Rejoice! Rejoice!

Christmastime is finally here! It is my favorite time of the year, and such a wonderful reminder of the miraculous birth of our Savior. Rejoice! 

Pip on drugs

Poor Pip got the snip a few days ago and though we hate to see our little gentleman suffer, it does provide pretty priceless, drug-induced hilarity like this:

A Very Good Year

UPDATE! Thanks to all those that have inquired about collaborating on a custom timeline of their own. Click HERE to order!

When I originally started this little piece to give to Ben for our anniversary yesterday, I began with a timeline of the big milestones from this past year, but then I got to thinking... years from now, we will probably still remember all those big events, but the memory of our day-to-day life will be foggier. So, I decided to capture a glimpse into the little details of our very first year together so that someday, many years from now, we can can look back and smile and say "Oh yes! I'd forgotten about that!" I was so inspired by this first try that I hope to make this a yearly tradition!

Owl-oween

Just reliving the glory of our costumes from 2 years ago... maybe they will take flight again this year? (PUNS!)

Squash

Butternut squash, destined for some gnocchi

It is fall, that is all!

Cider and pumpkins and scarves... oh my!

A piece of our whimsical, woodsy wedding decor

Autumn is obviously our mutually favorite seasons since we chose to get married during this glorious time of year and one of the only advantages to the weather in Nashville is we get a relatively long fall.

Though this time last year was full of so many wonderful things, there is much to look forward to this year as well, including (but not limited to):

• Our 1-year anniversary! (Where has the time gone?!)
• My darling friend's wedding on October 13th!
• Pumpkinfest - The most amazing event in Tennessee (besides the Fainting Goat Festival, I suppose). So great in fact, I may have to give Pumpkinfest it's own blog post one of these days
• Cardigan and scarf weather! (I should say "comfortable cardigan and scarf weather" since I have unsuccessfully tried to sport both this summer)
• Apple picking! Caramel Apples! Apple Crisp! Apple cider! 
• Walks in the crunchy leaves at Edwin Warner Park
• Our annual fall viewing of The Village

This list could go on, but I will save my fall-ccetric ravings for another day. 

Fairest Fair

The delightfully crisp air that has overtaken Nashville was the perfect backdrop for a magical evening at the Tennessee State Fair.

Some people go for the rides, some for the fried "food," some for the exhibits... I go with the hope of meeting a friendly alpaca or two. This fair did not disappoint as I had ample hang time with not one but THREE alpacas, shaggy goats, tiny sheep, momma and bebe mules, super stylin' ducks and an ear-less goat (see bottom right... WHAT IS GOING ON THERE!?!?!)

I was thrilled to find the only stand at the entire fair selling Elephant Ears (apparently a Midwest-exclusive treat?) and Ben got his Swanson on whilst devouring a giant Turkey leg.

Thrilling pig races and Kenyan acrobats were the icing on this Blue Ribbon-worthy cake.