Fall Into Winter

This is Channing, Friday, mid-day at Horseshoe.

This is Channing, Sunday, mid-day at Horseshoe.

Notice anything different?


Our beautiful, crisp fall weekend at the lake turned into a winter wonderland while we listened to the snow's soft whisper as it blanketed the trees.  

The Christmas City of the North Parade in Duluth on Friday night must have inspired Mother Nature.  Grandma Meredith & Papa Doug were kind enough to get there VERY early and save us a prime spot on the curb and next to the free hot cocoa and cookie stand.  With his front row seat, Channing was one very engaged parade watcher.  Bundled next to Anderson in the double stroller, he cheered and he clapped and he danced along with each and every float, band and dance troupe that passed by, begging to go back for more as we made our way back to the car.  Our toes had not yet begun to thaw under the warm blast of the heater, and he was already asking if we could to do it again tomorrow.

Channing refused to keep his mittens on.  They interfered with his clapping.

Saturday night, we celebrated November birthdays with cake.  No your eyes do not deceive you.  That cake is made of meatloaf and mashed potatoes.  Pretty clever isn't it?  Didn't matter what it was made of.  Channing took great delight in singing Happy Birthday yet again.

We squeezed every last drop of goodness out of our cabin weekend, starting Sunday morning with rolled up pancakes, frolicking in the snow and warming up once more gathered around the dining room table making snow people from tube socks.  

Channing had to cover his ears each time the blender roared to life while Kathy mixed the pancake batter.

Yes.  That is a hill.  It is slight.  But it is still a hill.

Then it was over the river, through the woods and back to the likes of laundry piles, sidewalks to shovel and the new work week to ready ourselves for.  And hopefully another dusting of  

A Discovery

Michael was pleasantly surprised to discover a nature preserve just around the corner from our new house while out jogging the other day.  He's preparing for a Turkey Trot and as his training gets more intense, the route he takes for his workout changes and expands.  

Today, being one of those fall days that just begs for outdoor activities, Channing and I decided to venture out and do a little exploring and check it out.  With promises of throwing rocks in the lake, Channing quickly and cooperatively donned his jacket, hat and mittens.  In no time at all, we'd reached the park.  A bewildered Channing asked, 'Where in the whole wide world is the playground?'  I reminded him this was the rock throwing park which both pleased and placated him.  He jumped out of the stroller and scampered down the path, pausing now and again to ask, 'This way?'  

We took the boardwalk loop, crossed the parking lot and headed into the forest.  Mind you 'into the forest' involves balling your hands into fists, tucking them up close to your chin and shivering with delight and perhaps just a touch of fear as you say it.  It's very 'one with the shivers' for any of you who read The Spooky Old Tree.  

We ran into one person walking her dog who asked if we'd yet come across the waterfall.  What?  A waterfall in our new neighborhood?  No, we'd yet to discover that.  Sounds like the perfect adventure for yet another day.  

Catch Up

It's time to bring you all up to speed.  Posts have been started and stored and started and stored. I have no less than five draft posts hidden on the back pages of Fresh Picked.  The thing is, we've been busy.  Frantically busy, but in the best of ways.  

This mama has been stretching her creative wings yet again.  There was another fall wreath.  Newer.  Brighter.  Highly improved and perhaps a bit spooky in anticipation of Halloween.  However, the idea of using a pool noodle and duct tape to make the form.... Not the best.  The wreath looks more like a coma now and has been tossed in the closet until there is time to find a way to make it round once more.  Suggestions anyone??


Slippers.  Mary introduced me to ithinksew.  For $3 I downloaded the pattern for these:

Don't my feet look sweet?  Love them!


There are two super secret birthday projects that will have to be revealed at a later date.  Let's just say, I am proud enough of these to toot my own horn.  Loudly.  Very loudly.  They rock.  I'm so excited to give them to the recipients.  Anderson.  Megan.  Get ready!


Play dates.  Three have been photographed.  There have been more.  The kind where smiles abound, laughter rings out and hearts feel light when all is said and done.  


Kelli sent a quick text to the effect of-park:  5 minutes.  Let's go.  We went.  

Kendra, Libby, Channing & I made good on last fall's promise of a trip to the apple orchard.  It took a year, but was worth the wait.  We came home with a half peck of apples that quickly found their way into an apple crisp.  Channing tried adding raspberries, blueberries and strawberries too.  I'm an apple crisp purist.  No berries, please and thank you.  

More recently, Mary, Collin, Kiera & I braved the threat of rain for a wet morning in the park.  Mary and I delighted in the antics of Monkey See, Collin, and Monkey Do, Channing.  Kiera thought the boys were pretty amusing too.

It's been a little crazy.  It's been a little nuts.  But only in the best of ways.  Tonight, we've a daddy date on tap.  Not sure of the exact plan.  It will involve my two best guys, the ones I'm so proud to call husband and son.  


Happy Friday to you all.  Mine certainly is.  

Longing

Fall is not doing well to make its presence known.  Timid, it sighs rather than coming right out with a friendly, 'Hello.'  The seasonal bully, Summer, is still pushing everybody around with weeks of bright, hot sunshine.  Yes, hot.  

While I'm longing to pull on jeans with my favorite argyle sweater and a pair of wooly socks, Channing is handing me his swimming trunks, asking, 'Which shirt goes?' and pretending he's discovering sea monsters while scuba diving in our backyard.  Did you know such fearsome beasts could be found at the bottom of a Rubbermaid tote?  

It makes a little guy hesitate just a bit before putting his toes all the way to the very, very bottom.

 And requires an extra rinse to get the monster germs off once the expedition is over.