Connected

Last Saturday Anna and I talked on the phone about so many different things. I love our 'heart to heart' talks. Being eighteen brings her, I've found, to such a different level. Most of our conversations these days are about faith. Sometimes, what's for dinner or what she has been working on or reading that day, but many times faith. This particular talk was so powerful I told her when we hung up that before she did anything she should write a few things we talked about in her diary. {she's a big diary/journal girl, since she was little} I wanted her to remember in her own words things we said, the way the conversation went, ways we felt God was leading. 

Although I will always keep those conversations between us {and sharing with Scott} I do want to remember how connected we are - really more than ever. 

I want to remember how alive and real her faith is becoming. 

I want to remember proclamations she's said. {"I really just want to trust God."} 

It's amazing how the training, the teaching, the tea times, the long talks, the raising, the 'all those years' of pointing her, reminding her, helping her to stretch toward God and her faith - has come full circle. I see it now and it is a delight to this mama's heart. 

The day after our talk we went to Mass at our church. 

And Anna went to Mass at her church at Holy Cross. She felt funny taking a picture or video so mostly she recorded the singing from her pew but oh how I loved it and how it reminded me that we are sealed in our faith no matter how far apart we are and that we are deeply connected to each other. 

I am so grateful. 

Scoliosis First Night

Last night was Abigail's first night with her brace. 

She was supposed to wear it for one hour last night, two hours tonight, and then straight through the whole night this Wednesday, tomorrow night. 

Honestly, I'm not sure how she'll make it through on Wednesday. Here is how just the 1 hour went last night: 

10:00 getting in bed and strapping it in just like she practiced earlier that day in the office. Happy, smiling, thinking almost that this is no big deal

10:20 still 'arranging it' and trying so hard to get it doable. (which never happened) 

10:30 lights were out and we told her she could take it off in an hour or just leave it on if she fell asleep. 

10:30-11:30 Scott and I waited up for the hour just listening. 

Silence - that's good. 

10:50 moaning, king of her being annoyed I could tell 

10:55 we heard her whispering, "alexa, what time is it?" 

11:00 Five minutes later, "alexa, what time is it?" 

And then that repeated over an over until at 

11:30 we went in, told her it had been an hour and she ripped that thing off. 

Today was no school and she slept until 9:30. 

Tonight is two hours on and she has to get up at 6:15 am. 

So there we go. 

Today we started this book. 

I read chapter one. Honestly, the description of how the mom felt in the doctor's office when they told her daughter she needed to wear a brace was accurate. 

Please keep sleeping for Abigail in your prayers. 

Grateful for: 

• no school today so she could sleep in
• her {mostly} positive attitude
• that she {only} has to wear it at night and not during the day
• for being her mama 

 

Lost Pictures

Recently I found a camera chip with some past pictures... way back from December. It was fun to look at these; they seem so long ago even though it was just December.

These were from a viola group class concert. Anna was just home from her first semester of college so she decided to participate when she was asked. 

And these - I must have been making cookies. 

And then this - I remember so well. Anna was home and we decided to have a late night breakfast dessert - waffles and toppings! 

This was a fun little Christmas day trip to Litchfield, CT. Such a charming little town with wonderful restaurants and shops. 

Valentines Day

I think snow on Valentine's Day is just the loveliest. 

Oh my stars {well maybe I should say, oh my hearts}, Valentine's Day was so devine. 

For many reasons really; all of the usual ones: sweetness, a day to celebrate love, cards, warmth and goodness. But especially this year because we experienced it in a different way. Anna is away at college and this would be our first holiday without her. Yes, we saw her the weekend before, but the actual day, I've never been apart from her. I was worried about how I'd feel. 

But do you know that God blessed it in such a way that it was better than I could imagine. More on that story coming up. 

Let me back up to over a week before Valentine's Day. On a Saturday I made my 'famous' scones and we had a little tea party before Saturday Mass. I picked out something for the girls to wear on the actual day - something pink of course. I had those all wrapped up and ready a week before Valentines so that we could have a little celebration together before Anna left. 

I'll have to say it was a little bit rushed and we all had the big 'move in' day on our minds (it was the very next day) and there was still packing to do and last minute laundry, the car to pack, on and on. And we were nervous - because we knew we would miss her and because she was starting off in a different room with a new roommate. 

But still, I'm so glad we 'stopped' to have a little Valentine tea part of our own. Sometimes you have to dig your heals in and decide to celebrate even if you 'feel like' it. The scones were yummy (and they were hearts) 

(the week before Valentine's Day... before Anna left for college) 

The girls loved their new clothes for Valentine's Day - and we all loved stopping for tea. 

Then it was 'off we go' - our last Saturday evening together, packing it up and moving her in. 

Before she left, of course, I wrapped up the special candy for her to open on Valentine's Day. (Munsons and white chocolate) When we moved her in I put it (and something for her roommate) on her desk all wrapped in pink. 

On Valentine's Day she was so sweet - she sent us a video of her opening the gifts and it was the cutest, sweetest video of happy Anna. It reminded me of when she was 8. She was truly to excited and adorable wearing her new pink sweater. She was "feeling the love" all day long. 

Our little family of only 3 at home opened cards and Abigail got a big surprise: her first ever heart box of chocolates! Yes, you read that right! FIRST! I found allergy free chocolates and they are amazing. She has been savoring them from the moment she opened the heart box. 

We spent the rest of the evening face timing Anna and just enjoying the day. 

I also baked chocolate shortbread heart cookies for us to enjoy as a little family of 3 on Valentine's Day. 

One little photo of the love of my life and my Valentine since we were 15! Abigail took it and I love it so much. You can see the tired after teaching (and principaling) all day, but the love is there. 

Scott and I went to sleep so happy that night. All warm and cozy with our girls filled to brim with happiness. We are grateful for Anna's joy, her new room, her roommate, and Holy Cross. 

A 'bit' of Mass

My commute is really short. I am so blessed to be a teacher in the town I live. It's also great that it is on the other side of town so usually I don't see too many students around town. I do like a break from that and want some privacy with my family. 

When I drive to school after dropping Abigail off at her high school on the way I listen to Mass at Saint Patrick's in New York City. I just love it. And even though I only have a bit of it, it's the same 'bit' each day and it's lovely. I really love the down to earth Archbishop, Timothy Dolan who presides over Mass each weekday. 

I love that cathedral and hope to visit again soon. For now I love the connection and the faith filled drive. 

I love that sun peeking up, a new day, the millions of things I have to do in the hour and fifteen minutes before my fourth graders walk in the door. Thanks goodness for a bit of Mass. 

I Love Decorating

Tonight at dinner I said, "can we start decorating for Christmas yet?" Yes I did!

I love decorating and have a little notebook on my desk where I jot ideas and thoughts and how I want it all to look.

Usually I get an idea for the next year right in the middle of that season, so there is no way I can remember a whole year. 

I usually write down what I'm thinking for an overall look and then I jot little pieces I want to remember to use (or pieces I want to NOT use anymore)

This Valentine's Day I stuck with decorating our kitchen and our dining room only. Since Christmas I've felt the family room with a 'blank slate' kind of a look and the same in our living room. After I took down all of the Christmas I wanted it clear, open, uncluttered. (which is the opposite of our Valentine dining room, ha!)

I took everything out of this room, cleaned it from top to bottom and started from scratch. 

I love most of all the top of our Hitchcock antique hutch. Antique baskets and that oil painting (also antique - not from Hobby Lobby or Home Goods - so not my taste anymore) 

In the cabinets I have a lot of milk glass which I pull all of the time for candy jars, vases, anything... they are so versatile! And those blue plates on the wall are a family heirloom - someday I will tell their story - it is quite a unique story. 

Throughout all of the milk glass are pink books and a few hearts. Also my grandmothers silver tea set. I love the silver with all that white. 

My newest (but not new, antique) is that darling vase... and that basket. The round plates in the back were my other grandmothers and are a beautiful set from Wedgewood. She gave them to me when we got engaged. 

Silver dessert forks peeking out from our wedding silver we picked out all those years ago. 

A vintage book about songbirds that belonged to my grandpa

And I put in a few little pitcher (I collect tiny pitchers because they are delightful for warming syrup even on a weekday morning) This one is perfect with the little pink flower. 

Then, found these for only $2 each at a consignment shop. Made in England such pretty china bowls. And they had just four of each - perfect. 

Been collecting crotched placemats for a while - I love that they don't match I have a few of this and a few of that. Whenever I see one or two I love I pick them up and save them for a holiday. 

And these napkin rings I love so much. That candy bowl belonged to my grandmother and when I was little I could get it off, take out a spearmint candy and put it back on without making a sound (most of the time) 

I piled a bunch of my milk glass long stem vases in the center and filled them with pink roses. Just the touch this room needed. 

And that is the dining room. I had so much fun "playing house" and setting it all up for Valentine's Day.

Next to show you is our kitchen. I always start decorating in our kitchen. There really isn't much to change around. This is basically how our kitchen looks the whole year (well, not at Christmastime). I love a vintage look with those old fruit plates on the creamy blue walls. I love the creamy white cabinets and the warm wood floor. 

About a year ago we took off the cabinet doors in front of the sink to give the whole room a more soft look and I don't plan on ever putting those doors back on. I can simply change the sink skirt any time of year for a quick refresh. This is the 'normal' look with a French ticking skirt (Vermont Country Store) and matching curtains that I've pinned on a rod. So easy and simple.  

Saturday morning sunshine... this room gets such pretty light. 

Teacups 💞

Last Mother's Day Scott added on this front to the cabinet. I love the look because it is a lot less modern than "new" cabinets, and that vintage peg board. Perfect for decorating for the seasons. Love it so much! 

I love changing out this mug rack each month. Emma Bridgewater, Cath Kidston, Susan Branch, but my favorite ones are ones that I find a second hand or antique shops. 

Oh simple Valentine's Day are red hot candies in a crystal glass bowl and a framed card. Love that picture so much! 

This February - this was my favorite mug for morning tea for sure! 

The baking center is such a joy to me. That little pie peaking out of the vintage child's toy stove. And those pink vintage (found them at an antique store) canisters for flour and sugar. You know I did squeal when I saw them. 

Another toy stove I love so much 

A collection of pastel table cloths sit on top of the baking center. And oh that basket was at an antique store in Vermont - I want to go back! 

Love my Gooseberry Patch calendar hanging right through the pie cooling window. 

Well now it's time to enjoy the rest of a quiet February (with a whole lotta teaching in there). I will enjoy the touches of romance in these rooms until the beginning of March when I will change things up for spring!