The Perfect Pause

"Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter."

- Carol Bishop Hipps

Ahhhhctober... I love it so much.

Yesterday Brad left for Palm Springs. Any other month I would be completely green with envy. But the thought of leaving crisp mornings, golden afternoons and cozy evenings is unthinkable. (Which is convenient, since me leaving for Palm Springs is equally unthinkable at the mo. I'm crazy busy and the kids are just plain crazy. So no California for me. Oh well...)

Our neck of the woods is so amazingly gorgeous right now. I was thinking that I wish someone would invent a Weather TiVo. Seriously, wouldn't it be so great if you could just record a couple of Indian Summer days and replay them during August's hideous humidity? Or after a string of grey January bummers? I'm surprised nobody is marketing this yet.

Of course, October has its bittersweet moments. In the four weeks since school started, I have had three sick children. Today it's Lukey's turn. Stomach troubles and fever. I worry most about Mr. Luke when he gets sick. Maybe because he had a rocky start in the NICU or maybe the Lyme disease...which is technically still in his system. He just seems to be the most fragile of my litter.

But I like having him home alone. It's rare that we have bonding time without Sam around. Right now it's just the two of us (and Tom and Jerry, of course) along with ginger ale, dry toast and a curly straw.

In other family news, Jake is learning to cook! He made this Banana Cream Pie last week. Other new specialties include Peanut Butter Brownies and Lemon Cake. Is there anything better than a guy who can bake?

Yes! A guy who changes diapers. He assisted me in babysitting this little cutie last week. I have noticed that Jake is extremely tender and patient with babies and animals. Shall I get him one? (Kidding)

In a rare crafty moment, I made these centerpieces for a going-away party we hosted for dear friends. Apples were the motif of the evening, so we served hot spiced cider and "Mormon champagne" (cold cider and ginger ale) alongside Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle. So good...

Last but not least, today our driveway was recoated! Doesn't it look good?

Babe, I took these photos just for you. Enjoy your California sunshine. I'll be crusin' on this smooth stuff and enjoying beautiful Ahhhhctober!

p.s. Happy to report my dad is home from the hospital and celebrating his 63rd birthday today!

Happy Birthday, Opa!