2011!

happy 2011!  i have several posts that are half written but never got finished so i will be posting some fun holiday stuff into january.  it was an awesome holiday season this year, filled with togetherness, family, cookies, snow (a blizzard!) and gifts (given and received).

i wish everyone a safe and healthy 2011!

mindfulness

I read this quote from Thich Nhat Hanh today over at uncommongrace:

"If while washing dishes, we think only of the cup of tea that awaits us, thus hurrying to get the dishes out of the way as if they were a nuisance, then we are not 'washing the dishes to wash the dishes.' What's more, we are not alive during the time we are washing the dishes. In fact, we are completely incapable of realizing the miracle of life while standing at the sink. If we can't wash the dishes, the chances are we won't be able to drink our tea, either. While thinking of other things, we are barely aware of the cup in our hands. Thus, we are sucked away into the future -- and we are incapable of actually living one moment of life!"

i need to remember these words, especially in this busy month full of excitement and 'stuff' to do.  this special time is fleeting and i want to be present to enjoy each moment.

happy thanksgiving!

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." -Proust

I am so very thankful to be surrounded by family and friends that make me very very happy. we cooked, baked, played and even did a little crafting together. it was a perfect day. I feel very blessed and loved.

it fits (finally!)

the bonnet that i knit for maeve last christmas finally fits her! i knit so tight that i try to knit with larger needles but sometimes my gauge gets thrown totally off in the other (bigger) direction. but luckily her head grew in the last year, woo hoo!

i am diligently trying to finish a tunic i am knitting for her (that i started in the summer!) for this christmas.  i think i can, i think i can...

welcome autumn...

the trees in our yard were gorgeous last week. now... most leaves have fallen. we had a windy few days and it shook most of the leaves from the trees. the kids don't seem to mind though because it just means more leaves to rake, jump in and throw around.

we are beginning to settle into a more 'inside' lifestyle. calvin and i made some pumpkin muffins last week and i have been itching to do more baking. i have been knitting more too. luckily the weather change has been gradual so we get to ease into this changing rhythm, with a few hours outside today and a few inside.

sam and i put the gate up on our garden. this was the last step and now our garden is complete! we are both dreaming of what to plant in the spring...

apple picking 2010

we went apple picking a few weekends ago.  this is our fourth year in a row of apple picking so i think it is now considered a tradition.  an autumn tradition that i know i will look forward to each year.  i will especially look forward to the apple pie, apple cake, apple sauce and apple butter!

{this moment}

inspired by soulemama.