The seasons are changing and I adore this time of year. . .the fragrance and taste of fall, cooler days, kids in school and a new year of learning has begun. The fall foliage here in this corner of the country is said to be breathtaking and I am holding my breath as I await the arrival of Autumn. We will be having some visitors and hope to go on many a "leaf peeping" drives, more to come on my next post.
For now, the kids are doing great adjusting to the new school year and really like there teachers and are making friends easily. My oldest has been known,on occasion,to have a bit of an accent when she relays information from her teacher. . .the south is creeping in bit by bit.
I have been enjoying my "free time" a few days a week, while Sophia is in Pre K, a bit too much, if you ask "the Dad". I am blessed with many new friends and neighbors and still have much exploring to do in my new town. . . without three kids in tow. Becoming accustom to "All Things Franklin" as to best places to shop for shoes, clothes, boots (thanks to my neighbors) and of course, best place to grab a bite for lunch. That in its self could be a full time job, and probably won't aid me in taking off the few pounds I put on sitting at the pool all summer drinking fruit tea!
I feel great on the days I make time to go for a run, as the days are getting cooler, it is a blessing! I even ran my first 5k here on Labor Day in beautiful downtown Franklin. My favorite thing to do these days is sit and read in my screened-in porch, to enjoy the warm air, with out all the mosquitoes that are so bad right now, is glorious!!
The number on questions people ask all the time are, "How do I like it here, what is different, and if we are adjusting well?
Five months in, I can honestly say, we truly love it. The people we have met are as warm as the weather! We are blessed to be in such a great neighborhood and school for our kids. We are blessed to be part of a wonderful church and blessed to open our home to events, gatherings, and new friends. We are blessed to be together as a family each night sharing stories about our day and blessed to have a job and food around our table.
We are in a season of blessing and a day doesn't go by that I don't acknowledge it as so. God's goodness overwhelms me in every season!
As we make new friends here, and share about our life, I have had the opportunity to remember the many seasons the Lord has seen our family through. So many of you reading this, walked with us through those seasons and I am forever grateful for you! Cancer in 2008, along with the birth of our sweet Sophia, job frustrations and unemployment in 2011. They have all been seasons. We have been shaped and molded for how our Maker wants to use us in the next season. I am thankful for each season and blessed by you who have spoken hope and life over our family.
Not much is all that different here, really. People are the same wherever you go, I think I am learning that more and more. The culture may be different, but the people are not. I am so glad for this season to meet new people and be the "new girl", to learn from others and see things differently.
May this season for you, dear friends, be filled with hope and wonder at the goodness of the Creator, And may you see blessing all around you.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
The Four Seasons of Summer in the South
We are in the middle of our first TN summer and things have been heating up since my last post!
I am use to my NW "granola summers" that slowly saunter in with a smooth transition from Spring rain to long summer days. . .traditionally after the 4th of July. Well, my experience this year in the land of grits has been quite different. I never knew four seasons could happen in just one season. . .Summer! It started out warm with nice evening cooling, June. Then went directly into HOT with days topping out at 112 degrees (record heat wave) and not cooling below 80 degrees at night, and this is only the end of June. The heat wave lands us in "water restriction" to bring in July. The monsoon rain came dumping 5 inches of rain in 3 days taking care of the water problem, which brings us to mid July. I will call this season humidity! If I thought the sweltering days of 112 degrees were bad 90 degrees with high humidity is so much worse! One thing I had never imagined use for, in the NW, are those window visors that you put in your car window when you go into a store. Nice, but not needed. They happen to be super beneficial here, if you don't want to fry an egg in your car. . .or melt your lipstick!
I have had many of my "grits" friends so apologetic to me regarding this weather. . .I wonder why??
Sunny day in the NW equals running outside, eating on the patio, going for a bike ride or enjoying a concert in the park. Humid day in South equals a dip in the pool, shopping in the AC, eating lunch in the AC, going to a movie in the AC, followed by a dip in the pool after dinner, and resting under the super high velocity fan in combination with AC.
Honest confessions from a NW girl, I don't mind seeing the sun everyday, the vitamin D has been very beneficial during this transition. I have had to sit at the pool almost everyday, regardless of what the "Dad" says or thinks. . .it's real rough. .sipping away on iced tea, chatting with new friends and reading many a books pool side this summer. The "Dad" admits to a tad bit of jealousy. . . .but someone has to take care of the kids!
Even with all the hot weather, we have been adjusting well and I don't even mind grilling on the BBQ a bit in the heat!
The crazy thing is, as my beloved NW is heating up for summer BBQ's we are having our last summer Cook Out's before the kids go back to school in a few weeks. I don't think they are quite ready to quit these lazy summer pool days. They have succeeded in becoming amazing swimmers, all three of them! My daughter has always wanted a pool party and with a birthday in the middle of July it's the perfect remedy for a 95 degree summer day! She is beyond thrilled! Even though the kids will be back in school in a few weeks, the pool is open until September and I am sure I will be able to get a few more books checked off my list!
I will end with a short story retold by "The Dad" regarding his trip to the "wine and spirits" store in our neighborhood. (side note to my NW peeps; no wine or liquor sold in grocery stores, only beer)
He was at a wine tasting a few weeks back and was told he was sampling "a good NW wine from the WILLAH-met valley". He chuckled and kindly told the young man that it was actually pronounced "will-AM-it Valley", much to his dismay the man argued back that he had been told the correct pronunciation was "WILLAH-met", "Well", the Dad (proudly wearing his UW shirt) smiled and said, "I am from the NW,and can guarantee that it is not pronounced that way". The man than thanked him and said he would share that info with the manager, and the all knowing sales guy! Ha!
So thankful we can enjoy our famous NW wines, even here in "Gritsville"! That said, I raise my glass to you dear friends far and near, may your days of summer be as lazy as sipping a good NW wine on your front porch, may your AC never go out!
While life is not always luxury living in the Four Seasons, or peaceful living with Vivaldi's Four Seasons around every turn. I pray God reveals himself in the little joys of every season in your life.
I am use to my NW "granola summers" that slowly saunter in with a smooth transition from Spring rain to long summer days. . .traditionally after the 4th of July. Well, my experience this year in the land of grits has been quite different. I never knew four seasons could happen in just one season. . .Summer! It started out warm with nice evening cooling, June. Then went directly into HOT with days topping out at 112 degrees (record heat wave) and not cooling below 80 degrees at night, and this is only the end of June. The heat wave lands us in "water restriction" to bring in July. The monsoon rain came dumping 5 inches of rain in 3 days taking care of the water problem, which brings us to mid July. I will call this season humidity! If I thought the sweltering days of 112 degrees were bad 90 degrees with high humidity is so much worse! One thing I had never imagined use for, in the NW, are those window visors that you put in your car window when you go into a store. Nice, but not needed. They happen to be super beneficial here, if you don't want to fry an egg in your car. . .or melt your lipstick!
I have had many of my "grits" friends so apologetic to me regarding this weather. . .I wonder why??
Sunny day in the NW equals running outside, eating on the patio, going for a bike ride or enjoying a concert in the park. Humid day in South equals a dip in the pool, shopping in the AC, eating lunch in the AC, going to a movie in the AC, followed by a dip in the pool after dinner, and resting under the super high velocity fan in combination with AC.
Honest confessions from a NW girl, I don't mind seeing the sun everyday, the vitamin D has been very beneficial during this transition. I have had to sit at the pool almost everyday, regardless of what the "Dad" says or thinks. . .it's real rough. .sipping away on iced tea, chatting with new friends and reading many a books pool side this summer. The "Dad" admits to a tad bit of jealousy. . . .but someone has to take care of the kids!
Even with all the hot weather, we have been adjusting well and I don't even mind grilling on the BBQ a bit in the heat!
The crazy thing is, as my beloved NW is heating up for summer BBQ's we are having our last summer Cook Out's before the kids go back to school in a few weeks. I don't think they are quite ready to quit these lazy summer pool days. They have succeeded in becoming amazing swimmers, all three of them! My daughter has always wanted a pool party and with a birthday in the middle of July it's the perfect remedy for a 95 degree summer day! She is beyond thrilled! Even though the kids will be back in school in a few weeks, the pool is open until September and I am sure I will be able to get a few more books checked off my list!
I will end with a short story retold by "The Dad" regarding his trip to the "wine and spirits" store in our neighborhood. (side note to my NW peeps; no wine or liquor sold in grocery stores, only beer)
He was at a wine tasting a few weeks back and was told he was sampling "a good NW wine from the WILLAH-met valley". He chuckled and kindly told the young man that it was actually pronounced "will-AM-it Valley", much to his dismay the man argued back that he had been told the correct pronunciation was "WILLAH-met", "Well", the Dad (proudly wearing his UW shirt) smiled and said, "I am from the NW,and can guarantee that it is not pronounced that way". The man than thanked him and said he would share that info with the manager, and the all knowing sales guy! Ha!
So thankful we can enjoy our famous NW wines, even here in "Gritsville"! That said, I raise my glass to you dear friends far and near, may your days of summer be as lazy as sipping a good NW wine on your front porch, may your AC never go out!
While life is not always luxury living in the Four Seasons, or peaceful living with Vivaldi's Four Seasons around every turn. I pray God reveals himself in the little joys of every season in your life.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Summer days in the South. . . .
Well, month two is here!
School is out and Summer has begun in more ways than one! Simon came home from school on the last day and asked if I could call him "Baby Cakes", because it's what his sweet Southern Belle of a teacher called him! He doesn't even want to go on to first grade because he really likes her, potentially his first crush?!
During, my last week before summer break I enjoyed hanging out with a dear friend from WA. If you keep up with my FB page, you will see we did a lot of shopping and eating chicken salad, putting our best "southern women" foot forward! We even wore our white pants, curses to the tomato basil soup. We only had 4 days to squeeze in as many 'southern' experiences as possible. BBQ and live music, quaint cafes with lots of fruit tea, downtown boutiques, Grand Ole Opry, Cracker Barrel, music in the vineyard (complete with thunderstorms) and rounded it out with some Chic fil a! Memorable days!
Now that the kids are home everyday we spend our time at the pool. They have been at the pool almost every day since it's been open. They are becoming great swimmers and will also have lessons beginning next week! It has been unseasonably HOT, or so they say! Above 90 the past 5 days, I was inquiring about the heat, and the locals just smile saying "Oh Honey, this ain't nothing yet, the humidity hasn't even arrived!" Since our kids were on vacation, our central air conditioner took its own vacation by freezing up. . . really now?! This Granola chick was ready to boil some grits on her forehead this past weekend. . .the heat can get to your brain!
Living in the Nashville south, "Music City" boasts it's share of famous musicians. Everyone has a connection with someone famous. One evening shindig at the home of "The Dad's" boss I was afforded the opportunity to meet and have my picture with and meet a legendary christian music icon. In the 80s I grew up with him, 90s included the pop years, and 2000s he helped us worship, the one and only, Michael W Smith. It was epic! I don't get excessively "star struck", but the evening was so casual it caught me off guard, sending me over the moon! My new "grits friends" just laugh and understand it's part of living in Nashville!
We have also had other great music experiences including the infamous Blue Bird Cafe, private singer songwriter nights, and meeting Country music Hall of Famers. The Dad and I feel very TN-cultured!
The Kids say they feel like we are on a long vacation, and they love living in TN. I know they love the pool! Honestly, my love of the pool has overshadowed the guilt of laying by the pool. It's for the kids. . .
I also really love and thank God for the new friends and neighbors we are making here. Sometimes, however, I miss those that know me. Insert theme song from Cheers. . ."Where everybody knows your name". I have never been the "New Girl" and I am reaching out in new ways. Ways I have rarely had to do in the past. I am actively seeking friendships, which still seems a bit odd. I have always had everyone around me that I need. I am really enjoying the blessings of meeting new friends. I continue to discover people, despite their differences on the outside, are searching for the same things no matter where you go. There are always those you can connect with on a heart level, as long as you are willing. The Lord has had us on a journey, especially the last 4 years. I am blessed sharing the story of God's sovereignty with new friends. My Granola friends remain witness to that journey and I miss them dearly. While, never forgetting the life and friends our family shared in WA, I embrace new friendships and look forward to meeting those kindred spirits that will touch my life in a special way. I pray the Lord uses this summer to show us all the heat and jealousy of his love for us.
School is out and Summer has begun in more ways than one! Simon came home from school on the last day and asked if I could call him "Baby Cakes", because it's what his sweet Southern Belle of a teacher called him! He doesn't even want to go on to first grade because he really likes her, potentially his first crush?!
During, my last week before summer break I enjoyed hanging out with a dear friend from WA. If you keep up with my FB page, you will see we did a lot of shopping and eating chicken salad, putting our best "southern women" foot forward! We even wore our white pants, curses to the tomato basil soup. We only had 4 days to squeeze in as many 'southern' experiences as possible. BBQ and live music, quaint cafes with lots of fruit tea, downtown boutiques, Grand Ole Opry, Cracker Barrel, music in the vineyard (complete with thunderstorms) and rounded it out with some Chic fil a! Memorable days!
Now that the kids are home everyday we spend our time at the pool. They have been at the pool almost every day since it's been open. They are becoming great swimmers and will also have lessons beginning next week! It has been unseasonably HOT, or so they say! Above 90 the past 5 days, I was inquiring about the heat, and the locals just smile saying "Oh Honey, this ain't nothing yet, the humidity hasn't even arrived!" Since our kids were on vacation, our central air conditioner took its own vacation by freezing up. . . really now?! This Granola chick was ready to boil some grits on her forehead this past weekend. . .the heat can get to your brain!
Living in the Nashville south, "Music City" boasts it's share of famous musicians. Everyone has a connection with someone famous. One evening shindig at the home of "The Dad's" boss I was afforded the opportunity to meet and have my picture with and meet a legendary christian music icon. In the 80s I grew up with him, 90s included the pop years, and 2000s he helped us worship, the one and only, Michael W Smith. It was epic! I don't get excessively "star struck", but the evening was so casual it caught me off guard, sending me over the moon! My new "grits friends" just laugh and understand it's part of living in Nashville!
We have also had other great music experiences including the infamous Blue Bird Cafe, private singer songwriter nights, and meeting Country music Hall of Famers. The Dad and I feel very TN-cultured!
The Kids say they feel like we are on a long vacation, and they love living in TN. I know they love the pool! Honestly, my love of the pool has overshadowed the guilt of laying by the pool. It's for the kids. . .
I also really love and thank God for the new friends and neighbors we are making here. Sometimes, however, I miss those that know me. Insert theme song from Cheers. . ."Where everybody knows your name". I have never been the "New Girl" and I am reaching out in new ways. Ways I have rarely had to do in the past. I am actively seeking friendships, which still seems a bit odd. I have always had everyone around me that I need. I am really enjoying the blessings of meeting new friends. I continue to discover people, despite their differences on the outside, are searching for the same things no matter where you go. There are always those you can connect with on a heart level, as long as you are willing. The Lord has had us on a journey, especially the last 4 years. I am blessed sharing the story of God's sovereignty with new friends. My Granola friends remain witness to that journey and I miss them dearly. While, never forgetting the life and friends our family shared in WA, I embrace new friendships and look forward to meeting those kindred spirits that will touch my life in a special way. I pray the Lord uses this summer to show us all the heat and jealousy of his love for us.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Sweet Tea, Sirens, and Styrofoam cups. . .
Well, this "Granola girl" has officially been eatin' grits for one month now!
Feeling more like home, for sure! I have been driving around like true tourist, exploring all the great haunts in this southern town, taking in the sights,sounds, festivals, and local eateries. Loving me some fruit tea and even wipped up my own homemade batch for visiting friends! I have decided that the sweet tea is WAY TOO SWEET and omitted the sugar in my fruit tea recipe. . .the "TN Belle" approved! Tally one for the "Granola girl"!!
One observation this "Granola girl" has noticed is the beverages being served in. . .wait for it. . . if you are from the NW you may want to cover your eyes. . .STYROFOAM!! Last I checked this was outlawed in WA, but it seems to be the material of choice for cups here? Well, I have also figured out why it is used, and they have a very good argument to boot! When you order a cold beverage or take an object from the fridge and set it on the counter it takes about 30 seconds for condensation to form and it begins to drip! And as you may well know, Styrofoam doesn't sweat! Tally one for the "grits"! :) And. . . my hand stays dry!!
The kids are doing great, adjusting wonderfully to there new school and have been to TWO birthday parties already! We had a "cook-out" with our neighbors and I have met new friends for lunch at Chic fil a! My son performed in his first Kindergarten concert the other night. It was a cute performance and he did great for only 2 weeks practice! On the way home, we decided to go out for ice cream to celebrate. On our way, rain came down in buckets. . .and I mean serious deluge in the matter of minutes! Add intense hail the size of marbles, and there was no way we were getting out of our car for ice cream. We decided on the drive through window, and headed for home. When we got in the house we could hear a siren and assumed there was an accident from the bad rain storm. We entertained ourselves by storm watching out the window, in awe of the intense thunder and lightning outside, since we don't see much of those out west. The Dad flipped on the T.V. to see a news flash at the bottom of the screen that a "tornado warning" was in effect, in fact, one had touched down at a baseball field 3 miles away and flipped some cars! OH, WOW, that must have been a TORNADO WARNING siren!! And here we were eating ice cream and looking our the front door! Well, we will know for next time I guess. . .
I am off to make another pitcher of "fruit tea". . . minus the sugar, the pool opens in a week and I have to fit into my new suit. . .how do you drink your tea??
Feeling more like home, for sure! I have been driving around like true tourist, exploring all the great haunts in this southern town, taking in the sights,sounds, festivals, and local eateries. Loving me some fruit tea and even wipped up my own homemade batch for visiting friends! I have decided that the sweet tea is WAY TOO SWEET and omitted the sugar in my fruit tea recipe. . .the "TN Belle" approved! Tally one for the "Granola girl"!!
One observation this "Granola girl" has noticed is the beverages being served in. . .wait for it. . . if you are from the NW you may want to cover your eyes. . .STYROFOAM!! Last I checked this was outlawed in WA, but it seems to be the material of choice for cups here? Well, I have also figured out why it is used, and they have a very good argument to boot! When you order a cold beverage or take an object from the fridge and set it on the counter it takes about 30 seconds for condensation to form and it begins to drip! And as you may well know, Styrofoam doesn't sweat! Tally one for the "grits"! :) And. . . my hand stays dry!!
The kids are doing great, adjusting wonderfully to there new school and have been to TWO birthday parties already! We had a "cook-out" with our neighbors and I have met new friends for lunch at Chic fil a! My son performed in his first Kindergarten concert the other night. It was a cute performance and he did great for only 2 weeks practice! On the way home, we decided to go out for ice cream to celebrate. On our way, rain came down in buckets. . .and I mean serious deluge in the matter of minutes! Add intense hail the size of marbles, and there was no way we were getting out of our car for ice cream. We decided on the drive through window, and headed for home. When we got in the house we could hear a siren and assumed there was an accident from the bad rain storm. We entertained ourselves by storm watching out the window, in awe of the intense thunder and lightning outside, since we don't see much of those out west. The Dad flipped on the T.V. to see a news flash at the bottom of the screen that a "tornado warning" was in effect, in fact, one had touched down at a baseball field 3 miles away and flipped some cars! OH, WOW, that must have been a TORNADO WARNING siren!! And here we were eating ice cream and looking our the front door! Well, we will know for next time I guess. . .
I am off to make another pitcher of "fruit tea". . . minus the sugar, the pool opens in a week and I have to fit into my new suit. . .how do you drink your tea??
Monday, April 23, 2012
First days
One upon a time. . . or. . .One day last week. . .A Northwest born and raised girl moved to a place called Franklin, TN. She had heard many things about this place, also know as "The South", and some of those things have proven true. These are my observations thus far. . .
A collection of short stories about this journey with her husband, whom we shall affectionately call "The Dad", and their three children.
Our first week in TN: All of our earthly belongings arrived in our new home, on time and in one piece. The Dad was seeing our home for the first time, since I had picked it out without him, on a previous house hunting trip! He was pleased with our new "digs",complete with surround sound, garage with built in storage, and a HUGE lawn to mow. . .full of weeds!(more to come on that)
We were greeted on move-in-day by friendly neighbors bearing gifts of honey baked ham, cookies, brownies, and wine from a local vineyard! Observation #1 People down here are super nice, friendly, and generous!
Day 1
Our first family trip out was to Lowe's, (on a Sunday) to set up house. My son was very observant of the man assisting us in the hardware section and thought it was interesting that he was missing the same two front teeth he was! Observation #2 It is common practice to be missing some front teeth and it's not a big deal!
#3 When going out to Lowe's,on a Sunday, you may be the only family not in "church clothes" if you skipped that week!
Day 2
After touring the beautiful stat-of-the-art new school and enrolling the two oldest. The youngest and I set out to get some coffee and a bagel for breakfast together. After driving around for two hours, because I was getting lost and discovering new stores along the way my youngest asked why everyone in TN is named "Ma'am"?! Or, if I was now called "Ma'am"!? Observation #4 everyone is Ma'am or Sir
We finally had our bagel and she cheers whenever Mommy doesn't get lost!
#5 People don't flip you off if you drive 10 miles under the speed limit on the Hwy or make a last minute turn off the road.
Day 3
School is a bit harder here academically, but the kids are doing amazing at fitting right in and are making lots of new friends! They already had a play date with the neighbor kids, who are the same age!
I love cooking in my new, bigger kitchen, making our beautiful house a home, finding places with all our great storage options and drinking iced tea all day long. . .it's kinda hot here!
Observation #6 People drink lots of sweet tea! And if you ask for tea, it's gonna be SWEET, unless you say otherwise.
My mom has just gone home after spending the last 5 days with us, we had a great time exploring more of this great town, shopping and dining, getting lost and drinking more fruit tea! Observation #7 Store owners or grocery clerks etc. will talk to you all day, like you are there old friend from up the road, even if you have just met them! Even the bank teller will sit and chat and invite you to a cook-out!
The Dad and I had our first date night out! Thanks to Grandma. Drove around. . . a lot. . . looking for quaint place to sit and chat over coffee after dinner. If all else fails, you can go to a Starbucks!
Observation #8 They have lots of Starbucks, but the don't know how to make a descent Americano! After all. . . it isn't Seattle.
Observation #9 A cold spell is when the temp dips below 60, then people will wear boots and a parka to church!
Observation #10 It's green, lush and beautiful with amazing birds and bright, sunny cloudless sky! (The Dad hasn't lost his sunglasses yet, because he wears them every day. . .it's a record!)
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