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Saturday, October 13, 2007
I love Fall days like today. Warm, with a slight breeze, colorful leaves still clinging to the trees, yet enough on the ground to make a delightful crunch as they are walked upon. I spent the morning putting my garden to 'bed' for the winter. I notice the ladybugs already settling in for their long winter naps, and I delight in the bird life that passes through our yard. This season I have seen American finches, flickers, robins, chick-a-dees, grossbeaks, blue jays, sparrows and others I have not been able to identify. It seems I am regularily running for my bird book. There is also a squirrel, which when not scolding Kazzie (our cat), is busily storing up his winter food supply.
Yesterday evening during supper the most unusual thing happened. A thunder and lightening storm had begun. Suddenly, a huge crack of thunder and the sky opened up flinging SNOWBALLS to the earth! It was most bizzare! Not snowflakes, not hail, but hundreds of soft snowballs about the size of twoonies came plummeting down. We ran outside and started to catch them as if they were little softballs. It was wild! I've never seen anything like it! God makes snowballs, too!
Travis and Shalayne are drinking green smoothies! I talked them into drinking one once a day. (Can't seem to convince their older brothers yet.) Below is their favorite:Smooth DelightBunch spinach1 banana1 peach or 1/4 pineapple1 apple (peeled and cored)2 cups water2 Tbsp ground flax
There is something very satisfying about putting up food for the winter. This year I asked Shalayne for her help with the condition that she didn't have to start back to her books right away (we call this home ec.!). So together we canned peaches and pears and made a dozen apple pies as well as canning apple pie filling. I also made several batches of jam. The boys were full of compliments for Shalayne's pies!
I didn't hold his hand or need to encourage him~ he was quite ready. However, for me, I felt very emotional. For today, my son began "formal" schooling, the first time he will be under the tutorage of others. I know, he is 18 and he's just begun his first year of college, but I strongly feel the separation and the realization that something good, something wonderful has come to an end. Of course I want my son to move on, to become all God desires him to be, but I am treasuring in my heart a precious time that has officially come to an end. I thank God for allowing me the privilege and pleasure of mothering and schooling Dustin for a season. (And yes, I will always be his mother :-)
We are co-oping with the Contos' this year for science, studying flying creatures. Shalayne is enjoying our Friday get togethers. Its more fun than doing it alone!
