each of you, my family and friends.

I thanked God for you then,

and continue to do so.

You make me rich!

It does my heart good!

Things Are Not Always What They Seem...

Christa Jean...

What's this look?!

Are your trying to be

all hip and cool and pretty?

What is that face saying??

Oh, now I see.... 

That's your

"I-just-picked-up-dog-poop-with-two-sticks-

to-throw-it-in-the-marsh"

face. 

Don't worry,

you're still hip and cool and pretty

in my book!

So Pleasant an Effect on the Feelings

"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on,
and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings,
as now in October."
- Nathaniel Hawthorne

It's happening.

A breeze in the air pushing the humidity

to some unknown place.

This past weekend came with a prediction of our first

fall-ish temperatures!

And that only means one thing...

throw a backpack in the car and see where I wind up.

First stop was to see a little buddy

and ask if he wants to go gallivanting.

His reaction...

"Oh Yeah. I'm in"

So we jump in the car and start the journey eastward,

stopping at only one estate sale

 because the day was just too beautiful 

to spend indoors in any fashion. 

We meandered past the ruins of Bulow Creek Sugar Plantation

(a photo shoot there in the near future for sure),

then drove east over one of my favorite bridges in Florida

that landed us at quaint Flagler Beach

where we grabbed a leisurely lunch on A1A...

and enjoyed the beautiful autumn breeze...

                   

One of the great things about Florida and Fall is that

the water temperature is still warm enough for this,
 Lucas dipping his toes in the Atlantic for the first time...

A mixed reaction from the boy, but he was definately all about the sand that day.

After our trek to get our feet wet in the ocean,

and dropping off Jess & Lucas,

I turned due west

to get close to Gainesville for a big game,

and to watch the Gators with some other die hard fans...

(Despite the orange/blue hair,  Mitchell's quote..."I'm really not into football!"

He wanted his face to show this sentiment...I think he pulled it off!)

Even though, sadly, the Gators lost,

watching with friends and a Gator-Girl who made the trip out from Gainesville,

made the loss more bearable.

And it didn't hurt that the next morning I was pampered with

a homemade breakfast

and a cup hand-picked for me

and filled with....

Well, by now I needed to head East again,
but not before a short pit stop
to have a spot of tea on this lovely porch with this lovely lady
and take in the sights of nature in north central Fl that I love so much...

Thanks for that apple pie, Melanie!  You reminded me why homemade baking is worth it!!



And every fall, I am so pleasantly surprised by the
profusion of wildflowers that line our county roads...

...that are taking me home!

Least the Weekend Goes By Undocumented....

There was prepping...

...and celebrating...

...with family.

There were Elton John moments...

...and smooches galore...

...with some high-flying giggles...

...and becoming aware of four-legged friends...

...while a mohawk is created...

And there was some observing of the observer...

Wonder-full time!

Hogtown Creek and More...

Now that Christa and Robert are in a two-bedroom apartment

(located in the mountainous area of G-ville),

they played host to Peter, Jessica, Lucas, and myself for the weekend. 

A college town is always a fun place to visit,

and this past weekend was no exception!

So amidst feasting on homemade meatball subs (yummm!), chicken enchiladas (always my favorite),

and the always anticipated chocolate chip pancakes,

we did some gallivanting around town...

Lucas woke up the first morning with the expression that obviously said,

"ok, so what's on the agenda today?!"

And since he is such a nature boy,

it was off to Hogtown Creek to search for shark's teeth and enjoy some natural Florida.

The entrance to this waterway is just a block away from

their new place, and what a great place it was to visit.

A boy after my own heart, it turns out that Lucas is a lover of trees!

He did not take his eyes off of the treetops during the whole hike...

...causing the rest of us to glance skyward often to see what was so interesting to him.

It's great to observe the world again through the eyes of a child.

Thanks for the reminder, Lucas!

Meandering down to the creek...

...the hunt began...

...with searching in earnest...

...but we came up shark toothless!

The next day, one of the Grogan girls asked what did we use to sift through the water?

When we said "our hands", they politely laughed with a "oh, no wonder you didn't find anything!"

Then they gave us some good tips for next time. 

So, Christa, have my sifter ready...

I want to check "Find a shark's tooth" off of my life's to-do list!

The day also had some garage sailing and Ross shopping,

and Jessica and Christa worked their wonders on furnishing/decorating the 2nd bedroom.

I see a HGTV show on their horizon...

"Sisters + a C-Note = Totally Transformed Room"

(Sorry, no pics.  My memory card was malfunctioning, sad to say, but it was a "wow")

And a trip to Gainesville is not complete without a stop at Mochi...

....can you say "scrumptious"!

And being introduced to The Flying Biscuit!

Two thumbs up!!

Where we enjoyed way too much food

as Lucas enjoyed the wall full of sunflowers... 

...I really think he's going to be a botanist when he grows up!

So, thanks, Christa and Robert for the great weekend!

We really had a wonderful time!!

Sherry's Vilano

Sherry made a trek back to NE FL

where she made sure to schedule in a time

to visit "her" beloved Vilano....

Quote, "Here is my beach..."

"and my morning glorys"

"and my driftwood!!"

(Sidenote:  back in 2010, Sherry, with her cohorts, conspired and attempted to unearth,

 under the cover of night,

the above pictured driftwood;

 Sherry's the flashlight holder...lol...)

(photos stolen from Sherry's fb page)

We shared some laughs...

before heading back to the cars...

but not before she claimed

a beach cottage

as her very own!...

(picture snapped quickly and we made our getaway before the real owners showed their faces..lol)

Fun times,

 and thanks for sharing

your beach, Sherry!