Last week, there was talk of a healthy family competition to see who could last the longest before voting to start the first fire in the wood stove. But then, the chimney sweep came (a favorite day around here), and there was a chilly night, plus we had company in the house, and the next thing I knew...upon returning home from my weekend away, I was met at the door with cheers of "fire!!!" by some excited little ones, running around barefoot once again (it wasn't that warm - it never is!). And then, I sat down right in front of that blessed fire to catch up on their weekend and to knit a spell (and try not to fall asleep - the biggest daytime challenge of that warm wood stove!).
And so suddenly, here we are! Straddling both seasons. With some days cool enough to warrant lighting up that fire and welcoming all the fun and games that come along with it - yarn and blocks and oh, the board games (I do not know how I'll make it to spring with the sudden Monopoly love that came out of the blue!)! And then other days - like today, I do believe - we find ourselves running out of doors from breakfast till dinner, soaking up what could possibly be one of the last like it. You just never know. But for now, it's an absolutely beautiful autumn, with so much color still on the trees. The daffodils are planted - all 200 of them. And the garlic awaits, along with a whole lot of tucking for the garden. Heck, there's still harvesting to be done! There is a canoe trip planned for this weekend and some fishing too. So much left to enjoy, and the knowledge and comfort, too, that the cozy season -and this particularly cozy spot - is right here when we are ready to come in.
