::: capturing the everyday moments :::

I've learned to keep my camera nearby ... lest I miss the chance to capture those sweetly familiar and reassuring everyday moments that seem to come and go in the blink of an eye. Everyone is so busy growing and going, and it's easy to get swept away by the tide of activity and responsibility that fuels our family routine.

These moments are neither flashy nor fancy. But they serve as a reminder to appreciate all of the sweetness that fills our days. They remind me, especially, that the little things really are the big things ... the things I'll miss most when my stove and fridge no longer have sticky fingerprints and smudges, no matter how hard or how often I scrub. These are the moments I'll want to remember when the house is too quiet and too still ...

:::playing in the snow day fort :::

::: waiting for Connor across the street at school :::

::: sharing an after school snack in the playroom :::

::: standing tall in front of our biggest snowbank :::

::: sitting all together in one place :::

::: sharing a library bag full of stories :::




::: falling asleep on Daddy after a very busy day :::

After the storm

Greetings from the frozen tundra, my friends! Winter still has us firmly in her grip here in Midcoast Maine ... and I am 100% ready for spring. No doubt about it, folks. I am officially done with winter. Who's with me???

We weathered yet another wintry blizzard this weekend. Sunday night brought blowing winds, rain, wet snow, wakeful children, snapping branches, poor sleep, and, yes, a midnight power outage that lasted through late afternoon yesterday. The overnight was crazy in an "it's funny now" sort of way and the day started very early. Todd was up at 5:00 a.m. shoveling the driveway -- just in case he, Connor, and Michaela had to get out for school. After a warm-up break sitting in the car with the radio on, he learned that both schools were canceled. What a blessing! And what a mess. A beautiful mess, but a mess nonetheless.

As always, we made the most of things and, once again, I was so impressed with the kids. They were cheerful and filled with a sense of adventure from the get-go. They rose to the occasion ... which is more than I can say for myself and Todd. Outwardly we projected fun and adventure, but it was oh-so-hard to keep our surliness in check.

We cheered when the power was restored yesterday afternoon -- just in time for a HOT shower and a homemade dinner from the oven -- complete with dessert. The sun has been shining brightly ever since, softening both the snow as well as my resolve. I am still DONE with winter, but I can't help but admire the beauty. I guess it's good that I'm a die hard New Englander. But I wouldn't mind some muddy grass and a few hopeful signs of spring just the same...

Here's what's outside our window today:

Thanks for stopping by! Only 24 more days until spring. Not that I'm counting or anything ...

February Vacation

What a welcome break from the routine we've had this week ... dreaded snow storms and all. February vacation, true to form, involved some lazy days, some productive days, a fair amount of snow, and a great deal of simple fun. It's been the perfect combination of getting things done while enjoying a slower and more carefree pace. The routine awaits us come Monday, and I think it's fair to say that everyone is ready to get back into the familiar groove ... unless tomorrow's storm delays things a bit. We'll just have to wait and see if the 10" they're predicting materializes. I hope it doesn't, but anything can happen in New England this time of year and winter is far from over just yet. We could go on this way until March.

In the meantime, here's a peek at what we've been up to this week:

Some new projects in the works and a few old ones finally getting a little attention. Notice the hopeful spring colors. I can't bear to work on anything wintry at this point -- even though I have a few cute patterns gathering dust. It's high time to Think Spring ...










Marathon reading sessions and staying up far too late to finish Maeve Binchy's latest novel. She is my favorite author by far and she can tell a story unlike anyone else I've read. She is an Irish storyteller in the purest form and she brings regular people to life with wit, humor, and compassion. This latest installment brought back some familiar and well-loved characters, along with a slew of new folks -- complete with their quirks, problems, and connections. I usually try to savor these books, but I just couldn't resist the urge to continue reading this time around. After all, it's vacation week -- and there's always a bit of extra time for reading.







Of course there's always time for trying out new recipes while enjoying some old favorites too. Click HERE for this fabulous new bread recipe that we've been enjoying with our winter soups this week. And, if you'd like, click HERE and HERE for some old favorites.






And last, but certainly not least, we've had Brendan all to ourselves for a few days while Connor and Michaela have been enjoying some big fun at Grammy and Grampy's house. It was such a treat to have just one at home and we made the most of our very nostalgic situation. I think Brendan enjoyed the extra attention, but he most definitely missed his peeps. He's not used to a near empty house and he quite enjoys the hum and activity that is life as a family of five. He was delighted when the big kids returned yesterday afternoon and I have to say that Todd and I were as well. The break was wonderful (Thanks again, Mom and Dad!), but there's nothing like having everyone close at hand ... sleeping under the same roof.





I hope you've all been well this week and I sure hope to get back into the blogging groove now that we're getting back to the routine. I have some spring projects in mind and I'm also doing some thinking about what's ahead for my one year blogging anniversary next month. Stay tuned and enjoy the rest of your weekend. Thanks, as always, for spending a few minutes of your day here with us...

::: Food Is Love Friday :::

Though we've had a small (and somewhat fleeting) taste of spring this week, today's biting wind and cold temperatures have brought us squarely back into the winter fold. Which makes tonight a perfect night for soup. This week's offering is a new cold weather staple at our house, and it's a spot on re-creation of one of our Olive Garden favorites. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as we do. Please click here for the recipe.

::: Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana :::

Have a wonderfully sweet and memorable Valentine's Day weekend, my friends! Thanks, as always, for stopping by -- and thanks also for all of the get well wishes. We're all back in action and everyone is looking forward to some February vacation fun. And maybe a few more spring-like days. Or, at the very least, a snow-free week. We can certainly hope, right?

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

Hello, friends and Happy Wednesday!

Yes, I'm still here -- in spite of the fact that an awful stomach flu has hit our household with a vengeance since my last post. I'm holding my breath at the moment and hoping that, if we make it through the rest of the day/overnight without another patient, we'll finally be in the clear. At least until the next time. You know the drill: someone brings something home from school and feels the need to share with the rest of us ... and then misery ensues. It's been quite a week! I truly hope that the worst is behind us. And I really hope that Brendan is spared.

Not surprisingly, I haven't had the energy or opportunity to post or comment much lately, but I have been keeping up with you all. I've also managed to finish up a few Valentine's Day goodies as well as some springtime stitcheries. It's time for the winter decor to go and snuggling with my little patients was the perfect excuse to putter away at a quiet and restful activity or two. Just in time for Leslie's Whatcha Working on Wednesday.

I hope you're all well and beginning to enjoy some warmer, longer days now that spring is inching ever closer. We still have a ways to go here in Maine, but the robins are back -- which is a very hopeful sign. Even though we still have a good three feet of snow surrounding the house and driveway... and everything else is either icy, brown, or both. Spring will find us eventually. It always does.

Enjoy this week's goodies and come back when you can. I always appreciate your visits!

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

It's that time of the week again, my friends ... and I actually have a few things to share with you all today. (Thank goodness!) Don't forget to check in with Leslie to see what everyone else has been up to this week. You just might get inspired. I know I often do!

In spite of being sick and playing catch up with laundry, groceries, and the day-to-day busyness of life with three little ones, I have managed to get a few things finished. It feels good to be crafting and stitching again after such a long January lull. And now that these things are done, I find myself being drawn to lots of "springy" looking projects and ideas. After all, there's only so much winter one girl can take. In the meantime, this week's goodies are all for Valentine's Day ... just in time. Whew!

Thanks, as always, for spending a few minutes of your day with me. I appreciate it! Happy Wednesday, every one ...

I just love how this little stitchery turned out -- complete with a painted and distressed Dollar Tree frame. It reads: "Prim hearts are strongest when life starts to unravel." The pattern is available here under the "freebies" section -- along with many other equally sweet stitchery ideas for every season.

I'm pretty excited about this little project as well. Leslie showed her stitchery from Olde Time Stitchin' last week and I just fell in love with that woolly sheep. I already had the heart shaped buttons on hand ... and then a Valentine's Day decorating idea was born: A hanging pillow.

This is the same pattern stitched up a bit differently and small enough to tuck in somewhere for a little touch of Valentine's Day sweetness.

And last but certainly not least ... a snapshot of the one who keeps me busiest these days. Brendan is 17 months old today. And he is full of energy, enthusiasm, and smiles. He is a whirling dervish of delight -- running, playing, laughing, talking, and very much keeping up with the big kids and all of their fun. It seems that we've had an explosion of new words in the last week and his current favorites are: cracker, yellow, Connor, Michaela, clicker, shoe, and the phrase "Get out! Get out! Get out!" This kid LOVES an audience and he is more than happy to perform for his (often giggling) big brother and sister. Needless to say, we're having lots of crazy fun -- especially now that we seem to be through the worst of the teething ... at least for the moment. Where has the time gone?

Enjoy the rest of your day, my friends, and come back soon!