November Gratitude: Merry Folk in Masquerade

A gypsy fire is on the hearth,
Sign of the carnival of mirth;
Through the dun fields and from the glade
Flash merry folk in masquerade,
For this is Hallowe’en!
~Author Unknown

As you can imagine, there aren’t many places to go in our little country community for trick-or-treating fun, so we loaded up the kids and spent the evening with friends at their home downtown.

There they were, 4 boys of approximate age and 2 girls of approximate age walking down streets with their dads. She was inside carving a pumpkin and preparing chili for when they returned, and I got to sit outside on their porch and watch the festivities, passing out candy and guessing what costumes the children were wearing.

Magic to Believe In

“Magic has to be believed in. It’s the only way it’s real”
(A Little Princess)

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Her footfalls were soft down the stairs this morning, muffled by her sleeper jammy feet. She peeked into the den where I sat under a warm blanket in the quietness of our dark house.

“Mommy?” she whispered, curling up next to me and looking deep into my eyes, “Did you see the snow?” I nodded, gazing at her barely contained excitement. “I did.”

Her eyes sparkled (don’t they always?), “Iiiiiii LOVE it!” she threw her arms up, jumped off the couch and proceeded to twirl through the room.

Savoring September: Bear Behind the Lens

Saturday morning breakfasts are a tradition in our home, one of the many ways we love to start our weekend. I love making creative pancakes and scrambled egg combinations, and today was my first Saturday back in the kitchen in a month and a half. We all chipped in to get food (and coffee!) ready and on the table while sweet Bear followed us around with the camera, capturing what was important to him.

Life.

And living.

Here are some of my favs:

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“Seek the wisdom of the ages, but look at the world through the eyes of a child.”
(~R. Wild)

Savoring September: Football (or When Did He Grow Up?)

Yes, he seems so small. Yes, his practice jersey is huge on him. Yes, the thought of possible injury makes me quake a bit on the inside. Yes, it’s one more step in holding him loosely.

But, y’all, the sheer joy on his face when he bolts through the door after practice warms this Mama’s heart.

He is doing what he loves, and it is beautiful.

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Football is like life, it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work,
sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority. (~Vince Lombardi)

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