An Acorn and One of Those Days

In a sea of sunshine, today there was a spot of rain. I have been feeling so good--so very very good--these past few weeks. I was excited by my life--thrilled to do my daily chores, loving tidying up my house, enjoying my kids even at their most difficult, looking forward to what is coming up and letting go of what has gone before. Reveling in life and honestly living in the moment. And then there was today. A long and cold (literally- winter seems to have come to the Northeast) reminder of what a mind can do when you run away with it. I tried to rein it in today, and then I tried to watch it run, and then I just gave up.

Finally, I went out for a run--got outside in the briskness, let my head breathe-- and I found an acorn, a most beautiful and perfect acorn on my walk home. The cap was still on--and he seemed, this acorn fella, so warm and and perfect and content. And he made me feel better.

Life isn't always easy but it sure is good.

Our Fall Nature Table

While her brothers were sleeping, Norah and I set up our Autumnal Nature Table this afternoon. Along with some "pretty natural things," like acorns and pine cones, we gathered the beautiful items that we got from Kelly, a couple candles (a beeswax one that we bought at the farmer's market this year and one that Norah decorated last year), a framed picture of a tree in autumn, and our growing collection of seasonal books. Our table is rather sparse--it needs a pumpkin and perhaps some brightly colored leaves to finish it off but in the meantime, it is still giving us a lot of pleasure

Nature Table Exchange

This year Kyrie started the Seasons Round Exchange for the exchange of fall nature table gifts. Exchanges always make me nervous--I have only ever actually participated in one--because I fear that I will be completely incapable of fulfilling my part of the bargain. Considering that we have a newborn and two other children under four, I was probably a bit brazen for signing up for this one, but, alas, I am so glad that I did. My partner was Kelly.

I knew that Kelly needed a knit squirrel for her table--I mean, who doesn't need a knit squirrel?! I used a pattern from Knitted Animals and some scrap yarn for this little guy. He didn't take long and was a whole lot of fun to make. He came with his own "tree" which can double as a play block, made from a branch that Brian cut into pieces for the kids. Along with some other small items, I included a book and some knitted leaves in autumn colors. The whole package was so much fun to make and give. I can't wait for next season's exchange. More tomorrow on the beautiful items we received and what we have made of our own nature table.

Quotable Sunday

When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me,
speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

The Beatles

Falling in Love

over here.

Falling in love.

Clyde Scott Tripp

August 4, 2009 at 6:02 in the evening
9 pounds, 2 ounces and 22 inches
Born at home

Quotable Sunday (on Monday)

"That great Cathedral space which was childhood."
Virginia Woolf