Finally Fall

Fall is definitely in the air here in our NC mountains. We've been falling into our rhythm since school started and are enjoying a new routine. It seems our summers become more full but yet less structured. We do feel a sense of renewal even though we are forced into a daily routine of school and work that is dictated by reasonable bedtimes and early alarms. 

Each year we seem to be hiking a little further, playing a little longer, and crafting just a little but more. 

I welcome all the fun changes that I see in the girls as they grow, but there will always be some of the same signs that fall is approaching:

They still love to find matching jackets for chilly mornings.

Nutcracker tryouts are a must.

Decorations of mums and felt find their way out of the woodwork.

We plan ahead for indoor crafts in the months to come.

I host my fall clothing swap with my lady friends and bust out my girlie napkins for the occasion.

...and usually wake up to some overlooked cleaning the day after....

We are looking forward to pulling it all inward and settling in for a bit. 

Summer's Over

We took our annual trip to Hilton Head this past weekend. We have always associated this trip with closure to the fun summer season that just passed. 

As the girls get older, traveling becomes more of a breeze. We travel more and pack less. I hope that's something they take away with them when they're grown; the carefree, spontaneous, pick-up-and-go attitude towards traveling that Dave and I share. 

But for now, we'll focus on our home and getting it ready for the chilly weather ahead. We will spend some time planning projects and planning our travel adventures for the year to come.

It's been a great summer!

Labor Day Love

Time is just flying by in our little corner of the world. I had all kinds of aspirations to chronicle our travels, projects, and adventures. I suppose life got in the way and summer flew by. 

Usually we try to settle into a fall rhythm after Labor Day as we slowly move indoors and slightly turn inward. I'm hoping we move a little slower in the upcoming season!

Labor Day came and went quickly. What a fun weekend. One of my BFFs came up from Atlanta and we immediately got into an impromptu project. A quick and cheap facelift on the house!

Spray paint is now included on my short list of favorite crafty things. It seems manufacturers are gearing these lovely cans towards us crafty gals instead of graffiti punks. Let me explain: you can buy spray paint mixed with primer!! Yes! Flawless, quick paint jobs on plastic, metal, glass, cheap laminated furniture, etc!!!

So within an hour of Erin's arrival, we started tearing the house up and changing the weathered, dull, black shutters to a lively green color.

I am quite smitten with my fancy new house. The whole project took a few short hours and $15 in spray paint!

Of course our girls got together for a weekend of fun. I'm so glad our kids stayed close over the years. We hooked up with a neighbor and went in a hike and found this awesome waterfall slide. Best. Waterpark. Ever!