clean shaven

Inspired by Seth and his co-worker's facial follicle fanaticism, I created a display in our library to celebrate National Beard Month earlier this month. I snapped a quick picture before I cleared the table to make room for December's display.

christmas at the old mill

I designed a flyer for the first annual "Christmas at the Old Mill" at the Old Mill of Guilford (where I sell some of my crafts).

wading

This little guy was one of my mother-in-law's favorites. One bird from the Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park.

follow your nose

Another one of the beautiful birds at the Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park.

red eye

We enjoyed a picnic on the waterfront (complete with Bill's Hotdogs) and a fun afternoon at the Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park. This beautiful variety of pigeon was one of my favorites.

alice the camel

Lunch and a walk on the boardwalk with a very dear friend and her newest family member. We managed to get one or two photos before my camera battery died.

cotton pickin' cousins

I'm thankful for so many blessings this year, including a WONDERFUL family!

birthday wishes

A very happy birthday to my favorite sister-in-law!

musical muppets

The technology of the needle on vinyl never ceases to amaze and captivate me. Rocking out to John Denver and the Muppets' Christmas album on the record player (the only way I can stand to listen to Christmas music this early). :)

i'll have my skate medium rare

I don't know if Gromit's ready to start skating yet.

Now grandpa, just sit in the office chair and look into the camera. We want a nice serious pose to sell this dapper suit you're wearing.

Ah, the adventures of Mighty Dollar, where everything is made in China (or "Chana", as one product proclaimed). It's sad when you actually misspell your own country's name.

branching out

So I decided to move my new centerpiece to the mantle, and I'm sooo pleased with how it looks. I also broke my rule put the rest of our Christmas decorations BEFORE THANKSGIVING. And yes, it was 75 degrees here today. Nothing like decorating for Christmas in short sleeves with the windows open. :)

We're going to use these adorable little pouches to leave little notes and candies for each other in the 12 days leading up to Christmas.

first signs

The first signs of Christmas are showing up in our house. This project was inspired by a Thanksgiving centerpiece featured in the November 2011 edition of Better Homes & Gardens Magazine. I chopped off a nice curvy branch of our crepe myrtle, spray painted it white, and hung ornaments on it.

tree pose

It won't be long until he'll be walking on his own!

multiple choice

This face means:
A. I'm really excited to be playing in the leaves
B. If mommy's over there, who's holding me?
C. How you doin'?
D. I'm filling my diaper

peek-a-boo

You have no idea the silly faces being made behind the lens to give this tiny little grin...

mum's the word

I've decided to declare this Everett-week. He's too adorable to limit it to just a couple of snapshots. :) Here we are destroying a little vegetation at church.

one for the road

One more of my adorable nephew for the road...

meet me under the maple

Photoshoot with Everett under the Japanese maples at Fletcher Park after church.

happy first birthday, everett!

Even though Everett wasn't feeling 100%, he still had a fun birthday party, complete with a lovely cake, lovely gifts, and lovely friends and family who came over to wish him a very happy birthday.

molly

The adorable Ms. Molly, my favorite four-legged niece.

like a good neighbor

Since I've fallen behind on posting, I'm going to back-date a few pictures I took from the weekend of the 12th while visiting my sister-in-law and her family. These showcase the aftermath of the deadly tornadoes that ripped through Bradley County, TN, earlier this year. The homeowners of the property pictured center are still feuding with their insurance company. Other homes were severely damaged and abandoned (left) or completely decimated (right). We're so grateful my sister-in-law's house suffered minimal damage (comparatively), and that everyone was safe and sound!

sundrop

A little dramatic lighting before the sun dropped rapidly from the sky. It's hard to adjust to it getting dark at 5:30!

better late than never

So I forgot to wish a very special someone a happy birthday earlier this week, but I figure it's better late than never. I think I did what my mom always does and mixed up her birthday with my grandmother's birthday (which would have been today). Happy belated birthday, my sweet S-Boy!

cobbled courage

My monster-truck skates after Seth got done switching out the wheels (from a yard sale find), ball bearings (from my evil rollerblades), and bolts (from Lowes). Now if I can only get up the courage to skate again...

CAPitalism

I've been slaving away scrubbing, drying, and drilling bottle caps. I made 45 pairs of earrings this weekend, with more on the way!

lemon tree

One from the archives, taken on the pinnacle trail at Mt. Jefferson.

tearful foliage

A cold, rainy autumn day.

tangerine

I absolutely love fall, although if you really think about it, it's depressing. The leaves are dying and the long, cold winter is drawing near.

crisp

There are a few beautiful trees out there. Not in our yard, of course, but mostly in neighbor's yards and parking lots. No, our trees seem to have gone from green to brown to ground all in one swift motion.

...he loves me not...he loves me!

I am far too practical and cheap to enjoy delivered bouquets, but I made an exception this time. Seth had a basket of daisies delivered to me at work on Friday for our anniversary. Daisies are my FAVORITE flowers--I love their simplicity, beauty, and longevity.