tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58004208849904541332024-02-19T19:56:03.927-05:00Freedom to bethe day to day musings of jenny. I am a runner, a mom, a race director... while my blog is mostly devoted to running, and the race I organize; I do incorporate observations and opinions about the world around me..jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.comBlogger179125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-6539201030223337172019-05-27T06:45:00.001-04:002019-05-27T06:45:37.430-04:00Summer summer summertime It’s Memorial Day weekend and we are back at the beach. The kids just got out of school last week. It was the close of great school years for both jack and Todd. We had a very busy spring with lax concert season for band <div>I’m<div>Excited for them to both get a break for a bit before the chaos of camps, band practices (for jack) and golf</div><div>Tournaments for Todd begin- then they are off to new schools middle school for Todd and jack will be a freshman in high school. Where has time gone? </div><div><br></div><div>So we are all enjoying relaxing and sleeping in some- enjoying good food. I’m trying run adhere to running and while at home I’ve been playing tennis twice a week in the Virginian and golfing on Wednesday’s with the ladies group at clear creek - that’s been keeping me busy </div><div><br></div><div>And tying up all the loose ends of my outside home repair projects - I was telling Brock it’s about time for me to move inside and start doing tons of projects on the interior of the house now lol. </div><div>I’m going to</div><div>Share some highlights from the past couple months since it’s been awhile since I’ve posted </div><img id="id_acdd_719f_336d_69c6" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/1KPP9E-pn__qAdchP9A3gfwWjRe_1UPZYXPLYLYyjnm_BI_QYwazMQqDprQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>Celebrating Judy’s 70th birthday at the barns at chip</div></div><div>Ridge </div><div><img id="id_2401_66f4_3f48_56b2" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/NU982P7C6ytVPxZb_XxyEmCjy88zb4FALTaGDMpiCTapJvKWLe99X9HQR38" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Neat shot of Brock and I taking a selfie 🤳 </div><div><img id="id_e55f_caa2_bf82_ce" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/m9dS2f-0Jypap4j_YxzCo4DDJW9wmcrp_bDxQXJK3kpX2kcKT8hqUiqR4IM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>Easter </div><div><img id="id_8b35_f331_4383_673e" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/wZ8-LkUUcf5ANN6WnNknPjd1Zy7CNWxSzb7e_qoRLTQUIB4mN9tCfDFLwas" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><br></div><div>Shot at Easter brunch with my parents </div><div><img id="id_fde0_507f_87ad_135d" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/6-Qhj-Yna2BHyFiLgdOAqa8T8yEYa7tCzCa3haWvSVi3jfJOX4BGhiV9JVQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Todds final lax game </div><img id="id_b1f2_5251_3481_d704" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/XOVZ64emeNVIYU_u19wbUDkN7YJwBe6D7O-n1CU2YBDGicCbYl1jmq3FxA4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>Jacks spring concert </div><div><img id="id_365b_8248_5138_be31" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/V2aJQevS7fgDTDwMbG_c9QWq3Z9yvNxG-EK717sojItv9dU1zhFguFaBO6E" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Jack before class night/8th grade dance </div><div><img id="id_8a69_8a37_1b87_ed6" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ZF6K6oEqcO285fJZRLz6upj6X6KupVFwm6wVfsDP_MJIRNfqwlbGrdzwFpM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Jack with his date for the evening </div><div><img id="id_bbae_f969_2592_f991" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/LTIZHKa5f6_LxVqAybz75r5_Rs3YQoej-n8eVJnPlXzhAw4cp1Unprwi1nU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Awards day for Todd 5th grade graduation </div><div><img id="id_c2e9_23d4_5be2_dc85" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RIMO9fyw8ArTXbOS7N9Z7-6KAdmOvhHEy5jRR22mXOzRrm33Rb93aNH52EE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Awards day/ 8th grade graduation for jack </div><div><img id="id_5f4f_3807_76a3_1c40" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/d-ih8PNi3nVx6tvbpYkY6DDzBJHwr-1c9ymcStksHl9tf5_YibKeCesO8u4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Happy to be at the neighborhood pool for the beach house wish the pool at home was more like this one - </div><div><img id="id_8085_8d2c_86b_d8ba" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Xx9lfZxoExZvnYLAnqx1Ql0pK31xcYMVnlDR_ETOQt8JS8wBgRqUX5aQSbU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>My babies ♥️</div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-3418051506170019702019-04-15T21:54:00.001-04:002019-04-15T21:54:48.836-04:00Pictures of finished porches etc<img id="id_7c76_2fab_637f_cb21" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/NluZhMke__K72zrH_1426vE_tAV9m3FvQpvTJGYYx6xiMvTfrFM6Cogu92w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><img id="id_f576_2f_deda_5c32" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VPqH_j89sL_QSUD6OQfdzSgT4zrtuXYKZz-iB2hZM-wg6-hi6eN77HLPcYk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_c02e_dee4_4ce6_93dc" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Kvv0rfx8058uaFtoJbxm44UBq6JLz-PfTINoE5-HZ7T7nVKLz_ooSrPyxsE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_2cc7_e7_34db_ae1b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/o5d2l9ctXt0X365loqjZKy5OQr5NCqrGadphi0SSmnAPGBkmKj8212dfwSo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_4d4d_492f_3566_ac93" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/rhHpm5pKEZh3dxQPfuoPH3_fZlIHlJx5YMjrPvvhYYYefZ9HGKsNx6jIq6k" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Hi all here are some<div>Pictures from my porch project I completed </div><div>I also</div><div>Stained and sealed the adriondack chairs </div><img id="id_d323_29ce_1c6f_67e2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wtcQFgOrImMjY97PD7DZ6OyuaYvouN3NZkZesQ02yUJVHkZ9SR7ioMXjdnw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>And I painted my front door and side garage door blue </div><div>I had to prime them</div><div>First </div><img id="id_776d_688_7e24_874d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1PKYXhbkhXhCA_INg7mljLXsxAR0HzxQ6LDUHJQ6xST_RVnEccWzzTIMmaM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><img id="id_688d_ae95_696_ecce" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/1LL4ip-j4OPVS6DlJ2egr-xU7sO9x_u1LHQ0guFpCVNH0AQEubj-fykevns" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_1767_10a3_301f_1374" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/rW9fob16lc3V9_O86T-BrhroiTezc2HRA7AG_A9_f2Of4epALAhIHafPN1U" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Very happy with the progress I’m making with our home - feels incredible to get these tasks completed and learn new skills along the way <div><br></div><div>We are excited for Easter and warmer weather - we love</div><div>Our outside spaces and intend to use them frequently </div><div>Hopefully, I can shift gears and in addition to continuing working to improve the house I want to also make time</div><div>For tennis, golf, running and yoga- I’m doing all these this week! Excited to get to play in warmer weather! </div><img id="id_c47d_ffc4_b2ac_36a2" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/PZ0Xc6roLgcwYhGsSLVdtVA4G5aZh6OezZPXO-regERKOWKhf7YzfuLFWKc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>Also today April 15th is my late brother Todd’s birthday - I began this blog after his death- primarily to promote the race I directed that benefits a memorial scholarship in his name - I decided several years ago to stop the race due to my kids more demanding schedules and several other deciding factors but Todd’s scholarships is alive and well! Still</div><div>Helping students achieve their academic dreams! This year we are awarding the scholarship to a very deserving student majoring in mechanical engineering who will attend Bluefield State College in the fall. </div><div><img id="id_e8a_8380_fa56_1191" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/zdqQA7vR1aOsL4yLKhik64mhpxWZrcBx_aMXQL_BXzF9ZDdnQlp6RVQNiHA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-91962023910406699622019-04-08T18:35:00.001-04:002019-04-08T18:36:30.310-04:00Pressure washing and staining the decks Adventures and education in home maintenance continues - <div>All weekend I pressure washed my front and back porch which took about 14 hours - it was such a slow going and arduous process </div><div>But today I was able to stain some- I still lack about a full days work to get everything - and it’s so motivating to visually see progress!! I will definitely post pictures of the finished product in several days! </div><div>But here are some of my work in progress pics from</div><div>Staining - I have two semi before pic so one can see the difference it makes - my decks are made of iron wood- and I use a product from the company penafin called “rosewood oil” its amazing </div><div><img id="id_734c_b21e_d694_ddce" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/nKK21WgYvHVqhlZREbOKoNufPBNYj4BoiXRUex14hBVr_voUk23uxanh9B4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_6f41_f2f0_a7bb_771e" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/acsWZjyBhYHj5RBPoVAtfAh_28acQawd9z99vTjlIJeGp7XX-f-Q4oVWyXA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>And here are some pics after I was finished for the day </div><img id="id_2f_34f2_9a20_1368" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ZUoNKzsRjYzoFiXxNFZTh-t2kywO7BFbl5TqB89TWPQkFNNMxQor1xAe504" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><img id="id_827f_5a_c410_5529" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/RuFtQ6QHm8rXqKYgEAq_czQvLp1B9sFl1HWhp8Q103G24OiFNWEzZOgOQ-4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Huge difference, huh? <div><br></div><div>I’m pretty pumped about it all. It’s been so amazing to see all the progress I’ve made the last week- </div><div>Have I mentioned how much I love spring? </div><div><img id="id_fbae_ddf8_dae5_30c0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/WJQiGF9P7NBm-WwVomHIE38oc__LF5J4G2xpUl_5lrhNrc4P58wr8yFBsVE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_742c_8ad0_f984_103f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/ziUXo7UFunadnojavGoF6kUAqYn5r4Bp6B9Aa9VlDfe8-20DQ-nCHsxl9js" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_bd9b_21b3_e190_518" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/ActqHWIDa8qF1t3FjQvRjxKNthMhoLQuf-HpBMkOFA2iwFxM5_spgUCfeH0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-64259464884658150072019-04-03T16:43:00.001-04:002019-04-08T19:16:31.862-04:00Adventures in home maintenance Happy Spring!! I truly feel it’s here- even if it’s still a little<div>On the cool side. I have been laboring hard this week working on making the exterior of my house nicer- </div><div>Since Monday my cousin and I have put out over 200 bags of mulch and 22 bales of pine straw around my house, I’ve cleaned out the garage (well the worst half- Brock cleaned out the other kinda not so bad half on Saturday- also Saturday Brock made me four adriondack chairs to go around my fire pit area) </div><div>And today my cousin rick pressure washed the front porch columns and white trim while I cleaned the grill, planted some things that frost won’t kill - got propane for the grill and 5 gallons of penofin for the deck to stain it with- </div><div>Here are some</div><div>Pictures:</div><img id="id_35fc_61cd_7b9a_8192" src="https://alexdenk.eu/blogtouch?id=1-wvzvyT5XfFMBxpGXfRj6nvditPu3PVi" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><img id="id_b30_c200_5655_bbc5" src="https://alexdenk.eu/blogtouch?id=1NtBwUBDQJVI_gA2A-iwDrgx93sL2BzzL" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_b2c0_ccfc_36a0_251c" src="https://alexdenk.eu/blogtouch?id=14yQkbzJ2HR9FpepO1NMsBOfilWcYSNf8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_3d8_9b83_16b7_3883" src="https://alexdenk.eu/blogtouch?id=1n4bsvaLzFPAEoEk1JYFY8mVbAhfRXxx3" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_9173_2273_e33d_f729" src="https://alexdenk.eu/blogtouch?id=1H0YNMPlihY_B5bxZLR0uDuS5F-NJpvHQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_c945_7088_6317_7dae" src="https://alexdenk.eu/blogtouch?id=1lgz1CuOPfn1MXtzgX5ULyMEFVcLVvuGZ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>This was a work in progress picture- it’s filled in now </div><div><img id="id_eef9_877c_f24a_363d" src="https://alexdenk.eu/blogtouch?id=12Kb8PPrnwz5JSTCJd0MgXVM5xCeKOk5r" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>I also painted distressed and sealed my Cracker Barrel rockers </div><div><img id="id_75dc_5952_a847_ecc5" src="https://alexdenk.eu/blogtouch?id=1kbizSW7IclrlYWEM1Hr9zkuXinCF7kO0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_188_ae92_8c5c_918a" src="https://alexdenk.eu/blogtouch?id=15ziJyACu3Ircw74tznm14Zhke8r-f5Lf" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_56cc_3d5_bd0c_397" src="https://alexdenk.eu/blogtouch?id=1JQ7iDpgA4H9SHkdbKApgcItjgIMsdb_L" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Plants that cold won’t kill </div><div><img id="id_a175_7d2b_ffb5_d0e6" src="https://alexdenk.eu/blogtouch?id=1l2zJ1p8N1xPDwnLGSro8hFARlXfgVJpZ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Pansies!</div><div><img id="id_4e71_4efa_6c24_fff7" src="https://alexdenk.eu/blogtouch?id=1VB-YGnMunB284v27YVs7y8vWXdS-XWoX" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Oh and we got a new super slick looking golf cart </div><div><img id="id_fb7e_dee4_cac6_6366" src="https://alexdenk.eu/blogtouch?id=1XY1bmchxrsae0xUhRXyOH1_Yp0OlHPR-" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Happy it’s spring!! ♥️</div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-5455318321530741892019-03-26T16:18:00.001-04:002019-03-26T16:18:24.445-04:00Lil more Easter decorating Today I decorated a little more - and wore insanely loud Lilly Pulitzer outfit because - I’m ready for full on spring and warm weather! Can I get an amen?! <div><img id="id_aee0_37c3_d681_baaf" src="https://alexdenk.eu/blogtouch?id=1Zf4o6ofJon8Pd7ZWlkFuSLjWZ_9haRPz" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>I made my nest out of Easter grass for my cake plate and egg! </div><div><img id="id_1c54_8830_6d10_f679" src="https://alexdenk.eu/blogtouch?id=15a16bIOCw7UdR8e8HVtqwNEqTW3lTyVL" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Thought this little guy was just too cute for words- he may stay out until fall </div><div><img id="id_31e4_7db9_f0c2_a112" src="https://alexdenk.eu/blogtouch?id=1hVU65HL3xVjTo_N8rS_T3LrQQuhJbep6" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Thought this ceramic rabbit was neat because the paper mache made him look like a chocolate bunny </div><div><img id="id_a4c0_ef97_9720_8ffb" src="https://alexdenk.eu/blogtouch?id=1J8wVD904P6xgOLxaiHi_WTNtrZ4OEHXM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>My loud outfit </div><div><br></div><div>Everyone think warm </div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-34509919789711359982019-03-19T15:58:00.001-04:002019-03-19T15:58:37.247-04:00Easter decorating I’ve done some Easter and spring time decorating- this is more of a pictorial blog - but I’ll share some of my progress I’ve made <div><img id="id_858a_e247_d035_e282" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1IV0OFAU1TD6mZClqt-gPwjYMS2j7quoi" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Front door wreath </div><div><img id="id_ff_ce95_9ca5_2887" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1z6Lo2XubwA2WYkh4F5pp97d-gjs17ONb" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Office door on the front porch </div><div><img id="id_5c27_edba_1eec_96d5" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1jmRQw0TX0RwyskpJH2TTGGrC50NTvvo2" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Centerpiece that is a work In Progress- visualizing Easter grass and smaller eggs or candy surrounding it </div><div><img id="id_7f46_40cd_36b6_3144" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=10zRQ-ILIxvEuNvCmCLG2tgxK1DMsdrUf" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Thought this felt little guy was cute he is on my side board/cubard/ butler pantry thing</div><img id="id_f915_d51_d35c_7fe1" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ZZffY7HOiv2g8Rv-M3hkTBt71ylW_c9C" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>And so is his girl</div><div>Friend </div><div><img id="id_b4c0_1559_1f2a_e55a" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1O38VERCDWIR1dk6tyfhcOcppQ_YXLc8Z" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Spring on the mantel </div><div><img id="id_f5d0_94e0_1082_a91f" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ou0IS-CC9achmr3oRq3gHL18jmEK_V_o" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Love</div><div>These Lilly Pulitzer material bunnies </div><div><img id="id_e7f8_c4e2_bab0_91b" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ygih4ikOd3Vlb96ST2o8qMxa-pj3nJej" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>♥️</div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-56136006216088634992019-03-18T08:44:00.001-04:002019-03-18T08:44:09.111-04:00Project #1 Hi all! We returned from the beach Saturday evening, and yesterday was a flurry of laundry, grocery shopping and prepping for the upcoming week- however, I was able to sneak in a project Ive wanted to do for awhile- <div><br></div><div>I had two old brown wooden barstools- that were left behind by the browns the family that owned our house before us- they left them in the garage when they moved to Florida in 2007- and we never really used them- they just sat in the garage for 12 years- </div><div><br></div><div>So yesterday I painted them/ after the paint dried I distressed them with sand paper and a nail Emory board- </div><div>Then I sprayed a clear coat of protectant on the chairs to weather proof them-</div><div><br></div><div>My plan is to use these on my back porch once the weather warms up- here are the pictures of the finished result :</div><div><img id="id_a986_fb82_d60b_2338" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1zFlDczYN0BM8SAY-V6HwnCZxNGk3XduT" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_5008_8b48_7df7_a917" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1JCNcSbqPywWMeMp1wzlwHQRlFy-n8nis" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-26453759902516333022019-03-11T09:06:00.001-04:002019-03-11T09:11:44.737-04:00On the verge of spring Hi all! Well the last couple months I’ve been imerged in self improvement in the form of trying to go to hot yoga 4-5 times a week, eat healthy, run (shorter runs 3-5 miles) and being mega attentive to the kids and their many activities and petcare Todd has lax guitar and Jack is very involved in band music lessons and ffa - and they are both in the gifted program- so my evenings I am running a gauntlet of shuttling kids to and from their extracurriculars- <div><img id="id_c17b_6e89_9961_d090" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bzONlc85Mk4/XIZdWPR6mpI/AAAAAAAAJoo/joX-RGkAMVQEnj9pqqc0-kmYZv5IjU9sQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><div>Brock and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary: </div><div><img id="id_2a96_93d8_1359_b280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPr42nhj_cOTPzG52xKgngyF9D1FvmVSu20byQbUbHuDQkLKAZ0DPgOm9nBzxYagyoviwnkcj7YK0crI2v6tzrc8m2I4gyZnJK6jO8kqa5nk5IsutTAMDqY3oF4GF0tZcl8cT_P7j8HAY/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>I felt I was killing it- I wasn’t going to let cold weather get me down! and really gaining traction in my fitness when- it all came off the rails- in the form that I got sick. </div><div> I had some life stress in the form that mine and brocks trucks were each broken into- in our drive way my wallet was stolen :/ bummer- I am</div><div>Still working to get all my things replaced - plus it’s scary undermines my peace of mind and sense of security - so we’ve been working hard to put up more cameras - be psycho about locking doors and setting the alarm system for our house - and the three people who broke into my truck are in jail- we were just one of the many people they did this to- and I’m so thankful they have been caught. </div><div>But with Brock working out of town - even though I’ve always felt brave strong and stoic - I think the stress from the break in- and me not wanting it to happen again - plus I had some</div><div>Issues a week before the break ins of kids in the neighborhood chronically pranking our house by ringing the door bell and running away- I really just want uninvited people to stay away from my home- esp ones not there for positive good. Also during this time I deactivated my fb- I still have my Instagram but have the settings to private - I honestly don’t really miss fb- initially said I was going to stay off until after Easter like for lent- but I really may not bring it back- who knows - May feel different later on but I just tire of it- seems to have way more negativity than Instagram and I just tire of the constant crap I see of people arguing - I’ve felt this way for 2 yrs- I just felt I needed to stay because I was connected to so many people</div><div>From my past - like every facet of my life A and so many running friends - but decided to just leave to see what it’s like. I life without fb is actually better </div><div>Anyways: </div><div><div>I started feeling bad/ and two days later finally went to the dr where I tested positive for both Flu A and Flu B and to add insult to injury, I also tested positive for walking pneumonia- what?! How is that possible?! With how “healthy” I am and taking all the supplements and exercising how I do- well I theorize that I probably over did it- in my zeal to get in shape plus the stress from people messing around my house and lowered my immunity and guess I was exposed to a lot of crap and had no idea- </div><div>So I needed rest and the flu/pneumonia combo sure brought me to a screeching hault. So in my week of pj wearing semi coma state- I decided when I get my strength back and it warms up I am going to tackle some awesome house projects like - super cleaning out and organizing my garage ,doing the mulch for my landscaping myself, pressure washing and painting some things in the exterior of my house and getting some new deck furniture- out door living spaces ready for spring summer fall - I love my house but even better I love my porches and my yard- I will attempt to try to document some of my projects esp the painting ones- </div><div><br></div><div>Right now (and I probably should of stayed home) but it’s spring break for the kids so we came to the beach- Brock was amazing boarding maverick for me and doing all the packing and loading while I laid in bed wheezing- while weeks ago I had lofty goals of golfing tennis and running all week long- now my exspectations are dialed back to relaxing reading and short walks with Alice my little dog who never left my side while I was sick- we had to put down our Yorkie Fred who was 16 years old in February and that was Alice’s everything- she has clung to us since then because I feel she misses Fred so much and we miss Fred too- if anything I spend more time with Alice because I miss fred- little dogs are precious and sweet. </div><div> So we have been here a couple days I have to say the warm weather has felt so nice. It good to spend time with brocks family and our kids and everything be much slower in pace than at home - </div><img id="id_37c9_62ab_4325_62cb" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBu63aAUkXbJiQkZos4xj1EuTMPO7A4Fu8yww4mqSGW9SdN_Wvff1gVyF38MWtwDSrvQEXR7n73BGukaMOegkUqgl9QW3PhbTCToHoUZWY4BaJcwodTcHEyyK9bM3zGL36iNjP9Fq-v2U/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>Walking on the golf course with Alice early this morning </div><div><img id="id_fb91_9b4_d333_b99d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AK_kppeUrZzqTIi29ZR9lII6futINxL7E5xKoTK9iu72qlc147bmoH6QjP0PSsJ5K0KhMIn5IBTWzKVjREXWN8djWwcuk9Poj3hzQ7XNQSOeK5SyAPhFZpKveLkKH58sSw33sWBG6kU/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Brock and I before dinner last night- first time I’ve fixed my hair or worn any make up in 10</div><div>Days 😂 - felt nice to not be in yoga pants and a hoodie </div><div><br></div><div>So yes- looking forward to spring - this late winter was a doozy but I’m not defeated- ♥️ I don’t feel sorry for myself for anything that’s happened to me - the last month or my entire life - I’m captain of my ship in and control of how I respond to negative things and people - </div><div>I am excited to rest and build my strength and energy this week and get back home to start my projects and yes still be doing lots of hot yoga, running and spring is always busy time</div><div>For the kids: with spring sports - Brock has several ultra marathons trail 50ks I plan to try to attend to cheer him on </div><div><br></div><div>Me April means turkey season so I want to also make time to do more of this: </div><div><img id="id_1d3e_d8c1_fd76_cfbf" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij98u-kVWelRBIoYbJ1yrkm27ADPdcZPeLR2mw1fvC3DE9lzPT8iD4e3WWH-cdJECHBHigBdXLBHtLqIjGmTqy-OrWKE7JJYWS-oyZu6K6E6ia2cGMAzfYjjUYg0v1-vZPWQCKBgBlwpk/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>And fishing with my brother Brian- trout fishing is always so much fun in the spring : </div><div><img id="id_35a5_885a_98cc_f554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDe_ZbI4Ent96me9-pX7LlZ0ISn4AGbExMi159dM_4V1z_iOesxAUKqSqA6uRJq044CP5DroILyomumhGNbetPGWOka5sLPzXKA97wFLYscWVZcM1k08gmPyz0T4muvUmu7ER-183xRLg/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div> I’m excited after my massive clean up- of the exterior of my home to also get to golf on Tuesdays with the ladies and on Wednesday’s play tennis 🎾 </div><div>And I have plans for some over night backpacking adventures on the AT but that will probably be in May </div><div><br></div><div> Easter! And a couple great parties in April- so I’m excited for spring and all the awesomeness of changing seasons! </div><div>If you made it through this post- I hope your late winter was less eventful than mine!! And wish you all happiness and health!! ♥️🙏</div><div><br></div></div></div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-5223995117124632252019-01-11T13:40:00.001-05:002019-01-11T14:43:21.936-05:00Some of my current favorite things Hey y’all! Hope your new year is going great! If you’re like me, perhaps you are trying to let go of some<div>Bad habits and establish some new healthier ones to replace them with: </div><div>Personally I’ve been going to hot yoga every day- I’ve only missed one day in the last 8 days- and I truly am feeling so good 😊 inside and out! </div><div>I also wanted to share some products that I absolutely am enjoying so much this week that I feel are helping me get healthier! </div><img id="id_4901_2c6c_2fb8_8742" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5_zaND-V82c/XDjjKdmMxGI/AAAAAAAAJn8/UoHK3ziIKLMQIjAJpTYpUrU0hxzt1KnoACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br> I usually take a shot of normal braggs apple cider daily- but the last time I was at the health food store I saw this and it’s heaven! I mix it with water but also just take a shot glass of it in the morning when I take my vitamins! It’s yummy spicy and I love it 🥰 <div><img id="id_67f5_ef56_3f1e_ed44" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eMjsQV58x7Q/XDjjK3NwusI/AAAAAAAAJoA/KyxsuHVq5BEWuco3X8KL5mJAcC7bYQsawCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>I truly am going to try to find this wholesale and get a gallon of it- this is an aryuvedic oil for sore muscles (think tiger balm but better) where I’ve been working out a lot more I have been sooo sore the last week and using this before a workout or after I shower is just heavenly warm cinnamon/pepperminty smell </div><div><img id="id_cece_cf58_4811_c2e9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vb9OlL5-HNA/XDjjLQNCM9I/AAAAAAAAJoE/MfxXHrE_OjIfpr-Gbfgi2fzqShEWHLEGQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Been replacing my afternoon coffee with matcha lattes made of unsweetened almond or coconut milk 🥳 I love this has added collagen </div><div><img id="id_e0fc_509d_cfa8_cbe7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgmNUMdBx3udv-0LvmBy_As13ouQKFXQwej5m10yk28On9X6wGOqeDu9eRmCrhyphenhyphennfXKfCmv85a3u6WqXmLKkNN3EK7iX1yUUPjRotnc6d_ljvV8HFzPBrbgNFCzbjJBzuJlB90smMqs8/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>If you love kombucha and coconut- yup well this is for you- it’s fizzy like kombucha but it’s a solid substance like yogurt- it’s Tart and sour- not sweet- I eat it plain but I think it would be yummy with fruit- </div><div><img id="id_46a2_6649_d60d_eb6c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRew0Ba569mIevGHq_0DrZ700RcwC4nIC7EH-tSp3L4N752GCJP165kJzTiqesEfBrdHU_qJpBjndobqReYq-7fheoBaSAvJJqTR3g-4q9jjdalSt2QSFO3SpEf02rksf2W2aNbRxKiuw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Coconut water. This is my treat- I have this every evening before bed- to rehydrate balance my electrolytes and get some potassium and magnesium- so. Good. </div><div><br></div><div>Beyond that I’m just trying to sip on bone broth I’ve made myself in the instapot, eat a lot of veggies and healthy lean proteins (chicken, beef,pork, fish) </div><div> It’s feeling really nice to hit the reset button after the holidays and intentionally focus on my health and wellness so much more than I have been. </div><div>I hope everyone is having a great day today! Do one thing your future self will thank you for today! Also drink water! I really wasn’t drinking enough for a long long time- and I think that really effects how I feel energetically </div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-88709122548732184292018-12-27T08:39:00.001-05:002018-12-27T08:39:20.615-05:00December was a blurSo this month really grabbed me by the nape of my neck and shook me hard- I can’t believe it’s dec 27th - I am going to consistently make an effort to publish weekly <div>So much to talk about! </div><div>For those of you following the front porch progression: </div><div>My mom bought me an antique milk can- I have wanted one for years- and this particular one is very old and heavy and I say it’s safe to assume it’s going to stay on my front porch year round now </div><img id="id_1023_b7c7_2d5b_5a32" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gTIvZf25Xoc/XCTV67yNOOI/AAAAAAAAJmo/_LInM9wLAWc_Q2lGnoZaVTLyMHkDMTKYQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>Love it </div><div><br></div><div>Other than Christmas and holiday celebrations last week- the highlight of my month was getting to take my oldest son jack to go see the play “Hamilton” in Greenville, SC at the peace center. Jack has been obsessed with the soundtrack and so this was his big gift from his dad and I to him- lucky me got to go too! We had an amazing time and loved every second of it! </div><img id="id_339f_a395_6069_69d0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sqr0MS102Mk/XCTV7lfxerI/AAAAAAAAJms/8svHQeiRdpc03AhdKJ4ON2uSZELi55IrgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><img id="id_27f7_2efb_a2be_a372" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jgg9ZzE9FCk/XCTV8Lr4EQI/AAAAAAAAJmw/shCpEe-Q-iAGpW8HQUwGwolvF4v0f6jRACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_2ce9_298a_7a78_6066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwoNLahtoZheMkme2hZ6JqrBrtkXriHaABzZuECtEVag3ftqpTRiPWI5rykOX026bL4N9gdxwKPylVj0k7LO9p16xYM12DL7W6N24sF9ml8NeIrxnzVqpiT6zntC_FRBaADGZHwTHHck/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>After that, the kids were out of school and I’ve been in a hurricane of events, family visits and holiday fervor <div><img id="id_e7aa_9aab_a9ab_66a9" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3nMyKHFoiHC8lNpSMTmAYXgWXDE9W7tq-Uf9TyitsFfdVX-AYgGPShJ-v8348IR_jXiHMRCM3f-zSR4cotsg9D843nIbSSFjcnJPOA-OvXBazk8xHn-5yZhp8VwRuDDGPMUFA5yoWDQo/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><div><img id="id_80e2_90b5_69df_72a9" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqyzgDj-KBrn7JT5ljp1iyw2NWnbgiJCXRYwq7BTKa8qB4xcyLK8W_tKGSGPECg9lVBO1rzOEO3ErrZ39eU5znxSo7JLjOX1SvjP7qLIRRxWZGJYnhmMgU6jFS2ByaktkTW8NKwhgCV0/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>But I have also made time and space for myself too- which I think is so important during the holidays </div></div><div>I’ve done a lot of this :</div><img id="id_bf7b_c4b9_1391_54af" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Cdz5Xtz4kHG01z1wbT4VI9gi4l0HqSo6xSRf42MEV0pzQrecUD4qu3Tfjck5odAzNC-NYYO3uqysjCzuJPzC9Nzp-6TH9gpC39XnnMRFRW8t9wJGbuRMQQM2VDcurSpnDa4DPeTzmQ4/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>I’m reading a great book about Alva Vanderbilt </div><img id="id_f290_20f_485b_5777" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLz6NpViugTmUiNeP0SeZISAwSDsMEevwqPbMxKpuZToGt9XoGz4aJKoVAZHC0uCx76VKrgC0VxTrIqvXsmscWrNnxsKXEwiU0tX0wB-QcIcy5THQW6_rjvqntucm6e_pHwsWHqeZDP4w/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>I’m<div>Almost finished with it and I love it so much! Been such a great read! </div><div>I also repurposed a necklace (cut it up and made it to fit me better used a different design) </div><img id="id_4562_b61b_6a20_81ef" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPWpGtaEdq_sXvZmv3VS8DinqmXVLxt_XSRaMmKkhM2VmZAFXh3bTXfnlH4Y3DgsYtDZhE1G9TtzrADbyygHcIwlPnviApqU1kPDiwgFB-6fnZsP-WnoWwmQJ7rc8Q0JtH6T1ZqLVoxA/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>It has a fairy stone on it! And I love this necklace it’s so meaningful to me! Very SwVA <div>I also was able to go to the farm and feed cows with my dad on Christmas Eve </div><img id="id_d024_8da3_3ae9_bc52" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IDNlCsNPmho/XCTV-47ZAQI/AAAAAAAAJnM/G5EdhrZjoCUMjmvFLMigAXlPY-wUaIR0ACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><img id="id_257b_62ea_93fc_3496" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SE5gZpZd6Yg/XCTV_m_JoaI/AAAAAAAAJnQ/7lKcUKkU4j42-Kqfo9lqRqEon8Ae7gAMgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_9b4b_5132_833_32a1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VTBGzVFAHP4/XCTWADn7G8I/AAAAAAAAJnU/8FVyWIn-ZI0DBleDyRt4jJGG-Nzdlh3fgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Such a great morning! <div>I received some great Pyrex bowls from my mom </div><div><img id="id_e4de_bb50_f48d_b785" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjz8oqtyVqbJKfccCtcguc2iOdZ4qxgjxWxm-9-wwy9WXmCTkaaixdQuQufCgMZDd_VXpzFWCG3Kdwc3i7nI4FPs-qkajxr2NVhVScWU8Q517BSC0ZuFZ4F_AQkCdxG6VVucaTef_7qBY/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>And fire king mugs from my sister in law Tammy </div><div><img id="id_200c_3574_3ea9_bdef" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YiHAJTP2NuY/XCTWBQK1oVI/AAAAAAAAJnc/CZfFSU9cXic8ak64JZwee7Y1lcGOkMypwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>And even though I wasn’t expecting it and feel I don’t deserve it - ( because I feel I have too much and really need nothing ) </div><div>Santa (in the form of Brock) came and left me something very nice </div><img id="id_a92a_5911_70cb_bb72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXmu7pzVpIgXmrYvlpTxHWEbT0dYEQ1DgJOoUNhIoc-6ug596dSUKyYOaPPG3Tv8O9YMDQoboS5bHN80HduuQ8nvmAn9OdjwLgcZ2ULuC-WxFmmlAhB-mya2cUqXCfY6PjP3uIZ0jkMw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>So sweet ♥️<br><div>So now here I am present moment I am thinking of taking down my Christmas decor either today or tomorrow - </div><div>On the cusp of New Years </div><div>I really don’t have resolutions- other than I want 2019 to be full of happiness and joy- good health - fun adventures and I have a lot of home related projects I wish to tackle. </div><div>If you made it to the end of this post- I truly wish you had a wonderful Christmas and wishing you a happy new year ♥️</div><div><br></div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-31450531716565680142018-12-08T14:32:00.001-05:002018-12-08T14:32:36.952-05:00Oh Christmas tree Yesterday we were able to do some family bonding and get our live Christmas tree from Red Barn Christmas Trees near Damascus, Va. These trees are harvested locally from<div>white top mtn! One of my favorite places! Plus it feels amazing to support a local business and have locally sourced trees</div><div><img id="id_23bf_285c_7e8_7f1b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fctxjNRMy-U/XAwcUyRFbkI/AAAAAAAAJmA/jUBe3ffPpqIOEwQTX6wy3zBFTZAv73i6gCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_fcd2_da3d_7925_612" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xbj-GTmqYDI/XAwcUUaKnoI/AAAAAAAAJl8/hqGo8RtY5fcpy_GYfzUD6EADnpJry8w5wCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_b3d3_693f_667f_9349" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dl4SXb3l2rk/XAwcT6RAbuI/AAAAAAAAJl4/xFxhQzQBZGwqnZIClxd2h38tuS7PlWqAgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_2072_cd89_afe6_ccec" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbOIYt9z8YMaIyzFmr69XAGaEVLEP1EJyKWjL3BayDIdMrT9ADVdYBmQs5FisRI2cM7FsqN4umGNh15hJFw1_a7ie1CEG3j6BFT6djT5mAtunEE7-69yGuYrKCPChw0ms2GtrdQWMUH8/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_2054_4194_bc50_63" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5HglV7MFV0q5y4mC_eiMoQrQktwTFttXTOpLIoKVI9_3Q7K-3wRV-UP824_Vql3Yoa_2lWLIVnb-zqzLOy9zX8iUqrCm7M21RDOlFpJdTCa-3Broi0F73NzWDqXPZu_orFhTFwBZyfo/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_5399_681b_665b_bf30" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDFOQVEU6uOnzN29RgjvI9ElQq1APUdgr8JizHtIeGwd74wJEo36cm9gWzvBGdD181gyRZ0W0vGuH1n_DoIg1o07AinfDsf9aY_XtSgFQy1OmtA7CVPsJPlnJL4zz-xoCGOJ_2Ym9YNs/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>We may have out did ourselves - we bought two trees a small one and a big one - I bought the smaller one for my front porch to go in my moms galvanized wash tub she lent me- and we bought the large 10 foot one for our living room</div><div>I was impatient and decided to decorate the smaller one last night </div><img id="id_f728_d260_9848_4dbf" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkVOqTjxjUQV_iG3MSskaxf6uz_PgYlvbsg0Bk7Cj-Gc3E4J_9uYMZEIGbpwVJVLYkv41RxiO3BfmNJF4fKDcOI_VtLUHqmFaBGkky-UC_rTpPhOgA5jI_rUfMqsdRzCj9j9R9TXr3z8/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>Yay! I also bought the boys two new sleds for the impending snowmagedon this weekend- that’s what’s junking up the pic behind The tree :) </div><div><img id="id_1d6d_3bbf_ad02_a08f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d-0JFsHc-YE/XAwcTcRMxPI/AAAAAAAAJls/3wDXBikxYRg-ZAtkwgvxKsv7-V59s1BNQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>We got the larger tree in the stand and let the branches find where they need to be overnight </div><div>And decided to decorate it today </div><div><img id="id_a383_3abc_aaed_615c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-obehzFRktjg/XAwcTx2tDGI/AAAAAAAAJl0/x32sV9M-tCYY27N9Gm-jspQmrPRw9MwzQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>We used all our ornaments we have amassed the past 15 years! So sentimental- and so us ♥️</div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-3169355757498819562018-12-01T14:34:00.001-05:002018-12-01T14:34:33.293-05:00Crafty beginning to December This morning I awoke to a lovely sunrise <img id="id_2844_7b1a_8c90_6ff7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p6Vfw-wKJ8s/XALiQsmYGcI/AAAAAAAAJk4/uzHUg1bLLAg6nx-SmlAFHRjJTOpbMoQ5ACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>I decided to treat myself to a craft day today: </div><div>First I made myself a headband using a combination of knitting on a loom and crochet </div><img id="id_fc01_e9e9_fa05_36a6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIcEfPKZLNisFVTs7yzyJdlg9AxKWNyu2bHK16nHofl0h61dt6Ux9JyJhu8H9cjfJaraqKk97mwHatYzPtZgMHi_uV-a7swBXlLkB4wxe1TksLlm7R-Hlo9jl4erUW-AfoRJz4So09ws/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><img id="id_319_acb3_7671_b3ab" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8MrLpNfyRFM/XALiQeRIUBI/AAAAAAAAJk0/J8ASB6tEZooT8Wqi0nnT2ddpz_-y3GhtACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Warm and toasty- I got the yarn from “a likely yarn” in abingdon - it’s wool but feels so soft without feeling scratchy </div><div>Then I made little gifts for the up coming Christmas season </div><div><img id="id_f32_ea0b_d9a6_a806" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCadlNsLJYsbHw9Qqgm_37Xz57qObJJubGOvZSrArDK_fa3LfrUTPBuP3Rmzv857tFZ-W50YMwAt4an35goU87pplciMHzrLvbSVeemMJFa5HC82Gumo_j4hjMIDxHBgImyDkcHje9e0/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Yes everyone and I mean everyone is getting homemade soap and lip balm for Christmas! </div><div>Lastly I’ve added some greenery to my front porch </div><img id="id_dcfd_b0fb_5865_7261" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oOF6Gmcz-18/XALiRDoAAHI/AAAAAAAAJlA/iXWn5exrztwGVe1gt-mU0pgqhbZVGF3qACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>I am going to have a live decorated tree on my front porch placed in a galvanized wash tub - but waiting until</div><div>Next weekend to do that </div><div> So this Saturday was nice and relaxing, productive </div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-85977526378616574532018-11-27T18:41:00.001-05:002018-11-27T18:41:31.769-05:00Slowly starting to feel like the holidays We have been experiencing some cold weather this week- I really have wanted to accomplish more but sick kid, weather meh- <div>Some days you just have to play the cards you are dealt. </div><div>However, today even though it was windy and 25f I decorated some outside- it’s a work in progress but I’m slowly chipping away at it </div><div>Here are some pictures of what I’ve done so far: </div><img id="id_2360_a79f_3515_c05" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FlAA1IrXDGQ/W_3WJvS8dMI/AAAAAAAAJkU/wKMc6o5HsV0P6chEonZUGepZljVX3yTeACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>I hung a big wreath and garland on my back porch- this porch is probably my favorite place in the house - I’m constantly out there no matter what the season . <div><img id="id_434b_ec89_46aa_d90a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZwsrcl8PdfMHj-Z2SYIi7f0KUzkS8bdCREX2Dxg1Xr8OrZwOwe-SfodCEBZfoIiUxYeZTbz6tO20NIcF_Og2VGZtCrHRunb89_o0IxxeFaV5rhqOubYRFPrs0hNcP7tfUy1pIDcU84o/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Still have a lot to go on the front porch but it’s a start- going to have a tree 🌲 on my front porch by this weekend :) and more greenery but I have my antique sled and ice skates out! And the watering can is very special to me it was my papaw Claude’s </div><div>My dad gave it to me several years ago. It’s one of my most treasured things </div><div><img id="id_7a6e_d17c_6a7c_fc4e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tweCiG7RRhI/W_3WKcwXQsI/AAAAAAAAJkc/JibVZ8WbdoIXT5sho5m6gm9jBbhkKWKNACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br> Mail box </div><div><img id="id_12b4_94c8_b96c_5a27" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ywm0PG8ds8o/W_3WKXPGwpI/AAAAAAAAJkg/VZNzi8kZHB4D9CI4sbtIjyA6-UV2nLGgwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><br> This isn’t decor- this is my dinner - it was so cold I decided to use my mini bge I normally just use for tailgates or family camping- but it was so blustery and cold 🥶 I did not want to have to walk into the courtyard and use my normal sized big green egg- plus with me and the kids I now realize how much lump charcoal I was wasting - this size is perfect for three ppl or less </div><div>And I enjoyed just Popping out the kitchen back door onto my porch to check the food and two feet from the warm house 😂 </div><div>Truly thankful for the little things </div><div>Next up: I know this weekend more adventures on tap and more decorating </div><div>Tomorrow am going to try for a cold weather adventure run in the woods after I take the kids to school - </div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-85254904706044500942018-11-23T07:53:00.001-05:002018-11-23T14:31:24.782-05:00Black Friday squirrel gravy Thanksgiving is usually a big hunting week for my family- we got to the farm Wednesday - Todd and I deer hunted - but never saw any deer <div>Which happens! We had fun anyway </div><div><img id="id_d05c_be82_a71b_d2a9" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7VN3SPsTwNQWiyYo5gFA2HUU8pAjYvGqir88O721VmOnJ27OXE9DJlsvCc2UypSDXT6bHI_MjccuDh8turU5m8pG-PAY-neFHdOMzNRsSPX0JmeI1I5eIaMPXP-aEB7rIAvzUUmdjvo/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><img id="id_27a3_a403_29f0_4aa0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuwScFRK2Gh4JpaGyj4n82BjMjSgLhX79HUvrJc9dfkWfayvV4ygEfnFtnAJMXkSfjqex7eMzTnayuYUwYqeDqY7Gj0PyWrajVg-r8A03KTl2Ou1HAP7Fpi5LgjDyG3a4XCprP2uTdMY/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_3f9a_1ef7_7d5e_f79b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6QQRDbYvu-HowhTkGxPwOEcyOBUacXZtRUaJTnzxuVwBmn6-LKa6rmRKINkZmMUG1Ejq-FmpaAk_auS-qS7umMR52xQuMmZXFrK-Qj-FwV961zpnkfX-7xnL9N4yz0EEO79P5pH8b8Y/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Todd got bored and feel asleep on me in the blind </div><div><br><br></div><div>So yesterday (thanksgiving) before he left my parents farm my 11 yr old son shot a fox squirrel- it was a great educational moment for me as I had never skinned and gutted a squirrel before only deer and fish was the extent of my reportoire <div><img id="id_dca9_f59b_4ea9_d3ef" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p8t7GlYfHXI/W_f4PqT4LHI/AAAAAAAAJjc/VwYaaGLK_ecqEJr6rGlxb1K9IT3xY5X3gCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_4913_37c9_f65a_3144" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2ZCrGVSQL4Y/W_f4QJmjHvI/AAAAAAAAJjg/w8SBFm2M28gkPmS9F1OWkARsxWj2z_gwgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>This guy was huge! My dad and I skinned , gutted and cleaned mister squirrel with Todd helping and observing- </div><div>And once I got home I placed him in some salt water to soak over night in the fridge </div><div>Todd and I decided we would have the squirrel for breakfast 🍳 </div><div>So I woke up at 5 am this morning to start the task of preparing the squirrel- I decided to use my instapot to cook him for phase 1. I placed the squirrel, some water, and salt/pepper and some sprigs of rosemary in the pot and cooked it on the chicken setting for 40 min- </div><div>While the squirrel was cooking I knew it was going to be good because it smelled good :) </div><img id="id_5d39_365b_bcc6_9d55" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMd5pyA5jWpxrADsBZ_qn-AwnPjfe80ROuffH90zfkzqAt4Op96qTYKG8OfgaMlV3xgAxPT3SmSfjbn7RootX4TzpSlxr-WVWQ-oL_qRMpufmEZrBS2V1ebEci11fDbX-NotQU_xZGSs/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>This is what the squirrel looked like after it was cooked and I now have stock for my gravey so that’s incredible and I can’t say enough how good this smelled- honestly it was like I cooked chicken </div><div>So I rolled the pieces of squirrel in seasoned flour and fried it like fried chicken </div><div>I made biscuits from scratch</div><div>Then lastly I made gravey with the grease and some</div><div>Flour/ milk and the stock from cooking the squirrel </div><div><img id="id_238b_2e64_2194_ddfe" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4E9YVFoF_Wk/W_f4PLqYvkI/AAAAAAAAJjM/A1rRwWRTaOMt_38AOs_UriR8nEg2QUUjgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_96c8_59d0_4db5_7dc0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HhnMXzQaat1NhDGuDwrMHrLtJPKIQpRtqnm07IJDHcA7bWcmmEYxyg5FnrxmnzODodMJTDymo-iCyrH8my3-35Oz1s4dgjAtYv2shOin55lVj9OpN1NwfCbYMhlCydzb_W0JJzeu6HM/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br> The lumps are some bits of sausage I fried with the squirrel to give it more grease <br><img id="id_e81e_e6c8_f37a_745a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sRu3bpwFXiY/W_f4Pvqlm-I/AAAAAAAAJjY/kD407zX15WQbDTDJsNf28kZMGYpN20blQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_616d_109d_5617_3ef7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQvbKRwLbPOD2TDSpfG3yfrqGbaohYSUs59TwrOaFTLR_uR_jXHrB-cEghR4YwEK2Q4HXt_fB9nz2HmDDyI5OwBKLYEvP-4FaxIzH0Ex7GiixhVET7ULjulNV3UBEE7P_eooolt06kMo/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Todd enjoying the harvest of his hunt </div><div><br></div><div>So end of the day- I felt this experience was so worthwhile- Todd and I both cultivated skills of sustainability- and found it very tasty and enjoyable!and this thanksgiving weekend we are both grateful - As I told</div><div>Him when we were having our breakfast “we will never starve” ♥️🤗</div></div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-24871041741063612422018-11-21T19:43:00.001-05:002018-11-21T19:43:09.691-05:00Antiquing/consignment finds this week I admittedly am planning on my “next phase” of front porch decorating- for winter/ Christmas I have some rustic ideas floating around in my head- but knew I needed to hit up some antique stores to bring some of my ideas into fruition. <div> I don’t have all the materials I need - yet- but I did find several things that I was on a quest for and several surprises too! I wanted to share some of them with my readers </div><div>- first off- I love antiquing and consignment shops- I find it so fun like treasure hunting! </div><div><br></div><div>So at the first antique store I go to in abingdon- I find - both an old tail sled 🛷 and ice skates (oh makes me think of Ethan frome) both of these finds are going in the front porch and will probably stay there until Valentine’s Day </div><img id="id_a9d_163d_bc50_13af" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhth7Q0JQTDUD6nj32JvOYeHpWahyyAtRrA_VTftGE7yaGQTiP9uESb_nZt0j6sM9p22N3oAPQ4YgJoJ0BPhZSBqcid1NB8dVySV_bDQNpnmjEvzQ8WCV9PV-U8M7tN4cSrh7dYt_fsMy0/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>I was thrilled to find these things! I have a list of several more items that I need I will work on this weekend - when my winter porch scene is complete I will post it. </div><div><br></div><div>So while I was searching for Christmas decor- I found two fire king mugs! I love love love fire king and Pyrex and particularly the Kimberly fire king mugs (with the diamond etched pattern) my parents had these mugs when I was very small so they carry with them very positive nostalgia for me of feeling safe, loved and warm. </div><img id="id_c955_dea9_c9bb_50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56vVgDwt6Q2jytF3NiKk6S_MuFTe0zxiBOyWNGMnwU_rXrozvV0Mlmdl5RS2xL5StHxKHGuQgw9E3SFOH0nx_hg4GFvGLR7M-pm8jUczLSoYULkvMqeotOWGudkF9DOgmlbnc2q5J1fo/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>And isn’t the butterfly one so pretty? These are the perfect size for my espresso machine </div><div><br></div><div>Also I found at the antique store - this beautiful sweater- that wasn’t an antique but someone had it hanging there for sale In Their booth for 12.00 - a Judith March sweater that had magnolias on it! </div><img id="id_b165_2102_25fb_eea" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakqbFCzs0XKs6tlr0cCv1pc4COJpZe0BRD1JHKzy3IPsiFet2PDSZxoGxwmjk1GnU2l1hfSrGR4Va8Wduj6JlTEfeapjP9mhBfY70dd_PCSTTyhibwMRBUinvsOjypuFmHA17ZFkasHE/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>Love this sweater and it’s so warm!! <div><br></div><div>And it was like a Christmas next door in a consignment shop- I found a pair of size 8 hunter boots for 20.00 and they are the exact same shade of pink as my new sweater!! </div><div><img id="id_130b_46ed_f0a6_2f9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qYzHv2GnlmU/W_X7mVY3fqI/AAAAAAAAJio/KlKGlH7eL885XVBK-_wsmZyIchUz73fzQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>So yay! So awesome! </div><div>That’s been what I’ve been up to the past couple days in addition to pre thanksgiving craziness!! Hope all of you have an amazing thanksgiving!! We all have al much to be grateful for ♥️🤗</div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-55724038229540282212018-11-16T09:20:00.001-05:002018-11-16T09:23:40.481-05:00Adventures this week in crafting Beginning of this week I found myself on the struggle bus with a sinus infection (I think 🤔 being out in the cold so long on my hike Saturday) so instead of focusing on fitness- I focused on making good use of my time inside by working on some craft projects- <div><br></div><div>Firstly, I crocheted 🧶 myself a hat! I absolutely love the feel of the yarn I used- I purchased it from hobby lobby in bristol- it has a very nice hand (very soft and not scratchy but it’s wool) and it’s so toasty warm! I also have been experimenting using larger size crochet hooks- </div><div><img id="id_3122_40f0_757c_352" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FJ3Ncno3XC4/W-7SM6EXzWI/AAAAAAAAJh4/0daI7o4FPPwa1tPAJrWQhVzse-fMXHL_gCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>As you can see this one is gigantic compared to the ones my grandmother would use when I was a child. I love the larger sizes and find them even easier to work with than the smaller size hooks. I don’t ever use patterns for my hats - I really don’t even know what I’m doing- I just start with a chain connect it into itself then proceed to crochet in circles- occasionally trying the hat on and figuring out adjustments so it’s the correct diameter/size until it’s done. </div><div><img id="id_9cb1_c55b_8e3f_23ec" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6euS2hJJSWWl1Dbz9tCF5wA6mJpgajEPLhKG1betmawmPFGB3R-yEIWgbjDwrBoKNAPL1MU9yUiso24Gw_yetV_WHZ08YCNcOFxSKAr6kT3ja65EBn8xwjXWS7ZpPSAlKywfDqAU-19s/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Finished product </div><div><img id="id_6eb9_f0af_e564_8760" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kNWqISuwE0M/W-7SMMXqdXI/AAAAAAAAJh0/NmB-G82j-7wR8zuK5nLQnbtppczFZ6tYwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>I like it ♥️</div><div>Okay yesterday I was looking at Pinterest for some Christmas decor inspiration- and kept seeing dried orange slices come up in my feed- it occurred to me that I have naval 🍊 oranges in my fridge- also, I have a dehydrator so - why not?? </div><div><img id="id_c111_ba14_39cb_9dd6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtUcCgOV80pzHCqDcQ_cy-0e6q6CSHbkXIraz37G9pB9w7QN3nMVBWMm-yu8CTVZG0_A6GyLPXuPUC5a8Q4Ql3ssKLbJP9be8EesdLsgiHU8k2D-MEq_nlEN-FZnzYLNQ7XHLLk5MkYg/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>I thinly sliced about 10 oranges 🍊 and dehydrated them overnight - this morning I strung them on bakers twine using a needle I use for finishing up knitting projects 🧶 </div><img id="id_8a9b_c397_397a_1500" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-04XAZsgGi_k/W-7SMysxsKI/AAAAAAAAJh8/idTrJ-WyrXIxWC42h1htPzThZBsTHZORACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>Big plastic needle - I’m sure you could</div><div>Used a normal needle and thread 🧵 but I’m such a goof- I’m positive I could of gotten it entangled had I attempted that- </div><div>And the end result is: </div><img id="id_d69a_d12b_cf0d_1e0f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNloDGrmW9kdq2-E6HvJSIUrjU2v8iQGKouUVqbLY9i6KA7OISQNMdIggOp57oWtyDP1Ptw__7dGTaQ6VJO9q5_47S1iETgfIid7HwPsVIQVwM7KGQYJBT_F9C5hJFBUB-E-w5m3plH8/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><img id="id_8b2a_79f3_5a5f_526e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYdZReeVdgEb3Sx477wXzfNucqvswXa3nla1hFhdJHY4WjBuRZifD1Yl6b_bbNawfwKD-5Jaz-yddUyjdn9LwBzWPlA4-kozTvX77_5rJZ2vIBTU4cXTaeggVdiTK8G0E3VlS9AgpeVc/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_5739_3dde_7a4e_c36e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQD4nahT1w744KfZzlL24wZ69Z8a7dTXZB25nbEVWCxIJdDi7_SO2qsaZ3OFo6kpgC6yswY_UveZnz9OY8KJZd8YJ1-wUDQpPSmA21S-beFOkiVIqIm8TVZaYPMVjpYPrEM9By4jswqQ/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>I added several bundles of rosemary to dry and to add some color contrast- <div><br></div><div>Some of my leftover orange slices I’m keeping to make oranaments for the tree and also to add to Christmas packages I like to use brown paper for a minimalist look with the twine and now I’m envisioning the orange slices and sprigs of pine or evergreen tied to it ♥️</div><div>Christmas for me is still far away- I like to get through thanksgiving first but even this garland I feel is a great transition from late fall to winter and could be possibly on my mantel until feb 😂 </div><div>Hope everyone is having a great week! ♥️ practice self care and make room in your life to do things you enjoy 😊 </div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-29146033966770042982018-11-12T10:48:00.001-05:002018-11-12T10:48:30.107-05:00Hiking Max Patch to Hot Springs NC on the AT This weekend my cousin and I embarked upon another hiking adventure together. My cousin Sherry is chipping away at her section hiking project. She knew she had this big day coming up and enlisted me because she knew I’d keep her laughing and moving and wasn’t afraid of being out all day long on my feet. <div> We left Friday evening and drove to Newport TN- and got a hotel room- (we decided to not camp out due to a massive cold front that was moving in ) that morning we drove to hot springs and met our shuttle a lovely lady named Beverly - who met us at the trail head beside laughing heart hostel - and then proceeded to drive us 50 min up up up to max patch- </div><div>We were met with ice, frost and sciffs of snow. </div><div>It was very cold and windy on the bald- and honestly it shocked and awed sherry and I both- the difference from down low on the mtn to there </div><div><img id="id_93c6_304_778b_3355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6K_gNaK0LAJKHv30DGZtcz_mno5NMarLspHHXdeqI3zi4Nj_tvkv4WqJrvonuCi0l84x1DXiYyhSbUhPBad5NlaxstJBcEd0fUhMEqaKXgY7iu6YHyUe8bQ6uNso7WwVANjk0zDcomOc/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Getting ready to start! And brr! It about froze my fingers to take the pics I did up there </div><div><img id="id_2ac1_8517_b2bd_517" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLDibIvoBe4fvHxA9Svi-ENx6yVDUlQaVjNNFIFfqKzUQM9He6S7E1Q2HQo9vQhf1mzKNguJx4Mo2rfBNd2AJiL5ghJTPQ_30UnxUTtqrSiz6dHWiCZyb_wiq2sxupa9sNEwfd3ay2B8/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>It really was that freaking cold </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_579c_9eeb_c52_2d70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHo0ZcxKtqAYeFdhgsUBevxWPdFYtDQgjoFDJlrejONZy6cl2xwsF48Zo4omPpPjEzEGifpnvJLdbsDdpaPaHC7YiMtKZu46bWIAFoU6CrC0XQn9eCteBjo0AYsNq-b6dA-3QDpNcBODc/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Reminded me a lot of mt Rogers area </div><div>I will have to go back when it’s warmer for the 360 views- </div><div><img id="id_371b_44ec_3e00_5be6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-stx7rJMHLzc/W-mguzvvXbI/AAAAAAAAJgo/Tc-mYIothOII5My_9HfKGHudnwfIzEjrACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>I think I’m inwardly praying “help me, Lord”😂 this was about 3 miles in and I’m doing the math of how long it will take us to hike 18 more miles </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_abd2_8d75_7629_a465" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-quXFAu6tHQ8/W-mgu_Cj4QI/AAAAAAAAJgk/ukz5lWh0qgsURFqxQdQPAGiRtMjBHD03gCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Stopped for a snack about mile 5 feeling little warmer because we have been descending </div><div><img id="id_711d_5f23_7375_6754" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bCyI883zt5I/W-mgxf4be6I/AAAAAAAAJg4/Fxqkw7K3p3cVOX2jf3LLaXqNK1ModbcUgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>We found this gigantic old growth tree beside the trail and both hugged it we were so happy to see such a gigantic tree </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_8a0f_99d5_87e3_8644" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JH1FD3gUIMs/W-mgyPBxRRI/AAAAAAAAJhE/WMhCTVUWLaQK88l_eePw4xVUbBV6YfeQACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Clouds trying to break up some </div><div><img id="id_16d1_f5fc_af2_fb36" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0e_PZm3J9mA/W-mgwk1v62I/AAAAAAAAJg0/UIStkJa3DjkMnNKpuSXdGbizSPjjs0-kQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>We made it to bluff mtn mile 10 and it was cold there again- we got chilled very quickly so out come all the layers once more </div><div><img id="id_41da_bb1c_b91b_7e27" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6jt4qUDeaI4/W-mguN6JksI/AAAAAAAAJgc/gG3CSDbhNqQhjNSoC9J-SxNFwXmjFEyMwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Just liked the way that looked </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_80ee_bc9b_bbeb_4bbb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T_ovPEWcmRg/W-mgv9xebbI/AAAAAAAAJgs/8YRhaSydZvc2Ob3TpaiJ_lI-Jv0qptURACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>It warmed some about 36-40 and in the sun didn’t feel too bad- about mile 14 we stopped for late lunch - I brought my jet boil and heated us up some chicken noodle soup- the warm broth really hit the spot. </div><div><img id="id_2467_9497_5b2a_2a42" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ALadmUfchB8/W-mgx50HZqI/AAAAAAAAJhA/vr5yZXIVXmwTdNohtgnYrbHaTzoNgNd3QCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Sherry enjoying my back country culinary skills </div><div><img id="id_eac2_61d8_c0e5_1cd3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFpL1ZJflLwryftZ0XpwVbHRHqrP8yN_5FFUV_dx78bG3rhAiu6TjXwiu280K1DHi2Ca-nMNexKA2dKUy37iMx5h62On68i5vt2FJle5LgxlroS1EBkohiAFQ2SfAL1FFsmJ9WX_NQos/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br> Sherry took this at about mile 19 - we were almost to hot springs we could look over the ridges and see the French broad river - so we were excited to be so close </div><div><img id="id_80b9_2864_df99_cdd9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lPEXOX6CPhc/W-mgyiKhl3I/AAAAAAAAJhM/oqrhl4LqLqgDQEUpBQ9H6azw48LFo6FUgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Looking back to bluff mtn- I about froze my ass off up there geez. </div><div> It was a great day in the mtns and really enjoyed getting to have a girls weekend with my cousin. I encourage anyone to get out there and walk on the AT - it’s always a positive character building experience </div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-84183009590301932462018-11-09T12:40:00.001-05:002018-11-09T12:40:54.604-05:00The optimist creed Just wanted to share this as it makes me feel sooo amazing to just read this little pledge ♥️ for the next 21 day I am going to recite this pledge every morning in order to set my day with intention : <div><img id="id_842c_a95f_d2b3_9085" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittDDLI1n2U7dM9rL80GvH960_UL8UB2x4oVaDdSLQT4cbepMAVPryKw_k9-e5auyKo0zKfGNm_E7E4hHPu6taK-y3Bp-LD3dG-HErwUApxMqwLXCcMV_s17wZBHCQP8sBYLTriDSPkL8/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br> </div><div>Feel free to join me the next three weeks!! I sense major positive shifts will happen for each person who</div><div>Does this- aside from the Ten Commandments- if every person on the planet lived life by this credo - what would</div><div>The world be like??? 💕</div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-31575136668389352492018-11-07T17:36:00.001-05:002018-11-07T18:04:07.695-05:00Trout fishing in Damascus, Va with my brother, river glass and jewelry makingToday I got to spend the day with my brother Brian and we went trout fishing together! It was a beautiful crisp fall day! My brother caught a beautiful brown trout and I let too many off the hook to count Lol 😂 I did score some river glass - it seemed wherever I was I would look down and find it- I’m assuming from the strong rain yesterday <div><br></div><div>Brian was nice enough to let me have his trout- trout for dinner!! and as soon as I got home I made some necklaces and a bracelet from some of the glass I found! </div><div><br></div><div>Very thankful to get to be outside on such a gorgeous day!!! </div><img id="id_17f5_1166_52f7_17fa" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxchk-HFfCJ7W_gSPOiH7eu0fA6e0SFPO09A3jYz50Lb-PpuhcNjMInLSVPZnWCwbxZUbZ4dwK2GCOoZdkpm5mIfmLQ7HYkRQb4J6Ej9NYsNgxj1hwJ5UvIJeUhn5QLF4xJc_xdpX01iM/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>Brian at TN Laurel </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_25a3_a442_f68a_92a6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLD0AVVbyzL5BG9KoqbktpgBqG3SuubjroUcryx6EZSvMc6jCSK5kV9zCtoIXvoqzcuk2r0AHy8NqFtYRJ2G2C8P8E172UB1t4S2OEKrgc2oO2kahOTQUXI03f6v0PkTYSqSfmQhCQOQ/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Beautiful morning </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_fe61_8dfb_4e3_d84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0ZEykq0bMsG2QqBBwfwNP2dznAa8jZ4ks7BWtLyuLyDUKFm5Bnlcuf8p_uzQHGJTQLfRg0NlOw34KhDIKQossRypggbzfLbritkKBroY8oL0RPSf3ram7juNnhX_N2k_Y2eZSFXx0jM/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_f52c_c1a2_725_de82" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoZcjk-ldHN_4mYS1s9vyI5Kc8DFT5v-fbxiNurlk6UVSYbjiqgPjPo3v-PkKMHE8g-xqzvcteyg18xj3QDz6AEgRubg2wWb9lbLd2lx7iG7meMf6pvzNtEMQWgpPRlGa8LvmT211PHU/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>One of my favorite spots </div><div><img id="id_34cc_28b3_111_bd67" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FWemoJymznc/W-NozfazfFI/AAAAAAAAJek/7_iQvyPU7EYteXpr7EyznqvoedLjzKcHgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Happy to be outside </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_ef7c_6113_6bed_dd60" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LhscqPDq8Rs/W-No1KzxoKI/AAAAAAAAJew/DCKnkLUExaUKd2ZMWKuJ5BxlkPNy2twygCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><img id="id_df05_d35c_e4b6_d912" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaPBg0Ggd5iQYKQAsv8N7rTYhqlUMWSb7nzfZw6RnSbQivsdIKLf9uZTFD0ByiMoVTYTiOfC2flPWPf7tR8pVECSVSVCnJx2jPShF60ZPzmh9Ty-AzFy1Fi4YD_NCIaayDTNFQSPEIFs/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Brown trout Brian caught </div><div><img id="id_94e1_ee00_a5b9_a271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZs9Pqy_jXdiXu-cOdxx7tesXgPv330XWYq6rVvKb1MjkYsymMBQERr3QlfJAUjUHufYnQ6vVNryfEe03TsqE7dZ1xyAks9n910LdNgF80uRDeNAA3KDH9EE9tS89VMhQWo5sIYzArgs/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br><img id="id_8372_8786_6d5b_15b5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ofO-HA92bhg/W-No2RkjnDI/AAAAAAAAJe8/1fcM1_co1gM1yJgQGbcwvQ9rqDN1WwojACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Brian at the trestle near the creeper trail </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_e702_e2b0_5761_db3c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiCsRwBEf9-FlNSNOBUfmqbzWmsZp2ILVeo_SUGsDggPt8nDsMWwFu2ApBrOmGCCi_z2MwPWt10AzRZEwJ-KNpj1K0hEqNagtML0xErrS1FSW5cQmtMEGmnK7d4Ji-bPCREJ0hObFBx8/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Brian just loved getting his picture taken all day 😂</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_ad78_a07d_82b2_8cee" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3651deYwhbWX1nqM-XQFOk93IbSwfmH3AmXDc12_u5N58g1nNZ215GVZc5yj3_p5WlKPiSQSar28ptRFyFlbRTC25AW9WtUmJTPIlgzzHPB4S4Dm_dBumsfsw39acHF8MQ36P6dXoP0o/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_e45a_cb0c_a5a7_29c5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R2_ts4CBnE4/W-Noz8nVszI/AAAAAAAAJeo/nDXHebkKJsctgFPEmhVWzerlCGStJnSlwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>My haul from the river bank </div><div><img id="id_48d9_1649_b8df_184b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ITrXka0q2x0/W-No0cW5ABI/AAAAAAAAJes/-mhnvNiog6M2H7AQKq7l7o5UxNa7AG1OgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>The things I made this evening!! ♥️</div><div><img id="id_94c2_a0d9_6921_1c4f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvtx93QcIDezJoi_C0Zli46n1by9YjzymQBiMM0aQBlKdSTepH321xbI-hABYi_8yFZpKPYFzOvgV2NL6U0-1qqedw39_eB4Z695NzkMyUh7BkXRKKBbwUe_GuUCemekyteGlBUkRdh0/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>Brown trout after I gutted and filleted him </div><div><img id="id_d15f_2bde_29e6_54dd" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95aGGrjE_4TvrbOKT0yspUP-SG6rPc-sXuV40EfsUEff7kZq7jgrggV6SutasIr4dxX62lqnoSa_LoV1utq2xOk3HtCyDrH8PvOh7qmbM9GjCD0xWinqAaMA6k4Q4gmz9O-YMQNjR0PE/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Volia! Trout for dinner!! <br><br></div><div>Next up: I’m supposed to go backpacking this weekend and it’s going to be cold!! Supposed to go from max patch to hot springs on the AT with my cousin sherry who is section hiking the AT. </div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-49807849019460568422018-11-05T07:29:00.001-05:002018-11-05T07:29:12.763-05:00Mmtr 50 weekend- adventures in crewing- This weekend my husband Brock completed his first 50 mile trail race. It’s held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and called Mountain Masochist 50- it’s been held for 30 some years but unsure of the exact number. However I feel it’s a very very hard and challenging 50 given the hard 12 hour cut off and the vertical climbing this race boasts.<div><br></div><div>We drove to Lynchburg area Friday and it pouring the rain. We went to sleep early but a bus load of basketball players at 11:30pm insured we would be awoken- and tormented for the next couple hours with their obnoxiousness- I most certainly had a chat with my son jack who is going on a band trip next week about hotel etiquette once I returned home after this experience- </div><div><br></div><div>Anyways we woke up at 4am got ready ate breakfast and I drove Brock to the start at the camp KoA in Monroe.</div><div><img id="id_c291_e2e9_6be3_50c0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TDyI2vUsyafhSX9EQlxLdh3tKqaIkrQv0Odh9tpBaQXcy1MUlQSh0JmFZ8ge-mnuAIVh4pXf4Mvi9WupjUo4IA_iOyiKEo7mWev2bUpVUDYVtkKje7woxP3muGW8AhkRCZDgun2Amug/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>He seemed calm and confident and ready for the day!! </div><div><br></div><div>The race began and I drove to the parkway bridge aid station for Brock to come through at his mile 11 - to switch hand helds and get his headlamp </div><img id="id_5b24_373c_730d_7005" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mPGfv2-Gh1Y/W-A3jhOXQEI/AAAAAAAAJds/FDrPeekFh5YOLVtt1oGHj-chs7t1zQT4ACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>Blurry pic but he was looking strong and happy and under control- and so I met him at the next aid station at the resivoir </div><div><img id="id_8efa_86dc_a413_52af" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SbiO1Qh6t_g/W-A3kJwWY6I/AAAAAAAAJdw/sToXaWavLwoVeeX1dO9gRJFXJmnYIhW4ACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Again strong looking good and on sub 10 hr pace! This was mile 17 for him So I was thinking I suspect today will be a good day for him- I felt if he kept his efforts steady he would break 10 hours </div><div>I then drove to the long mtn way side mile 23 gave him a turkey and provolone slider I made for him and a soda</div><div>I didn’t get any pics from there but I did at the loop mile 31</div><div><img id="id_407d_6202_f16c_ed31" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y-aIBbpKrII/W-A3kF1iEWI/AAAAAAAAJd0/MwBgMOh-9C0kPseQO5CyViG3hdPlcmMeACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Looking so fresh and strong! I was so impressed!! So I got to stay here an hour and see so many friends! Which really was fun for me because I haven’t ran mmtr myself since 2014. </div><div>I missed Brock at salt log gap- which it’s a long drive but even better I knew he wasn’t slowing down he was speeding up! </div><div>So I drove to the finish and got everything ready for that </div><div>His clothes to change into so he wouldn’t get cold- post race food and warm stuff to drink (I brought my jet boil and heated up bone broth for him to</div><div>Drink post race because I knew with the salt and protein it would be good and also it’s warm and it was windy and cool at the start) </div><div>So finally he finishes 9:49!</div><div>He met his goal! He ran beautifully all day and it made me so happy to see him do well and be apart of his special day! </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_6879_ee64_6819_9595" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKHmUN-gX62PXoAQxBvj93Xp2X_5hNjk4AXxef8Seifdh-I_6SM5TMRI_gZw8V4gZ4bW1NvFoDeP3-Dx_a27oQRjn_3dcmOBzjDtIgcwi7hlrX32Ccr2pcv3khUeBBEUwBIytRv6HI7s/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_a7c7_55c0_9e6d_bd6e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZnOXSimtmx7mLlDRSf5p6vgN0QMSqm95ijXrNUv3iHhX4LsarWiSg1nqvpxpMERrkqSSjCxyudDUUdvLhlZnwOdSuwqVZgUX-WT-UJQFIqN9zgGzIoUZfLZ1dNtPC_LhCzn6lE6qmdpY/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_c3d0_106a_8a76_9a4a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__3TEDlYT6AQMSUt2sQSM4xGDr7WC7llsc5VwtyhYwdYV_HKBRicIKu27Axo0hOflXuXYNYKxe-JBKNJRwgae2DTUNir0Kg8IZZRAJ5dYGM_Sj52A8WS48Tsn9TFY9clHUGwECBIkcss/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Little salty 😜</div><div><img id="id_6041_51d0_e62b_df3f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MbSIkih09ps/W-A3jbd7IEI/AAAAAAAAJdo/1U8bBmF-diIG9HPb6MVgXiPGGkF0N6dvwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Brock with Dr. David Horton </div><div><img id="id_de89_cc11_8f12_65a7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eKAsAZzKKsEIIj8a4TVWGzeCvpEwyfcesLC6ysRi49soWx1VEIWwSApyY7kJY3Zjm27DZR1uHZebty1-T0BmEbaWeFrGhKrBFaZGPdQX8Xhj1Ti6_K_XtZMwSXU34W5DVecW_2KMJPc/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>Brock and I at the finish watch everyone <br><img id="id_4535_d13e_34ae_afef" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qFVO5qs9FFitk5g_dONz6_dwVqp_6CAt8VQiB6Sw0hLK5cSX2_XUjw9aw5cXVemiJRvjnbSHInoyxaPDR-pMo9g29QtnERekJIvq2en_DrFUskBrfFOxBIxVdGcH1nmgmqwNeSjMC0w/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br> Brock with his LUS black hole</div><div>Duffle bag congrats Brock! I love you and so proud of you! </div><div><br></div><div>Okay! So all day everyone was telling me I need to get back out there and asking me what I was doing. Which is so amazing people are encouraging and interested in what I have going on- I really tried to keep everything nice and breezy- and I am going to try to train for holiday lake in February </div><div>However- it’s obvious to me- I haven’t really raced hard or ran well since 2012. I ran a lot of long hard races that year and had a lot of life stress- I’ve ran ultras since then plenty of them even 2 hundreds and got finishes but I just think something kinda broke inside me via overtraining syndrome and I keep hoping I heal- that’s why I focused on so many other things - to give myself a break from training so hard- working mar mtn sports, teaching yoga, making jewelry, I went back to school and worked on my masters teaching certification a semester —- all in the hopes I find something that fires me up like running ultras that I can love and be passionate about- alas I have not found that thing- and I still train and run daily however my body forces my mileage to be low. I wish I could explain the fatigue and tiredness I have felt for years- on a daily basis- and I’ve really tried to</div><div>Figure it out for myself- I eat healthy I take supplements - I’ve been tested for lymes- negative- my thyroid is a little low but nothing extreme- everything else is normal when I go to the doctor I’m healthy- so I how can I explain- I can’t run long distances hard and intense anymore- he is just impressed I can go run 5 hrs even if it’s 13 min pace on a trail. So I’ve been in this limbo-</div><div>But the good news is I’m fine now- for years I can’t tell you the stress anxiety and tears about not running well and not feeling enough or my frustration about it. Today yes I would love to run fast again for long long distances - will that ever happen for me? I don’t know and I’m okay and accepting for that - only took 6 years for me to get there - I have an appt with a new dr who is a runner nov 13 and they are supposed to do a host of tests to try to figure out what can be done if anything </div><div>I’m just trying to be in a place of gratitude- life is not that bad for me- I have a healthy husband who is killing it at his running and happy!! I have happy amazing kids! I have dogs who love me- I still lift and get to run and bike! Just not for hours and hours - with out terrible side effects that make me have a set back- read some of things on irunfar about over training syndrome - it’s nuts. I try to be happy at least I can do what I do and I do have some hobbies I enjoy </div><div>This weekend I’m going backpacking again with my cousin on the AT inNC</div><div>Backpacking although it’s slow and cumbersome in comparison to trail running- it gets me out there - and that’s truly my love is to be outside. </div><div>I also hunt and fish and really have enjoyed cultivating those skills within myself </div><div>I eat what I kill or catch - I’ve been busy this fall with jacks band and October was very warm when bow season began so I haven’t had the opportunity to hunt much </div><div>So yesterday after we got home I went to my parents farm- it was such a beautiful evening and I really just wanted the time with my dad and peacefulness of sitting quietly in the woods </div><div>But after several hours a huge buck 125-130 lbs showed up but his rack was small- 4 pt. Which isn’t important to me as I’m hunting for meat and not a trophy -I was able to harvest him with my cross bow! </div><img id="id_aa88_8e5a_c68e_b27f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRvfNecIqzWyBEz9cMpdmbn92qf1HFD-1GNCzuije1MXIgqWe533NLx3LMRvTS8RJIQn_K-Qi6rFkGz8Pnazxf3N6z78kJAtlKGJieNULWteV2nXLKC4UZkrAom3KoIAdSmtb0jJlO4g/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Dad and I field dressed him and hung him to drain and he will be skinned out and processed this morning!! Field to table and stream to table is the most sustainable food healthiest form of protein. I don’t take the loss of life lightly- and harvest responsibly same as my dad selects steers for us to slaughter once a year for our family. Its old school- but if you really think about where our food in grocery stores come from- this way for me is optimal since I’m an omnivore <div><div> I’m going trout fishing with my brother later this week, and very excited to get to have trout for dinner and get to spend time on the river with my brother Brian. Hunting and fishing hasn’t replaced or eclipsed my passion for running- or trail and ultrarunning it will always be my first love but being outside and cultivating skills that I know I can feed myself(and I feel the same with herbalism and foraging and I haven’t discussed my love for that here but will do some posts on that in the future)- I find very satisfying </div><div> After my dr appt I will do a post as well to keep everyone updated on my journey - on how to optimize my health and enable myself to do the things I love ❤️ </div><div>And in closing- I had an incredible weekend. I’m so proud of Brock and so happy I was able to crew him. I’m working to get back out there ♥️ I have zero regrets as life is a journey and I just need to keep moving forward and take everything one day at a time- just like a race- aid station to aid station. <br><div><br></div></div></div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-84965461908994789312018-10-31T11:41:00.001-04:002018-10-31T11:41:46.969-04:00Running happy consistently 🎃 and happy Halloween The last two days I have experienced a change in my running- for the first time in a long long time- I’ve actually enjoyed it- had fun on my runs!! I’m sure cooler temps and eye candy(aka fall foliage ) have a lot to do with it <div>I am unsure why I had such a blah attitude when I ran- just felt it wasn’t fun anymore and I did it out of obligation to my health or identity - because I knew I should etc - but today and yesterday both run I felt a shift in my thoughts like hmm this isn’t bad- I’ll just float up this hill... </div><div>where before I’d be like “oh God—- this sucks.” Why do I do this to myself? Etc- soo perhaps it could be shift in thinking- and better fitness combined - who knows? All I know is I’m excited that the fun aspect has returned for me! <br><div>I have been using both my garmin and my Apple Watch to track my runs- </div><div>I’m excited to feel my appetite for running return and as Karl Meltzer told me when he coached me last year: “if running is hard for you, you need to do more of it for it to get easy.” Pretty sound advice! </div><div><br></div><div>Today is Halloween! We are very excited for trick or treaters! And to watch scary movies and have a taco bar!! </div><div>Both kids just want to hand out candy this year! </div><div><br></div><div>Here are some pictures from my run yesterday and a shot of me just finishing my run this morning : </div><div><img id="id_2712_527d_108b_fa2a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5rHy02KNIBo/W9nNM1279nI/AAAAAAAAJcs/eD-vkSD1aSgwiMzzPCqcU-FRbEIihkQAACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_861_88c_96ed_ee46" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVu0eAKK2WYfQ2ULsUv_HWKW8DVPpyqZhmd5pZgo5hqGKlElTJj9BPfLbxrxoG9qtQ7xs6AU5UpeQIRUfXrcMPdLLdtdlzbTwEG5mvb9Mr2tEFXYqu_cMIJYsf35dMcm1VopTbq34ZreU/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_fee5_2c8c_243c_311d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmh7WdfS1M-_Di_tedOoiPD4HwXqvM9gyw-itZQ2rX8pYvL3xPbqYoLtw7uYQR2gLSadNwhEggfgUbmjSHTBBfVw8ABVouemDLWFmAs61AFTP4Qiyzltl2VFNKVCYt1XQ-8UkBjPCqxGc/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_1f0a_a891_3927_efb9" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3M43ffotkt2Feuf8HjQvXushCRhgA3mm0bZkt5VqqatqRCd9V4Kp8UKQfI8v8BYSJZ7_k31q798enB4Ng1E_hUNwPmoEd6_73CPIx5aWy8UetduI-8gH3xqKI29dQXvTacxEefZc7bck/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Yes I look sad or traumatized 😂 but I’m not just was trying to breathe 😆 </div><img id="id_9a88_c7f9_9079_5e44" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2uCcRh788_jAl4Fb7u1uejiQv3okH19BV9dkT2eBkJCZwFgeKQCrFvHFCdGXUYiAvmwDIWsA6z2Rjdc4Wgb2z2EJma1vHpwuI6ou_F-AXHtmythu_MTBul04g5JED4veEizTg4KFoGg/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>Jack and Todd dressed up for school - Jack was a tacky tourist and Todd it was career day and he is a civil engineer </div><div><img id="id_5424_b5d7_a961_77bf" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T9FvRMDVDyA/W9nNNqt7pmI/AAAAAAAAJdA/zd39_UpV_OYz0rr2yLNS7nA7DKIt5zf7QCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Jack with his Veterans Day project he made for</div><div>School <br><br></div></div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-66323495379544609412018-10-29T09:32:00.001-04:002018-10-29T09:47:25.670-04:00Pumpkin carving party!!! <div id="wrapperid_e0bd_25da_7685_33a0" class="___smartHandler" style="position: absolute; width: 390px; height: 521px; z-index: 100; top: 4px; left: 6px; border: 1px solid rgb(67, 135, 223);"><br></div><div id="wrapperid_e0bd_25da_7685_33a0" class="___smartHandler" style="position: absolute; width: 390px; height: 521px; z-index: 100; top: 4px; left: 6px; border: 1px solid rgb(67, 135, 223);"><br></div><div id="wrapperid_e0bd_25da_7685_33a0" class="___smartHandler" style="position: absolute; width: 390px; height: 521px; z-index: 100; top: 4px; left: 6px; border: 1px solid rgb(67, 135, 223);"><br></div><img id="id_ec24_65c3_c1a8_f871" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSJ6KjAO08-OSmGbHq7Z-t9fXa6_H_k14lDuM6B1nFu4LOjwHsLsBmxZq0aLmE8joiXDnpy6wV_gb21isimPhCu-QWR5vVd3GEgl5P3BMSRJtnrHyeK9LSKLo4d3nWvw067UY4BVyBhsg/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><img id="id_1d5f_9cb4_d625_4e2e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4j4oaBN0Fn6TQBMTfaTbPxUnl7E51B6cJt2Y-sCObR-jef9e93pCJcVQ2WmvhCO95xQeEPSUobTcOzuSLVVPZVB2JDYOws59hyphenhyphenjsiJhu3fTbGl-7dUfSsM77YAIz5XKW50BLbTDe9Sk/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>As promised!! Here is my post about my Halloween get together I hosted!! We all had so much fun- it was such a great group of girls- and I’m so extremely lucky to have such amazing, intelligent,strong,beautiful friends ♥️ we were treated to pretty views of the fall foliage and enjoyed each other’s company, and yummy fall foods! <br> <div><br></div><div><img id="id_d87_a937_2a76_494f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P-PfFZtf29E/W9cL_hI-NQI/AAAAAAAAJbM/u_RzlzfmIWI_Z4N8IZuEEv13Jh88SU0_QCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Me with vast majority of my favorite women of swva!!! Love you all 😘</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_37c3_9a38_e86e_b696" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4d3-wLaB9NhcDFfPK8qzH4UrCgnWKrLZiaT4S52gwlOeAwXLjF-UG-jT5jOUBQAh5ZtNjmFLnMqMXGFNVJSU7r1X6c4bk12Se7-OIOK4n0UbgFwbxn7S5jM_YwR0nCspopI9y7m3uX4/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>Our pumpkins!! <br><br></div><div><img id="id_d15f_bd9c_c6b5_a9ec" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K2nvo6SCTRI/W9cL-p3R8FI/AAAAAAAAJa4/dFsu7sLDuKsgSqZ6jg9z2-KtG03pLfFAwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>It’s an orb 😂 it’s really smoke but when I took the picture I claimed it was a ghost 👻 </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_7657_20de_f91c_2f34" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dsXtTwxKL3w/W9cL-jE4pOI/AAAAAAAAJbA/fHcvSDO5yCE9BXHJS6VR7Qli9lMA4IShgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Camille’s beautiful “la Luna e las Estrellas”</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_f26b_55f2_501e_5a8d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XQMfjPqwpP0/W9cL-vODvVI/AAAAAAAAJa8/vpBNg1V1xvwG37xLO_vFuqlr3Zu7pCJGACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br> Laura, robins and Kate’s handiwork <br><br></div><div><img id="id_1c17_bc1a_5d39_67cd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n6zxUhI4IP8/W9cPWavH-RI/AAAAAAAAJbs/xPFtVVduu5cqR1tOwfyvaU5KcT1ElmRdQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br> Beth’s executioner <br><br></div><div><img id="id_58ff_cd63_e503_f3e8" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hLqJxRpGopvNcAE97Tptu1xYWsRdL-db9IkD0MYt5Bz6JfvOqA8aVZuXjFiNJJrXV3hZyUIk25O7WnmDPO5tPMHDf5JiMnF125dbBKi7ETbb4KTZeYS2ADBlLfWzdtLqfZei3cfDLhI/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br> Beth is the pumpkin carving wizard <br><img id="id_31c_7c64_a5a0_4808" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisza27SxkjgOzV2IFJAt9lenmUUng7OUg98uO2t-fnwob8FxxgSZMQv1OTAEaBHZsZaG6HEDEHVX9rLu_d1KRMq09tNPhoG_9BBvLR8CK0Y8M0o2WVHeQALz9W21wzGv3bPqeOff-pX7k/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br> Jack and Todd free handed their pumpkins as I did I <br><br></div><div><img id="id_9eb0_98fb_79c8_1e0b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAHgjUw4dM46qLZlzeJSXQxiQTsBCyRSrMehGzLtqOBgBqzsDU8ZKjhq2cq4EZ8ehMLF3R__KGnqqu76WYaIpMCKrVneNHUox-u3FNsj2r9o0ZeDV7Yc1tyrW_0CTlgozcMgF-YUiBSo/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Hard at work! </div><div><img id="id_b9dd_b466_7620_f1a8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SgkijYdtuhU/W9cPX4gaPGI/AAAAAAAAJcQ/w68dWJZ186cieY25a_yhHYbFjfTVoSjewCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br> Me and mama bear!! <br><br></div><div><img id="id_f8ec_3487_4b89_5bae" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvm1CCRswSXWd3_9_pGBe2vW2Ndl13xjVibxM77TS-66QueGgKjwBG6Jdug3-PnHvCA6oSo8A2_pFd1jo5a341-sjJFqO2wQ-o8Oe3BkGEhFmFG8z0Tk50v0LBDBoR-eKe-Nk2oQSFTd8/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br> Gluten free pumpkin pie! <br><br></div><div><img id="id_dff7_4643_2a33_2593" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2kP9avcCFdk/W9cPX4oobSI/AAAAAAAAJcI/1XPSCIUOUPQ799qMEdyN6pJHH9EXsl9RACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><img id="id_609b_c0cd_5f6c_b46d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--z7VPjnedwM/W9cPX406SJI/AAAAAAAAJcE/USVKutTKB-sQjS2BXCInPV9zZsVTUcgMgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>Todd being edgey <br> </div><div><img id="id_8ab1_2cb8_147c_c817" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sG-OZ3wsANE/W9cPWxpYv9I/AAAAAAAAJbw/qiVc1MK1Rfsfw9rcmpvpDDlPB-u1E0gkACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Me and my amazing friend Camille who handled hanging out with a cult of ultrarunning alpha females extremely well </div><div><img id="id_ab38_aa2d_d930_c76b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t0AuERU2Jhc/W9cPXOGgp9I/AAAAAAAAJb4/v3kNy4c33vIeEJA8IksX-9XJ7obcNslkACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>I had table decorations!! This was a swanky party 🎈 </div><div><br></div><div>End of the day I am just grateful I was able to share a happy evening with some really dynamic awesome ladies and definitely want to make us all getting together like this a regular occurrence♥️ mellow Monday day after masochist!! </div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-43317871617306678412018-10-27T12:05:00.001-04:002018-10-27T12:07:56.113-04:00One of the coolest things I’ve done in 2018<img id="id_81a0_6da2_5d51_904a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v1LrlP_-aN0/W9SMp1twAwI/AAAAAAAAJZk/Vd2i4uvZbWQaVV3DDvZfT58qjOZXygcpACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br> One of the coolest things that I’ve done this year was for my 40th birthday I did something I’ve never done before but always wanted to! I went snorkeling at a reef in the Florida Keys- to see “Christ of the Abyss” statue <div>It’s located in John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo, Florida </div><a href="http://pennekamppark.com/">http://pennekamppark.com/</a><div><br></div><div>I found out about it on Pinterest looking for ideas of things to do on our vacation and found tons of posts about the statue and decided that would be an amazing adventure! </div><div><br></div><div>So- Brock and I went to a dive shop- bought some gear- nothing expensive- mask and snorkels and we rented out flippers - drove to the park- </div><div>We looked around the park there were cannons reclaimed from some English ships(shipwrecks )from the 1700s </div><div><img id="id_c256_8fec_7689_6e78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSLIgk7mBA0gZO3YiLZTC6FswULq36DJUmtKuazIeM0HVJg4myNvM3LY9D2UtAo0FffxG9DIFdLsYPzV5W_mkDowqFTtjJreLFu_2dLYEy0JFtnFn3lb-_5lztJ7aKNTXRoX8bCQ2kro/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_34ea_e041_13d4_e0c2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FI8WywtPDZg/W9SMrJxDppI/AAAAAAAAJaQ/Z5OLXdjB6R0oV-_UAX5KW2TtKkTjgK0qwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_37fb_1f87_2618_56a5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SRUaCCe_q8M/W9SMrJVQm4I/AAAAAAAAJZ4/2hqnvaf9orYj1bsbmQt5cw3D5S1YYoEqwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>We had stopped by the grocery store and got some things to make for a yummy picnic lunch </div><div><img id="id_2362_ab62_2d53_a75b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS60db-P_9SBP3mdVz4K6xWhwqsHhDYTIQo1Nc1JGimcsi0k3lQVicOrbGdwNK86WM4ee_6apyydxQbvU_f4r4nJqXuRE7SYo9S3c7-0URuvqgZHU35ToI7HzGVcPajmuLo7J4zj4eExo/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>And then we made friends with a friendly squirrel who wasn’t bashful in the least- I feel he was wanting to join in on the feast </div><img id="id_2b7b_fec_d978_8f64" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IWGO-srP0b4/W9SMoj89c7I/AAAAAAAAJZY/nOpDIeqtEo4BmGHkBTTq1lUb7JoYG7vtgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 454px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> was an hour boat ride out to the reef - we rode with about 50 other tourists- but it really wasn’t that bad- the tour guides gave a brief demo about how our vests worked and the rules and guidelines to follow for safety and to keep the reef as pristine and untouched as possible It was a little windy and choppy but I still found the experience very fun and enjoyable </span></div><img id="id_e657_900d_7c7b_6a60" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC53ti2CAweEd8ivmiflDZIIaFwa7C3rZv-YWyc06F398UOKnsA3WJNftoxf2ykbab6ydfamZ5xLN0u9ddoYSI66_6F9d4vxU19V4DDI6x5Xq-DoN9nIUVaWGUhviIkTUZ7TmxeBeAUSA/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><img id="id_2b94_59e8_8f9c_ed88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPH2SzV41_SOLTU9ckHReQuWJJk_9YDEHDto0h8sziMQiU5xUMbB-c3mcT7pN133idCy8lZMi8hOjV0_0Kjq4hGS0LvcdCiFHMD4QfYQw2klUygyJR3VRL5gYzReV6E9U0VjMHwBN7wXc/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><div id="wrapperid_80f0_66f0_a1a0_252f" class="___smartHandler" style="position: absolute; width: 655px; height: 293px; z-index: 100; top: 718px; left: 6px; border: 1px solid rgb(67, 135, 223);"><br><br></div><img id="id_b62_287b_66f8_f417" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kEoKLTJ5nHE/W9SMrEP1pRI/AAAAAAAAJaE/DpQy-j5ltjsUOOuMNxVJdzTpneodP4cTgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>I took many pictures with my iPhone that had a plastic bag /pouche with a magnetic closure specifically for water sports - this worked beautifully for still shots- I found videos were a challenge ulitizing this method - we also used a go pro - <br><div><img id="id_975e_1d89_55bd_45d6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jbJsnISDcBQ/W9SMpOdWvDI/AAAAAAAAJZg/arHEBi-zG24L8R5HTrh1RXoBiJzYgY5YwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_7abf_fcb2_4399_619d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--ER7n7gvG6w/W9SMqf1dNJI/AAAAAAAAJZo/JEzE3KzCD9cMaKbvQOv1fEUh42Qb7Ev8gCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_e241_c318_f109_6408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtYsL1MrBxc53OvhDaqCmAz7N3p-dGL-eAkfouv7mwLO1sV_jZ1gfV2fpnmeJdoyyvxHBUIq3LUqftFJt28N7K3CqxB3jW0julTYTcz4hJJ_6mUziKv2slS8u2Gr-pHmYqEbC36_BTtk/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_5e4c_4b60_4f6_4b3a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpL3W-G-icvgi5Kb1xEcaaehYNg-EHH4j2fEv3_633oK7jHKA4_HiUKxj1-4zUBnV_7Lmc7vdzv_xse64z5kt7HbKX5D8Xp6fjfjQnljrI4lQCbgSrvfuxQDIikMAy9pcdCoGINTbdCNI/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>Post dive we came back to our resort and cleaned up for an amazing dinner and beautiful sunset! Key sunsets are amazing ♥️<br><img id="id_8128_37a8_2661_38ec" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZDALCOHjK3w/W9SMqQrhQ0I/AAAAAAAAJZw/lnto4KoPspg5DB2rmIUEHmEdV18lRmbLACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>Another sunset shot from the gulf side- where our resort playa de largo was located <br><img id="id_7e5d_8c5e_bd05_c238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyZLXEv16viaYenREpKNOqemcRDyROqLNkYuCyZNmVMrLk7NsKQCY9LstR-r9yEZf71qgYugFK6Q5l2dp121c1rTaen-6u6s0gVmd3y2g5FstlxEKB7ZR5K2M3xuNpAE0WHo1b8JsqO0/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br> There was a manatee that would show up and swim with us everyday- we were careful to never touch him or give him fresh water etc- both are illegal did you know that? <br><img id="id_91ee_d8d1_e66a_d4cd" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrUocKbnx_A9HI8VYC0OJOqmsJQo-pffvWyFC_u6LyASXvmK6SHh5F4vBJZdkAiwYSX7SP70xVvX-JmWNRx4NIGWeCyej6ZX8rPZ1I296krH_2eDQrcpS08RHIkO9IarQGLxWO3rQZxs/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Us enjoying outside dining and watching the sun go down after an amazing day adventuring - this trip has made me definitely want to return to the keys to check out other dive locations and snorkel more- I’m</div></div><div>Completely happy I did something I had never done before- just went and did it- did I get boat sick?? Yes! But I didn’t hurl 😃</div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-29011963574123912052018-10-27T08:57:00.001-04:002018-10-27T09:05:25.825-04:00My obsession with decorating for fall So this month I’ve been fully immersed in decorating for fall- more than I can ever recall? <div>Its really just my front porch and dining room- but I think I enjoyed it as much as decorating for Christmas only more so! (Christmas triggers me like no other holiday I find it so stressful and hard emotionally (draining) so I’m def in the bah humbug crowd personally other than making sure my kids have an amazing time- and I enjoy going to my parents farm- other than that I’m counting the days until dec 26th so I can take the tree down and move on to New Years- (which I enjoy much better) so I think that’s why I feel so good about fall- no pressure - it feels homey and safe </div><div>Here are some of my fall decorations for this year </div><img id="id_b95f_5d50_f1bb_96a3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yh5smida4NVTyeDVqW4WuibqkK8ZPZi_OZpor8DDNxup-POjoXuZ4uiec5Dr5MTqZUGda-a6y2E-o-Fub1zwMyPUvBlnh7VwOAJfeVDsNc8JfXItGwPYQOUN2vy7Qp9C7rR6UI7wkUc/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><img id="id_51b_62d9_3de2_50f6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--yS3EjFyVz8/W9RgzMW4kBI/AAAAAAAAJXo/HJc2jWqXi9gSTl2p4_4CJ-3udgTIPlXEQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_839f_12cb_f502_11ad" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r_ZARon8E30/W9RgzscbIzI/AAAAAAAAJXs/md4mAa6P4hoXTmTY1Jw1M6EtoOrimSstACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_f42f_5f20_c271_3c32" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u0Ytogsgr1A/W9Ric9b_58I/AAAAAAAAJYE/qbpNlxAUWi4ODNBj0wrxRIWNC0YRQeDNQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_2282_5d78_d2f6_b042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4y97rPYN1N8gAIxZkt0gqwtfirzJtj7JHm2Lm0ly6vKzOmB5DeFdlUbbjqQrd0Ol9sZgkNmqThwl4agwyOSGz9ouKRE9U0vmayAzYDuA0CTqQEl453R0yPBl4vsyG8KGOU8NoXfcxVw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_8aee_be14_3cb_7a6c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0r5C2INMY8Y/W9Ric0XFxyI/AAAAAAAAJYA/E6kYUDxVSm8KfQMW9pxVcZ6HZh_6s0cvgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>Apologies for the non running content of this post- but it’s just something that makes me happy!! There are multiple<div>Facets that make up each individual So I wanted to share it- ♥️🎃<br>So call for comments: do you decorate for fall? Why or why not? Also what is your favorite season -and why? </div>jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5800420884990454133.post-54883268121611362632018-10-27T07:17:00.001-04:002018-10-27T07:31:33.624-04:00Band Mom and Date NightWe are having a busy weekend and I’m having a hard time sneaking in my workouts and runs- but that’s okay!!<br />
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My oldest son Jack is in band and it’s really kept us hopping this fall with games and competitions. He had a game on Thursday and today we travel to Pulaski, Va for jacks last competition of the season. It’s been so amazing to watch him grow and flourish just this year alone -</div>
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Here are some pictures from his game on Thursday </div>
<img alt="" id="id_6b48_ce2a_35b5_3e76" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9Ep4dJc3Tgs/W9RJNbV1epI/AAAAAAAAJW8/V4399dNxQYw5acV3CK-lB4VIAZ0jPONqQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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And last night, because the game was moved to Thursday- Brock and I found ourselves with the rare opportunity to get to go to dinner together and have a date night!! He works out of town pretty much Monday- Friday every week. Lately he has even had to work some weekends so it’s been - ugh- so freaking hard- I miss him terribly and the kids miss their dad as well. I completely appreciate how hard Brock works to provide an amazing life for us- and completely appreciative of the opportunities he has to make money but - we still miss him and want him home- over the moon happy when he comes home. <img alt="" id="id_b145_e7d6_6ff5_70ba" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ftkm9I3lGOY/W9RJNgYQIyI/AAAAAAAAJXA/zV2oj9V2TOADK1ftYbWBPC4C4J_9bnvzgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 392px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
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I think we clean up just fine ♥️😁<br />
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Brock is tapering for mmtr 50 next weekend- and I’m so excited to get to crew for him and see all my friends at the race!! Going to Lynchburg ultras is like a big family reunion for me, as these ( along with WVMTR)are the first ultras I ran as a newbie ultrarunner and they are the ones I find myself going back to year after year because of the people and sheer positivity I experience running and crewing at their races!! </div>
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Lastly and I know this will be a blog post later this weekend or Monday: I am having a party!!! I’m so excited- I decided I was isolating myself way too much and what better way to break out of that than to invite 5or 6 of the coolest chicks you know?! So Sunday afternoon- I’m hosting a pumpkin carving party- costumes optional (I’m dressing up!) and I can’t wait- all the ladies I invited are so unique and cool in their own rite- and best part each of them are my friends! Like real friends! Like if I was hurt or sick or needed help I know I could call any of these women and they would be there without hesitation to help- and same me for them- So that feels soooo good to me- to gather a collective of people I adore like that! So I’ll keep you guys updated how the party goes and be sure to take pictures!! </div>
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Hope your weekend is fantastic ♥️ hug your family, friends, dogs and kitties and tell them you love them- life is short!! </div>
jennifer Nicholshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07346159448227354910noreply@blogger.com0