Smiles

This is always such a hard time of the year.  I am pulling in garden produce left and right to be put up for winter, many of my little friends at work transition to school, there's planning for home school co-op, there is a lot of organization for 4-H in prep for the fair, there are decisions about fall activities, plus there's a bit of summer left we want to take advantage of.  Today with a fussy baby, I felt like I was spinning my wheels.

In times of chaos, my oldest tends to notice and be proactive about expressing his appreciation.  When I see something like this pictured below, I just stop in my tracks and smile. I love that his daddy and I both got our own bouquets. So we don't have to share, naturally.

Please, let me not be so busy in this season to skip over these little gems that are too special to miss...

Thrifted....

Wait until you see what I picked up...

 Alllllll of these office supplies/school supplies, almost all brand new for a whopping total of $6.00.    I love the pic below of my black lab's legs hanging out.  But seriously, this was such a haul!

 It's inspired (and keeps inspiring) my kids to come up with these all new play scenarios.  Latest is 'playing office'. We surely have enough supplies for that!

This girl...

Such a perfect addition to our family. We ALL love her.

(The sweetest crane mobile made by Violet, thank you Violet!)

Body guards.

(Ball made by my cousin, thanks Rebecca!)

Together

There is so much in the world that's scary now.  I struggle with processing it all and what to tell and not tell my kids. My solution is to just shut the computer off.

As I was at the Fresh Air Fund bus stop, I looked around and noticed the multitude of good and kind people.  Kids were smiling, adults hugging them, lots of chatter and such a good vibe.  A safe zone, lots of support and color a non-issue.

Martin Luther King, Jr. said it well.  "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." 

I have the same dream for my four: my three biological children and my summer son.

My heart needs to find those with character. May I strive to be the kindness and to keep showing my kids the good because the rest is so scary.  Togetherness and kindness.  It's what the world needs.  May kindness be my driving force, today and everyday.

August's "Chicken Soup with Rice"

Another month, another verse and another bowl of soup!  We're making a "Maine" version of "Chicken Soup with Rice", inspired by the "Chicken Soup with Rice" by by Maurice Sendak (1962).  Kids are really enjoying memorizing the poem of the month and I'm taking their picture with their soup in the same spot. 

It's neat to see how the seasons change month to month on this old Maine farm. 

November here.  
December here.
January here.
February here.

March here.

April here. 

May here.

June here.

July here.

I cannot commit to making the same soup 12 times this year, so I vary it. This month's soup was Tomato tortellini sausage and kale soup.

Coffee, coffee, coffee

Can you read my mug? Patience. It's the word of the day. Coffee and patience...here I go.  

And come afternoon, I'll take Anna-Kate's advice. Keep the cupcakes coming! 

Days in the Fresh Air

He slept in, ate pancakes for breakfast, played with the dog, helped make and deliver flower arrangements to the elderly, ate homemade bread (per request), played marble maze (per request), played board games (per request), checked books out from the library, went to Lego club, ate a dinner that was so good that he hopes I make it again this week, went to a book sale, went to the beach, actually went part way in the water even though it was freezing, took care of the evening animal chores and asked if he could pick a book before bed.  I said pick two.

Our hearts are so happy he is here.