Happy Halloween

Climbing Trees

Can you find Asher in the tree?
He's in there.
Fall has helped this little tree climber. Warm weather tolerable for bare feet has helped his skills perfect faster.


and thankfully he is incredibly worn out by the end of the day.

Chores

I try and make an effort to engage our kids in meaningful work, opposed to busy work. Work that they can see results from and feel like they are part of something greater and part of our home economy as we like to classify the different things that keep us busy during our days. Lately we have been going on a lot of stick walks- my idea for keeping us thick in kindling this winter so the fires start back up easily. And as we haven't done any major wood projects leaving us with loads of scrap wood, we needed another source. The massive windy weather pruning our neighborhood trees make this easy work.Take empty wagon, walk around a block in the neighborhood, store wood for winter. Our stick pile is growing daily.
There is also, try and keep the patio cleared from leaves. I have been really enjoying just sweeping, it may be my closest thing to meditation, I just have to sweep, no stooping to clean up piles. The boys want to be part of cleaning though so they got the shovels and put all the leaves in the wheelbarrow to compost.

And chicken chores. both of the boys love feeding the chickens. River is so careful in his distribution of corn and oats. Asher is our egg collector. I can't do the collecting without him as the back door to the nest box needs repair and my arms and body are too short to just reach in. Luckily small children fit easily into the chicken tractor for easy egg removal.

Into the Woods:: 10/25

Really, just perfect. River is now taking the lead and forging ahead on his own. And the woods are just perfect, this morning enjoyed with a little layer of wet after the late night thunderstorm.
A trail less traveled by us led to discoveries I had forgotten arrived in fall.



Outside has been calling to us, the temperature has been perfect, the lighting beautiful and there is work to do.

Fall in the Park

Spending all our time outside, there isn't enough time to blog! We have been struck with some amazing (yet windy) weather. Ben has been fishing, the boys and I have been exploring and everyone is worn out by the end of the day.

I really, really ♥ Fall.

Wood Polishing

We have been really busy here trying to simplify our lives and clear out the clutter. My biggest questions is whether or not we use it, and if the answer is no, it is out the door. We have had this box in the basement for the past few years storing wine. It was one of those amazing wedding gifts, but it needed a bit of a new life. So i cleaned out the inside and River took the lead in polishing it with a beeswax wood polish we made and now it is storing blankets in our living room.

I love how invested in the project River was and the feel of the polish on the recycled barn timbers. And now we are back in coffee table world, which going into wood fire, warm beverage drinking time of year is pretty important.

i have been very unmotivated to blog this past week. The weather: heavenly, I love it and can't help but be out there, even late in the evening soaking up the air, cool breezes and the anticipation of the first wood stove fire of the year.

The maples on maple street continue to amaze me as they peaked this year, and the reds of the season are unbelievable. We have been walking and playing and gathering and climbing- Asher at least 12 feet high into trees and River on anything that he can get a good foot hold on.

i just can't get enough of the colors and exploring with the boys.

Casting On

A long awaited project for the papa. It has been a long time in the thinking stages. I was excited to wind up some of the wool we bought on our honeymoon in New Zealand- almost 5 years ago for a fisherman's watch cap that will hopefully make its way off the needles in time for some salmon fishing in WI next week.

Coming with me where ever I go.

Moose

After many visits obsessing over our hollow log, the boys and I ventured to a place off the trails that we hadn't explored before in the woods. And to my great pleasure as well as the boys we found another wonderful downed tree.

After exploring for good amount of time, climbing and what not, Asher informed me that he was riding on a moose. He had a great view up top their at the antlers.

I look forward to returning. Our mornings in the woods are so much more relaxed when we spend time in one location. Both of the boys love to climb, A's imagination is so powerful and he brings River right along in the play with him, which as their mama, I love witnessing. We play in the soil that the tree is becoming, pretend to saw with bits of bark and smell the world as it forms anew, decomposition to life once again.

days outdoors

We have been spending as much time as possible soaking up all the fresh air and sunlight, before fall flies past us too quickly.The boys are having a lot of fun exploring and gathering which is what seems to drive our days these days.
We haven't been to the prairie is too long, so a full morning outing was necessary.
Such a beautiful time of year on the prairie. I love the plants dying back, seed heads and the late flowers of the season.
Plus the sculptures, herb and sensory gardens that all make this park great.