Just one more
“Here is a beautiful pinecone, even though it’s a little squished, and that big big dandelion wants to come home with me…”
seasons
Summer things that worked
Here is our philosophy of cleaning in the summer: As Little As Possible. So every year, about the time the kids go back to school, my whole house needs a good shake and a bath.
Marching toward spring
March comes in like a lion and does not go out like a lamb. March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lion. March comes in like a lion and goes out like a bear. March comes in like a lion and goes out like a tiger. March comes in like a …
Tips for surviving winter
Confession: For the first month or two of winter, I revel in the coziness, the hot drinks, the layers of hoodies and afghans. And then at some point (December 26th, maybe) I switch strategies, and begin ignoring the weather out of existence… because I simply can’t hang in there that long without becoming claustrophobic. Here’s …
That time of year / Giveaway results
This is the time of year when I finally give the season a name: I call it This Horrible Winter That Never Ends. Then I feel badly, because it is rather terrible to look a thing in the eyes and label it something cruel. This is the time of year when A Boatload of Snow …
Last year: a homemade Christmas
Confession: I have trouble talking publicly about Christmas until there’s snow on the ground. This is unfortunate, and unlike my smart friend Gina, who has been doing a Christmas Countdown for weeks already. But yesterday, the magic came… and oh, does it look pretty as it falls! As our extended family gets bigger, the Coblentz …
Capture
Confession: I tried capturing a falling leaf on camera, in this glorious sun-drenched weather. It was harder than I thought. But I found some beautiful branches… So many causes for happiness, these fall days. Line-dried sheets, the last of the season. Newly-minted raised beds in the garden–who knew that shoveling goat poop could make me …
In the fall
A golden flurry of walnut leaves fills my backyard—they are always the first to go. Mornings are nippy; coffee tastes good. Tomato sauce boils over on my stove. I am sick of canning. A few dried beans today and then I am done for the year, and I say Good Riddance, though I’m happy with …
Yellow
From buttercream to radiant gold their cups tip up to catch the sun and spill out hope and healing for a tired world. Mommy, I picked some sunflowers for you…”