On Fridays I share a few pictures and thoughts from the week. Today will be short and sweet because it’s been a busy week and I haven’t taken too many snapshots. But the banner picture shows a heron that’s been hanging around the last few weeks and I finally managed to whip out my camera to capture it!
Snack spreads for the win! 
An outtake from this week’s quilty photo shoot. 
Using the tiniest beads to practice this week’s spelling words
Week 7 of Blackberry Bluff School is in the books! I don’t want to jinx it because we still have to get through today, but it’s been our best week so far. There’s a reason why schools are in session during the darker days of fall and winter and on vacation during the summers! There’s such a strong pull to be outside with unstructured play during those sunny and warm days, but lately we’ve been naturally ready to head back inside after a shorter time of outside play, gathering around the table with a big plate of snacks, and leaning towards a stack of books.
Yesterday was very hard. I had an unpleasant interaction with Bug’s bus monitor that left me crying all morning. So I’ll be taking him to his day center for the foreseeable future rather than putting him on the bus, which means nearly two hours a day in the van. But some people shouldn’t be working with kids with special needs and I’ll get Bug where he needs to go until it all gets sorted out.
So this week I really need to find some…
Good News
I saw an advertisement for this movie last night. It’s a new version of The Witches! Bear is going to be over the moon. We read the book this summer and then he became addicted to the movie from 1990 with Anjelica Huston as the Grand High Witch. I can’t wait to see Anne Hathaway as the new Grand High Witch and Octavia Spencer as the Grandmother! How fun does this look?! It starts streaming on 10/22 – that will be a popcorn and hot chocolate night, for sure!
Did you see that Andrea Mowry released a new version of the Spark Cardigan – a Sparky Pullover (this is the instagram link and is safe if you’re a person who is experiencing difficulties with the new Ravelry website). It has pockets! I prefer cardigans to pullovers because they work better with the shape of my body, but… pockets always pique my attention, especially since I tend to wear leggings instead of jeans these days and never have a place to put my phone! And the linen dress she’s wearing in her photoshoot makes me want to start sewing garments, which you know I can’t do. So boo.
These are all books that I have at my fingertips and that’s good news in itself. Isn’t it a beautiful assortment? I’m hoping that my reading life is much stronger this week — if it’s not, then I can’t blame the books!
Tonight I’m eschewing The Gilmore Girls for Netflix’s version of Sabrina the Teenage Witch. I don’t recommend it to anyone because it’s super dark and strange, but I love the costumes and sets so I will indulge in this Halloween-y guilty pleasure while handsewing hundreds of hexies. I hope you all have a lovely Friday and if you have any good news to share, I could sure use it!
The Cozy Burrow 
Sorry about the extra driving but it sounds like the best decision. You are right, some people shouldn’t be working with special needs children. I’m glad school is going so well for you. Have a pleasant weekend!
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Thanks, Gretchen! You are always such an encouragement. I hope you get lots of sewing done this weekend!
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Well, I’m sorry to hear about your tough interaction and can only imagine how it hurt. Sounds like you are doing the right thing and I hope things get straightened out soon. UGH! As for good news, to go with your Great Blue, I was able to stand and watch a Pileated woodpecker the other morning as it pecked away at a birch near our driveway. (And I quickly translated this to an omen of political import, which felt nice, of course.) Oh, and we are getting more rain — a great relief and much needed. I’m working on RaaaR this morning and missing you and our days sharing an office. Hang in there, Katie — you’ve got this!
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Thank you for all of this good news!! The rain has been amazing – I’m listening to it right now 🙂 I love pileated woodpeckers – they are so fun to watch. Last week Baby Birdie and I stood and watched one for several minutes as it pecked at some of the wild grapes we have in the backyard!
I bet the RaaaR turned out lovely, you always do such a good job with it. I REALLY miss sharing an office with you. Can you move your computer into my bedroom and come over every morning??
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Oh my. I am sorry about that unpleasant interaction… I am glad you are able to intervene and bring Bug to school until there is a solution. And good for you for being such an incredible advocate for you kiddos!
I am excited for The Witches as well! 🙂 Have a great weekend!
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Thanks, Kat. I feel lucky that I have other transportation options for him. Other parents don’t have that luxury.
I showed Bear the trailer for the new Witches and he said, wait. I know this story. IT’S THE WITCHES!! The cast for this edition is wonderfully diverse – I can’t wait to watch!
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I’m also sorry about your nasty interaction with the driver. I’m so glad you are able to take him, though. Good luck!
I’ve got Deacon King Kong in my TBR stack and hope to read it before the end of the year. I’ve heard two interviews with McBride in the last few months and he sounds like SUCH a cool, thoughtful person.
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Thank you, Laila!
I started Deacon King Kong last Wednesday and have struggled to get into it. I know I’m in the minority because I’ve only seen rave reviews… I’m going to keep trying!
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Katie, I admire your courage for taking an uncomfortable stand with the bus driver; and your resiliency for reflecting so positively on it just one day later. Also, I think you have an amazing pile of books at your fingertips. I just put The Witches on hold and will try to hold off watching the new movie until I’ve read the book 😉 In Good Newses, my grandson Charlie has learned to ride a bike. and I’m swatching for a new sweater (stay tuned!)
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Thank you, Mary. The last few days have still been hard, but I’m trying to focus on the bigger picture. Oh my goodness – I hope you love The Witches. I reread it a couple of years before I even had kids and adored it. I was thrilled when I felt like Bear was ready for it.
Great news about Charlie! That’s just amazing 🙂 And I can’t wait to see your sweater swatching. Thank you for sharing all of this good news!
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