Laowai

We are back in the swing of the school routine. We’ve had lots of nice sunny days and I might have to, finally, water my garden a little. Fall feels nice – I’m surrounded, so closely, by big decidous trees here.

• We did some more raspberry picking. Bea had the day off on Thursday and we took along one of her friends. Then I made some raspberry jam. I gazed in the pan and enjoyed the darkest, deepest silky red color you can imagine. 

• I struggle. I struggle between liking that my girls are creative and can gather stuff from around the house and make their own playthings and artwork. And then I get annoyed because ther are piles of pipe cleaner and paper clips and kleenex with sparkley things taped on and acorns in little yogurt containers, and bits of paper cut and colored and taped onto stuffed animals. Uhg. What’s a mommy to do? Here they are proudly showing off their creations:

• Brian “imported” two large bricks of cheese from Switzerland last week (he’s living dangerously). I hauled our beloved raclette grill out of the basement, along with the power converter. We had a yummy raclette dinner and felt nostalgic.

• House projects keep chugging along. Yesterday I sent our couch away to be reupholstered. Yikes – I’ve never purchased 20 yards of fabric – big decision. In the meantime this is our temporary couch. The girls like this arrangment better than a real couch. I’m looking forward to having a clean couch. One that doesn’t requiere strategically arranged stain hiding blankets. I can’t wait. I’m busy with the girls’ bathroom too. The countertops and new sinks came this week and the week after next our tile floor will be installed. I’m searching for the perfect shelf to hide some flawed tiles, thinking about peach ceiling paint… the list goes on.

• The end.