A Snowy Sunday

Last Sunday I had just the loveliest day. I knew that the snow would be coming down so I headed to Mass at 7:30 in our town. Scott and Abigail were in charge of making sandwiches for the homeless (post back here on all of that) so I had the whole house to myself alllll morning long. 

I had stars in my eyes about that time and I spent every second in the kitchen. I love to bake and get all things prepped on Sunday so it was perfect. 

First was reading in the family room. I'm in a book club for this book: Mission of Motherhood, Sally Clarkson. You can find her website here. I can't recommend her books enough -- join her membership! (no matter what age your children are)

The snow was just starting to fall and I was so cozy in there! 

I stepped out on the back porch to take a few pictures of our back yard. I love it in all the seasons. 

Then it was baking time for me! I started by making Abigail's 'vanilla muffins' for the days she stays late at school for jazz dancers. 

The dough was rising for our homemade wheat bread for the week. 

Still, Scott and Abigail were at church -- getting a bit worried about them driving home in this snow. 

A few cups of tea... 

Homemade dinner rolls - I freeze these for soups (we usually have soup twice during the week) 

And finally, our loaves of bread. 

A lot of dishes, a lot of time, but so worth it! I love all of the homemade especially because I teach all day long. It makes it so wonderful to come home to! 

January Days

I love wintery January days - time to redecorate (here is part of my January sink area) 

Time for lots of tea and books 

Time to enjoy all things home

Especially today with a big snow storm coming and no school 

 

Childhood

"There is a garden in childhood, An enchanted place where colors are brighter, The air is softer, And the morning more fragrant than ever." 
 ~ Elizabeth Lawrence

Yes, I do believe the air is softer in childhood.  

Start

There is a 90 minute delay this morning. It is so quiet outside. No cars. A few snowplows. But it's that magical quiet that usually means there is something brewing outside. I'll miss my "special" this morning with a 90 minute delay (no library for my class = no planning time for me) but that's okay. I need this extra magical time in the morning.



I was already up and awake, sipping my tea, having my Bible time. I don't have my phone with me then, so at 5:35 when I have to leave my desk and start my go go go morning, shower, breakfasts, ice in lunchboxes, thermos of waters in all our bags, dressed up, gather things, one last look over the kitchen (all in high speed) I looked at my phone that was upstairs and it said 90 minute delay.

I had a quick choice: do I go back to bed? or workout? or school work (I didn't get to any of it last night because Anna was in a concert)

Nah on the workout. And no on going back to sleep. That would just make the day feel all weird and I'd be afraid I wouldn't get up in time. So I thought I start here again. (and maybe I can fit in a little decorating for Valentines Day) (and read a chapter to Abigail on that awesome book we are reading)

I don't know where I left off. But I'll just start.

Start.

Life has been full. Here is what I've been up to:

taking care of my sweet girls
just their lunches packed, homemade breakfasts, and dinners keep my life full
taking care of my husband
just ironing his shirts keeps my life full
taking care of this house
just sweeping and dusting, tidying keeps my life full.
taking care of our home
just decorating a bit here and there to make our home a welcoming place to come home to keeps my life full
taking care of my teaching
just planning, making, copying, emailing, teaching keeps my life very very full

Oh, and there's a HUGE bathroom project we started at the end of June that has us beyond full.

But I am grateful for the big things and the small things like this delay we all have. Being able to finish his cup of tea right here. And opening up my blog again. Boy! It's been a while!

Thank you snow, Thank you winter, thank you for a 90 minute delay! Oh how I love winter. And a career that allows you to stay in your PJs on a cozy morning for just a bit longer.

Update on Abigail

No emotion. Just the facts.

Last endoscopy: November (back here)

Lately: daily, constant pain

Her: More than a trouper. She takes a deep breath and moves on. She moans when she's reading. She says "it's not fair".

Next Step: Emergency appointment with her gastroenterology on January 11th.



She hated her hat and mittens this year and saw these in a catalog. Her (many choices) were perfectly fine but I bought these for her anyway. I can't take away the pain. Doing the little things helps.

Double Snow Day

I know we all love where we live. I really really really love where I live. I am a winter girl. And I don't know what I would do if my life didn't have snow days.

We went back to school on Tuesday, January 2nd. And then by Wednesday there was a happy buzz in the air as teacher and students chatted about an upcoming storm. Up to a foot we heard. And hurricane force winds. My cuppa tea.

Schools cancelled!

We ended up having two full days home!







This day was dark as the snow came down until around 9 at night. That's my favorite snow day.



This is what it looks like around my house on a snow day. I love it!



I was lazy all that first day. I got up. Showered and put on clean pajamas for the day. I sat in bed and read.



Caught up here on this blog and had lots and lots of tea. At the end of the day I was walking around collecting all of my tea cups and I thought I'd take a quick shot of them around my house.







Tea at my Bible table.



Tea by my bed.



And tea late at night.



This is how the girls felt when we found out there would be another snow day the very next day:



The second day we had extreme, below freezing temps but got out to view the snowdrifts in around our house.



And it happened to be my birthday! Snow day birthday!









I've been thrilled with the weather this winter.  It snowed on Christmas.  We had piles on our trip to Kringle Candle.  It's been snowing every single week.  It's the cozy you can't buy.  And I love it!

Christmas afternoon, evening and the super chill week between

At 4:00 on Christmas day we arrived at my parents.  There were presents to open, such good food to eat (the formal Christmas dinner), cousins to play with, and relaxing.

A quick picture before we left. In the fresh-fallen snow!!!!!



And her sparkly dress



did this when she entered.





She held tight to her doll all day long.







There were soft gifts and book gifts...









and teenage gifts too!





And this! A new novel about "ma" Little House on the Prairie from her perspective...





and then it's pjs and time to leave.



This is what the end of Christmas day looks like to me. It is bitterly cold but that makes twinkle lights prettier I think.

And just when I think I might be sad, I know what's coming... a week of basking a whole week of nothing.

Like sleepovers with Noel.











Games



Crafts



lots and lots and lots of singing



Gingerbreading



Desserting





The little girls vs the Dads vs the big girls





New Year's Eve was Mass (Abigail sang again) followed by fireworks in Hartford



with cake and new games at home.





For sure one of the best weeks of the year!