43/52: backyard adventures in chalk art

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

the 52 project: 43/52.

[52 project participants who inspired me last week: little sleep, bluebirds of happiness, pomegranate and seeds, melon pea, little earth stories, and of course, Che and Fidel]

Gracie loves Daddy (and her soother, according to her).  

autumn adventures // stanley park

Autumn in Stanley Park.

I must admit, I am more than a little smitten with Autumn. She's rustic, cool, fragrant and symbolic of good things to come (gathering, feasting, giving!). Love it.

"I go see the birds, Mama."

a baby inside

Kick, kick, kick... 

Late last week, a free morning to spend with a dear friend walking in the woods, throwing river rocks, talking of things to come (good things!). The forest smelled of fragments and wetness (and oddly, a little like cilantro too) and I don't think any of the *four* of us wanted to return to the city. A beauty day!

Beauty!

42/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

the 52 project: 42/52.

[52 project participants who inspired me last week: Little Wolff, West End Cottage, Abigail and the future, Poppy Fox, Blackberries and Rosemary, and of course, Che and Fidel]

//

There are only ten (ten!) weeks left in the year 2013. I hear jingle all the way starting to work it's way into my psyche...

Rock climbing at Lynn Headwaters, North Vancouver, B.C. 

away we go // joffre lakes

Hiking the Joffre Lakes trail, Pemberton, B.C.  

Our first snow of the season, it began to fall just one hour into our hike to Upper Joffre Lake on Saturday. Although overcast and cold, the experience was truly ethereal. Gracie kept a field journal for the trip ("feno journal") to make note of any animal sightings: one large eagle and several cheeky, food-stealing Whiskey Jacks. En route to the top we may have begun to teach her some Christmas carols... (because even though it's too early for snow, it's never too early for holiday songs!). 

Working up an appetite prior to our Thanksgiving Day feast! 

41/52

"A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013."

the 52 project: 41/52.

[52 project participants who inspired me last week: Blackberries + Rosemary, Fer Cute, Forever Lovely (again!), Little Life, a little pink a little blue, and of course, Che and Fidel]

Wink, wink. 

where she go, mama?

Jericho Beach Park. 

//

Playing around with long exposure... Gracie's favourite question of the moment, "where she/he go, mama?" 

applebarn pumpkin farm

They're all sweet, won't you have a bite? 

Applebarn Pumpkin Farm.

//

This past weekend we spent a warm, sunny afternoon with Gracie and a friend picking apples and romping through the pumpkin patch. Fifty pounds of apples between us and two pumpkins later, we enjoyed a sweet snack of apple cider and perfectly roasted corn on the cob at the Country Store. I'm known for romanticizing rural life (I'm at least two thirds country mouse), but honestly, wouldn't it be gratifying to have a small farm?

The magic of autumn is now fully upon us. Apple picking was first on our fall bucket list - here are some additional ideas - I'd love to hear more if you have some:

• Visit the Westham Island Herb Farm Pumpkin Patch in Ladner
• Attend Pumpkin Patch Family Days at Southlands Heritage Farm
• Explore one of the Southern Gulf Islands in the off-season with my mom, perhaps Salt Spring
• Take some long exposure photos in Stanley Park or at Blackie Spit
• Enjoy the changing of the season by playing in the leaves with Gracie
• Try to catch the light on morning mist at Lynn Headwaters
• Eat and drink all things pumpkin!

Now, what to do with all of these apples?! Thus far I've made an apple-ginger milkshake, apple-butternut squash puree (with sage and nutmeg) and a crisp with flax meal and pepitas in the crust. Recipe suggestions welcome! 

Amazing!