Torture...you decide

Ahh, autumn in New England. Beautiful hues of orange, yellow and red. Millions of people flock to the mountains during peak season to ooh and aww over the ever changing leaves, a patchwork of beauty across the countryside. Once the beauty is gone though, homeowners of New England are stuck behind, raking the sea of crunchy brown foliage that blankets their yards.

It's so much fun to rake and bag, rake and bag. Getting splinters from wooden rakes, blisters on your hands scratches on your arms and a lower back ache. If I could pick a nice day, I'd prefer it during the week, I'm sure I could get much more done without needing to stop ever 2.5 seconds to help someone out, yell at them to get away from the road or shoo them out of the house (today I was smart and locked all the doors behind us). At least it would be quieter. But beggars can't be choosers and I had to take the nice day when I could get it.

Today was a balmy 67 degree here so I figured it would be a great day to go out and rake and bag leaves. I fed the girls lunch and we headed out. I told them I didn't care what they did as long as they stayed in the yard and didn't fight. They said they wanted to help. So we dragged three rakes and a bag of plastic trash bags to the front of the house and proceeded to start raking. Not 60 seconds later, Moe declared she was done. Not content to play on the swings, because ours apparently aren't good enough, or climb the jungle gym, the decided to gather acorns and smash them with rocks until they accidentally smashed their thumbs.

While I was trying to get as much done as I could, it was quite apparent that they couldn't occupy themselves. I got requests to go watch TV, for candy and to go play with the girls next door (which I allowed until she left). There were pleas of hunger. I told them they could grab an apple or banana. Did you say candy they asked? NO! I finally got them occupied in the back and working along when I had to call them to bring me a shovel. I was about to grab a huge handful of leaves when I saw it. A dead mouse next to the pile. Seriously, I don't own cats, why do I keep finding dead rodents in my yard? At least this one still had it's head. This brought their curiosity where they had to watch me scoop it up and toss it into the road. Is it still dead they asked? Yup.

Then I was told "we're bored". Go play I said. "No, there's nothing to do they replied. Can we paint?" No. So while I went back to work, they proceeded to hit a tree with the rake. Then they hula hooped. Then they pretended to be witches riding the rakes around the yard and pulling leaves back into the area I already raked AND dragging the neighbors leaves into our yard. Because of course I didn't have enough leaves of our own to rake.

"Can we go to the park" they asked. "Why do you have to do this today?" they whined. (Um because I'd rather do this today while it's warm then when it's cold or wet). "Can we have candy?" they pleaded. "Are you almost done?" they asked.

And finally, I stopped, I finished all of the side area and half of the front. I can work on more tomorrow. Girls grab a rake and help me put them away. "Awww, do we have to go inside?" they asked.

So you decide, did I torture them by making them spend a beautiful day outside?

Loving spring

After a looooooooong winter, we have been enjoying spring here in New England!

Watching the flowers bloom, painting the stone wall and just playing outside. We gave the girls walkie talkies, and except for the fights that there are only two of them, they've loved them. Add bubbles, hula hoops, baseballs and the jungle gym and they've been having a blast. So if you can't find us, we'll be outside soaking up some sunshine and getting our fair share of Vitamin D!

Un-Falling

Psst. Hey you there. Yeah you. You with the full branches of green leaves. Take a look around. Se everyone else? Yeah, they're changing colors and dropping their leaves. You could do the same thing you know. What? Your saving me the problem of raking you say? But I'd much rather rake now when it's just cold and not bitterly cold. It's not a race to see what happens first, you dropping leaves or the snow falling. So yeah, please drop your leaves?

Thanks.

Autumn in New England

Autumn has to be my favorite season. One of the great things about living in New England is that it has four distinct seasons. Last year, at this point, it was still wicked hot. I remember taking the girls apple picking and it was still in the mid 90's. They were wearing shorts and short sleeves and were sweating. It was very un-fall like. And the weather went right from super hot, to downright freezing last year. There was not "fall".

This year, already, the temperature has been seasonable. It's chilly in the morning - which means the girls need to wear a sweater or light jacket. By mid-day, the temperatures, while only reaching the mid to high 70's, have been very warm. In the morning, I love feeling the chill on my arms as I head out for my morning walk. I know, that by the time I finish, the temperature will have changed considerable. I love seeing the low lying fog, the Monarch's lazily flying around. To smell the cool crisp air with a hint of wood smoke. As the season progresses, the wood smoke will increase.

This week, the girls are going apple picking with school. I've already put mums and scarecrows in the front of the house. Already, we've seen the leaves start to change. In lower New England, the peek leaf peeping times are usually early October.

The girls have been excited. They've been saying "it's fall, it's time to go to the fairs! It's time to go to the farms!" And they are right. New England has scores of agricultural fairs throughout the season. And while we missed the two big one's nearby, we may still try to fit in a trip to the Big E. And farms - I believe they mean for apple picking. And hay rides. We tend to try and go apple picking a few times in he fall if we can. And while were at it, we pick up mums, pumpkins, gourds, fresh apple cider and candy apples. Thankfully, we have a few apple orchards nearby!

Another fall favorite is the ever popular corn maze. We have a few small one's nearby, but none can compare to the one at Lyman Orchards. If your in the area, I highly recommend checking it out.

If you've visited my blog regularly you'll know that my family loves hiking. Autumn is a great time to go. Although we didn't hit the woods as much as I wanted to this summer, I hope we can get in a few hikes before winter. Towards the end of October, I'll usually drag my girls out into the woods to capture a holiday picture. Last year, I got some great shots of my girls out in the woods.

Another great fall activity we enjoy is just grabbing our camera, hoping in the car and driving to points unknown. We usually wake up at the crack of dawn, give the kids a yogurt drink and some "trail mix" (a bag of mixed cereal, sometimes with mini marshmallows, peanuts and/or M&M's). We then pick a back road and head off for the day. We stop at cemeteries, roadside streams, trails and other points that interest us. We take pictures and enjoy the crisp weather. At some point, we'll stop for coffee and hot chocolate. Then we'll find a small stand for lunch and keep driving until we feel it's time to head back.

Fall is full of memories. Husband and I got married in the fall - we had an outside reception, overlooking the hills in CT. It was perfect. Although it's a time where plants start to die back, it still gives me a kind of mental awakening. Time slows down. We settle back into routines. School in the morning. Soccer three evenings a week. Soccer Saturdays - with games starting at 9:00am. Homework. Crock pot stews on those days where it just feels right. Despite which seems like a hectic schedule, I feel more relaxed. More rejuvenated. I know there is plenty to do to prepare for winter, yet, I find work comes easier.

Even though you're probably still adjusting to heading back to school, I highly recommend you spend some time outside. Visit a farm stand, state fair or apple orchard. Bake breads, cook stews and enjoy the waning days of sunlight. Before we know it, the sun will be setting by the time the kids step off the school bus. We'll be confined inside for many hours of the day.

Cross-posted at New England Mamas

Springy Surprises

We spent 2 straight hours outside after school today. We haven't done that in forever. The girls fought played while I scooped 3 months worth of dog crap and then raked the play yard. I left the leaves around the plants and that's it. While poking around, I found these growing under the stairs. While I'll leave the mums or whatever they are, I will have to dig up the thistle. While it's nice to look at, its in a highly trafficed area and I'd hate for anyone to get picked by it.


And these? I forgot I threw a bunch of bulbs in the ground on this part of the fence. It was a very pleseant surprise and I can't wait to see them all the way up.


Happy spring! And if your in New England, take these wonderful days when you can, you never know when the next one will be!

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Want to see how my spring cleaning progresses? Visit my new blog here!

Raging Meltwater

Now - February


Tons of rain (we set the record for monthly rainfall yesterday and we still have 10 days left of the month) and melting rain transformed the tranquil river we visited this summer into a raging river. The girls were intimidated and stayed safely away.

Then - September:



That time, the girls hoped from rock to rock. They turned over stones looking forr crayfish and cought frogs on the banks of the river.

Groundhog Day Prediction

The girls were hoping for an early spring, so they were disappointed that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow.

I guess when we look on the bright side, there is still time to actually get enough snow to use the sleds we brought earlier in the year and haven't gotten a chance to use. The reason being the snow either melted to quick or turned to ice. They used their old sleds once this winter. Oh well, same thing happened last year as well. Although, I remember as a kid having snow almost all winter and sledding almost every day. That or building forts and having snowball fights.

Next up, Super Tuesday. The girls are already talking about "Superbowl Tuesday" and how we can pick the President. They've also decided to nominate themselves this morning for Presidency. Einey and Meenie both decided that they want to be President! I even tried to explain to them that it's not the actual vote for Presidency, but the vote to decide who will eventually run.

Let's hope it's not 3 for 3 in terms of disappointment for the girls (not in them not getting the Presidency but in our pick not getting the majority of votes).

Harvest Party

Yesterday, we attended a friend's Harvest Party. We all had a blast.

There was food, oh so much food. Chicken pot pie, beef stew, chili, homemade bread, cornbread muffins, baked mac and cheese, chicken nuggets (for the kids), buffalo wings, crackers and cheese of all kids, apple pie, pumpkin doughnuts, apple cake, bacon biscotti bread, stuffed pumpkin, apple danish, candy apples, cupcakes and cookies. I'm sure I missed something. Then there were dozens of types of October Fest beers and pumpkin spiced ales. They had apple cider, hot cocoa and spiced teas. To end the night, there was a giant bon fire where we sat on hay bales and there were fleece blankets to wrap yourself in.


For the kids, there were games and activities, pumpkin painting and cookie decorating. There was a honey comb ball to roll around in and a moon bounce to jump in. A word of advice, put the kids shoes somewhere where you could find them before it gets dark. There were soccer balls and baseballs. Frisbees and beach balls. There was an innovative bobbing for apples game where you had to use your foot to grab the apple.


It was a great way to usher in the season.


The only problem was the weather. Don't get me wrong, it's hard to find fault with a clear 85 degree day. Except when the weather should be crisp and cool. Where you should be wearing jeans and sweaters and huddling your loved one's for warmth by the fire.

Snowy Scene's

Here are a few pictures I took around the yard today in the freshly fallen snow.

The brick walkway.



Buds.



Ice on a bush.



Snow on the Rhody.



Tree Stump.

Up Close of the stump.

Lattice.

Raspberry Bush.

On a Fallen Log.

Side View.

Vine.

On the toad house.

And of course, the shovel.

Groundhog Day

Here in the US, it was Groundhog Day. Today Good Ole Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, foretelling an early spring. This came as no surprise to those of us living in the Northeastern US who have seen barely an inch of snow this winter. We enjoyed weather in the 50's into January.

Yesterday, I tried to explain to Einey (who was learning about Groundhog Day in school) that no matter if the groundhog saw his shadow, the official start of spring doesn't change. It still comes with the vernal equinox on March 20th.

Here is a shot of one of our groundhogs that lives in the woods behind the neighbor's house. He was rather cute, munching on the raspberry leaves and weeds, until he decided to infiltrate my garden last year and eat my squash plants. He's one of the wildlife we can tolerate though.

Winter has Arrived

Today was cold. Very, very cold. It was 12 degrees when I had to bundle up and bring Einey to school. All I wanted to do was lie in a warm bed and drink hot chocolate, but that didn't happen. According to the NOAA, today was the coldest day since February 27, 2006. Almost one whole year.

At least it is supposed to warm up a little tomorrow before we get zapped with snow. Of course, I am not really counting on snow as it is almost the end of January and all we have seen are flakes, back on the 5th of December.

I hope everyone managed to stay warm today.

The Scent of a Child

Last night, Einey woke up with an earache, so I let her crawl into bed with me and the heating pad.

As she lay there asleep in my arms, I became acutely aware of her scent. She smelled of crayons and dirt, pencil erasers and sweat. As she snuggled her head closer, I caught a whiff of her dragonfuit shampoo.

People always talk about what baby's smell like. Of powder and Johnson and Johnson's Shampoo. Of strained peas and curdled milk. Of poop. But as time goes on, they start to lose that distinctive smell of babyhood.

I also thought of smells associated with the girls over the past few years. I can remember Einey smelling of sweat because as a baby, she always had a sweaty head. Meenie had that distinctive hospital smell for awhile when she was sick. And Moe always smelled like Vanilla because she couldn't drink milk when she was younger. Then there is the smell the girls have when they are running a fever, it's not strong, but I can always tell. Moe gets a distinctive smell when she's teething, but that is because it always gives her loose bowels. Einey smells of Sunflowers and Berries, depending on which type of detangler I use on her.

During the Spring and Summer, the girls smell of fresh air and dirt (A smell also associated with soccer in our household). Sweat and lemonade. Popsicles and hot dogs. Lake water and Sun.

In the Winter and Fall, they smell of warmth against the crisp cool air.

I realized last night that they don't lose their smell, but rather, it evolves with them, changing as they do. It grows with them taking on their likes and personality.

Winter Weather

Those of us in the Northeast have been enjoying above average temperatures.

Today, January 2nd, it reached 49 degrees (by my van's thermometer). What better way to spend the afternoon than a day at the park! So after picking Einey up from school, we spent the next hour and 45 minutes playing at the park. We ran races on the track (and I need to practice because Einey is fast!), played dodge the football and played on the playground.

It's weird because the last few years, I believed anything below 70 was too cold. But it wasn't cold. A bit chilly, but hats and mittens solved that problem. Tomorrow looks to be about the same so I think I will be heading back to the park!

Snow would be nice too. Not alot, but maybe a little.

S-N-O-W!

After a fall with above normal temperatures, I was excited to look outside this morning and see:

Autumn Continued

Autumn means apple picking and pumpkins. We went to a local orchard the other day to get some apples. This is the only time the girls will actually eat and apple without me cutting it up and taking off the peels. And we've already made an Apple-Banana Bread. Yummy!

Matt, these are also for you!

Autumn in New England

Autumn in New England is a magical time. The nights turn cold, the mornings are crisp and the days are getting shorter. Outside, there is change all around. The leaves burst with color - reds, oranges, yellows and even a hint of purple. Then they slowly fall, carpeting the ground with color. The air is usually aflight with Monarchs, before they make their migration to Mexico. Canadian Geese honk noisily overhead while flying in V-formation to whatever available waterway they can find. The nights carry a scent of woodsmoke to try and ward of the chill. The mornings are spent watching the kids play soccer in the grass wet with dew. And little wolly bear caterpillars curl up in balls in the hands of the children.

And then there are seasonal things. Going apple picking and then coming home to make apples pie, baked apples, candy apples, apple bread and apple crisp. Wandering through a corn maze trying to find your way out. Hayrides! Trips to the pumpkin patch. We love making pumpkin pancakes in the fall. Yum!

Matt, these are for you! One of these days you'll have to leave Texas and come up North to experience the real changing of seasons.

Goodbye Summer!

Goodbye summer. Goodbye sand. Goodbye gentle breezes through the hot air. Goodbye sandals. Goodbye garden. Goodbye beaches. Goodbye mosquitoes. Goodbye grill. Goodbye lazy days.

See you next year!