Autumn has always been my favorite season, with fresh starts, births and birthdays, my wedding anniversary (we celebrated 12 years on Sunday) . . .
But this year, I was hesitant to enter the season – to start up the same yoga class I had to leave off last year because I fell unexpectedly pregnant. I still have memories of morning sickness and trips to the Chateau de Thoiry and the Ferme de Gally and the Great Expectation I carried within. I also think the Christmas season might be a touch hard, especially the day after Christmas, which is when I lost my Alistair.
But overall, I’ve been doing better than expected as my favorite season in all its colors rolls in.
These trees …
if only I could paint.
I would try to capture how they look in the morning sun
as I drive with my children down this road.
And what is Autumn without apples and sweaters?
And raking?
or the shadow of the trees on the wall
the greys that provide relief to the abundant golds
the climbing vines turning colors
oh yes – Halloween!
the silliness
the serenity
and warm berry pies.
The children don’t know this yet, but we are going to get a dog. I still can’t believe it – I never thought that the good it would bring to our family would outweigh in my mind the inconvenience of having a toddler-like creature who never becomes independent. Yet here we are.
When I thought we might get one from the refuge (we’ve decided to contact a breeder instead), I sent in my specifications to find the right dog for us. I stated that I didn’t really want one that barked a lot and stirred our neighbors to even greater animosity over our inveterate rambunctiousness.
I fear my children bark enough already.
It may mean less of these peaceful mornings ahead of me
but who can say no
to more life?
Beautiful colors. And yes, a dog! They are wonderful for children. Not just as a companion and playmate, but it teaches them responsibility. Yay!
I didn’t know you liked dogs Alison! Do you think you guys might get one? Not yet, I know, with your smallest still so little.
I love all the colors of fall… it’s my favorite time of year!
Best of luck with the new dog!
I know. So pretty and happy. The only time of year I really don’t like is early winter just after the New Year. So long and so few holidays.
Fall is my favourite time of year as well. The colours. The feel to the air. The last precious bits of time before winter sets in. Did I mention the colours? 🙂
We sometimes talk of getting a pet but I am not far enough away from the needing to clean up other little ones pees and poops to want to jump into doing it again 😛
I hope you get a good picture of their faces when they are told about the puppy!
I know – that was my big hesitation. But I think my desire for what it will do for the kids has outweighed that. I think it will help, especially my middle, to express themselves and to channel some of that energy.
What a good idea about taking a picture of their faces. I’ll do that.
Happy Anniversary!!
I love your autumn pictures. They are so lovely and perfect.
Your kids are going to be so very excited when they hear the dog news. That is fun.
Oh thank you – and lots of yellow just fer you.
Darrin wants to know if French dogs bark in French….and if they do, what do they say?
Can’t wait to see photos of your new French addition!
They do! And they say, “Viens visiter Darrin, avec toute la famille.”
What fun! What kind of dog?
I know! We’re looking at an epagneul breton – do you know it? I need to get a book on how to train a dog, lord help me! 🙂 I heard it’s back to sleepless nights.
Dogs are so awesome to have. And yes they can be giant dill holes at times…like mine who has a dirty underwear eating fetish and he did chew a hole through out plaster wall…sigh…but he is wonderful.
My husband is, as we speak, building doors to our storage structure because of the chew factor.
Your photos are just gorgeous. You capture the colors and the “autumn” of it all so well.
Good luck with the dog 🙂 I am still in the “never” camp, but we know how that goes …
I don’t think I ever said never to a dog, but I was pretty close. The only thing that has changed is the desire to see my children grow in confidence and maturity.
“Who can say no to more life?” I love that. Who indeed?
Happy anniversary to you and Sir! xo
Thank you! 🙂
How gorgeous it is there! And the silliness is definitely my favorite part!
Hi Megan! (waving)
Of course the silliness is your favorite part. 😉
The sleepless nights don’t last long. It’s more the inability to leave the house for any length of time that seems to last forever. Kind of like when you were breastfeeding and couldn’t be away for more than 2 hours?????
I know, I know. I’m still mulling over that one. Luckily I’m a SAHM and that should solve a lot of the problems.
Oh, good for you! Dogs are wonderful. You will one day wonder how you ever lived without one. The housebreaking can be kind of tough, but hopefully you’ll get a pup that’s easy and sleeps through the night too.
Happy belated Anniversary. 🙂
We’re pouring over puppy training websites right now. I don’t even know if I’m supposed to answer a dog’s whimper at night (because it means he has to go) or ignore it and train it to sleep through.
Oh my dear! You are in for some sleepless night for puppies truly are like toddlers. Yet, they do bring a new kind of joy (and smell) to the house! We have a black lab, now 13, and our home would not be the same without her!
We were so close to getting a lab, and I really liked the black ones. But we had to go for something smaller that would actually fit in our hobbit home.
The way you circle around to what life really is made up of
In this post is beautiful. I think people say no to more
Life all the time- being reminded to let it in is
What we need sometimes. I think your family is about
To have a whole new level of blessed through joy &
Selfless love ( our dog was one of my best teachers!)
Good luck & thanks for another lovely sneak peek into
France !! PS, YUMMMMM to that berry pie. I need pie now.
If I post that berry pie tarte recipe, I’ll have to perfect it first. It was tasty, but I put too much corn starch so it wasn’t juicy enough.
Re the dog, we are all about learning selfless love as a family. We parents need to be reminded of that as much as our kids, now that we’re past the human toddler stage and its forced lessons on selflessness.
Oh how I love Fall. And please don’t tell my husband or kids that you are getting a dog. They all want a dog…but who is here all day long and would be responsible for it..and really doesn’t love dogs that much…yeah, the grumpy mom.
Love you. xo
Your kids are already exceptionally civilized, so you don’t need a dog. Ours are barbaric and there is some hope that the dog will tame them.
Oh, I love the fall . . . And your photos, no matter what the subject, are always so great – they pull me right there with you and I feel as if I am surrounded in your environment. Oh, wait . . . I remember that rabbit stew you made once. Yes, those photos kind of turned my stomach a bit. But let’s move on, shall we? Love the season, love that you are getting a dog, love the children, and love seeing this part of your life. Hugs!
Yes, let’s just forget about that little rabbit stew. Ahem. 🙂
Hugs back!