Fall

I have decided that fall is my favorite time of year. There is so much beauty in the fall as nature prepares for winter. I love the dramatic color change in the leaves and the crisp air. I also like the feeling of fall the harvesting that goes on and such. The taste of fall is good too with the different flavors that come into season like pumpkin, pears, apples, squash, and so on.  In an effort to soak up these few precious weeks of fall we have committed to taking daily family walks each morning. We really do live in a beautiful spot up in the mountains surrounded by color. Ellie seems to really enjoy her mornings out and it is good prep for a morning nap she usually falls right out when we get back. Which tells you something about how good the cool crisp air is for you. As for me and Gary it is time well spent clearing out minds and preparing for our day.

Soaking up the Last of the Sunshine

It is a beautiful day today so Ellie and I took advantage of the nice weather and played on the back deck for a bit today. Gary finished up painting yesterday and it looks sooo good. It’s a perfect place for Ellie to practice her walk. Obstacle free and wide open space.

I also took the time this morning to finish up a sewing project. Skirts, one for Ellie and one for McKenna who is celebrating her Birthday this month. I got my inspiration from here, who got her inspiration from here.  This is an easy one so I encourage anyone with any spark of interest to try it out. Seriously so simple…and you can download the pattern for free.

Barack The Vote Concert Clip

When we were in Ithaca over Christmas last year we went to see Jeb Puryear’s solo CD release party (for Hopes and Dreams) in Owego, NY. Cellist Hank Roberts was there, a long with Jeb and crew. We haven’t come close to forgetting that night! Just found a great clip of the Jeb Puryear Band with Hank Roberts about a month after we saw them in Owego.

Hank Roberts w/ the Jeb Puryear Band in a standout performance, from the Barack the Vote concert at the State Theatre in Ithaca, NY. 2-1-2008.

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And here’s another we found that shows Jeb in true form. Three minute solo. Looks like Donna with Jim Lauderdale in this clip. Not bad for an old time fiddler, eh? 😉

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Look out World, Here she Comes!

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The Wee One Walks!!

She is a little wobbly and has to hold her hands up high but she is focused and determined. Just before Gary filmed this she walked out of her bedroom and all the way down the hall on her own. My heart skipped a beat as I realized a whole new chapter is begining. She has been ready for this for a while as she has been trying so hard to be independent climbing up on things and exploring all over.  Last night I was a little emotional over the whole thing thinking to myself “am I ready for this?” and “I don’t want the babyness to go away”.  Ready or not she is full of life and it is such a pleasure to be apart of it all.

A note to Grandma and Grandpa Marcoccia: We hope this lifts your spirts a little bit today as you help the “Gentle Giant” Oakie rest in peace. We will miss that beautiful dog. You guys are all we can think about today as you take on such a difficult choice of loving pet owners. We love you.

A Job of Work

We painted our house last week. We decided it really needed it and boy it did. Gary borrowed my Dad’s power washer a few weekends ago and went to town cleaning up the house which in return revealed how badly it had been beat down by the sun the last few years. So we went with some Cappacino and Redwood. I like the brown tones better then the fading mustard yellow it was before. It’s much more soothing. I’m still getting used to the Redwood trim from a distance I love it but when I get up close it seems a little bright, but that will change with time I’m sure.

We hired our friend Jonny B as our painter extraordinaire. He’s quite good with a brush although I heard him several times call out and grumble with frustration over ladders, the sun, the rain, equipment, lose of balance, what have you. It was nice to have him around. He took some good pictures with Ellie and I’m so bummed I didn’t get them from him. Plus he is currently sporting a 70’s style mustache and it is such a great look for him. Honest. Especially when he is holding a PBR or Bud Light in his hand. He says “it’s a lifestyle”. Jonny brought his dog “The Shady Lady” as well. She is a miniature schnauzer and Ellie loves her despite her bad breath. She followed Shady all over wanting to give her hugs and kisses and have conversations in high pitched doggy language.

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We still need to pain I mean paint the back deck and possibly apply some second coats to the decks as well. Hopefully we can get to that this weekend or sometime before Christmas.  Here are some before and afters…