It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas!

It's beginning to look (and feel) a lot like Christmas!  There truly is something so special about Christmas that makes you feel like a kid again no matter what age.  

Today we went on on the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree.

We knew perfect tree was out, it was just waiting to be found.

When it comes to finding a Christmas tree, my family can be very picky.  But we finally found one that everyone agreed was the one for us.

Our search was worth it!   We found one and it ended up being over twelve feet tall!

And the fun will soon continue once we take it home and decorate it.

It's finally is Christmastime!  Wishing a  very Merry Christmas to you!  

Fall is Here Again!

Fall is almost here!  It's only six more days until it's official!  This week the weather has been amazing.  Cooler weather has finally arrived and I don't ever want it to leave. Whenever I go outside I look around and see that the leaves are already starting to fall.  Oh, fall, how much I love you!  I'm so glad you're back.

Fall actually isn't my favorite season.  But it should be, haha.  I always say that spring is my favorite season, but I LOVE fall so much too.  Of course it's partly due to the fact that I'm just so ready for the summer  to be over so I always welcome fall with open arms.

You know what's absolutely crazy?  I haven't even had my first pumpkin spice Latte yet!  What!?!?!  Haha! Now that it actually feels like fall I think a trip to Starbucks is going to be in order soon.

Oh, I'm so happy.  Today I wore a my cozy plaid shirt and spent some wonderful time outside enjoying the crisp air.  It won't be long before I can start wearing sweaters, scarfs and boots again!

Usually I can't wait to wear my fall boots.  I believe I even had a post once about my boot obsession. Well, it's funny how a year can change you.  This year I could care less about my boots.

During the summer I invested in a new pair of sandals.  I say invested because I bought myself a pair of Chacos which were about $100.  Yeah, I'm not joking.  I've heard so many good things about the Chaco brand, not to mention all my friends had a pair.

But these shoes are seriously the best!  Not only are they cute and go with every single outfit, they are unbelievable comfortable.   I can stand for hours in them and my feet don't hurt.  And when summer includes lots of water adventures (rafting, canyoneering, backpacking) these are the shoes to bring.

Now that summer is coming to an end it is time to transition to fall. But I still plan on wearing my Chacos every once in a while, haha

Anyway, Happy fall! I hope you're enjoying the cooler weather :)

Hello Spring

"No matter how long the winter is Spring is sure to follow"

It's been a long winter, but spring has finally arrived!  Today the warm sun is shining down on the earth and there is no chance of rain in sight.  The snow is melting and all the flowers are beginning to bloom.  Yes, spring is here, and it makes me so happy.  Do you know why?  Because spring is my favorite season! 

The other day, with my camera in hand, I found a lovely cherry tree in full bloom. Of course I then proceeded to take pictures of the beautiful pink blossoms.

Spring is the time of fresh starts and new beginnings... and pink flowers!  I honestly think that the best part of spring is the pink cherry blossoms.  I look forward to taking pictures of these little flowers every year.

"For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come." Song of Solomon 2:11-12

I can't wait until more flowers begin to appear.  My camera is ready to capture the beauty of each flower that blooms. 

I hope you are having a lovely day. Enjoy the sun and always take time to notice the little things in life.  Sometimes all we need is to take a break and smell the flowers.

God Is In Control

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,

the people whom He has chosen as His heritage" - Psalm 33:12

Today is big day for our nation. Today we get a new president. Looking back over the past year and all the drama that took place with the two candidates, I'm relieved that it's over.

I can't say I'm thrilled about our new president, but I know one thing, and this one thing has been my only comfort throughout the election - God is in control. My hope is not in this country, or in the leaders, my hope is in God.

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man,

but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." - Proverbs 19:21

Finding the Perfect Tree

For as long as I can remember my family has always done fake Christmas trees.  We've never had a real tree.  Yes, fake is easy, and it is probably cheaper, but I think there is something special about going to a Christmas tree farm with the family and picking out a real fir tree.

I guess all my persistence in the past has paid off because this year I was finally able to convince my family that we should do a real tree. It's crazy to think that we live less than twenty minutes away from dozens of family-owned tree farms and we've always done a fake tree.

On Friday we all loaded up in our car and headed out on the search to find our tree.

Since this was our first time picking out a real tree none of us really knew what to expect.

There were so many trees to pick from, it was almost overwhelming.  Trees of all kinds, different shapes and sizes.

After about an hour and a half of looking we finally found our tree! And our tree ended up being over ten feet tall!

Our outing was a wonderful success.  We found our tree and even though it took longer than we expected, we all had a wonderful time together as a family.  Lots of memories were made.

Now I can finally say that it feels like Christmas at our house. Hopefully picking out a real tree each year will become a new family tradition. 

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?  Which is better, a real tree or a fake better tree? Why?

Welcome Winter

The first snow of the season has turned our yard into a small winter wonderland.  It may only be four inches, but it's enough to fill me with excitement at the sight of the huge snowflakes falling from the sky.

As I survey our yard I'm amazed at how quickly the world is covered in this cold white blanket of snow.  It's truly a beautiful sight.

"Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow" Isaiah 1:18

What a wonderful reminder the snow is; that we can be made white as snow because of what God has done for us.  

With the Christmas season now fast approaching let us never forget the reason for the season; Jesus coming into the world to save sinners.  May the snow always be a beautiful reminder to you of Gods great love.

A Simple Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!  The pumpkin pies are out of the oven and ready for tonight.  I'm doing my best at creating a gluten free apple pie crust. The house is beginning to smell like turkey and slowly but surely our Thanksgiving dinner is coming together.

This year's Thanksgiving for my family is simple.  No huge family reunion, it's just my family this year for Thanksgiving.  But I believe it's the simple things in life that are the most beautiful.

It's when we have little that we are able to look around and be thankful for much.  God has blessed me in so many ways this year and I can't wait to see how he will bless me even more in the year to come.

I hope this Thanksgiving you remember take the time to count your many blessings. There is always something to be thankful for each and every day.

"Oh give thanks to the Lord for He is good his steadfast Love endures forever."  1 Chronicles 16:34

Sharing Love One Leaf at a Time

I know fall officially started last month, but it really hasn't felt like fall until, well, about right now. The cooler weather has finally come!  And so has the beautiful color change in all the leaves on the trees.

Less than ten minutes away from where I live there is a neat place called Apple Hill.  If fall was a place you could go and visit it would be this place.  You can go and enjoy beautiful vista's while you munch on delicious apple pastries, and, my favorite, caramel apples!  

Since we live so close to this wonderful place I'm sad to say we hardly ever visit.  But today we packed a picnic lunch spent a lovely afternoon at one of the Apple Hill Farms.  As we were walking around looking at all the craft booths I started picking up all the pretty leaves I spotted on the ground. Soon I had a nice collection of fall leaves in many beautiful shades of yellow, red and orange.  An idea popped into my head and I took my marker and wrote little notes on each of the leaves I collected.

I wrote things like "Smile", and "you are loved", and "happy fall".  I also made a leaf pun; "I be-leaf in you".  

Next was the fun part.  As we were walking around I kept my eye's peeled for the perfect spot to place each leaf.  I looked for a spots that were out of the way enough so the leaves would not be stepped on, but I also didn't want the leaves to be hidden.  

Before long  my hands were empty and each leaf found a new home.  My sister even put one leaf inside one of the apple crates in the store.

I don't know if anyone will find these leaves, or if the wind will claim them.  Maybe they will get trampled on and forgotten.   But I hope that these leaves at least make one person smile. 

It was so much fun spreading love around in this unique way! My sister and I have decided to do this again on our next outing to Apple Hill.

My True Home

I cannot describe to you the joy that fills my soul when I hear the waves crashing against the shore and feel the wet sand beneath my feet .  A huge smile spreads across my face.  I could stay here forever.  The ocean is home.

Yet, as I stand on the beach taking in the sights and breathing in the fresh sea air, I am reminded of my true home.  No, not my home here one earth, but my heavenly home.

"And I am going to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 14:3

Standing on the beach, with the ocean before me I can't imagine a better place to be.  The glories of heaven is a mystery to me.  My human mind cannot imagine it.  But I know one thing;  My king will be there and He is all I need.  

I'm challenged each day with a new goal in life.  To live for Jesus and to keep my eyes on the things above and not to follow the ways of the world.

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal". 2 Corinthians 4:18

Jesus is becoming my everything.  He is my joy, my comfort, my peace, my protector, my friend and He is my Savior.

One last time  I gaze out at the ocean, this time with a new perspective. I know that God's love for me is deeper than the deepest part of the ocean. With each wave that hits the shore I am reminded of the great promise God has given me.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

Fall is Here

Fall is finally here!  I can't tell you in words how excited I am!  Oh how I missed you fall.  I'm so glad your back.  

I had my first Pumpkin Spice Latte today to celebrate!  It was delicious, of course.  I need to find a good homemade recipe for  this drink.  I'll be sure to share it with you all once I find one.

I hope you all had a wonderful first day of fall.  Now I can wear my boots and scarfs and dream about pumpkin pie and everything else that comes with Fall.  

Let me know in the comments  what your favorite part about fall is, and what  your favorite fall drink is?