Guilty

I love plank horse fencing. Four-Plank is the nicest. And having done all the work ourselves makes our fencing even more enjoyable to look at. It isn't just a fence: it is time, and effort, and ruined clothes (that black paint does NOT come out).

This also makes it all the more frustrating when a board comes down.

Or rather, gets pushed down by a horse (or pony) with a heart for adventure!
Or maybe just an itch.

Often there is no way to know who was the culprit. But some days it is just obvious. Jazzy looks a tad guilty, doesn't she?


"Really! It wasn't me--it was Ming!!" says Jazzy. And I might have believed her, or at least given her the benefit of the doubt.

But then she turned around. The tell-tale black paint lines on her hip. Guilty as charged!!

Color

The above photo really has nothing whatsoever to do with this post. I just wanted to show you the pumpkins from our various pumpkin patch trips (which ALL ended in being very cold and wet--I am done with pumpkin patches for the season) and the one pumpkin that Chris and Morgan carved together. And please notice my cat, Charlie, sneaking into the photo. He is an attention hog.
And I apparently need to wash or repaint my steps. I will add that to the list of 1500 other improvements to this house.

Aaaand, onto the intended topic . . .

The best thing about living here in the Autumn is the colors.


Growing up in Florida, things either stayed green year round or maybe just turned brown before the leaves fell off. (please notice our dog, Kallie in the background. I am sure she has a stick. She always has a stick.)


Here, there is color. Lots of color. Reds and oranges and golds, even some purple! I had no idea trees could turn purple.
On my farm, there are several trees I especially enjoy.

This one is my particular favorite. I need to take a photo of it when the sun is at the exact right angle. It is a brilliant fire-red. It is the first tree I look at when I go outside. Really, it is a magnificent old tree any time of year, but the fall is when it really shines.

This is another one of the old hardwoods on the property. Although a beautiful tree, most of the day it can't hold a candle to the previous tree--but at this point in the evening when the sun is just right, it absolutely glows with gold and orange.

As much as I am not looking forward to winter (remember the childhood in Florida--I just have never quite adapted to cold), the autumn makes it worth it. Just don't ask me in February.

I Love This Photo

Sometimes it is the little moments that you accidentally capture. Those real-time, real-life moments that can never be captured in posed photographs. They are hard to catch, especially with my girls--or any kids for that matter--because life seems to be lived with such energy.
This morning I had Adeline sitting on one of the kitchen stools again for breakfast (usually she sits in her high chair, but she likes to be next to her big sister and so sometimes we let her). The girls were sharing a plate of fried potatoes: alternating between feeding themselves, trying to feed each other, and giggling so hard I worried that one or both of them was going to fall right off the stool. I had the camera out and snapped a few pictures . . .

"here, Addie, let me help you there"
I apologize for Adeline's lack of of a shirt. Sometimes it is just easier to clean a baby than clothing.

I have no idea what Morgan is doing here. Addie has quite a mouthful, though. Both girls crack me up in this photo.

Apparently Morgan is tired of the paparazzi (mom). "Please, no more photos at this time"
But I persisted and I am so glad I did because I love the next photo.

I just love how happy they are just being together. There is nothing special going on, just a normal breakfast on a normal day. They aren't smiling because of anything in particular, just because they are happy to be two sisters sharing a plate of fried potatoes.

Hay!

Well, actually, it was straw--but we had a blast in it either way! While we were waiting for all the activities to get underway at the pumpkin patch, we headed to the barn for some good old-fashioned fun.

Adeline is actually having a blast--she just always has that face if strangers are looking at her.

Morgan on the other hand doesn't care who is watching--she has a blast no matter what. The rope swing was the highlight of the hour!


Hey, look! When mommy makes a total fool of herself, Addie breaks into a grin. And I now realize that only kids look adorable on swings.

A Bit of Adventure

Chris has been planning a week-long hiking trip for months. He and our brother-in-law, Joe, ran into a few snags (as in, Joe was a total wimp and refused to carry a 40 pound pack for 8 days with a slipped disk), but did finally make it out Saturday.

Prior to their leaving, my living room looked like this. That is a lot of stuff to carry on your back for 8 days! I would do it though--the only reason I am not going is because I don't want to shatter their male egos with my amazing speed, agility, and endurance.

So, while Chris headed out on his adventure, I took the girls on our own. We met some friends at a pumpkin patch.


There was a storm in the distance, but we decided to brave the corn maze anyway.

Complete with slide!

The storm came in fast, though, and we had to leave in a hurry. We didn't manage to get out of there without getting a little wet. Addie thought getting rained on was a blast--but of course, she turned her head when I tried to snap a photo.

Photos taken of yourself are invariably bizzare, I have decided. And I have no idea why I am posting this one except that you can see the rain in my hair (and Addie's too, if you look hard enough--it just made her hair curlier, which I didn't know was possible!)

We Were Tagged . . .

If you had ONE wish....what would it be???

Meghann: a fully-renovated house
Morgan: more horses
Addie: to speak difficult words (as relayed by morgan)
Chris: less horses


Places you'd LOVE to travel to:

Meghann: Scotland, Ireland, Italy, and many other place
Morgan: to a place where there was lots of horses
Addie: to a place where there are lots of dogs (again, as relayed by Morgan)
Chris: Bali and France--especially during the Tour de France (he also noted that apparently Morgan just wants to stay at home)


Which one wild animal,if it were tamed, would you like to have as a pet?

Meghann: a deer. or maybe a bear
Morgan: a cheetah
Addie: wolf (actually, we think she said dog)
Chris: elephant (Meghann might change her answer to be the same as Chris's)

What is one charity cause that you really support and care about?
as a family, we sponsor a child with Compassion International


If you had ONE MILLION dollars....what is the first thing you'd buy or how would you split it up?
after we gave away some to our church and charity . . . .
Meghann: renovate the house, build a barn and riding arena, and invest.
Morgan: buy a lot of stuff for other people.
Addie: buy stuff for herself and her big sister (according to Morgan)
Chris: pay off the house and invest


What is your TOP 3 favorite blogs?

just look at our sidebar :)

Mornings

Every morning I stay in bed till the last possible moment. What can I say? I am not a morning person. Luckily, I can get ready incredibly fast, especially for a woman. (did I just say that? that sounded horribly sexist--but it is true. men don't have to do hair and makeup and all that.)


It literally takes 30 minutes from the time I get out of bed to get myself ready (and I do try to look good!), Lil Bit ready, breakfast ready for the kids (usually oatmeal now that it is cold in the mornings) and out the door.

Addie usually is still in her jammies--I change her into clothes once we get back to the house. Then we have a leisurely walk down the drive and wait for the bus (it only takes 5 minutes to walk down the drive, but I always give us about 15).


This is where our morning slows down and we just enjoy each other and talk. I love the walks down the drive and will miss them during the months it is too cold to stand outside for 15 minutes.and I love views like this. Sunrises are one of my favorite things (but the downside of not being a morning person is I don't always see them!).
oh, and there is a reason the fence is half-painted like that. It has something to do with air compressors and the reach of the hose or something. It will all be painted in full after the face boards are on.

PS Adeline has a hearing screening today. I personally think she hears just fine, but as she isn't really talking, we have to check stuff like that. (Although the most likely reason she isn't talking is because she can't get a word in edgewise with Morgan.)

An Orchard With a View

We went to the apple orchard the other day. It was too late in the day to actually pick apples, so we just bought a couple boxes of them (plus, we are hitting up two more pumpkin patches/apple orchards in the next week). The view alone was worth the drive though . . .

Evening Fog

We have now owned our farm for a year. I love the solitude that a little acreage provides. In the evenings, the stars are brilliant. In the morning, the dew sparkles on the field and highlights a million tiny spiderwebs strung between the blades of grass. I love the sound of a horse snorting or nickering in the dark. I even love my neighbor's rooster as he welcomes the first rays of light.


Most of these have become standard for me, a part of my routine. I am looking forward to a second year and the experience of the changing of seasons again. And I hope to enjoy many more autumns, winters, springs and summers here as we make this farm, this house, our own. Bit by bit (and no, that is not a suggestion that there are more Bits arriving anytime soon). There are so many ideas, so many projects that we have planned. A large patio off the back, a clothesline, a complete gutting and remodeling of the baths and kitchen. A wrap around porch. A real barn. A riding arena.


But then there are moments when I forget all those plans, as enjoyable as they are to dream about, and just relish the moment. Like the other evening when a fog rolled in over the field and I went out to take pictures, playing with the settings. My camera is still just a point and shoot, so they aren't amazing photos . . .

but I hope you can catch just a little of the feeling of the cool breeze, the smell of autumn moving in, the quietness that a fog brings in. Maybe a gentle nicker from the pony.

The Coolest Kid on the Bus

At three in the afternoon, Bitty Bit's world brightens. That is when we walk down to the bus stop to wait for Lil Bit. Most of the time we walk, or meander, or stroll. Bitty Bits seldom walk very fast. And they never walk in a straight line. And there are always rocks, or leaves, or puddles that need closer inspection. So, if I am in a hurry, I load Bitty into the stroller.

Or, onto the horse. This day we chose Annie, my 16 year old Arabian mare that I have owned for over 10 years (and rode for several months prior to the purchase. When adults are on her, Annie has a mind of her own--but you put kids on her and she knows she needs to take care of them. She even walks more carefully--putting thought into each step.

The look Adeline is giving my mom in that photo cracks me up. I am not sure if she is pondering the camera or if she is tired of my mom saying "hold on, Addie!!"

When the bus pulls in, there is lots of shrieking and giggling and "look!! she brought the horse!!" that can be heard coming from inside the bus. I am sure the bus driver wishes I would give her advance warning so she could put in earplugs.
Morgan is instantly everyone's favorite kindergartner.

I did do Morgan's hair that morning. But six hours later, you can't tell. One of my friends used the expression, "styled by wind and weather" and I would say that is a perfect description.

Both girls are just enjoying the ride. Adeline has better natural posture. Actually, Adeline is just more graceful in general--Morgan's talents and gifts lay outside the athletic realm (swimming is the exception--she has a lot of skill for someone her age). Both girls need to work on their leg position, though.

"Heels down, girls!" "Shoulders back, Morgan!"

Oh look! Morgan's posture improved a bit. Addie's heels are still up, but I guess I can let that slide for a bit longer.


Adeline is checking to make sure her sister hasn't fallen off yet. This is a real concern, as Morgan can fall off a chair she is sitting in, bless her klutzy little heart.

And here we are, back home. Neither of the girls are ever ready for the ride to be over--but it was time to head to a local orchard and pumpkin patch.

Everybody Loves . . .

. . . A Blue Eyed Blonde


Especially when a scratch across her eye and cheek give her that "tough girl" appearance. And she is pretty tough. Most of the time. Morgan is also very emotional though and can burst into tears at the slightest provocation. Heaven help the boys that fall for her--and it has already started. Morgan came home from school this week complaining that the boys in her class tease her a lot and burp whenever she is around. What I thought was "that is because they like you but don't understand it and don't know how to handle it so they burp instead." What I said was "sorry, darling, boys are just weird. maybe they want to be your friend though, and are just trying to show off in a silly boy way." I also warned her that boys really like to pull girl's ponytails and pigtails at that age (which has also happened to her).


. . . And a brown-eyed red(ish)head. (Especially when she has a messy face from dinner.) Adeline is not nearly as passionate in her emotional responses, but I have a feeling the boys will be wrapped around her finger, too. She has that enviable ability to shed just one tear. It will tear you up inside.

Everyone Was Kung-Fu Fighting!

or "Vacuums Are Not Just for Cleaning"


The Dark Ninja Chris had invaded our house. But the young Samurai Morgan grabbed her trusty vacuum wand sword and fought valiantly . . .

Samurai Apprentice Adeline came upon the scene. At first she tried to fight in classic hand to hand battle. But she soon grabbed her own vacuum wand sword.

Although her skill was not as great as Morgan's, her superior balance and footwork helped her fight well.

Evil Ninja Chris was soon overcome with laughter exhaustion.


And was defeated by the brave Samurai and her Apprentice.

Caught Unawares

I love photos of my kids when they are so busy with something else they don't even realize adults are around.

It is even better when someone else captures them. Different people have a different perspective. These were taking by a friend at her birthday party (Thanks, Vanessa, for sharing!)

I love the fact that the kids, even Bitty Bit, are completely unfazed by the fact that the lowest branches are probably 30 feet up. I also love that Bitty Bit's jeans are falling down--she has no butt, poor thing.

Adeline is our graceful child. Can't you tell? Seriously--she normally has great balance. I think the jeans falling down must have been the problem.

Morgan is my daydreamer. I love it. This might be one of my favorite photos ever of her. She has leaves in her hair and grass stains on her stockings. And she is completely in her own world. Neither the adults nor the other kids are on her mind.

I wonder what she is thinking about.

A Bitty Big Hike--Part "The Last"

Lil Bit made it almost to the end. There were some steep, rocky areas and she had trouble with her boots rubbing as she descended.

Chris just scooped her up and carried her the rest of the way (probably about a 1/2 mile). He is such a good Daddy.

Just so you guys don't think I am totally slacking--I was carrying the pack with food, water and supplies. Not that it weighed as much as two kids--hence me being able to dash ahead and get photos like this. (And I did offer to take one of the kids, but Chris said Addie balanced out the weight.)

This one cracks me up. Lil Bit was singing "Hi Ho the Dairy-ooooooooooooo" for the last 10 minutes or so. With hiking lyrics: "mommy fell behind, mommy fell behind. hi ho the dairy oh, mommy fell behind" etc.

Bitty Bit thought it was the best thing ever.
Chris's ears hurt.
I sped up.