Bits of Fall

Oh glorious Autumn!  Fall season just doesn't last long enough for me.

This year Gramsie and Pops came for a little visit, so you'll see
them with us in these photos as we spent some time at Marvel Hill and
took a beautiful outing up to the Canadian border.

Smell-good candles, cookie and pie baking, soups, and scenic drives
are on the upswing here (not to mention a lot of raking in the yard!)
as we stuff ourselves up with all the outdoors we can fit before winter :-)

Clayton and Carolina recently made the most scrumptious pies from our Summer Cherries.
The crust was melt-in-your-mouth flaky and the filling that perfect sweet/tart that I love!

Our family has seen bears on three different occasions, as well as much evidence at Marvel
Hill (including but not limited to some destroyed apple trees).  Here is a bear story you may enjoy:

Yesterday we drove up to the cabin and rolling into the driveway Dad says "Oh no.. one of the shop doors is open"

Someone else queried whether we remembered to shut it when we left last time?
"Hmm... don't know."

"Maybe," says Aloria "...maybe a bear pushed it open"

"I don't think so 'Lor" says I "There's a  gaping opening not four feet away where we haven't yet
installed the roll-up door.  I imagine a bear would rather walk through the obvious opening if
he cared to get in."

Alas, upon closer inspection there were three neat dusty paw prints on that door.  A bear had
indeed pushed it open. Well I'll be! Aloria was right. Haha!  Not sure if that means our bear
was a gentleman or trespassing marauder, but while the lid had been removed from one trash can,
it didn't appear anything had been stolen :-)

Maiden Voyage of the Dinghy's

Still no boat names, but that didn't stop the fellas from embarking on

the maiden voyage before Summer's end!

Two dinghy's were unloaded and launched into the Pack River, which is

a sandy-bottomed meandering stream which flows into lake Pend Orielle.

Also, Dad took the kayak with Bryce, Uncle Daniel launched his rowboat,

and friend Jon came with his water craft too. 

The girls and I (with Miles-boy) waved them out of sight around the bend, 

drove away, and waited to hear when they were ready for pick up.

It was to be a half-day's adventure, but the guys packed essentials for a

"just in case" overnighter.  A call came at 5pm with the message that they

wouldn't need picking up until the morrow, so a minimally planned for

overnight on a sandy beach crowned the Pack River adventure.

Apparently it was a cold night

Apparently no campfires are allowed during this dry fire season.

Apparently Bryce somehow managed to leave his fleece behind.

Apparently Dad equipped the boys with warm sleeping bags.

Apparently Mountain House and some trail mix is good enough for dinner.

Apparently it was a blast, and...

Apparently one night was enough for everyone ;-)

We womenfolk loaded up again the next day and drove downstream to wait.

We heard the echo of voices first... and then they appeared!

What a great adventure!  I sure was glad to have them back with the rest of us

and to hear tales of collecting freshwater mussels, sleeping in swim trunks, and

how hard sand is to get comfortable on in a sleeping bag.

In the end there were four boys smiling from ear to ear, completely wiped out from the

fun and ready for dinner and a snooze - completely satisfied :-)

Successful endeavor!

New Bump in Town

It's true!
And once again, I'm a little slow in announcing our news.

We expect this little one to arrive around December 10th which puts
Baby at nearly 6 months along (this has been a fast pregnancy for you,
hasn't it!). Not so much for me, though the next three months will
probably be the longest :-D

So far this has been what my midwives call "boringly normal" as they
smile and nod and tell me what a good job I'm doing growing such a sweet
and compliant baby.
I'm so thankful for boringly normal, and while I do have some of the normal-est
kinds of pregnancy maladies, I'm often mindful of how precious this privilege is.

To carry another newly-knit life is a wonder I'll never tire of and one I don't know if I'll
get to experience again or not.  So in the midst of creaky aches and a variety of varicose
veins I choose to cherish the days of being with child.

And absolutely with certainty do I cherish this precious person of mine!

I can't wait to meet you Baby Bug!

Last Sanding and First Launch

Oh the laughter!  Watching Clayton navigate oars for the first time
as they got stuck in the dock and splashed like fish out of water!

The boys got their dinghy's to the point of seaworthy.

Lots of hours went into these two little boats this Summer. Applying epoxy, I heard, wasn't so bad.
Sanding... was not so fun.
Every sanding episode was followed by a shower, and some itching caused by stray bits
of fiberglass dust.  But they did it.  Followed through and met success at the surface of lake water.

Seats were set in temporarily to check correctness of position.
Oarlocks installed.
Fresh new oars coated in epoxy.
Boats loaded into the trailer...

Zachary and Clayton figured out the business of rowing pretty quick, and with that
we saw just their tiny silhouettes far out in the distance.

Next there is planned an actual maiden voyage, followed by (I hope) true seats, paint,
and names.  Aren't watercraft supposed to be named?  With paint and names I will
consider this chapter closed!

So much learned.
Yes, there is a little fresh knowledge of boat building, woodwork, and fiberglass,
but really there is new depth of life experience that tints perspective.
That's pretty wonderful!

Well done sons!