Mayfly

Fall is flying by here. There are still lots of beautiful trees out there, but there are lots of brown ones as well and falling crunchy leaves everywhere.

I am feeling utterly overwhelmed with the number of things I need to get done in the next week or two, so I will be stepping away from the computer for a little while (except for the Noticing Project.) I intended to get a couple of very fun little things into my shop for the first week of November, so maybe I can get those done too. I'm spending most of my time these days taking portrait photographs and editing, editing, editing...

Have a safe and terrific Halloween this weekend! I'll see you soon.

Posted by Alicia at 8:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Moments after the boys loaded into the car for school, the phone rang. It was them calling- practically still in the driveway. "We want chili for dinner tonight." It's really rainy again and predicted to get colder all afternoon. Yum. I tell them I can't make promises (I don't want to go to the grocery again. I just went.), but I'll come up with some kind of soup.

I think I can pull off the chili if I quick soak some black beans. Even though I've never found anything except a few odd shaped beans, I always sort dry beans because it says so on the bag. Every time I think about just dumping them in, but I don't.

But looky there. I found a tiny little stone.
I'm sure our dentist would be happy about the sorting today.

Posted by Alicia at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

I couldn't leave up yesterday's crabby post for another minute. So here is one about walnuts:

It doesn't get cheaper than free or more local than in the front yard, and you know how I am about the cheap and the local. BUT none of us like walnuts, not a one. This year we've got a bumper crop.

Brian told the kids he'd pay them a dollar for every (5 gallon) bucket they'd fill. I think they got up to something like $15 before they lost interest in the money. And these three here aren't included in that. And there are so many more still on the ground or clinging to the tree. And they turn your hands brown. And twist your ankles and then laugh at you. Ok, maybe they don't laugh. But they definitely taunt.

One year a nice little fellow stopped and asked if he could take them. YES! But he hasn't come by this year. Anyone have any ideas? Anyone? Anyone?

Bueller?

Posted by Alicia at 2:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (33)

It's cold today, and I can't seem to warm up.

Apparently, I'm feeling crabby.

Today is my alone/studio day.

I've started about 5 things but finished nothing.

I'm having trouble focusing. (duh.)

Our school officially has the h1n1 flu. One of our 1st grade classes had 4 people in it yesterday. A couple of Kindergarten classes had barely a few more than that. It seems to be minor in most of the kids, but one of J's best friends had to be hospitalized. He's ok now. My kids have had the vaccine. I hope it helps. I've just about decided to get it myself when it becomes available.

It has been rainy for days.

Our furnace is acting up. Shall I send it to time out?

It's book club night, so that will cheer me up. We read this book. It was a little worthless but suspenseful and really very good. It was just what I needed to read.

I have lots and lots of portrait photo shoots coming up, so that is good too.

I'm going now. I need something warm to drink.

Posted by Alicia at 2:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

We are watching a couple extra kiddos for a few days. They are great kids and my own kids love them like family. It is going really well, but they are all off to school this morning and I am really enjoying the quiet.

We have big, exciting plans tonight: homemade pizza and milkshakes at the bar, popcorn and a movie. Fun!

Have a great weekend, everybody. See you next week.

Posted by Alicia at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

I usually don't share stuff like this, but I think you should know this quirky little band. I bumped into them on youtube today, and I love them.

Their music is awesome (I think) and they are hilarious and tongue-in-cheek (which I love) and they record the music in someone's den (or bedroom?) and it sounds really good. Her voice is amazing and they are adorable. You can download their covers for free and their original songs for a buck (at myspace).

Be sure to watch "September" and see his Grandma shake her thang.

Rock on.
That is all.

Posted by Alicia at 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (20)

Do you remember the basement remodel? It's nearly finished, but not quite. I'll do some proper "after" photos one of these days.

The look I'm going for down there is kind of Palm Springs cocktail hour meets Gauguin's Tahiti, but I am a notorious under decorator. I have trouble accessorizing; I don't do clutter well. At least the clock has the feel I'm looking for- I made it myself. I cut a circle out of 3/4 inch mdf and drilled holes for the dowels around the edge, taped off the leaves, spray painted the whole thing, and added the clock works (from Hobby Lobby). Tada!

Pull a stool up to the red bar. It's time for a cocktail.

Posted by Alicia at 3:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)

I missed the last day of Autumn Color Week so I thought I'd pop in with some colorful photos from the Weston Applefest today- we go every year and it always feels like the official beginning of Fall for our little family.

We are really happy this weekend. I hope you are too!

Posted by Alicia at 10:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Where-oh-where did September go?! At least someone has been enjoying the falling leaves. Her daddy gets a little tired of cleaning out the gutters.

Today: slow morning, another cup of coffee, hope for the rain to clear- I've got something I need to work on outside, flu shot for the mom, bake a chicken and some taters, muddy soccer practice.

Have a great Thursday!

Posted by Alicia at 8:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)