~It's That Time of Year Again~

 We had our last cookout of the season . . .

and finalized everything needed for back to school . . .

And then today the backpacks went on and new shoes were tied . . .

The boys were marched outside for their annual torture picture taking . . .
The Youngest went for silly.

The Oldest went for the modeling look. "Hey Ladies, check out this action . . ."

And then, because I'm really cruel, they had to pose with each other.
Don't they look thrilled?

Ah . . . much better. I think.

And off they went . . . and I am dancing jigs around the house!! ;)

The Youngest started seventh grade today . . . and his brother is now a ninth grader. Yes indeed, high school is upon us! Trying to soak it all in . . . wondering where time went and HOW DID I GET THIS OLD?! I remember my own freshmen year like yesterday (actually, better than yesterday. I really can't recall yesterday too well). Crazy stuff . . .

I would normally be way more emotional than I am on this first day of school, but it's also that time of year for the germs- and they seem to have gotten to me extra early this September! So I'm way too tired fighting some bug to make any more of it than it is. And that's probably a good thing. 

So lots of this today . . .

And tea, too . . .

And then it's early to bed for this mama.
Here's to hoping this is all the illness it's gonna be this month!

Happy September!

~ Bits and Pieces ~

All sorts of summer bits and pieces going on around here . . . 

. . .  patriotic tootsies (my back is still aching from being hunched over painting so long)

. . .  raspberry tarts- the easy way: take a ready made pie crust; cut out shapes with tart tins; fit the shapes into the tins to make mini pies; scoop a spoonful of jam into each; top with a raspberry and bake at 375 until done (about 20 mins); powder sugar is the finishing touch

. . .  enjoying green tea in my 2 dollar thrift store teapot

. . . chasing this monster fur-ball all over the garden- he thinks I'm out there simply for his pounce-and-attack- pleasure. The nice weather we've had has really brought out the wild hair in him.

Working on some big projects that I'll share here soon . . . just need the heat to back off a bit so I can get a little further.

Thanks for stopping by! :)

~Catching Up With June~

Oh, June! Where have you gone? How can you run off and leave me stuck still in May?

Why, oh why are you always so full?

Our fifteen year wedding anniversary . . .

and a trip to celebrate it with . . .

School presentations, conferences, graduation parties.
Sunshine and flowers and gardening . . .

A tea party for friends . . .

And a week of virus-fighting within the family. 
Father sick for Father's Day. The Oldest's last day of seventh grade.

Somewhere in between it all time slipped silently by. And a personal achievement was gained- one without recognition or fanfare. No ceremony or cap. Just an empty 'school' room left in a thoughtless jumble as the final day ended in a blink of an eye- our final day of home school. 

My final day of teaching.

After eight straight years of home schooling my sons through elementary school- it's over. The Youngest has finished fifth grade and next year he'll join his brother in middle school.

 Eight years.

And it came suddenly too- a phone call one morning saying our paperwork was done. Everything was satisfactory and the final conference I had been expecting wasn't even necessary. Goodbye.

 So I stood there- in the middle of our school room- just stood there among what had in a moment become a remnant of what has been.
And I cried.

I can't even explain all that I feel . . . exhaustion for sure. And the bittersweet. And the relief and excitement for what lies ahead. I'm grateful to be done. Happy to finish what I set out to do.
And yet . . .

how do you mark eight years of your life? How do you cap it off, nod to it with respect and then lay it down forever when there's nothing there to do it with?

At each life transition there seems to be something which celebrates what was and welcomes in what is to come . . . graduations, marriage ceremonies, bridal showers, baby showers, housewarmings, anniversaries and even funerals- they all mark a person's story. But parenting . . . ?

As I stood in that room and cried I realized I was grieving time passing and my children growing up and I thought how this moment was only a little taste of what is to come.
It seems so strange that we should give so much of ourselves and then it is suddenly done.

And I thought-
No wonder so many parents suffer with 'empty nesting'! We celebrate our children and all they've accomplished, but do we celebrate what we have given, as well? Do we allow ourselves to pass with grace into this next chapter of our lives? Because our story is part of their story.

So, as I've been pondering this all week I'm thinking two things . . .

1. I need to do or create something that will celebrate what I have given and received over eight years of teaching my sons. Something personal and meaningful so I can lay it to rest in peace and enjoy the next thing, and . . .

2. We need to start a movement for those parents whose children have grown and are on there way out- 'Empty Nest' showers! Seriously- it's time to celebrate parents. We do so before the children even arrive, so how much more do we deserve a party once they leave? Wouldn't it be wonderful to throw a party for one another to celebrate not only the rearing of our children, but also who we've now become through the rearing of those children? Might that not help us demystify our own identities and separate ourselves once more toward dreams that so often get put aside as we parent? 

Anyway- it's a thought. I have five more years to go until my Oldest departs, and without a doubt we will celebrate all his achievements to the fullest. And two years later, we will do it all again with our Youngest. But the partying isn't going to stop there . . . though, I do think we will put it off until September since June is quite full enough!

Cheers!

~Pieces of the Afternoon~

 Today has been one of those dark-cloudy-rainy-mixed-with-slush-and-wind-days. Damp and yuck to put it mildly.

That being so, I'm loving bright spots of color wherever I can get it!
Enter my wonderful little red-flowered plant for $2.49 from Trader Joe's. 
I have no idea what it's called (other than little red-flowered plant), but it's making me very happy. :)

After a morning of teaching I got the bread-to-be in the bread machine for dinner, took care of some urgent emails/phone calls and picked up a wee bit in the basement. 

Upstairs I found the Youngest settled under the quilt with a good page-turner. Seeing him cozying-in for the afternoon lead me into a little relaxing time for myself:

Some winter puzzling . . . 

and some afternoon tea.

Oh! and a few heart-shaped cookies may have added to the afternoon's enjoyment as well.

I turned on some Frank and while he crooned I enjoyed a good hour of winter leisure.

Earl grey; a bite of cookie; another piece interlocked into the growing mosiac.

Yes . . . it's the simple things. :)

I finally have my own copy of Brambly Hedge's 'Winter Story' by Jill Barklem. One of my all time favorites. I've always had to check it out from the library year after year and it's so nice to just have it around for cozy perusing. Kind of funny that I had the matching teacup before I even owned the book!

It was a pleasant afternoon for sure, but don't think it was all roses.

Real life came back in full swing with a bad cat peeing where he shouldn't, school application messes to fix, a pointless school info. meeting to suck the life from me, and 'mount ironing' beckoning.

All to say, the afternoon playtime was all the more appreciated. :)

I hope everyone is having a lovely Tuesday so far and that bits of afternoon leisure await you as the week plays out.

Cheers!

~Bits of Winter~

We are in full-blown winter around here . . .

So very cold, but the only snow seems to be coming from my imagination!

Kitties are curled up on quilts for twenty hours a day . . . preferably in my coziest chair.

And in the very few moments they are not about the business of sleeping, they are out to take care of business as quick as a flash and within moments are yowling at the door, "Let me in- it's freezing out here!"

 If they (and us) are extra lucky there is a fire blazing and a vacant rocking chair nearby to lounge in.

 Earlier last week we said good-bye to the remains of Christmas and did our annual tree-burning in the fireplace.

 Topped off with a family game of 'Trouble', it was a fine evening. But how vacant it feels without all the extra trimmings around.

Still, there are bits about to warm the winter days . . .

be it a spot of decorating. . .

or finding inspiration from something unexpected.

There have also been lots of steaming mugs of tea to keep our hands warm.

 I've been especially enjoying my fabulous new bird mug- a birthday present from my mother. Isn't it cute? Just the thing for these chilly days.

Tea and a muffin . . . possibly the very best part of winter.

 And as for the least enjoyable part? Probably this rotten cold I'm fighting. Good thing I have black elderberry extract to add to all that tea. It keeps the worse at bay!

May these January days find you and your household healthy and enjoying all the bits of winter (or summer if applicable!) that come your way.

Cheers!

~All the Autumn's Joys~ Recipe for a Cozy Afternoon

Pull out your best teapot and a teacup and saucer per person.

Put the kettle on, bring it to a near boil and steep some Earl Grey

(or Peppermint for the Youngest One).

Complete your afternoon tea with this . . .

 Pumpkin Bars- still warm from the oven.

Sit by the fire, pour another cup or two of tea, make room for a furry friend on you lap and enjoy!

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

• 4 eggs slightly beaten
• 3/4 cup of oil (I use coconut)
• 2 cups of sugar
• 1 15oz can of pumpkin
• 2 teaspoons of cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger, ground cloves, nutmeg, salt
• 2 cups flour

With a mixer blend the eggs, oil, sugar and pumpkin. Set aside. Stir together dry ingredients. Add to pumpkin mixer and beat until well blended. Pour mixture into greased and floured 9x13 pan and bake about 35 minutes at 350 degrees- bake until the edges pull away from the sides and the center springs back when touched. Let cool while you make the frosting.

For Frosting you will need:

• 3 oz cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1-2 teaspoons of milk
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla
• 3/4 grated orange zest
• powdered sugar- up to 1/2 a pound

Bring the cream cheese and butter to room temperature. Beat them together in a mixer until light and fluffy. Add the milk, vanilla and zest. Then add powdered sugar a bit at a time until you reach desired consistency.

Frost the pumpkin bars after they have cooled and serve! These bars are AMAZING just in case you were a little unsure! ;)

Cheers!