we went in search of the sterritt family christmas tree a few weeks ago and ended up here: kinsey family farms in gainesville, ga. the drive wasn’t too far… about an hour outside of atlanta. we drank hot cocoa, made s’mores by a warm fire, visited a goat that tried to eat clem’s hat and then rode a tractor out to the far away trees. to say the least, we had a blast! it was great to share the experience with clementine (even though she slept through a large part of it) and start some fun holiday traditions for our family.

we found kinsey family farms on the ga christmas tree growers website. it lists all of the different farms you can visit in georgia that grow their own trees.

– ryan & gub

kinsey family farms

7170 jot-em down road
gainesville, ga 30506
770-887-6028

we took a day trip to tybee island over the thanksgiving break. somehow gub had still never been, even after all of the years we’ve been visiting savannah. a friend described tybee to us as a “down and dirty beach town.” we love that description and it is fitting. we hope to get back there in warmer times…

– ryan & gub

we went and toured the tybee island lighthouse during our recent day trip to the island. with the help of our baby bjorn, clementine was able to climb to the top! i think we were more nervous up there than she was though.

we also had a great view of the old cockspur island lighthouse from the bridge entering tybee. supposedly there are better views from fort pulaski or via boat if interested.

be sure to check out our previous posts on maine lighthouses, southeast lighthouses and coastal lighthouses!

– ryan & gub

check out this old school taco bell sign we saw on our way to tybee island! their was an actual taco bell down the road, but it looks like they kept up this sign from an old store, which is awesome.

– ryan

over the thanksgiving break i filmed some time lapse of a sunset with my new camera. i think it looked pretty good for my first attempt, although i would tweak the settings next time and try and start it earlier. i do like all of the movement of the duck on the pond though!

– ryan

we took a day trip up to the north georgia mountains a few weeks ago to pick apples. clem got to taste her first apple (just a lick!) and bring home a pumpkin for halloween.

– ryan & gub

reece apple orchards

9131 highway 52 east
ellijay, ga 30536
706-276-3048

in october we visited one of our most favorite getaways at holden beach, north carolina. we spent a few last warm days introducing clem to the beach. she got her feet wet and enjoyed the sunshine.

– ryan & gub

we were impressed with the denver b-cycle program while out in colorado! basically there are a ton of these bike racks around the city where you can rent and return bicycles. they even had baskets on the front! we were told atlanta tried a similar program but the bikes kept getting stolen. oh well.

– ryan & gub

while visiting denver in october we went on this amazing scenic drive along the guanella pass in the rocky mountains! we stopped along the way so clementine could experience snow for the first time! it was quite the contrast from the sandy beach she went to a couple of weeks before.

– ryan & gub

we were recently in ellijay, ga for fall festivities and stopped by r&a orchards for some country apple dumplings. they were amazing to say the least! you can find their recipe below if you want to try it at home.

– ryan & gub

r&a orchards

5505 highway 52 east
ellijay, ga 30536
706-273-3821

country apple dumplings recipe:

ingredients:
2 large granny smith apples (peeled and cored)
2 x 10 oz cans crescent roll dough
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 x 12 oz can mountain dew

directions:
– preheat oven to 350 and grease 9″ x 13″ baking dish
– cut apples into 8 wedges each
– separate crescent roll dough, and roll each apple wedge up in the dough
– pinch the edges to seal and place in dish
– melt butter in a saucepan and stir in the sugar and cinnamon
– pour mixture over apple dumplings and then pour mountain dew on top
– bake for 35-45 minutes or until golden brown