- Field Trip to Liberty -

I ooh'ed and ahh'ed over Liberty Apple Orchard a few weeks ago, so we weren't mad at all to head back to this wonderful place for Harper's first preschool field trip and more apple picking fun!  We rolled in riiiiiight on time [and although my kids can never get their sh*t together to get out of the house on time, I totally take the blame this time. I was nonchalantly following another SUV through the winding country roads and the driver seemed to be on the right path towards the orchard.  All of the sudden nothing was looking familiar and I realized we should've been at our destination several minutes ago, and the rest is history...]. However! We swerved into a parking spot, bolted out of the car, and the three of us ran up to the line [pictured below, lolz] just as Mr. Miller was welcoming everyone to the orchard.  No sweat!  After a few sing-along songs outside, the lovely Mrs. Miller gave the students a lesson inside the Liberty Schoolhouse all about apple seeds/trees/fruits, etc., etc., etc., before they set us loose outside in the orchard.

Siblings were invited on the field trip as well [mostly probably because parents were required to attend!], and Scarlett just thought she was the bee's knees for getting to hang with all of the big kids.  My momma heart swelled as I observed Harper being soooo kind to her -- and even showing her off -- as she held her hand through the orchard and introduced Scarlett to all of her friends: "This is my baby sister, her name is Scarlett!"  Harper also so lovingly included Scarlett in the few photos I took, and Scarlett nuzzled right in to Harper's friends like she was an original member of the pack!  So stoked that these two beautiful sisters will always have each other in their corner. :)

After all of our apple bags were filled, we met back up at the school house and Mr. Miller brought out cups of homemade apple cider for all of us to taste. Yummmmm!  It was a super chilly morning, so we were thrilled when it was finally time to retreat back to the car and crank up the heat!

Thanks to the preschool teachers and [again] to Mr. and Mrs. Miller for organizing such a special day!  We love cutting into our Liberty apples!!!

- The TILE that took a WHILE... -

...and "a WHILE" in so many ways, because OY - brace yo'self for a monster of a post!

Back to the beginning:  Way way back in early July, we browsed around some tile shop [actually, literally called The Tile Shop lolz] and immediately fell in love with the wide range of colors/shapes/options of tiles.  They had awesome displays and [seemingly] decent prices, so we scheduled an appointment slot to come back and pick things out and place an order.

A few weeks later, we were back and armed with our [already chosen] paint and stone and trim swatches/samples.  Kelsey was our consultant for the "picking and purchasing" appointment, and her brainwaves totally connected to mine and bada bing, bada boom! A couple hours later, we had samples flung around everywhere and the whole house [bathroom floors, showers, laundry room floor, a few random tile walls] was dressed from head to toe like #nbd.  The color schemes fit together perfectly, and it. was. magical.  Donezooooo!  Easy and flawless!  Check tile shopping off the list!

Then! [There's always a then...] A few weeks later, Kelsey e-mailed the quote.................... And my heart may or may not've shyly shattered into a thousand little pieces when Brian said it was "WAY way way over budget" and we'd probably have to scratch the order all together and go back to the drawing board and zomggggg. No no NO, say it ain't so!

...After I cried on the inside for another week-ish, I regained composure and hit up another handful of tile stores in town; and SOMEHOW -- finally -- we meshed tiles/accents/random pieces from here, there, and everywhere to sort of create the original choices that were made at The Tile Shop.

Home Depot, Menards, and Floor & Decor: you totes saved our booties and our wallets!!!  Did someone say we're only gonna have to fork out about 1/5 of the money that was quoted on the original Tile Shop bill?  YAS QUEEN!  I'll take it!

Thank the good Lord above for kids who like to shop......and ALSO for grandparents who will babysit when said kids get sick of shopping...and shopping...and shopping...! It takes a whole team to get this show on the road!

[ALSO, above and below are photos of my side plug for Home Depot: the flooring guys Mark and Malik were soooooo helpful and went way above and beyond to help us walk out with what we needed in no time at all!  Mark even checked us out in the back to avoid a disastrous front counter tile-counting experience, and then Malik helped Brian load the boxes [and boxes and boxes] of tiles into the truck.  This was such a pleasant surprise after tapping our toes for a stupid amount of time waiting on employees/forklifts/any assistance at all at Floor & Decor. Thumbs up for Home Depot!  I let these two guys know that their manager would be getting a personal note from me boasting their commendable work -- and in fact, the card is en route through USPS as we speak!  Hopefully these hard-working guys get a raise for their excellent customer service! ;)]

Of course, once the TONS of tile made it to the new house, Papa Mark got right to work!

And he worked and he worked and he worked...

...and worked and worked and WORKED!

He even worked all week alone while the rest of us were in Florida!

^^ I mean come on, is it just me, or do these HOURS of calculations and tedious thought processes look soooo painful?!  We always joked growing up that the crease in the middle of his eyebrows got a little deeper every time he starting thinking too hard, and that crease is looking pretttttty deep right about now!  Yes, am I right???  ...Rightfully so, I was really starting to feel bad for the poor guy; but time and time again he assured me that he was "loving the challenge" and actually, truly, really enjoying the job!  Nonetheless, the work looks flawless, and we are so appreciative of all the hours he put into the tiling! Somehow, he's always had a knack for making my wild ideas come to life, and I'd say these unique showers are no exception!!! :D

[Kids' shower above, and master shower below...]

#willworkforfood  .....or maybe just #willworkfortimewiththegrandbabies ? :)

Go, Papa, go!  The hours are racking right up, but the end is in sight!

...Annnnnd with a little finishing help from Papa Jim, all the floors and both showers -- AND ALL THE TILE WORK IN THE WHOLE HOUSE -- BE DONEZOOOOO! Woo hoooooo! 

I was gonna wrap this up with something sentimental like, "We will remember you fondly every time we use the showers!......" ...but that's a little weird! 

So, stated super simply and sooo sincerely: THANK YOU, DAD!!!   

You are the absolute best and we are over the moon with the finished product! :D

- Amazed in the Maze -

Going to a "legit" corn maze has been on my fall bucket list for at LEAST 10 years now, so when Lindsey and her family invited us to meet them at one last weekend I was s-t-o-k-e-d!  Harper gave Scarlett a good 'ole Halloween-themed crayola coloring pedicure in honor of the event, and then we snagged Brian from the new house and were off for an afternoon of fall family fun!

Doing something fall-ish AND having time with Daddy?! Is this even real life???!!! Yes, yessss it is.

Admittedly, the corn crib was a bigger hit for the kids than the actual corn maze was, but we didn't mind! Corn digging and playing for the kids means plenty of talking and reminiscing for the adults who were happily parked on the sidelines.

Thanks for the invite, Lindsey and Steve! We loved catching up with you and will most definitely have to get together again sometime soon! :-* 

- Fire Safety a la Pre-K -

So many thanks to the local fire department for coming out to the school this month and teaching the kiddos all about fire safety!  It's honestly just something we've never really talked about in detail with Harper as she tends to be a worrier, but she came home from school with SCADS of information of what to do in the case of a house fire.  [Side note:  Why is it that kids have their ears tuned in 1000% when someone else is teaching them something, but only 10% when I'm trying to tell them something? Hahah...]  Anyway, #thrilledmama right here!  The information she was rattling off was so accurate, and I love that the firefighters gave her the confidence to not be scared or try to hide from them if they come looking for her/us inside the burning house!  We now have a fire escape plan in place for our family and Harper knows how to dial 9-1-1 in the case of a true emergency [eek!]. 

I love the photos that Harper's teacher shared online and wanted to share them here as well.

Hats off to all firefighters and first responders... Thank you for your service! :)

- HBD, Grammy! -

'Tis the season for roasting marshmallows over bonfires...

...taking hayrides through the yard...

...and of course, celebrating GRAMMY ANN'S BIRTHDAY!

She was the lucky recipient of lots of special things -- including a marshmallow/pretzel goat hand-crafted by Harper + a few Destin goodies to remember our beach vacation in September! 

Happy birthday, Grammy Ann! We love you!

- When is an apple grouchy....? -

.....When it's a CRAB APPLE! 

Lolzzzzz.  But no crab apples in this bunch, because we're all smiles when it comes to hitting up U-Pick at Liberty Apple Orchard!  The orchard is family-owned by a wonderful couple at our parish, and we absolutely love visiting there every year and giving them our business.  They are the nicest people and truly make the experience the best it can be!

After traipsing along through the trees, we snagged a little bag of fujis [and even ate a few while we picked]! Yummmmmm.  Harper has been learning all about apples at school this fall, so she was a pro at twisting and snapping the fruit off the trees.  Scarlett couldn't quite get the hang of picking this year, but she was quite quick to learn the pointing/squealing/dancing method when she spotted a perfect apple.  And Daddy? Welllll, he was stuck working at the new house, but he most certainly enjoyed the special snack we hand-delivered as soon as we left the orchard!  :)

As we were walking back up to the front of the orchard to pay and leave, Mr. Miller was waiting excitedly and so kindly offered to take a photo of us by the scarecrows! Did I mention how great these people are?!?

...Yep, like I said, not a crab apple in sight! Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Miller! We adore Liberty!

- Fall In Love With YLEO! -

~ WELCOME! ~

Hey there fall lovers!!! There is FINALLY a decent chill in the air (only took 'til October to get here!), and to celebrate I thought I'd share/permanently post a mini-class here a la blog that I hosted on Facebook this week. 

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~ THINGS I LOVE ABOUT FALL ~

1. Cool air.
2. BEAUTIFUL leaves.
3. Pumpkin patches.
4. Apple orchards.
5. Sweaters.
6. Cuddles.
7. Chunky blankets.
8. Warm coffee and fall-flavored creamers.
9. Scarves.
10. ALL THE DELICIOUS FALL DIFFUSER BLENDS. It's like heaven up in 'dis house!

What do you love??!

(Here are some great fall-ish diffuser blends to try!)

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~ STAYING HEALTHY ~

Mixed in with all the things above that I love, there is oneeeee thing I dislike about fall:

..........And that is getting sick!

Fall, alongside its amazingness, can also be a difficult season for our physical and emotional health. The days are shorter and darker, and people all around us are spreading some yucky germs into the air. Even if you're doing everything “right," essential oils can help you strengthen your physical wellness, improve your emotional balance, and fill your home with safe, purifying products. Here are some ways you can incorporate essential oils and essential oil-infused products into your daily routine to support your health all winter long:
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Utilize the Power of Thieves:

To help control the spread of those yuckies, incorporate the health-supporting power of any of Young Living's Thieves Line.

- Diffuse Thieves essential oil blend day or night to help purify and humidify the air. We also use this in a roller bottle to roll on our feet at bedtime.

- Clean household surfaces with Thieves Wipes or Thieves Household Cleaner.

- Keep Thieves Waterless Hand Sanitizer in your car, at your desk, and in your purse or bag for a quick and easy cleansing shot. I have this on hand ALL THE TIME, and my favorite time to bust it out is in car line at preschool pickup!
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Aside from Thieves products, we also use these guys:

- Citrus oils such as Citrus Fresh™, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, Orange, and Tangerine help support the body’s natural defenses. Plus, the fresh, vibrant citrus scents can also help boost your mood during short winter days.

- Clove oil (an important ingredient in Thieves!) helps support the body’s natural response to stress.

- Oregano oil is known as a purifying oil.

- Thyme oil was traditionally regarded for its cleansing properties.

- ImmuPower™ oil is great to diffuse or apply topically to the feet and hands (don't love the smell, but hey! Worth it.).

- Purification® oil deodorizes and neutralizes the air.
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Support Respiratory Health:

- Young Living's Respiratory Blend, R.C.™, has three varieties of Eucalyptus and is comforting when applied to the chest and throat. Diffusing R.C. is our winter lifeline!

- Thieves Lozenges deliver the cleansing power of Thieves for long-lasting relief.

- Thieves COUGH DROPS will help soothe that nagging cough.

- Breathe Again™ Roll-On creates a soothing aroma.

-Peppermint oil eases tension and, along with Myrtle and Pine, supports healthy respiratory function.
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And then, finally, my FAVE:

For an extra boost, drink Ningxia Red every single day! NingXia Red incorporates the benefits of Goji berry, yuzu juice, aronia berry and therapeutic essential oils into a powerful antioxidant and nutritionally balanced drink. The NingXia and Chinese wolfberry have been used for thousands of years to support the immune system, promote longevity and naturally detox the body. The Flemings x 4 LOVE our "healthy juice!" And you get two samples in your Premium Starter Kit. Google "benefits of goji berries" if you want to read up more.

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~ STRESS RELIEF ~

Fall y'all. It's busy. Can I get an AMEN!?

Teachers, photographers, mommas, nurses, basically any working professional, you feel me?! Fall is BUSY. And a lot of times, with that busyness comes stress. Although stress is a natural mechanism designed to keep us prepared for challenges, most modern lifestyles add more daily stress than our bodies are made to handle. In fact, studies have shown that modern, everyday stresses, if left unchecked, can negatively impact our health!

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Essential Oil Roll-Ons:

Apply Tranquil™ or Stress Away™ Roll-Ons to your temples or neck for a quick way to soothe and relax stressed nerves. OR if you're a DIY fan, you can make your own de-stressing roller. Our favorite is:

* 25 drops of Lavender
* 15 drops of Stress Away
* 17 drops of Valor
* 7 drops of Vetiver
* 7 drops of Patchouli

Fill to the top of roller bottle with fractionated coconut oil!
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Essential Oils:

Use the diffuser or apply the following oils topically to help calm and uplift. You can even create your own blend of two or three oils to create a custom, stress-relieving effect.

- Peace & Calming II oil has calming and relaxing properties.

- Bergamot oil is known for easing stress due to it's calming and centering scent. I sometimes wear this one as perfume!

- Frankincense oil has comforting properties that help focus the mind and overcome stress.

- Lavender oil calms the mind and body.

- Cedarwood oil promotes relaxation, balance, and increased mental focus.

- Ylang Ylang oil relaxes the mind and uplifts emotions.
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And to help with the unwanted pain that comes with the tension of stress, I highly recommend snatching up some Cool Azul Pain cream. It has been a LIFE saver for Brian during all these months of building the house!

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~ PUMPKIN SPICE, PLEASE! ~

Fall is my most favorite time of the year JUST because of #everythingpumpkinspice.  It's okay, you can admit it, too!

A couple healthier and more legit versions of what they're servin' up at Starbucks:

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Frappe:

* 2 cups of coffee, cooled
* 2 tablespoons of YL's Vanilla Spice Pure Protein
* 1/3 cup of pumpkin puree
* A scoop of ice

Blend & add whip cream & caramel drizzle.
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Latte:

* 2 cups of hot coffee. Or if you're feeling fancy, 2 shots of espresso, with a cup of steamed milk.
* 2 tablespoons of YL's Vanilla Spice Pure Protein
* 1/3 cup pumpkin puree

Blend & add whip cream & caramel drizzle.

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~ SUGAR SCRUB ~

What you need:

* 1 cup of packed brown sugar
* 1/4 cup of coconut oil
* 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
* 3 drops of Cinnamon Bark oil

Mix the Cinnamon Bark oil, vanilla extract and brown sugar together, then slowly add coconut oil until you get desired consistency and texture.

I loveeeeeeeee love LOVE this in the shower!

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~ THIEVES TEA ~ 

Thieves Tea. It's soothing, it's comforting, and it's immune boosting. Here's how you make it:

Mix one drop of Thieves Vitality and two drops of Lemon Vitality into a teaspoon of honey, using a toothpick to stir.

Next, stir the honey mixture into a steaming mug of hot water. (FYI, always use glass when mixing essential oils into beverages - noooo plastic cups!.)

Then boost your immunity, one sip at a time.

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~ BEARD OIL ~ 

During November, thousands of men put away their razors and let their facial hair grow uninhibited in support of men’s health awareness. Two of the most prominent advocates for this movement are No-Shave November and Movember, charitable organizations dedicated to raising awareness for men’s health.

Will your man be joining in? No matter which cause you’re ditching the razor for, it’s important to keep those follicles looking and feeling their best. Here is a tried and true recipe from several other men (as we all know my man doesn't have a beard!):

In a 4oz dropper filled to the top with jojoba oil (about 3/4 of the way), added a splash of vitamin E oil plus:

* 10 drops of Northern Lights Black Spruce
* 10 drops of Cedarwood
* 10 drops of Idaho Blue Spruce
* 5 drops of Tea Tree
* ONE drop of Peppermint

Let me know if you try this one; I'm interested to hear!

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~ INFUSED HOT CHOCOLATE ~

What you need:

* 4 cups unsweetened almond, dairy, or other milk of your choice
* 8 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 4 teaspoons honey, or more to taste
* 4 drops Lavender OR Peppermint Vitality oil Instructions

Heat 4 cups of milk in a saucepan on medium-high heat. Add 8 tablespoons unsweetened raw cocoa,
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 4 teaspoons honey; whisk until smooth.

When warm, remove from heat and stir in 4 drops Lavender or Peppermint Vitality essential oil.

Serve and enjoy!

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~ GINGERBREAD TRUFFLES ~

Are you ready for a treat that’s rich, chocolaty, and has a seasonal twist? Perfect, because there's one coming right up!!!

Prep. time: 30 minutes, plus time to cool
Makes a dozen truffles

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INGREDIENTS:

* 6 ounces dark chocolate (at least 50 percent cacao), finely chopped
* 1 tablespoon coconut oil
* 1 tablespoon Yacon Syrup
* 1/3 cup coconut milk
* Pinch of sea salt
* 2 drops Cinnamon Bark essential oil
* 2 drops Ginger essential oil
* 1 drop Clove essential oil
* 1 drop Nutmeg essential oil
* Unsweetened cocoa powder for rolling
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DIRECTIONS:

Place the chopped chocolate in a heat-proof bowl and set aside.

Combine the coconut oil, Yacon Syrup, coconut milk, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer (do not boil).

Pour mixture over reserved chopped chocolate. Let stand for 1–2 minutes, and then stir gently until completely melted and smooth.

Stir in the essential oils.

Refrigerate until mixture is just set, about 2 hours.

With a small scoop or spoon, make 12 balls, rolling each between the palms of your hands to smooth.

Place about 1/4 cup of cocoa powder in the bottom of a shallow plate or dish. Roll each truffle in the cocoa until coated.

Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to firm and serve.

Truffles can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 weeks; let stand at room temperature 10 minutes before serving.

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Happy fall, y'all!  Enjoy!