LEB Giveaway!

Because I've been a slacker (good reason so I will post that tonight!) you win out! One of my favorite blogs LEB is having a Paddywax giveaway!

My two absolute flavors are Wild Blackberry and Rose! Go over and comment and let her know yours!!

And if candles aren't your thing (seek help) then read her blog anyways. She always posts the most beautiful images and has fantastic taste!

xoxoxoxo

Happy October!

As a kid I used to trick-or-treat with a paper bag from Ingles....classy right? Or if my family was being fancy we used the plastic orange pumpkin buckets and if it got too full our dads would carry the overflow. (That is if they could balance the bag with their go cup)

But how cute is this bag from HSN? If we had D for Halloween this year I think this would be the bag!! And the added bonus? It can help a child in a developing country receive the nutrients it needs to survive. I might just get one myself to use for the month of October. Happy Fall Y'all!

FEED Trick-or-Treat Bag to Benefit UNICEF $13.20 at HSN

Large Pepperoni, Half Mushrooms, Half Glock

I try not to post about politics or religion because it just causes riots. Kind of like a Britney Spears sex riot...but I digress.

But when I read this article in the Charlotte Observer I felt I had to express my opinion, and that is exactly why I tweet and blog. Now sure, I want my blog to be about pretty things...houses, decor, etc, but it is also about what is important me; and this is.

From the Charlotte Observer:
A moment later, three men walked in, at least two pointing guns. The first one told the deliveryman: "I mean business."

They told him to open the safe. The deliveryman said he didn't have access.
"Get down!" one ordered. When the deliveryman didn't, he says the man pistol-whipped him. The men then ordered him into a bathroom while they waited for the manager.
One of the robbers waited in the bathroom with the deliveryman. He ordered him to wrap his arms around the toilet, kneeling, and then demanded money.
"Every time I hesitated, he hit me. I have so many bumps," the driver said. He turned over his $42 in tips for the night and a gold chain with a Jesus medallion he's worn for almost 40 years.
The whole time, the driver tried to keep his gun pressed against his body, under his baggy shirt. The driver has a concealed carry permit, and started carrying the gun after being robbed twice in the past two years.
When the manager returned moments later, the suspects grabbed him. One told the deliveryman to crawl to the cooler in the back.
"I said I can't crawl," said the deliveryman, realizing that if he bent over any further his gun would stick out. "As soon as I stood up, he hit me. I took a big step and ended up in the cooler."
Then, the suspect demanded car keys and hit the deliveryman again, opening a nearly 2-inch gash next to his left eye.
When the suspect started to lift the deliveryman's shirt, he realized the robber was about to see his gun.
"I thought, 'He's gonna kill us,'" the deliveryman said. "They're gonna get what they want, and still kill me. "I pulled my gun. I shot him three times, and he fell."

Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/09/29/1725241/pizza-driver-hit-by-bandits-i.html#ixzz10yHiWD3s

Both of these men had previous records and were out on probation. And I know it is very unChristian of me but I see it as two criminals off the streets. They BEAT this man, had previous records...multiple accounts on each...and this man defended himself and they criminals are dead.

What makes me really angry is Pizza Hut typically fires their employees for this. They have fired delivery men in 2004 and 2008 for firing a gun on a robber.

I'm not saying I want every delivery man out there in the world with a gun. But if he works in a bad area of town late at night, I see no problem with it.

We are the proud owners of a Colt Defender. M has taken me to a firing range to learn how to shoot it and if necessary I have no problem. Of course we keep it in a locked safe but when M is out of town I cannot deny keeping it a little closer (as long as D is not in town).

So I guess the moral of my post (Yes, I realize I'm rambling out into blog universe) is I just believe this man defended himself and deserves to keep his job, and possibly the key to the city.

**You must always learn how to operate a gun safely and if you carry one have your carry conceal permit. And I'm not the crazy Sarah Palin. I don't want everyone running around toting guns...but I do believe in the above instance it was necessary.

***And to make sure I keep my blogs light-hearted please see below.

Images from the Charlotte Observer and Pundit Kitchen

The Arrival of Fall

My absolute favorite time of year is on its way. Labor Day weekend was a total teaser in Asheville. The low Sunday morning at my parents' house was 49. That's right...49. My parents live in a big tree house type of home on a mountain in South Asheville. There is nothing like waking up to see all the leaves falling, the bright blue sky, mountains all around, and walk in my socked feet and my sweatsuit (black Nike workout pants and a UNC hoodie) to the kitchen where Dad is cooking fried eggs on salt-rising toast. My parents keep the windows open until it finally dips into the 40's so its always crisp!

Looking down my parents' driveway

There is just something mesmerizing about Fall. Already here in Charlotte you can see the light filter through the trees, beckoning you to step outside and promising that it will soon cool off. Kids are playing Football at the local high school and on Friday nights we can hear the loudspeaker announce the play by play action. I grew up playing tennis in the fall, where you would have to put your warm ups back on before a match was over.

I just can't describe my love for this season. Mums, scarecrows, all the cheesy Martha/Pottery Barn decorations. Cuddling up around the firepit drinking Bourbon and watching football...tailgating...It truly is the best.

One of my favorite memories is the Christ School vs Asheville School football game. All my Dad's high school buddies would venture up the mountain to experience my father cook all weekend, play music similar to the Big Chill soundtrack, and have a rip roaring good time. Of course the main event is the Football game at either CS or AS. Always a picturesque fall scene! GO GREENIES!!!

Greenie Fans at Christ School

Game at Asheville School

Does anyone remember that movie Hocus Pocus? It always creeps into my mind this time of year, and now Harry Potter movies also trigger the memories of Halloweens past. I can remember trick-or-treating in the snow in Asheville once! 

Here are a few images that might describe my crazy stream of consciousness better than I can. Oh the Nostalgia!!!!

Did I mention Fall is when my Camellias bloom? And look at my beautiful Oakleaf Hydrangea changing colors in the background. That should hopefully happen later in October.

Images from google, Martha, flickr, UNC, myself