An Adieu to Autumn

Ah my favorite time of year- next to the holidays- Autumn! I am not sure what it is exactly about this season that I love so much. As a child and teen Summer was my favorite time of year by far since I lived at the beach.

I have spent some time recently reflecting on why I love the Autumn so much now. I believe my new found love is because it was during Autumn six years ago that I fell in love with my husband. Something about the first crisp breeze and the smell of fallen leaves just brings me subconsciously back to that time. 

I also now do not live close to the ocean and spend most of my Summer keeping the little ones sunburn and bug bite free. Our last Summer in Virginia was long and sweltering with a ridiculous amount of mosquitoes to top it all off. Autumn is just a break from that for us. We can go outside and spend hours out there, not having to worry about sunscreen or bug spray (none of which I really like using on my kids, even the toxin free kinds). My kids also notice the seasons changing more acutely now that they are a bit older, and they too love the rhythm of our days this time of year- before the holiday craziness. 

So as another Autumn ends, I am sad to see it go. This one, as lovely and short as it was, holds a special place in my heart. 

My son discovered his love of puzzles and how to say yes and no in his own way. His personality just keeps budding and I love every bit of it. I also love how much he still loves and needs me. I won't ever complain about that. 

My daughter continues to soak and bathe in the new knowledge that she is gathering about our world and our God at co-op. Her creativity continues to grow by leaps and bounds. Deirdre's new favorite thing to do is make up songs and crafts. She also is impartial to her baby dolls and playmobil these days. 

My husband continues to amaze me with his steadfast work ethic despite conflicts at work. He totally pampers me and adores our kids. He also took the lead in our first joint attempt at producing our own meat- thanks to our male goose. It was a respectful success and endued a new sense of respect in me for him and our animals. 

And finally my unborn child continues to grow and thrive despite my rough hyperemesis at the beginning of my pregnancy. This little one is kicking up a storm much to my relief and delight. I cannot wait to meet this new precious soul. This also makes 3 out of 4 Autumns that we've been married in which I have been pregnant. So maybe that is another reason I love Autumn? 

At any rate, I am sure my time in this place will continue to be sporadic but hopefully more regular now that I feel better. However with the holidays, anniversaries, and birthdays looming, who knows? 

Blessings, Nicole 

Daily Verse or Quote: 

“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” 

― Emilie Buchwald

The Past Few Days and Weeks...

... have been a blur of finally getting over hyperemesis. 

(to then only come down with a nasty cold.)

...have been filled with Halloween costume sewing, co-op crafting, pumpkin picking, and birthday celebrating! 

(yes I am now comfortably in my mid twenties) 

...have been filled with many many precious moments with my children despite the above cold and holiday frenzies.

(which makes me really want to hit the pause button)

....have been a time of tremendous growth for me spiritually and physically.

(Yep the baby is moving and bouncing, not to mention I had to pull out some maternity clothes)

... have finally been filled with a sense of peace amid life's ebb and flow. 

So enjoy our many many family photos below from our photo shoot. I tried and tired to upload them to silly facebook but it would not let me. So I wised up and just put them here! 

I promise to be in this place more now that I feel better and have more time and energy. I have missed this!

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual birthed by Soulemama. A single photo or two - a few words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

. . . . . . . .

Getting started on the holidays ~ soap making 

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual birthed by Soulemama. A single photo - no (well sometimes a few) words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

They all come from a tiny seed...

Phew, has it already been a week since our apple picking trip? Time sure flies when you're having fun and exhausted! This week we took a week off from co-op due to trips, home births, and general craziness in our schedules  That's what I love about co-op and my Momma partner- we're flexible. So when things come up, oh and they will come up when you have young kids, we can postpone and pick up where we left off. We also don't lose any money! 


Last Friday was our BIG co-op trip to Charlottesville for apple picking at Carter Mountain Orchard. This was my first real time apple picking and the kids too. Last year we went to Bush Neck Farms in Williamsburg. The staff, despite calling ahead, was extremely unfriendly. We still made the best of our trip but let's just say we won't ever be going back. 

We decided to drive up during nap time and pick, play, and eat dinner- then drive home. Fortunately our plan and timing worked! The kids napped the whole time and were well behaved. A few melt downs but nothing that could be considered a trip ruined. I mean with four kids under 4, I think they were the best behaved little ones ever.


The orchard, the mountains, the apples, the kids were all so worth the drive. I really did not want to leave. It was gorgeous. The kids were in love. After we picked, they literally just frolicked on a hill playing for close to two hours. Deirdre was just shocked that a tree could make so many apples and that you can make so many things from apples. I really adore seeing her gears turning as well as being awe struck by God's great creation.


Jonas was a hoot. He was super possessive about his apples. He was content to just carry his one apple around and eat it. If he lost that one special apple- despite thousands of other nearby- he got very unnerved. He really seemed to enjoy himself as well. 


To top the trip off, we ate out at a packed restaurant with the kids. They were great, the food was great, and off we went on our way home. I am just so proud of myself and Anya for doing something lovely and enriching for our kids. For keeping our cool and going with the flow. I am slowly seeing some neat changes in my kids too since we've begun this Waldorf journey. I am so excited to see them flower more in the coming months. 

Baby's Nursery

So to get me excited and to make me feel better- well or at the very least help- I have started planning the baby's nursery. Our plan is still to not find out the baby's sex, which is perfect because the theme I like is gender neutral.


Before this baby was born and when having another baby was not even on our minds, I brought a Beatrix Potter fabric panel on a whim. I just love Beatrix Potter and thought to myself as I got the panel... "This is for my next baby." So happily, I do get to use it!

Since I can sew now, I am planning on making all the baby's bedding with the exception of the few green, yellow, and white sheets I still have on hand, as well as one PBK organic sheet I got on sale. I am hoping to start soon after I finish DD's costume, quilt bindings, and dress. But who knows? I still feel so back and forth health and energy wise. However in the end, the baby will be sleeping with us in our room for most of their first few months so time is not of the essence :) 


So here is to turning a corner this week. I have a bunch of blog posts lined up for this week about our co-op goings on last week and some thoughts I have on my mind. 


At any rate, have a great night, and if you have any quilt and nursery ideas- send them my way!