Showing posts with label Fall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fall. Show all posts
Time is the most unique thing- isn't it? It is the most precious commodity and often when we are experiencing "good times" in life time seems to "fly" and we can never get enough of it and yet when we encounter hardships we often are surprised at how long something lasts.
And sometimes... well sometimes life is a bittersweet mixture of both. I mentioned this in a post last month, entitled, "simple reflections on welcoming fall if you are hurting" (click HERE to read), but something took place personally behind the scenes in my life (in addition to the hiking fall) that left me stunned and with a ton of questions... and very deeply hurt and wounded. I haven't talked about it (obviously) on line here as I keep a lot of my private life- private and the things that involve others in my close knit circle - private... but it left me wanting to hold onto summer a little longer than ever.
As I was out walking after work yesterday I kept thinking about this "bittersweet" season that I am finding myself in. There are a lot of amazing things that are going on behind the scenes and many that I am looking forward to sharing with you in the upcoming weeks and days. This summer held some of the sweetest days and memories for me and yet August 1st (the day that the fall happened) and then this very private situation that honestly I didn't recognize or know at first was something that was taking place... I have felt a bit like I have been just trying to regain a bit of "balance" as I try to heal - not sure if that is honestly even the right word...
I am not trying to keep things "secret" but I do appreciate the ways that this community has always been extremely supportive of my personal life being very private and so I will just say that I am still healing from this situation and physically from the fall and a couple of additional other things that took place- all at the beginning of August. For the thing most on my heart, I still have a lot of questions and at this point I am slowly coming to acknowledge the fact that I might never get answers which has brought about its own grief. For me as a relationship person- who deeply loves others in my life- experiencing something that has taken place - with no explanation has been one of the most painful things I have ever walked through.
It is very hard. It is very painful. It has been very very difficult... and the tears have fallen often. I still believe (because I do believe the best about everyone) that there was not intentional hurt but sometimes things are messy.
In the midst of that I have been fighting to see the beautiful hope in the ordinary moments around me. If you live life closely with me then you know that some days this has been well done and other days I have appreciated the space to just be silent and just grieve. I have been so grateful for the beautiful and tender grace to meet me in the pain.
It is very hard. It is very painful. It has been very very difficult... and the tears have fallen often. I still believe (because I do believe the best about everyone) that there was not intentional hurt but sometimes things are messy.
In the midst of that I have been fighting to see the beautiful hope in the ordinary moments around me. If you live life closely with me then you know that some days this has been well done and other days I have appreciated the space to just be silent and just grieve. I have been so grateful for the beautiful and tender grace to meet me in the pain.
The few people that have confidentially been walking this season with me have kindly classified it as "awful" ... and it has been. It has stretched me and grown me in ways that I never would have chosen before. It has molded my often selfish heart to be more understanding, more patient, more kind, more gracious, and more loving... all because I have been the recipient of such extravagant measures of each of these things.
As we moved out of the camp and woods this past weekend and moved back to the house... my grandmothers house where some of the most difficult years of life happened, I have been gently and humbly reminded of some things.
I remember when we first moved into this home - my grandmothers cottage-10 years ago so that I could be closer to a team of doctors who were willing to work with my main medical team in California. At this time I was seriouly ill and hope was a very tenious thread. We moved into this tiny teeny home (that was really meant for just one person) my parents completely displaced (sleeping on an air mattress in the living room), my dad needing to step outside (even in the snow drifts of winter to take phone calls because there was hardly good phone reception at that time), all of us learning to live with a lot less and everyone sacrificing to help me get better. It was hard. It was really hard sometimes... especially when I was often sick and there was not much space... but in this tiny teeny space and house... I learned so much about love.
Love that is faithful and unbending.
Love that doesn't walk away when life is tough.
Love that believes in the bigness of God and the miracles He still performs today.
Love that gently quotes encouragement to hurting hearts.
Love that listens to life-giving music on replay again and again because it helps remind of us of truth. Love that chooses laughter in silly things over tears.
Love that sacrficied the things that many people wanted and needed.
Love that comforts in pain.
Love that chooses to create a haven against all odds.
Love that chooses to believe and hope in all things.
I was so changed by that beautiful love and it still surrounds me still.
So as we entered back into this home on Sunday...this teeny tiny cottage and I am reminded that love will provide for me daily on this journey - emotionally, physically, spiritually. Love that is willing to walk into the darkness, and is not afraid of the scary and long and winding road of this beautiful journey of life.
Thank you so much for all of your love and support and prayers and for this amazing community who has been walking this journey of Caravan Sonnet. I am so incredibly grateful for each of you!
Happy Monday friends! Today I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite hallmark movies to curl up and watch during the fall season. It is true that Hallmark often focuses on Christmas and the Holiday movies but there are several fall themed ones that are often overlooked and are so cute and adorable. If you are looking for sweet, feel-good, (yes very cheesy) and fun autumn movies to watch this season here are a few of my favorites...
Hallmark Description: A widowed surgeon visits her family’s pear orchard in hopes of taking a break from her overbooked life and reconnecting with her distant son. She starts to fall for the farm manager, Will, who is growing a new hybrid pear and teaches her the importance of her heritage. Stars Jen Lilley and Ryan Paevey.
Y'all I came across this movie on Amazon and I immediately thought it was one of the sweetest movies. I have high respect for both actors and the work that they do outside of acting and to see them in this sweet and adorable movie together made this for an easy pick for one of my favorite hallmark movies to curl up with this autumn. Also... can I just say that a man who loves the outdoors obviously would make my heart smile. *smiles*
Find it on Amazon HERE!
Other movies I loved with these two actors...
Hallmark Description: After being stood up, Abbey gets inspired to open her heart in a letter, put it in a bottle and toss it out to sea. Months later, a man fishing discovers it and opts to reach out. Starring Bethany Joy Lenz and Andrew Walker.
I think that this movie originally premiered in the Spring, but it feels like a fall movie to me and I had to include it because it is so cute. Again, I have high respect for both actors and the work that they do outside of acting and to see them in this sweet and adorable movie together made this for an easy pick for one of my favorite hallmark movies to curl up with this autumn. Also... anyone who knows me well remembers all of the notes in bottles that were put into the lake back in my teenage days and well understands why I would love this movie. *smiles*
Find it on Amazon HERE!
Other movies I loved with these two actors...
Snowed Inn Christmas (Starring Bethany Joy and Andrew together)
Hallmark Description: A young caterer’s life suddenly changes course when she inherits a country home and learns she must share it with a career-obsessed Wall Street trader. At first, these opposites do not attract, but feelings begin to change when they find themselves having to work side-by-side to restore their newly acquired home.
Hallmark Description: Brian and Jenny are engaged and preparing for the grand opening of their bed and breakfast. But when a big storm hits Bucks County, all their plans end up sopping wet! With funds running low and time running out, Brian agrees to go back to Wall Street to make quick cash, while Jenny scrambles to keep the opening on track. Stars Lacey Chabert and Brennan Elliott.
Hallmark Description: Jenny and Brian are planning their incredibly romantic wedding. Emily’s Country Inn is filled to capacity with happy guests. Then a distant relative of Emily’s arrives and she stakes a claim to the house. The pressure is on as Jenny and Brian try to raise enough money to hang onto their home. They go for broke expanding her company, Jenny’s Home Baked. Brian even considers a return to Wall Street. All of the wonderful friends they made in Bucks County are worried about their favorite couple, trying to figure out how to help. Jenny and Brian’s enduring love will once again be tested as the wedding day approaches and they struggle to keep the house that brought them together. Starring Lacey Chabert and Brennan Elliott.
These three movies were so adorable... and y'all the goats. So cute. Again, I have high respect for both actors and the work that they do outside of acting and to see them in these sweet and adorable movies together made this for an easy pick for a few of my favorite hallmark movies to curl up with this autumn.
Find them on Amazon HERE!
Other movies I loved with these two actors...
Crossword Mystery Series (Starring Lacey and Brennan together)
The Color of Rain (True Story)
Hallmark Description: When her family goes bankrupt, privileged city girl Jen Stone travels to the country to try and help a struggling pumpkin farm that her father bought as an investment to get her money back. Not everyone is on board with her changes, least of all Brett, the farm’s handsome manager. By working with what she knows best, she just might be able to turn the farm around, while also falling in love.
Y'all this one is simply so cute. It makes you laugh and it really is just a precious story. It was a Hallmark movie that I felt the trailer for it really didn't do justice for it and am so glad that we took a chance and tried it. It really is just so so cute.
Find it on Amazon HERE!
Hallmark Description: Following her tour of duty, army nurse Grace Conner (Macallan) returns to her grandmother’s (McGillis) farm in Ohio’s Amish country, and answers a neighbor’s call for medical assistance following a mysterious intrusion and shooting at his family’s nearby farm. Soon, Grace, who is not Amish, and Levi Troyer (Faris) develop a deep connection that is more than simply neighborly, and must sort out their forbidden relationship while Grace follows clues that ultimately lead her to the killer. Stars Jes Macallan, Sean Faris and Kelly McGillis.
This movie had a bit of a mystery with it and is a fun Hallmark movie to curl up with this autumn. It is honestly one of my favorites and I loved the plot and the character development. This family friendly mystery is a perfect one to watch on a cool fall evening.
Find it on Amazon HERE!
Other movies I loved with these two actors...
So there are just a few of some of my favorite hallmark movies to curl up with this autumn! What about y'all? What are some of your favorite fall Hallmark Movies?
Happy September 1st y'all! It is hard for me to believe that we are in September but as we look to fall in the Adirondack area quickly approaching, I am so excited to share just a few of my favorite and fun fall activities around the Lake Champlain area that should definitely be added to your bucket list if you live in this region or are visiting for the first time!
Drive to See Fall Foliage
Starting in mid-September (or later depending on the summer/early fall weather) through October the gorgeous leaves burst into color creating a beautiful view for all to see. Surrounding Lake Champlain are both the Adirondack and Green Mountains so you can see so many vibrant colors on both sides of the Lake.
Hiking
Both the Adirondack Mountains and the Green Mountains surround the beautiful Lake Champlain. If you love hiking in the New England area then this area of the United States is a hikers dream. If you are interested in hiking the Adirondacks and want to hike all of the "46 peaks" for the "46ers club" you can find out more about this HERE.
Not ready to hike a "46er peak" but still want to hike in the Adirondacks? There are still so many beautiful options that you can do! Feel free to reach out and I will be happy to share some of my favorites!
If you are interested in finding out more about hiking in the Green Mountains you can join the "Green Mountain Club" and find out more about it HERE.
I have shared before about one of my favorite towns, Essex, and all of its adorable charms. Essex is just one town along the lake that offers adorable New England charm, quaint and yummy dining options with beautiful lake side views, a rich and cultural experience, and unique shopping during the fall. You can read more about all of my favorite towns along the New York side of Lake Champlain HERE.
Biking
Just like it is for summer, biking is a perfect activity for the fall months! All along Lake Champlain there are tons of different bike paths that you can choose from that will take you around the Lake, or by the Lake (like the beautiful views that the Burlington Vermont Bike Path offers), and some that even "cross the lake" using one of the ferries or bridges.
Ride the Cloudsplitter Gondola at Whiteface Mountain
I shared about this adventure we did in the early spring and the views from the top are breathtaking. You can read more about our adventure HERE and the views with the leaves changed would be simply stunning. You can find out more about the Cloudsplitter Gondola at Whiteface Mountain HERE.
Adirondack Balloon Festival
The Adirondack Balloon Festival is a yearly festival that happens every September in Glens Falls, NY and in Queensbury, NY. You can find out more about this event by clicking HERE. There is also a Vermont Balloon Festival which is so fun and is wonderful to check out if you are wanting to be in Vermont.
Fall Festivals
There are many Fall festivals that are held in the towns and cities along Lake Champlain!
Farmers Markets
There are numerous towns along Lake Champlain that hosts farmers markets each week. Each of these farmers markets offer the best of local products and offer a wonderful opportunity to support the local farms.
Take a Weekend Trip
There are numerous weekend trips that you can take surrounding the Lake Champlain area. You could head north into Canada or south to New York City or over to Boston... honestly for driving less than 5 hours you can step into a different world for the weekend all while witnessing the beauty of the fall colors!
Heroic Corn Maze, Fort Ticonderoga
If y'all know me at all than you know I love corn mazes. I know, I know. I am giggling too.
This corn maze in Fort Ticonderoga is also known as the "heroic corn maze" in Fort Ticonderoga is a family friendly activity for people of all ages to enjoy. This six-acre corn maze is designed especially for Fort Ticonderoga providing a variety of opportunities (including historical ones) for people to find in this life size puzzle. The maze is open throughout the season through mid-October and even has days that the maze can be explored at night. Find out more information about this fun fall event by clicking HERE.
Another fun thing I discovered a few years ago was the Moonlight Madness Corn Maze at Hathaway Farms in Vermont! I definitely can't wait to do this again this year! You can find out more information HERE.
Applefolkfest at Penfield Museum
Penfield Museum which is located in Crown Point, NY (on the lower part of Lake Champlain) hosts "Applefolkfest" each year which is an excellent fall tradition to be apart of. As the name suggests, the museum is paying homage and celebrating the staple of fall in northern, New York, the apple. You can find out more about this family friendly even by clicking HERE.
Apple Picking
I love fall. I really do. It makes me feel all cozy inside and there is something about going apple picking that makes it seem like the seasons have transitioned. There are numerous places to go apple picking in this area. (The same thing is true for going to pick out a pumpkin!)
There are so many different things to do around Lake Champlain in the Fall and these are just a few of the favorites!! What are your favorites?
Happy Tuesday friends! Today I am so excited to share that I shared an instagram reel over on IG yesterday all about a beautiful fall ferry ride on Lake Champlain!! You can watch it by clicking HERE!
You may wonder why I mention the instagram reels that I create and why it matters about watching, liking, saving, commenting, and sharing my reels. I wouldn't know about this either if social media wasn't part of my job, but each time that you watch one of my reels, like them, comment on them share them or save them I make a small commission which adds up to help me. It doesn't cost you anything, but it does help me. THANK YOU! Just watching a reel and liking it are huge helps!! Thank you again for everything friends!
Happy Fall- I hope you enjoy the beauty of our area in upstate New York world.
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.jpg "point of view: all adirondack fall drives should end at lake champlain")
Happy Thursday friends! Today I am so excited to share that I shared an instagram reel over on IG yesterday all about beautiful fall drives in the adirondacks over to Lake Champlain!! You can watch it by clicking HERE!
I created a poll that takes two seconds to answer as a fun addition. I would love to hear your thoughts!
.jpg "point of view: all adirondack fall drives should end at lake champlain")
You may wonder why I mention the instagram reels that I create and why it matters about watching, liking, saving, commenting, and sharing my reels. I wouldn't know about this either if social media wasn't part of my job, but each time that you watch one of my reels, like them, comment on them share them or save them I make a small commission which adds up to help me. It doesn't cost you anything, but it does help me. THANK YOU! Just watching a reel and liking it are huge helps!! Thank you again for everything friends! Happy Fall- I hope you enjoy the small clips into our upstate new york world.
ASOS Printed Midi Column Dress in Wallpaper Print (out of stock, similar HERE- less than $35!)
ASOS Carvela Oversized Sunglassess with Gold Detailing (out of stock, similar HERE - for LESS THAN $11!!)
ASOS Oversized Long Knit Scarf (out of stock, similar HERE and HERE- other colors available also and both are under $17!)
Happy Wednesday friends! As I mentioned last week, I am excited to spend the next couple of weeks sharing with y'all some recap posts from the girls trip that I took four years ago through New England, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia (along with some new posts from this time that I never shared also!)! I hope that it encourages you to consider taking a road trip (in part or in whole depending on your circumstances) this fall to these beautiful places in the world.
With the world slowly opening back up to some travel, the places that we went to and explored and the posts that I will be sharing are really good options (especially for those - who like myself) are extremely cautious with health reasons as we were outside and separated away from others so much. I hope that these can be adapted for your own personal needs.
While we were in St. Andrews By the Sea, we spent a delightful day touring the Kingsbrae Garden, Driving on the Ocean Floor and walking through this quiet and restful seaside town. The days activities were varied, but I was inspired by the trip to the Garden when picking out an outfit for the day. This ASOS dress was the perfect solution for an early fall day that matched each of our activities. It has quickly become one of my favorite dresses that I own!
Happy Wednesday friends!
Happy Thursday friends! I hope that your week has been going well. It has been a busy week at school. If you missed my Instagram post (click HERE), then the school that I work at had to make the difficult decision to go to virtual learning and a stressful 48 hours later we embarked on this new adventure that will last through the Thanksgiving Break. I am grateful for the safety decision that my school made, but I deeply miss my students and it has been a struggle for all of us in this new adjustment. So we are taking things one day at a time and definitely appreciate your thoughts and prayers for all of us. In the meantime I appreciate your patience with the delay in a few blog posts in this unexpected change and season.
Today I am excited to share about a beautiful drive overlooking Lake Champlain that we took when we were in upstate New York back in October. Because we were up in New York for my grandmother's funeral we were observing COVID guidelines and had a delightful time following the guidelines and spending lots and lots of time out in the outdoors and in the Adirondack Mountains (which y'all know I love). One day we decided that we would take a drive up along Lake Champlain and it was simply gorgeous.
The lake and the mountains were alive and deep with color. It was so stunning and a beautiful fall day.
I hope that you love these beautiful pictures and enjoy the beauty! Do you have a favorite fall drive that you love to take this time of year?
Happy Wednesday friends! I have been receiving so many questions about daily teaching stories or clothes that I have been wearing teaching and I am truly so humbled by these questions. Thank you so much for your interest in this area of my life. I will definitely be sharing more on the blog soon, but feel free to head over to my instagram and click HERE on the fall teaching stories to see all of the newest things! Looking forward to connecting more over there and hearing your thoughts!
Happy Wednesday!
Hi friends! Today I am so excited to share the newest fall junk journal that is now available in the shop! This adorable Hello Beautiful Gorgeous Fall Junk Journal is now available for purchase! (You can find it HERE!)
I am smiling as I type this as this week was definitely rainy and yesterday there was snow on Whiteface, but we also saw the beauty of the colors this season! Sharing this specific junk journal with y'all today, while I am cozy by the heat seems incredibly fitting.
I have been enjoying sharing with y'all a few of the different items that are being added to the shop each week! While here on the blog I might only share one or two items each week, there are approximately 5-10 new creations added throughout each week so feel free to check the shop out throughout the week!
I love fall, autumn and thanksgiving so it is so fun to share these items that I have been working on throughout the summer with y'all! I have a whole fall and thanksgiving section in the shop which you can find HERE!
For those who are looking for Christmas and holiday items, I will start adding those to the shop at the end of October. I am starting to add things (including junk journals) for those who are interested a bit earlier this year so that you have plenty of time for these special holiday items ( -especially those participating in December Daily).
I created this junk journal out of several different high quality scrapbook fall paper lines! I fell in love with the precious pictures, the detailed illustrations, and the vibrant colors for this time of year! And y'all- I really love the size (it measures approximately 6x8)!
This Junk Journal contains approximately 75 pages that includes gorgeous and quality coordinating and themed scrapbook paper. You can easily add in pictures, your own ephemera (or choose the option for me to add in some before you receive your junk journal), and quick notes so that you can remember the special days of fall or autumn.
UPDATED: PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ITEM SOLD IMMEDIATELY. MORE JUNK JOURNALS WILL BE ADDED TO THE SHOP SOON!
Happy Saturday friends! I hope that you have a wonderful weekend!!
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