{these moments} a week in pictures

our traditional Rosh Hoshanah trip was monday

it was wet and really foggy. we hiked anyway.

this is about 200 feet from where Drew proposed--on a similar day in winter 2002.

i accepted--of course--and this is where it got us. down the road just a bit, with a few extra passengers.

and we got kittens. 2. and they've got fleas, so we bathed them.

a pirate was banished for a moment, and she suffered...

and this pirate practiced fiddle. recital coming on saturday!

{these moments} - A weekly tradition. A few photos - short captions - catching some moments from the week. For moments when we didn't blog--though extraordinary--on account of distraction, but never-the-less, we don't want to forget. (Adapted from Soulemama's {this moment}--happy if you'd join lifeasaschoolhouse and do the same--one picture is sometimes not enough.)

Head spinning right round, right round

Thanks for all the supportive comments on the last post, and the emails and messages and hugs. It means so much to us.

We took a short long trip. In other words, we drove far and didn't stay long enough. My family comes from NW Pennsylvania and a cousin was married. Naomi was in the wedding and it was a wonderful time--though short. This is where I scream to myself 'what about the house?! moving?! remodeling?!'

naomi NOT working on the 'new' house. this is New River Gorge Overlook--a good place to stretch the legs.

Well, we're back and in the middle of a whirlwind. Fortunately some progress was made by the painters while we were out, but floors won't go in until Monday and by the time they dry it is likely to be the 20th. This is an issue as we have to be out of the house we're in by the 17th. Amazing what 3 little days can do.

call me crazy, but this looks better--yes? 

it's looking even better than this now. paint is miraculous.

Looks like we'll be camping, after loading all our belongings into the garage--thank goodness for the garage.

Anyway. PA was beautiful and here are some pics to prove it.

floral arranging in the barn--there was a LOT of this. 

i contributed a few useful ideas--my mom was by far the brains behind project farm-wedding, but she indulged me...

cute farmer baby.

these are paper flowers and they are the coolest thing

tractor and 'alter'--naturally.

wildflower arrangements for the reception hall.

There weren't many peaceful moments as there were wedding preparations and celebrations going round and round, but just being there briefly I stole a few quick seconds that reflected the long periods of silence and calm I've enjoyed on that farm so many times before. Here's hoping we can create a similar serenity in our new home...

2 farmer-ettes

movin' shakin' and tryin' to sit too.

Things are moving all around here. We're keeping things cleaner, I'm moving much of my vintage goods into a warehouse space, Drew is working steadily, the girls are changing and growing rapidly--particularly the babe, if I stop to think a minute I become completely overwhelmed by the list of things that need to get done. I see a light at the end of the tunnel, a place where things will calm and the restlessness I'm feeling right now will settle...it helps to read By the Shores of Silver Lake. 

Eliza goes to sleep around 6:30 every night. This was due to the advice of this book, which has also helped a great deal with reestablishing a sleeping rhythm for her. We had a few very trying weeks, moments of feeling like the worst mother on the universe, and days of delirium on account of her difficulty sleeping. BUT, after diligently pushing regular nap and bed times, the girl seems to have found her cycle and we are ALL better for it.

Anyway, back to the reading. After Eliza is in bed the other two need something to distract them from acting like wild gorillas playing king of the mountain. They need an activity that quiets their minds, and with the business that has filled our days lately, it's a difficult feat to convince them that calm is good, that peace does not equal laziness.

We've been reading the Little House series for years, particularly in the winter months they are the perfect evening family activity. Sometimes we mix it up with a little Roald Dahl or other book of Drew's choosing, but we all feel so comfortable with the Ingalls. Since Naomi has taken up violin, the descriptions of Pa's playing for everyone, the breaks in the story for introduction to old fiddle tunes is something we all look forward to. Not to mention the quiet. Their life was so quiet. It was so full, but of love and awareness. In this day and age it seems as though technology is such an interruptor. Often rudely it intrudes on those intimate moments that can only be achieved after some silence, some stillness...we are certainly guilty of letting it disrupt.

So, while I am thankful for the bounty of good things to-do we have in our lives, I'm also grateful for these books, and for the evenings we have to sit quietly, calmly, peacefully remembering these role models. I'm grateful for our weekly sabbath, which also is a great salvation in times like these, when the world seems to be spinning around us. It is an anchor, and these evening respites are little mirrors of it. I truly believe demanding rest in our lives is as important as nutrition, and I'm sharing that now because the blessing it offers has been at the forefront of my mind during these crazy days.

*photos are from our recent trip to Asheville where Drew had to take a certification class, and we took advantage and rode along. just one of the busy events in our life.

A Week of Celebration

We are full swing in our craziest time of year.

Yesterday was Rosh Hashanah and we spent the day in the mountains, per our tradition. (We visit the creek there every year in part to perform the ritual of Tashlich that Margaret speaks of here.) It was great, and friends/family joined us this year which made it even more adventurous. The weather, as it has been in years past, was perfect. 70s, cooling off in the evening.

We enjoyed honey cake & round challah, kite flying, hiking, dam building, downtown perusing and a delcious dinner at a new place in Boone (at least new to us). There should be heavy napping today...

On top of all that, tomorrow we are headed to Raleigh so I can go to a friend's bachelorette party--i love a good night out with the girls. Sunday Naomi will be 7. WHAT?! so, we'll be celebrating that with the requested picnic with family and friends. Then, back home and Monday will be a day that goes down in infamy as my 30th birthday. I'll take a slow day for that, the older I get the less I want to do and the more I have to, so a nice day of mosey-ing about would hit the spot.

Anyway, older is better. Recently one of my oldest friend's and I discussed our aging. It's not nearly as dreadful as you think it will be. When you're twenty you think life can't get better, but it does and that's surprising and it's really the best part of my birthday is thinking about how I have SO much of what I want out of life and I'm still relatively youthful. Not that I can't think of other places to go, or more goals to reach, but, to quote Anne Shirley, "I'm pretty nearly perfectly happy."

The fun won't end this week. October is FULL of camping for Sukkot, Leviah's birthday, and the general celebrating of Fall--which is (once again) my fave.

Too Much To Say

So much going on around here I can't pick a topic to stick to. So, I'll summarize in pictures.

first there was the beach. great time with sweet friends.

then there's the booth downtown where I'm now selling some of gremlina's vintage wares.

then we had the indie market, which is always fun.

and we'll end with our first real day of homeschooling, today. it wasn't laborious, so don't worry too much. stories, letters, verses, circle time...more tomorrow!

Each of these things is somewhat lessened by being listed in this manner, but I assure you, they're all significant and there will surely more about them later.

Pennsylvania Dreamin' on Such a Summer's Day

the Brown barn in the sunset

Here are some pictures from our time in PA. We had such a great time reuniting with family, and the farm. 

It's a family farm, to be sure; my mom grew up with dairy cows, but the pastures are full of wildflowers now. Some hay will be harvested by a neighbor, but there are 80acres of nature to roam through. Being there reminded me why I have this urgency about getting our family out in the country. We have a lot going for us here in the city, but the way the girls were free to explore and enjoy the things I remember enjoying myself, that is what I dreaded leaving even when I was a kid. It was hard to pull them away and drive the 10 hours back...

picking wild berries 

wearing wildflowers and hiking 

forget-me-nots 

reunion attire designed and printed by my mom & I.

Naomi kayaking on the pond by herself! 

riding ponies 

paths on the farm.

sunset over the fields

Activities not pictured:

fishing

hay-riding

hobo pie making

baby passing

smore eating

four wheeling

tie-dying

rock painting

running

kayaking

sleeping over with cousins

yard sale-ing (we were like American Pickers up there!)

riding through Amish country

good food enjoying

stepping back in time

visiting, loving and being loved

It's amazing how many memories you can fit into a 3 day period. Thanks to my aunts, uncles, cousins and grandma for all that you planned!

Homemade Carmel Corn to Welcome Us Home

We were in Asheville. It was treacherous, icy, relatively miserable and absolutely fun. Magic happens when couples embark on adventures together & that's what the past couple of days were. Layers of clothing, our sturdiest tromping boots, the good fortune of owning a Subaru & a silly notion that a mountain town like this would be equipped for the inclement weather--not so, but what a great time. In good time most of the local indescribably good cuisine spots were open & with full bellies we skated, slipped and stomped all around town.

The girls spent a couple days with their Savta & for no other special occasion but taking advantage of an opportunity, Drew & I took a little break. We visited all the spots mentioned in this post & even a few new ones, like this & did you know about this local treasure?!

Anyway, we're back home & it's nice too. To make it especially sweet to be home, and to re-warm the house we're making some caramel corn. Thanks Charissa! It's not done yet, but my sampling promises it will be delightful.

A Winner, Dinner & Pine Knolls Shore

We're home for the beach & settling back down. We were at Pine Knoll Shores in NC & it was delightful. The aquarium is right there, the beach is quiet & the Hampton Inn was actually terrific!

At Pine Knoll Shores we recommend:

Amos Mosquito's Restaurant, a little more expensive than we normally do as a family, but it was a great atmosphere & delicious food.

The Shark Shack, a little less formal, but delicious grouper!

NC Aquarium, can't go wrong. The girls loved it--again.

A Coffee Affair--great cup a joe.

Shells as shovels, free & fun.

Fort Macon, what a great historical learning experience!

Here are some pics from the trip:

sand exploration.

freedom.

someone else's gorilla.

fort macon

Leviah takes Fort Macon.

Dinner: Tabouli & Pita Bread from Moosewood. We already made the bulghur based Tabouli twice, if that says anything. It is great & perfect for hot summer days. & the pita was a success as well. Sorry, no pics of these--they were devoured too quickly!

Sorry for the delay in announcing the winner! Blame the beach... ;)

The winner:

Krishenka said...

Looks like the peacock bag is popular and can see why so lovely. 

Congratulations!

Thanks all for entering! Thank you Gracey May! & everyone--don't forget to shop Gracey May's lovely Etsy shop in the future! (remember, she does custom orders!!)