Thanks?

Today, Minnie woke up at 6:30 am.
This is early for Minnie, who usually is up by 7:45.

But what Minnie doesn't know is that daylight saving time began today.

One of the stupidest days of the year.

She's confused, I'm confused, and everyone is confused.

Anyway, she lay on Christian's chest before he had to

 get up and head to church for his church meetings.
Sunday is the busiest day for Christian, who is also the Bishop.
I guess daylight saving time gave us this beautiful, brief morning together.
So, thanks?

Welcome, November!

My favorite month in North Carolina!

Happy Halloween 2026

 Halloween this year was one of my favorites, 

and I know it's because of Minnie.

Everything is so fun, new, and exciting, and she loves it all!

She waves, points, and makes the cutest sounds!

Enjoy the sights and imagine the sounds and smells

of Halloween at Stillestead:

I dressed Minnie up as a little clown.

Christian and I wore our classic gorilla costumes, 

(Minnie wasn't even phased; I thought she was going to be

terrified!  Nope).

Jane and Lottie were cute little kitties.

We had our Halloween feast, including playing the board game Clue

while eating dinner, enjoying cider and dessert.

Menu included:

-Veggie board with cheeses and hot Brie (with flies)

-Campanelle and cheese (the noodles remind me of ears)

-Green salad (greens from the garden) with warm nuts

-Fresh sourdough bread

-Baked pumpkin seeds with anise

-Three layer Black chocolate cake with Spiced cider

Afterward, we went on a spooky Halloween 

walk around Stillestead in the pitch black. 

I bundled up Minnie, and she fell asleep.

I think that is a new Nielson tradition.

Happy Halloweeeeen!

Minnie And The Kitties

Each morning after Minnie's bath, I sit her down in front of the window 

to the porch where she watches the kitties play.

They are so cute and active in the mornings.

She played with them for a solid 20 minutes, and in that time

I was able to finish the last-minute touches on Minnie's Halloween

costume before we needed to be out the door for the studio,

since I was teaching a Halloween-themed barre class.

Tonight is the church trunk-or-treat, AND the studio

is hosting a trunk-or-treat, too.

It's going to be a busy night!

I know Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year,

but Halloween is right up there for me.

Happy 25th, Claire!

 Happy birthday to Claire Aurora!  

25 years ago, I gave birth to the most beautiful creature, my Claire!

Today she is 23 weeks pregnant with her own beautiful 

creature (a girl!), and we met up in Tennessee

for a few days together.

I made them pose for stupid pictures, and we laughed a lot.

Oh my gosh, I love my girls!

They're each different, lovely, and funny.

They each have strong opinions, have different personalities,

but more than anything, they love each other.

We are all so excited to watch Minnie grow up and

see who she will become as she joins the Nielson sisters.

Then, just like that, we turned around and went home.

The stay was too short, and my mother-heart was breaking.

But I was so grateful for our quick fall break trip together!

Of course, we checked out Buc-ee's on the way home.