Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Tomorrow Is

I'm eating pumpkin cake I made for the tea party I had on Monday (back here) Yum!

I turned the calendar

I did a quick spray painting job so I'll be ready for tomorrow (one for our kitchen table, one for her teacher, one for my reading table at my school) (pic coming up below)

We stopped by the library on the way home from viola to get the best Halloween books before they're all picked over

I was even spotted online shopping for little girl Thanksgiving dresses.

It can all mean one thing... October is tomorrow!!!  And I am super excited for this fall month!

And with September wrapping up I have to get just a few random iphone pics here on this blog of mine for fear that they'll disappear forever!!!

Her favorite dress in September

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After Mass one Sunday in September

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A dress of Anna's... I adore the fabric. When I bought it online and opened it I said to Anna... wear it! Quick! It's only going to fit you for like ten minutes!

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After Mass

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When a friend in school gives you a necklace and it's half of hers. It made this mama happy. May friendship always be that simple and easy.

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Anna's lunchbox note on the day of her beaux strings audition.

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Swoon

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I love making lunches and I love a bento box

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This came down today

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But I did this today too to take the apple place. (one for us, one for my school, one for her teacher)

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She got all shined up for her grand season about to start. She loves fall (my tea kettle)

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The kind of music I listen to (along with Frank Sinatra) when I clean, cook, bake, and nest

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Apple books, apple tree all gone

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Another after Mass

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A typical afternoon... me in my teaching dress still, her in her jammies (because when she plays in the sandbox at school its straight to the bathtub) doing flashcards

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A paper she brought home glowing about her Uncle Trent and this

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Anna and I right after dinner (messy kitchen) about to go on our run (doing a quick pony)

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Jeepers Creapers... another lunchbox shot

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A Monday night date... fire pit, tea, cake while the girlies were sleeping. More romantic than anything in the world!

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Books Anna has read in September. I love how she keeps lists for herself

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And September... you're a wrap... iphone... see you at the end of October.







Tuesday, September 29, 2015

On A Monday

The calendar said Monday but it sure felt like a Saturday afternoon to me.

My favorite Aunt and Uncle were in town.

The ones that I have stars in my eyes about when I just think about them.

So we had tea.

I went with a autumn tea theme. (and pulled it off after teaching and just before they came, phew!)

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Setting up a cozy kitchen tea party is just about my favorite thing in the whole wide world.

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I like simple flowers and a delightful children's book as a centerpiece more than anything.

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The tree was full of pumpkins and apples

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There was Frank Sinatra playing and I decided on my April Cornell white table cloth

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I used my wedding china and these little napkins as place mats (April Cornell) since I only needed little ones. And these napkins... my favorite of all time. Look at that lace... aren't they just divine? My Aunt Kathy gave me those napkin rights about 17 years ago.

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I just love the little birds on these napkins. Love love love. (they were used for dessert at Abigail's First Communion)

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I set out a pot of tea.

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I brewed Cinnamon Apple Crisp

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Pumpkin cake, banana bread, muffins, cheese and apple slices, and chocolate chip cookies (for the girls who were coming home from school)

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The center piece is always my favorite.

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I got it all set just as they pulled up.

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My Aunt and Uncle and I had a lovely time catching up before the girls came home. We talked and sipped on tea.

And then my two girls were with us.

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And we tried to soak in every single minute that we could together.

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It was too too short. But it was lovely.

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Monday, September 28, 2015

I Will

(this weekend in Maine)
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Scott and I went to a wedding about fifteen years ago.  It was a teacher in Scott's school at the time.  I didn't know the bride or the groom.  And Scott just knew the bride through teaching.  He lost touch over the years as he moved on and she did as well.  But I'll never forget that wedding and I can tell you that they are still married  It was the most beautiful wedding.  It was outdoor and on a lake.
And it rained.  As the couple started saying their vows it started to pour.  So many of the guests ran for cover. (right in the middle of the sacred vows)  We sat right there and didn't move.  The rain poured down as they said, "I will love you forever."

Seriously beautiful.

And then someone sang this song.  It was so romantic.

We've been married for nineteen years.  And although 'real life' is not always the easiest we are together still 'sitting in the pouring rain' on some days.  But we won't budge.  We sit and sometimes wait things out, or weather a storm, or hold on to each other fiercely.  But we're together.  Because

who knows how long I've loved you
you know I love you still...

love you forever and forever
love you with all my heart
love you whenever we're together
love you when we're apart

I will... 


Friday, September 25, 2015

September ~ Around our house

We are so lucky. Aren't we? That Autumn comes every single year. Oh how we are sad when summer comes to an end and we have to get into a new back-to-school routine. But then just a few short weeks later the weather turns and it's heaven. It doesn't matter where you live. September (late September) on a calendar is woooonerful.

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A new season must first start with a change in your cuppa tea.  This is my fall tea.

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Apple picking and baskets and baskets of these.

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It seems silly, really to explain all of this.  I'll just say, this is my September house.  I take pictures so that I can remember what I did "last year". (although my tastes change and it won't be like this... in fact I've already changed things around since these were taken... I love to "nest")

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This wreath is now on the front door.  And I've replaced it with something else.

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We have a huge TV and never watch it. But I love our family room.  Puzzles, games, reading, relaxing.  And our first fire of the season.

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That teacup is from my Wedding China.  I should have taken an upclose, it's so fall.

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My seasonal tree

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And my collection on Emma Bridgewater mugs that started last fall.

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I love how the light in my house changes this time of year and I find shadows and light in different places.

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Love!  For scooping my loose tea at 4:20 in the morning.

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Santa has given the girls many Playmobil collections over the years.  I like to change them out and only have one out at a time.  This one is school and must be out in September, right?

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Muffins are better in here but on the off chance that there are none that day this has to have something in it.  Right?

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Entryway hutch

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This idea from visiting Billie Jo last fall.  Open up a favorite candle and instant yummy in your entryway.

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I love reading these for the little tips at the bottom and for the recipe ideas.

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This summer we redid this room just a bit.  Painted it a lighter color.  Took down the heavy curtains and just hung sheers.  ( I love how the violas echo in this room).  I wanted the mantle to be a quick seasonal change and I wanted it simple.

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Spray painted mason jars for this easy peasy craft.  One for our kitchen table, one for Abigail's teacher, one for my reading table where I teach.  Thinking I could make pumpkins next month.

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First fireplace fire of the season! And no, I don't change that fireplace mantle for every season.  I adore that painting of my girls that my Dad did so I really like how the things I have up there compliment the painting.  (except for Christmas... everything changes at Christmas)

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The sheers allow for the violas to sound rich and beautiful.  We used to call this the living room but we call it either the viola room or the Christmas tree room.  So much happier with it's lighter color.

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And that's it... basically, around our house in September. Looking forward to many many more weeks of fall around here. Loving this season.