{this moment} - thank you, friends

Please forgive the unmade bed and sheets that barely fit. This picture is me these last few days post surgery, and the love I feel from my friends. Those flowers remind me of the beautiful people I know from work and play. Thanks for helping me and getting me through this time. I am not nearly as strong or tough as I once thought. Much love...

Welcome Autumn

Autumn is here, and this family is celebrating. This is Brian's favorite time of year, and I suppose I am warming up to it, too. There is only one thing that I don't like about autumn, and its that winter is riding its' tail. Boo.

This last weekend was the last that I will be chasing my son for a while, and definitely the last this season that I will be lugging fruit and veggies around to put up later. No no no... its definitely not over, I still have apples and tomatos to can... its just that now I will need a sherpa to carry all that wonderful goodness home.

And to close... my surgery went well. I am sore and swollen and tired, but otherwise I can't complain. My sciatica seems to be resolving, which was really the goal. The real challenge is in the weeks ahead: 4 weeks of rest. Right.... (I've already made Uli new slippers, started work on a sweater, and sewn up a cold pack for my back). Think peaceful, restful thoughts for me.

Transition into Fall

(temporary fall garland until I feel up to sewing again, post-surgery... inspired by ROTH)

(Green Tomato Pickles in the back, Herb books in the front... preparing for winter)

We are only a few days into this Autumn Season of 2010, and already this family has been experiencing many changes, with at least one big onestill looming ahead of us. Uli successfully (and happily) started Montessori school, and it makes my heart sing to know that he is finally in a place that believes the same things that Brian and I do when it comes to parenting and helping children through their lives. The physical transformation of fall is upon us (quite early this year), and already we are picking up leaves in our back yard (and making garlands), and putting our vegetable gardens to 'bed.' My canning season is slowly coming to a close, too. But, most importantly, my surgery that I have been putting off for one reason or another, is finally here. After Tuesday, I will be a renewed mother, woman, wife. I am terrified and relieved.

(and to end this... I may transition to a new blog... this is making me nutty)

A Big Boy...

No diapers, no naps, and no good night songs. Big boys fall asleep reading...

So sweet and peaceful. Love.

Road Trip - Fruitland to McCall and Back

Council, ID:

Old Steam Engine

Ponderosa State Park, McCall, ID:

Heading out for a hike

SO many butterflies...

'being the Daddy' and hiking in the front

Checking out Payette Lake

This Moment

Inspired by Amanda Soule

More pictures to come this weekend, our last full week in Idaho!

Oregon Trail

LaLa lives very close to the Oregon Trail; as a matter of fact, she lives less than 10 miles from Fort Boise, one of the army forts along the Oregon Trail, used to re-supply the wagon trains when there were enough stores. Instead of just poking around locally and checking out the sites nearby, we drove to Baker City, Oregon, home of one of many Oregon Trail Interpretive Centers.

Checking out one of the wagon replica's on display.

Beginning the 2.5 mile loop from the Interpretive Center to the wagon wheel ruts on the Oregon Trail. Uli and LaLa were a bit pooped out from that walk...

...and a Bison. Uli's crusade to own a cow continues...

We finished the day at a nearby Mexican Restaurant. Practiced a little spanish, and ate my fill of good food. A lovely day.