These first few days of fall have been full of the best things, though I think we would all like a break from the rain in our neck of the woods. Some dear friends of ours had a cider pressing party over the weekend, and though it drizzled throughout the whole thing, no one complained. Good company and good fun can overcome the dreariest weather. My little boys bobbed for apples till they were soaked through, and Beatrix got to hold one of a trio of baby squirrels that our friends are raising. I had a baby squirrel briefly during college, but unfortunately a run-in with a cat resulted in it needing to be euthanized. I still have the squirrel figure that Jonny bought for me shortly after my baby squirrel died twenty years ago, and my sister recently painted me a watercolor squirrel as a gift. (She sells wildlife watercolors here, btw.) Though my experience attempting to raise an orphaned squirrel was traumatic and heartbreaking, I’ll always have a soft spot for squirrels.
The rainy weather we’ve been having makes for messy morning farm chores (it’s seriously pretty gross out there), but it’s perfect for knitting. Larkspur is working on a little orange pumpkin hat, and I cast on a bonnet for Beatrix, per her request. Our fall schedule has my head spinning a little and I’ve been ready for bed earlier than usual, and that really cuts into my knitting time. I’m hoping I’ll be able to finish both the bonnet and a shawl in time for Beatrix’s November birthday!
Thanks for all of your orders last week! Everything is on its way to you now and will hopefully arrive safely very soon!
Aimee Davis says
You all need to read Flora and Ulysses – by Kate DiCamillo. It’s all about a girl and her love for an extraordinary squirrel. It’s the cutest book.
Lana says
My husband had a squirrel as a pet when he was a child and he has always said that it was the best part of his childhood. They raised it from a baby and had it for years.
We would agree 100% on the rain! We need to paint the back of our house before cold weather and it is just too wet.
karen says
the squirrel in the pocket is adorable and I love the smell of apples being pressed especially on a rainy day!
Angela says
it has been raining for days here in our small space in Africa too. But just like your small ones – mine remind me they wont melt if they go out and play in it xxx
Giovanna says
I love your projects and the pictures of your kids. I remember when my kids were young. Enjoy every minute of it, time goes by so fast. God bless you and your family.
Joan says
The squirrels chewed on my artificial garlands on the railings. They thought the acorns were real. They can be quite destructive. They tore up my bulbs in the garden. We also had a rabbi squirrel in our back yard. The police came and had to destroy it.The children look like they are having a lot of fun.
Joan
Marilyn says
When the squirrel got into our cellar through the chimney. we had to call to get a trap to catch it. The man told us the squirrel would be taken up to a wildlife area. It cost a pretty penny to have the man come. This happened twice. We now have a screen over the chimney’s opening. The children are getting so big. A lovely family. God Bless.
Marilyn
Joan says
Squirels have chewed my fake garland on my railings. They thought the fake acorns were real. They also tear up my bulbs in the garden. They are quite destructive.
Joan
Marion says
Love the photos of the children having fun. I can not have a soft spot for squirrels since they got into the cellar twice and made a mess.
Marion
Stephanie says
Such beautiful photos! I love the pictures of your boys in the creek (reminds me of me when I was younger!) and your daughter with the squirrel. What a neat experience for her!
I’ve been having trouble finding time to get any knitting done as well; I’m simply too backed up with other projects. As soon as those are finished, I’ll be back to working on a Christmas gift for my daughter. 🙂
Cathy says
Love the look of sheer concentration! Your boys look super content wading in the river.
Emily DeArdo says
I absolutely cannot have soft spots for squirrels after they lived in my attic and clawed through my bedroom wall–that was sort of traumatic. 🙂 But they are cute.
It’s been raining here pretty steadily all week so it’s been a week of cozy so far, which I have NEEDED. Cozy knitting!
Marienella says
Rainy day since Monday here in Westchester, New York. I am home alone without my teenage kids who are both in college. Watching your children play and the little one sitting down reading a book is a beautiful sight. I like being alone now because I know my children are safe and socializing in a new environment, but I enjoy greatly the little ones surrounded by nature. Thank you for sharing your memories with us.
Jan says
I love the photos of Mabel “reading.” In fact I love all the photos that show a peaceful, slowed down life. I know you’re busy all the time but it’s a different kind of busy than the daily frenzy in which many of us participate/have participated.
Madeleine says
What lovely photos of Bea and the squirrel! A cider pressing party sounds lots of fun. We have simply hundreds on our big tree but no press. Next weekend I need to persuade everyone to help me pick and wrap all the ones within reach on the tree, so we can store them for the winter.
Elizabeth says
it’s lovely how you see good in every day! there is so much to be thankful for and that does lighten the heart! God be with you and your family dear one!
Renee Anne says
Oh squirrels. They were the unofficial mascot where I went to college in NE Iowa. They were fairly tame, as far as wild squirrels go. They would come right up to people and once in awhile, if you sat really still, they would take food from you (but no sudden movements or they would dash right off).
Also, it’s absolutely wild that I’m having trouble telling Silas and Job apart and Bea is looking more like Lark every day….