Late November.

It's late now, and the cold gray days settle heavily into our bones as the weight of impending darkness pushes down a willing and tired sun, draped in clouds. The sharp autumn winds remain to shake the last leaves free from the slipping grip of their trees. Temperatures stick toward freezing as a light rain falls steadily to dampen ground and spirits alike. The earth dies every November, hosting a funeral march for miracles that rose gracefully out of the spring rains and shimmered prominently in the warm breeze of July amidst a sea of admiring smiles. The fireworks of a vibrant autumn bring the dance to its end, and we file out of the theatre in bittersweet procession, grateful to be witness to such a show. The curtain closes, and we are left standing in a field of matted grass surrounded by the stark forest, black, imposing, and raw.

(Written by Stephen Soule; quote from here.)

Hello from the twilight zone.

I'm very much lost in space at the moment, and that specific space is filled with a certain house sale. We are selling it ourselves - and it's a lot of work. The official viewing is on Saturday. Wish us luck!

Boo!

Today:

My beloved Tuesday off! Spent the day taking pictures for the house sale (we are selling this house ourselves, whoa!), which involved a whole lot of shuffling things around and spastically trying to make the rooms look elegant and tidy and attractive. Kidding. I couldn't be bothered, so I tidied up the bits and bobs, and then took a picture.
Then came the carpenters! Whoa again! They brought the scaffolding, I signed a contract and as they left I suffered a nervous breakdown. This house project scares the living daylights out of me.
Now, Ronja and a friend are playing in her room, while the rest of us are trying to digest the tower of pancakes we just stuffed our faces with.
Nice Tuesday to all!

Everyday life can be pretty cool.

The days and weeks of November fly by. I pinch my arm every now and then. I always felt that this month was one of the hardest ones to get through (with January and February), but this year it's been so smooth. It may have something to do with the weather gods being gentle with us, it may be because I'm enjoying my work so much, it may have to do with other things. It surely has a lot to do with this golden girl and the rest of my homies.

Monday dinner.

Wanted! A crash course in delicious and easy everyday gourmet cooking.

(Ps & for the record: The slightly black-ish fish fingers were served to the only male human member of the household, who is omnivorous.)

Chilled out.

Neighbours.

I went thrifting in our barn again today, and it's just incredible. I always think I've spotted the treasures left to us on the farm, but still I keep finding things. Do they come crawling out from somewhere?
Today's find was this little skyscraper, so finally our toys have somewhere to live.
Quite an odd crowd, don't you think?

Work space/ Mess.

Had my usual Tuesday off today, and had grand plans to tidy up our work desk. Voila!
No, this is not a before picture. It's the one after the tidying. I try to guide your attention away from the piles by offering some details too. Hope your Tuesday was more effective than mine!

Multi purpose.

In the house of Payne, a record player isn't just a record player.

Curly locks.

(Photos of my children's hair, part two:)
Freja in the bath, her curls have a life of their own, they're golden, she's our little Curly Sue.

Joy in repetition.

(I think I've posted this photo before sometime, but to be honest I'm quite struck by it, so I guess it'll have to do another round.)
It's Ronja, she's almost five years old, her hair is the colour of sand and wheat, and she's looking across the fields, as coincidence would have it, to the farm we were to buy only a few months later. ♥

Homeward bound.

I have a 20-minute drive from work to get home, really nothing at all, and quite nice actually. Such is the rural life. I bet if I lived in Paris it would take me a lot longer to get home even though the distance might had been shorter. And there, I wouldn't have had this view on my drive home.
Love it, love the mist, the trees, the sun breaking through, the lone drive home.
So Paris, you ain't got nothing on this!

Working weekend.

Alas. I spend my weekend at work (as a teacher at this type of school, a part of the job is to sleep there and stay there and hang out with the students, who live there), which is not bad at all! - but now, I miss them, and wouldn't mind cooking with Freja, or drawing with Ronja.
I guess missing each other is good though, as long as it comes in small dosages...

Sigh.

Welcome to the heart of our home.

The kitchen!