{pretty, happy, funny, real...September Snippets}

                                                                My late sunflowers

                                          Elle and Thomas on the path at Gorman Nature Center.

                                                              Beauty along the trail.

I have been sorting, organizing, and cleaning out the basement and I came across this little chalkboard.
If I close my eyes I can see John (probably about 8 years old) standing at the bottom of the driveway holding this sign.

Back to Gorman Nature Center...as we were hiking down the trail who did we see walking towards us with a big smile on his face but Fr. Beaver.

               
                                                                                Selfie!

Birthday Fun

                             Thomas enjoying 15th Birthday fun...dinner at The Cheesecake Factory...

        Homemade ice cream cake recipe courtesey of Beth Phillips. Always a big hit at our house!

                             Thomas and 2 of his favorite people...Grandpa Korte and Papa!

                     May God bless you in many special ways this coming year
                                                           and watch over you as you begin driving in the spring!

Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real... Mostly Happy!

I found this book on the library shelf and it has been a treat. It seems every time I turn around I am hearing or reading about beauty and art and creativity.  I have always loved to create though I have never felt I was particularly good at it. One of the most wonderful things about aging is realizing it doesn't matter...what matters is that it makes me happy. And you know what they say...if mama is happy...everyone is happy!
So I have a fall plan of creativity in the works. More on that later.

                                             Another thing that makes me happy..campfires!

and all things apple...cider and donuts and just picked apples! oh yes and peaches make me happy too!

                                     I found this incredible smelling soap at the apple orchard!

                                        I realized it has been a year since I started bread baking.
                                        I am happy with how the bread it turning out these days.

Geese in the field on my early morning walk...my presence did not bother them in the least.

                                        St Mary's Family Festival....family time, funnel cakes
                                                                                         and cotton candy!

Celebrating Granny and Papa's Birthdays

                                  Birthday cake for Granny and Cherry Pie for Papa. 

We gathered on Sunday of Labor Day weekend at Maureen and Larry's for a combined birthday celebration. It was a relaxing day of eating, visiting, and of course celebrating these 2 very special people.

                                                        Polly Pocket and Pintrest  Time

I love spending time with my family. We ate, played cards, talked about a variety of things and at one point broke out the Polly Pockets and reminisced.

                
                                                                     Old Friends!

Michelle and Hillary spent the weekend together and so made the trip from Springfield to Louisville to help us celebrate Granny and Papa. Love when these 2 girls get together.  They always come away from their time together with lots of plans and ideas. This time it is book clubs, building tiny houses, and creating natural products.  Friends are truly one of life's greatest blessings!

September Beginnings

     First Day of School....very 1st day of public school for Thomas after 9 years of homeschooling

It is hard for me to believe that John is a senior and Thomas is a freshman. Where did those years go. I feel so blessed to have been able to share the years homeschooling with my boys and I am excited as they go out into the world. I pray each day for them their teachers, the staff, and all their classmates.
 

                                 The same boys 5 years ago. Yes seems just like yesterday!
 

                        Thomas going into Lexington High School for the first time as a student!

                                                                Foggy morning walk

I started walking in the mornings this summer. It has been such a blessing. I pray my rosary for families and pray for the people living in the houses I pass. I am also enjoying noticing so many treasures along the way. Birds, deer, turkeys, geese, mushrooms and even the beauty of foggy mornings.