this moment ::

Inspired by Soulemama's {This Moment}

{this moment} - a friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from my week. I want to pause and savor this moment!

In the work basket ::

My craft table and work basket have been quite full lately. Seems like every day I’m adding a new project in the mix. Being disciplined has been quite challenging, so I’ve set myself a few deadlines to try to keep focused.

So for now, I’m working on these . . . I started this project last year – have been wanting to make advent stockings (= 24 stockings) for several years now. Well last year, let’s just say was quite busy for our family and only 5 were made. And . . . they didn’t get done over the summer either as I had planned. So I pulled them all out last week and got to sewing. Last count I have 13 complete, and 11 to go. That should be a doable task given my deadline of the 24^th of this month. I want them hung before Thanksgiving and ready to be used starting the 28th. What a fun new tradition for our family this year!!

Our Autumn Festival ::

Ever since reading the book Heaven on Earth by Sharifa Oppenheimer, I have wanted to have a family Autumn festival. It so happened that last weekend was the perfect weekend to join our closest friends for this event. Our two families brought together food and craft {making lanterns} and after dinner we ventured out with our lighted lanterns for a brisk neighborhood walk. It was breathtaking, no photograph can capture the essence of an event like this. The light from the candles was beautiful, the children were quiet and reverent, the skies were clear and full of stars, it was the perfect night.

Menu

Roasted chicken

Corn

Rice

Butternut squash

Cornbread muffins

Tea

Apple pie

Ice cream

We made our lanterns pretty simply, gluing tissue paper to recycled plastic containers. We did pour a little cornmeal in the bottom of each container to give it a little weight and to stabilize the tea light candles. The adults carried glass lanterns, no tissue paper, which turned out beautifully and I’m sure will be used again and again.

So after our walk, we all enjoyed one last time around the table, eating warm apple pie a la mode while being told the story: The Little Red House, With No Doors or Windows and a Star Inside. Can you guess what that is?

Exciting news!! ~

I'll be short and sweet, but this is really exciting for me to share! As I was sewing in the dining room on Saturday, I look over at Rosemary playing in the playroom and saw her do this!

She seems to be moving right along in her development.

Does anyone see a similarity to the yoga pose Face-Down Dog? I'm a very proud mama!

our Halloween ~

Our Halloween festivities began the night before - a much needed family time with everyone together, planning and carving our pumpkin faces. They get better and better every year!







Then on to the costuming Sunday night. Everyone had a chance to show their personality this year - revealing their "favorite" personality that they are "in" to at the moment: Harry Potter, Selena Gomez, Strawberry Shortcake, and a wee flower. Picture perfect I dare say! What a wonderful depiction for me to remember this "age" in years to come!





Each year, we line up for pictures before setting out, and light our candles in each pumpkin. So when we return home at the end of our evening walk, we are greeted with these friendly faces. How much fun it is!