Last stop on our Grand Tour of 2018: San Francisco! J had a work conference that mandated a trek to San Fran, and I was all too eager to leap at the chance to experience a bucket list city of mine. We (a mere four days after returning from Texas--don't know how you frequent fliers do it) boarded another flight to California, admittedly a bit anxious about the wildfires that were feverishly tearing...

Our autumn of travel was everything and more, but man, I've been appreciative for some downtime at home. After the sweetest long weekend in Asheville, next we trekked down to the motherland (!!!) for Baylor Homecoming--and to jump on a prime weekend to introduce J to all my nearest and dearest people and places. We kicked off the long weekend with an early morning straight shot to Austin (and...

There's a habit being formed here... whoops. A third of December is gone, and admittedly, so too have a few of these plans been put to bed. I have a lot more on my mind for tying up the tail end of 2018, much of which is woven into experiencing Advent, being deeply grateful for this life I've been granted, and savoring the miracle of this Christmas season, as I eagerly pave the way for 2019. Life...

I mean, okay. Somehow, some way, November is half gone. Thanksgiving looms before us, and suddenly everyone in my inner circle and beyond is carefully orchestrating their Christmas decor all the while my dogs' Halloween costumes are still haphazardly tossed in the corner of our kitchen collection corner (come on--everyone has one of those). I'm scrambling a little to catch up, but I'm swimming in...

bridal veil falls, dupont state forest. We spent the first weekend in October gallivanting around Asheville, and the mini vacay couldn't have come at a better time. We were drawn there initially for J's best buddy's wedding, but you better believe we extended the trip a couple days to deep dive into a sampling of what the Paris of the South has to offer. If you haven't had the joy of unwinding...