Stopping to Smell the Roses

When we first moved into our house five years ago, I planted a rose bush.  I love roses and I really was excited to grow my own.  The bush flourished.  It grew and filled out.  What it did not do was bloom.  Not once.... until this year. 

Maybe the rose bush overheard me saying I was ready to dig it up and put in something else?  I don't know what caused the change.  I only know that the sight of those lovely blooms makes me very happy indeed. 

Today I got a little extra bonus when I saw a lively little humming bird flitting around the rose bush.

Just like in life, sometimes you have to wait for the really good stuff.  I'm very glad I waited.

March Madness & Random Pictures

Miss me lately?  Sorry I've been absent from the blogosphere.  It's just been a very busy few weeks.  So, what have I been up to?  Well, since you asked...
Little Guy had another ear infection and we've been rounding the final corner of potty training (hurrah!)

Baby Boy isn't yet crawling (though he's very close).  He does manage to get wherever he wants to be via rolling and a weird little backwards scoot.

We had the boys professional pictures taken, and they turned out great.  We went to the local St Patrick's Day parade, and Little Guy had a play date with a good friend.

We usually put any/all tax return dollars into savings/bills, but this year decided to split a little chunk and get some wish list items.  Mine?  A new camera and a pressure canner.  I'm very excited about both!

I've been working on some Christmas projects (Yes, I'm starting early this year), and also just finished a commissioned sewing project - a blanket - for a good friend.

Also we've been doing a lot yard work and spending time at the park - enjoying this lovely Spring weather.
 

The day job has been a little draining too.  Luckily this level of intensity comes in spurts, and soon things will slow down again.  I just don't feel very motivated to spend time on the computer in the evenings when I've made it through a hectic day.

I hope that your March is both busy and fun.  :)

Winter Fun

Little Guy has been a good sport all Winter long.  We've not had very many opportunities to play in the snow (though it is one of his favorite pasttimes).  It seemed that either we had no snow, or it was too bitter cold when snow was available.  On Saturday, we had a perfect snow-play day.  The temp was cold, but not awful and there was enough snow left to make a three year old happy. We bundled up and had a wonderful time enjoying some Winter play.

The bad news?  Last night he woke up with a sneezy, snotty head cold (the first of the season).  Oh well.  I'm pretty sure he'd say it was worth it. 

Random Thoughts on the New Year

If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you.  You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call ‘failure’ is not the falling down, but the staying down.

~Mary Pickford

I love calendars.  I love picking out the perfect one and jotting down all the important birthdays and anniversaries.  I love noting doctor’s appointments and other miscellanea of life.  By the time December rolls around, my calendar has become a mini-journal of the closing year.  I find it fun to look over the pages and remind myself of all that the last year has brought my way.

He who breaks a resolution is a weakling;
He who makes one is a fool.
~F.M. Knowles

I am no better at keeping resolutions than the next person, and yet I find myself making them year after year.  This year will be no different though I’m calling it a “promise to myself to change my life in some way...a promise which is randomly coincidental with New Years Day" instead of a “New Years Resolution”.  Maybe I’ll succeed.  Maybe I’ll fail miserably.  Either way, I’ll learn a lesson and maybe gain some insight into my self in the process.

We will open the book.  Its pages are blank.  We are going to put words on them ourselves.  The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. 
~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

I find that each New Year brings an excitement that I can’t quite explain.  It is some odd combination of losing the old and venturing into the new; and it fills my heart with joy.  Never mind the fact that ‘last year’ has always been good to me too.  I have after all, been very blessed. 

This past year in particular was quite wonderful.  We welcomed our second sweet little boy into the world and he makes our hearts full and our family complete.  I don’t regret a single moment of 2011, and yet I still face the new year with the same happy anticipation I remember having on the first day of every school year growing up.  The feeling of wonder may fade in the months ahead (much like it did back in the school days of my youth), but today it feels like new teachers and new locker combinations and new friends in new classes.  Ah, the joy of the new!  What fun we shall have!!

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.  ~Benjamin Franklin

What exactly is that song Auld Lang Syne about?  I wonder every year….but not until right now have I ever bothered to look it up.  Are you as curious as I was?  Check out some background HERE.

I hope you have a fabulous New Year full of good health and happiness.  God bless you and yours!

-Wicked Happy Christy

Hand-Made Christmas, Part 3 (Dr. Who)

As I mentioned in my last post – Hubby and I decided this year to make each other gifts this past Christmas. 

In addition to the wall hanging featured in that previous post; I also made a small plush Dr. Who for Hubby.  If you don’t know the Doctor, he’s kind of hard to explain.  A British television series that has spanned decades, and follows a fantastic and funny time traveler as he has adventures all over time and space.  Hubby’s favorite incarnation was the fourth doctor – played by the talented Tom Baker.  His version of the Doctor was quirky and fun and known for a ridiculously long scarf, among other things. 

I used a photo of the 4^th doctor that I found on the internet as a rough inspiration and free handed the body (using doll face velour).  I also free handed the clothing and stitched up as much as I could on my machine.  I used a doll needle and embroidery thread to make the eyes and the little smirk.  All of the clothes are made from heavy duty felt, except for the vest which was made from a scrap of plaid wool from my stash. 

I didn’t have to buy anything to complete this project.  It took me the better part of three hours to cut out, assemble and sew the whole thing.  I’m very pleased with this, and am fondly calling it “Dr. Who felt art”.  Hubby keeps it atop his dresser next to the little ninja I made for him last year (long story there which I’ll save for another day).

Here he is without the little scarf...



and Tom Baker as the Doctor... my inspiration for this project!

Hand-Made Christmas, Part 2 (Wall Hanging)

My husband and I decided this year to make each other gifts.  We did it to save money, but also because there comes a point in life when you usually buy what you need when you need it, making Christmas shopping for one another kind of challenging.  There was a bit of pressure in deciding what to make, but in the end I was very pleased (both with what I gave and with what I received).

I received a necklace (he drilled a hole in an old Irish coin and attached it to a long chain).  In case you are wondering about the significance, my family first came to the US from Ireland long ago.  I should have taken a photo, but forgot so will have to do that soon.  He also made me some lovely soaps – melting down the ingredients, adding color and fragrance and putting the whole she-bang into adorable molds.  I love my gifts and really appreciate the time and effort put into making them.

In return I made him the wall hanging shown above (original inspiration for this project came from HERE, via my friend and co-worker Sarah).  To make my version of this wall hanging, I first painted the bottoms of my boys feet and carefully transferred their footprints onto heavy white paper (John Deere green for Little Guy and International Harvester Red for Baby Boy).  I cut out the footprints and attached them with craft glue to a “farm scene” I had assembled using bits of colored scrap book paper.  I cut out the wheels, cab and other details from construction paper and glued it all together.  I had an old oak frame that I painted with glossy black acrylic paint.  I wrote the boys’ names and ages in the wheel wells, and the year in the sun.

Total cost was under $5.  I did have to buy a little bottle of the black paint, and two sheets of scrapbook paper.  Everything else came from my stash of craft supplies.  I like this and it now hangs in our hallway.  When the boys are grown, we’ll still always be able to remember their sweet little feet whenever we see this hanging on our wall.

Hand-Made Christmas, Part 1 (Fire Hose)

Today I was looking through the photos of our boys this Christmas.  Surrounded by upended boxes and scraps of wrapping paper, my three year old is beaming over one toy or the other in every picture.  As is always the case, he got more than he needed – but oh was he happy!  The majority of his gifts were store-bought.  The one exception being a fire hose, which I made for him to go along with his new fireman suit (we LOVE fire trucks and firemen at our house).  I used scraps that I had on hand, so there was no cost.  It turned out to be one of his favorite toys of the day, so I definitely feel that it was worth the time spent to put it together.

I personally adore hand-made gifts.  My family has been exchanging them for years (for as long as I can remember really), and those little things made with love stand out as my favorites.  Did I love the store-bought dolls and other toys?  Of course.  But with the exception of my beloved Mandy and Jenny, I don’t have any of them now.  The hand-made items though…those are ones I kept.  They each hold a special place in my heart and always will.  I hope my children will always appreciate things made for them with love, and never close themselves off to the idea that price doesn’t have to have anything to do with value.

The fire hose is made from a long piece of heavy-duty black fabric (which in a prior life was part of a conveyer belt), a plastic drinking cup, lots of duct tape and some blue yarn.

Above is a picture of Little Guy in full-out fireman mode.  I found the hat at a garage sale for 50cents, the jacket on eBay for $5.00, and the boots at a children’s consignment store for $6.00.  I also bought a ‘fireman accessory pack’ at our local dollar store for $1.  It included pretend versions of: an axe, a walkie talkie, a badge, and a mini fire extinguisher.

He loves his fireman gear, but of course as soon as he’d put it all on – he asked where the fire hydrant was?  I told him we didn’t have one, so he promptly grinned at me and said, “You can make it for me Mom.”. 

Guess what’s on the craft agenda for this week?  haha  I guess, that at least for now, my Little Guy is just as big a fan of home-made gifts as I am.

Memories of the "Little House"

There’s something about this time of year….this space between Christmas and New Years in particular, that always makes me think of my childhood.  Not just generic thoughts of childhood, but in particular listening to my Dad read me the first few Little House on the Prairie books.  He read them to me after I received the series for Christmas (the yellow paperback versions – oh how I loved them!).  The weather was cold and my Mom was working the evening shift as a nurse.  Dad was recovering from a minor surgery and needed something relaxing to do that would also keep an ornery daughter corralled.  I was old enough to read myself at that point, but hearing him bring the characters to life was really quite perfect. 

Those books offer a glimpse into many of Laura’s relationships throughout her life – not the least of which was that between her and her Pa.  My own “Pa” has a really deep voice, and did the stories justice in his animated reading of them.  The wind howled on the outside of our small farm house, but inside it was cozy – the fire burned and the adventures of long-ago prairie life danced through my head.

Those memories are sweet and comforting.  They warm my heart even when the temperature beyond our walls is frosty.

I am the mother of two small boys, and I adore them both more than life itself.  The only time I half wish for a little girl is when I think of those books which meant so much to me.  The boys can read them of course, but I somehow doubt they’ll get the full-on joy from that particular series that I did as a young girl.

It’s okay.  I may not have a daughter to share the “Little House” books with, but there is still a little girl that lives deep within me - and she will always enjoy re-reading and reliving the adventures of that particular pioneer family. 

Later tonight (once the boys are sound asleep in their snug little beds) I’ll open my favorite of the series - On the Banks of Plum Creek.  As I begin to read it (for what will seem like the hundredth time), I’ll revisit the characters as if they are old friends – which of course they are.  As I turn the pages, and become once again engrossed in the story; I’ll remember the first time I fell in love with it all those years ago. 

Those childhood memories (as well as many others where my Mom was doing the reading) are a mish mash of happiness, featuring lovely time spent with loved ones as we read by the roaring wood stove.   Maybe I won’t share the Little House series with my young sons, but I’ll find some books that we can share and which they’ll be able to enjoy just as much.  For though the stories may wind up being different – it is the memory of precious time spent with a parent that means the most. 

That’s something I can pass on, and pass it on – I will.

Christmas Traditions

For as long as I can remember, Christmas has been my favorite holiday.  I love the decorations, the lights, the happy smiles, the greeting cards, the last minute shopping, and most importantly the celebration of Christ’s birth.  Even as a little girl I found myself caught up in the beauty and magic that is this holiday season.  Over the years, those feelings have not diminished.  If anything, they flourish – especially now that we can share the Christmas magic with our little fellows.

These past few weeks I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about ways that we can make the Christmas holiday special for our boys.  For me, this has a lot to do with traditions (both old and new).  Here are some traditions that we have at our house:

The Christmas Tree – We decorate ours the weekend after Thanksgiving.  We use colored lights and ornaments from years gone by (both hand-made and store-bought).  There is no real theme, and nothing “matches”.  Hubby and I both had amassed large amounts of ornaments before we met, and we’ve continued to collect them – so every year we put a different assortment on the branches of our tree.  We top it with a beautiful angel, which of course reminds us of the message given to the shepherds so long ago...

The Greeting Cards – I love, LOVE Christmas cards.  I love sending them.  I love receiving them.  I love hanging them around our living room on strings that I attach to the corners each Christmas.  I love reading the corny letters (and writing them as well).  I love seeing all the wonderful family pictures, and catching up with friends and family I don’t usually see.  The cards represent fellowship to me.  They are a real reminder of those we love, both near and far.  Now that we live in the age of Facebook, some might think the Christmas card is outdated.  I would disagree...

The Stockings – Hung by the fireplace with care (and a lot of heavy duty twine or else our stocking holders topple off the fireplace mantle), the stockings are filled with little bits of this and that.  Smallish gifts, candy canes, little books etc.  Each item reminds us that we should be thankful for all of our blessings – even the little ones…

The Magic – I love reading “Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus” every year.  I think it perfectly captures the magic of the season.  I love turning out all the lights (except for those on the tree) and sit on our sofa, snugly wrapped in a warm quilt – hot tea in hand.  I stare at the twinkling lights and imagine the Shepherds in the field and how they must have felt when the sky lit with a host of singing Angels…

The Presents – I love receiving presents as much as the next person, but nothing matches the way it feels to give a gift that comes from the heart.  Whether I spent hours searching the internet for the perfect gift on-line, or if I had an idea I could make myself – the result is always the same.  Any time I can give a gift that I think the recipient will love, my heart does a little dance… 

The Story – When I was growing up, before even one present could be opened – one of my parents would read aloud the Nativity Story (via Luke 2).  The story of Christ’s birth reminds us why we are exchanging gifts to begin with.  It offers us a time to reflect on all the blessings we have in our lives and gives us an opportunity to pause before bows and bags and wrapping paper start to fly…

The Memories – Every ornament on our tree reminds me of a person or a time which I hold dear.  Every holiday I spend with my family is a time when we can compare stories from holidays long past, and remember the loved ones who once celebrated with us…. 

I hope that we are able to convey the importance of each of these things to our boys.  I want them to cherish this time of year as much as I do, and pass to their own children that same love of this season, when we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!

Cards and Letters and Stamps, Oh My!

Back in 1994 I spent Christmas ‘on my own’ for the very first time.  My tiny apartment (actually an ancient single-wide mobile home) was only a few miles from my parents’ little farmhouse, but felt like a world apart.  Everything that had always meant so much to me at Christmas time was back home with them.  I visited their house, and we exchanged gifts and did all the usual holiday stuff, but it was different not living there with them.  Back at my place I did put up a tree that year, but it was tiny and had very few ornaments.  I remember thinking that I’d be lucky to get any Christmas cards at all, since most people I knew would be unaware that I had moved out on my own.

I borrowed my parents’ Christmas card list and sent the people on it a card.  I included a little holiday form letter, because I’ve always enjoyed those.  I splurged on postage and shipped them out.  I say ‘splurged’ because (if I remember correctly), I was barely clearing $800 a month, and after paying rent and other bills, was just scraping by.  I felt that sending a little Christmas cheer (and letting loved ones know where I was and what I’d been up to) was worth it.

After a few days, the reply Christmas cards started to show up in my mail box.  Cards from cousins, and aunts and uncles, from Grandparents, and family friends.  Each one brought with it a little bit of Christmas magic, and I displayed them around my living room proudly.  With every card I opened, and every letter I read – my shabby little trailer started to feel more like a home.  My home.  From then on I made an effort to always send Christmas cards when the holidays rolled around each year. 

That was long ago, and my card list has changed over the years.  As time has passed, many have moved on or passed away.  New friends and co-workers have been added.  Others have slipped away when cards came back ‘undeliverable’.  Every year the list is a little different than it was the year before. 

Regardless of the changes it may go through, when I glance through this list is like looking at a who’s who of my life, and it always makes me smile.

This year I reviewed my list (as I always do), and tried to decide if I should trim it down at all.  In the end I chose not to remove anyone (and in fact added a few).  I wrote a letter (technically it was a little comic strip chronicling the year for our family), signed cards and stuffed envelopes.  Just like in 1994, soon the reply letters/cards started to come in.

Cards from our immediate family came first, followed closely by those from dear friends, long ago classmates, relatives from all over, and former co-workers. 

It never fails.  Photos of children decked out in Santa hats make me laugh.  Newsletters filled with highlights from fun vacations and birth announcements warm my heart.  The best (by far) are any that include a personal message.  This year, a favorite came to me from my very first employer.  She runs an in-home daycare center, and I worked as her helper for a summer when I was 15 (over twenty years ago, for anyone keeping track).  With her Christmas card this year, she included a three page hand written letter.  It was full of news and memories and questions and reminded me fully of just how fun she is, and why she was on my list to begin with.  A sweet letter from such a wonderful lady, really made my day. 

Personal greeting like that one, remind me why I bother with Christmas cards to begin with.  Connecting (or reconnecting, as the case may be) with people from our lives who were (and still are) important to us…. That’s what it’s all about.  Don’t get me wrong.  I don’t require long letters.  I love every card or letter I get this time of year (emails and Facebook greetings are great too).  Any contact from special friends, past or present – is priceless to me.

You see, though the list has changed – one (very important) thing remains constant.  Each card, letter, holiday photo, and friendly greeting…they all bring with them a little bit of that Christmas magic that I love so much.

If you aren’t on my Christmas card list, let this be my greeting to you!  I hope you have a Merry Christmas and that the new year brings you and yours a time of health and happiness.

.

Christmas Stockings

We’re Boston Red Sox fans, and our family room is all decked out in Red Sox everything.  The family room is where our fireplace is, so when it was time to make Little Guy’s Christmas stocking three years ago, and when it was time to make Baby Boy’s for this year…the theme was easy to choose.  Both are made of heavy duty felt.  The designs on the front were cut from the same type of felt based on a free-hand sketch. 

The circle with the sox within did take quite a bit longer than the big “B”.  Four nights of my free time (translation: whatever time I have between when the boys go to sleep and I do) was spent working on this.  I’m pleased with how it turned out.  I wanted something that was similar to LG’s without being to matchy-matchy.  I’m pleased with the results.

Note: I did tweak the photo a bit (obviously) to remove the names of my boys.  The names are actually big block letters (same heavy duty felt) that I sewed on by hand.

So, I heard you on the Radio....

Four years ago, Hubby and I went to our local mall’s Christmas kick-off celebration. They had a big tree-lighting, live music, hot chocolate, decorations everywhere and of course Santa Claus made an entrance.

It was a fun night filled with all the little things that make the holiday fun and memorable. As we were walking around the grounds, soaking up the sights and sounds of the celebration (while also attempting to keep warm against the winter chill), we were approached by a man with a microphone. He was from one of the local radio stations, and was doing on-the-spot interviews with folks that walked by.

My husband is a private fellow, and talking to a radio guy wasn’t his idea of a good time. I thought it might be fun though, so I slowed and let the man ask his question. It was a simple one, “What was your favorite Christmas gift?”

In that moment, images flashed through my brain – what to choose? The Little House on the Prairie book series? The cherished “My Friend Mandy” doll? Or “My Friend Jenny” the following year? No, in the end I chose this as my favorite Christmas gift memory:

I was ten, and remember being woken from a deep sleep late on Christmas Eve night. My Dad had been abruptly called in to work, and would not be at home during our normal celebration time (we usually opened our gifts on Christmas morning – after breakfast and a reading of the Nativity story), so they had roused me so that they could both watch me open my gifts. I, of course, did not object.

So, there I was – disheveled and still in my pajamas – opening presents a little before midnight. I probably received several gifts, but I remember two from that night as if they were yesterday. The first was a fuzzy stuffed raccoon. The second was my first ever record player!! (kids – if you don’t know what that is, ask your folks). It was simply wonderful. Looking at that turntable and the detached speakers made me so happy. This was exactly the present I had hoped for, and I couldn’t wait to try it out.

After giving the Radio guy a way shortened version of the above story, we went on our way, forgetting all about it. Until a few days later when co-workers started asking me if I was the Christy from the radio who got a record player? I got a chuckle out of it that year, and the next (when they re-played the same snippet), and again last year. Just yesterday I had someone ask me about it again, so evidently I’m once again in rotation on that local radio station. It’s silly, but fun too…because it reminds me of that memory and brings it back into focus every year.

Someday, I assume that radio station will ask some new people their question and my response will be retired from their play list. Even if I’m never stopped by another co-worker who heard me on their morning commute…. I’ll never forget. That memory has a lot more to it than the gift itself. It was a perfect example of how our little family functioned. We always made the best of every situation, and always did whatever we could – together as a family. That’s really the best part – the togetherness – the fact that my Mom and Dad wanted us to enjoy our holiday. That was the best gift they ever game me – time with them.

Merry Christmas Mom & Dad!! I love you!

Halloween 2011

Monday marked both the end of October (can you believe how quickly that month passed?) and Halloween. It's not my all-time favorite holiday, but it can be fun, and it certainly was this year.

We dressed the boys up as a cowboy and cow, respectively. Our Cowboy enjoyed his costume. Our little Baby Bovine...not so much.

And imagine my surprise when Little Guy received a surprise package in the mail from our friend Miss Zoe of Pennyblossoms (you are really spoiling us over here, by the way). An adorable little lunch box filled with all sorts of yummy candy and treats that we don't see here in the USA. Thank you Miss Zoe! You are such a sweetheart, and you made our Little Guy very happy! 

We took the boys through our neighborhood for 'trick-or-treat' time, and then also went to an event at the local mall. The below pic is of Hubby and Little Guy as we were getting ready to leave. Note that the cowboy hat is not on the cowboy's head.

Sharpened Pencils

“Don’t you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.” – Tom Hanks as Joe Fox in “You’ve Got Mail”

 Well, first of all I adore that film – it’s the perfect romantic comedy in my opinion…but I digress.

The reason this old movie quote came to mind, is that (although I’ve never been to New York) I too, LOVE Fall. I love the changing colors, the crisp air and the simple beauty that this season vividly boasts.

I love wearing sweaters and boots. I love hearing football games on the radio (though honestly I am not a football fan). I love curling up under a fluffy quilt with my sweetie while we watch the baseball playoffs.

I love the color orange. I love picking out Halloween costumes for the little ones, and baking cookies shaped like giant pumpkins. I love hayrides, S’mores and steaming apple cider in big ceramic mugs. I love bonfires and ghost stories under a harvest moon.

The wonder and beauty of Autumn is fleeting, and soon the leaves will fall. Trees will be left bare in readiness for the harsh Winter to come. The breezes will change from crisp to brutal, and all those cute sweaters will be hidden under parkas and heavy scarves.

Winter isn’t here yet though. For now, the world is alight with color and the air is cool and full of promise.

If I knew where you lived, I’d send you a bouquet of sharpened pencils… of course being who I am – I’d wait till the school supplies went on clearance and I could buy them at half price. The sentiment though, would still be there.

Wishing you and yours a lovely Autumn.

A Passing Storm

Last night thunderstorms roared all around us. The local tornado sirens sent us scurrying to the basement for cover. Some surrounding areas experienced large hail and severe winds. We were very blessed to have avoided any damage to ourselves or our property. We played in the basement until the warnings passed us by, and then resumed our normal night-time routine.

I slept soundly and fitfully, my slumber set to the soft background noise of raindrops on the rooftop.

When we first poked our heads out the front door this morning, it was clear that those storms had ushered 2011 Spring into our neighborhood. Suddenly the grass is greener and the little shoots of green (which we’ve been seeing all week) are taller. The birds are singing. The breeze smells fresh, and we hungrily breathe in its promise.

I just love this time of year. Don’t you?

Note: Storm Cloud image from Bing!

Fun With the Kids

Little Guy and I went to my parents’ small farm over the weekend for a visit. We had a wonderful time. Little Guy loves running around the big yard, “driving” Grandpa’s old John Deere 60 (while it is parked in the barn), and visiting the animals. Mom and Dad have a donkey, a pony, a goat and some barn cats. Technically, they now have three goats as the Mama very recently had two little kids, “Sugar & Blackie”. They are small, and absolutely full of energy (reminding me of another little ‘kid’ I know).

Dad set up a special little pin for the baby goats so that Little Guy could play with them without worrying about the bigger animals. This also gave him a clean pin to play in (which was a bonus for me on laundry day). They frolicked and jumped and took turns standing on two overturned feed bowls. Little Guy chased Sugar and Blackie around saying, “Stop so I can pet you!” It was simply adorable. By the end of the day, my sweetie had played to his heart’s content. He was a happy boy indeed.

Watching him reminded me of all the fun times I had as a child growing up on a farm. Over the years we had goats, sheep, cows, ponies, chickens and of course cats and dogs. Not all at the same time, of course – but fun anyway.

Little Guy’s babysitter has a dog, and Hubby’s Mom has a couple cats, so he does get some animal exposure from time to time. I’m glad that we have the farm to go to though. There’s nothing quite as fun as playing with baby farm animals on a day that hints at the coming Spring.

Falling Snow

When I look out our window, I see that we have magically been moved into the depths of a snow globe. It’s pretty, but at the same time, is also stark and fierce. Seeing the blowing snow and hearing the howling wind makes me very glad that I have a warm and cozy home filled with my little family, and all of life’s true necessities.

Little Guy loves the snow. He loves watching it and feeling it on his face. He loves to stick out his tongue to catch wandering flakes. He is a typical child when it comes to enjoying this weather.

We haven’t been able to play in the snow much this year, unfortunately. Every time the snow has been perfect, the temp has been too cold or Little Guy has been sick. We are crossing our fingers that we will get a chance this weekend to dig out the sled and maybe make some snow angels. I would hate for him to miss out on something that will bring him so much joy.

I think Hubby still has a little bit of that child-like love of the snow too.  Just yesterday he went and bought new coveralls and heavy gloves.  He tries to hide it, but I can tell the forecast excites him some.  He'll have several excuses over the next few days to make good use of his new snow gear.

Honestly, my idea of a good time in winter doesn’t usually include tromping through the snow in any manner, but when Little Guy is smiling at me through the floating white stuff, it definitely makes the numb fingers and red toes worth it. And of course when we come back into the house, we can make mugs of hot cocoa, wear warm socks and snuggle up under heavy quilts. Now that is my idea of a fun winter’s day.

I hope that you are braving the weather, wherever you are. Be safe and stay warm.

{this moment}

Inspired by SouleMama to share one moment...via a single photo - capturing a moment from the week.  A simple, special, extraordinary moment.  A moment I want to pause, savor and remember...

{this moment}

Inspired by SouleMama to share one moment.... via a single photo – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember…”

Cowboy Beans & Cornbread

My office has a Friday tradition during the cold months of the year. In previous years, it was called “Soup Club”, but this year it’s morphed into “Crock-pot Club”. The idea is simple. Everyone who ‘joins’ agrees to bring a crock-pot full of yummy food twice during the fall/winter (there’s a schedule). In exchange each member can eat free lunch every Friday during the club’s run.

It’s fun. It breaks up the monotony of sack lunches and vending machine food. An added bonus is that the recipes are collected and dispersed, so it’s a nice way to get a lot of new ideas for yummy soups, stews and casseroles. Also, who can refuse home-made hot food when the wind turns cold?

Today was my turn to bring something from home. I brought Cowboy Beans and home-made cornbread (this is a family favorite in my house).

Cowboy Beans

2 lb ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 large (28oz) cans of baked beans (drained)
1/2 c Ketchup
1/2 c Barbeque sauce
1 tsp red pepper flakes
2 TB Worcestershire sauce
4 TB Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2 tsp Tabasco Sauce

Sauté onion and pepper in large skillet or Dutch oven. Add ground beef and brown. Pour off excess fat. Add remaining ingredients. Stir

Add all to slow cooker and cook for minimum 1 hour on low. Stir frequently.

Serve with sweet country cornbread. The recipe I use is from Sylvia’s Soul Food Cookbook. I blogged about it once before HERE.