Coffee CubBuster

We took our first "family vacation" this past weekend to one of my favorite spots- North Georgia mountains during peak foliage!  It was great to get away from the city and day-to-day life for a couple days. Wish we could have stayed longer! Too bad Silas was sleeping during this amazing pic. I mean this tree was straight out of a painting, and of course we went to L.L. Beanery (Twice in one day) seen just behind me. Matthew now wants a Chiminea after enjoying one at the cabin. It actually put off a lot of heat. The sun set just over the mountains every night. It was beautiful. The new Smith clan We went on some great hikes while we were there too. Silas rocked his first pair of shoes to keep those toes warm. He looked ready to hike... But approximately two minutes later was dead asleep. We visited an apple picking farm too. It was a little past season though. All the good ones were already picked off. We did get to experience "pig racing...

I love me some homemade pumpkin chocolate chip bread. I've already made three loaves since the start of the season. They weren't ALL for me okay... don't judge. Here's my other pumpkin bread. We had a mini photo shoot with my friend Morgan. She's a great photographer. And I must say I loved the idea of this. I just got a couple teasers right now, but I loved watching him eat the pumpkin. He's just like his dad.... will eat anything. He's just growing up before my eyes. When did I become such a gushy mom? We finally caved and got the wifi camera monitor. It has two-way microphones. This was the terrified face of a boy who heard a voice but didn't see any body with that voice. (Parents are so mean to their kids.) We went to our first 1-year old birthday party together too. Can you tell it was a girls' party? We love when uncle Kevin stops by to visit This was uncle Matt's t-shirt when he was a little boy. Thanks for find...

I have been busily running around forgetting what really matters lately. Coffee matters. Pumpkin chocolate chip bread (that you make an extra batch of) matters. Leaving the house a mess so that I can just sit and belly laugh matters. Quiet moments with the Lord matter. I have neglected to really think about others lately. I get my plan for the day, and I only let Silas, Matthew, or someone I know really needs help break me of that plan... usually. Recently, I decided to just sit with my son and take in the moment as I felt like his little fingers and toes were growing before my eyes. When I asked him if he was hungry (we are working on sign language, and he actually knows "please"... hopefully a video capture soon), and he responded by putting both his little paws in my mouth and biting his toothless gums down on my nose. As I let out a belly laugh, he pulled back to try and understand what it was that I was laughing about. When he realized it was him creating the joy, h...

There's no coffee in this homemade granola, but it sure goes well with some afternoon decaf coffee (which I now partake in almost every day- try Trader Joes or Fresh Market for the best kinds). I start making it every fall, and even though we are having a warm snap this week, it's a tradition that makes me remember the cool air is coming. It's Giada's homemade cranberry nut granola recipe found here . I didn't have cranberry juice, but OJ works just as good (so do raisins if you're short on craisins... kind of changes the name a bit though). Someone is already eager to feed himself. I little too eager. Kind of like his precious Texas cousin. Happy first birthday Tanner! We tried on our other cousin's warm hat, but it was a bit snug. Thanks anyway Easton. Dental hygiene is of the utmost importance around here. Matthew asked Silas to trust him as he swung his long driver club over his mouth.  Yeah right. What kind of mother would I b...