Step back to a simpler time..... : The Maple, and BEWARE----crazy lady ahead!!

The Maple umbrella!

Here on the farm we spend much of our summer under an old Maple tree. It is home to the swing and the bird feeders. It provides us with shade from the heat and is the most beautiful umbrella I have ever seen.

Throughout the spring, summer and fall it is our chosen gathering spot for coffee and bubble blowing. In the warm summer evenings after closing the garden gate for what we swear is the last time we congregate under the tree to savor the very last bit the evening. The work of the day is finished, everyone is fed, dishes are done, and the war with the weeds is over for today. Sadie sleeps, Mom and Austin rest on the swing, and I settle into my adirondack chair. It's a time for quiet talking, reflections on the day and "what will we get into tomorrow" chats. Autumn is freshly bathed and dances though the yard in her pajamas chasing fireflys. I love this time...it's filled with so many things that truly matter. Quality time with family, the tiredness that comes after a productive day, pride in the days work, appreciation of the small things, and dreams of tomorrow.

This brings me to yesterday...I stood in the kitchen watching the birds flit from feeder to feeder.....the snow was falling and I absolutely adore snow....supper was in the oven....the comforting giggles of the kids enjoying a movie drifted in from the living room....summer under the Maple was on my mind.....just like that it hit me....beware it gets a little messy from here:).......it went something like this---no matter what Punxatawney Phil says spring is coming.......then summer....... summer....the favorite season of most....glorified for it's carefree schedule and lack of frostbite....summer filled with riotous color.... summer is coming......my thoughts raced to a put off stack of half completed forms in the next room.....I began to fill in the empty spaces and check the appropriate boxes.....I put them down because I just wasn't ready.....oh no....this summer is coming! I wish this realization had not hit me.....now I have from February to late August to dread the inevitable!!

I know, crazy, but there it is unfiltered panic laced thoughts for about 30 seconds or so....don't pretend you don't have those moments too:) What is all this dread over summer, you ask? It's all tied to the paperwork, although, aren't most dreaded things? Ahhhhh....the paperwork...Autumn's official kindergarten registration ....WOW......when did that happen? DEEP BREATH!!! (A few deep breaths, actually:) Okay, I admit it......no snow here for the last week and a half, so about a week and a half of deep breaths later.......

My thoughts are a little more calm, and I realize the blessing of this realization. No, not from February to late August to dread the inevitable.......from February to late August to celebrate.....to enjoy, to appreciate, to relish......from February to late August to read an extra story together, to play dollhouse, to skip in the rain, to dig in the garden, to eat berries still warm from the summer sun. From February to late August to catch fireflies and blow bubbles, to be thankful she is here and growing and healthy. From February to late August to appreciate and enjoy my littlest baby's last seasons as a "little kid."

She lost her first tooth!!! One tooth fairy pillow and a she is a happy girl!!!

Kitty friends and one cute skunk!

It's been a beautiful winter......minus the power outages and ice storms.......okay, the ice storms are beautiful, BUT.......the bathrooms are not so appealing after several days without power! :)