Saturday morning

 Every Fall we meet out at my brothers house for brunch, pumpkin carving, tree climbing, and just a chance to be together to welcome the cool weather and the seasons changing horizon. I can not express how much I love this crazy, quirky beautiful family  of mine.

 

I remember

Tonight I tucked in my four loves, and sang them the same lullaby he used to sing to us when we were little. I came down to my quiet living room and  lit a candle and listened to this song that my sister sent me.

Amazing, the power of music to say what our words alone can't.

Tomorrow marks eight years since my dad left this earth.  I wish I could take a drive, sit by a fire and have a smoke and a Moosehead with him. I wish I could hear his voice say my name. He loved to make fires, loved to unwind with a pipe or a glass of wine. He was such a storyteller, such a lover of words. His memory was long, so long. Poetry flowed from him.  I miss him. Tears are fewer than they used to be, but they still come and catch me off guard. I remember him when the leaves start to change, when I help my kids push seeds gently into earth. I think of him when I teach my kids about birds and flowers and every time I hear an English accent. I think of him when I  find treasure among trash and while I sip my tea early, watching first morning light. I remember his hands when I help my sons small hands whittle and the way he smelled of wood-shavings... always making. When I read Dylan Thomas and when I hold his Bible, I remember the way his voice wavered. I am so very thankful to be his girl and for everything he left with me.

My little bro and my papa.

Mimi

I was attempting to get on the bandwagon of  NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-nablopomo.htm. I just thought it might be fun and I kind of wanted to see if I could do it. But what can I say? Last evening  got away from me.  Besides, there is always today:) I  was too busy eating macaroons and thumbing through beach pictures with my family in celebration of my lovely mom-in-law's birthday.  It's hard to believe I have known her for something like sixteen years now! She is a light in our family. She always knows when to speak and when to listen. She always has a song you just have to hear or a passage from something she is reading. She speaks life to people; it is one of her gifts. Every year she hosts Acorn day at her home. She reads a children's story she wrote about her own father and it is a time to celebrate the wonder of the change of the seasons. I am so thankful that she is a mom and a friend to me and a beloved Mimi to my kids.

Sunset Rock

 

God's art.

        Oh my , I love weekends, especially when they end like this...

trick or treat

This year we had Zorro, Laura Ingalls, a lady from India and a strong man. The kids have fun putting together their own costumes from the dress up bin or friends but I couldn't resist helping out with the babe. It was a fun night strolling the neighborhood when everyone is out.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual.

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.

A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Inspired by SouleMama

pear

                                                           The way it smells
                                                           sweet grainy white on my tongue
                                                           is all it takes
                                                           and I am there by your bed
                                                           leaves flying wild outside
                                                           evening sun heavy on your skin
                                                           it was the last thing I ever fed you
                                                           and some of the last words you spoke,
                                                           "lovely...
                                                            lovely...
                                                            lovely."


Some days I miss my dad.

                           

{this moment}

   {this moment} - A Friday ritual.

             A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week.

                         A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

                                                                                        A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

                                                                                                                                 Inspired by SouleMama

*the things you do*

Someone just learned how to make kissy lips...

                                                                         ...be still my heart.

Wedding Weekend

Flying with a toddler was another story. I am happy we will not be doing that again any time soon. It was kind of stressful trying to keep an active feisty toddler who partied late the night before on the dance floor quiet and contained in my lap for a few hours. We played with play dough and trains and colored and ate snacks and lollipops but there were a few fits too and thankfully the surrounding travelers were gracious.

my handsome wedding date.

  The morning after we took a early morning walk  with sweet little Jael still sporting her sparkly wedding shoes. The above place reminded me of something that should be in the shire not the city but it did look pretty enchanting.

Philadelphia is breathtaking this time of the year and we collected our color treasures along the way. It was a whirlwind weekend  but so wonderful to be in my friends house with her family for a few days.

 There are no words for how precious these women are to me. We have welcomed new lives together and said goodbyes and shared so much. My heart is full of memories of growing up with them, summers, birthdays, recitals then marriages, pregnancies and births.  The last few days gave me a few more to treasure.  

*Autumn Wedding*

What a day for a wedding. I flew up to Philadelphia with my baby boy this past weekend to sing in a wedding. It was beyond gorgeous. Colors flung vibrant as a painter's palette, long shadows and perfect golden light. It was a lovely landscape to celebrate love. I've known Charlotte since she was a little bitty thing  and I spent almost every weekend at her house with her big sister who has been my best friend since I was eight. It never gets old, seeing someone dear to you fall in love. So much joy overflowing.  It was a day I will not soon forget.