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Archive for the ‘Fall’ Category

A-P-P-L-E

October 24, 2011

We had another moment of warmth over the last few days. It was excellent timing~ the kids were off school on Thursday and Friday and were able to be OUTSIDE a lot. There’s something about this sunny, crisp weather. It’s intoxicating. Friday was the perfect day to go to the apple orchard…so we did!

It wasn’t exactly planned~ we were out to lunch and got a call from our friends, Jonathan and Anna, asking if we wanted to meet at the apple orchard. I was bummed to not have my camera, but this new phone works in a pinch.

While we were taking Greyley’s jacket to the car, we ran into our good friends, the Lynn family! Maiya lived in San Jose for a while when she was a little girl, too, so we go way back. Her family moved back to Minnesota this year. It was a nice surprise.

Indigo REALLY wanted a caramel apple and against our better judgment, we bought him one. He has so many loose teeth, I knew teeth might start flying…but no…he just couldn’t eat it. He tried to bite, but there were too many loose ones. So he just licked the whole thing. That beautiful caramel apple didn’t get one bite!

Greyley fell in love with this beauty.

We hopped on the truck to go pick apples and pumpkins. The hay ride stopped every few minutes and we got off just about every time and then the driver would say, “You might want to wait until the NEXT patch…” It became comical after the 3rd time.

Maiya took this fun picture. The only problem is that she’s not in it!

Indigo, Caleb, Micah, Ethan, Noah, Mark, Nate, me, Greyley, Anna & Jonathan

We are enjoying the apples! They’re extra tart and I can’t stay out of them!

Happy Monday! Skip around the house on one foot…try it!

Posted in Fall, Family, Friends, October 2011 | 4 Comments »

Eat My Words

October 6, 2011

I’m having to totally eat my words because of THIS post. I’ve been almost scared to say anything about it, it’s been so perfect.

We are having the best Fall I EVER remember having in Minnesota. It’s been unseasonably warm, the leaves are going through remarkable changes and STILL STAYING ON THE TREES (!), and the nights are so pleasant.

If every Fall were like this, I wouldn’t be able to help but adore it!

I am knocking on wood with every word I type. Oh, please, please stay this way a little (LOT) longer!

Dare I say, this delightful weather brings out the best in me?

Photograph by Matt Khoury

Yes, yes, I believe it does.

In other fun news, I am wearing clothes from the Clothing Swap every day and loving them. In fact, the jacket in the picture above is from the Swap! Woohoo! I got 4 dresses, 1 jacket, 1 skirt, and a pair of pants. Greyley got 4 dresses, 2 skirts, 2 shirts, 3 hats, and 2 sets of fingerless gloves. It’s such a great idea. Thanks again, Jillie, for putting together this fabulous yearly event. I know it’s a lot of work, but there’s lots of us who are reaping the benefits!

Enjoy your day. I am going to bask in the sunshine at some point today…it just has to be done.

Posted in Fall, Fashion, October 2011 | 11 Comments »

I Double-Dog Dare You

September 20, 2011

After yesterday’s depressing post, I actually felt a lot better. Sorry to put you through it, but it helped me to get it out and helped to hear your words of support.

It also encouraged me to focus on the good. So, for the rest of the day, I determined to think about all the things I love about Fall and yes, even Winter. At the very least, it helped me savor all the wonderful things about the day itself and as Martha would say, “That is a good thing.”

I’ve been reading One Thousand Gifts~A Dare To Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp. I’m still not done with the book, but already it’s saying things that are resonating with my guts and I know it is the right time for me to be reading it. I suggest you hurry and buy the book. It’s worth it. (No, I’m not being paid to review this book.)

If you’ve read it, you know that the topic is being grateful in EVERYTHING, which has been the mantra in my head for the last few years…when the going gets tough, still be grateful. So in regard to my post yesterday about how you cannot make me happy about Fall, I will tell you what IS making me happy.

A gift from a Beyond Generous Friend…an iPhone. I am astonished and grateful beyond words…not just for such a gift, but for this friendship.

Also…Hello, Instagram, how I have been longing for you! (Please bear with me as I play!)

My Hydrangeas are still hanging in there…this makes me smile.

My Beloved.

The rug on my front door step with a word that speaks to me~ SIMPLIFY.

The Chocolate Cake with Caramel Filling and Extra Fluffy Peanut Butter Frosting that I made for my daughter’s 13th Birthday Party over the weekend. It was her request and it was delicious…if I do say so myself. Ahem.

Phillip the Caterpillar, Greyley’s Science Project. He will turn into Phyllis if he happens to be a girl, but we won’t know that until he becomes a Monarch butterfly. She has had him since he was a tiny speck and my, he is growing to be a fine specimen.

Happy Flowers from Daddy to Daughter…

And more Happy Flowers from Uncle Troi and Aunt Phyllis to Greyley…

A new favorite necklace that goes with everything…I will be making more of these, if you’d like to have your very own.

Guess who else received a surprise? It is seriously like the best Christmas of our lives over here.

A sweet smile after a day of fishing…

Fresh fish…enough for 4 bellies full…sort of forgot to take that picture. It was delicious.

There are many more things to smile about, laugh about, ponder with contentment…I’m daring myself to be happy. I double-dog dare you to do the same. Take a mental snapshot of all the things that speak joy to you and your heart will thank you for it.

Today, THIS is what I read after posting (I have to start reading BEFORE posting! ): Words from my Yogi green tea: Let your mind dance with your body.

Ok, then. I like that.

***Check out Cate’s wonderful blog~ WildRuffle~ it’s an awesome fashion blog. I have the honor of being featured on there today, regarding Cate’s pop-up shop coming up on Nov. 5th. More details to come on that! You’ll love Cate’s blog!***

Posted in Fall, Grateful Heart, Sept 2011, Winter | 8 Comments »

You Can’t Make Me

September 19, 2011

You know I’m a normally upbeat person, right? For the most part, I can usually put the positive spin on something and actually believe it. I like living life that way. I believe that positivity and a grateful heart about everything can make sadness wash away in the sand.

I realize there are snags along the way~ don’t get me wrong. But, I’m learning to enjoy life and all the beauty in it, regardless of the hardships that are there and it sure does make me a happier person.

However…there’s one thing that is holding me up lately and I’m not used to my obstinance coming out in such full force.

I apologize in advance if I offend you. Tomorrow this will be a lovely place to come again, OK?

Here it is:

I am not happy about Fall and you can’t make me get happy about it.

This is not an invitation for you to tell me all that you adore about it~ I get it, I really do.

I like the beautiful changing leaves.

The excuse for more hot chai.

Happy pumpkins making their way to my table and front porch…

The brisk days and the chilly nights.

Pulling out my favorite sweaters and pulling the sleeves all the way over my fingers as far as they will go…

Morning dew on the windows and grass…

A slight fog over the lakes…

The harvest moon

Apples in abundance

The squirrels gathering their acorns…

Smells of pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg…

I see it all and I appreciate it. I truly do. But it means something that I simply cannot look forward to: Winter.

And for that, I cannot get on board with the adulation regarding Fall. I will listen to you go on about it, but I will not join in. I cannot.

This is the reality of Winter for me…and even sometimes, Fall…

Sick children~ this is reason enough for me.

Unpredictability~ it’s bearable one day and zero degrees the next.

Asthma trouble

At least 5 months of snow never leaving…

Seasonal Affective Disorder/Depression

Claustrophobia clenching my chest from the 12 foot piles of snow that build up everywhere.

Being cold in your bones…

This list is shorter in number, but you can feel the weight of each one, can’t you.

I used to love Winter, but the last handful of years have taken me to the dark side~ I think maybe since the winter Indigo was born and nearly died. Winter means being scared about his health and trying to keep us all healthy.

Anyway, if you’re still reading this mess, sorry to bring you down. I just had to get it off my chest. I guess I am trying to prepare for what is coming and need to brace myself. I know I will have to get a better attitude to survive this in good shape, but I am not there yet.

I promise not to go on all the time about Winter when we get there. I will make that vow to you now and really try to uphold it. I will also do my best to enjoy it and see the beauty…BUT come next Spring, I will come alive and in the Summer, there will be no end to my happiness.

The End.

Oh dear. After posting, I came across this~

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but
only what is helpful for building others up according to their
needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
— Ephesians 4:29

Oops, back to the drawing board for me.

Posted in Confession is Good for the Soul, Fall, Sept 2011, Winter | 22 Comments »