Fishin’ With DaddyO

These weekends were just as beautiful as the photos appear. Alan took our youngest two boys and went camping with DaddyO in Alabama. They fished, they cleaned the fish, they ate the fish, they learned about the importance of gun safety while shooting cans, and they got to sleep in a tent. It looks so good, it almost makes me wish I had gone too.

But then I remind myself that I don’t touch worms, I don’t clean fish, I don’t sleep on the ground, I don’t like being cold, and I don’t do well with bugs, and then I’m okay with my decision to pass on the camping.

A successful day of fishing! The boys are still talking about this.

Look at all those leaves!

After living on the California coast for two years, we have a fresh new appreciation for fall foliage. I can’t get enough of it!

happiest moment ever

Pick-up trucks are an essential part of a Southern campout.

I know. It almost makes me nervous too. But if you knew Alan, you’d know how good this actually is. I guarantee you those two little boys now no more about the danger of guns and gun safety and the purpose of guns than most adults do. Alan is such a thorough teacher. He is an amazing dad.

Pioneer Dad

Daniel shows off the target afterwards.

You see why Alan and Daniel called this “the man trip.”

You should’ve heard Daniel talking about this trip the day before. “We are going on a MAN trip. We’re going to do MAN stuff.  MAN stuff!” Can’t you just hear Tim the Toolman Taylor saying “far ra rar ruff!”

The big boys missed out on the camping trip. However, they all went with Alan to Providence Canyon State Park last weekend while I got a desperately needed day off! Here are a few photos from that!

They took turns being statues. I think Daniel was the Statue of Liberty.

“They said they would rather be outlaws a year in Sherwood Forest than President of the United States forever.” ― Mark Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

I hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving. I want to tell you how thankful I am to be starting to feel settled in my new home. It’s been four months now, and the depression that came with moving has passed. I have a modicum of energy again, and I cannot tell you just how much I am enjoying these incredible fall colors.

I’m sitting here staring out the window. The trees in front of me are orange and red, mixed in with pine green.

It reminds me that if I am thankful for fall, then I must be thankful for change. No matter how we resist it, it is simply one of the seasons. We know it’s coming. Look for the beauty. If every change were as beautiful as autumn, that wouldn’t be so hard.

These recent changes in my life actually are a thing of wonder. The boys are growing. Our family is closer. I’m doing a little outside work for the first time in 11 years!! The places and faces I see everyday are new, but they will soon be familiar.

“It was November–the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind-songs in the pines. Anne roamed through the pineland alleys in the park and, as she said, let that great sweeping wind blow the fogs out of her soul.”
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

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Something has happened to me since I sent the boys back to “regular” school. My days opened up a bit, and I began to have fun keeping house again. I have especially been enjoying decorating for fall!

Confession: When I actually set all these out, it was the middle of August. I figured if people can decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving is even over, then I can decorate for fall in August. Don’t ya think that’s fair?

Having just moved makes it especially fun and challenging because I have all new nooks and crannies to work with.

dining room centerpieces

Confession #2: I haven’t even found my old decor items. I bought all these this year. I found them on sale (40% off) at Hobby Lobby, but I’m itching to go check out what Big Lots has. Anyone care to join me?? Let me know, and we’ll make a day of it. John David will only complain a little bit. My three-year-old can do some serious grumbling when I tell him we’re going somewhere. That boy wants to live in his pajamas, play airplanes, take baths at 11am, and eat snacks with Mom. He is a serious home body.

Now you may think that no one who reads my blog actually lives near me, but you never know. Besides, my momma and Alan’s momma are both only two hours away. That doesn’t seem all that far anymore.

I still have to finish decorating the boys’ rooms and my bedroom. No, I’m not going to decorate the whole house in fall colors. I mean I haven’t even finished hanging pictures.

I’ve been looking for the perfect fall wreath and for autumn porch decorating ideas too, and I pinned about 20 million of them. (To my Pinterest followers, I am so sorry.) Would you like to see a few beauties that I’m using for inspiration??

from sortature.com

This site had hundreds of ideas (photo credit: flamingotoes.com)

All I need is a good bench, and I am so doing this one! Anyone want to sew me a pillow like that one? April doesn’t sew. My spell-checker doesn’t even recognize the word ‘sew’! (photo credit:herecomesthesunblog.net)

Oooooh Or maybe I’ll buy a rocker…So homey! (photo credit: country living)

What? I know they are not decorations, but they are pretty!!! I need to look like autumn too, right? hehehe             (photo: cupshe.com $19.95 for the top)

Just kidding. While this is beautiful, you know actual hay would send 4/6 of us to the ER with asthma. Haha! That’s how we roll…

And now for the wreaths!!!

I’m totally going to make one of these wreaths and post it for y’all later this week. Hopefully, it WON’T be one of those Pin-fail “Nailed it” posts!

I super hope my pretty Southern living door bucket like this one did not end up at Goodwill or someone else’s house with this move. I’m still hoping to find it!                           (photo: kristenscreationsonline.blogspot.com)

For all you Disney fans
(photo cred:http://wanderingsofclaire.com/2015/09/26/diy-fall-mickey-wreath/

photo from:http://diy.allwomenstalk.com/outstanding-fall-wreaths-you-can-make-yourself/21

So pretty! You can actually just buy one like this here:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/234918472/hydrangea-wreath-monogram-wreath-autumn

Dee’s crafts had tons of ideas:http://deescrafts.com/were-thinking-of-orange-brown-burlap-much-more/

And last but not least:

Pumpkins! Also from Dee’s Crafts: http://deescrafts.com/were-thinking-of-orange-brown-burlap-much-more/

Okay, I guess I’ve gone on and on about fall decor long enough. Our week is off to a swell start, and we hope yours is too. Happy decorating!

Oh! And since it’s also back-to-school time, I took part in an article on dealspotr.com. They asked me and a panel of other Mom bloggers for back-to-school shopping tips. Curious as to what I would say? Click here to read the article.

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