Our Weekend in Photos 10.15.2013

As you can see, our weekend was all about pumpkins, pumpkins, and more pumpkins. We spent our Saturday sloshing through mud and puddles, our arms loaded with a harvest boon. Saturday marked the 50th celebration of the Catoctin Colorfest, a fall festival here in Frederick Country. The streets of sleepy little Thurmont--the type of town you drive through on your way to somewhere else--suddenly bursts with tents, booths, and vendors, their tables piled high with textiles, candles, paintings, pottery. The items trend from the typical, like a handmade scarf, to the surprising, like beeswax-dipped and scented pine-cones (maybe you've seen them before...I hadn't. I was impressed.) I went telling myself I wouldn't buy anything...until I saw the handmade coffee mugs.,,and then the aforementioned scented pincecones...and then the little white pumpkins...and then the local apple cider...you see where I'm going with this? There's just something about fall festivals...the crisp air, the crunchy leaves, the snuggly scarves...that loosens the pocketbook.

Isn't October just perfect? I can't get enough.

Meet Solo

Allow me to introduce ten pounds of cuteness.
A few weeks ago, we welcomed this little pitbull pup into our home. Mark called me at work to tell me he was driving to Balitmore to see this spotted puppy; about thirty minutes later he called back: "Oh my god, he's beautiful. I got him." Next thing I knew, I was frantically running the aisles of PetsMart, looking for a bed, bones, bowls, and chow. It all happened in a whirlwind, but we haven't regretted a moment. Even when he has peepee accidents on my floor. (In all honesty though, he's learning really well. He's only 12 weeks old, after all. Such a baby!)

Solo--named for rock climbing, not the cup--loves to cuddle, play tug of war, and wag his butt. Not his tail, his whole butt. And what could be better than coming home to a two-pawed bounce, waggy butt, and happy kisses? There's nothing. Nothing happier than your dog greeting you at your door.

{Hard Way Home}

Today's rainy day recipe: a sleepy pup, a mug of pumpkin spice, and a lonesome train whistle. May as well make the most of the muck.

{Some Things about Fall}

• The fat red apples and warty pumpkins overflowing the farmers' stands on Market Street. 
• The way leaves dance and skittle across the sidewalk
• The two-pawed pounce of my puppy, chasing after. 
• The trees drooping over Culler Lake's bank, dazzled by their own reflections in the water
• The slantwise cut of a sudden wind, biting your lungs with a hint of winter.
• The first blend of cut grass and wood smoke--earth's headiest aroma.
• The clutching of coffee mugs and the burrowing into blankets
• The sky grey above and the leaves below bursting with stolen colors. 

What do you love about fall? 

Red Hands-- Walk off the Earth

A good tune for your Wednesday.

{Gratitude} The Little Things in Life

This week I've been grateful for:

• cozy reads and strong, dark brews
• evening walks with a certain handsome fellow
• no a/c, open windows, and fluttering curtains--an unexpected blessing in August
• fresh berries from the farmers market
• high places and the guy who takes my breath away 

It's always worthwhile to count your blessings, even the little, often-overlooked ones. 

What have you been grateful for lately?

West Frederick Farmers Market

Over the weekend, Mark and stopped by the West Frederick Farmer's Market. We walked in not intending to buy much,,,but somehow left with an armful each of fresh fruits and veggies.

Those who know me know that I really truly intensely dislike grocery shopping. you go in the store everyone's in a rush, list in hand, cellphone in the other, blasting down the aisles with their shopping carts. But somehow, when you're hand-in-hand with your sweetie, walking under the sunshine, the heady scent of ripe peaches in your nose...That's definitely doable. (Not to mention this awesome fact: the produce is so much cheaper! And likely better for you, too.)

Do you like buying your produce at the farmers market? Which ones do you visit?

Harpers Ferry

A few photos from our hike through historic downtown Harpers Ferry up to the Overlook Cliff. Aside from the constant climb and misty-thick humidity (I have to admit, some whining may have occurred on my part), the view was spectacular. I love the photos of Mark on the cliff's edge, looking down onto the town. Thankful that he didn't plummet off that edge; he certainly scrambled around and climbed all over it enough!

What are some of your favorite hiking spots?

Good Tunes

Here's some Mumford & Sons for your Sunday enjoyment.  Their songs always make me feel like I should be cruising some winding backroad with my window rolled down and the wind kicking my hair about. In this awesome weather, that scenario is entirely possible.

Hope you're all having a happy weekend! Enjoy every bit of it!

{Gratitude} The Little Things in Life

This week, my gratitude theme seems to be "the little things," items or events that, in and of themselves, seem insignificant but, really, carry so much weight in the form of smiles and happiness. 

The photos top to bottom: 

• A strong, dark brew on a rainy morning
• Finding a grocery with better produce, only one exit up. You never know what you'll find if you just explore a little further than you're used to.
• The way the early grey light fills our house
• These new shelves my hubby helped me make and paint
• One sip of handcrafted goodness from Brewer's Alley, worth every penny
• That smile. It makes my world. 

What are you grateful for today? 

Our Weekend in Photos 8.5.13

This weekend was all about finishing up some projects around the house and walking hand-in-hand through downtown Frederick. I certainly didn't anticipate how much I would love stepping out my front door, giving it a quick lock and double-check, then shouldering my purse and heading down the sidewalk to supper. 

We've all rolled our eyes at the old-timers who insist that a walk after dinner is great for your digestion. But the truth is...they were right. Strolling with my love down the Frederick canal does as much for the heart as it does the stomach.

Plus, you  ever know what pretty sights you'll see on your way. Maybe its because walking is a naturally slower pace than driving...it gives you time to look around,  notice each step, and, well. literally smell the roses. 

What did you do over the weekend? 

Densmore Farm

The last weekend in July found us spending 12 long hours road-tripping it to Georgia. Only the promise of side-splitting laugh-until-you-cry moments with family and friends would entice us to make that journey willingly.

But witnessing the wedding of two of our closest friends is a pretty worthy reason. Here are a few shots of their wedding venue and the newly weds.

{Richardson Wedding}

 Some images from our weekend in Shelby, NC at the Lindsay-Richardson wedding. It's not every day that your  best friend and your husband's best friend get married. To make the beautiful day even more magical, it just so happened to be the weekend of the summer solstice-- meaning these were the days with the most light. I think that says something about these two and their relationship--it's a bright and happy thing.