It's Fall Ya'All.

It's fall!  It's my favorite season.  I love the warm days and the cool nights.  I love the changing color of the leaves.  I LOVE the smell in the air.  That smell is earthy and spicy and just magical to me.

I love fall!

I'm not going to think about what happens next (I'm not a fan of old man winter).  But I love fall.

The older I get though, the more melancholy I get at the end of summer.  Summer is warm and full of fun, sun, and precious memories.  It's the most time we get to spend with the kids.  Whether it's vacation or just carting them back and forth to sports, it's OUR time with these wonderful boys.  During the school year, they are not ours.  They belong to school, sports, friends, etc.  But during summer, they are all ours.

In the fall, they go back to all those things that take then away from us. It's their time.  It's them growing and moving forward.  And that's the way it's supposed to be, even if it makes me sad.

But even though I feel a bit melancholy, it's still my favorite time of year.

I have my candles ready.  I have some new ones this year.  I've only stuck with fall scents so far.

Dried Lavendar & Oak is my favorite so far.

I bought Farmstand Festival but I haven't lit it yet.

Spireside Ghostly Castle is my Halloween scent.  I really like it.

South candle Campfire reminds of fireplace or an outdoor campfire.  It's a really nice scent.

I did not buy this one (YET!) but today I came across Root Candle Tabacco Vanilla  It's such a nice, relaxing scent (I'm sure I will buy this one before he season is done).


I have also bought some Lori Mitchell figurines for Halloween.  I have a few for each holiday.  They are too cute.  But we thought we had the candy corn kids and it turns out we did not.  So of course we HAD to stop into our favorite store Chagrin Valley Antiques to pick them up.  And we ended up picking up those AND a few more.  And finding some that I just have to have for Christmas.

Chagrin Valley Antiques is one of my favorite stores.  I have been going there for almost 20 years.  The owners are amazing people.  I had not had the opportunity to go there for a few months.  And I really missed it.  Sadly, I found out that Tom, one of the owners passed away unexpectedly.  Please keep his wife in your prayers.  She is an amazing lady and they have been a part of our lives for so long.  I'm heartbroken for her and for our community.  We lost an amazing person.

The boys also went to homecoming.  At least the big two did.  The seven year old is still my baby.  They both had a great time.  I'd post pictures, but they asked that I NOT do that so you'll just have to take my word on how handsome they looked.

The oldest is playing football this fall and the middle is playing fall baseball.  Sports have kept us busy.

Last week we hosted Senior Football Dinner.  22 senior boys descended upon my house.  THOSE KIDS CAN EAT.  Luckily, the weather was good enough for me to set them up on the patio.  And luckily we did not run out of food.  They are 22 special young men and it was a pleasure to have them. I used That Hawiian Guy's BBQ for the food and it was delicious.  If you are local, please check them out.  Not only is the food amazing, but so is the owner.

And that's my update for now.  I know more has gone on but this is the major high lights.  We do not have Halloween costumes yet.  But we planted mums. College applications are in the works and FAFSA is completed. Hopefully I can get on here more often and update with minor coming and goings.  But for now, this is the crux of it.

So happy fall ya'all.  Enjoy every moment, every scent, every color, and every second.

Baseball, Vacation, and Summer Fun

This summer is going by in a blur.  The entire beginning was taken up by travel baseball. It feels like it goes on forever.  But it's over now.  But guess what??  Fall Ball starts on August 17.  And of course football starts a week or so after that.  This is the life of a mom with three sports loving boys.  I know that one day I will miss it.  But today is not that day (lol).

Vacation was wonderful.  We went back to our favorite place, Litchfield Beach, SC.  We love it there.  We all love the ocean, the boys love to fish and catch crabs, and everyone loves the pools.  My favorites are the morning beach walks and the shopping at The Hammock Shops just down the road at Pawley's Island.  We've been going there since the boys were little.  I asked them if they wanted to try a new place next year and it was a resounding NO. So, God willing, we'll go back next year.  I'm already looking forward to it.

Along with a new sport season, we have back to school to think about.  We will have a senior, a sophomore, and a first grader.  The little one is the only one who needs school supplies right now.  The older boys don't find out what they need until after school starts.  I kind of copped out today and ordered all the little one's school supplies via Amazon Prime.  I'm sure I probably could have saved some money just going to Walmart, but it was worth it to me. Now I just have to worry about school uniforms and shoes.  Sometimes it's just better to do the easy thing instead of the money saving thing.  Ordering directly from Amazon is my sanity saving thing.

We also have the little ones birthday in August.  The Middle turned 15 in July and we celebrated as a family, but we combine the Middle and the Little's birthdays in August for the extended family party.  It's less running around for everyone.  I'm also going to do a "friend" party for the Little this year.  It will be his first.  I've been a slacker on this.  The older boys had friend parties starting in pre-school.  I feel badly, so I said this year he will get a friend party.  I'm having it at a local sports venue, and it's only 1.5 hours so fingers crossed that it all goes well.  Seven year old boys aren't easy to entertain.

Let's see, what else has been happening....

Hubby and I celebrated our 19th anniversary last week.  19 years have flown by.  It sure doesn't seem like 19 years.  They've been 19 wonderful years.  I've been blessed with an amazing husband.

I'm still plugging along with my walking routine.  I try to do 2 miles 3-4 days a week, but I've been overachieving and walking 4-5.  Still trying to eat healthier too.  Eating healthy is hit or miss, but I really am trying.  I'm also doing intermittent fasting.  I like it, but I'm not losing any weight.  I'm trying to not get discouraged and keep plugging along.  At least I've stemmed the tide of gaining weight.  Got to look on the positive, right?

Right now, I'm obsessed with the Hallmark Christmas in July movies.  They make me happy.  Don't judge me lol.  I LOVE all things Christmas.

Other things that have made me happy this summer:

This Pawley's Island candle from The Isle Co. that I got on vacation.  It smells so good!

The Christmas Mouse store.  Another thing that I love from vacation (told you I love all things Christmas)
 
Delay, Don't Deny: Living An Intermittent Fasting Lifestyle  This book by Gin Stephens really explains the whys and the science behind intermittent fasting in an easy to read guide.

Dreams of Falling by Karen White  It's such a great beach read.  I've read almost all of her books and usually on vacation.  I really enjoy them.

The Unofficial Start to Summer

Today is the day after Memorial Day and the last day of school for my youngest.  The older boys finished up last Thursday, and the Little finished up today.  Granted he still has Kindergarten graduation tomorrow.  But I take him at 10 am and he's done after the graduation.

We spent all of Memorial Day weekend doing yard work.  It's not how you would want to spend the holiday weekend, but we had a lot to do and very little time to get it all accomplished.  It rained so much during this beginning part of spring that there was no way to get it all done.  We accomplished so much this weekend and it looks really nice (thanks to my husband and the Middle son for doing the bulk of the work).  The garden is almost prepped and I hope to plant by this coming weekend.

Travel baseball starts today.  Only the Middle is playing this year, but by looking at his schedule, the bulk of the summer will be traveling to/playing baseball.  I love watching my boys play.  I just don't like that baseball becomes all we do.  I wish we had more time for family centered activities.

It's storming at the moment...again.  I sure hope this isn't an indication of how the summer is going to be.  It would take care of all the baseball, but all the possible family activities too.

On Memorial Day, I start decorating in red, white, and blue.  It will carry us through Labor Day.  I love Americana and especially primitive decorating (although I don't have many primitives myself).

Proof that it is still raining!

It's actually hailing.

I Need Some Extra Grace Today

I had to do something really hard today.  Something that I didn't want to do, but that I feel is best for our family.  It was hard for me because it directly affected someone else and this persons livelihood.  That made it 1000 times harder.

I didn't come to this conclusion easily.  It took a year of discernment.  It took a year of trying to come up with a better solution.  I've prayed on this.  I've asked God to show me the way.  And I think this is ultimately what I need to do.

But that doesn't make it any easier (for either of us).  And it doesn't remove the sting.  I'm still praying on this and praying that God gives the other person something so much better.

But I feel like I've hit her with a ton of bricks that she wasn't expecting.  And it's making me very sad.

I know this is the right thing for us.  I just wish I could have come up with a better way.

Please keep her in your prayers.  And say a prayer for me too.

Spring Has Sprung!

We had a super mild winter this year, but it still seemed to last forever! Even though we had very little snow, the cold and gray really got to me. The older I get, the more the dreary weather takes a toll. We are now into spring and even though it's been raining cats and dogs, the green leaves, warmer temperatures, and peaks of sunshine seem to calm my spirit.

We Catholics are celebrating the Easter season.  I had big plans for Lent.  Some of the things I wanted to do, I managed to accomplish.  Others, well, not so much. But I'm taking some good stuff from Lent and keeping it going throughout the year.  No one is perfect, right?

School will be done in a few weeks.  Next year we will have a high school senior, a high school sophomore, and a first grader.  I do believe the saying is true.  The days are long, but the years are short.  When I first started blogging (on my old blog) I had a preschooler and a two year old.  Where do the years go?

I hope to have a semi relaxing summer.  We will only have one boy in baseball this year as the oldest boy had shoulder surgery 7 weeks ago and will sit this season out.  I'm hoping that gives us more time to so some fun family stuff.  Not that living at the ball field isn't fun.  I love watching my boys play ball (because both of them truly love it), but that doesn't leave much time for anything else.

I haven't started yard work or gardening yet, but I have started spring cleaning. I have a check list and am hoping to knock most of it out in the next few weeks before school ends.  I've also done some freezer cooking so I have a number of meals ready to go on game nights.  And I will use my slow cooker as usual too.  I do love my slow cooker!!  I also have a pressure cooker (from Aldi).  I like using it too.  I use it mostly for shredded chicken or stews, but I'm sure I'll be able to put it to good use this summer too.

And With This, We Are Into The New Year

Oh yes, Christmas has past.  It was such a wonderful time.  Advent was absolutely the best.  And by the best, I mean I loved it.  But I didn't end up doing all of my Advent activities.  I tried.  I did.  But life....

Christmas was quiet but good.  It was just our little family.  My parents and mother in law came over Christmas day which was really nice.  We planned to get together with my brother and his sweet family on New Years.  But:  THE FLU.

Oh yes, I got hit with the flu.  It was BAD.  8 days in bed.  8 days with very little movement.  I probably should have gotten Tamiflu, but there was no moving me.  Not an inch.  It was the worst that I have been hit in years.  Did I get the flu shot? No.  I thought I had time.  I was wrong. Oh so wrong.

So no New Years family movie night with fondue.  We always do fondue.  Not this year.

On a bright side, I did get to catch up on all my Hallmark Christmas movies.  I rode that horse until the last minute.  Can I just say that I totally adore Hallmark Christmas movies?  I don't care if they seem hokie or that they seem all the same.  I LOVE THEM.

Hallmark Christmas movies are my jam.


So I'm better now and mostly caught up on life.

Yes, I have resolutions.  I do.  But I'm not going to talk about that now.  I have them.  So far, not so good .  Perimenopause is evil.  That's all I'm going to say about that.

A Thankful Month

 I can't believe we are moving into mid-November.  I feel like Christmas is right around the corner (and I am SO trying not to stress about it...  I will not be stressed this Christmas.  I will be a bucket of  peace and calmness...).

This is also the month for Catholics to remember the ones that we've lost (All Souls Day is in the beginning of the month, but we can carry this through all month long).  We currently have a bowl on the kitchen counter with any prayer cards of friends and family that we have lost and a list of names for those we have lost but don't have cards for.  It's a reminder to keep praying for them and to keep praying for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

I sat down this morning and wrote out my Thanksgiving menu and my grocery list.  I usually start cooking the Tuesday before (making the cranberries and the gluten free bread for the stuffing).  Pie, sweet potato casserole, and green bean casserole are done on Wednesday.  And I save the Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, and turkey for Thursday.  I feel less stressed doing this in steps and with a plan.  All of this needs to be free of wheat, rye, barley, oat, egg, peanut, and tree nut.  I've been doing it for so many years that it's not a problem, but when I first started out, things came out not so well but everyone was kind enough to not complain.  My biggest issue is usually the gluten free, egg free pie crust.  There was one year where it took me 3 hours to get the pie to a point that it would be edible.  And then I accidentally dropped it on the floor while taking it out of the oven.  It was a sad, sad day.  So I had to start all over again at 9 pm making a whole new pie.  Thankfully the movie Gone With The Wind was on that night to help get me through.

Christmas music started on Sirius XM November 1st.  While I have been thankful for that, it has taken my kids a few weeks to come around.  But they are into it now too.  I'm considering putting up one of our Christmas trees this week too.  I know it's a tad early, but I am SO READY!!  I've been watching Hallmark Christmas movies since they started also.  Being the only female in the house, I can honestly say that I truly am the only one thankful for the Hallmark Christmas movies.  But we have enough TV's in the house that it all works out fine.

Last week, I started to buy a few things for Christmas.  Just for the boys.  I have a list, but they change their minds on things so frequently, that I don't want to do too much yet.

I also bought a few new Christmas-y smelling candles last week.  I LOVE scented candles and I usually buy my candles from Yankee Candle, but this year I thought I had a gift card to Bath and Body Works (turned out it was for Bed, Bath and Beyond... I should learn to read better) so I went there and am going to try their 3 wick candles which I have not tried before.  They were on sale, so I hope I like them and that they have good "throw".

I still have to do the family Christmas card.  I usually make it on one of those "online photo sharing sites".  But I'm not sure exactly what I want to do yet.  I was thinking that if I put up the small tree, maybe I could gather the boys around it and take a photo and use that.  I usually use ones that we took throughout the year, but I feel like it's gotten old and maybe we need to mix it up a bit.  Whatever I'm going to do, I better figure it out soon because I usually send out the cards the first week of December.

So that's the current happenings in a nut shell.  I'm just trying to remember to be thankful for everything this month.  I hope it becomes more of habit and I will remember all the things to be thankful for EVERY month.

Links:

My Pinterest Thanksgiving Recipe Board

Bath and Body Works 3 wick candle page

Hallmark Countdown to Christmas 2018

My favorite turkey roaster from Granite Ware (Walmart link)  I have a small version of this that I use for roasting chicken too.  They are great and they clean up very well.

More about November and the month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory from CatholicCulture.org

(these are NOT affiliate links and I get no compensation for sharing them. I'm just sharing some things that I like)