SNOW!

What else is there to do on a fun snow day other than 1) playing outside 2) watching your favorite movies (we are currently watching Curious George) 3) drinking hot chocolate and 4) making snow ice cream?

"Snow ice cream, you say?" Why yes! Snow ice cream. My Nana used to make it. Here's how (it's super easy, really).


Ingredients
one bowl of fresh, clean snow
sugar
milk (I used some half and half and some milk)
vanilla


Sprinkle the snow with the sugar and add a little bit of vanilla. Now slowly add milk until it forms a soft ice cream texture. Voila!

And now, for your cute snow play enjoyment, I give you... my adorable children playing outside. :)



Happy Snow Day everyone!

Bridget's Monkey

I know, I know, I know. I swore that I was not going to make any more monkeys. However, Adelle is invited to her first ever friend-from-school birthday party on Sunday and Bridget needs a gift. My mom suggested that I make a monkey and as much as I didn't want to, I knew it would be a great gift (Moms really are always right). So...




I love her fancy shoes. :)

Her Own Sense of Style

Adelle is many wonderful things, highly creative being one of them. It is my responsibility as her mother to not only refrain from squelching this in any way, but to encourage her to explore this and to nurture it.

One of the ways she likes to express her creativity, and herself, is with her clothing. I think we all do this. We wear what makes us feel good and what we feel represents who we are. Adelle doesn't go the whole 'matching' approach when it comes to putting together an ensemble. Instead, she chooses the things that appeal to her aesthetic. If she likes it, she wears it.

Today, this is what she chose to wear.


I have to confess that it was a little painful at first, but I just smiled and told her that she can wear whatever (seasonally appropriate) clothing she wants and if she likes that outfit together, then go for it!

While I never would have matched a grey and hot pink dress with heathered cream, orange, and brown floral tights, but it works on her.

Maybe I need to take a little lesson from her - go with your gut and enjoy the things you like, whether other people get it or not... just be yourself.

I love this funny little girl more every day as I get to know her better and better. She is such a lovely, free spirit unhindered by others' opinions or approval.

The Process of Art

I think my head just might explode.

I go through this every time. The pain of turning idea into reality is a painful one for me. I know exactly what I want to do, but get bogged down in details and overwhelmed before I even begin. Grrr...

A little time to myself would probably help. Ha ha ha ha ha... Yeah right. Sorry... that's probably only funny to other stay at home moms.

Low

One of my earliest memories is of lying on the floor looking up at the ceiling. I have no idea how old I was seeing as this is something I did fairly often as a child. I always loved the perspective of things from below. It triggered something that set my imagination on "run wild" mode.

Truth be told, I've never gotten over this. When I am tired or stressed, I like to get back to the floor again and just enjoy the view. I find it so relaxing, especially in a quiet room with an abundance of sunlight.

This was my view today:

Simple Pleasures

The birds that have FINALLY found my window feeder
A quiet morning at home with just Evie
Hot coffee on a cold morning
A kitty snuggled in my lap
Still sitting around in my jammies
Sunshine filling the playroom
Black bean soup for dinner
Friends that double as family coming over for home group tonight

It's going to be a great day.

A Werewolf in the Shower

According to Adelle, a werewolf sneaks into our house and uses our shower. I ask her how she knows and she brings me to the bathroom, points to the tub, and says, "See all its hair?".

Odd. All I see is my hair all over the tub.

Wait...