Falling

Fall is here, and I'm embracing it like an old friend. Cool, misty mornings that turn into warm(er), sunny afternoons? I'll take it, with a side of pumpkin and sweaters, please.

Chilly morning play dates (in sweaters) --

Okay, so sweaters still come off after about 11:00, but it's the thought that counts.

 We picked the one park with a balloon birthday party this day. Kaitlyn's noise sensitivity includes popping balloons (whose doesn't, really??) She was okay with it (okay = walking around covering ears, but not sobbing) until the end when her fatigue (nice way of saying crankfest 2012) kicked in and she'd had enough. I did as any good mom would do and took pictures before rescuing:

 



 

 

 

Return of the crochet addiction --

 

I have a confession: I do this at night after the girls go to bed, while I watch episodes of Dawson's Creek on Netflix. I'm up to the college years. As if that wasn't confession enough, Kaitlyn came in the other night and says, "That's Dawson. He loves Joey. Only Joey." So maybe she's caught the tail end of a few episodes.

 

I also set my alarm for 6:00 every non-work morning so that I can enjoy coffee/crochet/creek (nerd alert) before mommy duties. I love my girls and my time with them, but this is kind of heaven...

Kaitlyn isn't in ballet, but is into ballet outfits (thank you, hand-me-downs). Enter easy leg warmer pattern.

 

New chair covers - or whatever - for the girls' table. Three more to go, and hoping they have less and less "character" as I am more used to the pattern.

 I'm learning the "join as you go" method for granny squares. I keep hearing that this is definitely the way to go for this most overwhelming part of the blanket process. I ended up with squares I didn't want to include in the big one, so am practicing with them for a doll blanket.

Let's see, it's 2012? So, the big blanket, if you factor in my crochet ADD (aka, starting four projects at a time because I need something new), the big blanket should be done by, oh...let's say 2020 to give a little cushion.

These little guys are two ears and a scarf each away from being loved.

 

Halloween bunting. I made it up as I went along, and it's not hard to tell. ;)

 

Take-your-breath-away-sunsets (excuse my old iPhone for not capturing them at their best - just trust me that they were worthy of this title) --

 

Jeff loves fishing. LOVES. Three nights in one week, we ended up down at the waterfront to watch the fishermen and look at boats. He's been fishing at least a few times in the past few weeks, and has brought home and cooked us delicious salmon. Kaitlyn says it's her favorite meal ever.

 

Yep.


 

New walking pose by Austen Jean.

Taken by Grandpa Roger. With an iPhone...unbelievable!!

 

Quiet, indoor activities --

These girls are obsessed with puzzles. They both could sit and do the same one over and over for at least 20 minutes. Laundry and dishes get done thanks to puzzles.

 

 

Just good 'ole play-inside-while-it's-cold-outside coziness -- 

 

She could not have been more thrilled that I let her use the glue. She kept referring to herself as a grown-up.

The first time she cheered after doing it "all by herself," I had to ask Kaitlyn if she helped her. Nope. Little sis has it memorized.

 Inside play dates --

Which require creative fun:

Flying princesses.

Not impressed that their friend is leaving.

 Baking. Duh --

Kaitlyn and I are in a habit of baking while Austen is napping. She comes to me, kid-size whisk in hand, asking me what we are going to bake that day. How can I say no? (What I need to learn to say no to is the 10 cookies I "test" while they are still warm -- bigger jeans aren't in the new budget.) I love this time with her.

I have finally joined the world of planning and cooking "proper" (aka - not college food) dinners for my family. It's not that I haven't enjoyed cooking, or didn't know how, but I was not in the habit and if I'm being honest, Jeff has been the more domestic half for quite a while when it comes to cooking. There's nothing wrong with that, and I most definitely don't feel any need to fit into any stereotype of a stay-at-home mom, but it turns out that I love cooking for my family and trying new recipes that would have intimidated me before. Holy run-on sentence.

So, stereotype away as I wear my vintage apron (thank you, Jenn, for calling the fact that I would be in more need of one while off work -- best gift ever) and make a regular thing out of having dinner on the table when my hard-working hubby gets home from his bread winning job.

Pumpkin cookies.

Pumpkin, cream cheese muffins (noticing a pattern?)

My first-ever cake from scratch: Paula Deen's carrot cake for Jeff's birthday (his favorite). It.was.amazing. I'm not taking credit; give all that to PD. I dumped it all in a bowl and put it in the oven. Piece of cake, actually. ;)

They both helped me with Daddy's cake while he was at work, and were beyond excited for him to come home to it.

Birthday boy got home, and was commanded to open his presents and see his cake.

Other things on the menu in the past couple of weeks: Quinoa pizza bites, "skinny" enchiladas (YUM), tuna noodle casserole (old faithful), salmon, scalloped potato gratin, oatmeal applesauce muffins, vegetarian chili, cauliflower mash, garlic roasted potatoes, and of course a few nights of leftovers/costco pasta (butternut squash ravioli...yum!) My requirement for recipes: Easy/somewhat quick. Turns out there are a lot of 'em. Score.

Fall cabin time, complete with cozying up to warm fires --

We headed to the ferry on Friday after work to enjoy a cabin weekend with Kara, Travis, Paige, and Baby Parker.

Hello, fall colors.

Future Wildcats!

This girl and her babies. She takes her job seriously.
 

Parker didn't go without a blankie or binky if Austen was around.

 

 

What fire?

 

 Rain = snails --

 

The girls love when the snails come out with the rain. This bush holds about 40 snails, all waiting to be temporary pets. They hunt and gather, but release when it's time to go inside.

 

 

Just being cozy --

 

Grandma's teacup. Comfort.

Here's to changin' it up...

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