A new old way

We have a new (for us) tradition starting this year!
For the past few holiday seasons, I've been drifting away from some of the traditional elements of Christmas.  While I still LOVE Christmas, on my heart right now is the upcoming celebration of Hanukkah!  The celebration of the Miracle of Lights is an ancient tradition Jesus would most likely have enjoyed as a child!

This year, starting on December 8th, we will learn about Hanukkah and join in the traditions of lighting the candles, playing games, eating traditional foods and so on.   Most importantly, we will remember how God is faithful.  Since we have simplified our Christmas plans, gift giving, decor and such I am looking forward to have a time and space in December for this.

My own paternal grandfather was Jewish so I know it is a part of my heritage, however small.  I am hoping it will keep our focus on Jesus more throughout this season of giving!  Inspired to include this new aspect to our celebration I found a simple and pretty Menorah from Israel and a handmade wooden dreidel on etsy.   

A trip to remember for a lifetime!

Anna's first hunting trip ever!  Three generations of hunters Papa, Daddy and our eleven year old girl. 

They saw deer but just not the right size at the right time.... so no big prize at the end of the day!  Except the reward of time spent with the men in her life that show her how important she is, how much fun she is to be around and how much she can do. 

She worked hard to get there with all the certification required to hunt in Washington State!  We are so proud of how Anna is growing up!  She is hard working, responsible, friendly and kind hearted.  She expects a lot out of life because she puts a lot into it!  Way to go girlfriend!
Love, Momma

The Farmers Market

We spent the morning at a local Farmers Market, just the four kiddos and I.  Before you go thinking "Oh how lovely for a Saturday morning..." let me just say it didn't last long.  I think I forgot to give the "if you aren't listening and having good attitudes we wont stay" chat!  Anyway before we made it out of there I managed to grab a delicious farm fresh breakfast burrito, a lovely bouqet of dahlias and a handmade soap to try.  And the best part of course ~ the inspiration!

I came back wanting to get to work making over the front porch ~ the window boxes and general arrangement of everything!  Here is the finished look until the pumpkins start coming out and then those will have to be worked in also!

Chrysanthemum's and Kale, Chickens and Pumpkins and little violets!  Delight!

Welcome friends, welcome fall!

Seasons changing

I love the slow movement of the seasons.  As summer draws to a close I enjoy puttering around the garden and house, slowly easing out the summery items and easing in fallish things.  Yesterday out came the potato crop with the childrens help and the fall lettuce went in their place. The front porch got a little sprucing up putting some of the brighter shades of blue away as the window boxes are toned down.  The summer mantel was also put away with a the first fall pumpkin now in her place of honor!This slow movement is good for the soul.  It's not quickly OUT WITH THE OLD!  It's respectfully in with the new, honoring the season that we're still holding onto but embracing what comes too!  I hope you enjoy the fall as much as I do!

Blessings,

Olivia

Did I mention I'm not a happy camper?!

But my husband & children are!  This was the camping trip hoped for & looked forward to all summer!  Motorcycling in the woods thru trails & up a mountain side!  I'm glad I don't know too much - I would have been even more nervous than I already was!  They had a blast ~ my husband had a few much needed days off!  And.... momma got a quiet house!  Well... almost quiet - I did have one little person who is not quite big enough to ride!

Somebody's Two! Can you guess who?

Make a banner, say a cheer it's Carolyn's birthday, our little dear!

It started out at home, in the cozy comfy cottage but we soon ventured out to celebrate at the beach...

Little miss opened presents and announced "Yay" each time and after the birthday song!

We all gathered driftwood on the beach and enjoyed the lovely view!

I puttered around (my favorite thing to do) straightening and fluffing the nest!

(I'm looking for the perfect hardware for the hutch)

We also went swimming and bowling and played outside in the sandy front yard!

Our little trip made this momma's heart so full! 

Adventures in Farm Life

I go through phases, as I've mentioned before!  About this time of year usually I start feeling really expansive!  Wanting to dream big and live more adventurously.  This year that need is being met by a new wave of fitness mania (not my favorite subject really but I'm working on it!)  In previous years it has been adding a menagerie of animals to our lives.  Carmel the calf was among the first!

Too cute to resist right!  He lasted around here about the shortest (only a month) as we wondered how much trouble he would be as he grew!

We've added a small crew of kitties, none of which decided to stay around permanently.  That's okay, apparently the mice in the barns around the neighborhood and the wild life speak to them! 

There have been the chickens!  And even a horse or two!  A few dogs, a couple rabbits, several goats.

And last but not least a few babies! They count as animals on a farm right?

This year there will be no such additions!  No new animals, definately not any new babies!  Four of those have been blessing beyond measure!  So I'm wondering, what adventure in farm life will we focus on this Spring!?  Maybe I'll finally get back to the gardens?

Oooh I hope so!  
Blessings,
Olivia

Special Night, Movie at the Pool

In our small town life, the community pool hosts movie night once a month.

Our little water bugs are gonna love it!

 

The movie? Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2!

  I'm sure they'll see lots and lots of friends.    It will be loud, they will turn into prunes, they will remember it for the rest of their lives!  That's the plan for this special night that we celebrate every Friday!  What do you like to do on family nights at your house? Please do tell!

Blessings,

Olivia

My heart may be a little bit country, but the sea has a piece of it too!

One of our family traditions is vacationing by the sea.  When I was a little girl our families favorite annual vacation spot was at the beach.  I have always been drawn to the ocean, the majestic waves reminding me of soo many things.  The awesome power of God, the ebb and flow of life, things constantly changing while often appearing to stay the same. 

We have been fortunate to acquire a little beach house (not quite on the beach but walking distance) that we share with extended family!  It has been a wonderful way to make memories with our children that will last a lifetime and connect to them in different ways than we can at home.  Life is simple there.  No extra stuff, no extra clutter.  Just exactly what we need for a getaway!  Even doing the laundry is simplified there!  It almost makes me wonder,"what is all the stuff we have at home and why do we need it?".

Dreaming of sunny days on the shore...

Blessings,

Olivia

(grand) Father Daughter Dance

My little girl is growing up.

She asked to go to the Father Daughter Dance this coming weekend in celebration of Valentine's Day.

Daddy has to work however, so Grandpa is gladly standing in line for her hand.  He is going to take my little girl out for dinner first and show her how she should be treated when some day, some boy comes knocken at our door...(please please don't let that happen anytime soon) like 10 more years would be great....

Isn't she just pretty as a picture ~
Blessings,
Olivia