Ohgabetta

In Florida we are not often unable to get outside due to the weather prohibiting us. Unlike our northern counterparts and Midwest comrades, we don’t get inundated with icy roads, below freezing temps, and snow blocked streets. Yet, with our own winter climate woes, the idea of hibernation just feels like the natural solution.  Maybe it's partly due to cold/flu season and everyone is miserable with the bronchitis, the sinusitis, and "just a nasty head cold".  Come on, we all know or are the someone with the lingering head cold that just won't stop because people don't wash their hands or don't cough into their elbow like decent humans and it's brutal.  Ugh, woof just recapping it. But I'm ready for the light of day to stay longer into the evenings and for the urge to get out and enjoy the great outdoors to be in full swing!  I enjoy this time of year in Florida because, well, who wouldn’t?  We live where other people vacation and retire to. See ab...

My most favorite holiday hands down is today.  Freaking LOVE this holiday so much, in fact, I mentioned it in my wedding vows.  True story.  I decorate as early as first week of September and I don't care who judges that.  I know I sound like a lunatic and it's fine. I guess it's my favorite holiday because I have awesome Halloween memories as long as I can remember.  I've always had super fun costumes since this holiday speaks to my creative spirit.  Could be my fave holiday because I enjoy spooky/scary movies and stories year round anyways.  Lastly, of course, the snacks ain't half bad.  #AlmondJoyFTW This picture grabs my heart.  We are missing our Pepper girl so hard and one of the biggest reasons we are functioning even at all is because of that little gal right there.  She is adjusting for sure but she has not let her love us hard nature waiver one bit.  We're in this together that's for sure. Happy Halloween to all a...

  Last Wednesday we said “see you again” to our sweet, brilliant, beautiful dogter Pepper. We’re hurting and immensely sad but we are grateful for the 14+ years she gave us.   When Hunter chose her from her litter, it was a bit of a Marley and Me situation; he said “I’ll take the quiet, easy going one in the corner with the white on her tippy toes”. It was quickly discovered the true PEP in her step and the amazing and often rambunctious character she possessed. Pepper has been the absolute ideal blend of loyal and spunky while full of mischief and comfort. She has stolen many a sandwiches and ate far too many socks with little to no remorse. To even out her chaos, she cemented herself as a fierce protector and the sincerest friend one could ever hope for. Truly, there isn’t a person in our household who Pepper wasn’t the best friend of. Pepper Ann Roberts, the greatest good bad dog there ever was. We love you and will continue to adore you and celebr...

Scrolling Instagram recently, I came upon my fave Kardashian sister Khloe's photo: Via What spoke to me more so was Khloe's message: "❥ Gracious God, in the busy-ness of my day, I sometimes forget to stop and thank you for all that is good in my life. My blessings are many and my heart is filled with gratefulness for the gift of healthy living, family and love. Lord, thank you for walking with us through the seasons of our lives. I thank you most of all for your unconditional and eternal love. Amen ❥ Kourtney taught me to always start my day with a prayer of gratitude and end my day with a prayer of love!" I am in love with this messaging.  Some days are extra wonderful full of all the things that make you happy.  Other days you have to work at it and your patience is tested approximately 32 times.  All days are a luxury we should never take for granted, though.  I believe in this logic of the Kardashian sisters and I appreciate this lifestyle and mentality...

  This adorably humbling little sheet came with stickers I bought for our wedding invites and I must say, it's a lovable and easy exercise to fill this puppy out every few days.  This simple act will remind you to slow it down, give things some thought, and own up to all you have to be appreciative of and for. My mom visited recently and I sent her home with a stack of these as well.  I think it's a nice gesture to incite our gratitude.  I'm always looking to provoke my grateful heart.  Plus, these are super pretty and I love some pretty stationary! What are your answers? mkh

Isn't nostalgia great?  A smell can transport to a previous setting; a sight can jostle the mind; you can actually feel as though you've actually been struck by a memory.  For example, I don't often eat Cookies and Cream ice cream.  Ice cream isn't my go to dessert and when it is CC is not what I reach for.  It's nothing personal, I'm just not an oreo fan so the premise of the flavor naturally deters me. However, when I see this flavor pop up 20+ years later, I'm instantly sent back to being 9-12 years old, going to Kmart with my mom or grandma, and they had their little cafe with an ice cream station.  I loved nothing more than a Cookies and Cream ice cream cone at this time in my life.  It's a fond memory which catapults me into random other memories circa that time. My mom wore Halston perfume when I was a kid and if I catch a whiff of it ever, I'm instantly six years old, sitting on her lap at my grandparent's restaurant, eating the fettu...

I'll just leave this right here for anyone in need of a reminder: Image Via   You can't go wrong with this advice.   When you come from a place of genuine, heart, mind, and body felt love, some kind of magic is projected.   Let's do more of that this year.   Find your love place and radiate those vibes. What's it going to hurt to give a go?

Inspiration lives everywhere. You've heard this, right?   Well I believe it.   I seek and find inspiration in everything from online news articles to puppies I don't know.   It's the perspective we choose to make for ourselves. As I get older I find myself increasingly more grateful in daily life.   It's simple luxuries like good health, love for and from those around me, and the ability to do what I love for a living that keeps me thriving. All this to say, I hope I continue to finding gratitude and grace for every morning.   I'm honestly quite happy and eager to keep finding joy in the kitchen and in the middle of pumping gas.                                                      ...