Well hello! Not sure when you read this if we will be without power or not but with this magical world of blogging I was able to schedule this in advance. SO, even if we are floating away in our red rider wagon you all can enjoy someone else’s peaceful home!  Today I asked my sister-in-law Claire if she would write about her home in Oregon! Here is what she has to say…  (ps- you get to see my cute niece and nephew today!!)

Bright Windows

In western Oregon, sunlight can be hard to come by. It’s raining or about-to-rain eight months out of the year. So we spend a lot of our time indoors where it can feel dim and dreary.  But the windows in my home have become bright spots we all gravitate towards, especially my son. There are only four big windows in our downstairs—two in the kitchen and dining room, and two in the front room. So light is at a premium!

Every morning, I open the curtains and raise the blinds. And then we revel in what light there is.

Window Playground

Over the last two years, Benjamin has spent many hours playing in the curtains near the sliding glass door that leads into our spacious backyard.

And when there are sunny breaks and he runs out to play in the cold, I sometimes spy on him through the Cosmos flowers that are still holding on.

Kitchen Window

I love the window over my kitchen sink. It faces the bright backyard where I can watch Benjamin play, and it’s where I put flowers and herbs and anything else that needs a little light.

Window Chair

Last spring, I was browsing the local antique mall and noticed a little chair upholstered in the kind of tweed fabric my parents’ couch had when I was growing up. I made a second trip back to convince myself Benjamin needed it, bought it, and the little chair soon ended up by one of the front room windows. It has become a stepping stool for Benjamin to see what’s happening on the street and a natural reading spot, especially when grandparents visit.

Naps by the Window

My nine-month-old Madeleine hasn’t had much window play yet, but when she was only a week old, she used a cozy spot by the front window to catch a nap with Daddy.

But during a sunny break last week, I found her by the sliding glass door and snapped a picture of her wearing a flower headband I made for my Etsy shop, January Sun Yarnworks. She was a patient little model and glowed in the sunlight.

After looking back through these pictures I realize how important these windows are to me and my family, especially during the long stretch from October to May. So maybe I should take some time to get out the Windex and clean them…. J

Thanks. Claire! Wishing we could pop over to Oregon!!  Like now!  We have such fun memories of our visit to you guys!  (minus the time change adjustments!!)

Everyone check out Claire’s etsy shop for Christmas shopping and show her some love!! I know she would love to knit some lovelies for you!

Have you ever had that feeling that you are hesitant to really enjoy that “Life is Good” feeling because you are scared something bad is about to happen. I had never had that feeling until I said out loud to Seth in Bogota that I felt like we were finally at home there and that we were really having a good run….the next week we discovered Jackson’s mass on his leg. We have been on a honeymoon high after coming home. Life is by far not perfect. We have been faced with lots of surprises and such but really, life is good.  And I have to admit that in the back of my mind I have become a bit nervous of what’s around the corner.  And only God really knows. At the moment we are awaiting a big storm here. Hurricane followed by snow, maybe. Again, who really knows. We are prepared with flashlights, batteries, non-perishable foods, etc. But I hate the feeling that we are so out of control.  But we know that God will take care of us and provide for our needs. It might be one heck of an adventure but we won’t fare it alone. So the savoring of home is a bit shaky today, more like clinging to it hoping that it will all still be standing during the storm. Pray for everyone along the East coast…we have friends in so many areas that are being threatened by the storm.

On Friday afternoon when I felt my anxiety rising from all of the talk of the storm I got the boys in the car and drove to find a nature trail. I wanted to enjoy the leaves before they fall. I wanted them to feel the crunch under their feet, smell the smell of fall and catch the leaves as they fell. In our little hustle and bustle I realized we needed to slow down.

yesterday we spent much of the day shifting things in the garage to park the cars, cleaning up the yard and things to prepare for the storm, so in the afternoon we relaxed with the boys and our friend Bonnie and carved our pumpkins

So instead of saying life is good, BUT  the storm is coming.  I will say Life is good AND the storm is coming. Life will still be good whether we get hard or not.