Cross Estate Gardens.

I have to say it has been a really chill summer since we got back from Texas. The kids had pioneer trek a week after we got home and because chelsea is leaving for college soon she is taking in all the sleep she can get. She knows that once she goes to school and works that she sleep deprivation will kick in. So on the days where she's not dog sitting or figuring out what to take to college I am keeping it low key and trying to find relaxing places for us to venture out to.  Luckily there are many hidden gems and picturesque places nearby that require less than an hour drive where we can relax and spend time as a family.

Autumn In New Jersey!

Our neighborhood is absolutely stunning in the fall. I never knew how beautiful autumn looked until we moved to this area. There are so many fall photos I want to document and being that it's still November and that fall is still hanging on want to show off how the garden state and Mother Nature get along! 

We live near the Peddie private school and a walking trail which is soooo nice. Temps are pretty cold right now so we haven't been getting our daily walks in our neighborhood but in the beginning of fall we walked along Peddie lake and man oh man just look at all that foliage! New Jersey definitely has her moments and in the fall she is absolutely gorgeous! 

A Blossoming Neighborhood!

We are in our third week of spring and the blossoms and magnolias continue to hang on. We've been to a few places in Jersey where they continue to blossom. We have flowering trees in the front of our house and all over our neighborhood. We have gone on walks and Noah has jumped and pulled off magnolias from the hanging branches. I do love our neighborhood walks and now that the weather is getting warmer hope to go on more of them. We don't have a backyard so we venture outside a lot. Although Noah enjoys being outdoors he can also be a homebody at times and on some days I've had to make him go outside. Luckily he's agreeable and listens to me and eventually goes outside with us. He's learning quick that even though he's getting older and his generation today consists of video games and technology that he can't always sit behind the screen. He knows all about balance and limits and when enough is enough. I taught him that. So glad I'm one of those archaic moms who likes to get outside, play boardgames, do sports, go on walks, enjoys to read from a book, writes letters, and still watches dvd's so that he can continue to learn that the world doesn't revolve around technology. Well, it actually does but it doesn't have to revolve us. So, as a mother, I am grateful to be old-school and that my mom taught me how to be creative when I was "bored" and couldn't afford to travel and buy boardgames. Here's to spring and hope that these blooms will last longer than a month! 

Deep Cut Gardens.

Another simple summer moment was going for a walk inside the Deep Cut Gardens pretending we were in a scene from Edward Scissorhands. I recorded a little vid of it here. This is our second time coming here and it truly is breathtaking. It's a perfect garden and there is so much to explore outside the garden. There are small trails and on this clear evening Noah even managed to chase fireflies. We came late in the evening which made it perfect with social distancing and less crowds. We practically had the whole place to ourselves. Loved every minute of this evening with my small crew. I also feel that the blurriest photos have the best moments...don't ya think? 

Hello November!

HAPPY NOVEMBER from the GARDEN STATE! Leaves are quickly falling off the trees but there is still some color left thanks to all the rain we had last week. I took a few pictures before and after Halloween, and so far the leaves are still colorful and look like a big fluffy carpet. I doubt the colors will stay like this until Thanksgiving but one can hope and dream right! So thankful for November. I absolutely love this time of year when we can reflect on all the things that we are thankful for! 

Hiking The Stairway To Heaven-Appalachian Trail.

This past weekend we did something as a family that we haven't done in years. That I haven't done in years. Hiking! We hiked the stairway to heaven which is 7.3 miles total and hiking it together especially at my age was brutal, and it's a miracle that none of us were seriously hurting the next day. Good thing we weren't because Lexie was giving a talk at church and we certainly didn't want to miss that! One thing for sure is that after we were done which felt like an eternity felt good, and I mean really good!!! Although exhausted with calves burning I felt rejuvenated, and man did I sleep like a baby that night! 

Embracing The Garden State!

If the grass looks greener on the other side

Stop staring. 

Stop comparing. 

Stop complaining. 

Start watering the grass you are standing on. 

75 Degrees In February!

The weather we had this past Wednesday was absolutely gorgeous, and too good to be true especially in our neck of the woods. It's very rare to have warm weather in February. The last time I remember having a warm day in February was four years ago. 

Blossoms Before Church!

Since church for us doesn't begin until 1:45 I decided to snap a few shots of more blossoms before they start peaking, and falling onto the ground. I have become obsessed with spring, and all the beauty that comes with it! Blossoms, and cherry trees, tulips, and wildflowers. Blame it on moving further north, but the blossoms on this part of the county are absolutely unbelievable in color! I'm very fortunate to not get major allergies this time of year like Jon (sorry babe!), but he's such a good sport and comes outside with us anyways.

Blossoms In The Garden State!

I don't know how long they're going to last because I forget every year how beautiful and how quickly spring comes to an end, but these blossoms are absolutely dreamy, and for the first time since moving here I have been totally taking advantage of the outdoors to experience spring. These blossoms are everywhere! There's a cherry tree in front of my house, there are blossom trees in front of Noah's school, our church, and they are literally all over my neighborhood, and all over the Princeton area! The garden state truly is a beauty in the spring, and regardless of April being dreary at times because of the rain seeing these blossoms up, and blooming bring nothing but joy. And when the sun is shining makes it even more beautiful, and my heart more grateful! 

My November Days.

My days lately without any kids during the day have consisted of long walks, and drives to unknown territory. When I lived in South Jersey I explored as much as I could in that area, and now that i'm in Central jersey I can't help but to explore some more. October and November have been the months of exploring, and I couldn't have picked a better season to venture outdoors. Fall here has been exquisite lately, and my heart is smitten.