Daybook

I find myself:

**Noticing God's glory

There were some gorgeous sunrises & sunsets this weekend. Especially Sunday evening. We were at my sister in laws house who lives on a lake. The sunset over the lake was stunning from beginning to end! I'm so glad I got to see it!

**listening to

Silence & the parakeet eating. She's anxiously awaiting her new friend tomorrow!

**clothing myself in

long sleeved t-shirt & my owl pajama pants.

**Reading these books with Ree

Pinkalicious & Chicka Chicka Boom Boom are her two favorites right now. We read them so many times during the day that she is able to sit and read them to me. Word for word.

**thinking & thinking

about rhythms & routines

**carefully cultivating rhythm

I am trying to get a set rhythm for our days down. This needs self discipline from Momma. But the little bit I've actually implemented over the past week has been helping tons. Not just in the house work but also Ree's attitudes. (And mine too!) I'm still pondering and planning.

**creating by hand

Easter sweaters for Momma & Ree. I had to rip out all of Ree's AGAIN last night. More on that tomorrow.

**encouraging learning

Reading Chicka Chicka Boom Boom all the time is really helping Ree recognize her letters. We made a coconut tree yesterday so she could glue the letters on it. 

**keeping house

Right now just the "maintenance" stuff. But I've got lists going to start a spring cleaning. This is part of my new routines & rhythms. It's still in the beta stage. When I've got more concrete things down I'll write about it!

**crafting in the kitchen

I've been trying to cook healthier and more substantial meals lately. Last night was potato soup and ham. Delicious for a cold winter's night! While I haven't been writing down a weekly menu plan I've had one in my head for the past few weeks. Or at least deciding what to eat that night by 10AM. It's easier to know what's for supper before it's time to start cooking!

**loving the moments

When Ree comes over and asks to cuddle

**giving thanks

for the man who goes to work in the dark in the morning and comes home in the dark at night. 

**living the liturgy

With Lent beginning last week I've been trying to bring the season into our home a little bit. This week we'll read the story of creation. Maybe make a collage of when God created the sun & moon as she's loving the moon lately. Keeping it simple yet trying to incorporate more into our days.

**planning for the week ahead

A slow week. A few story times planned; picking up the new bird; a Valentine lunch with my aunt, sister, mom the kiddies. 

Weekending

This weekend was full of more snow. We woke up Saturday morning to grey skies and snow showers. Ree & I read all her library books; built quite a few puzzles; then had a little Valentine's themed playdate with one of her friends.

In the afternoon we went out to get Momma some new glasses then popped in the pet store next to the eye glass store. Daddy & Ree found themselves in the back watching all the birds. I found them standing watching the cages full of parakeets. Ree saw me and yelled "There's a yellow bird! My favorite color is yellow!"

I don't know whose eyes were pleading for the sweet bird more, her's or her Daddy's. How can I say no especially when they both look at me like that??

So we put her on hold as we had a birthday party to attend and the poor birdie wouldn't have made it through. Ree & I will go pick her up this week!

After that we went to my niece's 3rd birthday party. It's crazy that these girls are growing so fast! 

This morning we woke to about 5 more inches of snow! I am SO ready for spring and colors outside other then white!!

Ree spent the afternoon sorting all her buttons. It's amazing to watch her play with them for hours on end. Her imagine is endless! 

Now I'm listening to the wind howl outside. Thankfully no snow is in the forecast for the next few days. We still have about a foot and a half outside!

Valentine's week

This week has absolutely flown by! With Momma recovering from her cold the house is finally getting cleaner; laundry is getting washed (and put away!) and we are getting out of the house & having some fun!

There has been Valentine crafting & giving. My niece & nephew came and spent the afternoon with Ree and I the other day. (While their Mommy & Daddy went to do things to get them a new house!) We played hard & crafted hard. Ree was so happy to have her cousins come play at her house.

We had a family Valentine supper with everyone last night. Lots of yummy food made by my mom. She spoils us! My dad gave all the girls roses. Ree was so proud to bring her rose home last night & put it in her bedroom. He has always brought us girls flowers on Valentine's Day as long as I can remember. It used to be carnations when we were young and then he switched to roses. I love that he carries out the tradition to include the granddaughters too!

There's been a little knitting this week too. I finished the heel on my second Happy Socks yesterday afternoon. I'm HOPING to get them finished this weekend. We shall see. (We've been so busy I forgot about putting up a Yarn Along post on Wednesday!)

This weekend is set to be busy as well. A 3rd birthday party for a sweet niece; a possible play date with one of Ree's friends; more visiting on Sunday. Oh and maybe another snow storm tomorrow (!!). Life is full & very good!

Weekend Blizzard

 

We made it through the Blizzard of 2013 fine! I am so thankful as so many people in our area lost power for the weekend. Schools are still closed today for most of the state. We aren't used to 2 feet of snow all at once around here!

The storm hit at a perfect time for us, the weekend! With a storm & colds in the house we settled in with books, blankets, knitting & crafts. Ree & I did many Valentine crafts on Saturday. For a little girl who loves pink & glitter this is a wonderful time of year!

Yesterday we spent curled up on the couch reading books & napping. And of course going outside for a little bit to experience all that snow! It was beautiful as the sun hit it. Although it was "so very bright Momma!" She had fun until her boots got snow in them and her pants got wet and then it was so not fun any more. 

Now thankfully our colds seem to be leaving. The snow on the other hand will be here for awhile!

Blizzard

  

The Blizzard of 2013 is upon us! They are predicting we could get 2 FEET of snow here. Ree & I spent the day at my mom's yesterday. In preparation of the snow that was to come my mom had all the ingredients to make rice krispy snowmen. Ree had a blast! They came out very cute!

Today is my husband's birthday & we haven't let the snow get in the way of the festivities! This morning Ree & I baked a cake and put up some decorations. Thankfully his work closed early so he was home before the weather got really bad. There was a nice lunch, some gifts & now supper is cooking away. I heard there's some chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream if everyone eats all their meal!

Later on we'll be curling up under blankets with books & knitting (for me). Ree has been busy playing buttons & legos all afternoon. Both she & I have wicked colds so this storm is good for us to hunker down & relax. Not the most exciting of birthday's for my husband but he's assured me relaxing inside & some shoveling is just what he wanted!

I hope everyone in the path of "Nemo" (when did they start naming snow storms?) stays safe!

Yarn Along

Well I didn't get much (any) knitting done during the Superbowl. About 5 minutes after kick-off Ree came down with the stomach bug. So we quickly got her calmed down & began the 35 minute ride home from my sister-in-laws. Thankfully she slept the whole way home! But the rest of the game at home was taking care of her & cuddling poor little baby.

Monday she just wanted to lay on the couch & watch her shows. So I DID get almost the whole happy sock completed! I am loving it! Last night I sat & did some more and am almost at the toe of sock 1!

The top picture is my February Lady Sweater. I'm at about 50% and loving it. I tried it on the other day and so far it fits great! Except that Ree reminded me that "it's too short & there are no arms on your sweater Momma!" She also helped me take the picture of it. Hence it being inside out and me not realizing that until I'd already uploaded the picture.

I'm hoping to cast on her Easter Sweater when I finish this first sock. I also have a baby sweater I want to make in time for a baby shower at the beginning of March. AND I have an order from Knit Picks coming this week. For more projects. I feel a bit of ADD when it comes to my knitting projects lately!

Weekending

These were all taken last Sunday on our drive to visit family.

This weekend has been all about two things: knitting & food.

Ree & I spent almost all morning yesterday cooking some appetizers for last night's pre-Superbowl party at my parents. Spinach puffs & stuffed mushrooms. Yum! Late in the afternoon we headed to my mom's where we all got together to eat. Who cares about the Superbowl? (I don't this year!) Bring on the food!!

When I wasn't cooking I was sitting in the chair knitting. I cast on some bright happy socks & I'm working on my February Lady Sweater. Come back Wednesday for a peak of them. I woke up this morning and knit until Ree got up. Then we went to Church. We came home where I cooked some more yumminess to bring to my sister-in-laws this evening.

Ree's Daddy has a birthday this week & my parents gave him a record player so he can play all his old records. While I cooked & did dishes he & Ree played music. She wanted to dance with him and when I turned around she was sound asleep! 

Once she wakes up we'll head out to go actually watch the Superbowl. I'll bring my knitting and hopefully have an almost complete sock by the end of the night.

Linking up with Amanda at The Habit of Being