Winter Weekend

I'm not quite sure what this weekend will hold. I'm hoping there will be

rest my mind time
home time, lots and lots of home time
a few things done around the house time
with my girlies time
reading time
a bit of happy school work time
baking and cooking time

Midfest Concert

You would think by now I could take wonderful concert photos - I've certainly been to a few orchestra concerts! I've come to the conclusion that it's really about being there, hearing the music swell up in that room and in my mama's heart.

I am grateful for the music that Anna fills our days with.

Last night she played with Camarata and a combination of that and the whole high school orchestra.

I do love this smile on the stage...



and this one as she's just getting into position...

Water Wednesday

I came across these picture today and I couldn't get over the blue sky

and sunshine

and bathing suits.

Ok, so I am a winter girl for sure. I love cozy, and sweaters, and snow days. But sometimes you see a picture and think, "will it ever be warm like that again"? It hardly feels real.

Ms. Bixby's Last Day

One of the things I knew I wanted as a mama was to read. And to read and to read and to read. I loved board books. I loved library books. I love picture books. I love chapter books.

I knew I A L W A Y S wanted to read to my girls from the moment they were mine. {I actually had a board book in my hand when Anna was placed in my arms}

I love to fill our lives with words, ideas, joy, and great moments. And books do that. They stir up emotions and calm a hectic day. No matter what happens in the day I always know I will have a cloud of peace settle over the room I am reading in. And I love it.

I just finished this read-aloud to Abigail and we just loved it so much. Although I wouldn't suggest it to children under 12 {characterization and themes just right for a preteen but not before} it was won-der-ful- and we cried when it was over.

So I asked Scott to snap a picture so I could remember the day we finished this lovely book.





Reading, ahhhhh

Happiness Is

Happiness is...




sunlight streaming in
vintage tablecloth
antique hitchcock kitchen table
tea close by
formal baby portrait in her baptism gown
husband's bible and prayer notebook
strawberry china in cupboard
a santa cup peeking out at the bottom
because there must always be a bit of Christmas nearby

Love Your Home

De-Stressing - some people work out, some garden, some knit, some drink coffee - I think I do a few things. I bake, I work out, I organize, I have quiet time with the Lord, and I love my home.

Yes loving my home is one of my top de-stressers. Finding vintage, re-arranging, and creating little vignettes is loving my home. There's nothing better than have a pretty place to do the things you love to do. Being with my girlies, chatting in the kitchen, having tea all in my vintage'y' kitchen makes my heart sing - and it prepares me to do more of the work God has called me to do.

Serving

Last night was homemade muffins and tonight I served a big pot of herbal tea to the midterm homework area.

I love serving my family. Especially Anna this week as she prepares for midterms.

Serving doesn't always come at a convenient time - when I'm fully rested, when I have spare time, it comes when needs arise.

Jesus was the truest, perfect picture of being a servant. I'm sure there were times when he was so tired from all of the people, the miracles, the questions, the teaching... but he served. He served food, advice, a listening ear, and love.

This morning I awoke to a loving letter from Anna, thanking me for support. There was a letter for Scott too and and even Abigail to encourage her and wish her a good day in school.







It's one tiny step of serving {over years and years} and the fruits come alive. In the midst of her stress and worry of midterm week she was serving us - love.

Muffins Make Everything Cozy

We were all in the playroom tonight. I was working at my desk, the girls at the table, and Scott sitting right there with them, shoulder to shoulder teaching them how to study, helping Abigail through homework, just like he does every night. Right there next to them until they are done. Even if its midnight.

This is midterm week for Anna - ugh! It's awful.  So as I was correcting and getting everything ready for my 4th graders tomorrow I decided to jump up - to the kitchen - to the baking center and make them chocolate chip muffins.





And everything was even better after that!

This stage, these ages, they are where we are right now. I'd do toddlers again in a heartbeat, but I'm grateful my girls are here with me still each and every night.

I Love Her Confidence

Abigail is not the most confident - she's a perfectionist about things. And when you add in the medical things she has to deal with on a hourly basis, it's a lot for this twelve year old.

So that's why this concert was so great for Scott and I.

There was 'something' about it.

I wish wish wish that I had my camera out and got the shot of her as she was coming down the hallway *after* the concert was over. She was all smiles. And we loved it.

I have that picture in my heart... but I do have these to share...

It was her Select Ensembles concert (auditioned orchestra and auditioned choir)

January is Light and Pretty

I chose to decorate a bit different in January than I have done in the past. I wanted a lighter look - no snowmen, no mittens. Lots of green with pink mixed in. Vintage dishes ❤ and a homey look that makes me smile just being home.

As soon as Christmas was packed away (like on December 29th) Anna looked at me and said, "well, it's a clean slate... now you can start making your vignettes!" She knows me so well.

I stared with my pie cooling rack. I've never make a vignette for that area because it's for cooling pies but I thought this looked sweet.

A vintage cloth, an old wooden bucket, a favorite pie cookbook, my rolling pin 💕, and a plate I saved from a thrift shop.



I even love it from the back - this is the first thing I see when I walk in the back door to the mudroom each afternoon.

Swoon, that window is original to the house from 1952. We we added on the mudroom the contractor asked me if I wanted to wall it off - slap up a piece of sheetrock over it... ummmm no!



My baking center has a sweet vintage January look to it.









With tablecloths I've collected here and there.



The dining room has lots of milkglass and my Susan Branch books.







Pom pom curtains hang on the above the kitchen sink.



A vintage table cloth on the kitchen table.



Our family verse.



In the living room I decided to keep it realllllly simple. The water color of my girls over the fireplace. I've never hung that piece in here but I really like it. It's more of a 'formal' room so I think it suits it just fine.





While in the family room with all of the red and green gone, it was time for some spring-like green. Not that I'm wishing away winter but I longed for a cheery look.  Did this in like 4.5 minutes.











Back teaching in the classroom is H U G E {still} and even though it makes me oh so happy and I walk in each day to room 124 at my little school in the woods with a smile on my face {I think "those are MY bulletin boards" "I can structure this day in the way I see best", on and on and on - - } but it's huge with papers to correct at night and planning

B U T

B U T

it's so so so so so important to me to pour love into my home. For our little family to have a shelter from the good and from the storms. A place we want to be in when we're not in our schools. Home.

"Every act of love is a work of peace no matter how small" (Mother Teresa)

and to me {and my family} how I make my house a home is an act of love.

This is Now

'She thought to herself, "This is now." She was glad that the cozy house, and Pa and Ma and the firelight and the music, were now. They could not be forgotten, she thought, because now is now. It can never be a long time ago.'

Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House in the Big Woods 

How To Cry When Pets Die

The girls had to say goodbye to their little Christmas bird, Mistletoe today. (last week)

It was a sad week for them.

I know it's "just a bird" - ya know, in the category of a hamster or a guinea pig. I know it's not a beloved dog that they had for years and years. But they were sad. And I was sad for them.

I love how God used this small experience of loosing a pet to teach my girls the value of loving someone or something.

We will get another friend for Noel who is very quiet since Mistletoe left.



I'm grateful for that afternoon after school when Anna didn't know and spent some time with him on a blanket, wrapping him up because he seemed tired. Grateful that she opened up her heart.

And so even though it was "only a bird" I taught them how to say goodbye, how to to let yourself cry and how to say goodbye.

A January 47

Morning in bathrobes



Every Sunday morning pancakes - his from scratch recipe





Someday I'll talk about what I eat {and what I don't} on this blog... but my breakfast was stealcut oats, blueberries, walnuts and tea, always in a tea cup



Chop -- let's just mention that this girl had just gotten her hair cut {8 inches!!!!!!!} the day before!



We had a lovely bible study around cups of tea and hot cocoa.



There was lots of sweetness and love that afternoon.



Homemade cards...





With cozy January type gifts.





True content, peace and happiness right there in my eyes.



There was dinner out and back home for cake with my mom and dad. And that's 47 in January!