Author: Allie Zottola

Morning Frost

It was 28°F when I woke up this morning. I’m pretty sure we had our first heavy frost of the season here in Pittsburgh. To commemorate the event, I decided to take a few snapshots and share them.

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While summer is my favorite season for many reasons (that rhymes…!), I truly love all of the seasons. The beauty of fall is unparalleled, and there is nothing like a fresh blanket of snow covering the ground in the winter months. By the time spring rolls around, the sight of a daffodil peeking out of the ground gives me more joy than is probably normal.

It’s amazing how the seasons change, and I feel so blessed to live in an area that experiences all four seasons every year. Jimmy and I have a weird little ritual that we do every morning as he leaves for work that always keeps our minds on the current season. It goes something like this…

October through April – 6:00 AM – Zottola Living Room, as Jimmy leaves for work and Allie is still in her pajamas.

Jimmy: (standing at front door, with door opened) Bye babe, I love you.
Allie: (Standing five feet away from the door) Bye! Love you!
Jimmy: Come here and give me a kiss. Come stick your foot outside to feel the air.
Allie: Okaaaay. (Walks to door) YUP. It’s cold!
Jimmy: (Smiling) You and Lola are going to be so cold on your walk!
Allie: Go to work.

May-September – 6:00 AM – Zottola Living Room, as Jimmy leaves for work and Allie is still in her pajamas.

Jimmy: (standing at front door, with door opened) Bye babe, I love you.
Allie: Let me give you a kiss goodbye and stick my foot out the door!
Jimmy: (Gives Allie a kiss)
Allie: (Sticks foot out front door) YUP! It’s warm! (Smiles) You are going to be so hot at work today!
Jimmy: I’m leaving.

With a few deviations, depending on whether or not it’s raining or the weather is unseasonable, that’s our little morning ritual. I have no clue how we started it, but I love it.

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It felt amazing to get outside in the crisp air and capture exactly what the first frost felt like, how the grass looked, and what shade of red the berries on our dogwood trees are. It reminded me of a Bible verse in Ecclesiastes.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

Even though fall is technically the time of year when the plants and trees die, God has still made it beautiful. He’s made everything beautiful in its time.

My Top 5 Dream U.S. Travel Destinations

Traveling is something I think about a lot. I want to visit so many places to explore and experience new things. I thoroughly enjoy pinning pictures of my dream travel destinations on Pinterest. It’s slightly addicting! I was looking at my Pinterest travel board and it made me want to write a post on my top five dream travel destinations in the United States. So, in descending order, here are my top five!

1. Seattle, Washington

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The Space Needle, Mount Rainier, Pike Place Market, Lake Union, house boats, Puget Sound, underground tours, and all the coffee. Everything about Seattle is captivating to me and I want to visit so badly! I’ve read a few books that have brought Seattle alive for me, including Morning Glory by Sarah Jio and pretty much anything by Debbie Macomber. I recently posted in a survey about how I’m afraid of flying, and Kylie commented that I’d have to fly somewhere that’s really worth it to get over my fear. I definitely think Seattle it that place for me.

2. Savannah, Georgia

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Once again, a book made a city come alive for me. I read Paula Deen’s book a few years back and instantly wanted to visit Savannah. It seems like such a quaint, old-fashioned city. The historic districts, Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens, and Forsyth Park are especially interesting to me. Of course I want to visit The Lady and Sons for some good Southern cooking, too.

3. New Orleans, Louisiana

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To me, New Orleans seems vibrant and alive. The culture there is so strong. The first time I wanted to visit NOLA was when I saw The Princess and the Frog. Yes, an animated Disney movie sparked my interest. My dream visit to New Orleans would include walking around the French Quarter, eating Beignets and drinking coffee at Cafe Du Monde, walking inside a shotgun house, hearing someone speak the local dialect, and listening to some live jazz music on the streets.

4. Phoenix, Arizona

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The landscape and weather in Phoenix is so incredibly different from where I live that I’m just dying to experience it. I hear the sunsets are stunning, and that the intense heat is a dry heat. That’s an interesting concept for this Pittsburgh gal, who knows high humidity all too well. I want to try authentic Mexican food, go hiking on Camelback Mountain, and stare at all of the gorgeous flora and fauna.

5. Sanibel, Florida

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Sanibel is a city on an Island. How cool is that? I’ve read it is one of the best seashell beaches in the world. Sanibel is appealing to me because it has a secluded air about it, abundant natural beauty, and plenty of interesting wildlife. I’d love to go shelling, visit the local wildlife refuge, and check out the unique-looking lighthouse.

Honorable mentions include anywhere in Hawaii, Maine, and Alaska. Also, Charleston, South Carolina and Key West, Florida. Places I’ve been to and want to visit again include Dallas, Washington D.C., Niagara Falls, and Marco Island, Florida.

What are your top five dream travel destinations?