some little joy

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Kim Halloran-Fry

“I'd like to add some beauty to life," said Anne dreamily. "I don't exactly want to make people KNOW more… though I know that IS the noblest ambition… but I'd love to make them have a pleasanter time because of me… to have some little joy or happy thought that would never have existed if I hadn't been born.”

LM Montgomery, Anne's House of Dreams

I am not convinced Anne did not in fact choose the noblest ambition. What could be more noble in the end than strewing little joys along the paths of others?

Sharing a happy thought of mine: Autumn in England, in all her damp and earthy glory.

Market at Christmas

Posted on December 23, 2014 by Kim Halloran-Fry

Some shots from Norwich at Christmas

November walk

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Kim Halloran-Fry

“November is usually such a disagreeable month…as if the year had suddenly found out that she was growing old and could do nothing but weep and fret over it. This year is growing old gracefully…just like a stately old lady who knows she can be charming even with gray hair and wrinkles. We've had lovely days and delicious twilights.”

– LM Montgomery

Lucy Maude captures my love for these days better than I. So grateful for chance to wander the lanes with my boy on a still afternoon.

Nov 2014 aidan web (11 of 14)

after the rain

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Kim Halloran-Fry

There has been precious little outside walking happening in recent weeks between rain and schedule. I stepped out for a bit after it let up to soak up the smell of wet earth and run my hands along the cold iron fences. In the distance farm hands called from the barn and a dog barked. Right where I stood however not a thing was moving and that was beautiful. When the world slows its pell-mell pace for a moment it's good to just stand there and notice the still.

The day began all the better for damp cuffs.

Hearken to these things, Job: Stand, and consider the wondrous works of God.

- Job 37:14

a walk around St. John’s

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Kim Halloran-Fry

St. John's church sits nestled among high coastal meadows by the sea. The weather was rather bleak the whole ride there. The rain let up just as we arrived. My husband went to scope out the trail to decide if it was an ok idea yet. While he did that I was was able to check out the church and cafe a bit. And convince a boy he could ask the cafe people directions to the restroom. It's the little victories in life. ; )

of knights and fair maidens

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Kim Halloran-Fry

Framlingham Castle came alive with dancing and medieval combat last weekend and we were front and center for all the action. The sun even showed up which made it pretty close to perfect.

The reenactment, provided by the Plantagenet Society, was incredible. (I should probably not admit how old I was before I could pronounce that correctly. Suffice it to say it was before this weekend. But maybe not allll that much before ; )) They use authentic weapons – ie no matter how many times you rehearse, it's gonna hurt some. We were all wincing every time we heard a blow strike. We left convinced this would have not have been as romantic and sweet as it may have seemed to us before. I am pretty sure it was brutal watch it live back in the day.

I am always super happy when our kids work up enough courage to jump into the fray. I was so not that child, myself.

And a side note, if there are any Jack Black fans out there who watched his version of Gulliver I am telling you, this guy was SO the spitting image of Chris O'Dowd's villain. And if you haven't seen it? C'mon. For real??

harvest

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Kim Halloran-Fry

It's actually happening now for some crops. The last bales are being moved from the fields and carrots and onions have come up. The comfortable rhythm of the farm planting and reaping is a balm during a challenging summer. There has been lots of washing and chopping and mixing. Tomorrow, a recipe to go with these.

pleasant things

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Kim Halloran-Fry

They cut well into the night to stay ahead of the weather. Tall stalks of wheat falling into neat rows waiting to be bailed. "It's dusty on the road tonight," she apologized while we visited. "We're combining." No problem for us. Everywhere the breath of wheat as Willa Cather described:

“Everywhere the grain stood ripe and the hot afternoon was full of the smell of the ripe wheat, like the smell of bread baking in an oven. The breath of the wheat and the sweet clover passed him like pleasant things in a dream.”

catch a wave

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Kim Halloran-Fry

“All in all, it was a never-to-be-forgotten summer — one of those summers which come seldom into any life, but leave a rich heritage of beautiful memories in their going — one of those summers which, in a fortunate combination of delightful weather, delightful friends and delightful doing, come as near to perfection as anything can come in this world."

Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne's House of Dreams

It was the beach trip that almost wasn't. We had already had a couple full days of sightseeing after all. "We can be home by dinner time if we head back now…" It was decided that we would eat our boxed lunch in the shade and sit for a few minutes and reassess.

After our break we loaded kids and dogs and headed out, resigned to wrapping up our trip if the Dad driver needed to. But after a few miles I noticed the car was not pointing north after all. Instead, the buildings began sporting pastel hues and we spotted the occasional palm tree even. Yes – in England!

And then, the water came into view and all talk of heading home was long forgotten.

This was waterfront in Hastings and the 'sand' was manmade. More like a super thick layer pea gravel actually. No one was complaining though. At the end of that trek were icy white topped waves to splash through on a warm day. After they were all splashed out we explored the boardwalk area and hit up the ice cream stand. After which some very happy kids piled into the car and dozed all the way home, windows down and wind blowing hair dry.

splash

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Kim Halloran-Fry

This morning we had the great summer toy box purge. That went well so we moved on to tackle the indoor/outdoor half bath that was added to the outside of the house for farm staff years ago. (insert shudder) Meantime, the sun and the temperature were rising – a rare combination here. So we finished up and spent the rest of the day focused on vitamin D absorption. For a while there, if I closed my eyes, I could have been in the tropics. I think. I haven't actually been to the tropics, so it's just a guess.

It has been a big week. Doctor appointments, eye appointments, one sick child, one traveling parent, and two working daughters. It was pure joy to spend these hours just watching them smile with no place to be but right here.