What did today bring?
:: freshness of thought
:: quiet play
:: scraps for the chickens then, fresh eggs for lunch
:: a sunny moment where I took a walk in our garden admiring the flowers that be and the ones on the way
:: some overdue desk re-arranging
:: dog snuggles and people snuggles
:: big air and laughter in the pool
:: veggie soup for supper
:: the fresh feeling of spring
It was a happy Thursday.
Perhaps another post of gratefulness is in order.
There are certainly worse ideas for posts. In fact, what really could be better?
Today I am back from a terrific trip where I learned, explored, and relaxed with just my husband. I am grateful.
I am incredibly grateful to my parents for making this possible for us. I am grateful for the smiles and love and kisses from my kids upon our return.
Kauai is a glorious place that is to be shared,
and adored.
Nature fills me up in way that nothing else can. It is so heavenly, so Godly, so big and bold. It is outdoors that I feel the balance of the world and the purpose. It is outdoors I feel clarity and perspective. And the words, "whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should" sing in my ear and resonate in each cell of my body.
Perhaps that hike (or feeling) doesn't last forever but it is something to take with me. It is something to call upon when I need it.
Last night a thunderstorm brought powerful rains in the valley and 9 new inches of snow in the mountains. With that, I say, Spring has sprung!
It has been messy and slurpy around here for some time. Not exactly the chilly, Montana end-of- winter that one may expect. So with the ceasing of skate skiing and still some slushy downhill days ahead, we will enjoy a warm springtime.
The bikes came out and we even cleaned out some debris in the garden to make way for the fresh, new life emerging from the earth. I can't help be filled with hope and life at the first sight of a daffodil-to-be.
Then Lila declared it was time for our first picnic. We sat on our steps, since we lacked a table or a blanket, and soaked up the sun as we ate a little lunch.
And I read her this poem:
|
A Prayer in Spring by Robert Frost Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today; |
Spring is divine!
Love is in the air.
and lastly, some pre-valentine sibling cuddles...
Happy Valentine's Day!
Whoosh, there goes a month. And now we are here. But where's here? Well, we are feeling some winter today with a light snow that is slowly gathering. We have all passed around a bug - that has only done some minor damage. We've skied nearly every weekend and Henry raced for the first time ever - and took first place! Mimi and Papa have moved to Bozeman and will move into their new home next week. Yes, that is the news.
As we await a winter storm today, that holds little promise, we keep ourselves busy with snowless activities. I don't know what this winter is all about or what is to come but isn't what was expected. At least by me.
We did have a ski day this past Saturday and Lila's first ever ski lesson (!!) and then spent the next day relaxing here. These are activities I didn't bring my camera for, silly I know.
But there has been a lot of just hanging out.
still practicing Jingle Bells
listening to stories and music on our new stereo system - thank you, Santa
We keep looking at the big sky and wondering.
We keep opening the gate and hoping to see something snow-like.
And not finding much. But it will or it won't come, right? And we will just keep on going - being creative and finding joy in our no-snow days.
Let me introduce you to my new favorite breakfast...
2 poached eggs on half of whole wheat english muffin
Aunt Jodie's Pickled Squash
Ooooh. Ahhhh. Intrigued? Or just wondering what the big whup is?
Well, it only took me 37 1/2 years and my own flock of chickens to learn how to poach eggs. Yes, this may make me a slow learner. But with a husband whose friend was hospitalized from salmonella poisoning - runny eggs were simply out of the question for years. Finally, a few months ago I realized that I can put those fears to rest since I am in charge of my little chick-a-dees and, thus, there is no salmonella in our hen house! Perfect. I dropped and cracked my microwave egg poacher and after a few tears I pulled myself up from my bootstraps and thought - Begone egg poaching contraptions - let me learn to poach my eggs the old fashioned way. And it turns out that all that fear was silly because poaching an egg is easy, peasy, bananafanna feasy.
2 poached eggs
Use a small nonstick pan. Fill with water and add 1-2 tsp of white vinegar. Boil. Once boiling, crack the eggs and slowly (gently now) slide the eggs into the water. When the yolks turn opaquey, they are ready. Take them out with a slotted spoon and serve.
I like my poached beauties with salt and pepper and one half of an english muffin. It looks like I may be saving carbs and maybe I am, I don't know.
What I do know is that Aunt Jodie from Stevensville, Montana is a whiz at pickled squash. And the poached egg/pickled squash combo is pure delight. I am thinking that this summer I may have to grow my own squash to pickle and can. These are the dreams that Januarys are made of.
There may be some in this home who question it all and waver in their belief but,
a magical story continued for today.
So, in those early hours we woke to
surprises and
make-believe and
a yummy tradition.
Merry Christmas!
