I'm Done

...with all my Christmas shopping!!! Yep, that's right, it's all done and it's only October 15th. This is the earliest I have EVER finished shopping for Christmas, and I intend to thoroughly enjoy every minute of the upcoming season since Jason will be gone next Christmas. This also means that I will start putting up some of my Christmas decorations in November, before Thanksgiving. I don't usually do that, because it tends to overshadow the Thanksgiving holiday, but we are headed home for Thanksgiving and it will be nice to have it all put up when we return. All of it but the tree, that is. We'll be bringing our live tree from the mountains back with us after Thanksgiving, as it's our family tradition to go cut our own trees from the lots up in the beautiful mountains. We'll put that up and decorate it the day we get back. There's nothing like the smell of a freshly cut Christmas tree. Oh, and in all my Christmas shopping glory, I found the most heavenly scent for the Christmas season. It's called Silver Bells by Yankee Candle. It smells like an evergreen, but something in it makes it smell just a little different from every other evergreen candle I've smelled. It will live in my house a little closer to time.

Only 71 days 'til Christmas!!!

It's That Time of the Season

It's the fair! Pretty lights, kids running around, the yummy smells of food you can only get at the fair, the overpriced games, the fast, spinning rides. We're headed there tonight. I love the fair in the fall.

Star Struck Part 2

A couple of weeks ago, the USO, and the CW hosted a concert for the troops and their families here in our town. I'm a big fan of One Tree Hill, and that's who was here. Several of the cast were here, and several preformed. It was so exciting! I have been watching that show since it came on, and it's now in season 6. Come to find out, Hillarie Burton (from the show) has been doing alot of volunteer stuff for the troops with the USO. I like her even more now:)

Bethany Joy Galeotti (from One Tree Hill) singing:

Me and Jason, I look pretty stoked!
Hillarie Burton:
Kate Voegele (who also guest stars on the show as Mia):
Sophia Bush & Hillarie Burton:
Angels & Airwaves (not a huge fan, but still pretty cool):

The whole night was completely free, it really makes me happy when people do extra stuff for our heroes and their families. Oh, and then the next day, my honey took me to see the places that they film One Tree Hill, since they film out of Wilmington, and that's just a hop, skip and jump away. That was totally neat too, now I just have to go back during filming season, so I can maybe meet some of them;o)

Cookie Baking Day

So, the time rolled around to make some more chocolate chip cookies. But this time was different. This time, I had the best little helper ever. He's a short little fella with blonde hair and the cutest little dimples I've ever seen. Yep, it was my beautiful nephew, Austin. He and his mommy came for a wonderfully enjoyable week long visit last week. Cookie baking was definately more fun with my extra little set of hands.

Our yummy batter:

Cleaning the mixer paddle for me:Can I have some more?
Got the milk...check!
Time to chow down!

Yummy! That was fun and tasty!

Star Struck

So, the past couple of weeks have been full of celebrities for me down here in good ole NC. Today I'm just gonna focus on the one I met yesterday. Nicholas Sparks. He is my faaaavorite author. His books have inspired the movies Message In A Bottle, A Walk To Remember, The Notebook (my favorite), and the newest one, Nights In Rodanthe (which I saw last night and loved...of course). Nicholas Sparks is native to Eastern NC, and was doing a book signing in our area for his new book, The Lucky One. Now, you may think I'm crazy for standing in a 5 hour line, but to me, it was well worth it!

Smiling for the camera:

Picture with ME:)

Signing my book:

He even personalized it:

Yeah, yesterday was a pretty awesome day.

Happy Birthday to my littlest sissy, who isn't so little anymore! I can't believe that today you become a teenager! Jason and I love you so much, and I am so proud of the young lady you have become. Enjoy your day, sweetheart!

Never Forget...

On his birthday

We miss you and love you so much.

Feeling A Bit Under The Weather

Chicken Broth & Vitamin C...check

Lots of Fluids...check

A nice calming autumn scent...check

A sick day activity...check

I see a nap in my near future...

Fall Decorations are UP!

Welcome Autumn!

My pretty punkin flag waving in the breeze:

Sweet little grapevine punkin:

Yummy smells of fall!

Cute fall leaf tealight holders:

Fall/Halloween theme candy for the candy dish:

TV Stand DecorationPunkins EVERYWHERE!
More Punkins and Leaves
A new fall hand towel for the kitchen
Yay for fall decoartions!

Now, hopefully Tropical Storm/Hurricane Hanna doesn't come blow all my pretty decorations away. We're praying for a mild storm with no damage, and that the other storms will disappear!

We're Gettin' Closer

Yep, we officially have only 20 days until Fall is here. I'm already feeling the cool in the air in the evenings. Even down at the coast. I'm loving it. Tomorrow is a day for decorating. If I can find all my punkins, leaves, fall smelling candles, and wreaths. Maybe I'll put my sweet hubby on that tonight. Pictures to come...

I Did It!

I finished my first project with my new sewing machine:) I made Christmas pillows for our couches! After a successful trip to Hancock*Fabrics, I came home with two pillow forms (feather, because they are sooo much comfier), that were on sale for 40% off, aaaaand some cozy fleece for my next project: a soft, oversized winter robe in gray and pink. The fleece was 30% off to boot. Round the trip off with some new bobbins and thread (both 50% off!), and I was a happy gal. I immediately came home to stuff and sew up these cute little pillows. They are sooo soft and they have pictures of the sweetest little penguins playing in the snow. And to make it even better, there are little log cabins and Christmas trees on them too. Can you tell I'm ready for the holidays? You should be able to see the pattern better in the 2nd picture. I think I did ok for my first time:)

Happy Anniversary!

To my Ashley, and her husband, Matt! We love you guys so much, and hope you have a terrific anniversary weekend:) Like Mom said, we are so proud of the couple and the parents you have become!

I'm So Ready...

FOR FALL!!!!

Temperatures nearing 100 degrees today, doesn't cut it for me. I don't like extreme heat, makes me nauseated. I'm tired of the heat. I'm a cool/cold weather type of gal. Here's some things I LOVE about fall:

~Blue Jeans

~Hoodie Sweatshirts

~Sweaters

~Turtlenecks

~Boots

~Jackets and sometimes coats

~The smell of cold crisp air

~The colors of autumn

~Punkins (as we so fondly call them here in the south)

~Picking out the perfect punkin at the patch

~Thanksgiving

~Warm, homemade, seasonal food (think punkin pies!)
~Hot chocolate from Starbuck's

~Family time by the wood burning fireplace at Daddy & Momma's

~Campfires with S'mores

~Leaf Piles

~Smells of cider and cinnamon

~Yankee Candle's Autumn collection

Ok, well, I could go on and on, but I'll stop here. We have 47 days until the first day of fall. September 22, it's on a Monday.

I'm so ready.

An award

My sweet sister, Alaina nominated me for this award. Thank you, hon!

Once an award is received,the rules are as follows:
1. Put the logo on your blog.
.2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Add links to those blogs on your blog.
5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blog.

As my policy in the past hasn't changed, if you visit here, or I've commented your page before, consider your self elected for this award:)

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!