Sep 22, 2013

A fall activity.

Yesterday after church Gray and I and a couple of our friends headed into the mountains to enjoy the crisper weather and a fun fall activity. I've been wanting to visit Sky Top Orchard for a couple of weeks because a) I love apples, and b) the orchard is set in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. 
It's about an hour drive from where we live, but winding through tall wooded mountains under clear blue skies that are dotted with the occasional cotton ball cloud, does not make for a terrible afternoon. So we loaded up the cars with all the essentials (aka. us and some mullah) and had a grand old time enjoying each others company while looking for the biggest most colorful apples both in and out of reach. 
               
If I had to complain about anything it would be the extremely large amount of people who also had the brilliant idea to visit the orchard, but it wasn't the end of the world. Indeed, we were able to find an few uninhabited trees from which we gleamed prize winning fruit. Perseverance is key I tell you.
      
P.S. the cute baby belongs to none of the above photographed people. Henry, I seemed to have missed the shot of you with your beautiful parents. Rob and Linds next time, I promise! :)

Sep 16, 2013

Still a puppy.

     10 months bubb and you're not terrible. I feel lucky that we didn't pick a Marley (from the book "Marley & Me), we actually picked a pretty easy going dog. You definitely have your annoying habits, like showering with either your dad or I and then deciding to get out when you please, making puddles all over the house. Begging, which is weird because you don't really love food that much, at least, it doesn't always motivate you like I think it should. Oh, and you practically drag us to the dog park, you'd think choking would send an understandable message, but no, I think you like it. Also, you love people too much and that means if they aren't paying ample attention to you, you make your presence know (i.e. by jumping on them), don't worry we're working on it. You've done surprisingly well in your doggie training classes, I can't believe graduation is tomorrow! It's too soon really, your not quite ready. I guess we'll just have to wait for level two to start, maybe the stuff you didn't pick up in level one will catch on . . . maybe. You are cute though, at least you've got that going for ya.You really weren't into having your picture taken. You'll learn :) 


Sep 12, 2013

Derailed but up and running again.

     I hate that the smallest thing can derail me. I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only one that struggles with being disciplined, but gosh darn it, sometimes it feels that way. I always have such good intentions, and then something gets in the way and it takes me 30 days to get on track again. I always come back feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. So guilty, why can't I just start something and stick with it? I guess this lack of discipline that invades almost every aspect of my life is trying to get my attention and say, "Jak, LISTEN, that's what grace is all about, no matter how good your intentions are, you'll never be perfect, but that's okay, because I sent my son to wash clean your stains and make you blameless, guiltless in my eyes so just keep on keeping on." Hmm, I can't wait for the day when my small, finite brain finally gets grace. For now I'll just accept this unfathomable gift and keep going, keep persevering, knowing that this dreamer might get lost in the forrest, but only until she realizes the path home is clearly marked and easy to follow. . .
     Gray and I have been caught up in life lately. Enjoying the end of summer, friends, castle episodes, our crazy dog, and food. I haven't taken a ton of pictures, my fingers starting to twitch so there will be more soon. I'll leave you with this:
Is there really a better fruit than peaches? Especially when they go in pie . . .
Which leads me to the library, because one day I will own a garden with several fruit trees.
But all that healthy stuff needs some balance so we decided to make fried chicken (so good).The last couple of photos are from our Labor Day trip to the Hendersonville Apple Festival and a peek at Asheville. Ya know, just to wrap up this randomness.