chestnuts roasting on a not-so-open fire

Last week in our CSA box, we got a container of chestnuts, which I've never had before. So this weekend I tried my hand at roasting them in the oven...here are some pics of the process, plus one of Maggie helping me out in her new favorite outfit. (Oh, the verdict on the roasted chestnuts...not really that crazy about them, but at least now I can say I've tried them.)

Maggie's new shoes

Maggie has quickly outgrown her backyard, "chicken coop" shoes, so I went on a quest this week to find some cheap replacement ones. Thanks to Craigslist, I managed to find a pair of brand new, genuine Crocs for just $5! Maggie loves them b/c they are bright green...here she is testing them out in the garden.

more playground pics and a break from the rain

Will spent Sunday with Maggie while I got the garden cleaned up for the season and some other random yard chores done, and Maggie got to spend a bit more time on the playground with Eli.



It's been raining all week, but on Tuesday we got a break from the rain so Maggie and I went for a quick stroll on the trails at the N.C. Museum of Art. Here are some pics from her "fashion photo shoot" (note the windblown, supermodel poses).

playground playdate

Maggie had a playdate this weekend with Eli and one of Eli's friends from daycare, Franklin. They all played very well together, and Maggie was mesmerized by Franklin. The last time Maggie and Eli played together on this playground, they had a little "power struggle" over the cars, but this time they all shared and took turns.


"Well... here we are, hanging like meat in a cooler. They are called "SWINGS" ladies. Could we get a push over here!? Nice camera though, we are all real impressed..."


"Great. The house will have burned to the ground before you two sort out who is driving. Why don't you take turns? Boys..."


"Don't push that one! Are you trying to kill us all!? Try the other one. Can you believe they are letting us drive this thing?"


"I call it my 'Honey Wagon'."


"Yeah, the manufacturer calls it 'Red'. Could have gone with 'Yellow', but I'd have to wait for delivery. Who has time for that? Only 35 more payments. Nice though, isn't it?"

"Mountain Vacation" aka "Momma's Last Car Ride"

We had a busy four-day weekend visiting family and friends:
Thursday: Boone, NC to visit Peter and Kim.
Friday AM: Helen, Ga (via the Dillard House) to visit Ginger, Big Lloyd, Uncle Lanky and Mary.
Friday PM: Rented a cabin with some old friends of mine - the Clines, Clarks & Segars.
Sunday PM: returned home.

I'll spare the details, except that it was wonderful to catch up with friends and family. Pictures below.
-Will

Donning herself with decorations at Pete and Kim's. You'll be interested to know that "Simon (the cat) haf whikers"

Sitting in a rocker at her Great Grandparents' house. Least expected favorite toy: flyswatter?

Anna Ruby Falls

"The Family" at Anna Ruby Falls. Momma (at 33 weeks pregnant) passed quite a few folks on steep trail leading up there. Much respect!!

Maggie and and her new friend Ava Grace enjoying the ride. Don't be fooled by our lack of pictures, there were four other little girls and one lone boy there, but we weren't fast enough to catch them on film.

Maggie and Ava enjoying a cold one in the stream at our cabin while the big kids were toobin' in Helen.

Daddy and Maggie 'splooshing' rocks in the creek. We sat in this spot and did this for over an hour. You can see short excerpts of our afternoon below.

trip to the arboretum

The weather is finally starting to cool off a bit, so yesterday morning Maggie and I went to the Raulston Arboretum to stretch our legs. Not that there was ever any doubt that this little girl is a hydrologist's daughter, but she was way more interested in the waterfall / fish pond than any of the trees and plants.
Posing for the camera.
Looking at the "fishees!"
Maggie's favorite critter of the day, a "big 'ol froggie!"
Admiring the frog.
Cooling off in the shade.

jam session