Did you hear us singing live on NPR? (Novemberings, ii)

Yeah, Daniele and I were helping Abigail Washburn sing a couple tunes (along with the other hundred people in the audience, but nevermind them).

For my birthday, we went to see my favorite claw hammer banjoist. I love her about 50% for her music, and about 50% for her hair. I adore the way random curls jut out here and there, refusing to be tamed. It totally fits her personality, which I know because we got to hang out after the show, so we’re practically BFF.

Seriously, she was really cool. It was such a good show, and if you don’t know her, I suggest you start here (click the play button for “Last Train” or “Rockabye Dixie” or “Coffee’s Cold”).

The concert was at the Fall River Center for the Arts, where there was a surprisingly awesome Lego display. These are a couple of my favorites:

We had a blast – it was such a great night.

Novemberings

Fall came late this year in New England. 

It’s as though Mother Nature is struggling to catch up.  I get that.

Many trees in my neighborhood turned brilliant colors.

But some dropped their leaves before changing hue, like they were just too exhausted to make the effort. 

I get that, too.

From the morning

My mom and I took a walk around the lake to watch the sun rise.

These pictures will probably not win any awards, but they will remind me of the gorgeous, crisp morning that I spent chatting with my mom about parenthood and family amid the backdrop of peaceful waters and an azure sky.

And then there were four

Tim and I are delighted to have found each other and to have added Squiggles to our family; however, we have been feeling that our family isn’t complete yet.  After much discussion and soul-searching, we are happy to announce that we will be adding a new member to our family…

… we are now accepting applications for Tim’s second wife!

We are fairly flexible on things like hair color, body weight, hobbies, etc.  The only real requirements are:

• You must be able to cook.  Three meals a day.  Maybe four.  Preferably nutritious and delicious meals.   Yeah… four.  Also, Indian food is required at least once or twice a week. 
• You must be able to clean.  We both work full time and Squiggles is not pulling her weight.
• You must be able to iron.  Aside from time constraints, we actually just don’t like ironing.
• You must be able to do odds and ends like replacing the timing belts in the cars on schedule, fixing the broken electrical circuits in the laundry closet, fishing poop out of the tub after Squiggles starts screaming and pointing at said feces like it’s a fire-breathing dragon, building furniture from scratch, etc.
• You must love musicals, especially the Sound of Music.
• You must, above all, bake bread. Every.  Single.  Day.
• You must bear us many more babies. I love me some babies, but I don’t love me some pregnancy, see.

We don’t actually have that much to offer in return, other than a warm house and hearts full of love… and a pretty nice toaster, really.  We’ll take care of the finances if you can whip our domestic affairs into shape.  If you feel you are a good match for our family, please drop a line.  We hope to marry you as soon as humanly possible.

This is going to be soooooo great!

Giddyup

Squiggles loves her cousins more than anything… except maybe their bovine rocking device.  Aunt Cami made up a cheer to encourage the riders, because Aunt Cami is awesome like that.

We finally got some rides on video – after you notice the expression of pure joy on Squiggles’ face, make sure to notice my nephew Mason’s enthusiasm for the events at hand.

To see Mason riding, check out Lance and Dani’s blog.  It’s worth the trip.