Feeling the Zen

 I am feeling surprisingly chill on this otherwise anxiety-inducing election week.  The girls and I have made an effort to get outside a lot and that has felt really peaceful.  What has been keeping you afloat?

It has been suuuuuuper cold here lately, and no, you're not looking at a picture from last winter above, I took that one just this last Friday, October 30.  At first I was groaning inwardly and not feeling ready for snow yet, but the girls had such a blast playing out all. day. long. that I just couldn't help but feel cheerful seeing their rosy cheeks afterwards.  We ended up with close to six inches total, enough to shovel.  I don't think I've ever seen quite that much snow before Halloween, that I can remember.  The sunset was amazing as I went out to shovel the driveway after finishing my afternoon of virtual lesson teaching, so despite my grumblings I consider that one a pretty great day.

I discovered that our town has a series of trail maps on their website, all within a five minute's drive of our house.  After reading this blog post I have decided that I really want to prioritize getting outside for all of us, because things are just so much better when we do.  In fact, much of that blog post really spoke to me and I've been thinking about it a lot ever since reading it.  Maybe I can get into all of that, on another day.  But back to hiking... the girls and I printed the maps out and decided we wanted to try them all sometime in the next year while we're homeschooling.  We tried one yesterday and it was so nice!  The trail was a little less than a mile, so it was perfect for all the little legs.  We enjoyed a Halloween candy snack by the swamp, saw some pretty old stone walls, a red-backed salamander, a tree that had been split by a lightning bolt, and a flock of turkeys!  How could one be anxious after all of those wonders?

I have been making these pumpkin muffins on repeat and it's a win-win because they use up all the brown bananas while at the same time giving me a sweet autumnal morsel to enjoy with my afternoon coffee or tea.  I halved the sugar and subbed in maple syrup instead, and used gluten free flour and diary-free butter, of course.  They still came out great.

Remember last election when we went to Plimouth Plantation?  Well, I decided that it would be a good distraction for us today as well.  So we went.

It was very cold but a sparkling sunny day and such a peaceful place to be.  The girls were good learners and walkers and it was just so fun to be together... especially since Daddy had the day off and was able to come along!!!  The whole pandemic has been soooo busy for him, work-wise, so it was a real treat for us to be with him.

We got to see the Mayflower II as well; we missed it last time!

J really hearted everything :)

A great day.  Now off to try to stay calm while watching Ewan McGregor on his motorcycle, stress-eating Halloween candy, and awaiting election results.  Whatever will be, will be.