Our first snow is finally drifting lazily from the sky in big, fluffy flakes.  An appropriate New Year's Eve gift, and I hope it means more moisture in 2013 for our state, which is in deep drought. Although we woke up to a very thin blanket of white (the kids were beyond excited!), it had all melted off by noon.  Round two might leave us a bit of accumulation.  But just in case, I bundled them all up and sent them outside to romp around under the falling snow.

Meanwhile, I built a fire in the fireplace, heated water for hot cocoa, and finished up a couple of snacks for tonight and tomorrow.  Candles are lit, tree lights are (still) on, and we are ready to cozy in tonight.  Movies, games, TV, whatever we do, it will be by the fire.

Snack #1--Chex Muddy Buddies, aka "people chow"
Snack #2--mini cheddar crackers, any type of cereal, mini pretzels, dried cranberries, and yogurt raisins; all   mixed together.  If I had M&M's, I'd add them too.
Snack#3--no-bake cookies
Snack #4--chocolate-ginger cookies (yet to be made)

...and popcorn.  If anyone is still hungry, there are assorted leftovers in the fridge!  Also picked up some of those cool sparkling juice drinks on my last grocery run.  Yummmmmm.

When a year ends, and a new one looms large, I find myself reflecting on the past, and wondering what the future holds.  Will everyone in our extended families still be with us when 2013 comes to an end?  What big world news events might occur?  What can I do to improve who I am and the way I relate to those nearest and dearest to me?  How will I draw closer to God in the next year?

Pondering these things, as opposed to writing resolutions.  Happy New Year!

Autumn.  Such a beautiful time of year!  Although most people attribute Spring as the time of new beginnings, the rhythm of our life offers Autumn that title.  The school year begins again, and although we school year round for maximum flexibility (and because learning is a lifestyle, not relegated to certain months and times of day), there is still something about September.  The local parks and libraries clear out from their summer crowds.  Pools close and the long and lazy days of summer come to an end.  Routine becomes the way of life in most homes, as the days begin and end with Fall's signature chill.  Stores deck out in reams of school supplies and a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils beside a basket of apples becomes the centerpiece.  Then, the colors of Fall permeate the stores with words like "gratitude","thankful", "food", and "family" written across platters and plaques and miniature pumpkins.  Candles scent the aisles with cinnamon, spiced apple, and pumpkin pie.  Yes, this is our new beginning.  Lessons have taken a casual air for the summer, less formality and shorter time frames.  But Autumn arrives and it's time to tighten up a bit, add in additional subject matter, and spend more time working round the table.  We file away the work from last year, last winter, and the now-last summer...surprised at how much material we covered(!) a few hours at a time, day by day.  We freshen notebooks, empty our folders, examine our routines, and begin anew.

My menu plans change, I pull out a favorite cookbook and turn the the section entitled "Fall" to make a list of old favorites that I'll soon wish to make.  I take my "Fall Recipe Binder" from its shelf upstairs, and place it in the kitchen, ready for use.  I flip through the pages, tossing a few recipes, and happily recall the yearly favorites which will be rotated into a menu shortly.  It's football season, which means weekends of soup or chili and freshly baked bread.  Cookies fresh from the oven just as kickoff takes place on TV.

Slowly, the jackets come out, the tank tops are put away for next year...and slowly, the shorts and summery dresses are too.  Long sleeves mix with tee shirts in our drawers, and flannel sheets are on standby, just waiting for the cold nights to come.  They will, probably before halloween.

At home, the candles are set here and there.  Fall decor carefully placed.  Jars filled with candy corn (to eat) and acorns (to look at) find homes on my counter.  We embrace deep reds, gold, autumnal green, and a bit of orange flame whether in pillows or blankets or hand towels in the kitchen, and perhaps a table runner.

Fall is here.  Our new beginning.