Well, October certainly flew by fast.
It feels good to settle into our home, turn inward a bit.
I spend my daydreaming times thinking up recipes and sewing projects.
Developing a rhythm to our days.



Nona Rose.
Is it possible you turn two a week from now?
I packed up all the diapers the other day, put them in the attic.  I can't bring myself to part with them.
The changing table is finding a new home.
Yesterday, I took the highchair out of the house.
All the signs of this being a place that has a baby are changing.
I am experiencing a wistfulness I did not expect. To never have a house with a newborn again.
Dim lamps burning at all hours. Tiny laundry on every surface.  Cozy little blankets in all rooms.
A warm and soft cave-like feeling, the entire world shrunk to just this dwelling, and these few people.





Rayasun Shine.
Quite the big, tall girl.
A good way to describe Raya is, "passionately positive".
She now brushes and does her own hair. Almost every day!
(Sometimes she will still let me)
So far school agrees with her splendidly.





So here we are, beginning to put this year to rest.
Smiling, cuddling, walking, singing, dancing.
Arms open to embrace what comes next.
Heart fertile to nurture love.

Happy Fall.
Blessings.

We put this glorious, magic summer to rest with a little trip to the Hood Canal.
My cousin, Brooke, was lovely enough to loan us her cabin for  few days.
We lazed around and did many of the things for which we are famous.


Poking around in the woods, hunting for mushrooms.



Poking around the water, hunting for shellfish.



Swinging two sisters.
(One with Oreo evidence all over her face.)



Loving that Nona Rose.



Watching the Sun race.



And watching those Studio Ghibli movies that we're so fond of.



And we benefit from our small labors in many ways.


Successful hunting,



and gathering.



Nourishing ourselves the way we like.




And dreaming of the days to come.