The best things in life

I love baking. I also love eating what I bake, which can be dangerous, and which is why I don't bake all that often. I love excuses to bake for others (like our after-church social times), and since it was my turn to bring treats this week, I decided to make cinnamon rolls.

And it made me realize: is there much better in life than home-made dough coated in butter, sugar and cinnamon?



Here, let's lean in for a closer look:



And then after it's rolled up:




And cut into pieces:



It's baked and drizzled with more sugar. I mean, talk about blessing upon blessing.




I love to bake because it is therapeutic and rewarding: hard work that turns into glorious aromas spilling out of the oven and filling my house. Not all hard work reaps such immediate, tangible results. And in that sense, baking helps remind me of God's promise to bless all hard work that is done to His glory. Even if my work doesn't immediately show results like warm, doughy cinnamon rolls, I can rest in the fact that those blessings will come. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

1 Year Old

Yesterday our sweet baby girl turned one. Nana and Papa Ditton were able to come visit, so we had a party-filled day, complete with a trip out to the Lone Pine Farms, cupcakes, singing, and presents.

Here's little Lu at the pumpkin patch:



Admiring one of her presents:



She was a little befuddled by the shoes, but I know she'll appreciate them even if she doesn't know it yet. :)

Mom and I decided to make pumpkin cupcakes for my fall baby:

And Lucy had a ball stuffing her cupcake into her mouth (after we removed the chokeable candy):

Later KeriAnn and her three kiddos were able to stop by for another round of singing and presents, Lucy was pleased as punch to be sung to twice, and she even got a second cupcake. How fun!

We love our little baby. Happy 1st birthday Lucy Rose!

Walk like a baby

Yep folks, the rumors are true, Lucy Rose is walking! She took her first official steps about a week ago, and she just keeps getting better and better at moving those baby legs. Here's a little video as proof. We're so proud of you Lu lu!

Lone Pine Farms

Today Joel and I decided it was time to do something Fallish. So after finding the website for Lone Pine Farms, we drove over to Junction City with the Lu-belle to see what they had to offer.

And it was fantastic. Seriously, Eugene locals, if you haven't been before you should check this farm out. There were tractor and horse-drawn rides, a huge corn maze, a magnificent farmer's market, a hay-bale maze for the little 'uns as well as a playground, goats to feed, and a huge pumpkin patch. Lucy had a great time and we came away with several different pumpkins, gourds, and some indian corn.

Lucy loves this little display of the old lady in the shoe:

She helped us pick out a pumpkin:

It had to pass the "can I whack it hard with my palms" test:

The chosen pumpkin:

Isn't that a fabulous display?

We tried to get Lucy to pose in their photo-op standups but she didn't really get what was happening.

So Joel tried to show her. Doesn't he make a splendid witch?

The horse-drawn ride (we didn't go on it, Lucy loved petting the horses but would have gotten bored quickly):

Off to pet the goats!

The over-exposed quality of this picture makes me laugh. Doesn't it look like a floating goat-head?

And here's the baby at home, thrilled with her outing and her new pumpkin friend!

It's October!

When October 1st arrived last year, Joel and I were thinking, "We're going to have a baby this month!" It's crazy what a year does.



I've always loved Fall for its changing leaves, crisp weather, pumpkins, spiced smells, and holidays. And I keep finding more things to love about this season. Like festive, footie pajamas, for instance.

Happy October everyone!