My Darling Days

A Season of Thankfulness

Sometimes, it can feel like our world is crashing down. A bad day, a bad week -- maybe even a bad month.

Personally, our days may be difficult – work is stressful, family obligations seem overwhelming, and we’re forever searching for more time in the day.

Nationwide, we fear school shootings, we listen to politicians who are undoubtedly swayed by special interest groups vs. the overall good for mankind, and our media outlets seem to focus more on the latest design of the Starbucks cup than they do about the growing number of hungry & homeless people right here in the USA.

Globally, there isn't a day that passes in which the evening news doesn't make us cringe. From the recent attacks in Paris & Lebanon, to the endless fighting in the Middle East – I think it’s safe to say some of us are living in fear.

We wonder when the bad day, bad week, or bad month will end?

But, even amidst our bad days & the crises of the world, we still have SO much to be thankful for. I’ll bet 98% of the individuals reading this post have a roof over their head, a refrigerator full of food, and family & friends who love them unconditionally. I’ll bet 98% of the individual’s reading this post have the freedom of religion, speech & the freedom to be whatever they aspire to be. We have to remember that even when it feels like our world is crashing down, there are always beautiful, kindhearted souls who are willing to help.

Look for the helpers. Be the helper. And be thankful for all things.

The wonderful ladies over at Lolly Jane designed this printable. I adore it so much so that I wanted to share it with you. It's a free printable, click here to download it!

This season, let’s remember to count our blessings. Even among the brokenness, let’s find beauty. Let’s remember that we still have so much to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

Happy Sunday.

Last weekend I had a really nasty stomach bug, and have been feeling a bit queasy all week, but I think I'm finally on the mend. My appetite is back, and this winter fruit salad with lemon poppy seed dressing looks amazing to me right now!

I love how Julia styled this pretty Old Navy scarf -- the pattern mixing & the POP it makes against the snow has me lusting over this look!

I'm not the biggest Bloody Mary fan in the entire world, but these look so good to me! Maybe it's the cute napkins... or the pickle :)

Pie stencils -- perfect for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

I'm getting the itch to plan a winter vacation, and this graphic about airline legroom has me intrigued.

Inspiration: Thanksgiving Tablescapes

Now that Halloween is over, I feel like everyone is skipping over Thanksgiving & focusing right on Christmas.

That's fine & all (I love me some Christmas, too) but let's not look past the next holiday... THANKSGIVING!

It's not about the sales...
It's not about football...
It's not about deer hunting...

It's about counting our blessings, spending time with family, & giving thanks. And we celebrate by eating lots of yummy food!

Juicy turkey with mashed potatoes, grandma's stuffing, and pumpkin pie... the thought of it is making my mouth water!

In my family, my sister always hosts Thanksgiving, but if I had the chance I'd love to put together a fall inspired tablescape.

For fun, I've gathered three of my favorites from around the web. Designs that are magazine-worthy, no doubt, but totally doable for the "average joe".

image via Jenna Sue Design

Wood box centerpiece filled with things from around the yard -- pine clippings, berries & pinecones, along with some candles. Woven pacements & a burlap runner -- so darling!

image via Julie Blanner

I love that this centerpiece uses apples instead of the traditional pumpkins. Add in cheesecloth & seeded eucalyptus & you have a simple yet stunning tablescape!

image via Thoughts from Alice

Quintessentially fall, this tablescape screams Thanksgiving: pumpkins, gourds, & mason jars. I love how rustic it is!

What one is your favorite?

For the Love of the Hunt...

September 12, 2015 – season opener for bowhunting. I knew the date well, as Zac had been preparing for it for months.

In fact, for about the last 6 months, there wasn’t a day that passed in which I didn’t hear about bowhunting – what he saw on camera, what his friends/family had on camera, where he was gonna sit, where he was going to put up a new stand, that he needs a new bow, archery practice, washing clothes in scent lock gear, etc. etc. etc.

And I’ve decided this year, that I was going to try my hardest not to get upset that my husband would rather spend more time in the woods than with me. Because it's for the love of the hunt.

I told myself I wouldn’t care that our whole house has become consumed with all things hunting: USB cards for trail cameras, scattered everywhere -- in the bedroom, in the office, in the kitchen, heck – I’ve even found them in the bathroom! And hunting magazines galore – good Lord the hunting magazines. HOW MANY DOES ONE PERSON REALLY NEED? And all the gear... spread across our kitchen table, laying in the basement, consuming his truck... it's everywhere.

So I'd like to say that this year, this year I’ve embraced hunting season. I've even actually spent quite a few evenings sitting in a tree with Zac. And I get it -- it's relaxing (until it becomes boring). But try as I might, I just don't have the love of the hunt....

To date, Zac has spent almost every evening since September, and most weekend mornings, in the woods.

Sitting. Waiting. Wishing... Praying for that "big buck" to venture across his shooting lane.

But here’s the thing. If I’ve learned anything over years with my hunting obsessed husband, it's that hunting is equal parts time, talent, money, & a whole lot of luck.

It's all about being in the right place, at the right time. Hmmm, isn't that life in general, too?

So far, it's been no luck for Zac... he's seen lots of deer, but none of them are shooters... yet.

And it doesn't even matter to him, because he'll sit again tonight & tomorrow night, and again the morning after...
Because, it’s for the love of the hunt.

I only wish I had a hobby that I was so passionate about...

Good luck, babe! I think this is your year!

Date Day: Hiking High Cliff State Park

To celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary, we went the super untraditional route... We incorporated exercise & the beautiful outdoors with a trip to hike High Cliff State Park & called it a date.

High Cliff State Park is located in Sherwood, WI, which is about an hour & ten minute drive south for us. The park is beautiful & was just starting to show signs of fall while we were there. It overlooks Lake Winnebago & sits on limestone cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment -- which is how the park got it's name. I highly recommend this park to hike for any skill level, but there's much more to do there than just hike -- you can camp, picnic, hunt, fish, or even have your wedding there.

A few (ok, a lot) photos from our hike: