Day 324: Yarn

Many thanks to my lovely sister-in-law Ann who sent me a whole box of wonderful yarn. My friend Dawn and I had fun this afternoon sorting through the box and planning all kinds of creative projects for next year's bazaar. Dawn makes incredible crocheted blankets and I am going to start working on some scarves.

Day 323: Winter pedicure

I typically only get a pedicure once a year in the summer time, but my wonderful husband treated me to a manicure and pedicure today, which was a marvelously relaxing indulgence.

Day 322: First rock concert

It was a great treat to take Johnny and Daniel to their first rock concert this evening. They were amazed by being in a crowd of ten thousand people, perplexed by the waving of cellphones (I had to explain about lighters) and entranced by the lights, lazers and pyrotechnics. There were ten fantastic Christian bands so it was a long night - a week of early morning basketball practices took their toll on Johnny and he fell asleep before the concert was over.

Day 321: Amazon

It is possible that I have an Amazon addiction. It is such a great way to buy stuff and this is the time of year when, more and more frequently, I come home to find an Amazon box on the porch. It is especially nice to have a package on the porch that I didn't order myself of course.  It's lovely to know other people are thinking of us - personal cards and letters in the mail are increasingly rare it seems, and I certainly send far fewer than I used to.  I am reminded of one of my favorite poems "The Night Mail" by the incomparable W.H. Auden, which ends:
"And none will hear the postman's knock
Without a quickening of the heart,
For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?" 

Day 320: More basketball

Another home game for the Parkrose Pacers!

Day 319: Thankful

We have been trying to be especially, mindfully, thankful in our family throughout the month of November, so I was pleased to see this display outside Noah's classroom. Each turkey expressed what each child was thankful for - some of Noah's choices were no surprise to me, although I would not have guessed that "bathtubs" would be in his top six.

Day 318: Mushrooms

We went for a beautiful hike at Tryon Creek State Park this morning and all the kids were marveling at the number and variety of mushrooms we saw along the way.

Day 317: Dresses

We purchased many exquisite things at yesterday's bazaar - Anna was especially thrilled with these dresses for her 18 inch dolls. She needs to forget about them now, as they will be Christmas gifts!

Day 316: Pies

Bazaar Day! I was helping run the snack bar, where we were selling all these delicious pies.

Day 315: Scarves

It was the set up day for the Bazaar today - so many gorgeous things that talented people at church have made. I love these beautiful scarves.

Day 314: First basketball game

After an exciting soccer season, we are looking forward to watching Johnny in a completely different sport over the next few weeks.

Day 313: Election Day Homework

Daniel stayed up late last night listening to the radio, checking a couple of websites and tracking the election results.

Day 312: Election Day

I can't vote in this country but David can! It is a vote by mail system but he likes to take the kids to the library and drop his ballot in the ballot box on Election Day itself.

Day 311: Leaves

This is really my favorite time of the year. These particular leaves weren't especially colorful but they were in a thick carpet that was so fun to walk in.

Day 310: Trophy

From the start of the season, several members of my Munchkin team would ask me EVERY practice if they were going to get a trophy. Today was the Thunderbolts end-of-season party - and sure enough, every player got their trophy!

Day 309: End of the season party

The soccer season ended today and this afternoon, the Strikers (Anna's team) had an end-of-season pizza party. Amongst other gifts, the two wonderful high school girls who coached the team received signed photographs to remember the season.

Day 308: Art project

Sadly, there is not enough art in the public schools but Johnny has really enjoyed his graphic art elective this semester and today brought home this clay cat, with a clear resemblance to Harry.

Day 307: Leftovers

We had a delightful Halloween gathering with some of our neighbors last night, and this morning, all that was left were a couple of caramel apples and half a pumpkin cheesecake.

Day 306: Halloween

In case you can't guess, we had Gandalf, Pharaoh, Pocahantas and a T-Rex...

Day 305: New Jeans

I love the sparkly detail on the pockets of my new jeans but I love even more the fact that they are three sizes smaller than the last pair of jeans I bought, back in the spring.

Day 304: Quasi arpa

I love listening to Daniel practice the piano and it is amazing how a lot of practice turns this collection of notes into an amazing sound that really does resemble a harp.