a foreshadowing

So snow didn't really stay for a visit this weekend, but came and went in a faint and flurried hurry. Short and sweet, there still was enough to foreshadow the days of winter peeking behind Autumn's shadow. My favorite part of the weekend was finding comfort from the chill by huddling near the fireplace with my loves, and eating homemade chicken soup-- more glimpses of a promised yearly inward draw.

My husband, who has now set up shop downstairs in our tiny home, is emanating a new kind of energy in this little space. The kind of vulnerable energy requiring gentleness from the ones who love him as he heals. Our children scamper carefully by his side to offer assistance however he needs it. The bothersome and painful repercussions of having his back cut open has tugged tightly on the knitted strings between us. A natural mechanism that I love.

Halloween decorations, of course, have been up since the weekend before last, and the tradition of Booing neighbors has begun (the kids LOVE to do this and it's a great way for a community to connect, btw). I love helping my children build anticipation and excitement towards Halloween, an event surrounded by fond memories in my own childhood.

One more note I'd like to share. There is gladsome brewing in our country's beautiful heartland. Claudine, of becoming claudine is making one of her dreams come true. She is hosting her first ever creative retreat at Cuyahoga Valley National Park November 9-11, a dream she shared with me over a year ago. Congratulations Claudine, on making magic happen. In her words...gladsome is "A gathering of women nourishing the creative spirit." Registration is still open, please view details here...

Wishing you a lovely Monday...
xoxo

joining Amanda today....

Down for the count

We are looking for sunnier days around here! And I don't mean the rain either!

Unfortunate happenings have been keeping me off the blogosphere and tending to my little family lately. Hubs threw his back out this past weekend :(. Though he's better now, it's the worse it has been poor guy. Then my active boy began his weekend with an allergic reaction to something leaving him stiff hands, itchy feet and a mild fever. When that went away a couple days later, the stomach virus showed up. Last night he was up at 3am dealing with stomach cramps and frequent visits to the bathroom. Could the two things be related?!! I keep looking for the malevolent fairy that has visited us these past few days. Oh if it were only as simple as swatting it down like a mosquito!!!

So while we mend over here, I'll leave you with an assignment I have this week from Maddie's Persisting Stars course (only 1 day left to enter the giveaway for her Persisting Souls e-course! btw). It's self portrait week and I am suppose to take a self portrait every day. Yep, it scares me. You all have secretly encouraged me with your recent posts of yourselves--LB, Tracey, Suzy, and others I know I am forgetting. The timing is good though as I haven't had a profile photo up for awhile. Maybe this assignment will succeed in it's purpose to get over this fear, once and for all? 

What? You didn't think I could go full frontal off the bat did you? Baby steps...and I am not promising anything :)!!!

One last bit, I am missing out on Mon's 5 senses tour this week because of that malevolent fairy I'm hunting, so please go take a peek and get your culture fix!

much sunshine to you!!
xoxo