The sky is a deep navy tonight and hosting the grandest exhibition of moon–rooted low, glowing radiantly. A thin veil of cloud is stretched across its width like lace, and every time I glance out the window, it seems to have grown–larger, lower, brighter.

We are nursing colds this weekend, all competing for the huskiest voice award. But colds and weekends happen to be the perfect pair. And so, we burrow…and ride it out, weekend style.

I have to say your comments on the last post were insightful and beautiful. Thank you for being so open and honest.

The Empower Necklace winner is Commenter #410, Appledapple: I would tell my 13 year old self to strut. To embrace the strength I felt, I knew was within me…but it frightened me, I would tell myself not to fear it, ever.

Appledapple, please send your mailing information to kellehamptonblog@comcast.net, and a pretty little necklace will be making it to your mailbox soon.

Happy Weekending!

Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it. ~Mary Oliver

A. I have shin splints. Those damn ugly bowling shoes did a number. Like it kind of feels like my shins are made of wood. Note to self: Don’t run in bowling shoes.

B: It’s madness here. Good, crazy madness where there’s much to do and not much time to be on the computer. In the meantime…

C: If you have leaves–beautiful, saturated colored ones that are spinning into little piles in your yard, please…someone…jump in them for me.

D: The back-up plan: Shipped in leaves. So my girls know what they feel like. What they smell like. Cousin Joann did it again, this year topping out with extra wrapped bags of acorns and t-shirts that have soaked in the smoldering scent of smoke from burning leaves.

Divinity.

E. How’s about a giveaway?

Loving my Vintage Pearl necklace

How’d you like a little something lovley from her shop? One random commenter will be winning a $75 gift certificate to The Vintage Pearl. International commenters can win too! Winner will be announced Sunday.

Let’s make it fun. Tell me three things you are loving about this moment. I’ll start.

1. Loving my friend Rebecca down from Indianapolis here to stay with us.
2. Loving anticipation for the Buddy Walk tomorrow and joining hands with all those we love in celebration of something so much bigger…and love that we took “Rockstar” theme to the Nth degree. Hey, it’s almost Halloween.
3. Loving that I found my tennis shoes tonight. No more shin splints.

Much love in store.

Oh, wait. Can I get an AMEN!!!!!! to what you have done for the NDSS? We’re over $5,000, thanks to you. I am deeply grateful and touched by the kindness of all of you. Thank you, thank you. Donations can still be given HERE.

You are making a difference.

I have this vision in my head of the perfect meal in our home. It’s December and a wicked cold front has threatened even our hearty palms. There is a fire crackling and the kids are hovered over a board game in the living room which is radiantly illuminated by a kaleidoscope of colored Christmas tree lights. Ingrid Michaelson is humming from the speakers at the perfect volume and there’s a football game on somewhere, the sound of announcers and cheering fans balanced perfectly with the music, with the laughter, with one of the kids rolling the dice and tapping their game piece against the board. I am in the kitchen…peeling potatoes, chopping carrots, peering over my shoulder to check a pot that is quietly boiling on the stove behind me. There is a baby slung to my chest, sleeping soundly with jammied feet dangling just so outside the edge of the sling, and the sounds of a toddler are cheerfully echoing from around the corner. The table is set, the candles are flickering and we are waiting to hear a doorbell which will activate the welcoming chain of dogs barking, kids yelling, bodies running toward the door where throngs will gather to hug arriving grandpas, grandmas, cousins, aunts, uncles. Someone will comment on whatever delicious scent happens to be wafting through the house at that moment and another will beg to steal the baby. I’ll wipe my hands on my apron and happily oblige. Moments later, the all-call will ensue and everyone will gather as littles search small tables for their name and biggers will settle into comfy seats along a long stretch of table. The good dishes are set. Candles are lit. And there will be Grace. During prayer, little eyes will peek to see who’s not really praying. “Amen,” we’ll say, and for the tiniest sliver of time there will be blessed silence when all who are present will hold back tears and think of how very precious this moment is. And then, like the second after the stock market bell rings when purposeful, necessary chaos follows, it begins. The passing of the dishes, the small-talk, the heads-tipped-back-in-laughter as life takes center stage. It is perfect. And it is beautiful.

Is it really like this in our house? Um, no. But, I believe in this dreamy scene, whole-heartedly…even if it’s only in the movies and even though our efforts toward these kind of family meal moments seem to fall short right now. I still believe in them. Presently, we do a lot of telling each other how much we’re going to get better and dreaming of what it looks like. When it happens, it is so very good. In the meatime…we have something to work towards. And, with the holidays coming up, it just might happen. A girl can dream, eh?

So, how do meals really work in our home? Check out Brooke McLay’s article over at Babble on Our Family Meals.

Last Christmas:

Sharing our favorite recipe too…check it.

And, oh…can I just say thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support for our Buddy Walk. I watched the donation graph climb higher and higher yesterday and at one point was just completely overcome with gratitude. Tears. There is so much love…thank you for sharing it. You are making a difference. We’re still raising money here, and every dollar counts.

Busy days ahead. Friends and family coming in from out of town today and a very meaningful weekend in store. If you’re in the area, we’d love to see you at the Buddy Walk! Oh, and I do believe a nice little giveaway will make its way before then. Stay tuned!