Last weekend Chris and I took a trip up to Iowa to visit some of his family members including his grandmother who was an absolute delight and his cousin who has taken over a super old (over 100 years I think) family farm and him and his wife (who is also a talented artist) are fixing it up.  It was really quite lovely and charming and the slow pace of life was a nice breather from my usually fairly chaotic schedule.  It also reminded me how much I miss being around grandparents as all of mine have passed.  The freeness with which they speak their mind and tell things as they are is really something to treasure.  And it is also hilarious.  I was in stitches for most of the weekend.  I thought I would share some pictures of that and a few other things that have been happening…

This was the sunset that we watched as we were leaving the farm to head back to Cedar Rapids.  Pretty unbelievable, right?

There farm and the land around it were exceptionally beautiful.  I just wish I had had my wide angle lens to capture it all.  Total screw up on my part.

We like fields.

I know no one cares about Halloween anymore but I never got to show the floating pumpkins outside of my house.  Here they are.

I have been doing some pretty fun calligraphy projects recently like these magnolia leaf escort cards.  I was also asked to do a table runner for an inspiration shoot that will be in Carolina Bride as well as some envelopes and belly bands for another inspiration shoot that I just finished this week.  I will share all of that when they are published.

I did put just a couple Christmas decorations up so far.  I am holding off until it gets a bit closer to do my mantel.  Is this weekend close enough?