How Do You Shop?

Today the kids and I did one of my favorite things, grocery shopping! No not that kind of grocery shopping, this kind...

We are welcomed by chatty greeters at the door ("welcome to the farm!")

Sometimes it is a little crowded with families near the entrance (we "moo" as we go by)

Easy to read signs lead the way (there's a very sweet sheep dog hiding under that ramp)

Sweet smells and beautiful things are everywhere (organic produce creates such vibrant colors)

We select the freshest produce (there's so much to choose from I have to restrict myself)

Imagine the things we can create (oats, barley and homemade granola)

Fully stocked shelves (I love fresh honey!)

There are often items I want to buy yet have no clue what to do with (homemade wool yarn, if only I could knit)

Friendly check out folks (Charlie the farmer, who is so fun to chat with whenever we come by)

Affordable neighborhood prices (you'd be shocked at how cheap eating local can be. Oh and see those green things on the left? Fresh homegrown figs set out to try, YUM!)

As we leave we are stared at in the parking lot by others (they were very chatty today as well "Baa, Baa, Baa, Baa") 

We head home with or goodies in tow (windows down, country music on the radio and happy kids)

Now that is what I call a grocery shopping trip :) Please support your local farmer. Stop by and see what they have, you'll be pleasantly surprised at all the yummy good things that await you. 

au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time... 

Better Today Then Yesterday

It's been a week. One week ago we lost Sammy, our boxer. (You can read my way too sad sob story about how much I love him here.) 

The kiddies taking Sammy on a walk a few weeks ago

This has been a   L O N G  week. When you are sad time seems to slow down. I am pleased to report we are all feeling better in our house. It was pretty depressing around here for a few days. Our other 2 dogs wouldn't even play with us, it was pitiful to watch a dog go through the grieving process. Who ever said animals don't have feelings is full of bologna. The kids are doing better. My daughter is like a rock, nothing over emotional ever bugs her, but my son is my sensitive one and this has been hard for him. 


All in all life goes on. The house seems slightly emptier these days but we have to keep chugging away. This Saturday will be my daughters 7th birthday (Wow how time flies!), and then we will be preparing for the 1st day of school shortly after. 


Summer is slowly drifting away. I hope you've had a chance to do something fun with the ones you love. 




au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time... 

To Love A Dog

*** tear jerker warning***

On July 28th, 2011 our furry friend, Grand Slammin Sam, a.k.a. Sammy (Sam-Bone, Sam Sam, Sammer Jammer) passed away. Wow has this been hard. He was an old man, and was not in pain for long. I held his paw while looking into his eyes and whispered "I'm sorry I couldn't make you all better, I love you" as he took his last breathe. And then I cried. I cried like a little baby, and I continued to cry for a long time. I'm not ashamed, I loved him...

To anyone who has loved an animal with all your heart and had to say good bye, I am so sorry for your loss. This is a pain I have never known. 

This dog was apart of so much. When my husband was still my fiance, this scared sick neglected puppy came into our lives. Sammy was there when we bought our first home, he helped us welcome home 2 beautiful babies from the hospital. He traveled all the way across country twice while we figured out where our family fit in this crazy world. He rested with me on quiet evenings when mom-anxiety and stress were just to much, he kissed my face when I cried. Sammy was there when I found out my grandfather had gone to Heaven, he was there when my grandmother joined him. 

How do you say good bye to a best friend? How do you just "move on" when you've lost your secret keeper, your foot warmer, your snuggler when no one else understood? The one who never cared if you lost your temper, who never cared that you were in dirty sweat pants with your hair a mess? All he wanted was you to love him while he loved you back...

*sigh*

Yes, I know it will get better with time. I know my heart won't hurt so much as the days pass. But now, right now, it just sucks! We got a sweet card from our vets office that said "Time will pass and the sorrow fade, but the pawprints in your heart remain" I like that. The pawprint on my heart, very true. 

A friend sent me this poem, I'm sure many of you have heard it before but just incase here you go: 

The Rainbow Bridge
inspired by a Norse legend

By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,
Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
When their time on earth is over and done.

For here, between this world and the next,
Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.

No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.

They romp through the grass, without even a care,
Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.

For just at that instant, their eyes have met;
Together again, both person and pet.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past,
The time of their parting is over at last.

The sadness they felt while they were apart,
Has turned into joy once more in each heart.
They embrace with a love that will last forever,
And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.

*WWAAAHHHH*

OK, I know this post is like super sad. I'm sorry! I had to get it all out, I needed some writing therapy. 

Sammy's last few days were very nice; we took him out to ice cream, he rode in the car everywhere, we even let him chase geese at the park. He was a happy boy, who brought a lot of sunshine to our world. We'll miss him forever and a day.

Good Bye old man, love you. 

au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time...

It's Like MTV Cribs!

I have no clue if MTV Cribs is still on Television, in fact... I have no clue if MTV is even still on Television! My TV programming mostly consists of Disney Channel, Nick Jr. and Sprout these days. But if you ever saw this ridiculous show about pop stars and rappers showing off their 50 custom built cars, their gold toilet seats and the ocean view from their 10 story mansions, you've seen their fridge too. Yup, that's right. Inevitably every episode they would waltz over to their refrigerator and show off what was inside.

Well guess what? I'm not a rapper. (Shocking, yes I know, I come across as so gangsta sometimes!) Do you want to see my fridge anyway? Sure you do!

Look at all that good stuff! Trust me, it hasn't always looked that way (remember, my way too young hubby who almost had a heart attack last week *eek!*) We have gutted the fridge and pantry of anything dangerous for him. Meaning all the sugary, fatty goodies. Now it's filled with Salmon fillets, locally grown fruits and veggies, organic yogurts, Edamame, flavored waters, natural peanut butter, healthy eggs and much more. Oh and a little yummy Champagne to keep me sane. ha ha.

This dietary change has been so easy when my husbands life is on the line. We've had so much fun discovering new recipes and weird new foods we didn't even know existed! Like these yummy snacks:

Yellow carrots! WHAT?! That's so cool! Sure I know it's a little stupid to be excited about carrots of another color. But when you're limited on what you can eat the small changes make a big difference. And they taste so good too!

OK. hummm... I guess this isn't really like MTV Cribs, but I hope you had fun peeking in my refrigerator. I am always looking for new ways to cook a vegetable so any ideas you have I'll take'em.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and if you maybe ate a little too much around the table with family or while baking cookies for Santa then eat your veggies!

au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time...

The Christmas Tree & Its Ornaments

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,

How lovely are your branches!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,

How lovely are your branches!

In beauty green will always grow

Through summer sun and winter snow.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,

How lovely are your branches!

A beautifully lit tree looks so good in a home at Christmas! Of all the decorations I put around my home, the tree is by far my favorite :) Each and every ornament tells a story; my babies hand prints, our first home, the past & present, Santa's fame...

I have a few favorite ones I would like to share with you:

This pretty unicorn was given to me as a baby from my grandmother. Every time I unwrap it it reminds me of Christmas mornings at her home growing up, moments I treasure so much. 

These beautiful gold ornaments my other grandmother gave me over the years. Now that she has passed (on Christmas) It helps me know that she is still with us in spirit. 

Nothing beats ornaments made by your kids! A few years ago my munchkins made these at a pottery store. I love looking at their scribbled paint strokes & remember when they were smaller. 

This was given to me by my great aunt & uncle just after my husband and I were married. It's fun to think of all the holidays him & I have shared and the many more that are a head of us. 

This concludes a trip around my Christmas tree. What are some of your most favorite holiday decorations? 

au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time...

Falling Leaves & Family Time

Well hello readers! How have you been?

Life is in full swing out here in SC. Signs of Autumn are everywhere I turn. The yard needs to be raked, there's a chill in the air, and my kids are already making their Christmas lists! We've had a good few months, I thought I would give you a recap of what we have been up to.

Fall means college football, we are hard core Clemson Tiger fans and got the opportunity to attend the opening season game! The kids had a blast cheering on the players. I have never seen so much orange and purple in one place :) We can't wait till we can see a live game again. So much better than watching on the television.

While we were visiting the beautiful upstate for the football game we decided renting a boat for the day would be fun. Why not take advantage of the water before winter cools it all down too much to play in? Everyone had such a good time, I foresee a boat in our future... Now all I have to do is find someone who wants to buy one for me! Any takers? Anyone? Hello?

While we are on the subject of football, my son played again this year. Except, this year he played TACKLE! *eek* I'll admit, mommy was a little nervous. But after the first few games I chilled out and enjoyed it all. 

He played Center, same as last year. This year he was #50. He had so much fun. Plus my hubby coached and I loved seeing them have father/son bonding moments. Both my boys played a good season. The Panthers won some, and lost some but with such a great coaching staff and awesome players every minute was a blast.

While the boys enjoyed throwing the pig skin, my daughter put on her ballet shoes and found a new passion. She had done gymnastics for years but wanted a change. Ballet was just what she needed. Wow, how wonderful to sit and watch your little girl twirl in a tutu. It makes me smile every time.

There are quite a few friends of hers in the class and the teacher is wonderful. They are working on a cute recital dressed as fairies for this Spring. It'll take me that long to figure out how to work my video camera, ha ha.

 Halloween is always fun around our house. Every year we have a "boys vs. girls carving contest" And of course, every year there's a unanimous tie.
The kids are in charge of picking their pumpkin, the design, and gutting their own pumpkin.
Mom and Dad do most of the carving and light the candles. My daughter picks harder and harder designs every year, soon I won't be able to keep up!

Both kids had adorable costumes this year! There was a cute Chocolate Chip Cookie (carrying a milk jug as her treat bag) and a fearsome Medieval Sorcerer (sporting a stylish mustache) roaming the streets around our house. When the candy bags were full and the sugar highs had worn off the kids wanted MORE! So they helped me prepare for a fun Halloween party. Family and friends came from all over. I was proud of all the adults dressing up and getting in to the spirit.

The first 9 weeks are completed at school. Both kids have amazing teachers and both got STRAIGHT A'S! Way to go munchkins!!

Yup, we have had some fun the last few months. Thankfully God knows what we need when we need it. Currently my mom is dealing with some health issues and my daughter just had her tonsils and adenoids removed to prepare for a bigger ear surgery later this month. We got to play, laugh, and have loads of fun now we're rallying around each other weathering the storm. 

I hope you have had a good late summer / early fall. Stay warm as the temperature drops!

au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time...

My Grandfather & His Flags, Revisited

*This is an old post I wrote awhile ago, seemed fitting for today. Enjoy :)

Memorial day weekend is once again upon us. I always reflect back on those who have fought for my freedom. I also think of my Grandpa John. He had so much respect for this nation, it's soldiers and it's flag. He understood what it meant to live for ones country. He served for and loved America.

Every year he'd drive his golf cart to the local cemetery and place hundreds of flags on every single grave belonging to a service man. Even as my grandfather got older and walking became more difficult, still there he was every memorial day. He knew what those men and women had sacrificed for him and he was sure not going to let anything get in his way to honor them.

I learned so much about honoring ones country from him growing up, even though he never sat me down and told me anything about it. Just by simply doing what was respectful, by acting on what was right I learned so much. The phrase "Actions speak louder than words" is so true here.

Every morning he would raise his flag up that tall flag pole in his front yard, and each evening he would lower those colors back down. It was (and is) disrespectful in his eyes to leave the red, white and blue out in the rain, the cold, the darkness. Even to this day, if I leave my flag out, or a corner touches the ground I feel so bad.

On this coming memorial day I hope you take a moment and thank those who helped make this country what it is. One thing I know I will be doing is passing a tradition onto my kids, heading to my local cemetery and placing flags on graves with my children. I know my Grandpa John would love to be alive and going with us, I'll place an extra one out there for him.

au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time...

Winter Wonderland

We actually got snow! I know for some of you this is no big deal, you may have been apart of that crazy north eastern snow storm recently. But down here in South Carolina snow is rare. About 4 inches blanketed the ground, it was beautiful. We enjoyed snow ball fights, snow angels, sledding, and just plain falling into the fluffy white stuff :)






Hope you all are staying comfy and cozy during this chilly winter season.

au revoir, adieu, ciao, till next time...

Never Lose Hope, Haiti Relief

Recenly our family learned about a great organization and we wanted to share it with you...


With the horrible tragedy recently in Haiti it brought up a great opportunity to teach my kids about the importance of basic human needs. One of those is fresh drinking water. My kids love anything that involves science so they were very interested in what "Water Missions International" is doing during this tragedy. They make these amazing water filtration systems to allow people to purify their muddy, dirty water.

At my parents church they had one of these filtration systems there for people to see how they work, and help raise money for the relief efforts. They also allowed people to write little messages on the tank that will be sent to Haiti later this week. Here is what my children drew:

My daughter drew 2 friends sharing clean glasses of water, I hope 2 friends in Haiti will be standing there smiling at this image and raise their glasses together.

As I watched my 6 year old son write out "Never Lose Hope" around his drawn cross, tears filled my eyes. All on his own he knew they needed this message. Such a universal phrase, something we all need to remember in our darkest hour.

Regardless of faith, ethnicity, age... Never Lose Hope.

Have a wonderful Sunday,

Lizzie