A day of preparation: laundry loads, baking for the road, packing bags;
one last trip out for the perfect souvenir (despite the fact we’ll be back next year);
11 and a half pounds of organic blueberries, picked just “this morning”;
an early morning ferry, grandpa and grandma walking on with us for parent’s sanity and children’s delight;
bittersweet goodbyes with beautiful people in a beautiful place;
a long, long day of driving:
a headache relieved, a teether given over to sleep, snacks passed (and repeat);
eclectic tunes: Queen, Paul Simon, Metronomy, Elizabeth Mitchell, Metric, The Wiggles to name a few;
then home;
our first time coming home to this place after vacation – much joy: we laughed, we smiled, we hit the hay.
Dan off to help sort at our food co-op;
lazy breakfast for the rest of us amidst unpacking;
thanks to the friend (and best neighbour) who delivered us milk for our puffed kamut;
a van heavy laden with organic food and boxes of fruit (like this mama’s Christmas morning);
a 80 lbs of the 220+ lbs of ordered produce undelivered and thankfulness because perhaps this mama did not need more preserving to tackle;
kids playing in dirt, then in water, then in mud…then stripped down for showers;
german pancake with the best peaches and blueberries for dinner;
decaf latte, school plans, list making, and shawl knitting (see the photo);
topped off with a nursing babe, hot peppermint in a new mug, and a visit from the Doctor.
Grace for a long journey, breathing in the joy of home, blessed by abundance.
I am very full of gratitude this day.
::
What are you grateful for, friends?
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 ::

Welcome home!
It sounds like you are already settling in well – blueberries, yum! Even your knitting matches them
Glad you are home safe and sound! I love how you enjoy all of your vacations including the travel time to and back. Have fun with the blueberries
Welcome home! Glad you had safe travels! Love that shawl. Made one for my Sister in law for her birthday.
Yay for a safe trip home!
I love the band Queen, too. I missed the newest episode of Doctor Who this week. I took a Benadryl because I was all stuffed up and it knocked me out.
Guess I’ll see it next week before the new episode.
Oh to be home again. I find it a mixed blessing every time. I have got to check out the Doctor, I love Sherlock and am missing it tremendously.
And as for German pancakes…you know how we feel around here about those…as a matter of fact, I just might do breakfast for dinner tonight.
While it’s great to get away, coming home really is the best isn’t it?
I have never eaten a German Pancake and now am curious so will have to prepare one [?], a stack [?] to try.
Glad you’re back!
Yay, you’re home! and you made it back with your wits about you:) (sometimes I lose mine on long car rides.)
And what’s that I see on the needles? Do tell!
Rachel,
You have such a beautiful way with words.
Welcome home! I always have such a sigh of relief when I’m home again.
Lots of Love, Taryn
sounds lovely! can’t believe you can still find fresh blueberries – ours have been long gone so i’m thankful for our frozen stash
Blueberries don’t even get started up this way until August…although this last batch was the end of their season.
I had freezing plans but we’ve nearly polished them off!