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Pine Mountain 

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Lately I’ve been grateful for new trails, sturdy hiking boots, and Saturday afternoon family time.

I’m also grateful for 35mm film in an old green Holga, and the fun of teaching analog skills to kids in this digital age. Neither G-man nor Bella had ever used a 35mm camera. The trickiest part was learning to “wind” the film to prep for the next shot. They both had a hard time remembering this step, so I’m looking forward to some “artful” double-exposed images!

Happy March, friends. Have you been hiking lately?

 

 

{gratitude: holiday edition} 

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Lately I’ve been grateful…

For my mother’s nativity set.

For mistletoe kisses.

And guitar strings.

For the comfortable joy of being home for Christmas.

And the sparkle that comes from being with the people you love.

For dogs underfoot.

And for feet covered in henna.

For special moments with my sisters.

And the sweetness of Hannukah lights and David stars.

And for my Santa, who always insists on rocking this holiday hat.

However you celebrated, I hope you had a wonderful holiday, friends!

{Thankful}

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Today I’m grateful for a Thanksgiving in the mountains with sweet potato casserole and French-press coffee. I’m also grateful that I can snag a Black Friday deal from the comfort of my futon (and stretchy pants) via the power of a smartphone.

Happy weekend, friends! Are you cyber shopping or holiday decorating over the next few days?

{happy anniversary to J+A}

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One year ago, my brother married the love of his life.      

They first met at a swing dance, when he politely asked the beautiful redhead in the yellow dress for a dance.

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After the ceremony, they drove away together in a jeep, headed in the direction of adventure and romance. 

Happy anniversary, beautiful lovebirds! May you have many, many more glorious returns.

You. are. so. loved.

{6 Years!}

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6 years of marriage, you guys! SIX! How amazing is that? And, as my mother used to add, “we still like each other!”

Today I am grateful for all those weekend days we spent exploring Savannah, GA as newlyweds.

 

For special occasions to celebrate the people we love.

 

For mountain trips.

 

And hiking adventures.

 

For graduations.

 

And for holidays.

For fun vacations.

 

And time spent at home.

 

I’m grateful for this comfortable love that binds us together.

How lucky I am to be in love with my best friend.

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“If it’s half as good as the half we’ve known, here’s Hail! to the rest of the road.”

– Sheldon Vanauken (1977), A Severe Mercy 

Dear Scott, what a year it’s been! I can’t wait to spend another 6 years with you. I’ll love you when we’re 100.

Love, your K. Belle

{countdown J+KB: 6mos}

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Countdown: exactly 6 months until Jeffery & Katie Beth get hitched forever! Excited for this brother of mine to take the next step with the love of his life.

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“There comes a moment in the life of almost every man when, his heart beating like a Nasmyth hammer, with faltering voice and his brain in a whirl, he takes fate in his hands, and tremblingly asks one of the gentler sex to be his—wife. Some men there are—but how few!—who go into “popping the question” in a business-like way, that simply leaves romance out in the cold and Cupid freezing to death. But better the young fellows who propose in the red-hot flush of love. The master writers of fiction show us, that even though every girl is aware that her adorer is about the put the fateful question, she is seldom able to control her agitation and that even the small word of “Yes,” is very difficult to pronounce. She says “Yes” with all the fervor that one word can convey coming direct from the heart. The noblest offer a man can make a woman is marriage, and woe to those who offer it lightly! The lamp lighted at the fateful moment spell-binds the young, and burns with radiance on into middle life.” (Introduction to How Heroes of Fiction Propose and How Heroines Reply, 1890)

Can’t wait to celebrate with you, lovebirds!

Engagement location: The Passage Waterfall Stairs, Chattanooga, TN

{Dear Sister}

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Dear Sister, I cant say “dear little sister” since you have officially surpassed me in height…

It’s your birthday! and I am so proud of you.

You are a strong and brave woman.

You’ve got smarts.

And a kind and generous heart.

You make good decisions.

And you make hearts lighter with your laugh.

You are beautiful and important.

You. Are. LOVED.

Happy birthday, beautiful song! Thanks for letting me be your big sister and your friend. You’re the coolest, and I’m the luckiest that we get to share ~60 of our DNA. Now let’s celebrate and eat something sweet!

{Restoration}

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Rehabilitate:

verb (used with object), rehabilitated, rehabilitating. 1. to restore to a condition of good health,
ability to work,
or the like.

Really loving the end result of this refinished 1950’s mandolin, a restoration project that Scott recently took on during his spare time.

  

When Scott started this process, the hardware was rusted beyond use and all the glue holding this 1950’s ‘Old Kraftsman’ together had disintegrated – which resulted in the neck detaching from the dry-rotting body. Because the body and the neck weren’t stable, the mandolin could not hold appropriate tension to stay in tune. The strings that were in place were doing more damage than good as they slowly pulled the instrument apart.  

Scott spent hours restoring the strength and beauty of the piece – starting with dismantling the whole thing and stripping it down to the original wood. 

This week, the time finally came to install new strings. The end result is not only beautiful, but musically sound.

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Restoration is a beautiful thing! Happy Friday, friends. What do you feel inspired to restore?