Teaberries

Is it Fall Already?!

Today is the first day of fall, and typically, I love fall.  It is probably one of my favorite seasons in Boone (second only to summer!)  Unfortunately, this year I'm having a hard time getting excited about fall, mostly because it seems like we haven't even had a summer.  It has been so cold and rainy in Boone this summer, and we're now settling into our 8th straight day of rain.  Now I know why Matt said we can't move to Seattle.  Bummer. 

Normally, summer in Boone is fantastic, and it makes it worthwhile to get through all of the other seasons (namely winter).  Summers are full of hiking, gardening, swimming, laying on a quilt in the sun, camping, grilling out ... and although we have gotten to do most of that, it hasn't seemed the same this year.

All that to say, I'm trying to get into the spirit of fall.  I pulled out my sweaters, and I'm wearing my favorite one today (in the picture below).  By the way, that picture was taken at Thanksgiving last year, before Matt and I were even engaged.  This is our first fall married - thats something to be excited about!

I bought things to make pumpkin logs and apple pie.  I'm going to football games. I'm drinking caramel apple cider. I'm already planning the treats I'll take to the cabins for Thanksgiving.  I'm gearing up to make spritz cookies.  I'm planning new things to knit, and I'm thinking about getting the girls craft night started again.  Its all in your attitude, and I'm choosing to embrace fall. How do you celebrate fall?

Happy First Day of Fall!   

Holiday Lights at the Garden

Matt and I went to see the holiday lights at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, NC last weekend, and it was an absolutely lovely time!  Most of my pictures didn't turn out (confirmation that I should take a photography class next year), but I've posted a couple so you can get an idea of how beautiful it was. 

Their website encourages you to, "Join us at the Garden for old favorites like the orchid tree, carriage rides, visits from Santa and seasonal entertainment. A new treat for 2008 – train displays that are sure to please children of all ages. Nearly 600,000 lights are on display from the Garden’s Grand Entrance to the ponds to the spectacular formal displays in the gardens. The lights will create a memorable experience that will last a lifetime. Guests are invited to walk the garden paths from the icy White Garden to the magical Children’s Wonderland. Be sure to pass through the 30-foot-tall tree of lights on the Four Seasons lawn and continue on through the Canal Garden and the displays beyond. On your return from seeing the lights you can relax in the Visitor Pavilion, enjoy a cup of cocoa and await the arrival of Santa."

It was well worth the $10 that we paid for admission, and I can't wait to go back during the summer to see the grounds in the daylight.  We also took a carriage ride and drank hot apple cider and cocoa, which added to the fun of the evening.  I would definitely recommend a visit to the Botanical Garden if you're in the area.  New in 2008 is an orchid conservatory.  Check out tomorrow's blog for pictures of the conservatory. 

 

Gingerbread House Party

One of my favorite things about the holidays is decorating cookies and gingerbread houses.  Erin Miller always hosts the best cookie decorating parties, maybe because she used to be an elementary school teacher ... everyone knows kids love decorating cookies.  She makes the best icing ... I ate way too much. 

Jake and Erin decorated one gingerbread house. 

Jordan made peanut butter cookies with Hershey kisses. 

Matt ate a lovely angel cookie I decorated. 

This is the gingerbread house that Matt and I decorated.  Notice the attention to detail on the roof ...

This was my favorite part of our gingerbread house ... the snowman and duck in the pond!  

Unfortunately, the house crashed on the way home, and we couldn't get it to stay up again.  I guess we didn't let it set up long enough. 

Christmas Decorations

I love getting our Christmas tree each year - it is one of my favorite things!  We didn't get back in time to get one the weekend after Thanksgiving, and apparently none of the choose and cut lots are open on the weekends!  I was very impatient, and I couldn't wait an entire week to get the tree, so we went to one of the churches in town who was selling pre-cut trees. 

When we pulled up, I think that they were closing down shop, but we were able to look around quickly and pick out the perfect tree.  I knew it was the perfect tree because birds flew out of the back of it.  That has to be some kind of sign ...

So we spent the evening decorating the house and drinking wassail. 

This is the wreath - it is pretty much the perfect size. 

Its nice to have Matt to put the tree up ...

I didn't have a lot of ornaments last year, so we had an ornament decorating party!  I bought plain glass balls at Michaels, and people came over to decorate them.  The only rule was you had to decorate one to take home and one to put on my tree.  My favorite ornament was Shaele's - she filled hers with Smarties!

This is my little angel on the top of the tree.  She was made by women at Amani ya Juu.  I love the gold swirly stitching. 

Thanksgiving Pictures

A few fun pictures from Thanksgiving.