katiemae_days

and we raised our hands to the sun....

Ah we're back my girl and I from a beautiful, all-too-quick trip to Florida. Thanksgiving is my family's time to gather, celebrate and reunite. We meet in Florida because most everyone lives there. This time of year in my family is a sacred place in time. Renewing, fortifying, empowering is the time in being together.

Each night during or after our Thanksgiving meal, we go around the room and say what we are thankful for. All thirty so of us. Beautiful are these moments.

I look to my parents now in their eighties and relish every moment with them. I am honored to look to these two incredible people who raised their seven children and instilled such a sense of family in our hearts. I am grateful for my brothers who are salt of the earth each one, full of integrity and wisdom. I am thankful for my sister and sisters-in-law who for me bypass any in-law designation. I am grateful for the next generation in my nieces and nephews and all that I learn from them. I am grateful as my family continues to grow through marriage and new birth. I am grateful that with my family, I am always at home.

There are a lot of us and being with a big bunch can be overwhelming. What is most special I think are the intimate moments. A walk on the beach, a quiet talk. Seeing my girl play in delight with her cousins and uncles and aunties; Or knitting along side her older cousin and then crawling into her lap in the sun. I am grateful as I see the joy in my sweet dear father's face as he stands before us to give thanks. I am grateful as I see my mother strong and true still putting this beautiful tradition together.   These moments, every single one of them are precious. I know this. 

Another beautiful element in our time together is when the women in my family gather on the beach and celebrate one another. From ten months to eight-five, there are three generations of women connected. We share our strength, our dreams, growth and challenges, our thoughts, gratitude and our quiet. The time is sacred to be sure. We remind one another of our connection as women and as sisters generation to generation. We learn from one another. I look to my mother, our elder, to my sisters and nieces, to my daughter. I am amazed and honored we experience this together.

We were blessed this year to have a beautiful, chilly day for our circle in the sand. We raised our hands to the sun and gave thanks to the elements. We sent light to one anothe and to the outer circle beyond this circle in the sand. Every year our circle grows.

My niece took this picture of my girl and her cousin looking to the ocean. An image so precious to me. This is family. Connection. And for this, I feel so deeply grateful for our time together.

a week of firsts part one

I had intentions of writing this post yesterday on the actual first day of first grade but the day got away and for that matter the night too.

Part One in the Week of Firsts: My girl started first grade yesterday! She has been thrilled about  becoming a first-grader for weeks. Anticipating who her teacher might be or what it would be like to play on the playground or go to lunchroom. And then of course there was the back-to-school shopping for supplies and a special first day dress. Clearly, an adventure unto its own.I realize as I delve into the pre-first grade preparation, I never wrote about any of this until now. So bear with me please as I review the Pre-First Grade Lessons presented before me in the last few weeks.

Pre-First Grade Lesson # 1: School Supplies

Lesson number one for next year. Wait until the school's meet and greet to get the actual supply list from the actual teacher. I thought it a cool albeit sly marketing strategy for our somewhat local big-box retailer to make school supply lists available back in July. They were organized neatly right next to the supply aisles. Point of sales tactic I knew but I fell prey in part due to my own excitement and remembering of my early days supply shopping with my mom. For me, the greatest thrill came when my mom finally caved and bought me "The Organizer" by Mead the latest greatest notebook circa 1972 I'm guessing. The Organizer was made I think of three pieces of cardboard covered in plastic of varying color or design.  I remember belaboring over which design to get finally choosing a green plaid. Oh the delight of plasticated cardboard to my second-grader self. I couldn't have been more thrilled to have the same notebook as the other kids in class.

On shopping day, my girl, my sister and I went together to the Mall, a place I rarely go.  I was proud to remember to bring the prescribed list with me. My girl helped check off each item we tossed into our cart: pencils, markers, the "Pink Pearl" eraser, colored pencils, folder, spiral with wide lines and a supply box. Now the supply box really threw me, There were two sizes and no specifications on the generic list. So, I called my mom-who is also a teacher-friend and asked her for advice. 8 1/2 x 5  inch in case you're wondering. Mission accomplished, supplies purchased. So in the end generic compared to the actual supply list her actual teacher gave us last week, we overbought just a little but really that was just fine as we donated the extra to the classroom.

Pre-First Grade Lesson #2: The Backpack

Choosing just the right backpack took some time. There were tears shed over the backpack for sure. Lands End no longer offering the color she wanted or me not want or LL Bean not yet having available the pack she wanted. We talked about perspective believe me. In the end, we found a rockin good LL Bean pack on ebay in great condition. We saved money and  we reused, recycled and re-purposed something. And my girl got the pack she wanted and I think or at least I hope learned something about perspective. We bought a few patches that she arranged and I put on and the pack was her own.   The pack is supposedly designed for little  kids, 5-8 but this sturdy piece of canvas is huge. My girl is petite yes, but this thing is one-half her size I think. Luckily, she leaves supplies at school so there's nothing too heavy inside. And the bottom line so far, she loves it.

 

Pre-First Grade Lesson #3: The Lunchbox

Getting a new luncbox for first grade just seemed like the right thing to do. I wanted my girl to feel like she was ready and had the tools to feel most comfortable in her new surrounds. I remembered back to my early school days when I had to carry my brother's hand-me-down, workman style grey plastic lunchbox. Nothing short of mortifying. I begged I'm sure for a regular lunchbox for weeks and weeks until once again my mother finally caved and treated me tot a painted-metal Peanuts lunchbox. Lead Paint who know about that stuff then! I was in heaven.

The stipulation I had as my girl and I researched lunchboxes is that we make an environmentally good purchase. The box can be cute but we gotta be green. Too much waste around plastic bags. We mutually decided on the "Laptop Lunch" Bento system. These stylin, efficient lunch box systems are lead-free, bhp-free and whatever else-free plastic and maybe even recycled. The investment is not cheap but they seem sturdy and I figured we'd save on the recycled natural wax bags and plastic bags we used to prep lunches past. The colors are fun and they help us work towards zero waste. Let's face it her dad will eat any food left over. And how was the Bento on the first day? Well she helped pack her lunch and was thrilled for that alone. She didn't touch but a few bites of food yesterday because "Mama, lunch was so fast and fun" and I am sure she was having a ball talking but she liked her lunchbox.Hopefully today she eats more.

Pre-First Grade Lesson #4: First Grade Eve

The thrill of first-grade lasted until the eve before her first day...at 7:00 pm, nerves set in. "Mama, what if someone is mean?" "How will I know where to put my backpack?, Lunchbox?" "Mama, I'm scared."

Guess what I was nervous too but I didn't tell her that. I just listened to her and held her and we talked about those nerves. I shared my memories of the first day of school for me way back when and for that matter stories of many of my first days: teaching, learning, counseling. On the first day of starting anything new, I most always have felt nervous, anxious and yes scared sometimes. I reminded my girl that the other first-graders may be just as nervous as she and even her teacher may have a slight case of the nerves. We opened her window and altogether we blew her out her worries. That all seemed to make her feel a little better that and some soothing music before bed.

Pre-First Grade Lesson #5: First Grade Here We Come!

By morning, she was thankfully well-rested and ready to don her special new school dress her auntie purchased for her and new shoes we scored on clearance. She chose a hair-style. This hair-style thing is big on its own. My girl is thrilled to have hair long enough now to braid like her hero Laura Ingalls Wilder thought not yet as long as we imagine helrs to have been. She opted for a braid on either side her head with the rest of her hair hanging down. I took maybe 75 shots of my proud girl that covered moments with her papa, donning her new backpack, finishing her breakfast, sitting in her seat on the way to school, standing in front of her new school, holding hands with her dear buddy who is thankfully also her classmate as they headed into school for the first time and then in the classroom of course. I took so many shots because I wanted to capture everything. And I am not sure about anything yet when it comes to my new camera. That's right. I did it. I took a huge, step and bought a DSLR. A Canon Rebel XS to be exact. And I guess I didn't really buy it yet since I took advantage for the first time of paying on a 18-month, no-interest same as cash plan. Pardon me as I digress over my CAMERA that I am THRILLED about but more on that in "A Week of Firsts Part Two." 

So, off she went into her classroom. We hugged tight and I whispered a few parting words of encouragement before a final morning wave and kiss. I must tell you, I was anything but relaxed inside yesterday. I was so excited to pick her up after school, hoping that little face would be revealing signs of a very good day. We left her in smiles and full of nervous energy. I wondered ...all day...is she ok? is she happy? Is she feeling comfortable? Did her Lunchbox spill? Oh as big as Kindergarten felt last year, moving into a bigger school felt huge to me and seeing my girl with her ever-so big backpack on her back shocked me into the knowing that she is growing and fast, becoming her own more and more.

Whooosh..Big day for the mama here and I'm sure the Papa too. By day's end when we picked her up, she was all smiles and told me she loved her day. With our neighbor friends, we took the girls for ice cream to celebrate. At dinner, we asked about her day and she was thrilled to provide every detail. They met the lunch staff, played on the playground, started two art projects and learned to use their planners. She discussed her homework which consists of reading 15 minutes each night. That alone thrilled my girl. She loves her teacher reporting she is soooo nice and she said hello to some new friends. She was beaming and I tell you so was I from the inside out.

I know there will be all sorts of days to come good and tough but for day one I could not ask for more. I am proud of this girl forging ahead and giving a new scene a whirl.

And here we are on day two. I came home from my workout this morning to find her reading in bed. She said she was excited about the day but starting to feel a few second-day nerves only because the teacher might change seats around today. We encouraged her to forge on ahead and feel her power, use her heart to reach out and meet somebody new and enjoy the seat mix.

As for me on day two, I'm procrastinating a little doing some work I must do. I am wondering how she is doing but feeling a little less anxious today. Just a little. I was happy to talk to a very dear friend today who took her fourth-grader and first-grader to school today and she reminded me the worry, the nerves never really stop because we love our children, we want the best for them, we want them to be happy, to thrive, for things not to be so hard for them.

Happy Firsts to All of You.

beauty that is....

loving:

the light after a good hard rain

variation in color illuminated

sounds of laughter and joy on the move

three little ones running through the woods in search of eggs, eggs and more eggs

time organic, nothing planned

 this beautiful day spent with dear friends and family

children at play imagination alive

papas napping watching golf

morning, afternoon, evening woven, flowing

loving and grateful for what is..

the food we share

the ease we feel

just being

and letting each other be

nothing more, nothing less

just what is

yes

gratitude

the weekend and what i love

Loving:

1. Tulips. For me, a sign that Spring is coming even if a couple of months away. For now though, Spring appears our dining room table.my favorite color.

2. Handmade cards, using what we have, scraps and paints and pastels, markers and crayons and seeing where freeing our creative minds and hearts goes

3. My girl in her tights and boots. oh yes, how I wished they made these in my size! But more, I love her free spirit mixing and matching to her hearts content. Free and Easy!

4. This picnic bench in our neighbor's yard. I just like it. Feels old and good to me.

5. Receiving a bounty of amazing crocheted hats for Warmth for Washington, thanks to the creative and giving hands of Mia over at Homespun Helpers

6. A completely relaxing Saturday. A walk to town with my girl to pick a special Valentine's chocolate, locally made, for her and one wee one for her Papa.

7. Family ski day! What a great day. Grateful I was to feel so in sync with the three of us riding the chair together and skiing down. The Papa is not always free from work to spend the whole day playing let alone skiing up at the mountain nearby. Hearing the laughter and joy from my girl as she blazed down the hill with her Papa and Mama in tow, yes this I love.

8. The mountains. Beauty to behold, stopping to just look at these majestic and grand peaks and all kids of gratitude about where we live.

9. My girl ready for the day. A full day of skiing ahead(and it proved to be). We skiied until the lifts closed!

our stories....

So for two days now, I've been listening to "StoryCorps". I might be one of the last to catch the "StoryCorps" train but now that I've hopped aboard, I'm so grateful I did. And if you've not yet had a listen well please do. One of the things I know I love is listening to stories, asking questions(when appropriate of course).

People have said to me "you should be a talk-show host",  I know because I tend to ask lots of questions. I do because I am curious about people on so many levels, the big picture and the finer details. I want to know stuff like how they came to be where they are today. How they met their partner if they're in a partnership. How they chose the work they do. Down to what they  ate for lunch and believe me I know that last one might sound strange but really its not when you know me and mind you, I save that for my closest friends. Its just I love having a snapshot of the interiors of one's daily living. I love understanding more about people and the stories that have shaped them.

I have not yet been a talk-show host nor do I necessarily see that but perhaps one day I can find a way to gather stories to share, to give people who want to share their stories a chance. I used to be a career counselor awhile back, work I loved, work that seemed to flow from my being freely, work that I felt one with. Why aren't I doing it anymore?  Well, because I wanted to stretch my muscles and bones in new directions. But what I loved most was the listening. The listening to stories from amazing people who through sharing and opening up journey down the path of self-discovery and empowerment. Its quite an honor to witness that growth in another.And its that listening to stories that I want to figure out how to weave in a new way.

So leading back to what I began writing about in the first place, StoryCorps...well I've fallen in love. I have been listening to dozens of these 2-3 minute pieces recorded all over the nation and am mesmerized by tales of struggle, growing up, love. Everyday people sharing momentous points of their lives. Today as I listened to grandchildren interview their grandparents I thought about my own grandparents who have now long passed but with whom I still feel such a deep connection. Each Sunday when I was a kid and Friday night, we went to their home and shared a meal. And each Sunday and Friday night, we asked the same stories and listened on the edge of our seats. We listened to our Papa as he told us of his and my Grandma's early days in the grocery business; or of their own childhood new to this country. Stories about their brothers and sisters, of their travels to Europe later on in their lives together; or about our father when he was a boy. It didn't matter how many times I heard any one of these stories, each time it was exciting and fresh because I tried to imagine their lives before the time I knew them.

And today while listening to the stories of people I've never met but whose lives have now touched me, I felt a deep pang of missing my Grandma and Papa as I would love to sit in a "StoryCorps" booth or in our living room, ask a few questions and listen.  I know I asked questions back then but now I guess I'd have a different perspective. I'd want to know about the first time they'd met. How they looked at one another. I'd want to know about their wedding day. I'd want to know more about what it was like living together, working together 7 days a week. And I would tell them again how important they are to me, how they have taught me so much and most defnitely shaped who I am, how their picture is in our girl's room and how I talk of them often to her and tell her of their goodness, integrity, love, hard-workingness and radiance.

I knew back then so well how hard they worked, how much and how deeply they loved one another. Today,  I daydreamed on what it would be like to ask them questions now. My grandmother died six years before my grandfather and he was heartbroken. But he carried on as he would say and he held my grandmother on high. When he passed at 93, what gave me and the rest of my family great peace in addition to knowing he'd lived a beautiful long life was that he would now be with my Grandma once again. I have dreamed of them dancing together now. I know they are. So while, I can't necessarily interview them now for "StoryCorps," I can interview my own parents for our own corps of stories. With them too, we ask loads of questions but I'm hoping to take their stories even further, write more down. Perhaps even record a few for the generations now and for those to come in our family. I've written my dear dad with whom I write almost every day and have asked him to work on this project with me.

And as for my stories, I am glad to share them as I can.  They are my history, evidence of what has shaped me so far. My girl just tonight was asking me about a certain time when I was a kid. As I recount my own stories, more memories come to light. I remember and I learn. This is a gift.

And there is the immeasureable gift that I am in the presence of this magical little one in my life with whom I am connected; learning more about her each day through her stories and sharing mine.

We spent the afternoon today at the park she and I. I felt myself relishing every moment of the joy between us. Her smile and laughter, my trying to get every bit of the afternoon on camera and her trying to escape that! And I felt layers and layers of gratitude for the very story we are living right now.

For the stories that teach us and touch us and make us who we are, I am so grateful.

a day in the snow....

Snow Day

Our phone rang very early this morning to let the teacher around here no...no school today! I woke up with the phone, glanced at the clock and somehow thought it was 6:30am. I got out of bed, hopped on the computer and happened to glance at the clock again only this time, I could see the numbers and it was  5:34 am! What can I say the 5 looked like a 6 on the clock in our bedroom. That was just a little too early to start my day today since I'd stayed up until almost 2 am working on cards, cleaning up address lists and listening sort-of-watching late-night TV. So I thought it wise to crawl back into bed and nestle under the covers for a couple more hours sleep. Only problem there, I couldn't sleep. I tried. I lay there, closed my eyes and when I did thought of all kinds of projects I wanted to do like make these. So I figured why not get up and just do it. And so I did. I baked Molasses Spice cookies early this morning and oh man they made the house smell really good. Molasses Spice cookies on a snowy morning just seemed like the right mix.

As I stepped out this morning, I thought it would be fun to document the snowfall throughout the day so I took photos every hour or so. We figure maybe 4 inches total by now. And just know 4 inches is big snow for this little town.

The snow came fast and sideways at points carried in by a light wind.  By mid-afternoon, we walked up to the Park just up the street from our house and went sledding with the neighbors. And in a surreal realization that I will share with you here..are you ready for this, I think this was the first time I'd ever been sledding. Really. I grew up in Florida so as a kid, well sledding just wasn't one of our regular wintertime activities. I went to college in the Midwest and lived in the Northeast but somehow I didn't make it sledding or if I did I guess I don't remember it and I dare not wonder why.

And this was a kick today. Ridin solo and then tandem with my girl and later with the Papa hootin and hollerin down the hill. Now this was some good free wheelin fun.  The "Yahoos" and belly laughs proved to be such a release for what I hadn't even realized needed releasing. After awhile and feeling quite chilled, I head home first and made a big hearty pot of whatever's-left-in-the-fridge-that-needs-eatin soup with homemade bread. Perfect for this winter's night.

And more snow on the horizon they say. I like it.

on the subject of trees....

The rains have come--winter is on its way. The ground is wet well let's not mince words..its saturated. Trees limbs hang heavy, waterlogged, and the air feels damp and cold. Yes winter is approaching in the Great Northwest or maybe its here already. Today was the day though rain or shine we went to find our tree for the Holiday.

We headed North to the county, first stopping at some friends to drop off all sorts of native trees the Papa grows and sells. So while we were going to be cutting a tree, we were making sure all sorts of new trees were getting planted...Justification about the tree we were to take down will run throughout this post I'm sure...

Back to our visit though, our friends live on five acres out in the county. My girl and I and their kids had an extra amazing visit. Their boys gave us a tour of the land....

We found a lone apple from Fall, waterlogged but still a feast for birds in flight to feast upon...

We met their ducks and chickens, roosters and puppy. We got beautifully educated on all the birds they've spotted near and far.

Their home is full of art, music and nature seamlessly melded in their daily life. Hanging out with this wonderful family made for a slow and easy mid-afternoon, where hours passed without even realizing.

After saying our goodbyes, we went to find our tree. For years, we opted on not getting a tree for the most practical reason that we've often traveled during Christmas to see family and secondly we had a thing about not wanting to buy a cut tree. So in those years past, when we lived in the bigger city and even when we first moved here,  we decorated potted Cedars or young Doug Firs and were fine with our wee "Charlie Brown" trees. Last year though,  we would be celebrating Christmas for the first time on Christmas in our new very old home and the Mama here wanted to get a little bit bigger tree not that I don't love good ole Charlie Brown.

And this year, while we will do a little family visiting, it won't be until after Christmas so we decided to do the tree thing again. We all labored a bit over cutting down a tree again this year. Justification presided though as we went to a family-owned tree farm where trees are grown for agriculture and the purpose of this season. Getting our tree there supports a small business and let's face it walking out in the fields, singing songs and deciding together on just the right tree was all kinds of fun.

and then we found the one........

Here's our girl helping her Papa....

We came home, fed our tree some water then hung the lights and a few ornaments to start. My girl and her Papa definitely have their decorating plan on the order of the ornaments.  My girl proudly and gently instructing me to make sure when I hang the ornaments that I let them dangle freely as much as possible. Hmmm, I like that.

An added to this original post a bit later this evening, a snapshot of our tree. I walked downstairs to get some tea and felt so happy to see the warm glow of the lights in the quiet, still darkness. I thought about our day, the big smiles on our girl and our sweet time together.

Yes, winter season has made its way; and holiday festivities have begun making the chill in the air feel just fine. Hope you are enjoying the start of winter too wherever you may be.

favorite moments

Favorite Moments from the day...

This leaf caught my eye this morning right before I went into work. I love how the red pops amidst the varying shades of brown and green.

A little late afternoon pumpkin carving with my girl. While carving and scooping, we listened to the sounds of this local band called Chuckanut Drive...

And after dinner which also makes it high on my list of favorite moments as we shared our stories from the day with lots of laughter and smiles, we lit our jack-o-lantern with Papa. I definitely don't yet have shooting at night down; or for that matter indoors in tough light, at least with my little camera but trust me, this is a happy tooth-challenged jack-o-lantern with a flower-petal top!

And finally, my dear friend just sent me this video in which her amazing Mama appears in the Sitka shot. Thank you Women of Alaska!

a weekend lush and full.....

I love Saturday mornings especially this time of year. Frosty mornings mean pajamas and sweaters and lazing around at least for a little while. This particular Saturday though we were treated to a visit by dear friends from the city down South of here. The Mama is a kindred spirit, a sister friend through and through and her girl, a dear pal of my girl's since they were a wee two. Us Mamas, were given a morning all to ourselves while the Papa in our house stayed home with the girls. Our girls played for hours while Papa puttered and got things done he needed.

And we Mamas walked and talked for hours. We meandered the paths of parenting and relationships, daydreaming and delighting in planning for the time she and her girl will move back to our town. Though we are actually nearly 20 years apart, I feel I've known her all my life. We just get each other and being together is always easy, seamless, effortless. I learn and get inspired with each visit I hope the same is true for her. We laugh, we talk in tangents always circling back to our center.

So on this day, we walked by intuition following our path to the Saturday market in search of some yummy cheeses, good bread, and crisp, tart apples. And in the fine name of decadence, we stopped for coffee (well that was for me) and a bottle of wine for our various evenings. We each had painted our own scene for those evenings to come sharing wine and tasty eats with friends.

Fall inspires me to nestle in and gather with my family and dear friends and share in the warmth of food at our table. And we did on this Saturday night as good neighborhood friends came by. More play for our girl and good talking for all of us. I made a savory Pumpkin Soup with fresh sugar-pie pumpkins and our friends brought Fish Tostadas that were unbelievable. And in effort to bring this topic back to center, we started things off with the apples, wine and cheese from our earlier venture that day.

This delicious Saturday led into a fairly slow Sunday. We visited a friend at work in her new found art environs. She is learning to weld and I might add learning quickly making art from scrap metal, plasma cutting house numbers, herons, leaves and trees. My girl got to don a welding hood and watch as my friend's mentor fabricated a piece of a gate. I wished I had my camera but alas another photo series for my mind's inspiration bank, the raw roughness, rust, and pure grit of metal sends me up and over--yep metal excites me. After a short while, my girl and I ventured onward in our day and together with friends went to the Dream Science Circus.  More on that in another post. We came home and stretched out the two of us, cozied under blankets and snuggled. Both feeling stretched and tired from a big weekend.

For a delicious, soul-nourishing weekend spent with dear family and friends, for the variation of colors all around, the practical, simple, magnificent beauty everywhere. I am grateful.

fall is my favorite color.

Yes that's right, Fall is my favorite color. I know Fall perhaps is not on of the 64 colors in that famous box of crayons or  has it perhaps made it to the catalog world of colors that names a shirt or pair of pants but it is a grand color to me. Fall is burnt orange, pumpkin, gold, green, yellow, brown, wheat and every color in between.  These are the colors that zing, energize, inspire me... colors of the earth. And boy did we sink right into these colors this weekend.

We made our annual trek to the local Pumpkin Patch with some of my girl's dear buddies and their mamas (my buddies). Now this Pumpkin Patch has just about everything you can imagine on top of the Patch itself. Farm animals to feed, a corn maze, apple orchard, gourd patch, train ride, bouncy house oh and an outdoor fire pit. Our girls had a field day literally, picking pumpkins, apples and yes shh don 't tell even an ear of corn or too well the ones that had already hit the ground. One of this fearless threesome of buddies even lost her tooth in an ear of corn..Now that's the makings of a childrens' story.

So  here are a few pictures most straight out of the camera to tell the story of our yummy autumn weekend. I actually would have liked to make a nice long visit to Photoshop to adjust some color in my Pumpkin Patch photos but my computer is begging me to leave Photoshop alone while the internet is open..she's feeling much too tired and old to open another "window"...really she is..and that's ok. Here anyway is a little taste of the color we were so glad to see on this fine autumn weekend.

And today more Autumn color right here in our  kitchen.We had friends over for dinner and to prepare the Papa, our girl and I spent a nice afternoon cooking together.  Delicata squash, wild salmon, salad greens and wild brown rice. Papa and our girl made the most delicious apple crisp for our dessert. And I am a little sad to say while taking a deep breath I just accidentally deleted all of my photos from today: Papa and our girl making the crisp, the bounty of autumn harvest on our kitchen counter; carrots, pumpkin, squash, and glimpses of my girl's and my morning art project, card and bead making for her cousin in Kansas City..I know it happens and at least it wasn't all the photos from the trip to the pumpkin patch. Letting it go, taking a breath ok I'm over it. I can set out some more pumpkins and carrots and make more art with my girl and yes oh yes ask very very nicely for another yummy apple crisp. Yep, I'm over it.

And thankfully I took plenty of pictures of these beautiful moments from our day from my mind's eye view. Photos or not, this was a great weekend. For the color, time spent with family and friends and feeling and sinking into Fall, I am grateful.