Thanksgiving

We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving. 

The girls and I did make mini pumpkin pies.

This was my first time making pumpkin pie from scratch, pastry and filling - both turned out great.

As it has been getting colder and darker in the mornings running has almost become extinct for me. With that has come the self-doubt. I could feel my resolve to run the half marathon fading way. I began to talk myself out of it. After all, I am not a runner. I couldn't really finish something like that. I didn't really want to do it anyway. Or so I told myself. Maybe I was afraid that it was true, so wouldn't it be better if I rationalized my way out first? Then the oddest coincidence happened. While we were eating Thanksgiving dinner Sunday night at our friends house, their neighbors were there as well and it just so happened that the neighbor friend had just run a half marathon that very day! I asked her lots of questions and felt my mind fill back up with inspiration that maybe I could do this. It was time!

(my warm-up companion and I stretching - every time, there she is by my side!)

Monday morning (which was BEAUTIFUL) I tied up my laces and stepped out the door.

I took my phone and told Darren I would call him to come and pick me up when I was done. I wanted to try out a new route and I wasn't sure how far I would get. 

I never did call him. I made it all the way - 17.3 km around the lake. I can barely believe I actually did it. Remember, I am not a runner, I run, but that is not the same thing. I have come to the conclusion that being a runner is a title, a state of being, a condition of the heart. I am not a runner, not yet anyhow. I want to be fit, the means wherewith I obtain that purpose certainly does not begin or end with running. But.......for now..... I run! My knees, my poor knees. They gave out before anything else. The rest of me was okay, not a blister to be found. I feel such a sense of accomplishment. I feel as though, no matter how long it took me, I know I could run that half marathon, and to me, that means more than I could express.  

I am so thankful for family and friends, this beautiful place I get to live in and run around, yummy food,
 and a strong body and mind that I can push farther that I ever thought possible.
Today I give thanks.

haircuts all around, well almost

It was time.

 I lined them up, put on a movie and began chopping.

Nya - I think this was only her 3rd haircut ever. 

 She had fun playing with her hair. She thought she was pretty funny - as did I.

 Noelle - first cut since January! 

 Emma - if anyone, at anytime has ever made me wish for ginger hair, it is her. 

Her hair is just the softest shade of auburn. 

I hope it never changes.

And even though Bergen, in particular, is in great need of a trim, 

by the time I was done with the girls, 

I didn't have it in me. Maybe tomorrow!

pocket pie

Fall is here, and as unoriginal as it is to say - I think it is my favorite!

We have been filling our school days with all things autumn - crafts, curriculum, and kitchen. 

Today we made individual apple pies. (Debra, if you are looking for your pie maker, it is here!)

Since I was not the least bit interested in making my own pastry we bought ready made pie crusts 

from the store and rolled them out with which to make our pies. 

It worked really well. 2 pie crusts made 6 mini pies.

They turned out ever so cute, and I was informed that they were delicious.

 I think we will try making mini pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving. 

I figure if I use the same pie maker and just cut off the leaf they will look like little pumpkins!