Day 273

My afternoon consisted of a farm tour at nearby Lazy XS Ranch to admire their pigs and talk farm stuff and a reciprocal farm tour here later that afternoon. In the evening, I went to a "Let's Celebrate Fall Party" at the Wolffs. One highlight: Trying out shape note singing for the first time!

Day 272

Apparently, the capacity for our turtle pool is 11 ducks. 

Day 271

Stepped outside my normal comfort zone during my hair appointment today and got "pixie bangs". I was partly inspired by this post on micro bangs or fringes. I have several friends with the fringe look and it is super adorable on them. I, however, am not sure I could pull that off!

Day 270

Today was finally our first official day at school. It went rather swimmingly. Jacob, on his own, wanted to draw a boat to illustrate the story that we made using his spelling words. Such a change compared to last year's beginning.

Day 269

Spent most of the day convalescing on the couch thanks to a nasty yellow jacket sting that has caused my leg to swell up. (no, I'm not allergic. I've been told this isn't too unusual). I did manage to finish the process of making and canning Great Aunt Elsie's Crystal Slice Pickles. And my oh my, they are good!

Day 268

Today started out fairly normally. I had gotten a yellow jacket sting the night before but didn't think much of it. We had a full day of errands though and by the time the day was done, I had a very ugly and extremely sore cankle. It felt like Mt St Helens was trying to rupture out the side of my leg unless it was wrapped up. And to make matters worse, I had to wear (oh the horrors) cheap Hawaiian flip flops because I've had a nasty infected blister (the size of a nickle?) on a toe. So it was an awkward day. But it ended eventually and I crashed on the couch. Later on we watched BBC Sherlock and little Sam joined us for awhile. He was pretty excited to hang out with the big boys.

Day 265

Hannah's birthday party. The Lyons helped us celebrate.

And there was much ice cream. 

Also, Jacob and I made these brownies.

And they were very good. Very, very dark.

I think I might still like The Domestic Goddesses Recipe 

for most occasions better.

Day 263

Dad and Scott hanging up a new whiteboard. 

Very excited as I'm sure our life will become perfectly organized now.

Also, our amazing "nut wizard", although we use it to pick up fallen apples.

It's one of my favorite toys.

Day 261

My favorite parking "park" at the Clackamas Costco.

Day 260

Hannah, Sam and I went blackberry hunting. 

We had success.

A peach blackberry cobbler followed.

My top secret project is slowly approaching completion.

Carriage doors, they are. Or will be one day.

Have decided to put windows in instead of solid boards. 

Day 258 Saturday

Piggies in the morning sunlight

Picking blackberries with Scott, Jacob & Mums

Fresh salsa for parish group tomorrow

Other happenings - 

Swimming with Jacob, 

working on the top secret project, 

a delicious dinner outside with the family and Zach & Hannah and Samantha

making food for parish group

watching M. Hulot's Holiday

Day 257 Friday

Trying to start doing chores earlier...

Jacob waiting at the feed mill with me

The apple cider press awaiting use

Hannah W and family over for picking apples, making cider and picking blackberries

Cute piggie buttocks!

Other happenings - working on the TSP and using my new router guide, having Hannah over for an impromptu dinner

Day 256 Thursday

1. Piggies

2. Chickens

3. Duckies

4. Daniel channeling his inner praying mantis....

5. Other happenings - Kate coming over for a visit, going to the airport cafe as a family to celebrate Jacob doing well in school

I'm working on getting back my blogging mojo. It's taken a while to figure out a new rhythm now that I have a new phone. And I still have photos from our camping trip to transfer from my old phone to my new one. 

Day 254 Wednesday

Running errands with Mom, Jacob and Daniel... Fall crocuses at the piano teacher's house.

Day 253 Tuesday

1. Dad entertaining Sam while waiting to leave

2.-4. At a double baby shower. Beautiful decorating!

5. Other happenings - Ticking things off my to do list all day!

Day 241

Day 237