November

We found a lovely farm in Berryville, outside of Leesburg, VA.  The town was full of old, cobblestone houses and stores, and was tiny.  I could totally have taken a dozen pictures of just the beautiful buildings, but all I had was my dumb phone camera, with an almost dead battery (I did not plan very well).  So I saved the battery life for a few shots of the kids at the farm.  There were tons of fun things for the kids to do, and animals to pet and feed.

Human-powered go-carts.

A strange but fun large orange pillow to jump and bounce on.

The greatest water feature ever.

Mr. Turkey.  He was so beautiful, a bright blue head and pretty feathers.  

Thomas Jefferson thought the wild turkey, not the bald eagle, should be the national bird.

And here is Elias knitting in the sunshine.  This is not how it looks outside anymore.  Now, it is gray.  Dark, misty, cold. Much more like November.

Last night, I pulled out all our Christmas books, and Atticus and I read Ollie's Ski Trip by Elsa Beskow. I just love that book, and it puts us in the mood for snow!  As much as I love sun and warmer weather, it seems natural for November to be cold and gray.  I nest, and turn on soft music, light candles, read to my children (Mary's Little Donkey!) and bake cookies.  

I am also getting Christmas presents ready.  Got some wooden dowels today to make something (secret)...and Atticus picked out some green glitter paint.  There is some elf work to be done!