Hello again

With summertime in full swing, the computer has become a very low priority. It's been weeks since I've posted here, emails regularly pile up in my inbox and I haven't kept up with the various sites I usually visit. While a break from the computer has been great, I miss this little space. Plus, I have a backlog of things I wanted to share here. At the top of my list is my little one's 3rd Birthday. Yes, Lilla turned 3 last month and we celebrated her day with friends and family, water play and carrot cake (by her request).

With her mile wide grin and friendly nature, Lilla is a joy in so many ways. It's been fun to see how many common interests we share...she loves cooking and gardening and dresses that twirl. She'll happily join me for a yoga session or paw through fabrics at the store. Happy Birthday dear one...I can't wait to see what this next year holds.

The outdoor classroom

On days as picture perfect as the last several have been, I'm so grateful we homeschool. The books, papers and meals all come outside. We can sit and soak in the fresh air and beauty...and completely avoid that torturous feeling of being stuck inside on a beautiful day. Oh, I remember that feeling all too well from childhood, looking out the classroom window and wishing I could be out there.

So we read, wrote and explored out of doors. Between watching the new bird build a nest, seeing our monarch caterpillars grow and building bridges at the creek, there's plenty to learn.

This week

Some works in progress here and there. One side of the kitchen: getting closer!
The other side: not even close.

A new veggie garden fence:
Not much visible happening yet...but the peas are up, the asparagus, potatoes, onions, carrots, lettuce, kale, and herbs are in. The weeds aren't even out of control yet!

A picnic lunch:
Under a perfect blue sky.

Hope your week is lovely!

Toddler craft

If you're like me and you have a prolific abstract painter in house, you probably wind up with reams of painted paper. What to do with all these delightful bits? Some end up on the wall as is ...others become gift wrapping paper or cards. This time around, Spring time inspiration struck and we decided to cut them into all sorts of butterfly shapes- Eric Carle style. Now the wall is covered with a mass of rainbow hued butterflies. Maybe we'll add some flower shapes too. And to complete the scene she painted a few of those classic egg-carton caterpillars. Easy, messy and good times!

I've noticed Lilla's imagination really blossoming over the last few months. She comes up with little stories about the butterflies, dolls or whatever she might be playing with. It's so fun to listen in on these sweet conversations she makes up between the characters. I've also enjoyed watching her speech develop. The other day as I weeded the garden she said "look the dandelions are having a party!" (yes there are that many growing in my yard) Then the next day when we had snow flurries (sad but true) she said "the snowflakes are dancing!" I love my sweet girl!

Green gifts

Just a few glimpses of things making me smile inside and outside my door today. I love how lively all the fresh spring growth looks on gray, rainy days. Is it crazy that I wake up each day excited to see what new things might be happening in the garden? Sometimes I'm rewarded with little surprises as last fall's hastily set in perennials and bulbs come to life. My garden is small and simple, but Spring still makes me feel like a child on Christmas morning- anxiously waiting to see what gifts the earth has to offer.

I hope to steal a few more moments to come back here soon.

Signs of spring

OK, I've had enough with the snow day pictures. Spring is officially here and for the moment the snow is gone! But since we've been known to have March/April snowstorms, I won't get my hopes up too much. For now I'm taking in the latest star to the landscape scene- snowdrop blossoms.
And maple sap! Though a very small scale operation with just a few taps hooked up, the kids are nonetheless delighted to fill and down a cup of the slightly sweet 'tree water.' And our little tree tap came in handy on the day our hot water heater was replaced and we were without water.We had a beautiful weekend full of outdoor play: swings, sandbox digging, biking and romps up the muddy, mossy hill. Now the rain's coming down and it's misty and cool. Refreshing!

Slow day

The morning sounds are different, everything is hushed. It's so quiet, one almost can hear the slow flakes touching down. As the roads are blanketed with snow, we fold away all of our previous plans and possible errands. Today there's time for baking, making and just being. Even time for a little walk. I like that.