“I am rich today with autumn’s gold, all that my covetous hands can hold……” ~Gladys Harp
These are a couple of pictures from the walk I went on yesterday, with baby Sarah. We sat together by the stream, which is quite low and mostly mud. A frog jumped with a squeak when we got too close and startled me. Sarah and I sat for a long time, just listening and talking. I took a picture of a leaf that drifted down to us, from the treetops. Her feminine dainty hand on mine. Her name means Princess, you know.
And what about that grasshopper? I expected it to take a flying HOP away from the camera but it just leaned away and kept it’s big eyes on it (the Dangerous Shooting Camera). The field is full of them. Aren’t the back legs amazing? God cares about the details, He cares about the simple things….of course, he surely must care for YOU!
Rich took the day off today, as he will be traveling to NC tomorrow, for his friend’s funeral. We took the children apple picking and we had lunch by the side of a beautiful lake. This is the fourth year in a row, visiting the same apple farm. We imagined “this time next year”. Rich says Sarah will have blond curls in her hair, so I think IF she has enough, and even if it’s straight, I’ll curl it for him. However, if she has brown hair he’ll just have to be content with that. 
My mind is excitedly thinking about our new schoolroom. We are converting the room over the garage into a schoolroom and it’s almost finished. I can’t wait to show it to you. I love looking through Country Living magazine for decorating ideas. Shall I paint the trim maroon, sage green, or brown? Shall I use a simple curtain or a pretty valance? Shall I be on the lookout for nature prints, or use my own photos (of which I have 100’s)?
The upstairs office in our house (the former schoolroom, too small now for all of us) will be Sarah’s first bedroom. The walls are painted sage green and I plan on using pink and purple as accent colors.
It’s so fun to dream and plan, and feather my nest!
Well, Rich just woke up from his afternoon catnap. I’m off to go spend time with him. I hope each of you has a wonderful afternoon. I’m hoping to blog again tomorrow~what would you like to see?
(P.S. I took my camera to the apple farm but left my memory card behind. I told Rich we’ll have to go back so I can get this year’s annual “children on the wagon ride” picture!)
(P.S.S. I had an apple cider donut today.)
Good to be Home 
marvelous! enjoy your husband and family today! That’s what I am doing!! 🙂
WOW! Am I first? It is after 10 PM here, but I am not sleepy yet, so I thought I would see what’s up on Xanga. Love that grasshopper! I had to scroll down and see what else you folks have been doing. Those hotdogs looks good. I look forward seeing your new school room. Blessings!
Aww… I typed too slow! LOL!
Too bad about your memroy card. I was just thinking the other day, “When will Shanda and the family go pick apples?” I think you should use your own prints in the schoolroom. And yes, the grasshopper’s legs are amazing! How about some pictures of your freshly picked apples composed with some Fiestaware for tomorrow’s blog?? Have a great afternoon/evening!
We’re going back to the apple farm here this weekend for the THIRD trip this fall – it just never gets old! It’s a good thing I have a large freezer, because the applesauce is starting to get ridiculous. Enjoy your family, and have fun planning your schoolroom!
I am curious as to which apple farm you go to that is by a lake. It sounds lovely. Will be praying for Rich as he travels to NC and for comfort during the funeral.
apple cider donut?. YUM!! I can’t wait to see pictures of your “renovations”. I love your nature pictures. I think they would make a wonderful accent in the schoolroom.
Definitely your own prints! You take gorgeous pictures:)I can’t wait to see the school room and it in ACTION…you simply MUST post of it in action during school hous! :):)About tomorrows post? hmmm I just dont know…I love everything you post. I guess I’d like to read about whats been working in your heart lately. Anything home related too….just dont know….whatever you feel up to.PS: anything in your mailbox today? If not…maybe Monday:)
Oooo I’m excited to see your school room! I absolutely love the grasshopper picture. That’s probably the closest I’ve ever seen one. They don’t run but I do. lol. I am thinking that I would love to hear something about your past. Maybe how you and your hubby met or a favorite childhood memory. 🙂
Fantastic pictures! I can’t wait to see pics of your new school room.
Can’t wait to see your school room too. How exciting! Hmm, what would I like to see? Your woods all full of color! Or perhaps some happenings on your pretty front porch….you know what, whatever you post will be wonderful! I so love your site. =)
Wow! That grasshopper pic is AWESOME! I say you put your own pictures up in the school room. They are much more meaningul. I only have one nature pic that I took hanging in my home and I love looking at it. Not only is it a beautiful picture but there are memories wrapped up in it too. Can’t wait to see your finished school room.
Looking forward to the pictures 🙂
Praying for Rich as he travels to NC. Praying for you too as you hold down the fort. 🙂 LOVE apple cider donuts!! There is a local orchard that bakes them fresh everyday, and they are sooooo good! A new schoolroom…how exciting! I can’t wait to see pictures. You could do some really cool things with the major school subjects as decorating ideas. Your nature pictures are beautiful too. I am praying for you all and pray the Lord will be with Rich. That the Holy Spirit will guide him and give him the right words to share with the people touched by this sadness. Hope you and the kids have a wonderful weekend! -Deborah
I love that shot of the grasshopper! I’d love to see pics of the orchard. Or more nature walks!
That grasshopper photo should be enlarged and put on the wall in the new schoolroom, along with some your other fabulous photos! I would like to see barn photos. And a nice old clear glass jug with apple cider in it.
hi shanda…..can’t wait to see the schoolroom! i LOVE brown, so brown trim sounds great to me, along with YOUR nature photos. they will not only look beautiful, but will aslo evoke wonderful memories. bummer about the memory card, but a good excuse to go back! we are all going sunday for our annual apple picking. along with making applesauce, i’m attempting a new recipe for apple pie filling that you make ahead and freeze so i can make pies and crisps in a jiffy. and of course we will just have to buy some apple cider donuts, too. i agree with the idea of apples and fiestaware for the next blog post. i will also be praying that rich gets through this tough weekend.
Sounds exciting at your house. “Feathering your Nest” is always fun to do, to change things up a bit. Sweet picture of your hands. Happy Saturday!
i had my first apple cider donuts this year as well. aren’t they scrumptious. ohhh we used to all go as a family to pick apples as well. it is one of the fond memories i have. when we were older we tried to go around thanksgiving time (which for Canadians is in October). Since my bro doesn’t live near us now and i live out of the city we don’t do it as much anymore…but we still have the pictures and fond memories of the trip.i am excited to hear about your new school room 😉 what a beautiful new space to inspire learning in! so excited to that Sarah will get her first bedroom all to herself. i can just imagine the dreaming and imaginative moments that will take place there. sooo excited.hope you have a great day Shanda. praying that the trip to NC with safe for Rich and those who are going with him. Praying that they will be able to lend comfort to one another and each other. Praying for you as i know that you miss him while he’s gone…and wish you could help with this burden that he has placed upon his shoulders.
Love that first shot ~
MMMM, I made apple cider doughnuts for Mikayla’s first day back to school this year 🙂 I say definitely put your own pictures on the walls of the schoolroom…brown trim 🙂 We are going apple-picking next weekend and I cannot WAIT!
absolutely use YOUR photos – you have an amazing eye!
always LOVE when you post…you Have to use your own nature pics..they are always so spectacular!!you had a cider donut??? oh, i’m so jealous! i need one like i need another hole in my head, but, oh, they are so totally DIVINE!!happy sunday, sweet lady!
I love your posts and pictures! Just keep Autumn, sweaters, apples, rosy cheeked kids coming! love to you,Jenny