We had such a great month. Although everything is strange and unlike anything we have ever dealt with, it was a great month.
We spent so much of it outside. We have always loved being outside (usually in the pool which we have done ZERO times this year) and we have discovered that we love hiking.
Fun day at Bankhead Forest.
Being outside is such a huge balm to our souls. The stillness of the forest quiets the insanity of the world.
Wheeler Wildlife Refuge
This adventure brought to you by a quest to buy a lottery ticket (Keilee was feeling lucky), a last minute change of plans, Davy Crockett State Park, a picnic, a hike, an encounter with a snake, and a GPS that went a bit wonky (the way it took us home y’all. We were just cracking up because…gravel roads in the boonies and visions of any scary movie you’ve ever seen). And we got no lottery ticket. The machine was down all 3 places we stopped.
But… we had a great day.
They had educator day at Burritt on the Mountain and we went. We both have our educator cards from Co-op. We used to go often when Keilee was younger but it’s been awhile. And we didn’t’ even know they had trails! We also hiked at Monte Santo which was great.
Then we went to a new place. That didn’t turn out to be very good (no shade and not very well maintained trails) but we went to one of favorite parks that was about 30 minutes away and had a great day.
We are still enjoying our Botanical Gardens pass. We had one a few years ago but didn’t go much. Of course the world looks different now.
One of our favorite places within the garden.
Rails to Trails We did the Elkmont section. And enjoyed it so much.
Cook Museum of Nature Science opened back and they got a SEA TURTLE. We were able to finally meet Kale!
We actually did 2 hikes on this outing. The 2nd was by far our favorite. We have been to Green Mountain but it has been years!
Happiness is a Keilee who sees several deer.
She was so excited. Like giddy. And the rest of the day was fun too. Hiking, picnics, boat wishing and a run in with a park ranger with an attitude. (Well that part wasn’t fun). Joe Wheeler State Park.
I did a thing!
It’s a little thing but a new thing for me. I made Lavender Balm!
We picked local lavender a couple of months ago at a lavender farm. I got a recipe and made lavender oil, which took weeks, then melted beeswax and added the oil.
It is so far from perfect. I learned that I should have gotten clear beeswax. I learned there is no ‘not messy’ way to melt said beeswax and pour into my little tins (that I bought months ago). I learned that I didn’t make near enough oil.
And one of them has a weird hole. And I maybe shouldn’t have put the sprig in cause weird texture. But like everything it’s a process. And I want to try things like this again.
So if you have any easy recipes hit me up. And if they use Rosemary bonus points because we have a HUGE rosemary bush thanks to my brother.
Also yes I did take my lavender outside to take the picture.
So that was our extremely fun and busy August. But it was fun busy not busy busy.
And now we are hikers….and makers of all the things. (Or at least one thing)
Karen
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I’m so glad y’all are hikers now, you know that’s our favorite thing! Now, if we could just all go on a hike together!!! 😍 Kei also has the cutest dang clothes! I’m proud of you for trying new things and hope you continue to make all the things! We haven’t hiked much the past few months, (our house and yard projects have kept us busy) but now that it’s cooling off we are about to hit them all up. Love you sweet friend! 💕