I love this time of year.
The leaves, finally changing colors,
form day’s light
each with unique and separate detail.
“Look at me,” they chorus, and I do.
For they, like the dancer on the stage, have waited patiently
for this moment to be beheld, to enchant.
The trees herald
Fall’s arrival, wafting its relief from our long, hard summer
and we in return celebrate her by spending long days outdoors, adventuring
and nights, snuggling
together
at times with a cup of hot chocolate, others in our warm beds.
It is the season for thanksgiving,
the time when we memorialize Beauty and Goodness and the ways they touch our lives,
even as we’re busy worrying and consuming Want.
But not today.
Today, we gather and break bread together,
offering our thanksgiving like children tossing leaves to the sky,
giddy at the never-ending.
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Because we’re always away from home over Christmas, each year we spend Thanksgiving at home, enjoying Mark’s break from work and our own from schoolwork, and of course, spending time with our friends and family in town. This year, the weather was warm enough we moved our table outdoors and feasted in our backyard. And I do mean feasted. Attempting to take advantage of our fantastic weather, Mark and I had wanted to try camping over Thanksgiving. Of course everything was full. So as a second resort, we set up a tent to camp with the kids in the backyard on Friday night. It turned out to be the coldest night of the year thus far. Naturally. We enjoyed our little adventure — especially the kids. And I admit, it was wonderful to be able to pop inside early Saturday morning to enjoy some warm coffee and eggnog together. It’s a start anyway. Here’s some photos from the weekend.
Comments
Ah yes. I remember back in those halcyon days when we thought we could go camping on a nice weather whim… I know I should rejoice that there are other families wanting to partake of the outdoors! and the simple, family time together! but it still makes me a little bitter. I blame the fancy online booking.
Your backyard looks like a wonderland, though, so I don’t know that a state park would have Improved on the delight.
Who knew six weeks wasn’t enough time to reserve? An obvious amateur move. The backyard was a fantastic “surprise! we’re camping tonight” move, but it wasn’t the same with the train blaring through the night, the neighbors cars in the driveway, and trucks drag racing in the street. Camping in the burbs. However, it WAS quite nice to be able to run into our warm indoors the next morning!