It's funny how things happen sometimes...

By complete coincidence, my daughter and I ended up back at the same place we were exactly one year ago to the date on September 23rd.  My original plan for the day was to squeeze in one final beach day, but my daughter who never says no to beach, said no to it several times when I asked her if she wanted to go.  So we ended up at Deep Cut Gardens, which I shared with you last year, after I took her for the first time.... As we pulled into the place, I thought to myself, I think we came here around the same time last year, which was exciting, since I had my camera in tow and figured it would be a great opportunity to get some pretty photos of my little lady in... Any excuse really.   Sometimes, I really want to pursue my photography dreams.... but that's a whole other story. 

A few of Zoey's pickings.

Ode to Autumn

Tonight I am forcing myself to sit down in front of the computer at the end of the day with a glass of wine and write here. I have been telling myself for a while now, that I would do this, but never actually follow through......now that I spent about 20 minutes straightening up my studio/office/guestroom, I might be ready to write something worth publishing here.  -- It's a Friday night, and I've spent it drinking red wine, baking pumpkin breads - yes plural- one plain, one with chocolate chunks and cashews, folding Zoey's laundry,while watching Bill Maher (kind of a big fan of his), puttering around the house and now that brings me here to the computer typing away nonsense.

Every year, I think that I convince myself that Summer is my favorite season.  I love the long days, cooking outside, swimming, tan skin, the sun, the beach, the flowers, the fruit, the clothes, nights on the deck, etc. -- even though I am grown  up, summer still feels like a bit of a break from reality.  I tend to indulge more in the summer.  And then September comes, and being a resident at the jersey shore has me all like, "locals summer", let's drag this thing out as long as we can! But once the fall eases in, I remember, that Fall/autumn (I'm not sure which I like better) is my  ACTUAL favorite.  It makes me feel alive, the colors, the temperatures, the air seems fresher, nature does amazing things - It is like the Sunday of the seasons -- winding down the year, making you feel comfy and cozy.  My phone and camera are already filled with so many photos of things fall.  My husband's brother recently moved to PA, and we took a ride up there last weekend to go to a Fall Festival at Elk Mountain.  The scenery along the way had me snapping so many photos, I was beginning to annoy myself.  I love driving through the mountains this time of year.  Have I mentioned I love the fall? Anyway, this year I am really embracing it.  I decorated the house the way I've always wanted to with corn stalks, and hay stacks, and scarecrows, and mums.... of course pumpkins too. We went to a fall festival, Zoey and I have been spending lots of time outside on trails, at the park, in the yard.  I have been cooking some seasonal favorites. And I am looking forward to future enjoyable fall days,

FALL in love with Autumn :P

The Importance of Experiences

Lately, I have been coming here to write, and have either gotten sidetracked, uninspired, or began incomplete posts that I have not felt inclined to finish. But today is different, today I am inspired.  I'm not sure if I have posted about my new work situation, but I have recently been blessed with the opportunity to spend two more days a week at home with my daughter.  I am so grateful for it, and feel much more present in her life than ever since it's begun.  Thank you to my boss for creating this dream come true for me!

Today, in honor of fall, Zoey and I went to one of my favorite places in our area, a place I have spent a good amount of time at, but have not been to recently.  It's a county park, with a greenhouse, horticulture center, the cutest bonsai trees, and breathtaking grounds that include a stone gazebo, and a magical garden maze of sorts. Deep Cut Gardens is the name of this glorious place that I hold dear to my heart.  When I was younger, I had always dreamed of being married there -- that didn't happen, but hey, that's life. I loved my wedding. (just sayin)  Anyhow, the place has been updated, more flowers planted, more paths created, new gardens, etc.  It looks incredible! Even more photographic than I remember.  I brought the jogging stroller, we strolled, and hiked, and stopped and smelled the flowers, took lots of adorable photos, ran, blew bubbles -- it was so much fun! We both truly enjoyed ourselves.  On the way out, we stopped by the greenhouse, which I was thrilled to see was open for us to walk through, and as we were about to enter one of the park employees came out with a butterfly in her hands -- a butterfly she had found caught in a web and saved.  She brought it over to Zoey and I, it must have been exhausted from trying to escape the web.  So it just sat in her hand for a bit, the park employee told us it was a yellow spotted purple butterfly -- beautiful, eventually the butterfly worked up enough energy to fly away, but I just absolutely loved that Zoey had this close encounter with nature.  It's not every day something like that happens.  One of my biggest focuses for Zoey is to provide her with experiences. 

P.S. I can't believe what a little girl my daughter is turning into.  It's like she is not a baby anymore.  It's kind of sad, but she keeps getting more and more fun, as well as more and more sweet.  She now likes to cuddle, and hold hands, and caress.  ::::Sigh::::



Is that The Carlton?