Impressions

It's drafty, a 150 years old, has numerous code violations, some might even call it dangerous, not exactly the ideal space for 9 little ones to join me three times a week.... but I'm certain if houses had a face, mine would be smiling right now. 

Joining Mamabyrd and From the Land of Cotton in their weekly impression posts.   

Fall Fun

Fall is my favorite season..... well... summer is amazing, and spring and all the reappearances, and what about the holidays, they just wouldn't be the same without the blanket of white sparkly snow....

Fall is one of my favorite seasons, especially the month of October.  No other month can you see your surroundings change so much from one day to the next.  No other month are things like leaf jumping, wearing costumes in public, and consuming unhealthy amounts of goodies totally the norm.  No other month so easily describe with one simple word.... FUN! 

In fact, it's this month and it's fun traditions that remind me so much of my mother, and of her example to live life to the fullest, never taking things too seriously (I mean, I haven't known too many 60 year old women who make their Halloween costume their number one priority for the month).

So in following her example we are happy to celebrate life in the fun form of..... backyard festivals, broom flying, bobbing for apples, hayrides, pumpkin carving on the beach, corn mazes, witches brews, doughnut eating contests, spook alleys, face painting, and boogieing with friends at a Monster Mash (sometimes the dance floor just isn't big enough).

 

 

So much fun and the month isn't even over yet.....

Impressions

Maybe I'm just going Batty, but I think I'm Reaping the benefits of being a Mummy.

Joining Mamabyrd and From the Land of Cotton in their weekly impression posts.

Seconds

There are plenty of things we'll take seconds of....... dessert, a back rub, a trip down the alpine coaster, a long weekend at a favorite camping spot......

Our family has matured this summer, and with it's growth comes a fair share of growing pains.  I think I'm struggling the most to find where I fit in, the more I see where I'm not really needed, the more needy I become.  However the best medicine for those growing pains seems to be spending time together.  So with only a matter of days before the boys loose their father to 60 hour work weeks again we packed up and headed south for a second trip to Boulder, Utah.

 

I remember a time when Monte mocked camper camping (I didn't remind him), but with age and growth comes a realization of what really is important.  A camper addition seemed to slow our pace, allowing us to enjoy our journey, we even lingered at each bathroom stop and lunch break.  There was no arguments about the fire and setting up camp.  No lectures about bringing dirt into the tent.  And no worries of bears snatching my children in their sleep.  In fact I know I've never had a better view while making dinner.  

The boys loved their 'upstairs' sleeping arrangement, gas mileage was a pleasant surprise, Monte's birthday candles easily stayed lit, and Monte and I found that with a bit of extra bedding the backseat fold out isn't all that bad.  And what about the c.d. player, and it's excuse to dig out our old c.d. collection.  

BNL.... maybe a little, Midnight Oil..... more than I would have liked, interesting mixed c.d. creations.... yep those were the c.d.s with the most requests.  Now I'm no Nicole Kidman, nor Ewan McGreggor for that matter, but I could crank the Moulin Rouge love song montage and captivate 3 sets of eyes and 6 little ears, and for those 4 minutes I was a rock star... I'd even exit the stage with a seat belted ovation and demands for several encore performances.... maybe I found my niche?????     

  

When I crawled into our foldout backseat bed that last night I was surprised how tired my legs were.... what had we done over the last couple of days?   

We'd hiked out to that small lake at our first bathroom break, and what about the time spent climbing and scooting around those red rolling mounds when we stopped for lunch.  

There was the couple of hours we spent exploring those white hills, that's when I was able to sneak some alone time with Jo to work on our rock shaping skills.  

 

 

And what about our scenic hike to the waterfall.  It was almost unbearable to sit by it was so cold..... until we found the sun just a short distance to one side, how quickly clothing was discarded. 

 

And almost immediately after the 6 1/2 mile hike there was the other two and a half mile trek for a quick visit at our favorite swimming hole, all the while Sol was belting out his favorite line from the Moulin Rouge sound track..... 'We could be Love Birds' (He came up with his own version of 'We could be Lovers', he sang with such passion I didn't feel the need to correct him).  

And I'll always remember Abe and all his animal antics while climbing each mountain trail... jumping like a frog, creeping like a cheetah, howling like a wolf, scampering like a mountain goat, screeching like an owl, roaring like a lion, hissing like a snake..... I'm sure it was all his creature actions that kept the real animal threats away.  

 

So now that I'd thought about it for a second..... even with our slowed pace..... I guess we'd done plenty over those couple of days to justify some tired legs.  

   

Impressions

His first grade teacher reprimanded him a bit at conference this week for have a little too much fun in class.  Hard to believe that on the first day of kindergarten he had to bury his head in my side to keep from bursting into tears when the teacher only spoke to him.  At least he's broke out of his bashful shell.....

Joining Mamabyrd and From the Land of Cotton in their weekly impressions posts.

Impressions

 
It has plenty of storage, a tiny kitchen, a lofty bed, even an outdoor shower... all the comforts of home.  So why did my hands shake so badly when I handed over the cash?  Sure it was going to be the best birthday present ever, but I was also giving him his own second mountain home where he could escape the demands and chaos of family life.  Happy Birthday to an Amazing Man... but please remember how much warmer, softer, and pleasantly more fragrant your sleep is when I climb in bed next to you.... together.... as in not alone.... even with a small child between us.... and a dog.... and possibly another child.... unrestricted sleeping is totally overrated anyhow.

Joining Mamabyrd and From the Land of Cotton in their weekly impression posts. 

Garden Journal: R.I.P.

Death Toll
1- Squash (finally)....... cause of death..... Freeze
2- Zuchinni (once again, finally)...... cause of death..... Freeze
3- Sunflowers....... cause of death..... Freeze/ End of Season
4- Beans....... cause of death....... Freeze
5- Corn......... cause of death....... Greedy Racoons, at least I still have the stalks
6- Ghost Squash...... cause of death..... Freeze, but left behind a decent crop amount 
7- Pumpkins...... cause of death  still alive, but for how much longer?
8- Carrots....... alive!  We all know it takes more than a freeze to kill a carrot, in fact they only get better with the cold.
9- Tomatoes...... surprise, also still alive!  Crazy right-- I'll give some credit to my recycled concrete planter I built this spring, but mostly I'm sure covering them each night is the biggest reason for their success.  (Sarah- I'm in a desperate need of your freezer salsa recipe- I'm waiting for a post) 

A Death Toll seems fitting with Halloween being just a few weeks away, I'm actually pretty impressed that my garden decided to embellish in it's own form of zombie attire.  And look HOOOO else enjoys hanging around the garden (he & his brother are nearly impossible to sneak a picture of, so forgive the quality).

 

 

 

 

~Rest In Peace Garden of 2014~

Beginning......

 

 

Middle.....

 

End......