In Passing.

Nearly a month's march later, I return to blogdom with a slew of snapshots. (Marches of much, in truth.)

Fall has swept in and out again, leaving us with a sharp and lively memory.

Sharper yet is the wind that now rushes at our windows. The Nixie has discovered the bite of handheld snow in bare palm, and--the glee!--Millie has renewed her acquaintance with snow-stomping. Both gladly share their wonder in the newness of it all, and our receiving of the same tempers the bleak gray and early morning slushiness.

John continues his steady whittling away of school tasks; only three weeks 'til the mountain crumbles! The road to prison comes ever closer...

Baby Berry is a contained jig, a constant note of life in this season of sleep. I welcome the jut of hand and foot and, grinning, watch my belly jump in rhythm. God is good, and we delight in the burst of life curled close within.

Our rear downstairs neighbor is moving to a new home tomorrow. We will miss her generous spirit and monotony-breaking visits. She takes with her Mr. Washer and Mrs. Dryer, so be awatch for snapshots of the local laundromat to attend the rest. This morning I wistfully placed the final two loads inside those magical machines... I am grateful that, because of her generosity, we haven't had to set foot in the laundromat for the past year and a half--something I should remember as I grumble my laundry-laden way in ice and snow. Oh, and she also gave us her table and chairs! No longer do the four of us have to squeeze ourselves, food, and condiments on a two-and-a-half by two-and-a-half foot table! Hurrah!

More bright spots--
Dude, Dudette, and Sarah Owen visited a few weeks ago. It was so good to visit and laugh with them again, and to enjoy the company of long-distant loved ones we see too rarely. Dude replaced the starter on our comatose car while John finished some schoolwork, and we're grateful to have extra wheels again. They showered us with gifts, goods, and a hearty helping of love, and I blame Dudette and a certain Honey-baked Ham (not my lack of self-control) for adding more weight to my ponderous frame.

We leave today to visit the Johnson clan in Nanticoke (not the whole clan, as all the other married siblings celebrate elsewhere this year). John plans to deliver three girls before driving back to Buffalo to finish up the Big Papers he has yet to write. It seems awfully unfair that he has to toil for a week and a half while we girls play and visit and (hopefully) go sledding, but when he comes to pick us up, he'll be ours in earnest! When we meet again, he'll be finished with school, and he can rest from the juggling act of the last year-and-a-half.

I'm off to take Cran-Orange Bread and Pumpkin-Raisin Nut Bread out of the oven. Our entire apartment smells edible.

P.S. One last oddly-placed joint for this disjointed post.
I've posted the recipes of last week's culinary adventure on buildabelly, so if you're the baking kind, take a peek.