.blessed.

Cousins.  We are blessed with cousins and I am so grateful.  I didn't grow up with a lot of cousins but my kids sure are.  I love it!  

Here is a recent photo of almost all the cousins (except Hope & Ameena).  Sadly it's a little blurry, but at least everyone is looking!

And while I LOVE all these dear kids let me point out one.  Savannah Grace.  She is a total joy and excellent help.  I tell Allison I could sell her door-to-door.  I'm pretty sure all I need is an 11 year-old to make my life complete. :)  I thank God all these girl cousins have such a great example in her.  Here she is cheesin' it up for the camera.  Love you Savannah!

.even on gloomy days.

The rain started today just as we were about to leave to run errands which made me THANKFUL for these:

As we drove home this afternoon the sunset was breathtaking.  The sky was painted an abundance of colors.  Sadly I didn't have my camera.  But I got a quick shot in my backyard before the last of the light when down.

And finally I am thankful for online shopping!  Shopping with 3 small kids is no small feat.  So it makes me excited to see these presents being delivered to my door!

.thankful.

My friend, Laura, is taking the week to photograph things she is thankful for.  She invited others to join with her so I thought I would give it a shot.

Today, I am thankful for peek-a-boos.  Even peek-a-boos that color their belly green and are covered in the chocolate chip cookie he stole off the counter.  The peek-a-boo represents the many sweet moments I get to enjoy with my kids everyday.  And this photo helps me to stop and remember to be grateful for those precious times.  It also helps during those times like today when I was scrubbing my white velvet curtains that had been splattered with pomegranate juice.  You take the good, you take the bad! :)

Life Changing

Want to know two words that have changed my life?

olive oil & sea salt

ok so that may be a little dramatic but they have transformed our dinner time.

Suddenly my kids are devouring their vegetables. All it took was some oil and salt and a hot oven.

Here are our favorite veggie recipes at our house. Sometimes my kids eat the whole pan before we get the rest of the food on the table. I admit our kids have always eaten veggies. But now they actually ask for seconds. Or at least 3 out of 4 but that is still good odds. I hope you enjoy them too. All of these recipes are from Elanaspantry.com my favorite healthy food blogger.

They all call for celtic sea salt. Which I use but I am sure you can use regular salt as celtic sea salt is about 10x the price as regular.

Lemon Kale Chips - The first time I made this my kids thought I said kettle chips and they were mad when I pulled it out of the oven.

1 bunch kale (washed and dry)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt

1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. Chop kale into ½ inch pieces
3. Place kale in a large bowl
4. With hands massage oil, lemon juice and salt into kale
5. Place kale on parchment lined baking sheet
6. Bake at 350° for 10-15 minutes until kale is dark green and crispy
7. Cool and serve

Oven Roasted Broccoli-- This is my favorite!
1 bunch broccoli
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon celtic sea salt

1. Wash and cut broccoli into smallish pieces with long stems
2. Toss broccoli in a large bowl with olive oil and salt
3. Spread broccoli out on a parchment lined baking sheet
4. Bake at 400° for 12-15 minutes until tender and slightly browned
5. Serve

Baked Carrot Oven French Fries - these taste like sweet potato fries
6 large carrots- I use baby carrots and cut them even smaller.
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon celtic sea salt

1. Cut each carrot into 2-inch long sections
2. Cut each section into thin sticks
3. In a large bowl toss carrot sticks with olive oil and salt
4. Spread out carrot sticks on a parchment paper baking sheet
5. Bake at 425° for 18-22 minutes until carrots are browned

Fall colors + time with my man = B.L.I.S.S.

Every year I am so thankful that we go married in Fall.  There is no prettier time in TN than Fall.  So it's always so fun to celebrate our anniversary this time each year.  This year we spent two nights in Gatlinburg.  We hit up the outlets, ate lots of yummy food, and hiked the 8 miles of Charlies Bunion.  Oh and watch Alabama beat TN but we won't reminisce about that. 

We only had a small point and shoot so these pictures don't do it justice.  It was BEAUTIFUL!  Truly breathtaking.

On our way up - 

Reached the top!

Taking a coffee break.

We always get a frasier fir for our Christmas tree.  They were all on the trail so I loved the smell!  It made me excited for the holidays.

I'm so thankful to be married to my best friend for 9 years.  Love you babe!