Nourish your life!

Everyone should read Nourishing Traditions. The End.

Ok so, maybe it's only the beginning. Seriously folks, This book has the potential to revolutionize your life and if you follow what it says you could potentially be healthier than ever. I'm just getting started in this crazy food journey but, I will say that so far in my life this style of eating has always made me the leanest, most energized and mentally happy of any type of diet. (Diet, in the truest sense of the word as in... what you eat, not a crazy fad that comes and goes.)

Think about it! The USDA food pyramid is so messed up! Since the USDA guidelines came out in 1980 the obesity rate has more than doubled and the rate of diabetes had tripled! That should tip us off for sure... even the committee assigned to reevaluate the guidelines admits that they "misrepresented" information and didn't even consider a low-carb (low-processed foods) diet... what?! Hmm... talk about tipping the glass in their favor. At lease there are some people starting to call them out on it. Check out: For a Healthy Nation

Anyway, let's start the conversation people. Let's stand-up for our health and for our children's right to be free of diabetes and other health issues!

Old Friends, Good times!

We could not have had a more beautiful day yesterday! Amy [Boggs] Folks, a friend of mine from college, came to visit with her 1 1/2 year old daughter, Alex. They live in King George, VA and made the 4 1/2 hour trek to my house for a few days of reconnecting. I'm SO glad they came. It was wonderful to meet Alex and she was so attentive to "baby" (William), always bringing him his cup and paci. Sweet girly.
We went to Pandapas Pond Thursday morning and it was just perfect. The sun was shining, the ducks were playing, people fishing, and I got some sun on my arms!

Aren't we funny?! Matchy-matchy! Haha.
After the pond, both of our our kids (Ahh! we have kids!) fell asleep in the car and we were like, "Well, we don't want to wake them up... so, let's drive to Roanoke!" And we did. We parked and went to Mill Mountain Coffee, got iced lattes and fed Will his lunch. The Market area was open and we walked around checking out the vendors and poking our heads into some of the shops.
Knowing we had a 45min trip home we went to an open space and let Alex run around in hopes that they would both chill on the way home.

All-in-all a very fun day and a great time with Amy and Alex. Thanks for coming guys! I know, I know, now it's my turn to come see you. :-P

Our NC Trip.

I wish I was better at taking more pictures! I always forget to whip out the trusty cannon and snap fun moments... boo. We did, however, have a great time in Brevard and Asheville despite the lack of photo memories.
The first two nights we were there we stayed with the wonderful, good-food-makin', fun-conversation-havin', pickled-chicken-feet-eatin' (ok, maybe that's just George, haha!), kombucha-fermenting Irwin family. The Irwins have been a part of my life for a long time... and I always love getting to spend time in their company. The second night we were there we had our friends, Brandon and Martha and their 3 month old baby, Phoebe, over for dinner. It was great to see them and catch-up over good food and laughs. Thanks guys for coming! And Thanks to the Irwins for hosting!

And I just have to throw-in a cuteness photo of my William.

We drove up to Asheville the third day and stayed with Tim, Lori and Titus Tyson. We hadn't seen them since we graduated from college! 6 years ago! It was good to see them and to meet their sweet son. Here are some shots of the boys playing.

All-in-all a great time and I was so thankful to get some away time with my loves. :-)

Rekindling Love.

Man, I love design.

Home decor. The perfect couch, print, lamp, chair.

I haven't done much with it lately but, tonight I've been soaking in some good eye-candy and articles about style and other fun things. So refreshing.

I really need to find a job so I can indulge my senses with new and exciting changes to our house!

Take a quiz or two with me to "find your style" and let me know the results!! Here are mine.

First I took the IKEA quiz (here). My results said I was "Scandinavian Original".

Then I took this quiz, at Sproost.com. I actually took it twice and got very similar results: Cottage Chic and Nantucket. I think this is pretty right on. Here are the brief descriptions of those two -

Cottage Chic

Who says that cottages can't be modern and chic? Who says that they have to be floral and cheesy? Not you! You love the carefree spirit that the cottage interior inspires, but you are also serious about your appreciation for modern art and hip treasures. You love old and new alike, and love to highlight them all to expose the uniqueness of each. What better way to show off these treasures than with a light background?

More >

Nantucket Style

Oh how you love the beach! Who doesn't, right? And so your dream home is either perched in your favorite beach town, or you've brought that favorite beach town into your house. 

Guess I really should move to the beach for a while!!
(Actually, that may be in the plan!)

Anyway, just thought I'd share. :-)

More >

Preparing for Spring!

Well, my house is quiet again. Scooter is sleeping. William is sleeping. Rob is at work and his parents have gone home to PA.

We enjoyed Rob's family, as always, and Rob and his dad tackled the backyard garden plot. His dad never comes without doing some major project... for which we are always thankful! This time he and Robbie built 3 new garden beds for us to grow veggies in. So exciting! We still have to get dirt to fill them but, at least we are one step closer. "Grandmom" and William supervised. :-)

We can't wait to get our hands dirty and plant our seeds!
It will have to wait until April 4th or 5th though, since we are busy until then... Asheville and Brevard, here we come!!

Tonight, as proof that he is worn out from all of the excitement, William fell asleep during dinner! I couldn't believe it! I had to laugh. He is so tired. Poor guy is also getting his teeth in and not sleeping as well as he had been. Grandmas and Grandpas as fun but, man! They wear you out! Haha. Isn't he cute?!

Sleepy Baby

Because, who wouldn't want this?

Yay Spring!

Today I spent an hour and a half sitting in the sun with William and my friend Ashley and her baby, Higgins. The sun felt so good and so hot! I couldn't believe it. It was Will's first time to just hang out outside on a blanket and I was enjoying every moment! I only wish I had brought my camera... but Ashley took a few shots so I'm hoping she'll send them to me.

We just chatted as our boys "played" with toys, which really just equals chewing on anything and everything. Will is teething so he's always got to have something in his mouth. Unfortunately, he wasn't his normal happy self with Higgins and kept randomly crying, especially when Higgins would vocalize. I think he was a little hot and so maybe a little uncomfortable? Oh well. When they weren't being weird that way (which really wasn't that much), I think they had a good time. Will mainly wanted to see their dog, Max. Max was a very well-behaved, 2 year-old black lab. Yes, I said well-behaved and only 2 years old! For a lab, that is awesome! He was the shiniest dog I've ever seen. Looked like a show dog. He was "helping" John (Ashley's hubby) pull down old branches by dragging them to a shady spot and chewing them up. So funny.

Anyway... hopefully I'll have some pictures soon!
Until then, enjoy this wonderful weather!!

Update! Pictures!