::Autumn 2013::

I am going through one of those times when my brain seems useless.  I can't remember things.  Today I put a block of cheese in the baking cabinet.  I found it a few hours later, when I went looking for mini dark chocolate chips.  Montana Autumn is quite lovely so far.  Some cool nights.  A threat of snow.  A few really warm days.  

The Mist and All

by Dixie Willson

I like the fall

The mist and all

I like the night owl’s lonely call

And wailing sound

Of wind around

I like the gray

November day

And dead, bare boughs that coldly sway

Against my pane

I like the rain

I like to sit

And laugh at it

And tend my cozy fire a bit

I like the fall

The mist and all

Eating in July

My mom dug out the hand cranked ice cream maker for the fourth.  It was a lot of fun.  The last time my kids had hand cranked ice cream, we only had the older three.  I think they were 2, 5, and 8 at the time. 



We had our very first bakery cookie this month.  Around here all the grocery stores give the kids a free cookie.  He hasn't been able to really handle one yet.  He was just shoving everything in his mouth and not taking bites.  But, he was very patient and sweet and took wee little bites as we shopped.



Here she is making her strawberry shake.  She loves adding everything to the vitamix on her own.  The boys tried to correct her.  But, she was very certain it was a shake.  Of course, I told them all they were wrong.  She was definitely correct!




This was an awesome salad made of everything I could find in the fridge.  Lettuce, red onion sliced super thin, jalapeno and garlic stuffed olives, bunny love carrot chips, tomato, avocado, and sprinkled with spike and pepper.  We had Goddess Dressing with it. 



And, dessert. We love peach crisp.  I use fresh or frozen peaches if  I can find them.  But, I admit I keep canned peaches in my pantry just for crisp.  We love to make up extra to eat for breakfast, too. 

To Stress or not To Stress

I have been limiting what things I take in lately. There are things mounting that I have no control over. Things I cannot make happen. I have been ignoring those blogs where women share perfect pictures of crafty things I can never make or old houses with perrfectly beautiful imperfections.

I really have to focus on some good stuff and NOW. I cannot have a baby within this negative cloud.

I crawled up into my husbands lap this afternoon. I kissed his great big bushy Amishy beard. I said...I thought when we were dating our life would be just like all those road trips where we jumped in the little Justy or Brat (yes we both had Subarus) and we would go where we wanted, when we wanted. No one told me how stressfull it could get. No one told me I cou loose thst Peace.

Funny...he says...I was just thinking the same thing...We would just wish to drive off to Oregon and off we went.

I have posted a few links from here lately. Her post popped into my mailbox shortly after I climbed in bed this afternoon. My husvsnd took the boys to their PE class. I paid the rest of the Auto Insurance...thank you automated I don't have to speak to anyone phone line...and hoped on before taking a much desired nap.

I hope these post help you with your anxiety. Push aside a few things. Slow down a bit even if it is just today. Give someone a kiss. Realize road trips aren't so easy with five kids, but they can be planned and they can still happen.

Searching for Inspiration...

I have been searching for s little happiness in my life. I am trying to focus on the positives. It seems like a lot of work sometimes. It is probably just the winter. It is probably a whole lot of the stress of seeing things that need to get done and jobs that need to happen. I remember when I moved bsck to Washington. I had peace and I felt good. I was thin, full of energy and ate well. I have those moments here, but I really wish I could find that place again although I know it would have to be a bit different considering things are different.

::Naughty things to eat::
Skillet Cookies

::Funny Things to Watch::
God is Not a White Man

::Prayerful Things::
A New Way to Pray from Relevant Magazine

::Things to Read::

Meditating on this New Year

I am not a fan of resolutions.
It makes me feel like I am setting myself up to fail.
I didn't finish that photo project last year. I guess I could try agsin this year.
I did get dreads and I love them.


I have been inspired to meditate on this New Year instead.
I am going to give praise for what is yet to come.
I have no idea what God has in store for us.
I know we are coming to the end of schooling for my husband.
I know we are depending on God's provision for a suitable job.
I know a little boy is due sometime in March.
I know I will turn 35 this year.

Right before this pregnancy...

I felt like things were going smoothly again.  I felt like I came up, we'll okay we, had found a good rhythm.  Getting pregnant and therefore sick made me feel ike a mess. How was I going to handle another child?  Should the children go to school next year?  This book is helping me find my way again.  Reminding me  what is important.  Reminding me that we are adding someone new...again...   

We don't know this someone's personality.  We can't be prepared.

Waving Hello to Daddy!

Waving Hello to Daddy!
Originally uploaded by OakBlossoms

Our youngest has been growing like, well, wildflowers. Sweet, pretty, and fast. She is waving, climbing the stairs, eating, and growling. She does have three older brothers. Growling seems like a must.

We have been having a lot of fun. Spring is beautiful in Washington this year. It's just gorgeous out. We have had just enough rain to enjoy it. And, enough sunshine to bring out the much needed sunshine happiness.

Our butterflies have hatched and they have been so much fun to watch. I want to let them go. But, I don't want to let them go. If you want to see what else we have been up to, check out our learning adventures at OakBlossoms Academy.

This winter has been much better then last year. Even when times were tough or too cold, there was a new little person to watch.

New little people remind you that each day is new.
New for everyone,
not just babies.
We all learn something new.
We all can get up in the morning
and watch the sunrise.

Gratitude Saturday

I always enjoy Waldorf Mama's simple Gratitude Friday post.

:: I'm thankful for this little baby in my lap.
:: I'm thankful for family that's so close.
:: I'm thankful for a husband that enjoys me for who I am right now.
:: I'm thankful for a certain teenage young lady who was willing to dread my hair.

Gratitude Friday

Waldorf Mama is sharing today and I thought so should I.

:: I'm so thankful for the young man in my life.  The young man who is turning 13 today.  

:: I'm thankful for his Grammy who will cook him up pounds of shrimp.

:: I'm thankful I married my sweetheart so young.   

:: I'm thankful for heat you can just switch on.  (We have been reading The Little House on the Praire.  We were piled under blankets late last night.  I was still a little cold.  But, Ma said it was ok if they couldn't afford glass for their windows.)