5.0

today the earth shook.
seriously.
it trembled.
it shook.
the whole house moved.
bean's crib vibrated.
it lasted 30 seconds.
and then it was gone.

turns out we just had an earthquake.
the epicenter was 180 miles away.
outside ottawa.
it measured 5.0 on the richter scale.
it made me very glad i don't live in a place
where earthquakes are common place.

because it was very unsettling to feel the earth move.

outside my window

this morning

i woke to a back yard covered with leaves. seriously, all the leaves were on the tree yesterday and they fell over night, a sure sign that winter is on its way.

so, i took the time to shuffle around in them, before my precious husband rakes them up this afternoon, and document the change of seasons. i do love the sound of leaves rustling under my feet. and B well he watched the last few leaves flutter to the ground and rolled around in the leaves, practicing his snow angels, in anticipation of the first snow.

changing color

we have several different varieties of hydrangeas in our yard which provide a profuse amount of flowers during the summer months. seriously, i think have have fresh cut hydrangeas in most rooms of the house during july and august. while they are spectacular during the height of their color, i have fallen in love with their changing colors after they peak. this is my favorite time to cut them, put them in about and inch of water and let them dry out. this way we have color all winter long. a gentle reminder of what is to come after the winter thaw.

portrait of a weekend

wishing you a memorial day filled with the laughter of children, the love of family and friends, wet kisses from dogs, the beauty of nature and the peace that comes from knowing that those you lost are never very far away.