My Pumpkin at the pumpkin farm

Yahoo Farm

Its my favorite time of year again! Happy Fall Ya'll! 

Today we took a trip up to Yahoo Farms in Jasper, GA. We stumbled upon this charming farm last year when Bella was 1 years old, we had so much fun we've decided to make this an annual trip. 

Bella was so enchanted by the animals on the farm. She enjoyed checking out the chickens, ducks, turkeys, goats, bunny, and pony. A pony ride on Milkyway was probably the highlight of the trip! We also went on a hay ride and got a tour of the 40 acres of land that the farm is on including where they grow the pumpkins and the creek that serves as the main source of water for the farm. 

One year ago...

This year....

Cinderella Pumpkins - what a coincidence, she chose to bring her cinderella doll along for the trip

Bella's first pony ride!

She did surprisingly well - not scared at all! All smiles

Mr. Wiggles the bunny

Billy the goat

Hay Ride!

Look how much I've grown!

Butterfly garden photo

I'll look forward to visiting the farm again next year to create another set of memories with my little girl.

Photos courtesy of my Dad - beautiful as always :)

Pillow Talk

Bella & Addie

I babysat my niece yesterday and for the few hours that Bella had with her cousin, she was in her glory. She had a ball with Addie in her room before she went to bed.

Bella laughed...

Addie giggled and cooed

Then Bella read Addie a bedtime story...

Good times :)

Louie's New Job

4th & Swift Restaurant - Atlanta, Georgia

Louie is the new Pastry Chef at 4th & Swift. Here's a sneak peak inside the restaurant with a interview about the Executive Chef/Owner, Jay Swift. I have had the pleasure of dining at this restaurant just after Louie got hired on and really enjoyed the experience. If you are looking for an evening out in Atlanta - check this place out! I can't wait to see (and taste) what Louie does with the new dessert menu this fall - can you tell I'm a proud wife?

A Week with Uncle Alan... aka "Gruncle" (great uncle)

Let's hear it for those Bravos!!!

Christy and Andy's birthday present to Louie was an evening out to see the Braves. We got to Turner Field early enough to eat and tailgate... then when we got to the stadium we realized how awesome our seats where!

Yes, we sat this close to the field

A much deserved date night

I LOVE this couple... they are so cute!

Crazy Sisters

Labor Day

Labor day consisted of lunch, a short visit to Nonnie's pool (because it was kept raining), then BBQ and game night at our house. What family get together is complete without a competitive board game or two?! We Raciti/Trovato/Banes' sure know how its done. 

Day Trip to Serenbe, Georgia

Situated 30 minutes south of Atlanta Hartsfield Int'l Airport there is a small community in the Chattahoochee Hills called Serenbe. This is national model for the future of balanced development in the U.S.—focusing on land preservation, agriculture, energy efficiency, green building, walkability, high density building, arts and culture, and community living for multiple generations. It is also the location of the HGTV Green Home that was recently built and given away to a lucky couple. We really wanted to tour the home, but unfortunately it was not open to tours this weekend. We did spend some time touring the village and checked out their farmers market and shops.

Blue Eyed Daisy Bakeshop - Winner of Food Networks Cupcake Challange

Mommy, I want this one

Enjoyed a great sandwhich lunch

In the courtyard of the village - perfect photo op

Nonnie makes a purchase of organic eggplants and peppers 

I was wowed by this Bocce ball court in the enter of the town 

Shops near the residential part of town

Couldn't resist capturing this colorful scene... Bella was ticked pink thinking these glass garden mushrooms were lollipops... she didn't want to take my word for it...she had to test them for herself 

 

Our visit ended with a long rain shower - we had made plans to visit the Farmhouse Inn that was a bed and breakfast, but the rain and the fact that there was a wedding being set up we decided against peaking in.

Grandparent's Day

Yesterday we all laid hands on Nonnie for support during her anointing ceremony at church. Next week she will have back surgery to correct her spinal placement of the X-stop. I was moved not only by ceremony, but by the overwhelming feeling of outreach where the entire church prayed over her.  We all cannot bear to see her in such discomfort and pain - I have faith this surgery will help correct the problem.

As a small gift for all the grand/great grand parents I handmade some keepsake memory books. In the letter I wrote to them that went along with this gift I explained, "this keepsake memory book enables you to share with her your lifetime memories as well as provide the opportunity to inspire her with your experiences and accomplishments. Though separated by a generation this record will enable Isabella to see herself in each of you and through your lens. She will be given a better appreciation of your life and who you really are." These were well received and I'm glad I did this for them and Bella. I'm sorry to say that I did not record the process I took to make them or the final product.

After dinner we introduced Andy to our family tradition of Bocce... let's just say, there will be a rematch in the near future :)

The usual debate... which is closer to the pallina?

Andy's first Bocce game

We are all hopeful for the return visit of Uncle Alan and the rest of the Trovato/Oravetz clan this Christmas! Fingers crossed!

I Like My Job... a Lot

Choose a job you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life.   - Confucius 

In 2002 I came to Kennesaw State University as a nineteen year old freshmen looking forward to my next 4 (or 5) years of college experience... I graduated in 2007 and ten years later I am back, but this time as a staff member. Last year I stumbled across a job search seeking graphic designers to work in the University Relations department for KSU. I applied and a few months later snagged the job - its nice to be back at my Alma Mater and it is definatley refreshing to see the growth and progress the school has made since I graduated. 

KSU’s national reputation has gained steam and was recognized by U.S. News & World Report's America’s Best Colleges issue in 2010 as one of the top universities in the region.  <---That is an awesome stat!

I am proud to be a part of something so awesome!

Our department's office space just got expanded and revamped.... best part is, I finally got my own office - no more cubicle!

Of course I had to add a few touches of me... Disney Poster, DIY "Pintrest Inspired" Frames :)

The following are some recent designs I've worked on for KSU, some have been published/printed and others are works in progress:

My first opportunity to design the University's Magazine (cover-to-cover).

https://web.kennesaw.edu/news/publications

Ad Campaign for The WellStar College of Health and Human Services - This was one in a series of 3 ads that appeared in
The Georgia Trend Magazine and was also made into a billboard on Hwy. 16

2012-13 "All Sports" 18 x 24 Poster 

11 x 17 Poster

11 x 17 Poster

Tri-fold Schedule Card

Men's & Women's Basketball Ticketing Tri-fold Brochure (Work in Progress)

Men's & Women's Basketball Ticketing Tri-fold Brochure (Work in Progress)

Annual Report (Work in Progress)

Logo (Work in Progress)

I have recently "celebrated" my one year anniversary of being hired on and I am very enthusiastic to see what new projects lie ahead...I'll post more of my work as it is either finished or almost finished.