Lots of goodness...

From this

to this...

...it's been quite a dynamic few weeks, in thirty seven different directions! 

A peek into what's been keeping us hoppin' and happy.

The perks of having friends who majored in "recreation." (Why didn't I think of that?)

Sweet, sensitive and hardworking Winona pulled this off-- to the tune of $205 for the Gorilla Doctors, plus two other gorillas "adopted" in her honor. Pretty awesome! 

And, now, what will the next year of her life hold? 

 

It started out by holding a whole lot of birthday parties-- friends, family and SoCal family! 

 ..a celebration that was shared with Hanukkah and Thanksgiving.

 Winnie got a doll she has longed for; 

she also got the present of her SISTER getting a similar doll so she wouldn't have to share it. :) 

Other fun times in LA: visiting "Dad's Castle!" This is where Mike lived for 10 years during his Hollywood Hills era of life (We will not mention that he lived in the "dungeon"-- a teeny tiny little room on the ground floor. :) We stopped in and visited his landlord of so many years ago and were welcomed with open arms and a fantastic tour of this incredible house... castle. It really is a castle.

The brothers and mama!

 The crazy cousins and friends.

 Friends and family... 

 And... then home to a week of this!! It was crazy. Shut down the town for a week... no school, weird work schedules. LOTS of sledding. Crazy and fun! 

But! The show must go on. Pinocchio matinees were performed as scheduled -- with this darling Russian Puppet lighting up the stage. The evening shows will happen the first weekend of January. 

Winnie was so very good. 

 

A natural.

The Elf has arrived in our world-- showing up with shenanigans and treats.

And now the house if fully decorated and we are up to our elf ears in holiday adventures...

...which can be exhausting. ;)

Through it all, we are holding out every hope and prayer that the very sick Lucy we came home to after our trip to LA is on her way to a full and complete recovery. We don't have any definite answers, yet, but, at the very least, she is spunky and happy again. We are so grateful for every day we get with this little ball of light!

BOO!

Halloween was full of fun this year, from pumpkin carving parties to Y parties, trick or treating to 47 different costumes pulled from the costume trunk (each), it did not disappoint. 

 One of the many costume renditions: the witch and wonder woman.

The adults getting their Halloween groove on. Julie the flapper with Orin who looks like he should be my date...

 An afternoon at the Science Factory is always a crowd pleaser.

 And today, an annual event at our beauteous Mt. Pisgah: Playin' in the Rain Day (it never rains on this day. 

Ever.)

The miniature pony kissed me!  

 "Look mom! I have antlers!"

Learning to shoot a Bow and Arrow

 ...and using a saw...

Then home for a snack-- the nutcracker is Jezebel's new favorite toy/tool. :)

...and bed. G'Night! 

MarkGetSetGO!

After the lazy days of summer, fall sure knows how to kick it into gear... Between Pinocchio rehearsals (Winona), gymnastics classes (Jez), quilting classes (Julie), Halloween festivities (all), and trying to keep good food on the table, we're going to work and school and getting sleep where we can get it!

It's possible that it's all making us a little crazy. 

In an effort to balance life with only half of my thyroid, I'm finding that gluten has to go. I've done lots of research and experimenting and I can't deny it, so I'm diving into Gluten Free living, and feeling a huge change... It's a lot of time in the kitchen, but sometimes it really pays off in spades. This GF pumpkin pie with a coconut almond crust was one of the best desserts I've ever made/tasted!  

Lots of rice and veggies: delicatas stuffed with wild rice with nuts, pomegranate seeds, olives, celery, etc. pictured here. I took this picture to send to my friend who made us the beautiful handblown glass pumpkin! 

                                                 

 My Rotary Club hosts a Dia de los Muertos party at a couple of schools every year-- Winnie was my date this past week; the whole family will go to the one this coming week. No pictures, but Jez and I went to the Y Halloween Party last night (she was a ballerina; I was a gypsy) and had a great time... let the spooky festivities begin!! 

Today was my third and final quilting class. Here's the "top"-- still have to finish it, but I'm really glad to be learning these skills. I've been a bit of a "guerrilla" sewer-- making stuff up as I go along. This has been a good lesson in learning how to do things properly... and taking the time to do so. :)

Here's what I, Bodhi, have been doing. Fall is cold.

And we're taking great joy in the nights we have when all we have to do is this... 

Fun With Fall

This is Fall. We've been enjoying the beautiful weekend weather, heading out into the sunshine to find treasures,

 spot wee creatures, 

 find cool waterfalls,

 and more cool waterfalls,

 ...and be together! 

Then on to the coast for a rare sunny, still, blue skied afternoon picnic and beach romp.

We went out to get our pumpkins....

 These guys pulled our hay wagon! 

 And then, onto the Cow Train (this pumpkin patch is more like Disney Land than a farm).

And here are just some shots of the Oregon October. It's my favorite time of year here...

 You can't buy or make Halloween decorations as good as this... :)