Arrows, Angels, Chickens, And Autumn

Wow, if that title didn't catch your attention, what would?

Bear with me.


This seemed to be a banner week of 'stuff' on the calendar. Sure, not a full calendar like some of you Super Woman moms of many, but one full of activity for our household.

September somehow managed to slip away without so much as a backward glance. October came in and took its place, reminding me that chilly, rainy days are bound to happen whether we had outside plans or not.

Somehow there never seems to be enough time in the autumn days.

Being the hearty type, we roll with it and pretend that winter will never come. This year autumn will miraculously last forever and henceforth roll right into spring.

Never mind. Ignorance is bliss.

It was a good week here.

A quick afternoon homeschooling event got us outdoors on a windy, chilly day when I'd rather be sipping my pumpkin spice coffee.

I'm glad we did go, as it proved to be a good time.

As always, the cast of characters were willing. The girls are just silly these days. The facial expressions are those worn only by crazy toddlerkins.

I can't help but laugh.

It was an Archery in the Park event hosted by an area State Park. It was a free educational event for homeschoolers that day and we attended with our homeschool group.

Trying archery was on Lily's bucket list. Check.

Any guesses as to what was added to their Christmas list?

Thanks to Patty sharing her Guardian Angel craft post, I was actually ahead of the game and prepared for the feast day yesterday. These are the little girls' projects. The angel wings are a little more like "put your hands up!" and the angel expressions more like "oh my, what are you doing to me??" The girls also agreed that the angels needed legs, perhaps many legs.

These most definitely will be treasured.

I also whipped up an Angel Food cake (just happened to have a box mix on hand) and Lily prepared Fluffy Pudding Frosting to top it off. It was delicious and light, perfect for celebrating our celestial friends.

Finally, around the house there are more signs of the season adorned in tones of orange, red, and brown.

Outdoors, yesterday was wet and cool here, but late afternoon caught glimpses of sunlit beauty.

Our feathered companions are growing and taking over the yard. They are 'free range' chickens which pretty much means they missed the memo I sent: 

No chickens in the front yard. No chickens in my flowerbeds or terraces.

We'll see who has the last laugh when some of them are in my freezer. Your time will come, chickens. Your time will come.

The trees are shades of perfect autumn, but the usual fall wind has scattered many leaves throughout the yard. Each year there's a sadness when those colorful leaves fall to the ground. It's the passage of time, the spring and summer past, the anticipated goodbye. It leaves only the naked trees to behold out my window. 

There has to be a winter before there can be another spring. It's just the way of things. I guess I wouldn't appreciate the autumn leaves, if not for the barren winter, the new growth of spring and the warmth of summer.

May your enjoyment of autumn wherever you are bring you happiness and contentment.

I intend on sitting back and enjoying another cup of coffee (with pumpkin spice creamer, of course) as often as I can. I hope you get the chance to do the same.

Happy Weekend! 

Happy Autumn!

Happy October!

Weekend Scenes {Autumn}

 

While we're gearing up for 60 and 70 degree days this week, last week we felt the autumn chill. The crisp air, the cooler mornings, the return to school and the dwindling garden are reminders that fall has arrived.


Our weekend was one of embracing the season, family time and celebrating. Just the way we like it.

Friday evening we went to a Fall Kickoff event with the (new) homeschool group we joined mid-year last year. We attended one or two group events last spring, but not much. The kids have had some interactions with some members of the group as there is some overlap in the members also being in the same 4H group they are in. We planned that intentionally when we joined.

I must say here that Friday evening was a blessing and what I needed. I was quite apprehensive prior to the event on Friday. I just didn't know how I'd/we'd fit in, if it was going to be like our past group and how/if we'd find a new home in this group. We all agreed as we drove home that night that it had been a good time. Each one of us felt welcomed, invited, wanted. From the moment we stepped out of our vehicle, in the line waiting for food, running around in the yard, or just sitting around with the moms, we were introduced, people talked to us and they made us feel needed there. If you have ever been in a group (not just a homeschooling one) that has been less than friendly and you'e struggled to fit in, you know where I'm coming from.

With that, again I'll say that Friday evening was the perfect way to start our very nice weekend.

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On Saturday we had plans to have my parents over as a pre-birthday celebration for Lily. Her birthday isn't until next Sunday, but we'll be busy Saturday and heading out of town on her birthday.

The biggest plan on the agenda was a huge right of passage, if you will. Lily was going to get her ears pierced. *yikes* She'd been talking and asking about it for months and we kept pushing it off. During the summer we decided that we'd move up the age limit we once talked about (13) and consider them when she was 12. Being that we'll be leaving to go out of town, we moved it up to this past weekend so it fit our plans better.

Just as I went to get mine pierced (I think I was 13) with my maternal grandma, Lily wanted my mom to join us for the big event.

She handled it really well and hardly flinched. I was pretty concerned since Lily isn't real pain tolerant. She was a tough cookie. She looked pretty nervous as the lady was getting everything ready and she was acting like she was fine. Being her mom though, I knew that the almost constant jiber-jabber from my girl was her way of keeping her mind off of what was about to happen.

Afterward she said it wasn't that bad and she survived. Hooray!

Once we heading back home, we enjoyed homemade pizza with my parents for supper. Lily's choice instead of cake (she doesn't like frosting) was homemade apple pie. Hubby was kind enough to clear his afternoon to whip up the pizza and the apple pie. Delicious.

As always, a visit with Papa and Grams always puts smiles on our faces. It was a very good day and a very special day. Man, I cannot believe Lily is almost TWELVE. I feel old now.

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Sunday we declared family hiking day and headed out just after Mass and brunch. We drove close to 40 minutes away to Inspiration Peak, the highest point in Minnesota. It's a beautiful view at the top and a woodsy journey up there.

At the top, you can see for miles. My camera just can't do it justice. In another week or two the fall colors would be just glorious to view from the peak.

The kids enjoy the downhill descent, but little ones need a hand to hold on to with it being so steep.

Our next stop was a State Park about 20 minutes away. Even making the miles to trek there is beautiful this time of year. Taking in the scenery and all your eyes can survey when your heart is being grateful, really takes your breath away.

We had been to this particular State Park last fall with friends and our kids had a blast. We knew we needed to get there again this year. We hit the wooded trails and probably meandered through at least a couple miles worth of bountiful trees with acorns popping beneath our feet as we made each step.

The autumn air wasn't too chilly and the sunlight peaking through the trees above made for the perfect fall scene.

And photos.

The crew, giving into mom's need for lots of photos to remember our day together. 

All smiles as we finish out the weekend.

I hope your autumn weekend was a wonderful one, wherever you are in the autumn spectrum.

Tonight I sip on pumpkin spice cappuccino while huddled on the couch in my fuzzy robe. 

Tomorrow we hit the books again and plan ahead for some time away and more birthday celebrating next week. 

Thankful Thursday

Joining in with Jamie's wonderful idea to bring back Thankful Thursday. A great reminder to be grateful for the big and small things that make up our week.


I'm thankful for....

Autumn in MN

Fun in the leaves

Children cheerfully playing

And simply enjoying

Precious children who don't mind having their picture taken

Friends who come to visit

And of course, a husband who works hard and most often misses out on all of this fun.

Autumn Daybook

For Today...10.5.10

Outside My Window...in the 40's this morning and it's suppose to be in the lower 70's today. Windy too, which means many of the trees are becoming quite bare already.

I Am Thinking...about baby names, how this baby will look when she/he is born and what it will feel like when I hold them in my arms for the first time. aaahhhh....

I Am Thankful For...crisp autumn air and the colorful leaves on the trees that are quickly covering the ground they fall upon.

I Am Praying...for an uneventful second half of this pregnancy and a change in my body that will allow for the possibility of more babies in the future.

I Am Reading...The Promise of Lumby by Gail Fraser

Around The House...leaves, pumpkins and scarecrow decor; Laughter and fun with our out-of-state friends.

From The Schoolroom...lighter days at the desk and more time out and about with our guests.

From The Kitchen...Tator Tot hotdish; Spaghetti & Meatballs; Cream of Chicken/Wild Rice Soup

For The Rest of The Week...more visiting; dentist appointments for the kids and I; a local fire station tour with our homeschool group on Friday; extended family annual hayride on Saturday.

One Of My Favorite Things...feeling more active by walking and doing my Wii Fit again since being taken off of bed rest restrictions. Hooray!

Picture Thought I Am Sharing...




Read more Daybooks over at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Wordless Wednesday: Silly & Sweet

All Hallow's Eve

Here's our All Hallow's Eve in photos. Not much to say, just that it was simple, delightful fun with family.

My Angel & Pirate, ready for Trick-or-Treating:

Our Trick-or-Treaters:

(That's our nephew and his wife, along with their daughter. Soon to be our newest neighbors, just down the road from us. Mommy & Daddy are tourists in Australia and Miss Cutie Pie is a kangaroo. Aren't they cute??)

Black Cat Cake:

After 'Black Cat Cake':

Scary, huh?

Wordless Wednesday

Hi Lo: October 16th

HI's:

1. Reed's family holds an annual family hayride in October and we had that last weekend. Not everyone can attend, but those of us who do usually have a pretty good time. We finish the evening with a potluck too. Good conversation and fun. A niece of ours was home from college for the weekend, so I was able to chat with her. That's always a hoot. She makes me laugh all the time. Thanks Hannah!

2. Due to Columbus Day, Reed was home from work on Monday. I scheduled meeting a new friend for coffee that morning. Good conversation, good coffee and good break for mommy.

3. I got back on the exercise wagon that I fell off of some time ago. It helped me remember how good I do feel when I make the time for it. I need to also remember that although I don't need to do it for weight loss, I need to do it for continued health. Hopefully I can get back into a good routine of it again.

4. We started our Little Flowers group this week! Inspired by Jessica all last year when she shared about their group, I decided to offer it for our homeschool group. I couldn't have been nearly as efficient without Jessica's help. Thanks Jessica! I'm leading the group and we only have 6 members this year, but I think all of us had a good time. I was so busy I only got a photo or two, maybe I can capture a few more next meeting.



LO's:

1. We're receiving SNOW here off and on this week. *yuck* It's always WAY TOO EARLY for it, especially when it arrives before my birthday later this month. I'm still hoping for one more warm up yet. I'm probably crazy for being so naive.

2. Under that snow are still a ton of leaves that need to be dealt with and my perennials still aren't covered. I'm hoping that the possible forecast of a warm up for the weekend happens and I can at least take care of those two projects. (If not, I'll be the crazy lady out in the yard shoveling snow away in order to get to the leaves and plants so that I can cross those jobs off my fall to-do list!)

3. Due to the colder weather, I decided it was time to put the flannel sheets on our bed. And that's all I have to say about that.



How was your week? What were your Highs and Lows? Colleen shares hers every week too! Read them here.

Have a great weekend!

What A Difference A Day Makes

Friday, the autumn colors at their 'peak':







And yes, those photos were taken while driving on the freeway. Ahem, don't try that at home.(In my defense, I made sure I wasn't in heavy traffic or any cars near me at the time. And I slowed down too. Just had to mention it.)

Saturday morning, after the temps. dipped into the 20's and the leaves all came fluttering down:







All of this is a reminder to us Minnesotans that we enjoy every day and the weather we receive, because you never know what tomorrow will bring.

Because They Just HAD To...

...Get out into the first snowfall of the season. In FULL winter gear!

This is Minnesota My Friends. Expect the unexpected.

Hi Lo: October 9th

HI's:

1. My grandpa turned 90 last weekend and a whole bunch of family helped him celebrate. We were able to join them and I had the chance to visit with some family members I haven't seen in awhile. So much fun! Papa looked like he had a lot of fun and still looked like a chipper spring chicken for sure.

2. Lily & Jonah had a check up at the dentist this week. NO cavities! Hooray! Both kids have strong, healthy teeth and the dentist was impressed.

3. The fall colors have emerged around here and I have been taking notice. We took a walk in them the other day, but I've had the chance to do some driving this week that has allowed me to see so many more. My eyes are simply delighted. Words cannot explain how abundant and vibrant they are. I'm hoping to take some more photos over the weekend to share with you.

4. After seeing several commercials lately for Nutella, I decided that we needed to add it to our pantry. It just sounded so darn good and I couldn't figure out why I hadn't ever tasted it before. While on a Target run, I found it for under $3. Not bad. I agree with the commercials, because seriously it IS as good as they claim. I just shouldn't have turned around the container to read the calories.

5. Today is my parents' 33rd wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary Dad and Mom!! Love you!


LO's:

1. While the tree colors are striking, we've had some icky weather that proceeded them. It's been cold, windy and rainy here. A true Minnesota autumn. Not that bad and easy to accept when you focus on the tree colors and not the inevitable white flakes that will begin to fall in their own good time.

2. With the rain comes the mud. With mud comes kids in mud. A combination I absolutely despise. I refuse to wash their jackets one more time this week!


What were your Highs and Lows this week? Hopefully you are enjoying your autumn, wherever you are. Have a great weekend!

Wordless Wednesday: Autumn Amble