fall has begun

this past friday was the autumnal equinox, marking the beginning of fall.  many of us perhaps feel that fall has already begun {kids back to school} but on the earth’s path around the mighty sun, friday marked the official first day of autumn.  i planned to spend the day hiking a nearby mountain with my two children and a few fellow homeschool families.  doesn’t that sound like a great way to welcome the new season?  well, mother nature had other things in mind.  like rain, rain, and more rain.  we’ve had a lot of rain around here over the past few weeks.  between the rain last friday and the previous rainstorms which likely rendered the aforementioned trail a muddy mess, the plan to hike was cancelled.

so the kids and i donned our rainboots and walked the woods near a friend’s house.  these are after-shots of our boots…it was far too rainy to be carrying a camera that day.  but the mud is still on the boots, reminding us of the wonderful autumnal equinox hike through the woods.  the kids caught and released many a critter {trout, a frog, and the sweetest little turtle i ever did see…oh, i wish i’d had my camera for that turtle!}. all in all, a successful day.  a rainy walk in the woods with friends…tea and snacks afterwards.  i just had to put in a special shot of my new *red* rainboots which i adore!  i have wanted rainboots for years now…ever since becoming a mama.  dutifully, i have bought rainboots for the kids as they grow because i want them to know the joy of splashing through puddles.  meanwhile, i skirted the edges of puddles, walked along the creek’s banks…i didn’t want to spend the money on myself.  but darn it!  i finally did spend that money.  and it felt so good to walk through that creek on friday!  {in style, thank you very much}

i am eagerly awaiting the arrival of cooler, crisper days.  i love autumn {and, yes, winter too.  i know, i know…i’m a little crazy}.  we’ve had a few cooler days where the kids and i wore pants and/or long sleeves.  oh happy day!  but the past week has been warm and humid.  i’m trying to appreciate the warmth that the earth is offering us…affording us accessibility to things like the playset, hikes, walks, and bike rides without having to bundle up with warm gear.  and there are things like the late blooms of summer to enjoy as well…

autumn sedums are always crazy with flies and stinging insects at the end of summer and it’s wise to keep a distance.  but come september, they are a welcome burst of color in the yard.

the crape myrtle still has a few blooms left – and is full of berries – reminding me to enjoy…

there is so much to appreciate in these days as we transition from summer into fall…rainy days, tea parties, red rainboots, and end-of-summer blooms.  yes, so much good.

sending a little love your way,  m