viva fall

There is dirt under my fingernails. Alan always pesters me to wear gloves (since he is so very practical) and I understand, that it is, in fact, a decent idea. However, I am tactile, and gloves don't work for me at all. I have to feel things, (even if I get slivers, and slimed by slugs, and fingernail dirt) it is really the only way for me. Those of you who insist on wearing gloves won't understand, so please don't try, just sigh (like Alan does) and then listen quietly when I notice it later (or can't scrub it off).

The last few days here have been absolutely amazing. I wish I could show you a picture, or make a painting, or even think of words beautiful enough to describe it, but there aren't any, and anyway, it wouldn't do the day justice. Really. Today we went outside to do some fall garden clean up and bulb planting (or as I like to call it-science). My aunt brought me some special bulbs from Missouri that are called naked ladies (for reals!!) and I was itching to get them into the ground. We also went to the tulip festival for Maggie's birthday this year in the spring and I got a bunch of pretty potted flowers (which were in fact bulbs as well-yay!). The bad part was that we had to rip out all of my nasturtiums (they are my very favorite and make me smile a happy smile when I walk by them on the way into the house), and since I was late in planting them, they still looked good and fine, but I knew that soon, it would freeze and the rains would come, and it would be too late. So we dug in. It was a great way to spend the afternoon with my girls, a little destruction, some dirty digging, and some replanting, really there was something for everyone. The sun was shining on us, there was hardly any fighting and enough bulbs and worms and spades to go around. Ahhh, life is good.

We have really been enjoying the season, fall here is usually very wet, but has been surprisingly kind to us this year. We all dressed as pirates and went to the gristmill for their annual apple pressing. It was a really fun (dry) day. The girls also went trick or treating for the first time ever, the have assured me that is their new very favorite thing to do (guess they have forgotten about Disneyland already) We have been enjoying home school and are looking forward to whatever comes next. We are planning to join my family in Gold Hill for Thanksgiving again this year, will be hosting Christmas, and then heading down to Sacramento for the new year. We have plenty in store for us this season. (Good thing my shopping is done!!-oh yeah, you heard me-I'm done!)

AND I'm getting a camera. yay, it's supposed to be a secret (it's not)

it's supposed to be for Christmas (it's not) and I am getting it today.

will post amazing pictures soon, as soon as I can figure out how to use it.