Super Sunday

Make that Saturday, too. The weekend was so wonderful- the weather, the beauty, the fun. My honey got home late Friday night from Alaska and had lots to share with us. Not getting much sleep, we got up early Saturday morning to host the running group we belong to at our house. That meant posting signs and color-coding maps to reflect three fall-filled running courses. Runners showed up like the cars in Field of Dreams. They just kept coming and coming down the long, lonely road. The kids had so much fun handing out maps and offering water bottles. As soon as everyone took off, I scooted to the kitchen to get breakfast going- I am amazed that we pulled off cooking for 25-30 people.

When the mess cleared we hopped into the car to the local farm and pumpkin patch to get some hot cider and freshly baked donuts. (Not recommended for the one who didn't run and stayed home to cook, oops!) We grew our own pumpkins this year but it's still fun to wander the patch.

And for the rest of the day, I got my much needed mommy break and went to a scrapbooking crop. Six hours of laughing and being creative did me just fine.

Sunday was a prize winner. Warmer temps and sun felt oh-so-good. We spent much of the day outside. My daughter and I had the best adventure walking down to the river and letting the dog swim. That is until Belle got a little too friendly with some fly-fishermen and we had to play Lewis and Clark trekking on river rocks to retrieve my non-obedient retriever. Our stint on the rocks found us hopping awkwardly over slippery stones a good distance until we found a new semi-cleared trail to get back to the road.

We made it back to find the boys having their own expedition in the creek. Sailing leaves down the fast current and collecting lady bugs seemed to be the theme. We stayed out for a few more hours working and playing until our neighbor beckoned us over for some lovely cheese and wine and to take in the sunset.

I know we're relishing all of these Autumnal days in fear that they're numbered and soon the rains will set in. Today is going to be another warm one- perhaps school should move outside??

There was quite a story that went with these leaves- I mean boats.

Now that's a pumpkin. My ninety-something year old neighbor grew this one in his garden. It's not for us-we just hitched a ride.

Okay, corn has been gone from our garden a long time- why does the farm still have it? Why haven't the raccoons got crazy over there?

Not sure if this is the right way to "pick a pumpkin"??

Halloween Houses- The Copy Cat Version

Loved this idea from the Crafty Crow- here's our rendition. They were fun to work on but the most fun was had by listening to "Sounds of the Seasons" on cable and laughing at the goofy music (some of it was not music- just screams). The favorite of the day...The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out... All this fun was backed up by mom opening the Halloween candy bag and allowing budding artists try it out.

What an awesome idea to tape the sides for a nice, clean border.

There were three spooky houses in the works but one artist abandoned his post. Flaky artists :)...

Writing Prompts

Sometimes you need to play in the leaves for hours on end (four for the record) in order to feel inspired. Coming in from outside, leaves tangled in her hair, my daughter quick grabbed a pencil and paper and went to work.

Leaves are beautiful yellow and brown,
Fall is no reason to wear a frown.
Playing and watching the leaves fly by,
Fall is the season for pumpkin pie.
Acorns and nutshells and squirrels in the trees,
Standing in Autumn's cold blowing breeze.
Jumping in leaves and for all of those reasons,
Fall is simply my favorite season.

Taken by my daughter while laying on the ground looking up toward the sky. I love a child's perspective.

Throwing leaves up over and over and over again. It never got old.

Another Delivery

I have this great neighbor who goes to eastern Washington to visit his children who, to my benefit, have fruitful farms. This time he brought back red pears. Red pears! I've never even heard of them before. And they are just as delicious as can be.

Harvest Time

After co-op yesterday we spent the afternoon in the garden harvesting squash, onion, carrot, pumpkin and corn stalks. These are beautiful days my friends...

I hate spiders but I still admire their work. Look at this sac!

Autumn Again

Yesterday the rains came hard at times. We all watched out the window as leaves swirled through the wind like magic. "Look, mom!" they yelled several times. Such an awesome sight to see gold and red flying all around with a dark sky backdrop. So while we kept shelter inside the entire day- I did snap these the other day while we planted tulip bulbs.

Saturday's Splendor

What a gorgeous weekend up here in the Pacific Northwest. We lucked out because today looks to be doom and gloom.

We found ourselves celebrating the little guy's birthday on the farm. It was the most perfect day- 60 degrees and sunny- just what you want for the Fall Harvest Festival.

The farm has a million scarecrows in every nook and corner. Behind us are The Wizard of Oz crows. Caw!

Don't you take the "cool bus" to school?

Speaking of school...there was education to be found! The old homestead house was full of period stuff to learn about. Behind it was the working farm, outhouse, water well and more. If I worked on the farm- that's where I would be. The lady in the rocking chair knitting and explaining what the Sears catalog was used for.

The daddy pile up.

Flying pumpkins. My kids went around and around more times that day. Between kettle corn, birthday cake and the rides-I am amazed no stomachs protested.

Don't Let Him Fool Ya

When asked how old he is, he tells everyone six...sometimes ten.
Don't let his savvy talk fool you- he's three. Officially.
Happy Birthday, Little Bear. We sure do love you.

The train cake last year was such a disaster, you would have thought the little guy made it himself. He wanted the same cake this year but this time mommy made it from scratch and noooo crazy frosting.

The Comforts of Fall

Because everyone else was baking pie....And between the acorn/spaghetti squash baking and the apples and cinnamon- my house smells divine.

After Apple Picking
by Robert Frost

My long two-pointed ladder's sticking through a tree
Toward heaven still.
And there's a barrel that I didn't fill
Beside it, and there may be two or three
Apples I didn't pick upon some bough.
But I am done with apple-picking now.
Essence of winter sleep is on the night,
The scent of apples; I am drowsing off.
I cannot shake the shimmer from my sight
I got from looking through a pane of glass
I skimmed this morning from the water-trough,
And held against the world of hoary grass.
It melted, and I let it fall and break.
But I was well
Upon my way to sleep before it fell,
And I could tell
What form my dreaming was about to take.
Magnified apples appear and reappear,
Stem end and blossom end,
And every fleck of russet showing clear.
My instep arch not only keeps the ache,
It keeps the pressure of a ladder-round.
And I keep hearing from the cellar-bin
That rumbling sound
Of load on load of apples coming in.
For I have had too much
Of apple-picking; I am overtired
Of the great harvest I myself desired.
There were ten thousand thousand fruit to touch,
Cherish in hand, lift down, and not let fall,
For all
That struck the earth,
No matter if not bruised, or spiked with stubble,
Went surely to the cider-apple heap
As of no worth.
One can see what will trouble
This sleep of mine, whatever sleep it is.
Were he not gone,
The woodchuck could say whether it's like his
Long sleep, as I describe its coming on,
Or just some human sleep.

Recess

When you have a glorious fall day with the sun shining down and the leaves screaming on trees, you must put down your pencil and go outside.

We went for a walk yesterday (my first walk since August!!) and stopped to sketch berries, leaves and the river. We found many mushrooms, spiders, snakes, and birds. We were so excited to hear and then see a red headed woodpecker, not native to these parts.

The squashes are all seasoned and in the oven baking this morning and the rain is swift and steady. Chances are there won't be a recess today like yesterday- but we'll keep close watch for the next one. Fall is such a cozy and welcoming time of year.

We found these maple leaf suckers in Canada- perfect for a walk through the trees!

New Issue

My article Running With the Big Dogs has been published. You can check it out here.

Have I mentioned that I miss running?

The Royal Vic

We're back from Canada and I'd like to say refreshed and relaxed- but not quite. Our time away was just too short and with having to be up early both days, we even lost sleep.

But it was fun.

The Royal Victoria Marathon was a great experience. So professionally put together and what great motivation with runners from all over the world. There were records broken that day, too. An 80 year old completed the marathon. A half marathoner ran after a double lung transplant. An older gentlemen finished his 500th marathon. Unbelievable to me. And boy did/do I want to run...

Still dark and almost ready to run. Brrrr.

Josh wasn't trying to break records- just having a good race.

Not sure what to do with my time, I sat on the steps of Parliment and watched and waited. What a beautiful spot.

We're Off

My husband and I are off for the weekend. Sadly I'll be on the sidelines cheering him on while he runs the half marathon. I was so looking forward to running this race.

I'm sure it will still be a lovely, much-needed weekend away. You have a wonderful one, too!

Off to the Farm

Just up the road is a terrific seasonal farm open for just a few months a year. With my mother visiting from Phoenix, we took her to see what real autumn is all about. Hay mazes, animals, a pumpkin patch, market, fresh apple cider, scare crow dress up, even a spot for a truck lovin' two year old to get lost for hours.

This weekend there will be live music, candy apples and promised sunshine- a great place to go back with a picnic.

Aracnophobia Strikes Again

My daughter casually mentioned the other day that there was a spider in her brother's room that she needed to go get. I think her words were, "Mom, go check out our new visitor"...

Did you hear me scream? Did you hear me yell that the spider could have eaten my baby's head it was so big??

"Muuuuuuther" my brave spider catcher moaned, "it's not poisonous- calm down".

As I jumped up and down having three cows, she scooped up the creature and took it about 2 miles out in the back yard (per my request).

Blah!

Grandma on Sonic Youth

Last night we rented a new release- Young at Heart. I have to tell you that I loved, loved, loved this film.

If you like the elderly and you're into music, you must go rent it this weekend.

If I make it to my 80's you'll know where to find me.

Soggy Salmon

We have Salmon Days up here. This year it rained so hard the salmon could almost leave the hatchery and come join the festival in the streets. Not only did it pour down but it blew sideways, too. Winds picked up at times so fiercely that vendors had to hold their tents down so they wouldn't blow over.

Salmon Days is a big deal. It's huge. One would need the whole weekend to see all that's offered. We set out early so that we could see the parade kick off. Being "early" got us a parking space about 6 blocks away. (So much fun for a girl on crutches). Spirits were high when we got there with our friends. The kids could see off in the distance all the climbing walls and fun things to do. It was barely drizzling-we could handle that.

Within fifteen minutes the picture changed and we were soaked, absolutely drenched. Between the wind and the rain we could hardly hear eachother "Back to the car!" I yelled.

So sadly we didn't get to see the many, many fun sights. I suppose next year we'll be more prepared. (Two umbrellas for 6 children and 3 adults doesn't do a whole bunch!)

Check out this bald eagle. He's enormous! My daughter thinks he's wearing blinders so that he stays calm and doesn't eat all the spawning salmon.

Here we are, hiding under the library awning. Couldn't have wet corn.

Back to the car, changed into a dry coat and shirt but still have dripping hair, running mascara, and very wet pants. Can you say hot shower??

The Feasts Flew By

And we didn't do all that we intended. We didn't get to making bird feeders for the feast of St. Francis-nor did we get our pets blessed. We didn't even finish watching our movie St. Therese.

But we did read stories about angel encounters, prayed the Guardian Angel prayer, made angel food cake and these. They are 100% child driven, which I love.

Prayers Please

Please pray for a miracle for Joe. He and his wife, Debby, own and run a little gym out of their home. At the moment Joe is losing his battle with cancer and they are trying to keep him alive until he and Debby's twins are born in April.

Please pray for fortitude to carry on with hope for the future and for compassion and understanding as Joe carries his cross. Please keep Debby in your prayers as well- I cannot relate to the depths of fear and pain she is going through.

St. Peregrine and St. Rita, pray for us...

The Guardian

Who doesn't love angels? I have devoured all things angel for years. I love to hear personal stories and I like to share them, too.

When I was in my early 20's, I lived in an apartment by myself for the first time in Kansas City. I thought my meager pay was a big deal and I drove a modest car that was an even bigger deal to me.

One cold winter night I was driving through a part of the city that very few people live in. It was an industrial area, run down and dark. Zipping along the highway under a bridge, heat blasting, music playing- everything came to a slow halt. The road was empty as my little car died in the middle. Sudden chill crept in and back in those days I had no cell phone. I sat there for a minute in the dark and the quiet and muttered some panicked words. Not remembering specifics- it was probably something like, "Oh God, what do I do??".

In my rear view mirror I saw the lights. Coming up behind me slowly. I didn't see police lights on top and I got scared. Really scared. A person got out and I couldn't tell if they were man or woman. "Why don't you warm up in my car until help comes" the voice said. And I did it. I didn't even think twice. In my normal, everyday life I would never do anything like that. I would sit and freeze in the car rather than go with a stranger. Was I just young and naive??

Sitting in the woman's car (yep, determined the sex) I kept my eyes straight forward-focusing on my dead car ahead of us. She was a smoker and the air was thick mixed with the heat. Country music played on the radio. I haven't got a clue how the tow truck arrived nor how long it took. I have very little memory of this night. But I do recall something terribly relevant. As I was bailing out of this woman's car that night she said, "Oh, let me give you my card". I accepted the card, thanked her profusely and went on my way. In the safety of my apartment that night I read the business card. The mystery woman owned an angel store many, many miles away. At that moment, it all became clear.

Happy Feast of the Guardian Angels to all!

So Long Sunflowers

Part of me felt sorrowful as I worked my way through the garden like it was a jungle. Raccoons have been knocking down corn cobs and weeds have taken over my once succulent spinach. My chamomile has gone away even though I need it most these days. The potatoes have all been eaten and the carrots, too. The onions are sparse and the beans are on their last leg. And those sunflowers that smiled at me every day this summer from my window, now lay like felled trees on a logger run. What was once clean rows of soil awaiting their crop now looks like a hurricane went through.

With one exception...the squash. The zucchini and acorn and spaghetti and pumpkin. It's officially fall both on the calendar and out in the yard. And for that I am grateful.

So long sunflowers and bees- hello to all the familiar fall feelings that come with pumpkins.

Planning on Planning

I'm trying so hard this school year to plan ahead of time. I have my cute, little binder chocked full of activities for each month. There are crafts and recipes and book lists that follow the liturgical calendar as well as seasonal activities.

What's the problem, you ask? You sense a "but" coming? My dilemma is that the day creeps up on me before I'm ready. I forget to look ahead in my book. I forget to pick up supplies and order books through the library. I must get better at planning so that half way through the day I don't say, "Oh no, it's St. Michael's feast day and I forgot to buy the angel food cake!"

So while I'm busy clearing my desk and looking ahead in the planner, I'll leave you with these on-the-ball women and their great ideas. Jessica has her whole week planned out celebrating St. Therese, the guardian angels and more. For a cozy and creative week, take a peek at Dawn's post. And I'm sure that there are many more that I "plan" on visiting soon.