We loved looking for pumpkins and running through the corn maze last week at our favorite local farm Hickory Nut Gap.
Pumpkin carving and roasting seeds this afternoon. Last minute costume decisions. Trick or treating this evening with friends. Happy Halloween!
My little fiery 2 year old was not very happy to wear her new hat. I was chasing her around the yard to catch a photo before she took it off and to make sure it fit. Now, she thought that was funny! 
I knitted her a Autumn pixie hat, known as the pointy elf hat from More Last Minute Knitted Gifts, to match the greenone I made for Kelwyn last fall. I found some very soft and scrumptious Malabrigo Yarn in purple from my local yarn store. My thought was that if her big brother was wearing his hat, then she would too. 
We'll see, maybe when it gets really cold outside or she may be throwing it in the snow all winter.
This time of year fills my heart with so much love and inspiration. I am in awe every time I look at the beauty that surrounds me.
Falling colors of red, orange and yellow at my feet, the warm sun on my back. I too become still, quiet and ready for a long winters rest after a blazing burst of color and outward energy of the summer. It reminds me to let go, surrender, and hold what is sacred within. 
We tried to get out in the sun as much as we could this week before the cold front and rain came through. 
We were outside all day yesterday and enjoyed every minute.
We have been trying to do a bit of Autumn crafting here and there the past few weeks. I remember a weather tree I saw on a blog last year and finally got around to making one for us to observe the weather each day. I cut a tree out of brown craft paper and taped it on the window. I also cut leaves in shapes of oak and birch trees. 
The little ones love to look out the window in the morning and declare a sunny or cloudy day. We put up a yellow leaf for sunny days and an orange leaf for cloudy days. I need to pick out a color and leaf for snowy days up ahead too.
Slater gathered some beautiful fall leaves close to his work from a sugar maple tree. I dipped them in melted beeswax to preserve their yellow and red colors. I tied some to a string to give out as party favors for Kelwyn's birthday party. I thought they would make a nice window hanging. 
With the left over leaves I hung as a garland from our mantle. I am loving the autumn colors bringing warmth to our home and a bit of nature in.
We celebrated Kelwyn's 4th birthday on a beautiful, picturesque Autumn day. He awoke to a trail of silver, sparkly stars to his birthday table, birthday ring, balloons, yearly picture book, and a sweetly wrapped wooden turtle. 
I am not sure he noticed much of his decorations because his big, big surprise was hiding under a quilt. A huge grin, and a bit of shock, appeared on his face when he unveiled his shiny, new red bicycle! Now Slater could tell you all the stats and info on the new bike. He put a lot of research and looking into finding the perfect, first bike for Kelwyn. I must say he did a wonderful job! Kelwyn was so happy and began riding it around the room.
He took to it very quickly and got the hang after a few falls and wobbles here and there. (Slater put on training wheels when we saw Kelwyn's feet could not touch the floor. We were going to take off the pedals and training wheels so he could learn to push with his feet and balance.) 
We spent the afternoon at a local park with friends riding bikes, scooters, and tricycles, and playing in the sun. The little ones rode for hours, stopped for snacks and a seesaw ride, and kept on going. 
We enjoyed strawberry ice cream and I made 3 dozen banana cupcakes with honey cinnamon frosting. Oh, we topped it off with another birthday song and candles in Kelwyn's diner pizza, his request.
Oh, my sweet, adventurous, vivacious little boy is 4! It is hard to believe 4 years have so quickly passed. It brings me so much joy to watch him change and grow into this amazing being. We love you Kelwyn!! Happy birthday!
I was very fortunate to spend a blissful weekend alone at the Southeastern Women's Herbal Conference. It was my first time away since becoming a mama and I must say I enjoyed every minute of it. I soaked up a bit of sun, watched golden leaves twirl through the wind, listened to amazing spiritual and herbal classes, enjoyed the sweet melodies of Rising Appalachia, watched the moon glisten and dance on the lake, ate delicious meals, slept in a bunk bed with a cabin of lighthearted women, heard the constant sound of distant drumming and reconnected with a lot of friends. The highlight was helping my dear friend Kelcey at her amazing booth, Sweet Mess Art and Seed & Sky Jewelry. Her work is amazing and filled me with such joy to be surrounded by it all weekend and see it touch the lives of so many other women too. She has so much love, emotion and beauty in her art. I cannot wait to find a new home for my new prints to smile at every day (thank you Kelcey!). To top it all off it was my birthday. I came home to a delicious cooked meal by Slater, wine, chocolate cake, smiling little ones in my lap and the sweetest gifts. I got to spend the evening with my mom and family after a heart filled weekend. Many thanks to my mom and Slater for holding down the homestead for me!
My friend Sarah asked me to help her at her booth at the True Nature Country Fair this past weekend. She has a little girl Kelwyn's age, Violet, so I took him along for a mother and son outing and thought the two little ones would enjoy some play. Sarah was demonstrating spinning wool into yarn and said she would also show me a few techniques to get me started for helping her out. 
Her booth was full of raw wool, hand dyed wool and tools to get wool ready for spinning, I was in heaven! I have been wanting to find the time to learn how to spin wool for some time and was more than thrilled to help her and work with wool all afternoon. All the kids loved carding the wool, which was a process which breaks up the lumps of fibers to get it ready for spinning. Turning the crank was a blast for Kelwyn. 
She sent me home with a drop spindle to get used to twisting the wool roving. I must admit it is quite tricky and will take a bit of practice! Serendipitously , I also saw that Kathy from one of my favorite blogs, While Tangerine Dreams, hand spun some yarn with me in mind for her art yarn shop . She named it Wild Violets, I feel so honored and happy, the colors are beautiful! I also feel it is a sign to pursue my spinning dream! It is so beautiful and I will definitely have to get her to spin a ball for me!! Thanks Kathy, your yarn is amazing:)
We saw sheep, sheep dogs, goats, chickens, drank freshly pressed cider, and enjoyed watching a bit of folk dancing and bluegrass music. But, the highlight for Kelwyn was the goat drawn cart ride. He and Violet waited their turn and eagerly climbed into a little cart for a ride. 
It was one of the cutest things I have ever seen and the little ones loved every minute of it! The best $3 I ever spent!!
Thank you Sarah for the spinning inspiration and a beautiful day!
