Around here: transitioning from winter to spring

If you were to hang out with us right now, our days are filled with trying new recipes for fun and for my baking business. Homemade funfetti cupcakes and homemade crackers (pictured). We've also been enjoying getting outside to play in the yard or take a walk on the trail. Sometimes we're just downright silly and sometimes I'm just trying to relish this time with my toddler who is growing up at an alarming rate!

 wispy, golden baby curls ^^^

ONE and a half!

 It feels like ages since I've sat down to write a little update on my little one! I'm realizing just how much has happened in 6 months. So here goes.

 Liam is into/ doing/ loving these days :

•  Running, dancing, clapping while dancing, and walking backwards
• MUSIC! He can't get enough. He waves his one hand in a swaying motion every time he wants to listen to some.
• He loves food. He had about 2 months of being a picky eater in his entire life so far.
• He loves to play with his play kitchen when we are in the kitchen.
• He loves to shovel the snow with his little shovel. He really just likes being outside any chance he can get.
• His favorite words are all done/gone, teeth, cheese, shoes, keys, momma, dada and nana.
• He just started to draw with markers
• Liam and daddy made a special Valentines surprise for me!
• Liam likes things in order! He likes to line his toys up and he is pretty good at putting things away.
• He also has great strength for his age. He lifts up very heavy things. 
• His favorite book is pat the cat!
• He loves to stand on the windowsill and wait to see Daddy come home from work.
• He likes to ride his scoot bike.
•  He is pretty tall for his age. 
• He likes to "sing" along at the bedtime songs we sing him
• Liam is a busy one, up until nap or bedtime. We can't wait to see what the next 6 months bring! Hopefully more words, games, giggles and discoveries!

slowing down

I've been absent from this space for over a month now. Honestly, I hadn't given it much thought, except when I work on some projects and  realized I haven't shared them here. We are recouping from a busy holiday season, that was filled with lots of baking, last minute gift getting, traveling and more traveling.

 And while we had a great time doing all of those things, we were in desperate need of a daily slower pace. So that's what we are working on this January. Slowing down. Making dinner on a regular basis that doesn't come from the freezer or a box, building block towers, dancing around the kitchen, playing in the snow and most days hunkering down inside when its 5 degrees outside or venturing out on an errand or two. There has been time to catch up with friends and work on side projects like our yearly photo book. Things that bring me joy. Oh and we are still working on our kitchen renovations, so that keeps things interesting.

 I'll be back here on a more regular basis soon. I have some cakes to share, maybe a recipe or two and definitely pictures of this 1 1/2 year old!

SNOW day!

There is something completely and utterly magical when a soft snow falls and covers everything gently around it! As an adult, the magic is still there, but there are fewer days to sit in the house and watch it come down and then go play in it, than when you were a child. Today, however, was one of those days. We got up with the snow falling, had a lazy morning and then after lunch got to go explore the winter wonderland around us. Liam got to really experience the snow this year, since he can walk in it, pick it up and experience the wet and cold too. We didn't stay out too long, since Liam still has a runny nose from a cold. Just enough to enjoy the beauty around the house and trail.

What life looks like right now

'round here this winter:

1. Bringing spring to the inside while we wait for it arrival outside

2. Most mornings look something like this. A light powdery dusting.

3. Doing a little rearranging in the kitchen

4. One of the yummy dinners I've managed to photograph. Herb crusted salmon with, roasted cauliflower and green salad!

5. This boy has his hand in his mouth most of the time because he's  been working on 3 new teeth!

snow day

on a recent snow day we had, we enjoyed some time outdoors for a snowy walk by the perkiomen creek. it was followed by some indoor time, playing games and drinking homemade cocoa. snow sometimes brings an unexpected diversion to our days. we both feel that need to slow down and soak up these special times of the year. every one needs a snow day now and again!

my birthday present.

 do you remember this swing. i talked about it here. well, jason remembered. he actually made it for me. i had no idea he was such a wood worker. this is a bit late of a show and tell, seeing as my birthday was last month, but this was the first opportunity i had to get some pictures. it was a GREAT surprise. i love it. you see, there has been a tree swing here for decades. people tell us of the memories they have of coming to the general store and swinging out back on the tree swing. we don't know what that swing looked like, but we now have a proper swing that can make some new memories in this beloved spot!

merging of the seasons!

today is one of those rare days in february where the sun is shining its intense spring warmth, yet it is indeed february. the dead of winter, with much snow still covering the ground. so, much thanks to my husband for getting me outdoors to be with him. me, knitting in the glorious sunshine and him in the garage, tinkering around with his car. a lovely little afternoon, i dare say!

a snowy walk about

gratitudes

yesterday was a snow day! the wonderful sort of day where you wake up with mounds of snow and more coming down to watch out your window. today is the same sort of day. on these cold snowy days we have experienced some extra kindness. neighbors stopping by to help plow our very large driveway. our fuel  oil delivery guy just stopping by, because he was in the area, to see if we needed more fuel... and we did.

also thankful for this old beautiful kerosene heater. keeping our pipes from freezing in the laundry room and cozying up our living room.

and here is progress. a primed pantry, awaiting more paint and some wainscoting. small things are happening in these winter months.

another year

 i had a wonderful birthday with jason and friends. brunch at a green house cafe called styers. delicious local food. brioche served in a terra cotta pots. omlets and the yummiest butternut squash soup.
took a tour around terrain. the most beautiful garden/ home store i've ever been to. traveled into the city for some french macaroons ( a birthday wish) and a few more shops. had dinner with a most lovely crew of friends at our favorite trattoria. and cake... that cake was hand made by my man. the first birthday cake he's every made me! let me tell you about it.  he drew a curtain around the kitchen and forbid me to be downstairs. late into the night he wakes me up on my birthday with cake in hand and a most accomplished smile on his face. it was a priceless moment. hummingbird cake... similar to carrot, but instead it has banana, pineapple and toasted nuts. cream cheese frosting enrobe it. so yummy.

we love light

so much so that we decided to put up some extra garland around our bed this year. it is pure magic. i don't think i'm taking it down until the spring.

another light activity. we went to our little town's christmas tree lighting this evening. i felt like such a townie... oh this season we are in... may there be light in your life. may it illuminate the dark places. may you know the hope and peace that is our loving savior, the LIGHT of the world!

warm fuzzies

when you've had a frustrating weekend, its the little surprises that can make all the difference.
jason took the above picture of chips. it melts my heart.
these beautiful mittens are from one of my customers at work. i waitress at a local restaurant
( the cause of my frustrating weekend) this woman , whose name i could not tell you, made these for me. she says to me," you know certain people in your life become special and you are one of those people." she hands me a little wrapped package, and tellS me to go put them away. she doesn't want to make a big deal about her kindness. i smile, say thank you and tell her she is special too. its moments like these that get you through a day that's been particularly trying. to see the genuine loving and caring of people. its inspiring!