281/366 Apples, football, and dreaming of cooler weather

It has been a lazy Sunday afternoon spent watching football and spending time with the family.  My youngest son took time out of his Hermit-like existence to call me.  Also, we've already heard from the oldest girl as she has been traveling through the various states.

A soup is simmering on the stove and I'm thinking about making an apple crumble.

Sometimes it feels like my whole world centers around my family and friends and food.  Priorities, right?

280/366 First thing this morning

I decided to make a Death by Chocolate cake to celebrate my oldest step-daughter's last night at home.  She'll be leaving in the morning for her job in St. Louis for the next seven months.

Man, it is hard to have these kids I love so much move so far away.

279/366 Festival time

The Honeybee Festival is full swing this weekend.  We'll go back tomorrow for the parade and to walk around and look at all the booths.  I'm sure we'll eat a fried thing or two.  

On a different note, tonight, I cooked and ate polenta for the first time ever.  Where has polenta been all my life?  I realize that I live in the sticks but I don't live under a rock.  What else am I missing?

278/366 Hummingbird sightings always make me stop and look

Even if they are made of metal.

I wish I were good enough -- or the hummingbirds were slow enough for me to catch with my camera.

277/366 The memory chest

When I graduated from high school, my grandmother made a big production of buying a hope chest for me.  She discussed how I could save away special outfits and towels and things I'd need when I got married.

I remember smiling at her and then turning to my sister and rolling my eyes.  We both dubbed the chests we received  as "The Hopeless Chest."

Fast forward almost thirty years ahead... My grandmother had wanted me to carefully fold and tuck away things for marriage.  Instead, I folded and tucked away memories.

The Shutter Sisters prompt for today was Family -- and I thought of this chest as a stand in for the family since I don't have all my kids under the same roof as me anymore.  It was surprisingly emotional to go through this chest and I think I could spend hours doing so.

I'm really proud of my kids but I do miss that time when they were little.  When they were little, I remember feeling overwhelmed at times because they needed me so much.  Now that they are grown, I miss that they don't need me much at all.


Really, the picture with notes is better here.

276/366 Comfort

While Mili can annoy me at times (all that barking... and the peeing problem), I still cherish the fun and quirky parts of her personality.  Whenever we are cooking in the kitchen, she is there at our feet.  Wherever we go in the house or yard, she is right there wanting to play.

And as we wind down each night, she snuggles in a blanket in my lap.  There is so much comfort in those moments.

275/366 Orange leaves are my favorite

Happy October!  I found this leaf in the yard and it made me happy!  Orange leaves are the best!

Today, we had a meeting that reminded me of all the reasons why you never want to be the one that says, "My kid would never...."  -- because despite all the good you've done, the great role model you've been, the great programs you've sent your child to.... There are just times when they will do something you won't be happy about.

And that is okay.

They are still learning.