We had a full day of huge white fluffy flakes falling from the sky.

There wasn’t enough to sled in or make snowballs, but we ate a few cups of flakes.

Time to re-read Snowflake Bentley.

Sweet November,

full of the color of grace,

and touches of heaven,

sneak away slowly in the middle of the night.

Then I won’t miss you so much as long for your return.

Lord, You set the roots in the ground and the poured the waters atop the sands. You set in motion the seasons and the tides and the moons. You are Masterful Creator and Sustainer of all that is beautiful and natural. Bless us in this season with Your warmth and color. In Jesus’ Name I praise You.

If I lived in the Castle, I’d start my day with my Bible and a cup of hot tea in this little cubby.

Then I’d join the children for breakfast at our own special table,

where we could look through this arch

into the ballroom and the fire started on chilly mornings.

After schooling, I’d grab a novel and a mug of hot cider and read on this porch

while they traversed the land,

discovering all sorts of special spaces made just for curious children.

Maybe I’d grab my journal and settle into this seat, 

and look up into this.

Maybe I’d invite a friend for tea and chatting here,

and we’d spend our quiet time taking in this view.

On rainy days, I’d encourage the children to explore the wood-lined room under the stairs

while I ran my hands over the smooth wood of the parlor.

If I lived in the Castle, life would be magical for us all.

I made a new friend at the Greater Philadlephia Christian Writers Conference this summer.

She and her husband are missionaries with CLC Publications just outside Philly. She invited me to visit with my family, and I couldn’t resist the offer.

We started our visit with a tour of the U.S. Mint–no photos allowed there. We learned all about how coins are made and actually watched the process happening live. How cool!

Friday night we toured the CLC publishing house. What fun to physically see the Editors’ offices and the old print room–and everything in-between. I asked to see the infamous ”slush pile,” but these days it’s more of an electronic thing.

We spent Saturday in downtown Philly strolling the same cobblestones great men in history walked.

The  line was very long to see the Liberty Bell, so we took our photo with the display at the Visitor’s Center instead, opting to come back on a weekday to see the actual bell.

We spent the majority of the day in the Franklin Institute science museum. (I’ll add another post with those photos soon.)

Sunday we worshiped with our friends and toured the Castle. The castle was my favorite place in Philly.

We had a fantastic time with new friends, in a new place. I hope we can get back there again next autumn.

Poor little Junior Sparks had been struggling to breathe all day. I assured them it would be just fine to put him right into fresh new tap water. I’d done it my whole life. He’d be just fine and he’d be able to breathe.

The next morning, Brooke told me Junior Sparks was sleeping. Oh no. To tell the truth or a story that would buy me time to get a replacement? It didn’t matter what I said–the look on my face was honest. No poker face here.

An apology and acknowledgement that yes, there just might be a pink fish out there somewhere, was enough to quell the tears. Now I know.  No fresh tap water for Junior Sparks Junior.

We’d just sauntered through the park

and were dangling our feet over the edge of the pier when we heard ”plop” and a squeal.

Then we saw it.

The shoe.

Floating away.

Completely out of reach.

[Lone Ranger music]

Then our rescuers rode up the canal.

And one happy little girl went back to collecting leaves.

I don’t typically give the children written “tests” to assess what they’ve learned in home school. Usually I ask them to teach their daddy what they’ve learned, or narrate back what they’ve read. Sometimes I use lapbooks. Here are the kids’ lapbooks for our Rocks and Minerals unit.

Brad:

Brian:

Brooke:

They might not be named Dopey and Sneezy,

but my little miners

sure know how to find treasure.

This time they found a dinosaur. Next time, diamonds!

Years ago, before we even had children, a friend convinced us letting a child ride on a mower was akin to murder. We were frightened into banning all grass-cutting activity until our children hit 18.

But I’d grown up on our family’s tractor. I have plenty of fun, and quirky memories from my time on our tractor. Like the time I got the snow plow on the front of it caught in the neighbor’s fence when I was only eight years old. Driving it myself.

So this year we finally broke that stronghold of fear and invited our children to ride on our mower. The smiles on their faces tell the story of growing up enjoying all things in life. The joy of independence. Of trying new things and growing in confidence.

Fear keeps us from so many of life’s challenges. I hope my children grow bold and brave, and say we helped them to become courageous.

When warm days

turn cool,

we find new beauty

in familiar places.

And in familiar faces.

As the seaons roll on, we are not unseated,

but find joy

in the change because we are confident in our

Who is