pumpkin season

Posted on October 31, 2013 by Kim Halloran-Fry

"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn."

- Elizabeth Lawrence

I have more to say about that, though it won't all be said yet tonight. Suffice it to say that is an important line right there. I saw a beautiful sign hanging in a hallway the other day that read, "The world does not need more successful people. The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers and lovers of all kinds." This is firmly fixed in my mind these days. Onward…

The farmer brought us a load of pumpkins last week. It isn't a British "thing" so it was especially sweet they saved some for us when they were harvested. Some of the family went to Ireland so we're waiting until tomorrow to carve them.

Yes, it's the end of October and yes, my sons will be wearing shorts all winter. File that thought away for any future pictures of them ok?

This is Abbie Rose's official, sweet as pie, autumn picture.

This was pretty darn funny though….

I know a lot of people say their kids hate taking pictures but I have a big group of hams which makes my job a lot easier.

I have a thing with shooting vertical shots. My husband almost never, ever turns the camera. Ever. Random, totally useless bit of information there. Just noticed is all. Hope your month has been filled with candy corn and sweaters and all good things.

Lisbon in living color

Posted on October 27, 2013 by Kim Halloran-Fry

I have this little window of connectivity, hence the mega-share tonight. We aren't sure what is happening with our service. It was pretty much non-existent all weekend and may well return to that. It's fickle that way, euro-internet. ; )

These images came from our first 24 hours in Lisbon, wandering around the waterfront where the marathon was held. The boys and I hung out down here while Allen ran. (he ran the half prepping for tomorrow's Dublin marathon)

This is my boys being brave. They are supposed to at least give a try at ordering food or buying souvenirs. Let me tell you, this is a little intimidating even for grown ups. I am really proud of them and this picture sums up alot of what we hoped for them when we began this journey.

Here he is coming down the finish line.

If you made it this far we are now half of us in Dublin and the other half here at home in our pjs watching a lot of movies and drinking copious amounts of cocoa. Can you guess which half I am in lol? We are expecting this big St Jude Storm to hit the UK during the night. We have the garden furniture and pots put away and the trampoline tied to the fence. We aren't in the direct line of fire so hoping this just amounts to a windy day at home.

{this moment}

Posted on October 26, 2013 by Kim Halloran-Fry

{this moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

linking up at Amanda's

fall bulbs

Posted on October 23, 2013 by Kim Halloran-Fry

Buried in autumn, blooming in spring.

The hydrangeas were all that was left in Wales this month, but I smiled when I passed this bag of bulbs. Springtime in a sack.

row, row, row

Posted on October 21, 2013 by Kim Halloran-Fry

You're ok with me doing this all random and out of order, right? I so want to share what we have seen but haven't gotten to sorting all the images yet.

We met this group of children taking their lessons one morning in Wales. They had waterproof pants and jackets but they weren't wet suits nor were they warm as evidenced by the "oh! my's" that escaped from a few of them when they pushed out into the open water. Fresh sea air, exercise, good clean fun. Awesome way for kids to spend a morning. Makes you wish you were Welsh, I tell ya. Unless you are as terrified of water as I. Then it just makes you glad you have your camera along. : )

bathed in light

Posted on October 21, 2013 by Kim Halloran-Fry

"God…made childhood joyous, full of life, bubbling over with laughter, playful, bright and sunny. We should put into their childhood days just as much sunshine and gladness, just as much cheerful pleasure as possible.

Pour in the sunshine about them in youth. Let them be happy, encourage all innocent joy, provide pleasant games for them, romp and play with them; be a child again among them. Then God's blessing will come upon your home, and your children will grow up sunny-hearted, gentle, affectionate, joyous themselves and joy-bearers to the world."

– Homemaking, Rev. JR Miller

Of lists and leaves

Posted on October 19, 2013 by Kim Halloran-Fry

“October proved a riot a riot to the senses

and climaxed those giddy last weeks before Halloween.”

Kurt Donahue

I am not sure giddy is the prevailing adjective for me this week. Giddy sounds way more appealing than frazzled however so I am going to aim for that instead. : )

There are appointments to get to, calls to make, dogs to be groomed, hair to be cut, apples to be processed, cakes to be delivered, latin to be memorized, and costumes to be finished this month. My suitcase is actually still packed from our last trip. Fortunately there was a washer at the cabin so they were laundered and folded before packing but nevertheless, they are lingering in the luggage. I have taken note of that every morning as I pass them…

Up side is we have purchased bridesmaids gowns for the girls. We have several round, fat pumpkins sitting at the steps waiting to be carved. Abbie Rose is learning to read. I finished a book, picked up the very awesome vintage swing coat above, and one bathroom is sparkly clean.

The ends of my days are not seeing me with a completed to do list but I am clocking out and sitting with my husband either way. I am picking red berries and making hot pumpkin drinks.

October won't wait for us to finish our lists you know.

Lisbon in black and white

Posted on October 18, 2013 by Kim Halloran-Fry

no words, just pictures tonight

Portugese Sunrise

Posted on October 17, 2013 by Kim Halloran-Fry

So… Portugal. I didn't tell anyone we were even going until the trip week was upon us. We planned to take this trip two years ago. I spent it in the hospital instead. Though we have gone many places since, somehow this trip just struck a little fear in my heart, remembering. It felt a little jinxy to mention it as certainly as I had then. My body did fight back some on this trip but we made it and we saw so many beautiful things. The best moments traveling together are these though – the together part. While we love the big family trips, these shorter adventures with just a few of the kids make for a gift of one on one time with them.

I am really grateful my guys were game for getting up in the wee hours to walk to the marina with me to watch the sun come up over the water. I have spent so many years stealing every moment of sleep possible – since they are always elusive in our family. It's sort of counterintuitive for me to set the clock on vacation, but it was so very worth it. We were alone on the boardwalk, save for a few early morning runners, and it was magically still.