Summer Homebody

Although I have lived in the south my whole life, I am completely convinced I have a northern soul- or at least anything north of florida. I long for fall all summer and love a good dose of each of the seasons. I really don't mind 95 degree weather two or three months a year- but six or seven months?? It is just too much for me. I get my dose of the outdoors in the morning and evening- where we take family walks to the pond, spend evenings in the park and mini zoo days thanks to having passes and living only a mile away.

My favorite thing in the summer is when there is a rainy day that invites me to sit out on the porch ( which thankfully there have been many this summer.). I love how the summer rains come assisted with a breeze that funnels through our new front porch, so that when sitting out there, I can feel perfectly comfortable with a hot cup of coffee or tea. The best part after the rains is when Preson runs and gets his rain boots (and dont forget his cars, too!) for a good puddle splashing. He really is all boy!

Even though I have lived in the sunshine state most of my life, I don't even enjoy the sunshine (or at least the heat of it), but rather LOVE a good gloomy rainy day- WHAT. is. wrong. with. me!? Any tips out there for a summer homebody? I get my beach-fix a couple of times before summer really kicks in, then I am pretty much over it. Growing up here, I was a sun worshipper- I loved being at the beach- getting tan (after getting fried), surfing to the the sunrise (thanks to growing up close to St Aug Beach) and taking long walks in between naps and magazines. This time in life is as far opposite from that season of life as I can think of, but one day I will return to those days with my children as they grow older.

The funny thing is that I am one of the biggest nature lovers you will meet. Living in Florida, I just prefer to do the outdoor thing in our shorter "kinda-seasons" of Autumn, Winter and Spring. Which is why I am ELATED that it is September! I know, I know, I know- It is still in the 90's. But this is the month that marks the beginning of the end of this dreadful long summer.

I am cautiously entering this tempting time of year on much better terms with my health. I am determined to keep it that way, too. I am slowly merging from pescatarian into a more plant based diet ("Forks over Knives", anyone??). I am not doing it to lose weight, but rather to just be healthy with the hopes that I will shed this weight in the process. It is my goal to continue eating healthfully and pass on the heavy casseroles and Starbucks drinks that I love so much. I will still bake since I love baking so much- but the goods will be going to friends and neighbors (ok so maybe Ill eat ONE muffin or cookie along the way). I think it is about living healthfully 99% of the time with treating yourself every now and then. I am not there yet, but I hope to get through these holidays with the idea of "eating to live, not living to eat".

So here is to FALL! I cant wait to finally ENJOY being outdoors, coming up with healthy alternative to cozy dishes with the very occasional indulgence...and here is to tackling the Fall Bucket list with my toddler that I spotted on Pinterest last week :)...

Dont Waste a Day

This week, Tommy is taking a break from teaching to get caught up on some tedious church projects, work toward his ordination and to just spend some much needed quality time as a family. We spent the first 2 days of the week taking turns sleeping in while the other cared and tended to the baby. We have made it a point to just relax and do whatever tickles our fancy at that moment! We took an afternoon to go see the movie, "Where the Wild Things Are"- this was actually Preson's very first movie theater experience. It was interesting to say the least! :) Why did I ever think he would possibly sleep through the movie? And Tuesday we went on a beautiful drive to a highly recommended destination, called Barn&Stable (snaps for Cyndi for sharing this treasure with us!). I felt like I had taken a trip to Amish country. They had a christmas shop stocked full of twinkling christmas trees and scented candles. It was precious watching Preson take in all that beauty - and for the first time it sunk in, that this is Preson's 1st Christmas! I hope it will be so special for him!

After exploring the Christmas shop we had a picnic lunch on a veranda overlooking a pond full of lily pads! It was so cute- they bring you out a little picnic basket with your order!

There was a beautiful antique store with the most extravagant furniture and stained glass. We decided we would come back when our next house is renovated and replace the upstairs dormer windows overlooking the street with a stained glass one as the finishing touch! Before we even get started it is something to set our sites on as we venture into this new chapter of life. All in all, it was a great time of rest and fulfilling time with my family.

autumn lover

I love fall. Doesnt everyone?- especially us Floridians despite the late start. The first whiff of crisp dry air sends me weeding through my winter clothes in search of a light sweater to cozy up in. The air gets turned off and all the windows and doors come open and Tommy turns on his bluegrass.

I get slightly giddy over how Seminole Heights (our little historic urban neighborhood) comes to life in the fall. Everyone is almost magnetically drawn outdoors for a walk with their loved ones and puppy dogs. The parks become flooded with children playing tag and the Starbucks on the corner becomes unusually busy. It's probably just me, but it feels just the slightest bit like a northern town.

One of the things I look forward to most are the long drives my husband and I make a point of taking every few weeks along

the countryside. Dade City and Tarpon Springs are usually our destination while stopping off along the way at antique shops and fruit stands for some hot boiled peanuts. The sounds of Anathallo, Devendra Banhart, Jon Foreman and Cocoon bring back these wonderful memories.

I recently was researching local pumpkin patches and came across Sweetfields Farm-an organic pumpkin patch up in Brooksville. Later this month, when the weather cools down a bit, we will take a day with close friends and family for hayrides and pumpkin pickin'!

Hopefully this fall we will be able to take a trip to the mountains at some point. I dream about bundling Preson up in his knitted teddy bear beanie and putting him in his sling for a hike. I cant wait to share with Preson all the fall activities that I grew up with and begin giving him some wonderful memories to take with him in life!

God is so good- he draws my undivided attention to him as he changes the seasons. I sense Him in nature and he renews my spirit each year at this time.