black and grey

I am unabashedly sharing kitten pictures because who doesn't love them? They are little balls of fleece fluff, mewing pathetically and pretending to be brave. If I didn't live in an apartment, I would have taken these home with me.

{fall bucket list}

     FALL BUCKET LIST

1. Make English Wassail   Nov. 23
2. Go to Mills Apple Orchard Oct. 2
3. Make pumpkin flavored ice cream
4. Create blog post series
5. Refurbish something old
6. Have a photo shoot Nov. 12
7. Travel somewhere I've never been before
8. Paint barn wood signs
9. Go on a hayride Nov. 12
10. Design a t-shirt with Charlie
11. Go star gazing in the convertible  Sep. 19
12. Go camping/try out the camping hammock
13. Write cards to 3 friends/family members  Sep. 12
14. Make a scarf out of old sweater/shirt
15. Buy a beanie and wear it :)  Nov. 11

{backyard party}

~HOW TO HOST A BACKYARD PARTY~

1. Spend 2 hours on Pinterest looking for decorating and entertainment ideas.

This step is crucial to the planning process. You want to make perfectly sure that your table decorations and backyard games are trendy, visually attractive and entertaining. Giant Jenga is always a safe option, as are sparklers, and Frisbee. 

2. Don't put a lot of planning into the event. 

After spending an exorbitant amount of time on Pinterest, there's not much left to do! Tables are easily made out of plywood and saw horses, camping chairs/wooden stumps provide seating and blankets can be laid out on the grass for children. Make sure you have plenty of food, scrounge up some wood for a fire and you're good to go. 

3. Use Christmas lights for ambiance. 

You want your guests to feel like they are in the backyard of a mansion in up-state New York - not some ranch-style home in  Missouri. Christmas lights help create this effect. Just make sure you do not exceed the amperage limit on the fuse or your lights will do weird blinky things.  

4. Make a last minute trip to Dollar General for necessary items. 

While you were stringing up the lights, you probably realized that there are still mosquitoes infesting the yard. Drive to DG ten minutes before your guests arrive to buy citronella candles and chocolate. 

5. Provide sparklers. 

Both adults and children love sparklers, plus the sparks make for beautiful pictures. It is a festive way to close out the night! 

hullo greenville

view from the back deck

The hardest part of moving to a different home is getting used to the sounds.
Instead of coyotes howling in the ravine, I hear trains blasting through the night. Rather than peaceful afternoon silence, there are children playing in the street and lawn mowers. Even our apartment has noises - creaky floors and whirring ceiling fans. It kind of reminds me of the Big House in Norton. All it needs is a Persian rug.
It is different.
But I am slowly falling in love with it. I am learning how to accept change.
Charlie's classes have started up so I spend most of my days job-searching, cooking and making daily trips to the library. Looking for work is tough - there are not many jobs here. Every once in a while I start stressing out about money even though I know I shouldn't. I'm learning to trust in God's provision.
The Carnegie Library is a lifesaver. I usually grab a travel book and settle down in an over-sized armchair. I find all the castles in England that are for sale and decide which one I would buy. Sometimes a village comes with the package, other times farmland. The castles that have ivy all over the walls are my favorite.
One day, on my way home from the library I stop by a promising book mart. There are quaint signs out front and lovely window displays; opening the heavy wooden door sets off a silver bell. Everything about it is delightful..... until I realize that their entire inventory consists of paperback romance novels. Disgusting.... I need to start my own bookstore and sell wholesome literature!
By evening time Charlie and I are both tired. Dinners usually consist of homemade artisan bread, and chicken soup. Or hamburgers. There's no shortage of food in our pantry so there's a lot of decision making that goes into each meal. We plop onto the floral couch with our food and talk about our separate days - what was good and who we ran into.
Last week Charlie bought Trivial Pursuit at the thrift store for a quarter. I think some of the cards are missing, but we don't mind. We'll stay up till midnight - my love and I - reading trivia questions by lamplight.
Life is good. It is hard sometimes, but Charlie and I are figuring it out by the grace of God.
We are loving, laughing and leaning into God's promise:

"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye." - Psalm 32:8

the felt hat adventures

Last week my friend and I went on a microadventure. (Read this article to learn what a microadventure is...) I had the camera and Catherine had the hat.