A Cozy Winter Kitchen

Oh goodness - snow in these pictures and right now it's sunny and March warm but I wanted here to put these photos here and not forget. 

I say, "set the stage for a happy home life." This cozy kitchen with all of the holiday down is simple but invites us to talk, share a meal, a snack, a cup of tea. It's the place where we meet after school in the evenings. It's simply home. 

I chose a neutral 'theme' for January and February - a simple backdrop for adding on to (pinks around Valentines Day). Right now I am typing in a spring kitchen with lots of greens and yellows. 

Here's a little peek in: 

 

As Simple As Soup

I remember making this all -- the -- time when my girls were younger. I happened upon the recipe when I was meal planning last weekend. It's from Gooseberry Patch "Celebrate Spring" cookbook. And with these longer house (oh I am enjoying more sunshine and light after the school day) I decided to make a few things from this cookbook. And it brought me right back. The smell of it simmering, the unique broth flavored with sundried tomatoes, all of it. We were just missing Anna at our table. 

 

Worth the Wait ~ Tulips

Today is sunny and warm, and the time change is such a gift to this fourth grade teach who gets home later. I so love being home when there is still light - when I can see my home in natural light. 

Still loving the season that March is - there is still time for cozy. I actually really like all of the 'in between' time that March and April are. (I don't like being hot!) 

I noticed that these are popping up (a bit too early! slow down hundreds of tulips)  

FYI : not pretty, I know, it's March. But I can see all of those green tulips peeking up! 

We planted them in mid November (just in time before the really cold days and nights came) Scott planned it all out - all of the colors - everything! I can't wait to see them all! 

Waiting for Green

This is March in New England. 

Yuck!

This is what it will look like by May

Glorious!  

We just have to be patient! 

Celebrating Friendship

My friend turned fifty today. 

I met her at church way back in 2002 or 2003. They always sat in front of us and they had a little toddler with the most beautiful curly hair. When we brought Anna home at 14 months old we quickly became friends. All of us. 

I remember the first time she invited me over to her house when Anna was little to play with her daughter. She had baked chocolate chip cookies after preparing lunch for all of us. I was in awe. Over the years she has seamlessly hosted us for dinners - I couldn't even begin to count how many. She never complains (even while undergoing chemo for cancer) and has just a giving, positive spirit.

She is the godmother of Abigail and kind of the godmother of Anna too. We are grateful for this family in our lives. And I am so blessed to call her my friend. 

Chocolate Cafe

Even though our calendar can sometimes feel too full, Scott and I are holding on to our "lasts". It shocks us to think that Abigail will be off to college in about a year and a half. It will fly by so we are holding on and soaking it all in - even all of the events. 

I've written about this event on these other posts: 

2023

2022

2020

2018 

2014

Scott and I are really getting good at the cake slicing. 

Why I Blog

I'm not quite sure where to start since it's been so long. But I am determined to be a blogger. Sometimes the 'quickness' of Instagram seems so much easier but the more I'm there the more I realize it's not me. What I love about this blog is the blank, open page. The room in my head and my heart to write. There is not room in Instagram. It's comparison, it's controlled, it's feeding something I don't want to feed: 

•  instant gratification
• controlled content
• closed mindedness
• comparison
• get, get, get, buy, buy, buy culture

And so I'm off of that (not sure how long it will be but for now) and back to this sweet blog, the place where I recorded memories, thoughts, dreams, hardships, worries, and the ordinary since 2010. 

This morning I woke up and for some strange reason I thought of a blog that I used to read even before I started blogging myself. And I was curious but something told me something wasn't good. I knew that since 2017 she battled cancer and then it was back. When I clicked on I was shocked and heart broken. It felt like a friend that I'd known since 2008 was now gone. She lost her precious life to cancer just this week. I hadn't checked on her blog in so so long but was prompted to today. Maybe the Holy Spirit prompted me so that I could pray for her six children as they faced the impossible this week. 

Sarah's blog reminds me of the early days of blogging. She had an interesting style and it drew many many followers for many years. She shared her heart, her mothering, her ordinary days that she loved best. I always admired her advice, the way she 'kept' her home, and her simple days. 

She reminded me again of blogging and that I just don't want to let social media win. I want my heart to be here, a place for my daughters to return to see what I was thinking, what stage I was in, how I filled my days. 

I was in email contact with Sarah (not recently) but when my girls were younger. She gave me wonderful, peaceful advice about returning to the classroom as a teacher. I remember that after 13 years home I felt guilty about changing our lives so much even though I knew it was what God was calling me to do. Sarah was sympathetic, a friend, and told me she wanted to teach one day too. And she did, even after six children. I bet she was a wonderful teacher. 

You can read her blog here. 

I think most of all her blog today (as I've poured through some of her older posts) reminded me that just like the simple home she liked to keep, the simple schedule, the ordinary days, even this blog can be simple. It doesn't have to have 'likes, reels, music, and flashy photos'. And it reminded me that this is where I want to be. Less of of instant, more of quiet, more of space. It doesn't matter to me if no one ever reads this page or any that follow, I would rather write here. 

So dear blog, I will be back, daily, I hope. Next time with photos. Gosh, I'm sure there are a ton on my phone (although I'd like to use my big camera more) 

Thank you Sarah for your friendship, advice, and wisdom over the years. You space was always a good place to be. Now off I go to purge some stuff in this house (because THAT is surely something I always felt inspired to do every time I was on her page)