10 things

I've decided to take a cue from one of my favorite blogs, "soulemama" and list 10 things that make me happy to take the edge off of the February blues.

1. baking fresh bread.
2. my two February birthday boys.
3. hearing my children play the piano.
4. looking at a brand new magazine.
5. new stationary.
6. rubbing Lucy's ears.
7. Pete's warm feet on my icy ones under the covers.
8. clean sheets.
9. Sophie's smile.
10. SUNSHINE!

I couldn't resist

I couldn't resist posting this one too. I got these Ya pears at the store today and had to use them in my photo project but I couldn't decide which one to use so I sneaked this one in at the end.

day 30 the end and the beginning

Here is the last installment in the 30 day photo project. I have renewed my interest in taking pictures and had a lot of fun observing the world in a new way. I plan on continuing posting photos as often as I can and pushing the limits of my little camera. My eyes are opening and my world is expanding.

day 29 swirly colors

day 28 the light inside

day 27 Goodwill score

I bought two of these babies for $4.98 yesterday at Goodwill. I can't wait to pick out a bright retro-y fabric to recover them with. They are super sturdy and the ere is an inlaid medallion on the legs that says Gunlocke Chair Company, Dallas-New York. At least thats what I think it says, it's in a difficult place to read and very small, or maybe I just need some glasses. At any rate they look to me like they belong in Bruce Wayne's study with some 60s hipster sitting in them discussing poetry and smoking a pipe.

busted

My children have a sense of smell that rivals a narcotics sniffing German shepherd. The other evening when the children were all in bed, I prepared two plates of the leftover chocolate ganache cake for Pete and I to have together. I put the whipped cream and raspberry sauce on the plates in sweet anticipation of our night time child- free treat. I took a tiny taste of the whipped cream from the spoon and put it in the sink. A few minutes later I went up to kiss Rowan goodnight. After the kiss he said "Why do you smell like baking?" I asked what he meant and he replied "You smell like that stuff in the bottle in the cabinet with the olive oil." I replied innocently, "Oh, do you mean vanilla?" "Yes" he said, "that's it, why do you smell like that?" I came up with some lame cover up that he seemed to buy and he drifted off to sleep. I remember when Sophie and Will were small and I would sneak a handful of chocolate chips for a little pick me up and they never failed to catch me as sat down to read a story. "Why do you smell like chocolate?" they demanded. "We want some!" and off they would run in search of my secret stash. It's tough to get anything past those well trained noses.

day 26 muck and mud

It's a sad day when you try to build a snowman and it turns out like this!

day 25 thrift shop discovery

balancing acts

Whew, we had a very crazy- busy weekend. Soccer tournament for Will History Day research for Sophie and a piano recital for all three kids. It can be exhausting but we all really enjoy each activity. Will's team came in 1st in a futsal tourney in Kansas City. He had a blast and did very well but he is wiped out this Monday morning. Sophie and her friend Sophie T. are close to finishing up their project for the regional competition for National History Day. They have spent many hours planning and researching and their exhibit is excellent. It has been a learning experience for everyone involved. Everyone played a piece they have been working on for a Winter piano recital and they all did great. I wonder sometimes if we keep them too busy. I do think it's good for them to work and play hard and they also have plenty of times when they are at home or relaxing with friends. Too much hanging around time turns into a problem as well. I guess it's all about balance and balance is a constantly changing act. Balancing work and play, nutritious food with treats, wild and crazy time with calm and peaceful time. Oh wait, I forgot about some calm and peaceful time! That's right around 10 pm when Rowan finally has had his last snack/drink/potty break/bad dream discussion and the house is silent and little (and big) bodies are still.

day 24

day 23 mmmmmmm.............heaven

This is the chocolate ganache cake in the making. It was simply so beautifully yummy and creamy and chocolaty. I wanted some Chambord for the raspberry sauce and my friendly neighborhood liquor shop owner sold me a diminutive bottle just right for my purposes. I want to make one of these for everyone I know. One of my favorite people came over today and I was able to share the treat with her while we caught up a bit. There is nothing like sublime chocolate and conversation to make your day a little brighter, even in dreary February.

day 22 valentine love

here's Lucy sniffing the 3 roses Pete gave me this am. She thought I was giving her a drink. We went to Allen Fieldhouse last night and watched the Lady Jayhawks beat Colorado. It was fun and each child brought a friend along. Today I'm making a Chocolate Ganache Tart that I learned how to do from a chocolate treat class that Pete gave me for my birthday. It is very easy and divinely delicious. I'll post the recipe later.

day 21

day 20 blood orange designs

I'm dreaming of................ blood orange marmalade mmmmmmmmmmmm

Gocco love

I inked up the Gocco for the first time tonight and it was like magic! I drew a little valentine and cut up a brown paper sack and voila! I made about 30 of these in 15 minutes. Very easy and not messy at all. The kids are going to embellish them to give away at school on Thursday. Oh the possibilities................I am so excited to have discovered this lovely little machine.

day 19 sisterly love

Here is the plate Sophie made for Will on the occasion of his 10th birthday. He danced around the kitchen and proceeded to christen it with some tacos.

day 18 gratitude

These are Rowan's thank yous for his birthday gifts. I only had to give him the supplies,and his sister got out a box full of ink pads and stamps and he went to town. Each letter lovingly thanks the giver and mentions the gift as well. He used his neatest penmanship and worked diligently without any input from me. I am very proud of the results of his hard work.

day 17

day 16

gocco here!

I bought a gocco and the bulbs and screens came in the mail today! I can't wait to try it out. I have never done anything like this before but I have lots of ideas brewing!

day 15 let's eat cake!

sweet Willy

My Will is 10 years old! I could burst with all of the jumbly loving feelings I have. He was born at home with Papa and Sophie and friends by our side. He got stuck(shoulder distocia) and Fran and I had to do some wrangling together to get him out. He was a beautiful dark baby boy with a mass of black hair. Now he is a blond soccer star with a good heart and strong body. He makes friends easy wherever he goes and he's curious and smart and loves math and reading. This year he transitioned from homeschooling to 4th grade at New York Elementary and he is a shining star. He is a sweet, sensitive boy with a very strong "will" (the name fits) and we love every inch of him. Happy Birthday Will!

day 14 the snowy day

experiments

here are some photos I took using a cardboard tube around the lens. I got the idea from a website called "shutter sisters"

day 13 chilled to the bone

Despite the cold, wet and dreary day the children were in happy spirits this morning. It makes me a bit snail like and unfocused.

day 12 blue jean baby

Here's what I have in store today. I let it pile up and now I'm on the laundry track. Football watching was actually fun! I haven't watched a Super Bowl in at least 15 years and that was about as exciting as it gets. At first I was hoping the Patriots would go undefeated but over the course of the week I started having a tiny crush on Eli Manning and last night I was pretty much rooting for the underdogs. What a scramble and hustle!

day 11 lucy's new toy

As you can see I am having to be creative in finding things to photograph. Yucky grey cold and wet weather makes outdoors pretty unappealing.

day 10 birthday bash

day 9

Sophie playing her Sonatina.

goodbye chickens

Pete went out tonight to feed the girls and shut them in for the night and could only find one of the brood alive. Two missing and one headless. It could be the work of a neighborhood dog or maybe a fox that has been seen around lately. I am so, so sad about this. Maybe I'm not cut out to be a farm girl, if it comes with the reality of chicken massacres. They were doing so well and giving us about three eggs each day. I didn't have the heart to tell the boys before they went to bed tonight. Sophie heard Pete and I talking about it and gave me a sweet bit of comfort with a hug and some company in the kitchen after I heard the news and searched for awhile outside for a sign of the others. Maybe they'll turn up in the morning.