things that bring joy - day 30

Today, Alex toddled up to my neighbor Claire's porch when we were on our afternoon walk. Her porch is covered with all kinds of odds and ends that she collects to sell in antique shops around town. He was intrigued, and I was trying to redirect him back out to the main sidewalk because I did not want him meddling in her things. When he made it up to her porch steps, she opened the door and walked out. She saw Alex, ran back in her house, and came out with this little goody for him:

 A trick-or-treat bucket for Halloween! Such a sweet and thoughtful prize for the Little Man. I just love when people are joy givers. =)

things that bring joy - day 29

One of my most favorite pastimes. =) I used to love to read People, but with limited time on my hands these days, I would much rather read these lovelies.

an extra dose of joy

things that bring joy - day 28

Bringing him joy, brings me joy.

That's why I got him a little somethin' somethin' at the dollar store today.

Lots of afternoon entertainment.

And lots of smiles. He likes his "mo" balloon. (That's "Elmo" for those of you not fluent in baby-ese.)

Calling all pumpkin lovers

If you love foods made with pumpkin, then listen up.

Today I made a pumpkin crisp. My mom posted the recipe on her blog last year. It is easy as all get-out to make, and the kind of delicious that you just can't get enough of.

So if you're looking for a tasty treat to kick off fall, give this one a go. [Meg, add this recipe to your pumpkin fixins list. It will be a scrumptious complement to your pumpkin hummus and pumpkin dip - which, by the way, I think I need the recipes for.  =)]

things that bring joy - day 27

Look at this little beauty that my mom gave me! She knitted all 74,417 stitches with love. Her card told me so. =) Isn't it true that the best gifts are the ones from the heart? I just love handmade treasures! Thank you, Mom! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! I love the color, I love the design, I love the smell, I love the feel - pure joy. And I will most definitely feel your love wrapped around me when I wear it. =D

things that bring joy - day 26

"I sing because I'm happy. I sing because I'm free. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me."

things that bring joy - day 25

So many joys this Saturday I couldn't choose just one.

A morning playing at the park.

Beautiful flowers.

Lunch at Jimmy John's.

And Little Man's very first artwork - a finger painting.

things that bring joy - day 24

I'm a sucker for a pumpkin! I bought two earlier this week to set in the urns on our front porch stoop. And next weekend we're going to a pumpkin patch for more fall festivities with some friends of ours. Woohoo for fall, baby! Bring it on!

things that bring joy - day 23

Yesterday afternoon, I answered a knock on the door to find a package sitting on my front porch. I wasn't expecting anything from anyone, but when I saw that it was a package from my Mawsie (my grandmother), I knew that there were going to be fun goodies inside. And lo and behold there were! Just look at all of these little packages waiting to be unwrapped!

At her request, I opened most of them upon arrival. She had sent all kinds of fall goodies to decorate around the house! She even sent Alex a little package, too. He took his sweet time tearing off one piece of tissue paper at a time to get it opened.

He would tear a small piece and hand it to me. Tear a small piece and hand it to me. Tear a small piece...you get the idea. Inside his package were all kinds of happy treats:

He couldn't wait for us to sit down and read his book about puppies. And eat some of the "sh" as he calls goldfish.

Lots of joy in this happy mail delivery!

things that bring joy - day 22

Oh, be still my heart - it's officially fall! My very favorite of all seasons! Need I say more?

things that bring joy - day 21

This is my most favorite toy Alex owns. It was one of his Easter gifts from his Noni, and you can bet your bottom dollar that every single stitch was knitted with all the love her heart holds for her Little Man.

Now, for months I've been trying to name this sweet bunny. I would say to Alex, "Alex, what about this name or that?" I'd sit on it for a second and follow up with, "Nah, that's not it." And then I'd try again the next day.

Well this week bunny finally got his name. Meet Cocoa O'Hare. Rolls off the tongue, doesn't it? I think it suits him perfectly. What's even more fun is that as soon as I told Alex his name, Alex said to me, "Cocoa. Cocoa." Sounds like it's unanimous. Cocoa O'Hare it is.

Cocoa O'Hare getting sugars from Little Man

things that bring joy - day 20

Look at these new hooks I bought in D.C. last weekend! I LOVE them - and the store where they came from. (Man, I miss having a Pottery Barn nearby.) 

I bought these hooks without even knowing where they would go in our home. I'm still working on finding the perfect place. When I decide where that is, I'll be sure to let you know. =)

things that bring joy - day 19

Love me some Hilton Honors points. Got us an overnight getaway to D.C. Just momma and daddy. Alex stayed with some friends of ours while we were away.

(To our friends who live there - sorry we didn't call, but this was a much needed (and quick) date trip.)

Another weekend joy? Getting to eat here and enjoy my favorite guacamole.

And Sunday brunch here.

If I could only eat one meal at one restaurant in D.C., this would be it. Sunday brunch at Georgia Brown's. Sunday brunch consists of Act I - a buffet of southern soul cuisine like buttery grits, maple bacon, buttermilk biscuits with tasso ham gravy, eggs florentine, rosemary garlic crusted roast beef - and Act II - a takeaway lunch like southern fried chicken with homemade mashed potatoes and fresh collard greens. That's right, for one price you get two meals. And this food is knock-your-socks-off good!

things that bring joy - day 18

What would a week of joy be without some snapshots of the greatest little joy I know?

Hope y'all are having a blessed weekend!

things that bring joy - day 17

Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see? I see Alex looking at me.

Alex had his first trip to the public library for Wee Read storytime for toddlers. He's a little younger than most of the kids in the class, but they let me sign him up anyway. The lady who lead the storytime was wonderful - so full of energy and enthusiasm. I've forgotten how many years she's been doing this, but it's more than a decade.

She read stories and played music that the kids danced and shook "noise eggs" and beanbags to. It was really cute. There was no way you could watch these kids and not find joy in it.

Alex was only partially interested in listening to the stories. What he really wanted to do was get up off his little carpet square and do some exploring since he's got the whole walking thing down now. But like any good mom, I had my bag of tricks ready. Yep, I had snuck in some dried yogurt bites, and that helped keep him still long enough for the story lady to read the book without him causing too much of a scene. Fortunately, he wasn't the only meanderer in the crowd, so I didn't feel too bad about the whole thing.

things that bring joy - day 16

Bird in the Nest (aka Egg in the Hole). Have you ever made one of these? This was my first one, and it was heavenly. Alex liked it, too. I got the recipe from the Pioneer Woman Cooks cookbook that my friend Kathy gave me this summer.

Let me just say that if you like good food - not good for you food, but good tasting food - this is the cookbook for you. I'd like to try every single recipe in this book. And I do mean every. single. one.

When we lived in Dallas, my friends Dana and Katherine and I would bring our families together for monthly friend dinners. We'd take turns cooking for each other, and each month we'd try out new recipes. It was so much fun, and I sure do miss it. If I were still in Dallas, I'd be whipping up some Pioneer Woman meals to share with my peeps. Then we could all share in the joy.

things that bring joy - day 15

I know I should have bought the mums that haven't bloomed just yet, but I couldn't help myself. I wanted the instant gratification. It is all about the joy, right?

things that bring joy - day 14

Taking my ugly little radiator from this...

 to this...

brings me joy. It's my latest project in the guest bedroom. Hope it makes our guests smile, too.

BTW - can I just tell you that I am SO glad I didn't commit to 365 pictures? I'm struggling to keep up with one a day.

things that bring joy - day 13

Lots of joy in this picture. White pumpkins for fall. White Emma plates from Pottery Barn - love those little pearl accents. Fall Spode oak leaf pattern plates from Williams Sonoma Home - a collection my mom has helped me build over the years. And the new dining room wall color - Silver Sage from Restoration Hardware (the photo doesn't do this paint color nearly enough justice).

things that bring joy - day 12

Eating a freshly baked loaf of banana nut bread brings me joy. Not so much the making of it - so many dirty dishes! - but eating it.

things that bring joy - day 11

Would you believe me if I told you that these are the same house?

Nope, I'm not kidding. This is the same house. In fact, it's our next door neighbor's house. These pictures were taken about a month apart. And this transformation is why Neighbors Helping Neighbors brings me joy.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors is a program that our neighborhood (Historic Old Southwest) started about five years ago to help residents who are physically and financially unable to maintain the exterior of their homes. OSW raises money each year through a Holiday Parlor Tour, and then pours that money right back into improvements and restoration for the neighborhood through programs such as NHN.

The project for my neighbor's house has been in the works for several months now. I have been praying for this change even before that, and God has been so good to make unprecedented things happen. Not only was the entire exterior of this house painted, but the front yard was also completely landscaped, some pretty serious roof leaks have been repaired, and some foundational issues are being addressed - all free of charge to my neighbor. God is so good!

Today, several members of our community and folks from our church life group joined together to help restore this old home.

These volunteers have taken this...

 and this...

and turned it into this.

I'm not sure who enjoys it more – Jerry and I or our neighbor!

Many thanks to the sponsors and volunteers who made this day possible.

These businesses donated time, materials, and resources. None of this would have been possible without them, and we are so grateful for their help.

• The Home Depot - donated all Behr paint products, all landscaping supplies and provided volunteers for the day
• Haynes Design and Restoration and TKB Home Improvements - donated services to help repair the roof leaks and replace old rotted wood that had been damaged around the soffits and trim of the home; also doing the foundation repair next week
• Quality First Painting - donated a crew to come and help with the painting

Helping to rebuild and do good for someone else seems like a great way to honor and remember those whose lives were lost nine years ago today.

May we always remember. And may this day forever remind us of the importance of taking care of each other.

things that bring joy - day 10

Leaping Lizards! Alex is walking everywhere! And that brings me joy! 

 Just look at that face - he is so proud of himself. =) Crawling is a distant memory. He started walking everywhere on his own on September 8 - his 14 month birthday.

We have a little hill on our sidewalk, and he practiced walking up...

...and down...

...until he got his balance just right. Between the step-squat-step-squat rhythm and holding those balls just right, he managed to make it all the way down without a stumble. 

He walked to the end of the street...

...and back. Three times.

Such a big boy.

Ready for more of life's little adventures.