A Freshened-Up Space

On the last day of amazing spring-like weather it was unanimously decided that some attention should be given to the little gingerbread house in the back yard. The big, haphazardly-placed rock at the door was not a very good step- or so they said- and they wanted to start working on their own landscaping.

I had been thinking the exact same thing, and I'd actually started eyeing a little pallet in the garage that had come with our fireplace insert.

Since my solo carpentry skills are a little remedial the idea of simply lifting, leveling, and attaching something already made felt juuuuuust right for us, and we went for it.

Once the 'front porch' was finished and stained to match the house, we loaded the wheelbarrow with rocks from the yard and got to work on what will eventually become a perennial bed of kid-friendly flowers, herbs, and strawberries...

The kids did a great job digging up weeds and roots, then chopping up the top soil. A wheelbarrow full of composted horse manure later and the bed was ready to settle and wait for planting.

As the sun set on the last day of warm, sunny weather (for a while, anyway), I sat back and watched as the Littles settled right in to their freshened-up space- Henry making diner and Audrey decorating their new porch. I could hear them chatting, fully absorbed in their play. While the birds around us sang their evening songs and the wind began to chill I just soaked it all in, and across the backyard floated Audrey's sweet voice: "Henny, I love you and I love our house. Let's live here forever. You're my best Bubba."

*sigh*

This Moment

Playing along with Amanda today... in her words: 

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

The Latest from Audrey's Camera

I cleared out Audrey's camera this weekend because she wanted to take pictures of an "amazing castle" that she had made with her bro:

As usual, I always love sharing the photos I find on her device (really I can't resist), and this time around is no exception. There were the predictable multiples and indiscernible blurriness, but this time around there was also a clear attempt at composing shots. It's a cool evolution to witness...

...aaaaaand there were these, too:

...and then, of course, the awesome castle.

Love, love, love.

Right Now

Right now, I'm loving a weekend that saw...

...my dad up, a super heavy delivery, and the start of a much-anticipated installation.
...making, wrapping, and two Littles' birthday parties attended.
...the return of beautiful, sunny weather! (I can't help but wonder if these above-average temps are a precursor to another stint of blow-average days... it really does seem too good to be true that we're getting a dose of Spring before we've even dipped our toes into February)
...a little time out with our feathered ladies cleaning, refreshing, and adding another layer of bedding to their mid-winter coop.
...an early rise, coffee and muffins to greet the week, and another coyote sighting out the back door.

This weekend was filled with work and play and the good business of being around Home, and truly that makes the best kind of break between The Usual of the weekdays. Wishing all the same!

Happy Monday!

This Moment

Playing along with Amanda today... in her words: 

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

On the Needles, Off the Needles

It has been so long since I knitted anything. Seriously. Like, I can't even remember what the last thing was that I made. I don't know why I fell out of the habit of having something handy here and there to work on when the opportunity arose, but I did. Was it the heat of summer? Maybe. Nondescript "busy" stuff? More likely... and what a shame.

Today, however, changed all that. There are two dear couples-friends of ours who are expecting this spring/summer, and this morning it occurred to me to start making something for them. The first thing I reached for? Yarn.

Specifically, the remnants of the yarn we bought a few years ago in Austin for Henry. There was just enough left for a sweet little hat for a sweet new little man. I cast on during Henry's gymnastics class this morning, and cast off right after he went down for his nap.

Quick to start, quick to finish, beautiful yarn to work with... yes. This was the perfect little project to ease me back into the groove. Now, don't I have something pink around here for the sweet little girl coming soon, too...........?

Winter 'Break'

We've had a winter 'break' around these parts, as in we've had a little break from Winter. Quite frankly, it's been sunny, mild, and irresistible out there.

We've been all over the place: the woods, the playhouse, the swings, the garden (obviously not here, online, in this space though, ahem)... we've even planted two new apple trees! It's like Spring popped in to remind us that below-normal temps won't- can't- last forever, and my did we need the reminder!

I feel mixed feelings of guilt and envy when I look at the weather others are having around the country... sub-zero, inches upon inches of snow and ice, you know... typical Winter (though in all fairness there's a decent part of me that is hoping we'll get to see some white in our landscape before the season leaves us). I don't know how we've lucked out this week, but Mama needed the outdoor time!

Hmmm, actually, I guess it wasn't just Mama who needed the break!

Right Now

Right now, I'm loving a weekend of sun and work and a Monday of sun and play. Have a good one!

Weekending

Pancakes, sunshine, horse poop, more sunshine, dirt, birds, quiet. I spent almost the entire day in the garden repairing eroded garden borders, cleaning up, and shoveling good, quasi-composted horse manure over my beds so it can protect my soil through the winter and feed it this spring.

I didn't realize how much I missed being out in that space, and how much good it does me when I'm there. Now, my back is sore, my allergies are threatening to cause a little trouble tonight, and my fingernails are still dirty (even after my long, hot shower), but I couldn't be happier.

And I'll probably be right back at it again tomorrow.

Wishing all a little sunshine and refreshment, too! Happy weekending!

This Moment

Playing along with Amanda today... in her words: 

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Little Homeowners

Finally- finally!- a sunny day, all day... not a cloud in the sky. Warm(er), dry, and sunny. The indoor activities around the big house were kinda getting old, and this wonderful light at last drew the Littles outside.

I am proud to say they made a bee-line for their playhouse... although today it was actually an al fresco restaurant.

On the menu: chocolate soup with marshmallows and vegetables and a garnish of celery. I ate every bite (standing outside the walk-up window in my fuzzy slippers, don't judge).

And when they were ready to come back inside to warm up and look for real dinner, they remembered to close up all their doors and windows before they left. Such responsible little homeowners.

New Books!

My new books arrived, my new books are here! By far one of my most favorite things to get in the mail. I ordered myself a few treats with a little Christmas money and thanks to 2-day shipping they came right to my door today.

Like Christmas morning all over again!

New to my shelves today are:

The Art of Baking with Natural Yeast: Breads, Pancakes, Waffles, Cinnamon Rolls, and Muffins by Caleb Warnock and Melissa Richardson

Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats by Sally Fallon and Mary Enig

Early American Cookery: "The Good Housekeeper" 1841 by Sarah Josepha Hale

I've only flipped through The Art of Baking with Natural Yeast so far, but it has inspired a little making and some supply lists and dreaming... and oh, isn't that the best part of new books? The inspiration.