Oh, How I Love Mountains

A friend, my sister and I took a lovely trip to Paris Mountain.

 

The fall weather was invigorating 

and the scenery was absolutely stunning.

  

We hiked a level 8 out of 10 trail that ran alongside Sulfur Springs.

Several times we had to cross the springs in order to continue on the trail.

 

Being in the forest can be so magical.  It was so beautiful.

We were excited to reach the top and took a picture 

(trying to look professional).

We hiked back down and set up a delightful picnic arrangement right next to a beautiful lake and yes, we brought a pumpkin and candles for decoration.  Let me emphasize that the bottle is not wine.  It is Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice.  If you can see well enough, you can read the label.

Our picnic consisted of groceries purchased from Whole Foods Market.  

We had a delicious variety of cheese, grapes, whole grain bread, deli meat,

Grecian yogurt, and whole grain crackers.

 

We hadn't been setting up for too long when two hungry little geese came quacking their little tails off!

They were begging for food and of course we couldn't resist.  They were quite humorous to watch as they dashed for the food and sometimes fought for it.

Afterward we went to Elizabeth's apartment and enjoyed 

a delicious, home-made apple crisp topped with ice cream and 

freshly brewed Seattle's Best coffee blended with Pumpkin Spice creamer.

What a wonderful day.

Fallish Things

Yesterday was perfectly Fall.

Crisp breeze.

Rich colors.

Cheerful people.

I thought it couldn't get any better,

but then I remembered my society was going on an outing to Sky Top Orchard.

The apples had already been mostly picked,

but we ventured far enough to get a few good ones.

The sky was so blue, and the mountain air was so wonderful.

After our apple picking adventure, we shopped around the cozy country store.

 

We thought it'd be rude to refuse apple cider.

Then we waited in line for some of their famous $1 donuts.

Mmmmmm.

Then after a delicious lunch and delightful fellowship, we headed home.

I had about THIS much fun.

Girls Night

One of my friends put on a surprise birthday party for her roommate.

 

Here's the birthday girl:

 

She was so surprised, and the party was superb.

It was full of fantastic fellowship and delicious food.

We played this crazy fun game (it's already on my Christmas list):

 

The fantastic girl in the blue shirt put on the party.

 

At the end we got some group pictures.

 

 

 

 

 It was a great end to a tough school week.

My Inspiration

Some people have been commenting on what I like to call
"my inspiration space,"  

so I thought I'd share some pictures.

 

Basically, it's just a compilation of all the memories I've experienced so far this year.

I have a lot of good ones.

 

1.

I cut out the Starbucks logo from a coffee sleeve, since I've had some great experiences there with friends a few times this semester.

2.

I received the "Save the Date" card in my school mailbox--my lovely friend, Crystal, is getting married in Florida next May.  If all the details work out on my end, I'll be playing the piano for her wedding.

3.

The red card is my society card.  Our theme this year is "Light," and the card is to help remind us what we as society sisters in Christ have been called to do (Matthew 5:14).

4.

I cut "Chipotle" out of a napkin.  My sister, friend, and I went out one Sunday night after church and (after a little shopping) ate a delicious and super fun dinner there.

5.

The stunning leaf is one of my favorites.  It caught my eye one day as I was walking to my dorm room from class.  I had to keep it--it goes really well with the inspiration theme.

 

1.

Bob Jones held a concert put on by The 5 Browns. 

My friends and I stayed afterward, met the group, and got their autographs.

2.

I cut out the pumpkin picture from a Pottery Barn catalog.

3.

West Greenville put on an Arts Festival one weekend, and I had a lovely time.

 

Just for a little extra flair I sprinkled a few fun buttons around, and I added a couple fabric flowers that I made a few weeks ago.

There are also some business cards that I collected from the Festival of Handmade Art where I got

 this incredible mug.

 My sister got

 this incredible mug.

 

Back to the inspiration wall.

This is the prize I won for first place in my age group at the 8k race a couple weekends ago.

I've kinda run out of room on my wall, so I've continued the memory theme on my closet doors.

 

 

 

This is my half of the dresser (my roommate, Lauralee, has the other unpictured half).

 

A couple girls have asked me to help them decorate their dresser and shelf space,

and I'm really looking forward to it.

 

I think this quote beautifully sums up the purpose of my inspiration space:
 

 "What matters is the sharing of time

       and remembering what a gift life is." 

Today is a special lady's birthday.

 (This is a lovely edible arrangement she received from my aunt and uncle.)

She has had a huge impact on my life.  I wouldn't even be here today without her.

Literally.

But much more than that, she has been such a wonderful example.  

There are so many things I admire and appreciate in her.

She has a friendly and calming way with people.

She uses the funniest and wittiest phrases--

phrases I want to use when I'm a Grandma.

She is extremely generous and giving.

She has a warming, contagious smile. 

She is hard working and industrious.

She is incredibly knowledgeable and wise.

She introduced me to the wonderful experience of coffee 

(black coffee, mind you).

She unconditionally loves her family.

She taught me how to knit.

(I'm in the processing of knitting a scarf right now!)

She is an extremely talented pianist and organist, 

which greatly contributed to my love for and enjoyment in piano.

She has a beautiful voice.

She and I share an absolute adoration of babies and little children.

She is actively involved in her church and is faithful to the Lord.

I could go on and on, but time and space limit me.

Grandma, the example you have set for me and the rest of the grandkids is invaluable.

I love you so much, and I'm so thankful for you!

Happy Birthday!

Ache Around the Lake

This weekend was definitely a highlight.

I ran with five delightful friends (two old, three new)

in an 8k race (that's 4.97 miles).
It took place around Lake Lanier in Tryon, NC.

 

It was called Ache Around the Lake.

There are lots of hills, but it is so gorgeous.

I won first place for my age category with a time of 43:52.
It's not a huge race, but it's a lot of fun.

I absolutely love the racing community.
Throughout the whole race people were rooting for us, and
at the end there were lots of people cheering, pushing each runner to the end.
The thrill of seeing the finish line is indescribable.  

The exhilaration and adrenaline I felt pushed me to full speed, and I sprinted to the end.

Afterward, we visited the lovely little town of Tryon.

 

 

 

It is a closely knit community with a rich heritage.

We stopped in a couple of spectacular antique shops.  

I wanted to buy just about everything in sight.

Then, since we were all starving, we stopped in The Hare and Hound for lunch.

 

 

 

This sign was propped up on the wall, and we thought it was hilarious.

 

All in all, it was a fantastic day.