This is the first letter-writing year…

The stamped letter was handed to Santa’s representative at the Christmas Tree farm:

Weren’t we surprised when, a few days later, we received a written reply in the mail–all the way from the North Pole?!

Thank you to Larwick’s for a memorable and magical gift!

Thanks to Grandpa Ed for the lovely gift tower.

As we huddle in our cozy house, and icy wind lapping at our panes, I find a good moment to finally scan in some summer art. As Frederick says, in the darkest days on Winter:

“Close your eyes,” said Frederick, as he climbed on a big stone.

“Now I send you the rays of the sun. Do you feel how their golden glow…”

And as Frederick spoke of the sun the four little mice began to feel warmer.

Was it Frederick’s voice?

Was it magic?

(And thanks to Tricia for introducing us to the world of Leo Lionni)

Every Halloween, Dashiell receives a “Pablo” pumpkin in some form from Grandpa Ed.

Here’s D posing with this year’s model, which lights up. D already ran the battery down by bringing Pablo to bed with him, lit, two nights in a row.

Thanks Grandpa Ed!

Give me these moments back.

Give them back to me;

Give me that little kiss!

Give me your hand.

– This Woman’s Work by Kate Bush

A fitting fall post…

I’m an acorn, small and round

Lying on the cold, cold ground.

People come and step on me,

That’s why I’m so cracked you see.

I’m a nut. I’m a nut. I’m a nut. I’m a nut!

I’m so nutty I don’t know

Why the squirrels love me so.

I descended from an oak

Next to you and that’s no joke…

Suppose this nut will get the lyrics down soon…?

Some painterly moments from a spectacular Fall.

Whew! Here is a chronicle — before, during, after.