Dear Fall (A Love Letter)

Dear Fall,

I miss you. It has been too long since we last met. Summer is giving me a terrible time- the red hot heat & humid air. Oh, won't you hurry back?

We always have such fun, you and I. I always love our time together. Your crisp, cool air and warm, bright colors give way to all my favorite things. I crave the baked treats I get to enjoy and the warm spiced drinks you bring to my lips. I toast a large cup of sin to you....I mean a venti Caramel Apple Spice. You make me fill my tv screen with my favorite of movies- "You've Got Mail", "French Kiss", "When Harry Met Sally". (Yes, you are apparently the season of Meg Ryan.)

Remember our time together last year? You gave us the perfect wedding present. You blew your cool breeze through my veil throughout the ceremony. You allowed the sun to brightly shine on your colors of gold, brown, and crimson red. No one complained of the heat or moaned in your presence. You followed us as we traveled those long miles away, making our cabin a vacation of dreams. You were even so kind as to follow us to our new home and stay with us awhile longer. How selfless you are, Fall.

I wish that you would hurry back to us. I wait so eagerly for you. I promise that when you return you will be welcomed into our home. I'll walk out to greet you daily and thank God nightly for your presence. I'll bake treats in honor of you and drink to your visit.

Oh, Fall, please come and rescue us. Summer has outstayed its welcome.

Love one of your most devoted friends,

Antiquing and School Supplies

I have to admit that there is one place here that I love to visit- the antique stores. There is actually an entire strip of shops devoted to selling antiques in our town. Even when I do not get to visit, I daydream about going sometimes. This past Saturday Justin and I made it a day of shopping. First stop- Cotton Port!

I briefly visited the front booths of the stores (as is my custom) before quickly, and yet ever so discreetly, walking to the first booth in the back. The reason for this planned route is my strong desire to keep all other eyes away from my favorite location- the old photos. Since I was 12 years old, I have come to know this favored spot from my mother. They keep two boxes filled with old photos; pictures from the mid 1800s to the late 1960s. If I ever posted all of my pictures, I would never find time to write again. Can you imagine throwing away family photos? For shame. For 5 to 10 cents I can adopt these strangers into my collection.

I actually felt quite lucky Saturday. I ran across this photo of a WWII Air Force class from Chicago. While I care nothing for Chicago personally, I found it impossible to leave these faces behind. They did too much for us to be left in the back corner of an old shop forgotten. Did I mention their names are written clearly on the back? I told Justin I want to try to find out about each of them one day.

I also found these dishes. They are small, but I thought they looked perfect for a fall table. I can not wait to put them out this year. Oh, how I wish fall would hurry it up!

After nearly two hours in the store (mostly in front of the pictures), we went to one other store. I'm sorry to say the shops were crowded that day. Before completely giving up on the quiet antique trip I was still dreaming of, we went to one other store. There, I found these old books.

Afterwards our antique trip, we made our way back into the modern world. We went to Target where the only thing on our list was a baby outfit for a sweet friend of mine who is expecting a grandbaby. By the way, is it just me or is it incredibly difficult to shop in the baby section of stores when you have no children? Maybe it is simply because I know several people that would love to catch us in the middle of such shopping and get carried away with ideas. *On a side note, not that I won't love when we finally have a reason to shop for ourselves, but such prospects are personal and the hopes of something so great are personal. Feeling as though I am under constant watch by those who I don't have a personal relationship with bothers me. Yes, perhaps more than it should.*

Back on subject, Justin reminded me that school supplies were out. He is such a sweetie! I was good. I only bought the necessities...obviously. :) Okay, so the excess amounts of scissors and glue are for the card party we are having in a couple of weeks. (Remember to stop by my Operation Christmas Card page.) Either way, we had no crayons, no markers, and no colored pencils in this house. How could I leave perfectly good school supplies behind? Impossible!

I also found "Sweet Home Alabama" on sale! I love this movie! It is such a classic. Afterwards we came home to relax and enjoy a home-cooked meal. Can you guess what we watched? I also finished making this bear to match the outfit we bought.

Well, I hope everyone had a great weekend. Tell me, am I the only one who overthinks shopping trips?

To the Newlywed Wife: Why Not to Watch The Parent Trap

Okay, okay, I know this title sounds crazy. Until about 30 minutes ago, I would have thought so to. Nevertheless, it is true. I could hardly wait to watch The Parent Trap with Justin tonight. He had never seen it, how much fun, yay! As if! We are not even half way through the movie and at least twice I have been brought to the brink of tears. As a child, I loved this movie. My family and I watched it all of the time and I loved the great story, beautiful sceneries, and some of my favorite actors. The problem tonight...I miss my parents.

There hasn't been even a second where I have regretted marrying Justin. I love the life that we have and this love that seems to overwhelm us on a daily basis. I have come to realize though that marriage & love for my husband does not dispense or cause you to forget the love that you have ALWAYS known. You find yourself missing the hugs and smiles and just everyday peaceful moments filled with the most random, wonderful, comforting moments that you know with them from the first second of your life until the minute you say "I do".

Remember the scene in The Parent Trap where Hallie runs up the stairs to meet her mother for the first time? Now obviously I don't remember the very first time I saw my mother, but I do know what it is now to miss my mother; to feel as though I have gone too long without her and worry over the next time I will be able to see her. I do know that wonderful moment when I find myself being wrapped in her hug for the first time in a while. I feel her wedding ring pressed into my shoulder as she hugs me, and I inhale the warm, sweet perfume that I've always known her to wear. Her beautiful blonde hair seems to glow even in the warmly lit room and I am just so grateful to see her smiling for real; in front of me again rather than simply in memory.

My mother has the prettiest white pajamas. I want some so badly!

Remember the scene where Hallie quietly explores her mother's room, grasping desperately for the glimpse of her mother she has so longed to know and wants so much to remember? Well, I used to watch that scene and think how beautiful the room was, how fragile and delicate the perfume bottles were, how elegant and nice her mother looked. I spent years afterwards looking at my own mother's perfume bottles and thinking the exact same thing. Mommy always had such an elegance about her and still does. She can cook up a storm, be covered in paint, prick her fingers with sewing needles & still look so soft and gentle. She looks as pretty in her jeans and tee shirts as she does in her heels and dress shirts. She makes everyone else pale in comparison simply because of all that she overcomes in the end. It doesn't matter how bad our days ever went or how mean someone was to us. My mother was and is the one woman I can count on to call things what they are, and yet remind me to be fair and strong at the same time. There are no games with her- just love and that overwhelms all else.

Now, remember the scene where Annie meets her dad after getting off the plane? Again, I don't remember the first moment I met Daddy, but my mother sure did tell me enough stories about it. So okay it wasn't our first meeting, but it was our first "conversation" of sorts. I was only a few hours old, and as if being a daddy wasn't overwhelming enough the whole daddy/daughter thing definitely surprised Daddy more that day. (Some bobo told men years ago that little girls are no fun.) Well, Daddy apparently wanted to decide for himself just what he thought of me. My mother woke up to find me missing from my hospital crib and being held by Daddy. She said we were both staring straight into each others eyes (yep, he was holding me right in front of him). She said she knew right then that we loved each other. *Note- I then spent the next 5 years showing him how great girls can be. My sister then came along to show him how much more fun girls can be. Then our brother came along to secure the fact that sons can be pretty awesome. :)* Y'all that story about brings me to tears because if I think about it he always did have a way with silence with me. It wasn't just what he said as what he did or the faces he made while thinking. Anyway, back to topic, I miss that. I miss seeing him and hugging him every day. I miss riding out to his work with dinners sometimes and feeling plum special because I was his daughter and I was proud of him. When Justin and I go visit them now, I love being wrapped into one of his hugs. I love how I feel as loved as ever. I love that extra squeeze when we see each other and that final one just before we go- almost as if he is trying to give me just a little more to hang on to until the next time.

All of this to say, if you are newly married and still adjusting to life without the presence of your parents do not watch this film unless tissues are near by. It's still a cute movie and the nostalgia is great. Still, unless you are seeing your parents tomorrow don't torture yourself. It will only make you want to drive the distance for a hug, steal a bottle of your mother's perfume, and then you will have to explain to your surprised parents (who thought you old enough and mature enough to marry in the first place) that your flowing tears began when you started watching The Parent Trap 45 minutes ago. Better yet, just suggest watching it next movie night at their house. It's probably much safer that way. :) What about you, any emotional movies for you?

P.S. If you are looking for something cheery to do, please take a minute to visit my Operation Christmas Card page. The contest is still open to participate!

And the Award Goes to...

Fun on an evening walk! Look at the lily pads in the back!

First, let me start by saying that if you are married already, you know that being married comes with some disagreements. If you aren't married, you should know that marriage comes with some disagreements. This said, it is OKAY. You marry a man. He marries a woman. Flaws, mistakes, and ugly sides come out left and right and no amount of coaching will ever help you contain them and save them for the "perfect" moments. I didn't marry my husband because he was flawless. I married him because I loved him. I married him because there was no man on earth I would rather argue with and forgive than my husband. There is no man I would sooner lean on in difficult times than my husband. Sure, I knew a little of what to expect of marriage, but nothing & no one could have prepared me for the reality that is Justin and I, together, married.

Forget flowers, chocolates, forget-me-nots...I'm not that kind of girl. What kind of girl I am, I could not have told you 9 months ago. Now, I know. I know what it is I was waiting on & wanting all along. I wanted sincerity. In steps Justin, my husband. Here are just a few examples of what he has done for me.

Just two weeks into our marriage, an emergency came up at work. It was frightening and sickening, and while I moved in auto-mode for hours that day there was one person that shone above the rest for me. While I hadn't the voice to call my parents and assure them that I was alright, I knew someone who would. While my strength wavered on a tight rope that afternoon, I found my husband ready and able to do anything that was needed. When I walked in the door of our apartment, exhausted and full of emotion, I found I could walk into his arms because he had left work early to be with me. He didn't say anything. I had worried over what to say, how to say it, but he had known...somehow he had known. He walked me to our room and pulled off my shoes. Without speaking, he opened his arms to me as we laid on the bed. He asked nothing of me, letting me find my voice instead. He listened when I finally spoke, and it was with the first signs of his emotion that I broke down for the first time that day. I remember he went to pick up a pizza for us that night, but before he left I mentioned taking a shower. He insisted he wouldn't leave until I was out and dressed again. He didn't want me to be afraid, not then; not ever. I fell asleep early that afternoon & slept hours longer than usual. He didn't get upset or fuss. He only held me the next morning & smiled as I headed back out to work.

Fast forward to more recent times. Thankfully I don't live daily excitement like that one. If I did I would never leave the house. Even so, Justin has come through for me many a time. A few weekends ago as I found myself questioning if God placed Eve in a witness protection program in Heaven (the question I habitually ponder once a month), I was once again in awe of the man God gave me to. As I lay fighting tears (you know the drill) my husband's gentleness broke through my pain. Ladies, things were looking bleak for me. Experience told me I would be out for 3 days. Recent experience told me I would be OUT for 3 days. We still had not purchased a heating pad. There were no more advil in the house. It appeared peanut butter sandwiches were what may be for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that weekend. Things were bad- really bad. Without hesitating, Justin set out to the store alone. He returned with all of the survival essentials and more. There were a few frozen items for dinners, 2 Hungry Man meals for lunch, a gallon of lemonade Gatorade (my favorite), and a gallon of ice cream with blueberries! I might have jumped up to greet him, hugged him for hours, watched Transformers as a tribute to his kindness. As it were, I thanked him for the next 36 hours, was walking about as though all was well after 24 hours, and still believe he found a miracle cure with the timely advil and Gatorade refills in that one day alone. (I should do more research on this last one. We could make a fortune.)

Then there was this week. Last Thursday our world was turned a bit upside down. I was given the option to return to work for the next few months; help out where I might. It was really a no-brainer for us. The location was perfect. The money would look good in savings. I loved my former employers & this time I would be working with coworkers that had treated me like family. As perfectly wonderful as this all sounded, I was still nervous. The possibilities, the mistakes I might make, all that I did not know took away the excitement, making me queasy and quiet at the most random moments. When our trip to the mall for pillows became the search for a new shirt, & then the purchase of 2 shirts, 1 vest, 1 sweater, 1 skirt, and 1 pair of flats, my husband only smiled and reached for the bags. When Saturday became Sunday and I insisted I had to do some "Spring" cleaning in the house, Justin jumped in and helped. He even ran to the store for a few items so I wouldn't have to. As Sunday rolled to an end, he grabbed the computer to burn a cd, even grabbing a few of my favorites from the internet. All of this seemed sweet to me, but what he said that night was what touched me most. "Let's see", he had said. "We have cereal for breakfast tomorrow. New, pretty outfits so you will feel pretty. Good music to play on the way to work. The house is all nice and clean. Looks like you are set." I could have cried. All weekend I had just thought he was being sweet to be sweet, because it is him. Then, he said that and I realized he had done all of it so that I would be at peace going to work Monday, so that I wouldn't worry about the house, or how I looked, and so that I would be energized with good music. He had done everything to help me get rid of my nerves and make sure that I was happy. He is pretty good at being selfless. He is very good at it actually. It is what you are supposed to be, isn't it.

I can honestly say that marriage is not a fairytale. No fairytale I ever read matched that of my life. It's not about the roses or the material gifts. For me, my fears are dragons, my nerves are thorns, my worries are dark shadows. Justin comes through for me every time, not on a white steed with shiny armor and sword, but with a heart that I did not imagine and a love that I thank God for every day. My advice to anyone who is married, or about to be one day, or happily single- don't dismiss the kindness of those who love you. True love is a rare and hidden gift in this world. It is too easily lost in the ideas of what love ought to be. It does exist, even where and when you least expect it and if you should be blessed enough to receive it, never let it go.

What sweet things has your loved one shared with you lately? What acts of kindness of left you in awe?

4th of July Picnic!

Happy 4th of July!

I hope all of you were able to enjoy the day with your loved ones. I decided at the last minute to make a big day of it for us and thankfully Justin was up for it. We had our first picnic yesterday! I could not wait to get into the kitchen and start cooking Friday. Our menu read as follows:

BBQ Chicken

Potato Salad

Macaroni & Cheese

Baked Beans

It is a lot for two people, but it was our first 4th of July in our new home. It seemed like the perfect excuse to cook up a storm! While Justin went to fix up the yard (one too many problems Thursday= us mowing in the dark= BAD yard job) Friday morning, I set to work on the chicken. Y'all, I made this recipe by accident two weeks ago and Justin is in love with it now. It's great for me because it is SO easy.

Looks so much better!

After a little more yard work we stopped for lunch. Justin suggested hotdogs because according to him, and I quote, "You can not get anymore All-American than that". I made lunch, we ate, and then I was off to the kitchen again. If I were my mother, I could have made up the small menu all at once and probably within an hour. That said, I am her less-experienced daughter who is still finding her way in the kitchen. Nevertheless, I worked as quickly as I could for the sake of my husband, our picnic, and for the simple fact that rushing around in the kitchen fills one with a great sense of purpose. In other words, it was fun! Justin helped mashed potatoes and then took over dish washing for me. Since neither of us care for homemade mac n'cheese, we bought boxed. Also, because I keep forgetting to ask my mother for her baked beans recipe, I do not yet feel confident enough to share my method with you on that recipe either.

By 6 o'clock all was done. Justin and I had decided to dress up for our 4th of July picnic. Though we have no pool, I chose to wear my cute patriotic Esther Williams swimsuit with a pair of jeans and my blue and white polka-dotted flats. Justin hasn't a single pair of shorts (long story), but I convinced him to try on his swim shorts he bought last year for our honeymoon. I went back to the kitchen and began packing up utensils, napkins, and plastic containers of food. My dinner plates would not fit in the basket (too tall, too wide), so I grabbed the smaller ones and we agreed to eat one thing at a time.

Y'all, it was wonderful! Justin was amazed how few flies will bother you when you keep the containers covered (again, long story) and the weather was absolutely perfect!

I know any chef would comment that the plate lacks color, but, trust me, it makes up for it with flavor!

After dinner, we tried to relax and lay back on our quilt. The breeze blew every once in a while. The sun was out of sight. There were hardly any clouds, leaving nothing more than brushes of white in a cheery blue sky. I was happy laying beside him with his arm wrapped around me...in our yard...our home. We had just begun to talk of the life we might one day see in our backyard, sighing away with contentment, when "SMACK"! The mosquitos began to attack. Justin had had it by that point. Neither of us wanted to go in, so we decided to run to the store and buy mosquito repellant. You know how those trips are though. You run first to the one that can not help you and then become distracted in the next one that is filled with everything you need and more. We actually ended up catching a few fireworks and then coming home.

It was by far one of the best 4th of Julys I have ever had. I hope all of you are enjoying your weekends. Did you cook up anything special?

P.S. If you haven't checked out the Operation Christmas Card contest yet, please stop by for a minute.