Can Dad's be Wrong?

Kellen: Mom, can Dads sometimes be wrong?

Me: (thinking, what on earth is this about) Yeah, I guess, sometimes (Not sure I want to admit that, if he's trying to get away with something...)

Kellen: (after a long comtemplative pause) Because Dad said its still fall, but I think he's wrong. (gives a funny shrunched up face and shakes his head) It sure looks like winter to me.

Slipping.

Days have really been slipping away on me. Actually, I feel like a whole season slipped away on me. I find myself trying to grasp the fact that I will be done work in less than a month. I can't seem to believe just how soon it is that our family is going to grow.

I have been enjoying things - new activities like skating, obsessions like knitting, funny kid things like Lanelle's imaginary friend "Poopy", and necessary things like stories and cuddling. It's been a great place to be, but I feel a shift coming on. I'm glad I've been relaxed about life and purposeful about enjoying the little moments. I don't want to let go of that but maybe its time to be a little more purposeful about making some things happen. Maybe because its time for some more organization around here. Probably because a new baby will soon be here and there is a great season of life change approaching.

I guess saying that here is an announcement to myself to make the changes I crave instead of contemplating. And, being here is a part of my habit when I start getting caught up on pictures. These are looking like a LONG time ago, now that we are buried in snow.

It was good to get in a visit to the farm during harvest.So much fun to wash carrots with Grandpa Bill.

Funny to remember Ian getting dressed up with the kids to go trick-or-treating. (And I think Ian was more excited than the kids about getting in costume!)

So, fall is gone and we move on to the next season. For so long, my answer to the kids question about when the baby will come has been "not until there is lots of snow." Well, there is lots of snow. That in itself has changed the rhythm of life. Ian was out the door just a few minutes ago for another all night snow removal shift. The kids and I have been missing walks and garden times. Tonight Kellen asked "When will spring come? I want to plant. I love planting!" I was tempted to just agree with him, but decided to remind him of some of the fun things to enjoy this winter season. Skiing, skating, snowmen, and of course the baby coming!

City Adventure

I've become a super homebody, but yesterday going to the city sounded like fun. With plans to go to the 3D Hubble Imax show we were bouncing out the door. I just about ignored the phone, but ran back up the stairs to grab it. Ian was calling to say his deer hunt was a quick success and he was already on his way home. So he was able to meet us in the parking lot with 10 minutes to spare. I'm glad he was there to giggle with me as we watched Kellen repeatedly try to grab those stars that kept coming at him!

I didn't feel the need to get home to help skin the deer, so the 3 of us enjoyed exploring some new trails.Kellen begged to take some pictures and I'm glad I said yes. I will definately have to do it more often. I might actually get to be in some pictures! I also found it super fun to see what all he had taken pictures of - piles of leaves, close ups of the trail, lots of trees, bark, bushes, and he even got a super good one of his sister telling stories while she walked! I cancelled all my plans for shopping and we went crazy at a library instead! I thought for sure they'd tell me I was over my limit as I plunked the huge pile down. Not only books, but a pile of DVDs and CDs (such a novelty that we don't have access to at the little Fort library!)

I usually complain about going to the city. Without an attempt at errands or shopping, it was a great place to go on an adventure!

Curried Lentil Soup

I am missing summer. Fall has changed the world around us, our routines and even our meals. Lots more soup going on. I like this simple lentil soup, but its not so much of the kids favorite. Kellen politely said, "It tastes a little different." But he did manage to eat a barely adequate amount of it. Lanelle ate up most of the carrots.

1 1/4 cups lentils

1/2 cup brown rice

6 cups vegetable broth (or I use water and salt)

1/4 cup olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

3-4 carrots, diced or grated

2 T curry powder

While lentils and rice are cooking, saute onion and carrots in olive oil over medium heat. Add the curry. Add curry mixture to lentils and rice. Simmer until rice and lentils are cooked. Can serve with a dollop of yogurt.

Climbing a Mountain

Kellen said to me the other day at lunch "I'd like to go on an adventure! I want to climb a mountain!" Well, its not quite a mountain, but the statement prompted us to go for hike up the hill to the flag. We had so much fun! I like Kellen's adventures!

Garden Update

Well, I didn't update the garden progress like I intended. I actually started ignoring the garden itself - other than quickly grabbing some potatoes, carrots, or cucumbers. So, when the frost warning was issued and I was prompted to have a late night garden hunt with a flashlight, I was pleasantly surprised to rediscover some of my garden.

I had a lot more squash than I thought. I have a rubbermaid tub in the garage and threw a few on my counter. The flying saucer looking ones are pattypan (I think). A new one to me, not an exciting tasting one, so I might have to get creative. I had forgotten about the hot peppers also - fun to see some of them so big. I had almost given up on the kohlrabi, they just weren't doing much at all. But, I did find about 8 good sized ones!This is how I wish my brussel sprouts had looked when I cut down the stalk...

...but mine were signifcantly smaller.However, we still got a big bowl full. And, I have to say they were the best tasting ones I have ever eaten!! I have lots of herbs waiting to be dried. I dried out my lemon balm leaves in the oven overnight, so I am still enjoying tea. I blanched enough swiss chard for at least 8 batches of soup...

so, all in all it was a success, but I still will do some things differently next year!

Lanelle's Green Sweater

I finished knitting my first sweater. Moved beyond hats and leg warmers. I am exceptionally proud and find I have been annoying myself by having to tell everyone I see. And now I have told you!