It's hard to believe that 2 months have passed since moving home from Pennsylvania. In some ways, it feels like the blink of an eye... in others, as though years have passed. I am feeling a bit reminiscent today so I thought I'd share some of the wonderful things that I already miss from that beautiful, enchanting part of the country.

Mild summers...

sponge candy...

beer culture... pirogues... gorgeous waterways...

ancient trees...

Perry's ice cream... Conneaut Lake...

Hank's frozen custard... abundant nature trails...

beautiful bridges...

local wineries...

Lake Erie during any season...

groundhogs (really?)... one day of snow...

maybe two...

playing Euchre with these friends...

old train tunnels...

flowers for miles...

amazing parks and historic sites...

the fish in Linesville...

no... I won't miss them.

**shivers**

I have been so richly blessed by the opportunity to live in a part of the country that is so different from where I've spent most of my life. While it feels good to be "home," northwestern Pennsylvania will always feel like a close second.

Call us "Cavy Slaves." Over the past year, we've fallen totally in love with a pair of guinea pigs, Jagger and Joplin.

They wheek and we come running. We are really at their beck and call.

Well, Miss Joplin decided to give birth to two precocious wee ones while we were on the road, traveling from Georgia to Pennsylvania.

Yeah... our road trips are never boring.

Just look at these little guys!!

We have been planning to find forever homes for these babies, but now that they're here... we can't imagine giving them up!

Wheek!!

I was so excited to host my best friend, Kellie, for a few days this week. It did my heart good to have her here.

Our birthdays are back-to-back and we both agreed that we needed girl time to properly celebrate.

We laughed, baked, crafted, shopped, got manicures, forgot calories, and enjoyed some outdoor winter fun.

We were all so sad to see her leave, but the memories made will never be forgotten.

After one full year in Pennsylvania, we finally went sledding and it was...

So. Much. Fun.

I have mixed emotions about Facebook. In fact, it can take you through your full range of emotions in one session... happy, sad, touched, annoyed, reflective, inspired...

But what I love about Facebook is reconnecting with old acquaintances and discovering where life has taken them.

Emily is one such acquaintance from high school. After reconnecting last year, I learned that she is an amazingly talented photographer. I've been in awe ever since.

There is an angelic quality about her work.

There's an angelic quality about her heart, too.

Emily put together a very helpful post on her own blog this week about styling your entire family for photos (without breaking the bank!). Given this is the most beautiful time of year, I know many of you are planning your own photo sessions and thought you might find her advice helpful.

So, head on over to Here On Earth Photography to meet Emily. Your heart will be warmed and I know you'll leave inspired.

Happy Friday!

Fall is in the air, my friends!

We awoke to a picture-perfect, cool, crisp morning. While I certainly LOVE this time of year, I'm sad to see summer go. It has been an amazing season for us!

Primarily because we're used to record-breaking temps and humidity that forces Southerners to hibernate during the summer.

No hibernation for us this summer, though! Here are a few of my favorite memories.

We camped (a lot)...

 

...here...

...and here...

...and here.

We spent time on the water.

We skipped rocks and gawked at ancient trees.

We went on urban adventures.

And we saw the most amazing sights!

We're all a little tired.

Back to the routine of real life... and...

Back. To. Blogging.