Recent Randoms

11:29 a.m. Quadrilla Time
I always love finding a new view.
In The Heights was fantastic. The dancing... oh, the dancing!
Greek yogurt + Honey + Almonds = Breakfast Love

We Took 'Em to Toy-R-Us

Before we added more than 700 miles to the odometer, before we managed to squeeze four different visits with extended family into 24 hours, before the hayride at Aunt Connie's house, and before the "check engine" light on the dashboard lit up... we took the children to Toys-R-Us. The boys went Lego crazy, the "beebies" made Sister giddy, and the professor and I delighted in watching their delight!

Thanksgiving Hayride

The Sunrise

Because of the tender mercy of our God,

whereby the Sunrise shall visit us from on high

to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:78-79

Days of Bounty

In November, the smell of food is different. It is an orange smell. A squash and a pumpkin smell. It tastes like cinnamon and can fill up a house in the morning, can pull everyone from bed in a fog. Food is better in November than any other time of the year.

In November, people are good to each other. They carry pies to each other's homes and talk by crackling woodstoves, sipping mellow cider.

They travel very far on a special day just to share a meal with one another and to give thanks for their many blessings -- for the food on their table and the babies in their arms.

And then they travel back home.

In November, at winter's gate, the stars are brittle. The sun is a sometime friend. And the world has tucked her children in, with a kiss on their heads, till spring.

from In November by Cynthia Rylant

Oh, what rain and wind we've had! Most of the leaves have blown from the trees. The acorns have finally stopped hitting the house. We've been eating pumpkin waffles for breakfast and cramming clementines into brown paper bags to share with neighbors and friends. And we smile. There is family waiting for us in Tennessee. We have miles to go before we reach them. There will be hugs and hot drinks, laden tables and more bare trees there. And people we love. We will come together and rejoice in the bounty of the Lord. May you do the same this Thanksgiving Day... and all the days!

They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion;

they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord...

Jeremiah 31:12

7:22 a.m. Breakfast Art

Part of a well-balanced breakfast. Served up by Little Brother.

1:26 p.m. Afternoon Activities

A bit of sewing with a side of basketball.

Bountiful God

You crown the year with your bounty,

and your carts overflow with abundance.

Psalm 65:11

Sixteen Little Indians

What would kindergarten be without a Thanksgiving feast at school complete with costumes {much to the disdain of my kindergartener} and a teacher in a headdress?!

To Make a Pumpkin Pie

Little Brother wants to make a pumpkin pie. With his pumpkin. He's fairly certain that he won't like it... but try it he must, "just one bite." He assures me that Aunt Connie, Bunny, and our elderly neighbor, Mr. Robert, will be happy to eat the rest.

Marbles on the Console Make Me Smile

Because the littlest of people are always very, very busy indeed.

Orange Crate Love

If you find yourself unable to throw away an empty orange crate then I'm quite certain you're a kindred spirit. Orange crates make me happy. This year the Christmas elves at our house might just fill wooden fruit boxes with treats instead of stuffing stockings... or something equally crazy like that!

Lord of Salvation

The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
Exodus 15:2

Early Morning Moon

{5:58 a.m.}

November Roses

In November I feel pleasantly content.

The time change brings short afternoons and long, dark evenings. My thoughts turn to cold, cloudy mornings, russet afternoons, and family holiday gatherings not too far off.

I brought our first crate of clementines home from the store today. When I peeled one this afternoon my fingers carried the citrusy fragrance of Christmas, evoking sweet memories. And, there was wind all afternoon and beef stew with homemade bread for dinner tonight. November.

When the children and I walked around the corner to fetch our neighbor's newspaper and mail we noticed the last roses... forgotten but blooming in Mr. Jim's yard, lining the Spencer's driveway, and Mr. Robert's, so lovingly tended. The boys and Sister picked up ground petals and we brought them home.

Thinking {a bit} About Christmas

Seeing Things

You know how it is when you get busy living life... You look at the same things over and over again, and yet you never really see them. The camera's viewfinder is forcing me to slow down and look at things... to see. And, when I take time to notice big things and little things, beautiful things and mundane things, my heart is moved to thankfulness for God's lavish feast of very good things.
O taste and see that the Lord is good... Psalm 34:8

Weekend Activity

It's not too late to pack a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child!

God of Restoration

He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Psalm 23:3

His Hands

They are precious to me.

Breakfast Makings

Veggie frittata for me.

Cinnamon toast for them.

Gettin' Ready to Tailgate