Tobacco blooms

The garden is definitely winding down for the year. The cana lilies and dahlias have been dug up and put into storage for next year, and the vegetable garden beds have been emptied and put to rest for the season. We do still have a few flowers in bloom, some Jupiter's beard (Centrantus ruber) and some blue salvia, but they won't last much longer either.

I'm always glad in the fall that I planted the flowering tobacco. It's surprising how long into the season it blooms. Miles took this picture of the Nicotiana sp. two weeks ago before the first hard frost, but it still looks pretty good.


At least we'll have skiing to distract us until the crocuses bloom in spring.

Cousins

Here are the kids with their grandparents on our last day in Alaska. I was thinking about my dad because we saw his brothers yesterday at my cousin's wedding reception.


Brittany looked lovely in her bridal gown, and her new husband Brad wore a smart-looking kilt. It was a small affair with close family and friends. She looked very happy. We enjoyed catching up with my cousins that we don't see very often. Carrie, Connie, and Michel were there and had we were glad to see our uncles.

Afterward we dropped by Clair's house, and then we went to Michel's so the kids could play with their cousins.

Snow

We woke up today with snow on the ground. It seems like winter sneaks up on us every year. What happened to fall? Lisette is bummed out about the cold weather, but it brings us that much closer to ski season!

I haven't been keeping up everything very well, but here are a few things that have been going on with us lately:

• After being without one for almost 2 years, we finally broke down and bought a new dishwasher.
• Marsha took me out to see The Rat Pack - Live at the Sands at Kingsbury hall. It was Sammy-OldBlueEyes-Dinotastic!
  
• Lisette is adjusting well to public school. She joined band class and is now happily playing the clarinet.
• Miles and Ian were very happy to play with their cousin Holden today.
• Saffy is now going to speech classes on Mondays.
• I took Ian and Miles to see Momix and Kingsbury hall last Friday. It was kind of new-agey-odd but the physicality of the dancers was astounding.

House of cards

Here is Miles building a scale model of the world financial system.
Oh wait, that would be the financial system about 6 weeks ago.

Cake or pie?

Melinda made an amazing Boston Cream Pie to celebrate Miles' birthday. Delicious!