pretty flower

do you know what this is?

I imagine the stork flying high above pointy roofs, through the clouds, and during my fall from his pouch to my parents (probably through the chimney, you know how cartoons are) I traveled through time and although I was meant for an era long ago, I landed here.

At least that's how I feel when I tie my apron, and make a gigantic pot of minestrone soup, chopping vegetables, stirring, spicing, with Glenn Miller and Charlie Parker playing in the kitchen.

I visited my grandparents yesterday and felt the overwhelming (and I truly mean, I felt something come over me, physically) need to have them come live with me. All this talk of moving to an assisted living facility is exciting for them. But it doesn't seem right to me. In another day, another age, family would all be together. And imagine what a blessing it would be for my children to be influenced by the love of their great grandparents in our home, too. I think about those Longhouses of the Native Americans- how a whole BIG family would live together, how I really kind of think it was meant to be. Who came up with the idea of us all separating out and away from each other anyway? I also think maybe that stork meant to drop me off in a whole other country as well...

They aren't going to come live with us (at least I don't think so) but they are welcome to, even though I know it would be so much work- and a little insane (by selfish worldly standards)- it feels right in my heart. I already thought of the blog post title if they did: "We're expecting! (But it's not what you think.)"


Oh PS, that pretty flower is the bottom half of a celery stalk.


photo taken with my iPhone, Hipstamatic app, John S, blank film.

September ONE

This morning the kids claimed it was freezing! so they put on long sleeves and pants and were shuffling around the house wrapped in blankets.

They are in desperate need of haircuts, (welcome to the club) but they all also don't want to get their hair cut so I keep putting it off. It's only hair.

I noticed while taking this photo that Noah was wearing Silly Bandz to school.

This month Ivy turns two.

This day, being the first, is a much-needed new beginning for all of us. I'm glad for it. Welcome to my life, September.

I take photos of my kids together the first of every month. See previous month ONEs here.

And sometimes we use paper towels as napkins

We forget, we get busy, lazy, more invested in preparing the meal and setting of the table to eat together as a family. Sometimes we use cloth napkins and sometimes we just use paper towels.

And we'll even put the whole roll on the table.

Sometimes I'll get out my camera, because it's not just the special occasions I want to capture on film wait a second these are the special occasions.

Every single meal together, every story they have to tell, every wild idea.

It makes the growing up and getting older and letting go a little less bitter and a whole lot more sweet.