Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Grazed by Sandy in Virginia


Here are a few photos that captured our weekend--everything from neighborhood chili cook-off, running into Mitt Romney's campaign bus, to waiting out Sandy.

It looks like we have made it through Hurricane Sandy, with only the lightest of touches.  We've been following very closely obviously and it seems like we are among the small pocket of people that did not lose their power, for which we are incredibly grateful.  We stocked up on about a week's worth of canned/dried goods that would not need cooking and set about preparing ourselves--equipped with flashlights and water.  We made the best of our inside day by building blanket forts, trying out flashlights and playing with ipad "paint."  We made quick jaunts outside for the dog when absolutely necessary.  There was indeed a lot of rain, incredibly strong gusts of wind and a wire that downed behind our house, setting a tree on fire (which led to a flurry of 911 calls by just about every neighbor in our complex I'm sure).  But we were unharmed and the fire went out within five minutes.  We are safe and very thankful!   We later heard that in a nearby neighborhood there was a house fire which took the life of elderly man.  Very tragic indeed.

Got to say we were definitely on edge all weekend.  Unfortunately, my parents had to cancel their trip to come and see us or risk driving through the remainder of the storm and it's residual mess.  And now we are watching the aftermath on CNN and shaking our heads in disbelief. 

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Fall Festival & Juggling Pumpkins


In festive spirit, with Hurricane Sandy riding our tail-feathers and thus the eminent end of our glorious fall colours, we loaded up in the car and ventured off to the Burke Nursery and Garden Centre Fall Festival.  They had grounds filled with many play structures and activities things for kids--slides, swings, tubes to crawl through and roll in, pony rides, scary ride tour, picnicking area, face-paint, petting zoo, mechanical and spring-loaded horses and loads of hay.  Really, it doesn't matter what age you are--it is pretty fantastic.

Gabriel got to try out a lot of firsts (petting a pony, riding a spring-loaded horse, get his face painted) and meet many animals he has only met in storybooks so far (horses, roosters, hogs, goats).  

And at the very end, Gabriel got to choose his very own first pumpkin!  While we got a fairly big pumpkin of our own.  Four more days until Halloween to carve up that pumpkin.  Gabriel is just about ready to debut his Halloween costume. 

Looking for other fun things for infant/toddlers Gabriel's age.   Please share!!

Friday, October 26, 2012

Meadow Strings



Meadow Strings

Beyond the back veranda
And windowed door, agape in the autumn air
Carried on the shaded, hushed breath of twilight
Is the sound of crickets buzzing.
In their shrill sopranos,
A ricocheting orchestra
Chirps from both sides
Of the quiet curve of the paved promenade--
An all day concert
That cycles
With an evening crescendo.