The Person You Are.

I found several really cool backgrounds at Home Made Simple - I really like that website. I downloaded several quote backgrounds for the computer - mostly to share here - and this one seemed to call my name today. 

"To dream of the person you would like to be is to waste the person you are."  Not saying we can't all work to improve ourselves, but we should appreciate who we are at the same time.  God made us this way for a reason! And obviously He had His reasons for creating us just the way we are. :)

I hope you have wonderful weekend plans in the works.  As for me, looks like I have a date with a 3-year-old tonight, lunch with a good friend on Saturday, dinner with the entire family on Saturday night and hopefully will squeeze in a trip to the local gem and mineral show on Sunday after church.

Sometime in all of that I need to make pancakes - my new favorite breakfast food! I make up several batches and freeze them, pulling them out for breakfast throughout the week.  With just a few seconds in the microwave, I have homemade pancakes ready to eat! My favorite right now is sweet potato... YUM.

Enjoy the weekend and I'll see you back here at least by Monday for the weekly MUFFIN MONDAY! :)

A Weekend Review

Oh my gracious, I can't begin to describe the incredible views that I saw in the mountains this weekend. Words can't accurately portray the amaziness that was before me, over and over and over.

From our balcony, the 180 degree view just didn't stop.  From sunrises, sunsets, and storms, every view was just beyond belief.  I couldn't believe that I could sit on the deck and see these mountains and clouds - and wildlife... wow, the wildlife!  Birds, Squirrels, Flying Squirrels, Chipmunks and even a bear (thankfully we only saw "evidence" of the bear...)

 Sunrise on the first morning.  Heavy cloud cover kept the sunrise colors at bay, but the way the sun lit up the entire clouds like glowing cotton balls still thrilled me.

Sunset on the last day we were there.  The sun actually set behind us, but thankfully the colors still bled over to the mountain from from the deck.  Although you couldn't see well through the trees behind us, the lights of Franklin would light up the valley of the mountain at night.

Stormy weather on the last morning we were there. Ok, all admit the weather had me nervous. Especially when the experts were calling for non-stop rain and we had to make it back down a gravel road... a STEEP gravel road. But thankfully, we made it back down just fine!

This is what it looked like on a sunny, pretty day! Imagine waking up to this every morning. I just can't imagine how you could ever take it for granted. And there were NO man-made sounds... just crickets and birds. The breeze was so cool and the leaves would rustle... *sigh* Just wonderful.

The mailboxes at the bottom of the mountain for all the homes up the mountain.  You can't even see them all in this picture, it was quite a sight.  Very entertaining, but let us easily identify where we needed to turn!

Follow the arrows to your cabin... Our arrows were the "Brown" arrows.  The farther up the mountain you went, the fewer the arrows became as you passed the cabins.  We were pretty much at the top, so we traveled up for quite some time.



The waterfalls we found driving to Highlands were just great.  This one - Dry Falls - was right on the highway with an easy-access recreation site to park and walk out on an overlook for pictures.  You could take a trail down the mountainside to walk behind the falls, where you wouldn't even get splashed (but I'm too lazy for that). 

Bridal Veil Falls, where you could actually drive underneath it.  I had to cross the road to see the top and the water just delicately splashed on some rocks below (you can't see in this picture) but it was very serene and peaceful.  A different kind of waterfall from the wild Dry Falls.

Have you seen enough?  I figure you have about now... so maybe I should just hush and let you go on about whatever you were doing before you stopped in here.  I could go on and on, though, because it was truly that amazingly beautiful, but I won't. I'll save some of it to torture you with later. :)

Muffin Monday



Look at that sweet kitten, wishing you the happiest of Mondays.  One ear cocked sideways to catch the faintest of noises in the direction of her food dish and one to listen to you! 

Hope your week is marvelous! :)  

Sunday Mountain Morning

I am sitting on our couch, in the quaintest little cabin at the top of a Carolina  mountain. The view, at any point of the day, is amazing.

As I type, the blue hills are layered in a panoramic view of beauty with the clouds tipped in pinks and golden oranges as the sun begins to rise.

The wind chimes are tinkling, a hummingbird is getting a sip from the feeder and I am simply enjoying it all.

Hymns keep filling my mind because I can't see something this majestic and not feel the hand of the Lord. I had said I wanted to see His artistry in the colors of the leaves and instead He showed me the colors of the sky, the blues of the mountains.

How can I not acknowledge the suspension of time and say thanks for all that has been given to me?  Because my blessing are beyond measure.

I hope you enjoy the beauty!  More photos will come, of course. ;)

Boo Boo Cocks!

Ellie Bellie, the sweetest little girl in the world, has learned a new cheer. 

"Gamecocks, Gamecocks, BOO BOO BOO

Tigers, Tigers, WE LOVE YOU!"

I have no idea who taught this to her, but it is THE cutest thing to watch her cheer.  Last night in Wal-Mart, she was chanting BOO BOO COCKS everytime she saw a Carolina item.  Very entertaining.

In this picture, you see that even at three-years-old, this child can draw a pretty good Clemson paw.  No doubt who she will be supporting as she grows up.

We had a great dinner last night, "Aunt Donna" and I with little Miss Ellie Bellie.  She is learning the alphabet at "school" and is currently on the letter D.  So all night we thought of words that would begin with either A, B, C or D.  And, if she was good, Aunt Donna would buy her one - only one - present at Wal-Mart but it had to start with the letter D. 

Her present:  A pink Dirt Devil vacuum.  Very cute. And, per the stipulation, it begins with D. She is a very smart little girl!

 

Is she not adorable in her stripey tights and tutu?  Aunt Donna told her she could only wear the tutu tights IF she could find a shirt that matched.  ... Well, here she is in her tutu tights! Good job, Ellie!  :) 

A Rose is a Rose is a Rose....

  

We can complain because rose bushes have thorns,
or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.
                                                                    --Abraham Lincoln

I know it is Autumn and therefore I should be posting pictures of warm browns and burnt oranges.  But, this is what is in my yard right now, which is tickling me pink!  I hope you will share in my excitement of having these beautiful flowers growing beside my cottage-y house in the boonies.

I wish they made scratch and sniff screens, because I can't describe the sweet smell of these flowers. And in the setting sunlight, they practically glow! I have one pink, two of the yellowish with pink tips, and they are thriving in the cooler weather.  I just can't explain how happy they make me.... but hopefully you can feel the enthusiasm radiating off of me. :)

Simple Advice

I have mentioned before how I adore Eleanor Roosevelt and her many quotes of wisdom.  Here is a link to the previous blog of adoration. 

Today, I'm all about this quote:

"A little simplification would be the first step
toward rational living, I think."

                                                        --Eleanor Roosevelt

*sigh* So true. So wonderfully true.  Simplification in all things - in our schedules, in our kids' schedules, in our materialistic desires, in our judgements, in our eating, in every aspect of life.  Allowing ourselves a moment to take a breathe and truly appreciate and enjoy those in our lives and the items that surround us. I know I've written about it before, but a reminder never hurt anyone.

Breathe. And enjoy life for where we are in it today. 

Muffin Monday

Muffin is feeling like most of us on this Monday...why is the lamp on and do I really have to get out of bed?  Lucky for her, she does not. But, for the rest of us, it's off to work we go.

Hope you have a wonderfully autumnal week!

Life is Good

Wouldn't you agree?



My Birthday Wish



Click here for a cupcake blog!!

 TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY! And I adore my birthday! For the past two years, I've used my excitement and aging to promote a very worthy organization to raise funds for - The USO.  Follow the link if you'd like to learn more about this awesome group.

This year, however, I know we are all broke. So I'm asking for another Birthday Wish, please.

*Beth's Birthday Wish* 

Please take a moment and send a card to my two guys I've adopted overseas.  The thoughts of our troops in harms way with no letters from home to keep their spirits high just rips my heart in two.  PLEASE, just jot a note down that says - "HEY, you are thought of, prayed for, cheered for - we appreciate you, you are a hero and we hope you come home soon". Or "HEY, Clover beat York last night - love that high school rivalry, my cat is awesome and supports our troops, too and the movie Thor was pretty awesome."

Seriously, it isn't rocket science to send a letter. And it take regular stamps, nothing expensive or fancy.

(For whatever reason, people are googling one of these addresses a little too much, so I'm removing the addresses from the web.  Also, these troops' addresses change frequently, therefore they may no longer be up to date. If you would like to send letters, cards, etc, please visit www.anysoldier.com and adopt your very own troop!)

Thank you for participating in my wish.  It will make me HAPPY, will mean the WORLD to a serviceperson overseas, and will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Promise. :)  Now, I'm blowing out my candle so the wish will come true!

Autumnal Face

"No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face."

                                                                                                   -- John Doone



I don't know about your neck of the woods, but here tomorrow we should be feeling the first kiss of autumn brushing our faces.  I can't wait! I love autumn, the colors and the brisk, fresh feeling in the air.  I like how the sun streams through the bright colored leaves so they almost glow.  It's exciting and energizing!

I can't help but look forward to a mountain trip, with the hills and hollers ahead of me, hopefully showcasing God'skills as an artist.  I am crossing my fingers that the colors will be bursting open, but I have a feeling I'll be just ahead of the curve.

But who cares! It will crisply cool, it will be briskly bright and it will be AWESOMELY AUTUMNAL!

Muffin Monday

Why is it that we can't do moves like this?? Ok, maybe you can, but I can't! One giant furball...

Happy Birthday to my dad! :) The best dad on the face of the earth, who still looks out for his little girl, even though I'm turning 36 in a matter of days.  He's been the best example of a good dad that someone can have.

On a side note, I realize I didn't post about 9-11.  Not that I won't. I may.  Many prayers have been said for those directly impacted by loss of family or first-hand experiences and for our nation as a whole.

I hope you have a good week, my imaginary friends. Hug someone you love this week!

A Hump Day Thursday

I swear, I love having Monday off, but it messes me up for the rest of the week! How am I supposed to remember that today is Thursday instead of Wednesday? I promise you, it felt like a hump day and not an almost-the-weekend day. 

But, it is almost the weekend (oh thank you!) and I'm looking forward to celebrating my dad's 65th birthday with the family. It's always nice to have my brother and sister-in-law at the table, too.  And hopefully my niece will be there, as well - truly having the entire family at the table! Awesome. :)

How adorable is this wallpaper? Computer screen background wallpaper, that is.  I was looking for something new for my computer at work and found this - at Blue Mountain I believe - and just had to have it. I actually downloaded quite a few for free but I did have to register for a free account. If you go there, look across the top and find the "Downloads" tab so you can get your own computer kitty!  Or a number of other cool backgrounds for the holidays and season.

MJ and I have been emailing today and I mentioned glow-y things to her... even if this isn't glowing with light, it's glowing with warmth and adorableness, so I'll consider it a glow-y thing. :)

One more day until the weekend!!! :) :) Watch out GOAT SHOW, here I come (my Friday plans!) Woop Woop!



Susan understands SAD

As usual, my heroine, SUSAN BRANCH, understands the Seasonal Affective Disorder. Or whatever it's called, I'm too lazy to look it up. Basically, as the days get shorter, my happy face gets droopier. This was apparent in the six day vacation from work last week, when storms started blowing through and my desire to clean my house began to diminish.

Even though I know we need the rain, my flowers and trees are begging for rain, the overcast gray skies just bring me down.  In Susan's Blog, she shows her cure - a light lamp.  Mine, I prefer something decorative and cutesy.  So I turn off the overhead lights and start turning on the lamps and glowy-things.

This would be a glowy-thing. A vine ball wrapped with white lights.  I spent part of my time off decorating for autumn and added the wreath.  I love the soft glow that just seems so warm and cozy.  I have light up twigs, mixed with real twigs that also make me very happy.  So basically I close all the curtains and ignore the fact that it's gloom and doom outside and make my little part of the world a bit cozier.

And because Tuesday felt like Monday, I think you need another picture of Muffin. Just because I want to. :)

One of her favorite places, sitting on the edge of the tub. She is such a sweet kitty. Ok, not really, but I love her anyway. :)

I'm so ready for fall and thankfully, we've had a break in the unbearably hot weather.  I'll admit, it was crisply cool last night, enough for me to wish for a light jacket. And this morning was a tad bit nippy. BUT, I'm loving it! Looking forward to the Beautiful leaves that will hopefully start changing colors just in time for my mountain trip with Gary. I want to do nothing but relax and look at beautiful scenery. :)

Speaking of beauty, please admire my very own roses, which I have grown myself!

Yes indeed, these came from the $5 clearance bin at Lowe's And they are loving my house, which makes me oh so very happy. These were taking just last week, so they are still blooming and being happy.

With all this now being shared, I believe I have spoken enough and it's time for me to head home and help dad peel pears for pear preserves. :)  His favorite. Have a great tail-end of the week!

Happy Labor Day

And Happy Muffin Monday!  In honor of the Labor Day holiday, Muffin and I plan on lying right here for most of the day.  We may move to a hot bath eventually. :)

I have to give a shout out to my parents, who celebrated their 41st anniversary yesterday. They are awesome parents and I thank God on a regular basis for them.

Hope you all have a great day! Enjoy the short work week!