I feel like fall passed me right by this year. It came and went while I wasn’t looking which is sort of sad since it’s my favorite season.
Although I never got a chance to take a colored leaf-infused country drive, I did at least mark the season with some patio table photos.
And in the fall, I always have to add one of my favorite leaf photos I’ve ever taken. (Roseville, MN.)
Six months ago when we removed the huge oak tree by our deck, we were left with a ripped-up walkway. Steve started on a project of rebuilding the walk but came to the realization that arranging and re-arranging heavy blocks for hours on end was not his favorite thing to do. He rebuilt the frame going on to the deck and then called the pros for the walkway.
It’s great to have a smooth and lovely place to walk.
Re-staining the deck is one of the many things on Steve’s to-list as well as completely rebuilding the steps going down the other side of the deck. There’s always something!
I don’t know what it is but there is just something about this family that I really like!
Photography: Jazmin Bowman at Love and Free Photography
At work, I usually keep my workspace neat. Occasionally, though, several projects hit at the same time, and neatness is thrown out the window.
In addition to wrangling all the projects you see here, I was still answering busy phone lines, greeting visitors, and answering questions from employees. Good thing I love to multi-task.
Here is a pictorial update of life with Tinker and Bell. Hard to believe it’s already been six weeks since they came to live with us.
We are continuing to learn things about each other and it’s been a fun process. So far, the biggest adjustment has been their ongoing effort to categorize noises.
One night, Tinker and Belle were in the front of the house with Steve and I was in the back bedroom ironing. The dogs were sound asleep when all of a sudden the most alarming thing happened. I hit the “steam” button on the iron and an alarming whoosh sound was produced.
As Steve described to me later, in half a nanosecond, both dogs had levitated from the couch, and leaped to the floor with impressive Olympian agility.
They came barking and skidding down the hall and rounded the corner into the bedroom on two (proverbial) wheels before coming to a gasping halt in front of me. They sat their little bottoms down, cocked their heads, and asked in worried doggie language, “What’s going on back here? What was that noise?” Are you okay, Mom?”
Their responses to sneezes are very much the same. All other sounds have been deemed safe, but steam and sneezes are still cause for the deepest concern.
A couple of days ago, I was rummaging through my purse and happened upon a sample tube of hand lotion. It was one of those things you acquire somehow and throw into your purse and then forget about it.
I’d never used it but my hands were feeling a little dry so I applied a little lotion and rubbed it in. I hadn’t noticed what the scent was but after I took a sniff, I was immediately in love with the smell.
Grabbing the tube I read that it was sandalwood. I didn’t even know what sandalwood so I immediately Googled it and found out it’s one of the most expensive woods there is and its scent lasts for decades. I am completely in love with the smell and am glad to make sandalwood’s acquaintance.
I came across this photo last week showing the process of ripping out the wall that was between the kitchen and the dining room.
Now when I sit in the living room, I am extra thankful to be able to see the windows and trees beyond where that wall once stood.
Here’s another old photo from shortly after we moved in and had to deal with Ken and Vernie’s belongings before we could move in our own stuff. Those were challenging, exhausting days.
Ken and Vernie’s era.
Steve and Becky’s era.
Steve and I have known Gordon and Nancy Goertz for many decades and treasure their friendship. They and their church were a special blessing to us during Sarah’s cancer treatment.
Here is the most recent post from a blog Gordon recently started. I know the Smithellaneous folks are an encouraging community so be sure to stop by and read and leave a comment for him.
One of the many things I admire about Steve is how intentional he is about spreading smiles, courtesy, and kindness when he is out in public.
He always tells me, “There is so much ugliness and rudeness in the world. If I can hold the door for someone, strike up a conversation, let someone go ahead of me in line, give a compliment, or comment on a cute baby, I’m going to do it.”
I think it’s a good goal for all of us, especially right now.
Be a shining light of kindness. Bear a burden. Share a smile.
Be a Steve.
What about you?
Are your dogs alarmed by particular noises?
Have you ever heard of sandalwood?
What are some ways you show kindness in your daily life?
Your new walkway looks so nice and the Nathan Smith Clan pictures are SO GOOD (the kidlets are growing so much!)! I think my work area stays in the state of your photo – I get lots of interruptions. Tinker & Bell look like they’ve made themselves right at home and are so adorable! I’ve heard of Sandlewood, but I’m not really sure what it smells like – but now I NEED to find out! I love the look of your remodeled living/dining/kitchen area – it looks so comfy & inviting. I’m enjoying our cooler temps here in Texas, but we don’t get a lot of color change in our leaves…..that’s one of the things I really miss about West Virginia….the trees there show off some spectacular colors in late October/early November. I hope you and yours are having a wonderful week!!
Sue Ellen,
West Virginia truly is a beautiful state, especially in the fall. I can imagine how much you miss seeing those leaves turning. But I know that each state has its own beauty and I’m sure you’ve found plenty in Texas–just a different sort.
I agree that the pictures of the grands and their parents are wonderful. The photographer did a wonderful job of capturing their personalities and their love for each other. And you’re right–those kids are growing way too fast!
I think the thing about fall, at least here in Wilmington, is that it never really felt like fall this year, weather wise. It’s been warm. And that made it easy to forget that it was in fact fall at all, and that one one should be taking advantage of fall activities!
Steve may be retired, but he is ever the pastor at heart, isn’t he? Wanting to spread love and joy and wellness. Jesus did the very same.
Ellen,
So true. Steve will always be a pastor at heart.
We also had very warm weather all through early fall. I think I kind of got tricked! 🙂
Your dogs are just so cute!! My granddogs absolutely HATE the vacuum cleaner. They bark furiously from the minute it is turned on until it is turned off. They will bite at it if my daughter doesn’t kennel them. Maybe they think it will hurt her? Not sure.
I always try to open doors for people and tell them to have a great day. A smile goes a long way. 🙂
LeeAnne,
Nice to have such protective dogs in the family. I can only imagine how intimidating a vacuum cleaner must be to a dog.
And you’re right. A smile goes a very long way!
My dog associates me turning on the exhaust fan over the stove with the smoke alarm going off:D
She runs as far away from the kitchen as possible in fear. The smoke alarm is very painful to her sensitive ears. She is not fond of the vacuum cleaner either but doesn’t cower away from it. She barks and charges at it.
Hope,
That smoke alarm going off is one of the most annoying noises on the planet. I am in full agreement with your dog–and especially if it hurts her ears.
Love the pics! Also, how did you come across you doggies and how old are they? My mom’s dog got ran over last week and I think she would do well with a dog like them, what is their bred?
Donna,
We got our dogs through a rescue group here in Charlotte. They are Yorkie brother and sister; 6 years old.
So sorry about your mom losing her dog in such an awful way. Hoping a new dog come soon to brighten her life!
I love the pictures of Nathan, Megan and their beautiful family. Those children are growing so fast! Steve is so right and honestly doing small acts of kindness makes me feel better. It doesn’t matter what kind of day I’m having, if I have an opportunity to share some joy or kindness with someone else, it always makes me feel better.
Lisa,
Yes, spreading joy definitely goes both ways. Whenever I do something nice for someone it makes me feel happy all day!
Dogs are so funny! When I was a kid, we used to dog-sit for a Dalmatian who was terrified of the sound of hairdryers. He would run away with his tail between his legs when my mom dried her hair.
I love complimenting kids. “Wow, you are so fast on your bike!” Or “I love the dinosaurs on your shirt! I wish I had a dinosaur shirt!” I remember feeling so much anxiety around adults when I was a child, and I just want kids to feel confident and proud of themselves.
Robin,
Good for you for turning a difficult childhood anxiety into a way to spread confidence and joy to kids. Who knows what your words of encouragement means to them and how much they remember then.
You go!
The world needs a lot more Steves in it. So glad he sets that example and I try to also but will work harder at it!
Kathy,
Yes, Steve inspires me daily! Spreading smiles is something all of us can do more but even one smile given has a really big ripple effect.
Becky, thanks for the shout-out to Life on the Side Streets! Your blog has blessed me in so many ways over the years, and is the model for what I’d like mine to be one day.
Aw, thanks Gordon.
Glad to spread the same encouragement I got when I was first starting.
This comment is for Steve. Please show it to him and keep your eyes closed while he reads it.
Hi, Steve. Christmas is steaming toward us and I wanted to tell you about the perfect Christmas gift for Becky. She has just discovered the scent of sandalwood. I used to buy Soapbox brand Coconut Milk & Sandalwood liquid hand soap–deep moisture. Amazon sells it for pennies below $15. That is all. 🙂
Jan,
How nice to hear from you! I’ve missed seeing your name.
I kept my eyes kind of squinted while reading your comment but I did see sandalwood. A happy word!