Embracing the Change

Summer was big for us this year, big and crazy. I spent half of it in the late stages of pregnancy and the other half our family was adjusting to life with a newborn, life as a family of four. The days were hot and bright and smokey. We spent half of July and August in survival mode. The lawn wasn't mowed, the garden was lucky to get a passing weed pull. Laundry piles were a little higher before the load was done. Dishes waited just a bit longer to be washed.  Mostly I believe we all had that sense of having been spinning in circles and then suddenly stopping. The ground pitched and lurched beneath us as we tried to gain our footing, but we did find it. I think I will always look back at this summer like a strange psychedelic dream.

Now, quite suddenly summer is gone, leaving golden leaves in its wake. The days are shorter, the nights cooler. Our family is feeling like it has come into a new stage. We are regaining our footing, feeling like we are back on solid ground, just in time to be really present for these gorgeous fall days.

Before the Snow

The snow is on its way---or so everyone keeps telling me. For my part I am perfectly contented with an extended fall, two days of snow for Christmas and then on into a long spring. Who else is with me?

We have been preparing the home for winter. Organizing the garage, blowing out the sprinklers, rolling up the hoses and avoiding the task of leaf raking. Since we are new homeowners we are kind of winging it here, hopefully we aren't missing anything major. Today I am off to buy Cordelia some snow boots---she is very excited.

I also recently took a morning hike up the mountain with my friend. We both suspected that this may be the last hike we take before the snow creeps down the mountain and blocks our passage for the next few months, although we did discuss the possibility of snowshoeing (I have never been and I am excited at the prospect). Have you been snowshoeing?











I believe that the snow is to begin falling later today or tomorrow, so I had better get out there and enjoy a little more fall today. Do you have snow yet? Are you ready for winter? Anything you need to do before the snow falls?

Hints of Fall and GIVEAWAY

When I woke up this morning I found myself curled up into a tiny ball. I was chilly. I stretched out and put my feet onto the cold hardwood floor and shivered a bit. Fall is surely on its way. The days are still warm, not hot. The mornings are starting to think about frost. I think we are a few weeks away from the first frost.


Flowers have decided to call it for the season


A quilt made by my grandmother works for now, we have only flirted with the notion of turning on the heater


Most of the leaves are still green...


but there are a few leaves that have decided to turn


Cordelia is enjoying her fuzzy blanket

For now I will spend my mornings warming under a quilt with a cup of hot tea. Is it cold where you are?

Don't forget to check out yesterday's post to enter the giveaway!!!! I will be posting the re-organized craft space this weekend (yesterday ended up being too crazy to make time to organize, so the mess remains).