Social Distancing Ourselves to the Woods

“Kids don’t remember their best day of television…”

I recently saw that quote and wanted to share. Right now, our world is looking at a Global Pandemic. We have been faced with worry, anxiety, consuming thoughts, and all the what ifs. Something our family has always done, health pandemic or not, is go OUTSIDE when we are needing a reset. Being outdoors is one of our favorite weekend pastimes so this past Sunday wasn’t really that different for us… This is me encouraging you all, whoever and wherever you may be, to try this as soon as your time allows—and for us now, looking down the lens of potentially three or more weeks of school and work OFF, this is going to happen even more often.

Hiking.

Have you ever felt that bitter taste in your heart and soul? Like this feeling of YUCK when realizing the negativity and hateful comments/words that the universe just tosses around like NO big deal? I bet anything that you have and you may be feeling and tasing those things right now! There is almost constant news coverage going on about the COVID-19 (Corona Virus), and LOTS of people are obsessing, panicking, and even verbally attacking one another. It can be downright exhausting, and I refuse to let my mind get sucked in. Sometimes then, more than ever, adventure is a necessity. Let it cleanse your heart, let it rid the nasty negativity from your overwhelmed soul. Go be in nature. Listen to the trees. Go HIKE!

This is a place called Garvin Brown Nature Preserve. It is a 46-acre preserve super close to River Road, and it is open from dusk until dawn. We discovered this beautiful location not too long ago, and I will never forget Christmas Day 2019—when it was a freakishly warm Christmas and we all went here for a nice long stroll. Elsa pranced around, running through brush and all the water she could find.. I know without a doubt that trails and water were 100% her love language (and the same is now true for Emma, which is pretty dang sweet.) There is something just completely wonderful about Garvin Brown and if you are local reading this, I highly, highly encourage you to go and explore, especially while we are being told to practice extreme social distancing…take your kids, your pup(s), or just even yourself, and go breathe. You will never regret slowing down and enjoying the SIMPLE joys of life, I promise. And your kids will be better for it too!

PS: We had NO IDEA what this terrifying looking fish was (and pretty soon found out) but do you know?! Tell me in the comments below if you 100% know (WITHOUT GOOGLING) what kind it is!! I mean, OH MY WORD, can you imagine swimming with this thing?! (Not that you would swim in the Ohio River, but STILL.)

Dog Moms + Dog Dads: Reasons We Love Nature's Recipe Dog Food

This post is sponsored by © Nature’s Recipe, LLC., all opinions are my own.

Y’all know that we LOVE our dogs, and how could we not? They were, and are, our first babies! Humphrey, our Chocolate Lab, turned twelve this summer, and our Golden Girl, Elsa (she was Elsa way before that name was cool!) will be eleven soon!! 

One of my favorite memories of Humphrey (and by favorite, I mean, years later, now that we can laugh about it), is when he ate our ENTIRE Christmas ham. Remember in The Christmas Story where the Bumpus Hounds devour their Christmas turkey?! That legit happened to us. I was in the living room nursing our three-month-old, and my husband was upstairs with our oldest. I thought the house was just super quiet and peaceful when all of a sudden, I heard a crash. Humphrey had been able to steal bits of the ham quite tactfully off of the counter without tampering with the evidence; until suddenly the dish crashed the floor. I jumped up, and barely had to walk a few steps before he just came cowering to me. He KNEW what he did, oh yes, he knew. That and when I was in a pie baking phase for one of my New Year’s resolutions. I had worked so hard on a from-scratch made crust and delicious blueberry pie, and like a dummy, left it on the counter when we left for church. (Why?!!?) We came home and my pretty pie plate was on the kitchen floor and the PIE of course, no longer existed. I told my husband, “I need a minute,” and walked upstairs. 

Oh sweet, Labrador retriever, you have solidified every single stereotype people assume about you, ha ha!! Truthfully though, Humphrey has been through thick and thin with us and our family. He never batted an eye when we brought both kids home from the hospital. He has helped us feel safe no matter where we’ve been. And he has also clearly eaten an abundance of food NOT intended for him ;) 

Our Elsa Girl has been a gentle spirit. She is quiet and patient, and wherever we are, she is also. Since I was a little girl I dreamt of having my very own ‘Full House dog,’ and she’s even better than that. The kids have climbed on her, sat on her, ‘brushed’ her fur, and she never bats an eye.

We have been really fortunate that so far, both of them are extremely healthy. They have always been really active, and while Humphrey can’t really run per se anymore…he loves his walks around the neighborhood. And Elsa is still running on trails and swimming in ANY body of water she can find. Together, these two make the perfect pair, and we love them, a LOT. 

For a long time, we have been using Nature’s Recipe® premium dog food. It used to be sold primarily at pet specialty stores, but I am thrilled that Walmart carries it—AND for a low price. It’s a double perk that we recently moved and there is a Walmart just a few miles away. There are several reasons my husband and I choose Nature’s Recipe for our pups:  

-They LOVE the ingredients, and who wouldn’t? Lamb, sweet potato, and pumpkin?! YES!
-It is completely grain free and easy to digest; which is especially great for them being older dogs
-The entire recipe is crafted with nutrient-dense carb sources, and there is no corn, wheat, soy, OR poultry-by-product meal!!
-Natural dog food with added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients

We are conscious about what we feed our kids, so why not be when it comes to taking care of our pets? If you are looking for a new food to feed your dogs, I highly recommend Nature’s Recipe dog food. There are so many options, and even wet food. Our dogs come to their food bowls wagging their tails, and how could they not?  

What do y’all use for your dogs? And what is one of your favorite memories with your furry friend?