Outside – wind and rain tonight. It is warmer than it sounds like it has been in the States though. And there has been fog, which is glorious.

Reading – this book.  I happily lost a chunk of last week to this memoir.  I am now on a quest to find more British, midcentury visiting nurse stories.  First I must finish this week's memoir which is decidedly not that and which I decided not to link.  It's exceptionally articulate but I really disagree with many of the author's premises and a few disturbed me tremendously.  Still I always appreciate someone's honest story.  Even if their choices are not mine. That's pretty much true of my real life interaction too.  

Around the house – a new to us vacuum cleaner. It's got a more oomph than those we have fought with here thus far and I am SO grateful.  A pitiful vacuum is a most frustrating thing.  

From the kitchen – the recipe for this week's S'mores birthday cake. It reminded me of my Gram's cakes which were more often than not in a sheet pan and made with some doctored up Betty Crocker mix. And everyone loved them, just like they loved this one.

Listening to – Jango. I never update my phone's ipod playlists.  I forget it has them.  I heart internet radio though. So while cleaning up from the potluck this morning there was Johnny Cash and Alabama Shakes, Frank Sinatra and John Denver, Bob Seeger and Ella Fitzgerald.  My music isn't boxed up any neater than my books. 

Thinking about this – "All men should strive to learn, before they die, what they are running from, to whom, and why." – James Thurber   Quoted in the second memoir. 

Pictures below from around a very full table.  A funny thing happened recently.  Alannah's coworker brought her home and came in. She walked through the house and came to the dining room.  She asked, "Do you actually eat here?"  Well yes we do. Every night.  That was more noteworthy than the family size or anything else here I guess.  I tend to take it for granted and shouldn't.  It was not a daily part of my own childhood and it isn't for a lot of other people.  It is one of the happiest parts of my life now though.

(side note for photography minded friends – these were taken with the speedlight flash, another thing I greatly appreciate since sunset is before 4pm right now)  

These sisters have been a little under the weather this week.  Birthday party-ing for the new seven-year-old has been on hold until their big brother arrived today.  This morning they found their sillies again. I think we are on the upswing. : ) 

"She's your Benjamin," Father said, nodding to Abbie as she opened her birthday gifts while her brothers and sisters watched and smiled.  Every year that goes by makes that more likely.  And now it has been five.  Five trips 'round the sun with Abbie Rose.

I didn't cry.  Not even a sniffle. Part of that was likely due to the full schedule this weekend.  Alannah had three other cakes to make for her side job.  We have a wonderful houseguest.  We have cooked and cleaned and laughed and sang and it's all very good. 

Even if she is my baby.  Five is still little, right?  I will postpone my sniffling 'til next year.