as cozy as spring

Slow Shutter Speed

I never take indoor photos because the light is so funky and I don't have a tripod.  But I set the shutter speed to as slow as it would go and set up a false "tripod" which consisted of three workbooks and a baby sock.  It worked brilliantly.  This is the first inside photo I've liked in years.  I can't imagine working it with the children in the shot because there is no way they could be still long enough, but I can imagine them in this one.  Can't you see them with a puzzle?  And a few legos?  I'm on the love seat over there with some knitting.  My husband is well accounted for - see the remote?  Football Sunday.  I actually set this photo up and had to ask, "Can you move your foot please?  It's ruining my composition."

And I think this finally means I'll get a decent Christmas tree photo.  

Thoughtful Little Man

A very rare moment of peace.

September Saturday

• I can't comment on Blogger blogs again.  I don't understand why this problem occurs - and more importantly why it will eventually spontaneously correct itself.  Is it Blogger?  Is it ME?  And Typepad still isn't sending me all my comments.
• My house looks like I read 600 pages in The Order of the Phoenix yesterday.  Must put the book down.  Seriously - I'm thirty years old and was blowing off my daughter's lessons.  "No sweetie!  No grammar today!  Don't worry about it."  I actually poured my afternoon coffee in a travel mug so I wouldn't have to get up and refill it.  I assure you that this is a very rare occurrence.
• My son has been slow to develop in almost every area - except bratty little brother.  Lucy and Linus were fighting over a Hawaiian lei sent to them by my own little brother when he was living in Oahu.  Linus succeeded in getting it away from Lucy causing her to cry and scream, "It's mine!  Give it to me."  And then Linus, he smiled mischievously, spit all over the lei, and threw it back to her.  You can't teach that!  That's bratty brother genius!  And I don't expect the situation to improve unless we all manage to stop laughing at him. 
• Happy September Y'all.  Summer is almost over and I can set out mulling spices, mums, and asters.  I got the first email from Journey North yesterday - but we have already noticed a daily increase in the amount of monarchs visiting our backyard. 

               

Today

• AM - Lessons, reading time.  I make biscotti.  My daughter asks if it will taste better than it looks and smells.  She runs through the kitchen in her swimsuit to play in the sprinkler I just turned on.  My son follows her wearing large purple goggles and my daughter's tropical print tankini.  My husband does not think this is funny.  I do.
• Afternoon - My son is sleeping.  Lucy and I sit down for tea and coffee respectively.  I flip through The New Best Recipes from Cook's Illustrated searching for Christmas cookies.  I find several possibilities even some with no eggs.  Dinner will be roast beef and mashed potatoes.  My husband calls and talks to Lucy who, for no reason at all, declares to him that she loves Thursday afternoons.  Lucy and I see a monarch resting on the hollies.
• PM - Dinner is over and we all head outside to enjoy the cooler weather and freshly cut grass.  We toss the football back and forth, noting that Linus can throw better than we expected.  Lucy practices cartwheels in the grass.
• Late PM - My husband is watching a scary movie in our bedroom so Lucy and I stay up late reading picture books.  Linus gives me a hundred or so funny little baby kisses.  And now, here I sit.