Hurricane Sandy was about to hit, so we got our craft on! We had candles stocked, water stored, and warm clothes, despite the picture, ready at hand.
The girls clearly chose their own wardrobe for cookie decorating....but below is the finished product!
A successful and fun endeavor, despite the mounds of sprinkles that couldn't help but topple off the cookies and onto the counter.
We did lose power, eventually, but only for just under 24 hours and we felt so lucky! The girls camped in our room and then life went on as usual....so fortunate given the masses whose lives are still not back to normal and won't ever be the same again.
Pink...the color of choice as tomorrow I will be in pink socks(tights), and a pink shirt in honor of breast cancer awareness.
Yet, having just watched the most recent Parenthood, an episode filled with family caring and cancer struggles, I can't head off to bed....yet.
I am swirling and it is not just from the show. The show merely highlighted some of the emotions I have felt lately...
d is con ne c te d
pensive
longing.....
longing for the long conversations of friendship, but feeling like there is no time. After a week of Harper being sick and not sleeping well, it is taking its toll. Lucky for us, the antibiotics are kicking in and hopefully there will be sleep tonight, because how clear it is that sleep shades the brain. I have missed doctor appointments, been too easily frustrated, not spending enough time here in this moment....and although I imagined myself in bed by now(yes, it is only 9:50), I need to take this time to write, this time to read, this time to stop the laundry, cleaning, paperwork....all things that have been in halfway mode anyhow this past week, but put them on hold and read, think and write
Overwhelmed....overwhelmed by thoughts of how fast and furious cancer is, how sad it is, how much it dominates and decimates(even if temporarily) the lives of so many.
Amid the swirling...I am filled with pride. I had the fortunate opportunity to chaperone Paisley's first field trip today. She was great to watch...answering questions, playing with friends, soaking up the exhibits at the museum, asking questions, exploring new animals, people, cultures, crafts, and living in the moment.
It began this morning. Paisley tried to tiptoe out of the bedroom and her sister cried for her. It was time to get up, yes, but Paisley was doing as we had asked and was sneaking out to let her sister get a few more minutes of rest. Instead of needing me, Harper needed her sister. She needed her for a hug, a snuggle, and the comfort of knowing she was there. How could a mom want anything more than that simple loving moment? Seeing them hug and smile in a sincere, true, and special hug, I felt unbelievably lucky. I felt I could tackle the larger challenges life presents, the loved ones we've lost to diseases, cancers, age, distance and time, the difficulties of life choices, the frustrations of a mundane day, and so on....all of that seemed do-able and ok as I watched them hold onto each other, knowing they have each other. How lucky I am to have witnessed such a tender and special moment.
Absorb the little things DAILY!
Although I will be adding many more pictures from our recent weekend away to NH, these two seemed to share what the weekend is about: nature, simple life, good friends, long and fulfilling conversations, and, as is clear below, reflection. Reflection as it is in nature, reflection on our lives, and loves. I can't wait to write more, but for now I am off to bed, where I will hopefully dream of the mist in the morning on the mountains, the steam rising from the lake, the history of the century old barn, the cairns that mark the miles upon miles of trails, the smiles on the girls' faces as they fed the chickens, and, well, you get the point....NH with the Phillips' restores the soul!
What could be better than the simplicity of rolling in leaves in the fall?!
I love thinking back to raking the leaves on our driveway, jumping in them and then burning them...the smell takes me back to a family ritual each year to keep the sides of the driveway(the grass) free of decaying leaves. Now, although I don't have to worry about my own boarding school lawn, my girls get to go to Janee's each year and roll, laugh, play, and HUG in the leaves...what could be a better reminder of the little things?
http://www.celebrations.com/content/halloween-pumpkin-crafts-decorations?g=0
Doesn't this seem to be one of the cleverest things you have seen in awhile? I love the originality of it-I have never had one, nor have I seen it, but I might have to have a halloween get together just to try this!
Some years, I think I hit the nail on the head and our mantle looks country, fun, and festive to whatever that season might be--however, then there are times, I just don't make the time. The reality is, I am not going to make this harvest wreath, but I love the berries and pumpkin/gourd mix below.
Just leave it to Martha Stewart to have these next two rustic, pretty, and simple pictures that make me want to craft and celebrate fall.
If only we could remember how often we worry when we don't need to!
Recently, as I ran pushing the kids in the stroller, ok, jogged not ran, there was a rather smushed squirrel in the middle of our path. We had no where else to go and the girls were going to see it from a close perspective. I tried to prep them, warning them it would be gross and that it's part of nature(or nature with roads), etc....when Paisley took the slightest pause and said, "well, I guess a vulture will have to get that one!"
It was said with such conviction and such matter-of-fact childhood innocence. So, needless to say, I worried for no reason: something us moms do all the time as we forget that often, there is no need to worry!
I like the following quote while I reflect upon the vultures!
Do not anticipate trouble or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight. ~Benjamin Franklin
