It won’t last long. Hopefully not even until the weekend. And I wasn’t ready – not by a long shot.

It was wet, and I froze, and our entryway looks like a winter wear tornado blew threw.

But we loved it. It was beautiful.

Those pink cheeks. Those little kids in giant snowsuits. The layers upon layers. And most certainly the wool.

Now I’d like it to melt. Then the weather warm up a little. And hold off until November.

Because we’ve got lots of winter coming. I’ve only just warmed up to fall.

Happy Weekend, lovelies!!

Well hello there, friends!

I’m not much of a blogger these days. And I miss it. And you. Even my camera misses my blogging because somehow she has also been neglected. (And I know Dan misses finding my camera parked in dangerous and inconvenient places.) I keep thinking of things I want to tell you but never get back to the conversation.

These days have been swallowed up in schoolwork and apple preserving. These evenings taken into custody by lengthy bedtime routines and zombie miming (aka mindless staring before bed, often at a screen).

And those sound like complaints and they aren’t…not really. It’s just adjusting to this new schedule and these shorter days which always knocks me for a loop. Always – but I never see it coming.

So this new season feels like just the familiar place to snuggle in and cozy up. I may not feel ready for the snow that’s been falling today or the cold that’s frosted my garden, but I’m ready to dig in with these people I love so much. Embrace a little schedule, pull out the woollens, watch the sunsets. And wash it all down with lots of hot tea.

I’ve got so much to share – little tidbits and happenings. But for tonight I’m sticking to the tea and knitting needles…and that last piece of apple pie.

Hope your Thursday rises joyful and bright! 

::

Tell me, what do you love best about these beautiful autumn days?

first date,

first kiss,

a million I love yous,

and many goodnights.

experimental cuisine,

smoke alarms,

holiday gatherings,

and countless meals shared.

answered prayers,

grace learned,

voices raised in song of praise,

and truth for broken hearts.

old friends,

new friends,

goodbyes on this side of heaven,

and the embrace of friendship.

six babies born,

six first breaths,

into water, into air,

and hearts burst wide each time.

commando crawling,

baby steps,

little ones learning first words,

and all others after.

diaper disasters,

tumbles on stairs,

crayon masterpieces,

and handprints on walls.

sweet dreams,

late nights,

chasing away nightmares snuggled up close;

and little people piled on bed.

tears & laughter,

laughter & tears,

the end of my rope,

and the world is my oyster.

so many moments shared.

ten years, just shy,

twelve for him,

awash in remembrance,

and bent low in ache.

::

We’re saying goodbye to that little house of ours.

I’m raw with the ache of it. 

Scraping memories from walls, brushing moments from well-worn carpets.

Running fingers over the places they know so well.

Heart in throat.

Tears in eyes.

Head all bursting. 

I say goodbye.

And closing eyes, I’m there still.

In that place of love.

love found, love grown, love multiplied, love shared.

I’m holding tight to memory and growing new in this new home.

New home needs filling – our moments and joys, our laughter and tears.

New was a long time coming. There’s no going back now. But today, just today, I stand still and remember. 

With grateful heart I mourn goodbye, even as I wave hello. 

It’s been busy days here for us.

There was that bout of sickness…Then it spread. But not across the board. Thank God.

We said goodbye to Dan for the week. Him to Vancouver for a weeklong course. Parting was hard on us all. The first bedtime was touch and go.

We filled our days with fun distractions and the weather was on our side. Cheese farm to visit the animals. Fish hatchery to visit the salmon. Beach to visit the waves…and then again, and again. Walks after dinner to keep us moving through picky eating complaints and get us ready for bedtime without too many tears over daddy.

My inlaws have been wonderful. They are so giving of their time and home. They take good care of all of us – even as my mother-in-law got more than she bargained for when we passed on our virus.

And while kids are spinning grandparents round and round with requests and questions and, er, demands, I’ve grabbed camera and snuck around their garden snapping late summer beauty.

Towards the end of the week Mira and I packed our bags and snuck over to the mainland for a quick weekend with Dan in Vancouver. Us girls hung out at the hotel, his course finished, and we headed out to see some of our favourite sights.

Dan came willingly to the Vancouver Art Gallery with only a few peeps about me reading everything in the Matisse exhibit. We walked around downtown, ending up on the waterfront with a phone call to five sweet littles. Then wandering for dinner through Kits, eating far too much good bread on the beach and disappointing souvlaki back in the hotel room.

A morning visit to Granville Island, a little pottery shopping for my early birthday, lots of good food. As I deliberated over food choices Dan astutely remarked, “You just love food”. How true. So there were crepes, and a taco, and donuts. Yep. I only just missed out on the french onion pot pie.

A missed ferry gave us a leisurely dinner in Horseshoe Bay with the little miss. Then daddy, mommy, and baby sis back in time for bedtime kisses.

And now we’ve got the rest of the week – this one with Dan to enjoy our vacation. I’m looking forward to lots of ocean eye-candy.  I’m loving this time but I’ll be ready for autumn rhythm soon.

::

And if you survived that long run-down of our week I thank you! Are you settled into a fall routine or are you still on summer mode?

Burger‘s out after chasing a few sales (ahhhhhmazing);

Dan’s softball tournament – one game played just a stone’s throw away;

a sign made to cheer on the ball players;

no one crying when it was forgotten at home;

many meals outside;

pie, pie, and then more pie with last week’s Saskatoon berries;

finding myself alone in the house with a sleeping babe;

choosing to “take it while I can get it” rather than using my time wisely – and napping;

ice cream eaten in bathing suits, plates licked clean;

hot days followed by deliciously cool nights;

only two sunburns to soothe;

ice cold herbal tea for all;

kids on foraging trips – returning from a neighbourhood walk heavy laden with beautiful (inedible) berries, crabapples, and sour green apples;

sweet times with even sweeter friends;

and  a weekend finished off with a few pages and a few rows.

Our weekend was relaxation, sunshine, and family.

::

Wishing you a beautiful start to the week!

once again I’m doubling up with these two beautiful friends

:: joining Amanda for weekending:: 

:: giving thanks with Taryn at Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude Sunday ::