Painted!!

A gloomy day last week found us finally masking off the windows (a job I strangely enjoy---it reminds me of wrapping presents!!) after Mr. Wonderful spent many hours on the siding and the upper gable shingles and brackets. (the first picture is of the least visible side of our house---facing east. But doesn't it look nice anyway? I love the little gable and the tucked-under-the-eave bumpout!)

Today, I am finally feeling up to getting outside, raking leaves, and taking pictures of the house, and getting it all uploaded.

More fun fall pics to come.....as time and energy allows!

New List

On my side-bar, I am keeping a running and ever-changing list of things I want to learn to do---to create! Lately, the creative mojo has really been flowing---I have knitted 4 hats in the last week---3 of them wearable. For some reason, I'm having trouble getting back to my sewing machine, even though it is back from the repair shop---maybe tomorrow. (Braden has really been wanting to sew something. )

Three in One---

Watch this----I'll update on three topics in one post!! These fingerless gloves are for my Mr. Wonderful---

in his line of work he can't wear normal gloves---

the details demand a good grip.

Knit in merino wool, with my first cables.

They are a success---he's wearing them!!


And football huddle on Sunday afternoon, time with the boys,
teaching character through the winning and the losing
(which nearly always results in tears!!)


And finally, a sneak peak at the siding on the front of the house!
Isn't it looking great? Like a real house??

Eye-Candy

photo by

Jennyshemochharmoni

--a Swedish (I think) blog---

I have no idea what she's saying, but I love the photos.

Simple, feminine elegance.



Take a look!

Flashback

These are photos from Fall '04 Nathan: 1 year and tow-headed
Braden: 2 1/2 and a charmer.

Looking back brings today into clearer focus.
How quickly time goes by!

Take #2 in Blue

Guess who this is for?

Knit with a few variations from Nathan's sweater,

but with just as much *frogging*

(that's my new word for the week---

knitters lingo for "rip out the last 6 hours of work!")

I had hoped to just knit it through---

but *blond moment*, I had changed my technique

(from *throwing* or "English" to *picking* or "Continental")

without rechecking my gauge,

which resulted in the body of the sweater being nearly big enough for me.

But it's not for me, so that wouldn't work.

Update on the Craftsman Bungalow

My Mr. Wonderful (the Craftsman around here)

has been working tirelessly on our addition.

The roof is on (whew!) and the windows are in.

Next up is trim and siding as the weather permits. This is the front porch, cozy and begging for a bench and fall wreath.

Oh, wait, I'm supposed to wait until the door's on

before I can hang a wreath on it!

Where the two windows are used to be the front door---now the dining room.

From inside it's really shocking how much light it lets in,

and how bright and lovely our yard looks from the table.

Taking Time

Remodelling the house has been lots of fun and lots of work

for my Mr. Wonderful. Everything is looking so nice,

and I am excited to show you all he's been up to.

On Friday we were all feeling down and tired,

so we decided to have a bonfire and roast marshmallows.

Sugar and Flames to cheer up the men,

camera worthy moments to cheer me. ** Scrap wood makes the best little fire**
**Camo and Hunter's Orange**

**Whisper**

Demolition

Last winter in the last trimester of my pregancy, I spent a week doing this stencil

around the ceiling of our living room. It's going "bye-bye" now.

Change is good and sad at the same time.

Pink good-ness

Leslie of good-ness in Japan chose me to be the happy girl with the pink shoes!

The boys not-so-patiently waiting for the mini-shoot to be over so they can sample the sweets.
Super-good hard candies
Super-super-good fabric!!!

And it all wrapped up in the most adorable strawberry tape!!

Seriously---it's tape!! So cute!

(Why can't I buy that here?? It would sure look better than duct tape!!)

Pink.Silly.Happy.

good-ness

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 1/2 cups white flour

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 eggs

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cups white sugar

1 3/4 cups pumpkin (or 1-15 oz. can of pumkin and 2/3 cup applesauce)

1/3 cup oil

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350*. Mix flours, spices (yeah, the original recipe called for more than cinnamon---gourmet things like ginger and cloves and nutmeg---you can add those if you have them---I didn't---so I didn't!) and all the other dry stuff. In separate bowl, mix eggs, oil, and pumpkin. Add to dry stuff to the wet, stir in the chocolate chips (don't overmix muffins)

Scoop into paper-lined muffin tins, bake for 20 minutes.

OR

scoop like cookies onto cookie sheet, bake for 10 minutes---makes a delicious and poufy cookie.

Try 'em---you'll like 'em!

The Flourishing Mother

* chrysanthemum at sunset*

Andrea at The Flourishing Mother inspired me with her post today.

Photo Recap~~ Nathan's birthday

Nathan was totally surprised that the sweater was *his*!

Let's get the sweater details out of the way, then we can talk

about the birthday boy!

I re-did the neckline and hem 4-5 times, trying to get the look I wanted.

It was originally a rolled neck---but I just hated the floppy, sloppy look.

And then the raglan seams were to open with an eyelet looking stitch,

so I sewed up that seam to try to keep it from looking too girly.

The silly boy demonstrates how soft it is!

(that baby alpaca is just lovely!!)

He spent all morning working on these little Pooh cards---

And reading his new book with Daddy.

After a quick trip to town to play at the new playground,

a long and restful nap,

we took a walk/ride in the brisk fall air.

Let the races begin!!

And end!!

Nathan did a face-plant on the road---

his body outran his feet!!

Back at it---brothers and competitors to the end!

Picking dandylions in the evening while Daddy

cranked the ice cream.

*see the closed seam? I like it!*

Another competive game while the ice cream sets---

down.....set.....HIKE!!!

*You hand it to me, and then I will score a touchdown!*

Stellar brother defense takes Daddy down!!

The birthday boy bites the dirt again!!

Finally, the moment he's been waiting for---

pumpkin pie with home-made ice cream!

Happy Birthday, Nathan!

4

*Nathan tearing it up in his new sweater*

My baby turned 4 today.

We had a delightful, wonderful, perfect day!

More to come tommorrow---

I am worn out from all the excitement!

Enjoying Motherhood

I can honestly say that I view being "Mommy"

to my three boys as the greatest responsibility

and the greatest joy ever given me.

In so many ways, it is terrifying~~

yet I rest in the knowledge that God has given these boys

into my care, knowing both my strengths and weaknessness,

as well as their individual needs. God is using them to work in me,

and using me to teach them. What a amazing give and take---

always striving to find the balance between authority

(Do it just because I said so, and I'm your momma!!)

and friendship and relantionship building.

Neither one can be neglected.

God, grant me the grace to extend to my children.

Help me to move from critical judgement over their faults to

rejoicing in every evidence of grace in their lives.

It is such a remarkable blessing to see YOU at work!

Thank you for working in them

and in me.

Grandpa

Grandpa and Grandma came over today to help.

It's now dark and they are still at it!

The blue roof is almost on.

Small is the New Big!

Visit this

Tiny Space

for simple living

inspiration!

Scenes from The Honeymoon

We stayed in this quaint, rustic cabin on the lake.

It was so charmingly odd---

the rock fireplace with a wonderful antique clock

juxtaposed with the wall

covered with wooden "sayings" plaques---

of all vintage ages,

displaying the most unromantic quotes.

Snow fell, wind blew, the lake stayed beautiful.

We stayed in, cozied up by the fire,

and just enjoying each other.