that.. autumn walk about I was longing for..

want to go for a walk about with me?

aren't the colors gorgeous…

chartreuse

with golden and burnt umbers

oranges

and a red so touched with sienna.. it's shocking

and where is the sky on this day?

look at that COLOR

the trail we worked on all summer

sure looks lovely..

compare this photo with the one below

which photo do you like better ?

a look over into the valley..

isn't it lovely..?

wandering down the path

and still blossoms

blooming

so wonderful

so suprising

rosehips..

so ripe and ready to be picked for tea

brilliant purple

so bold

so beautiful

my walk about partner

wandering home..

the assortments of color envelope me.. 

so so beautiful..

thank you Lord for this little walk

the view

the colors

fill me..

invigorate me

encourage me

and I need it 

chasing this munchkin about…

i think we were both ready for a nap after this walk!

wetland walk

took the blessings fishing.

and seeing all that wetland

and a trail to it

they let me wander off..

with smiles that I wouldn't 

cut their fishing short 

so off i went

camera in hand 

thinking of the counsel Mr. T gave to me

when walking in nature...

Look Left 

Look Right

Look Up

Look Down

who KNOWS what you will

see 

a wave to them..

they see me

and know it is well with me 

looking down 

to the left 

all still well..

and loving the lavender colors 

looking down 

to the right 

oh...

lovely

being very still...

walk two steps

and stop

looking around

look what I see 

sweet flying friend 

makes me think of a wedding bouquet 

do you see the Monarch?

The snake below moved too fast for me to get a shot

and frankly

I don't want to get closer to the Monarch

I think it will flutter away

and I don't trust what is beneath it 

delicate

purple arrows 

looking to the right 

what is this...

loving the blue purple berries 

White berries

leaves look a bit different 

Monet anyone? 

the sounds 

oh if you could only hear the sounds

butterflied dancing

dragonflies in flight

snakes slithering

birds singing

fish flopping

and splashing

all praise to our Father

it's a chorus 

orange...

dainty, and distractable

next to a sunbleached 

rotted forgotten log

so much texture 

all is still well.. 

how

delicate

dainty

truly I enjoy the chaos

and it's simplicity 

what wonders never cease... 

did you really land here just for me..

loving my wetland walk

What to do when cooling off the cookies

Princess is in her bliss...

she LOVES the kitchen as MUCH as I do..

is it PERFECTLY complete yet?

no ..but 

cooking

and 

Baking

are such a dream in here!

sometimes I like to just GIVE her some space...

she loves to bake

and I don't think she needs ME hovering..

Princess is growing into her own..

and needs to feel like this is OUR Kitchen..

I want to be old an grey putzing about HER kitchen one day

and not get shooo-ed out

so.. I just let her go free in there..

On this particular day

because the boys were here,

and she knows what we have planned for 

after the assembly projects..

She has chosen a quick baking project! 

Pamela's to the rescue...

Because MY blessings have allergies

we use this sort of mix when we aren't making from scratch..

Gluten free!

and instead of REAL beautiful vibrant butter

she is using Earths Balance Red Label

soy free, casein free, gluten free..

ya.. i know ..

WHAT is in it?  

it is wonderful and it works for my lads..

some of us can eat butter

and DO!

but since this is a treat that they WILL love..

we must choose the Earth Balance Red Label

whilst all this is going on

Tante G and me (ha that rhymed!)

get the lads all ready..

Machine Man and C.S. have completed their work

cookies are cooling

and we are OFF on a great adventure! 

General Sherman has brought us deep into the woods...

and now it's time to HIKE! 

HOW Tante G does this is beyond me..

I can only do this move IN a pool..

I am NOT in the shape she is in..

CLEARLY 

The wee hunters are hiking hard.. 

Princess attempting to lead the pack.. 

LOOK!!

Bubbles 

(it's like a tourist attraction around here) 

We all need to touch them

but 

it can be a little freaky..

Princess

seems to be the designated bubble guide

encouraging our cousins on... 

look what I found! 

more berries 

some milk weed... 

a fun guy

oops

i mean

some fungi 

more, 

of a different kind 

sweet, delicate, & pretty 

black berries to be..

soon

(pinch me excited!) 

here they come 

yep all of them..

and by NOW

I am told...

those cookies just HAVE to be cooled off!!!

what a great hike!