Crisp Air, Pumpkins & Fall Festivals

When I think of fall there is one thing that always comes to mind and that is our Fonville Morisey Client Appreciation Fall Festival.  It is a day filled with pumpkins, mums, hot dogs, popcorn, face painting and of course our amazing clients! 

We filled the shelter at the park with great food, laughter and music.  The weather was perfect and we all enjoyed spending time with our clients.  

"I never met a pumpkin I didn't like" - unknown

Laying out all the pumpkins and mums.  We had a wonderful group of students from Wake Christian Academy who helped pick up and deliver the pumpkins.  

Our Fall Festival would not be possible without our amazing sponsors. We are thankful for all the wonderful local companies who help out year after year.

Cooking the hot dogs provided by FM Lending

Clients enjoying our 6th annual fall festival. 

Your could hear the laughter as you approached.  The bounce house was a big hit. 

Caroline and her children took a moment to stop for a photo

Enjoying the Aloha Ice

Hay Bales, Plaid Blankets, Pumpkins & Mums oh my!

Out and About in Benson NC ~ Local Shops ~ Antiques

 

 

When I get a moment I love to explore all the towns around me.  I live in Clayton and just a few minutes down the road is Benson, NC.  Lately I have spent a couple mornings and afternoons exploring the local shops. Being in Real Estate I love spending time in all the surrounding areas.  I have spent a lot of time in Benson over the years between taking my children to the batting cage and when my sister lived there.  I love spending a couple hours walking down main street to explore all the local antique shops this town has to offer.

 

 

This Pie Safe is from Seven Sisters Thrift Shop

 

 

I found this enamel bowl at Morgan's on Main

 

 

 

A few of the shops to check out while in Benson are:

(This is just a starting point there are other shops to explore)

 

Ole' Barn Finds

Seven Sisters Thrift Shop

Morgan's on Main

Korner Flea Market

Rebecca's Vintage Market

Tre Faye

 

Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a morning walking down main street. 

 

 

 



77 Isle of Hope Circle, Clayton, NC 27527, Presented by Kelly Mathews, Fonville Morisey. Powered by Virtual Home Images, Inc.

77 Isle of Hope Circle, Clayton, NC 27527, Presented by Kelly Mathews, Fonville Morisey. Powered by Virtual Home Images, Inc.

Be Intentional

2016 - For myself personally and for my business I set goals for the new year.

I try to figure out what I want to accomplish and what I can use/see to be a reminder of those things.

I keep a board with photos of family, friends, and clients holding the keys to their new home or standing on their porch.  I have quotes pinned on the board and this year I will add to it: 

Be Intentional

All the photos, quotes and now my new addition are reminders to help me achieve both my personal and professional goals.  Being a Realtor is not just a job for me it is a passion.  One of the best things in the world is to be at home with family and friends. Creating memories, telling stories.  I get to help clients start that next chapter.  It could be buying their first home or selling to move on to the next as their needs change.  I enjoy during a showing, listening to how they would decorate and where to place the Christmas tree.  I love walking around at a listing appointment and hearing all the stories or seeing a growth chart marked on the wall inside a closet. Then continuing the process beyond the closing table.  I can't wait to continue to have all these moments in 2016.  When I think of "Be Intentional" several things come to mind:

- Live every day with intention

- Intentions are causes that create effects

- Intentional Planning of time - for family, clients, friends, volunteering

 -Intentional goal setting daily 

I plan to get up every morning and find a few moments for myself...to pray and set my goals for the day.

"What lies before us and what lies behind us are small matters compared to what lies within us. And when you bring what is within out into the world, miracles happen."

Henry David Thoreau

Biltmore Estate - Vanderbilt Legacy

In December we celebrated my daughter's Sweet 16.  She asked for a trip to Asheville and wanted to tour the beautiful Biltmore Estate while it was decorated for Christmas.

A few days after her birthday we headed out for our little road trip.  Friday we explored a bit and then that evening we enjoyed the movies at the cabin. We spent Saturday morning walking in and out of shops in downtown Asheville before heading to the Biltmore Estate.

A little background history on North Carolina's grandest home

In 1888 George Vanderbilt first visits Asheville, NC where he found the perfect location in the Blue Ridge Mountains to build his home.

In 1889 the construction began building a 250-room French Renaissance chateau, the largest undertaking in residential architecture.

Christmas Eve 1895 George Vanderbilt officially opened the home to friends and family.

Now when you visit during the Holidays you feel like your stepped back in time to the beginning days of the Biltmore with the vintage Christmas items.  There are candlelight Christmas Evenings starting in Nov.

Lunch in Downtown Asheville - Nana, Caeley and Jordyn

Before I die I want to...

"Become a Doctor" - Caeley
She can achieve any goal she sets...she amazes me

My beautiful niece
"Go to College"

Cole and Caeley at the Biltmore 

The views are amazing all around the Estate


It was a great weekend away with my parents, sister, niece, the birthday girl and her boyfriend Cole.
  I hope they enjoyed learning about an amazing piece of history.
Now I am still getting use to the fact that she is driving!

If you live in NC or plan to visit (your should) make sure to take the drive
 to the mountains andstop by for a tour of the Biltmore.  
They both are breathtaking! 

Tobacco Barn Beam ~ be still my heart

I have been wanting to redo the mantel on our fireplace. After spending the morning having coffee with the ladies and admiring my friends fireplace I was determined to get the project started.  This lead to wanting stone also...sorry honey! After a little searching I found a beam from an old tobacco barn that is around 120 years old.  A local couple is taking the barn apart by hand and I was very excited to learn about what all they do.  I searched pinterest to help figure out what type of stone I wanted.  I went with fieldstone, I love seeing the mortar between the stone.  I showed my husband and he took it from there. 


                                                                     Before Photo

 

After Photo

 

 

 

I love how it turned out and it seems my dogs do also. 

 

Pumpkin Patch - Homemade Ice cream

This year has flown by.  I can't believe we are well into October.  Fall is by far my favorite season.  I love seeing the leaves change and the crisp air making us wrap up in our blankets at the ball field. We always head to Porters Farm for the pumpkins we plan to carve and to have their amazing homemade fall ice cream flavors.  Porters is in Willow Springs, NC...make sure to stop by if you are close by.  Also it is time for the NC State Fair in Raleigh NC.  This time of year is full of wonderful things to do in and around our home town.

                                                                 
                                                     White Pumpkins...my favorite!

                                         
                                              Starbucks Fall Flavors...need I say more?

 

The view driving down my road.

I had to pull over a take a photo!

 

 

While out showing homes this time of year I love to see all the mums and pumpkins lining the front steps.  It is very welcoming and give a warm feeling right away. 

 

 

Bird Chirping Weather

"No matter how long the winter, Spring is sure to follow"

I don't know about you but I am very excited about the weather changing.  Between home inspections, viewing a few properties and baseball games  I had a chance to sneak off to pick up a few flowers.  We needed to add a little color to the front porch.

I love this pepsi crate my sister gave me a while back. Thanks Jody!

My favorite place to sit with a cup of coffee before a busy day. 

Nothing like a rocking chair and a front porch.

Ready for the birds

Fresh cut hydrangeas to bring a little spring time indoors 

"Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat." 

- Laura Ingalls Wilder

The Start of a New Year

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Years.  I enjoyed spending time with my family and friends over the Holidays.  Many memories are created during the holidays.  It is a wonderful time to reflect on the past year and start planning for the next year.

 I was blessed to spend a lot of time with my husband over the Holidays.  He is such a huge support system for me.  My work schedule is all over the place and keeps me very busy(which I love!)...he always is a huge help. 

 One of our traditions is to make cookies for Santa at Nana & Papa's house.  The kids had a wonderful time.  My daughters best friend joined us this year.  My son had fun wearing the FM Lending apron.

 My Aunt Alice host a Gingerbread decorating party each year at her home.  Everyone looks forward to it each year.  I love that my teenage daughter still enjoys decorating with the younger kids. 

I love this photo of my Mema's hand and mine. I cherish each moment spent with her.  She is an amazing strong woman.  I went on Christmas day with my parents & sister to spend some time with her.  Then my husband and I went back a couple days later to see her.  She sure knows how to keep us laughing.  

I wanted to share a few special moments I had over the holidays.  Now I plan to start making a list of what goals I want to reach this year for myself.  2015 is going to be an exciting year filled with Family, Church, Real Estate, A Teenage Driver, Baseball, Softball & much more! - Kelly

Lennon Family Reunion ~ Moments with Family

The Lennon Family Reunion ~ Swinging Tail Cattle Farm:

We spent part of the day Saturday at the farm my Grandmother grew up on.  At the reunion we enjoyed catching up with family members we do not see often, walking around the farm & listening to my Grandmother tell us stories of when she was growing up on the farm.  In the photo below is where my Grandmother is showing my husband where the house she grew up in use to be. These are moments to capture and hold on to.  Above is my little man sitting on top of the hay bales...he spent most of the day running on top of them.

"The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go and not be questioned" 

- Maya Angelou

Three Great Grandchildren, 1 Granddaughter & the amazing Woman has loved us all our life.

My Children 

"Where you go I'll go,

 Where you stay I'll stay"

Ruth 1:16

I am thankful for my family.  We had a wonderful time gathering together.  The Lennon Family is filled with strong men and women who have an amazing faith.  

The little things

My husband spent the day fishing at Shackleford Banks Island and while there he came across this beauty.  He came in after his drive home and was busy telling me about the fish they caught.  Then he smiled and said I picked up something special for you today.  He went to his truck and came back in with this sand dollar full of sand.  

The little things that show they think about you even while fishing with the boys can matter most.  I love sand dollars but I love even more he took the time to think of me today.  I am blessed to have a husband who supports me and my career.  I wanted to take a moment to thank him.  I am glad he had the chance to get away today and spend a few hours fishing.  He works hard and we appreciate all he does for us.  Thanks J.

Pie Anyone?

Last week I picked up a fresh apple pie from Slice Pie Company for my clients to go along with a nice bottle of wine to celebrate closing on their new home.

Who doesn't need an amazing pie at a 9 am closing to start the moving day off right?

Slice Pie Company is a father/daughter duo that has turned a passion into a tasty business.  Their pie is served at a few local Triangle Area Restaurants.  You can like their page on Facebook to find local restaurants that serve their pie, place orders, enter contests and keep up to date on all that is happening at Slice!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Slice-Pie-Company/657808257626456?sk=timeline

Thanks Slice Pie Company...my clients loved their pie.

My Best Friend's Wedding

We headed east on Thursday morning for the rehearsal & bridal luncheon.  We went to South Port for lunch at Fishy Fishy after the rehearsal then took the Fort Fisher Ferry back to Carolina Beach after exploring South Port for awhile.  After checking into our Hotel in the Historic district of Wilmington(beautiful!) we went to the Lazy Pirate for a pre-wedding celebration.  It was a great way to start the wedding weekend...

The Beautiful Bride, My Daughter & Myself

Jen did an amazing job planning the wedding.  I saw details of her everywhere through out the evening.  The wedding/reception was beautiful & tons of fun.  

A little caffeine

 to get things going!

A few snap shots from my cell phone:

My daughter with her Godmother (the bride)...she was a beautiful bridesmaid and had a blast.

My hot date for the evening...my husband 

A photo of my sweet girl & I

A few of the beautiful bridesmaids 

This shot I pulled of my camera last night...She takes my breath away.  A beautiful bridesmaid in her Godmother's wedding.  I am glad my daughter got to experience this weekend with not only her Godmother but several other of my closest friends that I grew up with.  The memories & stories told I am sure she will never forget.  Some we might want her to forget:)

This photo is priceless...I love the ring bearer looking over trying to figure out what all the girls want!

 Jen the bride, Meagan, Amanda & I performed a dance in a talent competition to "Straight up now Tell Me" when we were little.  All the sudden during her reception that song came on.  She thought it would be a great idea for us to perform for everyone.  It did not go well for me the first time many years ago...I knew it wouldn't go well again!   Jen & Meagan were ready to preform again and it was a great laugh!  We were just missing our hats and the routine.:)

I will cherish this weekend always.  I am very happy Jen found Mac.  They are perfect for each other.

This Fall...

"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall" 

- F. Scott Fitzgerald

My sister gave me this old Pepsi crate this morning which then made me talk my husband into stopping to get a few pumpkins & gourds.  I found the little pumpkin patch sign a couple weeks ago and was just trying to figure out where to put it.   My sister solved that problem when she passed along the crate to me.  I love the weather out side and the signs of fall all around.  Time to plan a trip with my family to the pumpkin patch & corn maze.  

Caffeine, Carpool, Cocktails, Repeat...what?

For the days when it feels like all you do is

make it to carpool line on time!

Also just because they are cute!

Wine Anyone?

Very excited about these little gems I picked up from the winery last week.  I enjoyed a quick wine tasting at Neusiok Wines located locally in Raleigh NC.  I hope my clients enjoy celebrating their new home with a wonderful glass of wine.  Great way to relax after the big move!

High School and 4th Grade

I officially have a Freshman and 4th Grader.

                   This photo was taken before they went off to school for their first day on Monday.

Not sure when they became old enough for one to be starting high school and the other to only have 2 years left of elementary school.  They both keep us laughing with all the things they come up with.  I hope they have a wonderful year.  

I know the next 4 years will be a time for my daughter to figure out a lot about herself,  create memories you can only create in high school, tons of football games, driving and to start thinking about her future goals to name a few.  

My son's best friend is now at his school...so far he has not complained once about going to school!  They are not in the same class (thank goodness for the teacher/those two come up with some ideas) but have recess at the same time.  It will be a lot of fun hearing what those two have to say each day.  I can imagine the stories now. :)