I could have sworn that last year I picked peaches in the middle of September. So I wasn't worried about waiting what I thought was a week or two later to pick this year. Then Sunday night it suddenly occurred to me that maybe my memory was off and what if the season was already over? I got a little worried.

Monday morning I got up and called the orchard I like to pick at, and they weren't picking any more peaches. I was devastated. What would I serve with waffles on those lazy dinner nights?? I could never go an entire year without my supply of canned peaches. They were however selling pears so I settled on pears as an unsatisfactory substitute. I made the drive to the orchard and they weren't just selling pears, but also peaches, as well as apples and plums. It was a madhouse as everyone was throwing the last of the season's crops in boxes and laundry baskets. I grabbed my share and was so relieved!! Peaches in the pantry again this year :) I also grabbed some apples.

Anyway my peaches are still green so I decided to start on the apples and made some juice (with my juicer that I'm just starting to use and love) and then both canned the pulp and also made apple sauce with it. I'm so exhausted, but am in apple heaven.

Eric and I have really busted our bones lately with projects. After having new countertops installed we changed our backsplash. When that was over we ripped out our carpet and linoleum and put in bamboo flooring. My brother Ian came out to help us. It was a lot of work!
But we love it. It was worth every sliver, blister, and sleepless night we had. As you can see, Aspen loves wearing Eric's socks to slide on it. For some reason sliding isn't the same in her own socks!
I'm excited for Fall and Winter, mostly for things to slow down for us. I feel like we've been going and going for weeks now and am excited to just enjoy the change in the season! Happy Fall everyone.

Today Aspen and I made ghosts to decorate the living room, then hung them from the ceiling. "Mom, are these ghosts going to scare me?" she asked. "No, these ghosts aren't real," I said. "You don't need to be afraid of them." She looked at me. "That's right, because they're just made of tissue."

Yesterday we pulled out all our Fall/Halloween decorations, and I think she's inherited my excitement for that kind of thing because she's talked about it several times. I remember two years ago when we pulled out the Christmas decorations and she kept running around the room and chanting, "It's Christmastime! It's Christmastime!"
Lately her thing is to race us in everything. "I bet I can beat you up the stairs!" And then when she does, she turns around, gives a thumbs up and says, "Aha!" It's pretty cute.

While we were in North Carolina I decided to take some portraits of the kids. I've been meaning to post these forever!
Aspen is quite the little poser. I love how these turned out, but I hate that she looks like she's pushing 18.



Oakley actually sat still-ish long enough for me to take some decent shots. Miraculous!