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My Fall Bucket List

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 Normally I am so happy to see all things fall showing up in the stores and feel those crisp morning breezes but I am so reluctant to embrace fall this year since I'm just so sad that summer is over.  We had a pretty rainy and rather cool summer which made it feel like the time just flew by!  Luckily, we still had a ton of fun and today I am writing up a list of all the fun things I want to make sure to do and enjoy during this short season too.  1. Start hiking with our hiking group each week and find a few "new" places for Evan and I to hike too. 2. My mom, Evan, and I are taking a trip down to see my sisters! So visiting family is high on my list.   3. Mix up some soups, stews, casseroles, and chili recipes 4. Celebrate Evan's 16th birthday and teach him to drive 5. Decorate the house for fall 6. Go apple picking 7. Enjoy some cider donuts 8. Participate in a fall photo scavenger hunt (with lensball photos!) 9. Bake up some pumpkin and apple treats 10. Put some puz

Southwest Inspired Ageless Style

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It's the third Thursday of the month and time for another ageless style challenge.  This month Leslie picked Southwest Inspired looks... and I was stumped.  I finally ended up doing a few Google searches for ideas of what I could use because I was determined to find something in my closet.  Then I saw this sweater show up in one of my Google search results and I was so tempted... so I clicked on it, found it was on Amazon and ended up buying it.  Now the colors and style aren't exactly as pictured but I still thought it was the perfect sweater for fall and for this month's challenge!  I paired the sweater with a plain blank tank, my jeans, and an old pair of riding boots.  I can see myself wearing this sweater a lot this fall. I love the tassels and the stripes bring out all those fun fall colors.   Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits Blog  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest  |  Facebook  | Bo ~ Bo's Bodacious Blog Blog  /  Instagram  / Pinterest  /  Bloglovin' Joanne ~ My Slice

Encouraging Hearts and Home: Good-bye Summer

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With the first official day of fall coming this weekend it's time for those of us in the north to say goodbye to summer.  I'm always both sad and happy to see it go.  I do love fall and all the fun and festive things it brings with it but I do miss the sun and warmth and heat.  I have no real theme for my features this week but I hope you'll enjoy them anyway! A few of my favorites from last week's party: Wrapping Up Our Trip to Riviera Maya by Our Life in a Click Bits and Pieces From Here and There by The Marmelade Gypsy The book of Lost Friends by A New Lens And Now, It's Time for This Week's Encouraging Hearts & Home Blog H op!   Join your Encouraging Hearts & Home Co-Hosts each week for encouragement and support for your heart & your home . We hope to provide a space that builds each other up and lends a helping hand along the way. With all the negativity in the world, let's shine a positive light! Use the form below to share your family-fr

Weigh- In Wednesday: NOT Throwing in the Towel

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 I nearly skipped my weigh in Wednesday post this month because I am so disgusted! After having worked so hard to drop those 2 pounds in August, I put them right back on... despite having joined the gym and adding regular hiking trips back into our weeks. It's so frustrating but I know I can't just give up.  Each day, each meal, each snack is a new chance to make better choices.   I'm trying to focus on those positive choices I have made and give myself grace over those not so healthy ones.  I've been to the gym 3 days a week for a full month-- each workout seems to get easier despite knowing I'm working harder (I am much more out of breath and sweaty nowadays than when I first started) We've been on lots and lots of hikes-- even hiking up Mount Wachusett this past week. We had Klondike bars in the house and I managed to not eat a single one!  I was pretty proud of that. I hardly took any food photos this month; which I think helps keep me accountable. So my hop

Throwback Tuesday: A Quick Look at ALL The Different Homeschooling Methods

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I originally wrote this post in December of 2015 when I was still reading everything I could get my hands on in regards to homeschooling.  I was fascinated over the different homeschooling methods and why some families are more drawn to one or another.  I did have to change a few of the old links but other than that I kept the post pretty much the same.  I always say that as many homeschoolers as there are out there in the world we all seem to homeschool in our own unique way.  That's kind of the point to homeschooling. However, there are several well- defined methods to homeschooling and while many families pick and choose components that work best for them (see Eclectic) there are some who diligently follow one school of learning. Over the years we've always leaned more toward one school of thought than others; of course which method we've leaned towards has changed as my boys grew and changed! I have continued to read up and research them all.  It helps to know ab

How I Did on My Summer Bucket List

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I think I did pretty well with my bucket list!  Mid-way through the summer I did read through it and decided there were a few things I no longer wanted to do but that's the fun of these lists.  I'm in charge!  1. Go kayaking -- Check! We only managed a few short rides but at least we got out there.  2. Enjoy a weekend away with my husband for my birthday-- Check!  We had the best time in Kennebunkport.  3. Go birthday shopping with my mom - Check!  We went shopping at the Warwick Mall and I found some decent sales/deals. Then we had a delicious lunch at Longhorn complete with a delicious dessert.  We went to the Warwick Mall  4. Get together with my college bestie -- Check! We met up for lunch and enjoyed an afternoon at Harkness park.  5. Visit our friends at their beachside summer rental -- Check!  We had the best day at the shore!  6. Visit another college (or 2!) with Alec -- Check!  We went to check out the CIA and Alec spent 3 nights and 4 days at Johnson and Wales living