I was There

While camping, we managed to sneak in a little hike.  Our initial suggestion was met by protests from the Little Guy that he doesn't like hiking.  Funny how that once we actually start the hike, he is laughing and running along the path the entire time, almost as if he is enjoying it.  Hmm.

I seem to always be trailing behind these three.  Every so often, they would stop and wait for me to catch up.

It was around this time last year that I realized my existence in family photos was practically non-existent.  Always behind the camera, I was never a part of the action.  So last summer, I began to occasionally take a picture of myself as proof that I had also taken part in these adventures of ours.  Combined with my non-photogenicity (is that a word?  i don't think so but you know what I mean), it is not an easy task.  So much to think about.  Where to aim the camera.  Smile or no smile.  Look to the side and maybe upwards a bit to minimize the chin.  Maybe try to look soulful, thoughtful.  Anyways . . .

Proof that I was there, trailing behind, yelling words of caution to those ahead.

Bare Branches

From a distance, beautiful but stark.

Upon closer inspection, so much is revealed of the year to come.

Ice and Swans

What began as a trip to the grocery store became a trip to the lake as we stepped outside and realized what a beautiful morning it was.  I grabbed my camera, we stopped for muffins and then walked down to the lake.

We may not have much snow here yet but it has still been cold enough to turn the lake shore into an ice shore.

The boys were pretty excited by the crunchy ice and we didn't move far from this spot.

Did you know that two boys, aged almost 5 and 6 and a half, don't believe their mother when she tells them the rocks might be slippery and that if they get too close to the edge, the ice might not hold their weight?  It's true.  They don't believe her until they try it themselves.  Fortunately, no one was lost in the lake.

The numerous swans, geese and ducks thought the boys were throwing food in the water, not ice.  It didn't take long before we had many visitors.  this juvenile swan was especially interested in Keegan.

Impromptu outings.  My favourite.

Footsteps

peppermint bark

lemon bars

After baking for the family get-together tomorrow which has changed venues from our house to my mom's house due to the fact that our septic system is kaput ("i'm not thinking about it, i'm not thinking about it."  Sometimes ignorance brings a little bit of bliss.  Briefly.),  i got outside for a few minutes of . . . the outdoors.

Even though I am following in the footsteps of others, sometimes I like to think I am the first person to notice that berry.

Yarn Along

I am joining Ginny for her Yarn Along -- a single picture of your current read and current yarn-involved project.  Love the idea.  Please check out the link to see what others are knitting and reading.  So, on my needles, a pair of fingerless mittens and in my hands, Neil Gaiman's American Gods.  The gods of whatever kind of mythology you can think of are in America and they are just like us except, well, they are gods.  Which means they aren't like us because they have all those god-like powers.  The oh-so-likeable Shadow is a man caught in the storm brewing among the gods.  have I mentioned that Shadow's deceased wife makes the occasional  appearance?  Ah, I am loving this book.

Between preparing breakfast for the boys and getting them ready for school, this morning I was able to sneak outside and take a few pictures of our early morning frost.  It was a good one.

Thoughts of Spring

It may be only the end of October but I'm already dreaming about spring.  Why?  Come spring, we will have a new outdoor space and I can't wait.

When we bought this house five years ago, I loved the carport off the side of the house with an entrance from the master bedroom.  But the rickety stairs and rotten boards did not make it safe to use especially with two little ones.  The years passed and I looked out from our window almost every day, watching the boards get even more rotten and yet wishing that we could somehow use the space.  We debated over what to do.  Tear the whole thing down did come up in conversation but I resisted committing to the idea.  We finally came to a decision and we ( being Mike and my father) have torn out all the old boards and staircase and are putting all new boards and railings up.

I have plans for a couple of little tables and some chairs.  I imagine twinkly fairy lights hanging from the railing. I see this as a space where we will eat, read, knit (okay, probably just me), draw and just enjoy being in the treetops.  This is why I am already looking forward to spring.

In the meantime, I am very much enjoying this beautiful fall.