i know. it’s been a while.
but just because i haven’t been here for some time doesn’t mean i haven’t been having fun.
there have been a lot of photo booths as of late.
one at a wedding that we just couldn’t get enough of.
and one that i created on the back of my garage for a farewell party for neighbors who are moving.
they really are so much fun.
the leaves are changing and many have fallen.
my fridge is stuffed with turnips, kohlrabi, carrots, kale, cauliflower and arugula.
we are eating soup at least two nights a week.
no one has tired of apple desserts yet.
halloween costumes are being planned for (a gypsy and a pumpkin).
bengal spice tea is my new found favorite (with cream).
the first fire has been burned in the fireplace.
i wore tights today.
a pile of wool blankets is at arm’s reach in each room.
the hot water bottle came to bed with us last night.
a bag of candy corn has already been consumed (in one day. by mama.)
our living room has welcomed us back
yes i do believe autumn has arrived.
i knew ever since she was a toddler that she was born to dance.
it’s deep in her bones.
she loves it.
she moves around the house in ballet style.
kicking her long legs up in the air,
practicing her splits, stretching, pointing.
she recently has stopped asking me to do her bun.
the rehearsals for the nutcracker have begun.
she has several parts, some that have been created just for her.
there are 6 performances in the beginning of december.
and you better believe i will be at every one of them.
i could never tire of watching her
Sometimes I give a little chuckle when I stop and look around. I can be in my own little world while wood is being chopped, laundry is being hung, and, chickens are clucking at my feet. I pretend we are on our little farm. Then I hear a car drive by and beep, and a neighbor’s leaf blower start up and can smell my neighbors breakfast of sausage and eggs in the air. It’s nice to pretend but it’s also nice to live in a community. I know we stand out a bit. We are the oddballs of the neighborhood. But recently my one neighbor hung up a laundry line. Maybe we are fitting in a little more, or maybe not. I kind of like being the oddball.
Life is good.
The other night as I was biking to a friends house in the cool crisp air, my backpack stuffed with yarn and knitting needles, I thought “I have a really good life!”
Some other things that are making me smile…
* The dark brown walls in my home are turning a light gray today (oh how happy I am about that)
* Singing with Hannah ( we are participating in a round singing group)
* The sun that has been shining bright for over a week now
* I have started to make holiday gifts
* Hannah and Chris have started archery together and love it
* Norah has become more independent. I love her personality. She’s a really neat kid. She is full of life! (although she has been stealing things from stores lately and trying out some new not so appropriate language) sigh… oh my
* My job is amazing. One of my favorite things about it is I go into schools each week and expose young people to what foods are in season and then turn it into a snack. so fun.
* Chris is also so happy with his job. He often says he can’t believe he gets paid to do what he does, teach young people about woodworking, rocketry, and the wilderness… what could be better. And our girls get to participate in it too
Like I said life is good!
A little celebration at our friend’s place this weekend to get us all in the mood for Halloween.
I’ll admit I am a bit of a thrift store regular. Partly because of how fun it is for the challenge of the hunt. And partly for the fact that I like to recycle. I rarely buy anything new. There are so many wonderful things out there! I do also like having things that are are a bit original and that are well made. (I still have a toaster that I thrifted when I was in my early twenties that is from the 1940s) I don’t like clutter. So usually when I bring in something new I tend to recycle something else. I have a bag for Goodwill in my closet that I throw things into as I declutter. I frequent the thrift usually once a week. I have my favorite spots. and as of late I have been finding some fun things, especially in the wardrobe department (the men’s department that is). I do find myself in the men’s section quite a bit. I think the workers at the thrift think I buy for my husband a lot but most of the time it’s for me. I like to keep a running list of what I am looking for and I also let my friends know, who love to thrift too, to keep an eye out for me for things on my latest list:
*raincoat
*wool toggle coat
*bicycle baskets
*wool blankets
*glass pitcher (my favorite just broke)
*film camera
*wall mounted rotary telephone
*my fair lady movie (ours just bit the dust, probably from watching it too much)
*duck boots
*greek mythology books
*games and jigsaw puzzles
*applesauce mill
*mid century style pottery lamps
*wooden music stand
each night as we sit down to dinner, we go around the table saying what we are thankful for. i really have grown to love this tradition and most of the time it’s the girls that remind me of it each night. lately i have started to play appreciations in my mind throughout the day. they are especially helpful during times of stress or conflict. they can change my mood in a split second. i really love falling asleep to all that i am appreciative for and then waking up feeling a little more fresh and alive. today i appreciate…
*the full moon (which woke me last night. it was so beautiful)
*our first fire of the season
*my down vest
*time for baking and trying new recipes
*our neighborhood and the joy it brings to my girls
*a visit from my grandparents
*tea parties
*early bedtime
*hayrides
*the autumn bounty from the farmers market, our CSA and our garden
*the last of our basil made into pesto
*SOUP!
*nighttime journaling with the girls
*golden delicious local apples
*freshly painted kitchen cabinets
*field trips
*candy corns (i’m addicted)
*fresh laundry off the line
*apple jam
*kale chips
*thrifted finds
*wool slippers
*burt’s bees lip shimmer
*my hubbie and his ability to make me laugh every day
i could go on and on but i need to make dinner (spaghetti squash bake and baby lettuces with maple balsamic vinaigrette)
I highly recommend the appreciation game. try it. you win every time!