Monday, October 5, 2009

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!

23 comments:

martha corinna said...

I feel the exact same way about autumn, it is absolutely my favorite. I often feel robbed though in Utah, a true autumn (like my Michigan/Minnesota autumns) seems to be skipped over. It goes from 85 to 45 degrees in one day and I completely miss out on my 60-70 degree weather. Bummer. In fact it's snowing as I speak. So much for sweater weather.

I'm happy to hear about your father, and your son's skills. By the time I have someone old enough to change diapers (for real) there will be no one in diapers.

Robin said...

The weather tivo is a great idea. I would subscribe. I read your mom's report of what happened to your dad (and her) and I was impressed at the calm manner she recorded it all. What a woman. I hope your dad is doing better.

martha corinna said...

By speak, you know that I mean type right?

calibosmom said...

Good times, good times! Take care little Luke and so happy your dad is on the mend!

Jeanelle said...

Normally, it's pouring rain here in October but so far we've had sunny and 60 but cool/crisp in the mornings & evenings. I'm LOVING it.

So glad to hear your dad is okay...

And that recipe? Yum! Thanks for sharing. I love to make anything pumpkin related except pies and this might be a fun alternative for our family Thanksgiving dessert this year.

Annemarie said...

Couldn't agree with you more about October. I love it.

I need to go bake something with pumpkin now...

heidiram said...

So I'm curious. Did they have to remove the dead frog carcasses from your driveway before they recoated?

Christie said...

I, too, love October. Poor widdle Wuke! Get that Hurt Machine back in hurtin' order. STAT!

Anonymous said...

Hi.
I am just some random blogger that came across your blog a long time ago and I've been watching since. :)
My question is....did you make your kitchen curtains or buy them? I love them and that is what I am looking for for my kitchen.
Thanks!!!

al + sar said...

You house is gorgeous Gab! I have to come see it sometime.

brooke said...

I love October too. Those centerpieces are so cute. I also love the front of your house--Houses just don't look like that in UT.

Jenibelle said...

We kind of get robbed here in Cali, we don't have the four full seasons. My dream is to come east one fall and get drunk on the autumn colors. Lucky you.


(But then you get to drive in the snow...one good thing about here, no ice and snow to drive in.)

I hope that the very handsome and sweet Luke gets better very soon!!!

Rochelleht said...

How do you teach seminary when hubs is out of town?!?

I have a sicko here, too. I'm bummed that it throws a wrench into my plans, but then I have to remind myself that it's never a bad thing to spend one on one time with my kids and they will only be young once.

Ilene said...

Love October and the true beginning of Fall. Fall is never long enough for me. Probably because I don't do well with winter.

One day when I invent my own world...

diane said...

It has cooled a bit here but we won't have any leaves changing for awhile. We actually do have a few in our hood.

Love the centerpieces and a boy who bakes is a big plus.

Enjoy your driveway.

I hope you can come here next time.

cami said...

Hope Luke is feeling better soon, poor guy!

Jake is awesome and super cute holding that little baby. And, cooking?!? Wow. Please let him know I'd like to try those brownies this Christmas.

FYI - it was about 73 degrees and breezy in Phoenix this morning as I drove the kiddos to school. Uncommonly cool for this time of year - totally beautiful! :)

Also, I don't know how on Earth you handle the crew with Brad traveling so much. I've got the "mother of 4" gig down pretty well now, but I definitely need my better half to make it all run smoothly!

And finally, HAPPY & healthy b-day to your dad!

Lauren in GA said...

Your weather TiVo idea is pure genius, my dear.

Sorry that Lukey is sick. I wonder if my Little John will get ill easily...in the future, that is...he sure gets ill easily, now.

Hey, you are a published chef!! That is really neat. I enjoyed reading your profile on Suite 101.com

I agree, a man like Jake that bakes and tender with babies and animals is fantastic to have around.

The driveway looks fantastic. What is wrong with me that I looked at it and thought, "Beautiful...and no dead frogs."

Happy Birthday to your Dad!! I'm glad to hear that he is home.

Anonymous said...

What a perfect description! Even in the desert we are getting relief this time!

Mandy said...

You don't know me, but I Love your life! And I Love your blog.

Jessica said...

That trifle looks amazing...and look at you--all published somewhere besides your blog! And I can't believe how CUTE your house is! Can't wait!

the wrath of khandrea said...

your home is gorgeous. it looks like exactly the one i really want.

i feel happy about jake.

i loved this post. it left me with such a pleasant taste in my mouth.

crystal said...

SO glad to hear your dad is home & on the mend.

I love that photo of you & Jake's hands together, baking. That is the stuff life is made of.

Hazen5 said...

I want to live where you do! It is just too dreamy.

Knock on wood, no sick kids for me yet!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...