Sunday Inspiration: Birthdays

 

Sunday Inspiration: Fountain of Youth

 

Currently: November 2022

November is going to be an excellent month!  Can't you just feel it?  This is always my favorite month of the year, but it's going to be extra special this year.

Working On: Getting my Etsy shop ready for the busy holiday season.  I'm taking a short break for the first few weeks this month before things get hectic.  I need to get everything ready for the Black Friday/ Cyber Monday sale.

Celebrating:  November is always a big one for celebrations.  Today is my birthday. The Big 5-3!  Of course there's Thanksgiving.  And the Man of the House and I have plans for celebrating our wedding anniversary this month.  Thirty years deserves a big celebration - don't you think? 

Wanting/Needing: You know what?  I can't think of a single thing!  Unless it's a few extra hours in the day to take care of everything I need to be doing this month. 

Eating: It's officially soup season!  Which means I'm cranking up the slow cooker and enjoying all the soups, stews, chilis and gumbo.  It makes my heart - and my tummy - happy!

Loving:  I think it's pretty obvious by now that I am loving just about everything about November

Goals for November:

• Set up Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale for Etsy shop
• Post Bath and Body items from Etsy to FB shop
• Decorate for Christmas

What are your plans for November? Share in the comments!

Sunday Inspiration: The Longer I Live

 

Sunday Inspiration: Happy Birthday to Me!

 

Dedicated to the One I Love

As of today, this guy completes one more trip around the sun and begins another.

And I am the incredibly lucky lady that gets to take the journey with him!  I am so very blessed to have him as my husband, my biggest cheerleader, my shoulder to cry on, and my best friend.

I don't know how he does it, but every year he just gets better and better.  He's even better looking now than at 19 when I first met and fell in love with him.

Happy Birthday!

You've Lost That Youthful Feeling

Want to feel old?  No? Please? I could really use the company.

Tomorrow my "baby boy" turns 21!

About 16 years ago...

I know what you're thinking - how can I possibly be old enough to have a 21 year old son? I think the same thing to myself all the time!

But it's true.  Not only that, but this is my youngest child.  Which might just make me officially "old:.

They say "you're only as old as you feel".   If that's true - some days I'm 26, and on a few days I'm about 85.  Fortunately,  there are many more of the "26 year old" days.

What do you do to help yourself keep that youthful feeling?

Closer to 50

Last week was my "half birthday".  You know, 6 months between one birthday and the next.  (Apparently, for some people that 's a thing.)  Even though I don't normally observe half birthdays - this seems like a good time to give an update on how I'm doing on my "Before 50"  list! 

 

1.  Finally lose that extra weight that I have been carrying

2.  Visit at least 1 new destination.

3.  Read at least 5 books I've never read before from this list
So far I have read:

•   Anna Karenina
•   Fahrenheit 451

  
4.  Be vegetarian for a month
We did this for two weeks, rather than a month.  I think the Man of the House and I could have gone the full month, and may still give that a go later this year.  But after going along for two weeks, the Male Offspring was ready for some meat-based protein.  

  
5.  Take one of the specialty tours at Biltmore

  
6.  Join a crochet/knitting group

 7.  Learn to meditate
I used "The Basics" on Headspace to help me get started. After that I switched to an app called Insight Timer for another series on meditation basics and now use it as a timer for most of my meditation sessions. I like that the timer includes options for nice ambient sounds and bells. Occasionally, I use a Christian meditation app, Reflect, for some Scripture focused meditation.   I practice meditating several days a week and I am really enjoying the quiet time to give my mind and spirit a chance to clear out and refresh.  

  
8.  See a play (or two. I adore live theatre and don't know why I don't go more often)

  
9.  Get my office organized once and for all

10.  Take a yoga class

11.  Get a really good haircut by a curly hair specialist

12.  Go to a movie by myself

13.  Go to bed super early and get up super early for one week.  Or a  month.
I tried to do this last week, but life got in the way and I never seemed to make it into bed until 10pm every night.  So, now this week is the week!

14.  Send postcards whenever I go out of town or visit somewhere new

15.  Overcome my fear of heights

Before 50

Last week I officially celebrated my very last 40-something birthday.  Which means that in slightly under one year, I will turn the big 5-0!  It's hard to believe that I am facing down a whole half century of life.

Birthdays always make me reflect on the past and dream about the future.  This one even more than usual. I've never created a "bucket list".  In all honesty - for some reason the term "bucket list" makes my skin crawl a little bit.  I don't know why.  Just does.  Maybe it seems a little morbid.  I'm not slamming anyone with a bucket list.  If you have one - more power to ya!  I just don't. 

I want to make the very most of this last year of my 40's, and face 50 with joy and excitement for whatever the next half of my life may hold.  Which led me to make a list of 15 things I would like to do, see, or accomplish over the next year before I turn 50 .  Some of those "someday I should" things, a few things that scare me a little and a couple of "well, why not" things.

1. Finally lose that extra weight that I have been carrying.  
2. Visit at least 1 new destination
3. Read at least 5 books I've never read before from this list 
4. Be vegetarian for a month
5. Take one of the specialty tours at Biltmore
6. Join a crochet/knitting group
7. Learn to meditate
8. See a play ( or two. I adore live theatre and don't know why I don't go more often)
9. Get my office organized once and for all
10. Take a yoga class
11. Get a really good haircut by a curly hair specialist
12. Go to a movie by myself
13. Go to bed super early and get up super early for one week.  Or a  month.
14. Send postcards whenever I go out of town or visit somewhere new
15. Overcome my fear of heights

Party Like It's Your Birthday

Ever feel like the weekend is one big party?  That was this past weekend for us!

Saturday we helped celebrate the 50th birthday of a dear friend. And it was a day-long event!  We began just after lunch time by heading into downtown Asheville to the French Broad Chocolate Lounge. 

It was, in one word... Amazing!  I had a lavender and honey liquid truffle.  Which was so yummy.  The Man of the House had a "chocolate sip" - which was ridiculously rich and delicious.  And we split a chocolate nib brownie, which was... so good there are no words!

If you are in or around the Asheville area and haven't been here yet - GO!  Unless you are maybe one of those rare people who doesn't like chocolate - in which case, don't.  But, you really should.

From there, we all headed to the Grove Park Inn to relax in the Great Hall and take some photos out on the terrace.

Afterward, her husband surprised her with a dinner where we all enjoyed some good food and company. 

The birthday celebrations continued into Sunday afternoon with the grand baby's 5th birthday party.  I keep saying this - but I guess it's time to stop calling him the grand "baby", especially now that he's five.  He's definitely not a baby anymore.

He had a wonderful day with a Minecraft themed party, a yummy cake, and best of all - a piñata!

It was a busy weekend.  We had a lot of fun.  We may or may not have eaten an extreme amount of sugar. (We did). 

Did you do anything fun this past weekend?

My Love

Today we celebrate the Man of the House's birthday.

I adore this man!  He's so much more than just my husband.  He's my best friend, my rock, my biggest supporter, my fellow explorer/traveler, and my heart's joy.

Happy Birthday to the love of my life!

Under The Sea

I meant to share pictures of the adorable cake the female offspring made for the grand baby's 4th birthday and somehow never got around d to it.  Eeks!  So, over a month after the fact...

It was an Octonauts themed party, so she created this adorable underwater cake with Captain Barnacles and a Sea Urchin figure setting on top.

I wish I had thought to take a picture of the inside.  It was four layers.  She used food coloring to make each layer a slightly different shade of blue for an ombrè  effect.

Our girls got some mad baking skills!

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

FOUR!

Four years ago yesterday at 8:35am, a 10 pound 2 ounce bundle of joy entered our lives. The Man of the House and I officially became grandparents.  And it has been an amazingly fun, and exhausting, four years!

To celebrate his birthday, I did a little interview with the grand baby (at what point do I have to stop calling him that?)  Here are the results:

How old are you?
I'm four

What's your favorite color?
Blue.  Like Sonic.

What's your favorite thing to do?
Playing Sonic and Pac-Man with the buttons on the Gameboy

What do you want to be when you grow up?
um... (big pause) um... mommy.  Oh!  An astronaut now.

What is your favorite food?
Cookies.  And breakfast.

What do you not like to eat?
Beans

What is your favorite animal?
Gorillas and monkeys

What do you like about gorillas?
About them climbing trees

I love:
Mommy

What is special about you?
Walking and running feet.  But I am a little fast, Oma.  I am a lot fast and a little fast!

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

Good-bye, November

Just about a month ago I was looking forward to my birthday, anticipating celebrating another anniversary with the Man of the House, and Thanksgiving was still weeks and weeks away.

Now, here we are at the last day of the month.  Time. Does. Fly.

November was a good month.  Full of blessings and things to be grateful for as I pursued my November Gratitude Challenge.

My birthday celebration lasted a full weekend, with dinners and lunches and a trip to the River Arts District in Asheville for a couple of lovely locally produced pottery pieces.

Not to mention all the moist, rich red velvet cake I enjoyed!  My family made me feel very loved and special.

The Man and I got away for a couple of nights mid-month when he had a softball tournament out of town.  I've already shared on that HERE, so I won't make you shift through all the details again.  (If you missed it before, please take a moment to read and enjoy that post!)

The weekend before Thanksgiving, I had the joy of celebrating 23 years of marriage to the Man of the House.  Speaking of time flying!  23 years goes by much quicker than I could have ever imagined! What's the old saying?  Time flies when you're having fun?  Yep!

We treated ourselves to annual passes to the Biltmore Estate where we spent the day enjoying the estate all decked out for Christmas, a wine tasting and had a delicious dinner at Deer Park.

We spent the night at the lovely Grande Bohemian hotel in Biltmore Village.  (To everyone who made our anniversary weekend special - a HUGE thank you!!)

Thanksgiving was the usual hustle and bustle with a house full of family.  Along with all the good (and some not so good) times that is expected to involve.  The Man of the House smoked the turkey - which was completely wonderful!

We're still eating leftovers around here.  And so far no one is complaining.  Although I am sad that all the pumpkin pie is gone.

And that was November.  Which brings go us to...

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

November Gratitude Challenge - Day 1

I Am Thankful For:

Sushi for lunch

Beautiful pottery pieces

A pretty necklace

Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino

Red Velvet birthday cake

A VERY happy birthday

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

Celebrating the Man of the House

Today is one of my favorite day's of the entire year.  It's the Man of the House's birthday. 
 
I've been searching my brain for a clever post idea to celebrate today.  Last year I did a post from the grand baby's point of view, and the year before I did 41 Reasons why I love him.   But this year, the clever just wasn't coming.

So, I decided to go with the sincere.  Here are a few things I want to celebrate about him on his birthday:

He's a great husband and father (and grandfather):  He works his behind off to support this family.  He leads with strength, encouragement, and kindness. He makes each of us feel valued, loved, and safe.  He is the glue that holds this family together.  And he puts up with me - trust me, that is saying a LOT. 


He's capable and talented:  Walk through our house with me, and I'll show you a million things he's replaced, repaired, or rebuilt!  There's rarely a need to call a handy man - I've got my handy man right here! 

He inspires me:  His work ethic.  His  kindness and compassion.  His self discipline.  His selflessness.  All things I admire and pray every day that our children have inherited from him.

He is my best friend:  He makes me laugh.  He encourages me to be more than I think I can, to do things that scare me, and to chase my dreams.  And he is there to comfort me when things don't go as I had hoped or when my feelings are hurt.  To help me along when things are tough.  To dry my tears when I cry.

He is the love of my life:  He is the biggest blessing in my life.  The best thing that ever happened to me.  I thank God everyday for letting me spend my life with him.

Happy birthday puddin' pop! I love you!

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

Two Years

My sweet, adorable, crazy, hilarious little grand son is TWO years old today!

Seems like just the other day I was writing about how I was completely Head Over Heels with this sweet new life.

Now here we are.. two whole years later.

He's into everything (and I mean e-ve-ry-thing!!)

He runs full speed from the moment he gets up in the morning until he falls asleep at night. 

He talks up a storm (gets that from his mommy!)

He has the most precious little curls

He makes me laugh every single day.

He has his grandpa completely wrapped around his finger.

I love him bunches and bunches (in case you couldn't guess that)

Happy Birthday Little One!!

Birthday Road Trip

Earlier this month, the family went up to Pigeon Forge for the day to celebrate my birthday.  It was such a nice way to spend a Saturday, I had to just share a little with you.

Normally, I dread a drive up I-40 through the Pigeon River Gorge.  The big trucks, the curvy road, and lane barriers and the mountains just make for one crazy, claustrophobic, scary ride.  Fortunately it was a lovely day, the traffic was light (with oddly very few semis) and the fall colors were just on the downside of peak.  It was beautiful!

The morning started with a stop I knew the male offspring would enjoy - the Smokey Mountain Knife Works in Sevierville.  After that we did some shopping at the outlets in Pigeon Forge, and then grabbed a light lunch.

Next up was my very favorite spot in Pigeon Forge... The Christmas Place!

I managed to talk the family into posing for some silly pictures.

I really love this store!  I could spend hours just looking at all the decorations and trees.  It's like getting to hang out in Santa's workshop!

From there we went down to the Old Mill.  Where we browsed in the shops... and bought far too much candy!

The day ended with dinner at my favorite restaurant in Pigeon Forge: Mama's Farmhouse. (you can read my previous rave review of it HERE) Seriously... if you like country cooking and are ever in Pigeon Forge you have GOT to eat here!

It was a wonderful day with the family.  Part of the perfect birthday weekend.  Which I don't think I thank the Man of the House enough for putting together for me! 

The Grand Baby Guest Post

Hi!  Because today is my C-pa's birthday, my Oma is letting me tell you a little bit about him.

C-pa is the name for my grandpa.  I don't know why, that's just what he's called.  But it's the coolest name ever.  I even have a little hand motion I do when I say it!  C-pa is the only one in the whole family who gets a sign along with his name.

He plays with me lots and lots!  He even sits in the floor when I tell him, and lets me jump off the ottoman.  It's OK, because I know he'll catch me so I don't get hurt.

He teaches me about football.  He likes to watch it a lot.  He says the best team is the Cleveland Browns (which confuses me, because their helmets are orange - not brown.  Maybe they should be the Cleveland Oranges.  I like oranges)

C-pa gives me all kinds of treats.  Whenever he's eating something yummy, all I have to do is climb up in his lap and he'll share with me!

He's very, very tall.  He is so tall, when he lifts me up I can touch the ceiling.  I like to do it over and over and over again!

 He makes me laugh.  He is so funny.

And he is the best peek a boo player I know!

My C-pa is a great guy.  We have a lot of fun together.

I hope he has a happy birthday today!