around the house, after work

I so love my little house. It was full of light when I arrived home from work, so I couldn't resist taking a few pictures to share.

The tulips were a sweet little gift from Adam and Thomas; Thomas picked out a get well soon card to go with them. It has a picture of bunny slippers on it. That was the clincher.

Phillip came home and needed something to organize, so he went at the spices. He's certainly my boy. And I know exactly what that feels like.

Hope your week is full of lovely light, too.

january 26

After a super-intense, self-imposed day tied to the computer on Friday, my mid-year reports for work are almost done. I wrote myself a physical list at the beginning of the day outlining the rewards I would have after finishing them. It included SATISFACTION, TAKE PICTURES, and MIND AT EASE ALL WEEKEND. (I tend to write lists in caps.) The few that I have left won't take too long, and I am so glad that I went at them like a madwoman yesterday.

The paperwhites were working hard too - they've started to open, and are so very, very pretty. And stinky.



I've missed you!

The weather this past week included some of the longest-lasting snow covered roads I can remember. From Monday night until Friday afternoon, they were covered in tightly packed snow, as it was too cold for salt to be effective. That, combined with blinding snow squalls and blowing snow, made traveling a little bit more intense than usual. Today, the sun is out, snow is melting from the roofs and roads, and it's a beautiful day.

I've once again been saving up things to share with you. Start the kettle and settle in, won't you?

Adam bought me another Nikki McClure calendar for Christmas, and of course, I love it. It works best for us to tear out and post individual pages on the fridge. That way, we get to enjoy it very, very, often.

And this beautiful, perfectly perfect mug made by Jennie the Potter was another Christmas gift, from Ingrid. I looooooove it. It's exactly the right size and shape, and it's beautiful. Thanks again, Ing!

Still thinking back to Christmas for a minute, remember the lotion bars I made? I had forgotten about a teeny bit I had tucked away to keep, and have been using it on my hands and they boys' chapped cheeks and lips this week. It is divine. Definitely worth the few minutes it takes to make. (And that spoon oil is superb, too!)

This post from Jenna rings so true for me. My favourite line: "For some people, getting out of their comfort zone is a temple in India or on the sidelines of a Mongol horse race. For others, it's learning how to take a goat's rectal temperature." I think I fall in the latter camp.

I am so thankful that we haven't (yet, knock on wood) been hit with any of the flus that have been making the rounds, although we've had a few sniffles. I love this post from Rhythm of the Home about the purpose of illness. And I hope the flu doesn't find us. (Have you noticed how much healthier we've been than last year? I am SO thankful!)

Marisa's potluck salad kit post is so helpful! I'm definitely using her tips next time I take a salad along on a visit.

Oh, this poem is so, so true. I try not to laugh (and try to say something wise and loving instead) when anyone tells me about when they have kids and what they'll do. And I laugh at myself and the things I thought about how it would be.

Dawn Suzette is leaving beautiful Nova Scotia on an adventure to New Mexico! Safe, wonderful travels! (Her pictures are just lovely.)

I like this post about how to think about the amount of stuff that we have.

This house is lovely. That fire place! The stove! Swoon.

And with that, my smallest offspring just woke up from a nap and is groggy enough too let me finish typing this sentence without grabbing my hands and banging on the keyboard. Have a lovely weekend!

january 21

 Feeling a bit quiet here, lately. It's January. January skies are gorgeous, and there are many beautiful things during winter, but ugh. I'm daydreaming of birds singing riotously, early in the morning, the sound drifting in my open window. That truly is one of my very favourite experiences. It makes my heart sing along. We've been making do with some impromptu breakfast dance parties in the kitchen to this Songza playlist, but it's just not the same. So l thought I'd brighten up a dreary January by sharing my sweet boys with you.

The weather has been up and down and all over. It's calling for a fair bit of snow tomorrow, so my fingers are crossed for a snow day. Even if there's school, at least the boys will get some more snow play - they love it. And those sweet little red cheeks when they come inside! They're so perfectly kissable.



There is one boy in this house who is SO excited for Valentine's Day. Phillip has the most open, loving heart I know - he just plain loves everyone. (Which, of course, makes this Mama proud.)  And he loves love! He doodles hearts, doles out hugs and kisses, and writes sweet "I love you" notes often. He started working on Valentines for his classmates today, but was disappointed that they didn't have the word 'Valentine' on them. He'll be modifying that, I'm sure. An example of how dedicated he is to Valentine's Day - he kept every Valentine that he received last year, and has reviewed them regularly through the year. They're tucked away, safe and sound. That boy has a big heart.

This character is so. funny. He loves laughing, being startled, and tickling. He does not love ladybugs. Uncharacteristically, he's kind of terrified of them, which is pitiful. He adores anything soft, and has been calling the soft blanket, below, his 'cat nest'. He wraps up in it for naps and at bedtime, almost completely. He is so sweet and cuddly, and loves to climb and BANG! and SQUISH! things together. All of that hard work wears him out, and he sleeps soundly.

flowers in winter

These little beauties aren't currently blooming in my house - these were from a year or two ago. But on the weekend, Phillip helped me to plant some fresh ones, so they'll be up before too long.

Really, truly - having fresh flowers in the house in the winter makes it so much more pleasant. And it's not expensive! I buy my bulbs after Christmas when they're super discounted. I also force branches, cut from trees and shrubs in our yard, which can be tied in to all sorts of science learning for kids. I'm not a huge fan of cut flowers in my house - they're pretty and all, but they don't last very long, are usually quite expensive, and little hands sometimes just can't help themselves. Branches are lovely, sculptural in and of themselves, and the flowers are just what's needed mid-winter.

I posted about forcing branches a few times before - it couldn't be much easier or more lovely. And if you're lacking in branches, come on over! I'll find you some.

Happy Tuesday!