fall.

after a HOT summer, it's finally starting to feel and look a bit like fall around here.  growing up, i never really thought of myself as a big "fall person", but i think going to school in virginia (and then sticking around afterwards) has given me a greater appreciation for all things fall.  we did have a nice seasonal change to fall in georgia, but the mountains around c-ville coupled with so many fun fall activities there set that area apart from my falls growing up (with the exception of fall visits to the lake :)). 


so, here are some fallish things we're currently enjoying or plan to enjoy this fall...
sleeping with our windows open ~ our town smells like peanuts roasting or, as billy puts it, "like a football game" every day ~ going on morning runs in the cooler weather ~ using our firepit (well, after the burning ban is lifted) ~ football games and tailgating ~ the beach once the summer crowds have cleared out ~ leaves changing ~ beginning of billy's marathon season ~ apple picking ~ wineries ~ our 4th wedding anniversary ~ evening bike rides, which usually serve as our cocktail time ~ driving on the parkway ~ more time on our porch ~ busch gardens howl-o-scream ~ oktoberfest (wish we were there, but we've been celebrating with the official music, billy's latest ipod download :)) ~ comfort foods ~ pumpkin ~ gearing up for bryan and kristin's wedding ~ finishing my appraisal license (not really a fall thing but something VERY much anticipated) ~ fall garden ~ starting a new bible study ~ more time with friends and family


we're in for a super busy fall, so i'll try and remember to take pictures and post throughout.  lots of fun times ahead! 


to start it off, here are a couple of pictures of our newly planted fall garden...we're trying to grow spinach and bibb lettuce.  our pepper plant is still producing, as are our oregano and basil, but the basil may have to be replaced soon (it still looks a little sad and dried out from the last heat wave).  should have some more fun pictures with people actually in them soon, as we head to a couple of football games this fall! 

the new plants look a little sad (they were pretty and full when we got them, but this weekend was pretty hot, and we didn't plant them right away)...i guess if they die, we'll just buy some more, since they were only $7 total (for 18 plants)

i also just realized that i never posted pictures from the rnr half marathon in virginia beach, which billy ran over labor day weekend.  we had another great "staycation" there at the turtle cay resort, and this time, we brought our bikes, which was great!  i rode about 20 miles the day of the half marathon, and we rode together to dinner, concerts, etc, which was so fun!  definitely made me want to live at the beach even more :)  billy finished the race in a good time of 1:25, which he was a little disappointed by, but i still thought he did great!  and, it was his first race in awhile, so hopefully his marathons this fall and winter will be better races for him.  here are a few pics from the weekend...

around mile 11...still going strong...and i missed the usain bolt pose right after this :)

finish line...i think billy was too fast for me to take the picture, plus there were lots of people blocking my view

post-race on the beach...they got the best medals this year!