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Autumn To Do List, 2015

Posted by Carolyn on September 23, 2015 Leave a Comment

It’s the first day of Autumn!  Officially!  Finally! Here are some photos from last Autumn and a list of things to do this Autumn.  Feel free to play along!andthenthey autumn to do 6 andthenthey autumn to do 5 andthenthey autumn to do 4 andthenthey autumn to do 3 andthenthey autumn to do 2 andthenthey autumn to do 1

  1. Drink hot cider.
  2. Drink pumpkin beer.
  3. Go to the pumpkin patch.
  4. Make art.
  5. Make Halloween costumes.
  6. Go trick or treating.
  7. Make new Beatrix top.
  8. Christmas gifts.
  9. Make apple crisp.
  10. Jump in puddles.
  11. Go on a date.
  12. #30daysof thanksgiving on Instagram.
  13. Go on a hay ride.
  14. Go to a Halloween party.
  15. Find some snow.
  16. Put the garden to bed for the winter.
  17. Decorate for Autumn. Done!
  18. Make Christmas banner for CaroMade.
  19. Prep the December Daily album.
  20. Get some Advent things ready like:
    1. The Goodness Gnomes (or whatever they will end up being.. I bought some little fairy things at the Country Fair this year).
    2. Other traditions for Christmastime/ Advent.
  21. Drink tea. Done!  That one was easy!
  22. Do a puzzle.
  23. Eat some cheese.
  24. Plan our 10th Anniversary Party.
  25. Go to the library.

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Posted in: 35 Until 35, gave thanks., gratitude, learned., parented. | Tagged: 2015, autumn, autumn to do, to do, to do list

Apple Picking, Autumn 2015

Posted by Carolyn on September 15, 2015 Leave a Comment

One of our play group’s annual traditions is to go apple picking in September.  We go to my favorite orchards and spend the morning picking apples, playing with the farm stuff, tasting cider, feeding the goats, and welcoming Autumn.

Untitled1As is evidenced by this gif, this year was fun. Thanks Hannah (from The Lighthearted Life of HMV) for being so lighthearted and fun!

andthenthey apple pickingwalkersThis year was also warmer than it should have been if you ask me. Last year was sort of drizzly and that was much more Autumnal.  I love this event because it assures us that Autumn is, in fact, coming.  Even when it’s 80 degrees and the day before was over 90, the apples on the trees are a promise of cooler weather, and darker skies.  And nothing beats biting into a crisp, juicy apple picked directly off a tree in a century old orchard.  I can pretend that there’s a crisp breeze blowing down the rows of trees, if only for a moment.

andthenthey apple picking runningMy camera was doing strange things, and it turns out that the only photos that were in focus (or mostly in focus, anyway) were of Alma, Harriet, Rory, and Poppy.  I swear that there were lots of other people there!  In fact, I think it was one of the best turn outs we’ve had at a playgroup lately – nine out of the ten families!  As I’ve said many times before, I love our little tribe of families in this group, and all our traditions.  Next month is our 4th Annual Pumpkin Patch trip, a perennial favorite!

andthenthey apple picking groupandthenthey apple picking ro andthenthey apple picking a and p andthenthey apple picking hay maze andthenthey apple picking cratesThis last photo cracks me up.  “Ummm… mom, why are you putting us in boxes?”

Forgive me, children, Autumn is coming.  I can make no excuses for my silly ideas.  You will just have to get used to it.

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Posted in: ate., gave thanks., meal planning, parented., playgroup | Tagged: apple picking, autumn, children, kids, Oregon, Parenting, photography, playgroup, tradition

september 2015 : currently

Posted by Carolyn on September 8, 2015 Leave a Comment

[I’ve been thinking about blogging these past few days, and I’ve come to some conclusions. I used to think that everything had to be new and unique.  I’ve changed my mind.  There are blogs I read who do the same things each month.  Every month, Elise does a currently blog, where she shares what she’s currently doing.  It’s full of verbs and gives a glimpse into her life.  I love this, but haven’t wanted to be a copy-cat.  I finally decided that it’s okay to be a copy-cat.  I love the feature, and I feel like it will be something to look back on over the years.  So here’s my first – september 2015 currently.] AndThenThey Autumn Presentwaiting for Autumn to come for reals.

knowing we will get some hot days that will knock me down before Autumn comes for reals.

admitting that I know that Autumn doesn’t need to be capitalized, but standing my assertion that it deserves it.

eating lots of veggies, meat, and fruit for our first Whole30.

feeling like I have a horrible hangover for days on end.

wondering what on earth I’ve been putting in my body that when I stop eating it, it can make me feel so horrible.

hoping it will all be worth it in the end of the 30 days.

knowing that we will definitely be making long term changes to our diet, just based on the past 8 days of Whole30.

reading The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.

building myself up to start setting my alarm earlier so I can get up and have a productive, energizing morning routine.

talking myself out of setting my alarm earlier every single night.

marveling at how perfectly the daily devotions in Savor are matching up with what I need to hear.

wishing I have more time in the mornings to really thinking about and work with each devotion (see above).

listening to a most perfect mix of Autumn music that is a Sara Barielles/ Nickel Creek Pandora station.

singing along to Alma’s CDs, even when she’s not in the car.

anticipating the day in a little under a week when both my girls are in school.

running out of ideas to keep all three of us busy and entertained.

feeling tired and ragged and worn out. It’s been a long summer.

loving these days of golden sunlight, fluffy clouds, crisp breezes, and rain showers.

laughing all day at Harriet’s sweet pouts, Alma’s antics, and getting to share it all with Jesse.

hearing all sorts of sad on NPR.

wanting to do something.

praying.

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Posted in: a little moment, currently, gave thanks., learned. | Tagged: a little moment, autumn, currently

Another Pumpkin Patch

Posted by Carolyn on October 15, 2014 Leave a Comment

It’s kind of the Alma show here, but it’s hard to photograph a baby in an Ergo on my back…

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Posted in: a little moment, gave thanks., learned., nature, parented., travel | Tagged: autumn, children, gratitude, kids, Oregon, Parenting, photography, pumpkin patch

Pumpkin Patch 2014

Posted by Carolyn on October 4, 2014 1 Comment

We are super lucky to have an amazing community of families.  We do play groups once a month, and October is always a favorite.  We head to Northern Lights Christmas Tree Farm for their hayride and pumpkins.  It’s not a super crazy place for pumpkins, so it’s perfect for toddlers and their little siblings.

This was the third annual trip to the pumpkin patch.  Our group has changed quite a bit in the past three years!  We’ve added families; families have added members.

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2014 - Not the best group shot... the tractor was about to take off!
2014 – Not the best group shot… the tractor was about to take off!

There was recently an article about playgroups that went around the internet, talking about the magic that these groups can hold.  Some have it, some don’t.  Ours has it.  I know that even when our kids are scattered and in different schools, we will still have our community.  Even if we only get together once a year (likely with the annual pumpkin patch trip!), I know these families will always be a part of our lives.bIMG_4268 bIMG_4278 bIMG_4289 bIMG_4294 bIMG_4300 bIMG_4316 bIMG_4344 bIMG_4385 bIMG_4391 bIMG_4407 bIMG_4424 bIMG_4436 bIMG_4457 bIMG_4478 bIMG_4479 bIMG_4485 bIMG_4497 bIMG_4515 bIMG_4517 bIMG_4565

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Posted in: gave thanks., nature, parented. | Tagged: autumn, friends, playgroup, pumpkin, pumpkin patch

Apple Picking

Posted by Carolyn on September 30, 2014 Leave a Comment

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Adventure: check
Friends: check
Family: check
Apples: check

There you have it.

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Posted in: ate., gave thanks., in the garden, nature, parented., photography | Tagged: adventure, apples, autumn, deterings

Autumn Mantel

Posted by Carolyn on September 23, 2014 Leave a Comment

IMG_4245Happy autumn, friends!  It’s finally here!  And it’s cloudy and rainy and chilly!  And I’m drinking a cup of tea!  And I couldn’t be happier!  Well, maybe if my kids were actually napping, I would be a little happier.  But, It’s autumn!  And I have my autumn mantel all decorated!

IMG_4242 IMG_4237IMG_4234 IMG_4252

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Posted in: created., decorating | Tagged: autumn, autumn mantel, decorating, mantel

Oh How I Love Fresh Starts -Autumn 2014

Posted by Carolyn on September 15, 2014 1 Comment

IMG_6684To me, there are three times in the year when we all get fresh starts.  Fresh starts to set new goals, or to recommit to old goals.  These are my favorite times of the year.

The first is obviously New Years.  I love to clean up all the Christmas decorations and go into the new year feeling fresh and clean.  The resolutions always feel a bit forced to me because there’s that overriding sense that we will all fail at these goals.  But, there is also the choosing of the One Little Word.  And the new numbers we have to learn to write in the date boxes on forms.

The next time of year when we get a fresh start is Novruz.  It is the Spring equinox, and a time of growth and rebirth.  At this time, we get to leave all our problems, worries, and bad things in a fire to get all burned up.

IMG_2874The third time is Autumn.  After a long, hot summer, It always feels so good to feel the crispness in the air.  The light starts to change.  The leaves turn red, yellow, orange.  The grass turns green again.  Kids and teachers are making new starts in their classrooms.  They buy new clothes, pencils, backpacks.  The school year is full of amazing possibilities.  I always loved when it was time to go back to school.  It’s no surprise that I went into teaching with this kind of attitude about school.

IMG_6659The summer is hard for me.  I don’t like the heat – it drains my energy and creativity.  I don’t like how everything looks dirty – without a good rain dust and dirt starts to build up on everything.  I do have to admit that summer is a lot more fun with kids.  It’s been great getting to play outside and swim so much.  I also loved all the fun things we did this summer  – the track meets, trips, and lots of fun park dates with friends.  But I’m pretty much ready for a cleansing rain and cooler weather.

IMG_6470aI always get a surge of energy around this time of year.  Energy for decorating my house (this is pretty much the only season I actually decorate – besides Christmas).  Energy for making things.  Energy to work in the garden.  Energy to drink tea and do jigsaw puzzles.  Energy to cuddle and wear slippers.  Energy to stay up late playing board games.

I know some people hate to see summer end, but I say bring on autumn!  And I’m already indoctrinating Alma.  I have her on the lookout for autumn – whenever we’re in the car, she’s looking for the changing leaves and yells “MOMMMMY!!!! AUTUMN!!! OVER THERE!” whenever she sees some.  Hattie even pointed out a yellow tree on our walk yesterday.

IMG_2876aSo, let’s set some goals.  Let’s clean up our gardens.  Let’s make things.  Let’s drink tea and cuddle with the people we love.  Embrace it!

I will leave you with my autumn anthem by Laura Kemp.  Enjoy!

Hannah Branch!

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Posted in: a little moment, gave thanks., gratitude, learned., nature, one little word, parented. | Tagged: autumn, creating, goals, Hann
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If God said, ‘Rumi pay homage to everything that has helped you enter my arms,’ there would not be one experience of my life, not one thought, not one feeling, nor any act, I would not bow to. -Rumi

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