Repost from September 2014

Don't ya just love to look back at your blog. That is one of the main reasons that I post on here... so I have a place to look back at the beautiful. 

This post was titled: Today is Beautiful 

(French Toast every Friday... because it smells soooo good) 


Today as I drove into my little school.  (wow!  Yes, I can now say "my own little school") it was so so chilly.  Perfectly sunny and oh so chilly.

I wore my brown pencil skirt, crisp white blouse, light pink cardigan, and pearls.  Abigail approves all of my outfits each morning since we get 'ready for school' at the same time.  Anna has just left and we've been to the waving spot where we wave as Anna walks down the sidewalk.  It's 8:00 and I watch... her eyes still big as a harvest moon as I 'turn into' a teacher.  And she tells me each and every morning (with the exception of Wednesday since Wednesdays I stay in my mommy clothes) "you look just like a teacher"  Isn't that cute?

And she prays for me.  I don't want to forget that later in life.  We do our hugs as I buckle her into the car.  She holds around my neck and prays that I won't be confused, that the kids are sweet, and that "we'll be back together in this hug again soon."

Then she's ready for second grade and guess what?  I'm ready for second grade (my little group is second graders)

When I lift my eyes and choose to see it (being a teacher again) in a different light I can feel God leading me, comforting me, telling me you are right where you are supposed to be. 

(Oh, and is there really anything prettier to come home to at lunch time?  Linens drying on a rack in a sunny bedroom window.  No I didn't think so)


Yes, it was fall chilly as I drove in.  Black flats with the big white bows on them walking across the parking lot.  Next month, I thought, I'll have the crunch of leaves under those shoes.

I heard this song on the way home and couldn't wait to start our family fall weekend.  The weather looks perfect for a weekend of nothing.  There's a fall fair nearby.  We might go.  There's Mass.  There are omelets for dinner tonight.  Doesn't that sound perfect?  I think I'll surprise the girls, and we'll have dinner in front of our first fire of the season.  (Oh, please don't tell them that I already lit the fire for lunch time today?)



Wishing you a peaceful, beautiful fall weekend where ever you are.

The Prior Performing Arts Center ~ and a really sweet visit with Anna

On Saturday I got the opportunity to head up to Holy Cross to visit Anna. The Prior Performing Arts Center had a grand opening and of course we really wanted to see it on this special events day. There were tours, performances, food trucks, and fun! And best of all I got time with Anna. I loved this sunny, fall, beautiful day up on "the hill". 

Click HERE to see better pictures and to see what it's all about!  

Look at those glass practice rooms up there! 

After touring we went outside to enjoy the food trucks that the college had brought in for the event. Then we headed back in to the art gallery. 

Such beautiful views of campus! 

After that we headed back to her dorm room and I got a few pictures because I love details and I love seeing and remembering what it looks like. 

Brought her (and roommate) up a few fall things

Before I knew it, it was time to head back home (we are about an hour and 15 minutes). We each got a chai tea latte and hugged tight... until next time. Love you sweet girl of mine. 

Enjoying Fall ~ Apple Picking

"New England has a way of doing this to people; they can be homesick for it even if they have never seen it." ~ Mark Van Doren 

I can't tell you how wonderful today in Connecticut was. We had no school and we soaked it up, I tell you! Sunshine, perfect temps, and time in the apple orchard! It's just what we needed! 

We found this little apple orchard run by a husband and wife. That's their house (below) and I wanted to move right in. It's a tiny orchard, no tourists, no bounce houses, no people, just locals shop and pick here. We didn't want to leave and for sure will be back! 

They were so kind -- telling us what apples they had, what are good for snacking vs. what is good for baking. They explained the different tastes of each variety. She even told us we might want to change out of our sneakers and into boots since it might be muddy from recent rain. 

Then they walked us down the hill behind their farm house and into their orchard. I asked Scott if we could sell our home and buy their orchard and farm house -- all of it so charming. 

I love the beauty of this tree. The trunk and dotted red with all of those Cortland apples. 

We sure missed Anna a ton but had fun making memories with Abigail. 

Homemade mittens for sale by a 92 year old in assisted living -- someone they know. We texted Anna and she picked out the pink ones. Abigail got the mint green ones (and a few for her best friends for Christmas presents) 

Tiny little farm stand with just a few treats...

... and mums for sale too. This couple is busy for sure in the fall! 

"At last the day drifted into a long lacquered afternoon." ~ Edith Sitwell 

 

Love This

Wanting to capture all of the details and all of the memories of our lives on this space. I love this picture: my Dad bringing over flowers and a balloon for Abigail!

It reminds me of this picture from way back. (April 2020)

Click HERE to see that post

Happy First Day of Fall!

(miss her) 

(2019)

The first day of fall came in with a huge, dark, rainstorm and is ending with a real chill in the air. 

Tomorrow is only supposed to be a high of 59... and I am so excited for that weather... I can hardly wait. 

The setting sun is making different shadows and not just the temperatures but the light just feels like fall. 

Here are a few favorite posts I love from fall:

Jacob's Ladder  

Good ol Fashioned Fun 

Pumpkin Carving

Fall 

Fall Bucket List 

Pumpkin Carving 

Pumpkin Patch

Waxing Leaves 

Off the Beaten Path 

Apple Picking 

Soooo there are hundreds of fall memories on this blog. I think there is just something about the beauty of fall that makes me want to take pictures, make memories, and blog them all! Feel free to scroll down to the bottom of the blog where all of the 'categories' are... just click fall and get lost in dreamy New England! 

Silver Lining

When two friends have C-vid at the same time - starting on the same day - and have been facetime studying all week quarantined in their bedrooms... 

got to get together (because why not? they both have c-vid) we find a silver lining. 

Two friends who haven't really spent much time together because they both have other friend groups have now something in common: AP Biology and being home all week. That equals friendship. 

So today after Abigail slammed doors last night and was in desperation from living in her bedroom. After she cried doing her own shot last night. And screamed at the thought of putting her brace on herself. She got to feel 'normal' with a friend. And a pizza. And outside. 

And that was a silver lining for this mama. 

Here's another post on silver linings - click HERE

 

Fresh Air

So grateful for screened in porches and picnic tables on brick patios.... 

for this little girl who can't go to school for five days because of C-vid and who can't be near us either. 

Boy oh boy do I miss her hugs and her laughter. I can not wait to hug her for forever when this is over! 

And for someone who has to navigate so many health issues already, this is just one very short term one. 

But it makes me mad that I can't be the one to give her her growth hormone shot at night. She is doing it all on her own during this illness. 

And I am passing her other meds under the door and she is doing those too. 

I think the worst of it is her putting her brace on by herself at night and taking it off on her own in the morning. That was always me. Now I just cheer her on. 

She's got this. She can do one more, especially since it's only 4 more days!  

40 Phone Pictures I Love

I am for sure a 'big camera', all the lenses girl. I love that thing, but once in a while I look at what is on my phone and it makes me so happy. I thought I'd do a blog post looking at some of the things on my phone. Here are a few memories I love: 

1. Our 26th Anniversary dinner -- this was what Anna ordered and she loved it so so much! I love how close Scott and I are sitting. Click HERE to read more about that day/trip. 

2. This trip -- all of us together. I think we put this on a rock and set the timer. I can see in my face the love I have for these people, my little family. 

3. I remember this -- it was after a photo shoot and we drove to another park, another spectacular lake. And I love the light shining through Anna's dress. Click HERE and HERE to see more about that day. 

4. Exhaustion after landing in Boston at the end of our trip. We stopped for a pizza since we hadn't eaten all day. I'm wearing Anna's tee because I think that was all that was left. 

5. We finished another 'Girls Club' this summer all about friendship. 

6. One random Sunday in the summer after Mass 

7. Our porch wall / travel wall project finally happened. And I do love it so much! Click HERE to see how it turned out. 

8. Scott had major hand surgery. This was a month after. 

9. This scene: my girls, out on the porch, talking hours after dinner was eaten and cleaned up. Still talking. Best friends. 

10. Anna's roommate Caroline (love her) had a friend that was on campus early. She snuck into Anna and her future room and took a few pictures so they could start to plan it out. 

11. The day of hand surgery. 

12. Took the girls shopping. 

13. Went to like a million doctor appointments in the summer. 

14. We celebrated Anna's adoption day out to dinner this August and it was fun! 

15. And we thought about where she came from. This from the orphanage in China. Takes my breath away sad. 

16. Went to a farm for the best ice cream I've ever had in my life. 

16. The girls working on their diary together (from the trip)

17. We let too much time go by before seeing these dear friends. We love them so much! 

18. I started decorating for fall in the middle of August -- next year even sooner! Click HERE to see the dining room all done. 

19. At the same time I was working in my classroom to get it ready for the first day. (with a lot of help) 

20. It must have been a really great Bible morning if I stopped to take a picture. 

21. I remember taking this picture to remember these plants -- they live in my classroom but were home for the summer on our porch. Not sure where the other 10 are! 

22.  The cutest back to school haircuts with my girls. 

23. There was the Back to School Blessing dinner. Click HERE to see more of that evening. 

24. Grandma came by to bring Anna cookies before heading off to college. 

25. All of a sudden it was move in day for her sophomore year -- which now feels like a long time ago. Click HERE to read more about that spectacular day. 

26. Then it actually WAS the first day of school for all of us (with not picture of Scott on his first day) 

(I love my team!) 

(first class activity) 

27. Love these in my classroom. 

28. First "Baker Novel Time" (read and recorded by my Dad) 

29. I call these "happy boxes" and they get to build with them at the end of each day. 

30. Just after Mass -- missing Anna 

31. Our first visit to see Anna (haven't been back since and miss her so much) 

32. Love having cookie dough balls in the freezer for hot, fresh cookies 

33. In my classroom during the first few weeks we celebrated our unique and beautiful families - had so much fun making these houses with them. 

34. Last Saturday was her first viola morning: chamber group, viola tour group, Vivace orchestra... she loves it all! 

35. Finally, this took for what seemed like forever -- in my classroom - I have the parents of each child write their hope and dream they have for their child (for their 4th grade school year). I hang them all up in the classroom. Love it so much! 

36. Walking the "red carpet" on the day our Classroom Library opens for the first time. Nothing better! 

37. High School open house (parents night) This is AP Biology. I didn't even understand how the class runs so I have no idea how she makes it through even one class! 

38. Our classroom tree -- for the month of September they have colored their first book they have started this night. We change it each month. (oh and behind you can see the "I Believe in You" wall. I have an 8x10 portrait that I took on the very first day and their celebration family houses hanging there. 

39. Another hallway bulletin board. 'What to do with an Idea'. Black and white copies of those portraits. They cut the head open (I know, sounds weird) so that all of their ideas and come out. What a powerful activity this was! 

40. Reader's Workshop in full swing. Digging into real books to find narrative features. Love this stuff so much! 

Well, there you have it... my phone pictures all on one post!