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Family photo at the beach in Outer Banks

Visiting The Outer Banks in September

Last year when we were evacuated from the Outer Banks in early September due to Hurricane Dorian, we vowed to never visit in September again because of the high risk of hurricanes. So what did we do this year? We went to the Outer Banks in September, LOL. 

Family photo at the beach in Outer Banks

We were blessed with no hurricanes and a blissful week of rest and joy. We met my parents at their beach house in Kill Devil Hills and had such a lovely time.

The weather was definitely a mixed bag; the first few days were windy with rough surf due to remnants of a couple of hurricanes that thankfully didn’t hit the Outer Banks. The rest of the week was just right, though. Some sun, some clouds, high 70s and a calm ocean.

What we were up to all week:

  • Relaxing! Jimmy and I were in the hot tub every day, sometimes multiple times a day 🙂
  • Attending church. We visited Son Rise Church of Christ and also watched our home church’s revival via Facebook Live.
  • Playing at Dowdy Park. Sadie loved all the play structures there and so did the adults, ha!
  • Vlogging. I posted two vlogs from our trip; this one and this one!
  • Hanging out on the beach. Sadie was a little fearful of the ocean but loved playing in the sand.
  • Ordering in lots of seafood. A few of our favorite restaurants if anyone is looking are: Black Pelican, Awful Arthur’s, and Miller’s.
  • French braiding. Yes, I regularly braid six-strand challah bread, but just learned to french bread hair. 
  • Walking on Jeanette’s Pier. We saw a surfing competition the day we did this!
  • Visiting the Duck Boardwalk. Jimmy and I got Sadie her birthday gifts there (this book, this book, and this little toy) and grabbed some vegetables from a farmer’s market stand.
  • Playing mini golf. Jimmy and I went on a little mini golf date and he beat me!
  • Celebrating Sadie’s second birthday. Sadie turned the big t-w-o while we were away! We bought her a balloon at Dollar Tree and she has been playing with it ever since. 

Alright, enough typing. Here are a few photos!

Duck boardwalk in Outer BanksOuter Banks with a toddlerOuter Banks surfing competition at Jeanette's Pier in Nags Head North CarolinaGrandpa with toddlerOuter Banks fishing off of Avalon's PierDowdy Park in Outer Banks North CarolinaCouple sitting by pool in Outer BanksGirl holding cocker spanielGrandparents with toddler at beach in Outer Banks North CarolinaCute family photoOuter Banks North CarolinaMom reading to daughterDowdy Park Kill Devil Hills North Carolina in the Outer BanksThree generations of women braiding hairToddler playing with magnetic play house toySmiling husband and wifeJeanette's Pier aquarium

The Outer Banks are such a special place for us. I grew up visiting almost every summer of my childhood, Jimmy and I honeymooned there, went on a babymoon there, and now we take Sadie to visit as much as possible!

There’s just something about being near the ocean and having time to relax and not do much of anything that brings so much joy and refreshment to us. ❤

 He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:3

Giving Things Away and Favorites

I’m not sure what it is about the changing of the season from summer to fall, but it always makes me want to sift though my belongings and decide on what I no longer use. My focus the other day was on my jewelry. 

Jewelry hanging on rack

See all the jewelry in the above picture? I gave it all away and man did it feel great to do so! I have owned some of those pieces since middle school, and I was ready to part with them because I don’t wear them enough to justify keeping them when someone else could be enjoying them. 

I posted the photo on Facebook Marketplace and they were picked up by a very thankful woman the next day. I did something similar with a toy of Sadie’s in June and it felt just as wonderful. I’m sure I could have sold the jewelry or the toy, but I’ve been so incredibly blessed to have everything I need and more, so why not pass on the blessing, you know?

Onto a few favorite things from this week! 

My sister made my bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapeño poppers recipe, except she used gypsy peppers in place of jalapeños! Have you ever heard of gypsy peppers? I hadn’t until she sent me the photo, haha. She said they’re kind of like a mild banana pepper. 

Bacon wrapped stuffed gypsy peppers

I know I’ve mentioned that I was on the quest for the perfect water bottle for the longest time, but have I ever discussed my search for the best ponytail holder? My hair is slightly crazy. It’s curly, frizzy, unruly, and when I’m not in the postpartum hair loss phase, it’s fairly thick. I used to iron it with a clothes iron, but that’s another story for another day. I just let it run wild now. 

I’ve used the invisibobble brand for over six months, but now I’m onto these and loving the fact that they’re cute, don’t leave dents in my hair, and don’t stretch out easily. Also, they come in a ton of different colors and don’t break the bank. The eight-pack I have cost $10, so it was $1.25 per hair tie. Not too shabby!

L. Erikson ponytail holder hair tie

Another favorite as of late has been doing crafts with Sadie during our homeschool time each weekday. We worked on making jellyfish in a different color each day and I snapped the photo below earlier this week because it made me smile. 

We actually do “school” in mine and Jimmy’s bedroom so our closet door is just casually decorated in primary-colored paper plates made to look like jellyfish. Each night before we go to bed I’m always like “Jimmy, the jellyfish are watching us go to sleep…” haha. 

Craft for teaching toddlers and preschoolers colors

My cousin generously passed on her daughter’s farm-themed dollhouse to Sadie and she has been enjoying it so much.

I could watch her play all day. She pretends her animals are doing different things and acts out little scenes. It’s so precious to see her imagination at work! I remember my dollhouse being one of my favorite toys as a child, and seeing Sader Tot play with hers brings back such happy memories for me.

Toddler playing with barn doll house

Okay, this post is getting long. I have just two more favorites to share and then I’m signing off!

  1. Midnight Sun. I have to know: were you a Twilight fan? If so, Team Edward or Team Jacob? I can vividly remember not being able to put Twilight down during my junior year Spanish class. My teacher was literally like, “Allie, can you please stop reading?” lol. When I saw that Midnight Sun was coming out, I was super pumped! I just started reading it, but so far it has been everything my teenage Twilight-obsessed self dreamed it would be! And since I know you’re totally wondering, I’ve always been Team Edward 😉
  2. Prismacolor Colored Pencils. I’ve seen these colored pencils for years and always wondered if the quality justified the price. I finally caved and decided to try them out. They’re very nice! The color is so rich and I hear they’re great for blending, but haven’t tried yet. I definitely recommend ’em if you’re into art supplies! 

Tell me a recent favorite of yours!

What’s the last thing you gave away?