Halloween box

We got the Halloween box out. It never fails that Pancho will get dressed up too. The wig didn't last long but the robot chest protector thing did. Pancho really is a good sport, he didn't mind a bit. He does mind if a big gorilla is going to be rough housing his boys though...watch out gorilla you may have a little terrier take a nibble of your rear, even if you're wearing a cheerleader skirt.

From the yard

volunteer kale, last of the cauliflower(now for rabbit and chickens).

beets for the winter garden

I have to keep an eye on the one in the underbrush. she would like to set up camp here.

lovely calendula

mums that returned from last year.

freshly cleaned coop.

Spending a day in the backyard among the fading garden and rain drops I noticed everything seemed just as beautiful as in full bloom and sun. I guess the anticipation for the change in weather had me on edge, but when the rain came it still felt good to be outdoors. I was feeling pretty grateful to have a back yard like I do. I retreat to me really.

~Gratitude Sunday~

{Sunday's heartfelt tradition. A time to slow down, to reflect, to be grateful. A list of gratitudes.}

Throughout the week I've felt grateful for:

 

*Noticing some positive outcomes with the families that I work with. Sometimes it feels like what I do doesn't make a difference for people, but this week I really saw some progress. I really felt grateful to see that my support and efforts were really being helpful to those I work with.

 

*To have known Drake. My brother's dog, who was passed this week. He was a good 'ol dog. His last season of summer was spent a parents house. Where every day he would walk to the yard and lay in the sun and then go beg for some treats, then walk the property slowly but surely. Follow the children around hoping they would drop a morsel of food. He greeted you with a head nod and a little tail wag. He had a good life, that Drake. Good boy, you rest in peace.

 

*Going on Spencer's field trip to Sweet Creek Falls. Such a good time and I love getting to know his classmates and see Spencer interact with the other kids. I loved seeing and hearing the kids respond the beauty of the outdoors too. I am so grateful to be making these memories with Spencer.

 

*For my father who went on many field trips with me as a child. I appreciate it even more now. This week I sent him a text to let him know how much I appreciated the time he took to come along with me and my siblings on our field trips.

 

*My slow cooker. Yep I am grateful that I can take 10 minutes to throw some food in the crock pot turn it on and walk out the door for the day. When I return have my home smelling so good and hot yummy food waiting after a long day at work and play.

 

*Essential oils...I love the way the smell, how they make a simple bath feel therapeutic, how they make the kitchen and laundry smell divine, and how scent can retrieve a memories.

 

*Motorcycle riding. Yep I have been riding my Dad's KLR, it is so much fun. I got quite a bit of riding in last week. It is exhilarating, exciting, and just so much fun. I am quite grateful that I can borrow my Dad's bike to use. I often think about when I will take a long ride, an overnight ride. Fun to have things like that to dream of and look forward to. Motorcycle riding inspires that in me.

 

*Apology & Forgiveness. Yes I am grateful that apologies and  forgiveness is something we practice in our family. Each of us have times in the day or week when we are grouchy, short, impatient, or a bit unrealistic, and even harsh with each other. When I say I am sorry and the hugs and forgiveness that come after, that is what I am grateful for. That we can accept each other not hold a grudge and move past those human moments in our day.

Sweet Creek Falls and 60 first graders!

My little group of boys for the day. I actually went to school in Mapleton with these two boy's dad.

What a fantastic place to sit and have a picnic lunch! Oh so lovely. We are so lucky to have such access to places like this.

Signs of fall all around this area. I could take photos of leaves all day. I want to gather them all up and take them home, they are so pretty.

This was such a great field trip. We had been here as a family not to long ago, yet coming with the whole class was a great way to start the year off. Nice way for a new class to bond. It was beautiful too, the water was low enough that teachers let the kids take their shoes off and play in the water. The leaves were falling when ever the wind blew. I heard lots of new vocabulary words by the kids...under story, canopy, nurse log, and skat. Good stuff here. I couldn't believe how many parents and kids had not been here before. I really felt so lucky to be able to go a spend the time with Spencer and his friends. I wouldn't miss a trip to Sweet Creek Falls. I was quite impressed with Spencer's self control too. He stayed close with the group only had to be asked a few times to come back with the group. You see, when we are out in nature as a family there are few boundaries that keep Spencer close. He has a little wandering explorer in him that naturally' leads him to places to see more, find more, collect more. Yet this trip he really reeled that in and stayed with the group.

A busy week

pickling spices for the beets. Yum! 

A morning at the beach, great sticks for whittling.

collecting a few daily

Plums that I picked, rinsed and dried in the sun

A few of the girls

Last week was pretty busy. I felt like I was trying to get a little piece of everything before the weather changed. Then finally the rain came and it was peaceful and much needed. I did just what I thought I would do when the rain started...make a stew, tidy the garage, and do some sewing. It was a productive rainy day. It felt great.

Anticipation of the rain



self portrait



my bff

I absolutely love the fall. Yet the anticipation of the rain to come, kinda drives me crazy. I get very distracted with needing to be outside as much as possible. To the point where I have skipped house keeping (for sure!), met friends at the beach(instead of coffee shop), made exception for evening curfews and even skipped work(shh) to be here in the sun without the rain and wind.

Great way to spend a Monday

I welcomed October and Monday a week ago with a hike at one of my favorite places. I shared this afternoon with a friend too, which made this day even more fun. Abby took these pictures of our hike. I loved that this hike gave us such a variety of topography on the Oregon Coast.