{phfr} phone dump version

 Pretty- pumpkins on the porch of our store. Actually, some of them are squash, and I think we ate the one on the right for dinner last night.

 Happy-the younger three at our favorite gelateria! It is spendy, so a treat reserved for just once in a while.

 Another happy picture-all of my sister's and I together! Always makes me happy, every time!

 Funny- Spotted in the parking lot of Target. Someone has a sense of humor!

Real- The living room floor usually looks like this, compliments of Stuart. He likes having his toys out, even if he does not play with them.

Joining Like Mother Like Daughter for another round of {phfr}, this week featuring photos from my phone. My lovely tech support man showed me how to get photos from my phone to my computer, so there you have it!

{phfr}

Pretty- Sunrise on  Monday morning

Happy- The sight of the four younger children using the pattern blocks in harmony.

Funny- Once again, Stuart falls asleep seconds after assuring me he does not need a nap.

Does this happen in your house too? Joining the ladies at Like Mother, Like Daughter for another round of {PHFR}, capturing the contentment in the everyday!

Retro tech

Could this be an old typewriter?

Hooray! It is! And, it works!

So elegant! It even dings when you get to the end of the row.

The children love it, and all clamored for a turn.

I have been wanting a vintage, non-electric typewriter for a long time. I like their looks, and I love the rhythmic clacking of the keys. So, this evening we were in Goodwill. I saw a couple looking at this case, and she was telling her husband that it was an old typewriter and that she wanted it. Well, they could not get the case open (turns out the had it upside down....) so walked away from it. I waited a respectable two seconds and then moved in for the kill. It was in my cart before you could say "SCORE!"  I was happy to see the ribbon works, both the black and the red. It does come out of the case, with the simple push of two levers. I plan on setting it on my sideboard, with a piece of paper in it always so it can be used as a guestbook of sorts. I also want my children to learn how to type on it, since it is harder to break than my laptop. More Fall happiness!

Hooray for Fall!

I love Fall! I love apples and crisp mornings and fires in the wood stove. Home made soup and fresh bread and lots of coffee. Pear and cardamon cake, afternoon walks across fields of gold. And, big bowls of vividly colored gourds making the house a little bit more lovely. Happy, happy Fall!

{phfr} around the farm

 Pretty- Farm girls at work!We have a corn maze every year, and the girls are going out with flagging tape to mark the paths to encourage people to stay on the paths!

 Happy- Fall raspberries are currently in season. I didn't get enough of them in summer, and am so happy to be enjoying more now! Raspberry scones, peach raspberry pie, and raspberries with yogurt. Yum!

 Funny- Stuart falling asleep minutes after assuring me he wasn't sleepy and did not need a nap.

Real- Fall is really here. We had two rainy days in a row, the nights are pleasantly cool, and things are slowly beginning to change color. I love fall, but, honestly, last winter was eight months of rain, cold, and grey skies. I am not sure if I am ready for that again! Linking with Like Mother, Like Daughter for another go-round of pretty, happy, funny, and real. Really needing the reminder to find contentment in the ordinary this week!

{phfr} late summer edition

Pretty- end of summer roses

Happy- the sight of my husband and children holding an animated conversation around the dinner table always makes me happy

Funny-Ella needed a picture for a school project. When I printed the picture, I noticed that Graham had jumped in to the picture as well!

Real- we began school again, and as part of our study on ancient civilizations, we did a dig on our property. We found lots of pieces of old glass, and a few whole bottles. Lots and lots of fun, but the reality is that I have been to busy to blog since school began! Here's to autumn's slower pace!

Joining Like Mother, Like Daughter for another round of pretty, happy, funny, real. Recognizing contentment in our everyday lives.

an apology

Dear Blog, I am sorry I have neglected you so shamelessly. You would think I would at least have time to post a picture and a sentence or two, just to show I was not willfully ignoring you. But, alas, that was not the case. Between sick kids, back to school craziness, dentist and eye doctor appointments, broken cars and computers, teenage boys to feed, and mountains of laundry, I had to let something go, and I chose you. For that I am sorry, and to make amends, I will try to spend more time cultivating our relationship this week. Forgive me? Pretty please?