North Carolina

  • North Carolina,  Personal

    Life in This Small Town

    The month of November is a bittersweet one this year. With it brings birthdays, a military homecoming, Thanksgiving, weddings, and a big move. There is a lot to be grateful for — and anxious about at the same time. These last couple of months, I have learned to treasure the little things in life, like walking with my pups to get the mail each day, dining with my parents and talking about upcoming plans, and just being in the moment. You see, before I became a world traveler, I was just a girl from a small town farm. This small community (we’re not even technically a town it’s so small)…

  • chocolate and tan dachshund in north carolina
    North Carolina,  Personal

    Surprise Visit to North Carolina + A Unique “Bucket List”

    When I waved goodbye to my parents and Presley at the airport three months ago and moved to Italy, I could literally feel my heart breaking. I wasn’t sure how I could make it living so far from my family for the first time in my life. Somehow I survived those first 48 hours of emotional roller coasters (you can read about that here). Only a few people knew for all those months that I’d be making a surprise visit to see my family – one was the bride that was getting married (the main reason I was going home), and the other a best friend that I knew I…

  • North Carolina

    Camping the New River

    Over the last couple of years, our family has really taken a likin’ to camping, especially at the New River. After selling our lake house this year, the river became our new go-to spot for the summer. Knowing I’m leaving for Italy in the fall, I treasured every minute camping at the New River together. We would load up our fifth wheel with food, firewood, fishin’ rods, kayaks, and bicycles. There’s not much cell service up there so we brought lots to do, especially if it rained — a good book (or 4), card games, or DVDs to watch.

  • Life Lessons,  North Carolina

    Bittersweet Goodbye To My First Home

    Two posts in one week….yes, unusual for me, I’m aware. Maybe it’s because I have more free time or maybe it’s because I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting lately. Either way, writing has become soothing to me and my go to when I need to put my thoughts in order. Tonight is the last night in my very first home and it is so unbelievably bittersweet. When I first started looking for a home to buy last summer, Stephen was hardly a figure in my life. I had given up on men and the thought of settling down on my own made me content enough at the time. I…

  • North Carolina

    Food, Photography, & Hiking in NC

    Summertime…the beginning of vacations, a social life, and relaxation. I almost forgot what it was like to have friends and free time because I was so busy during the school year. It’s like a breath of fresh air and good for the soul to be able to spend quality time with my gal pals.