buried...

We're buried here. For real. I don't remember ever having this much snow in my life. The kids have had at least six snowdays in the last three weeks or so. I can't say how many exactly because I've lost count. It's a good thing that I like snowdays.

I spent last week in Texas where it was sunny and 60 degrees or more (though I've heard it's not like that this week - I got lucky!). When I left on my trip I thought we had a crazy amount of snow. Little did I know that it would continue to snow and snow and snow while I was gone.

See, here's a shot I took one morning a couple of weeks ago. That's a lot of snow, right?

Not so much compared to the shots I took this morning (I laugh every time I look at that pile of snow on top of the portico - it's taller than the roof of the portico). I think we've added two-feet or so to our original pile. It's a bit surreal. Actually the barn across the street collapsed under the weight of the snow last week - before we added another foot. The snow on the sides of the driveway is piled as high as my shoulder. I can't shovel because I'm too short to throw the snow over the piles. Darn.

A lot of people are complaining but I kind of like it (maybe because I'm not shoveling it all). I'm an indoor girl anyway so I enjoy LOOKING at it while puttering around my cozy house. You can't deny how pretty it is, that sparkling white against the blinding blue sky. Magical.

Of course the children love it, though it's difficult to play in because they can't even walk in it anymore. They can only play around it and burrow through it. They're not complaining. They've amassed an impressive collection of icicles, mostly from the neighbor's house. We have seen some pretty impressive icicles in the last few weeks.

Pinky's loving her first real snow experiences. We bundle her from head to toe and she waddles happily through the tunnels of chilly white stuff. Every time the older kids leave the house she wants to follow them. Here she is all ready to "go 'side" this morning as the kids got on the bus (after two days off). As long as she's got her boots on she thinks she's good to go. Luckily she can't open the doors by herself yet!

Ah well, I caught her and convinced her to stay inside with me by tempting her with a giant batch of steel-cut oats and lots of fresh honey. How could she resist? See, it's not so bad having the house buried in snow when you get to snuggle up inside with a warm bowl of yumminess.

ribbon candy is eye candy too...

a bit of coldplay for christmas...

Pinky's dancing to this as I type. On the desk.  In just her diaper and red patent-leather shoes. With my car keys. I gave up the fight. Too tired to fight. Lots to do today. I'm trying to conserve my energy. Enjoy! We are!

happy weekend...

Some seasonal eye candy for you today.

I'm looking forward to a happy and productive weekend. We'll be working on our portico and laying the brick walkway.  Wish us luck.  Hopefully it'll be another spectacular autumn weekend.  Autumn in New England = happiness. Perhaps we'll even get to enjoy a brisk picnic or a bit of leaf peeping after church on Sunday.

I'll be back on Monday with the Letter E coloring page. Have yourself a cheerful weekend wherever you are!

image via crooked tooth

take on me...

Oh, A-ha... how I loved them. Didn't you? And the 'Take on Me' video *swoon.* Are you with me eighties-girls?

My brother sent me this article with the original version of my favoritest video ever and the above "literal" version. I laughed my way through the "literal" version and, I dunno, I think I kind of like the original version of the song (not the video - though those boys look pretty good in that, too).  The released version was better but the original could've caught on.  What do you think?

a bit of kitchen pretty...

I found this pretty photo in my files.  I don't know where it's from anymore but it's got me daydreaming about a kitchen with a little baking nook.  Mmm... that would be nice.

lunchtime love...

A bit of spork goodness. These are the ultimate. Actually my kids call them 'spifes' for the bonus knife on the side. So colorful and sturdy! They're handy in the kids' lunchboxes but I bought them for the simple reason that I love the way they look.  Turns out that bright unusual look also ensures that they return home each day.  We still have all of ours after two years of lunchtime love. Bonus!

life=risk

This video is getting me going today...



via The Lettered Cottage

rootbeer cupcakes...

I love me some rootbeer.  Don't these cupcakes look fun?  I wonder if they taste as good as they look...

via twigandthistle

frilly fence...

Chain link fence gone fancy.  Not quite right for my yard, but it sure is fun to look at.

indoors or out

pencil and paper...

Pinky adores writing utensils.  Whenever she can get her hands on a pencil, a pen, a marker, a crayon.-- which is far too often in a house full of older siblings -- she makes her mark!  On the walls, the floor, or on herself.  Yikes!

She can frequently be found wandering the house intently scribbling into whatever little notepad she finds lying around.  We joke that she's keeping tabs on everyone.

One of our favorite Pinky stories involves a quick jaunt to a local five-and-dime shop.  You know the type, with various sundries displayed haphazardly throughout the store.  We let Pinky toddle along down the aisles with us, contentedly perusing the wares.  The next thing we knew she was happily jotting away with a pen and notepad, found completely on her own!  What were the chances that she'd find those items within her reach, that quickly, amongst the miscellany?!  Much giggling ensued.  Our little reporter!

pretty maids all in a row...

Loving this sweet vignette that Princess & Cha-Cha set up on their dresser.

borrowed bounty...

Grandma and Grandpa are away for a couple days so we've been selected to reap some of the rewards of their gardening prowess!

Last night, in the cool, dusky light of past-bedtime, Princess, Cha-Cha and I wandered the garden hunting and choosing.  We took turns on the wooden swing in the old apple tree until the mosquitoes found us.  Then, for good measure, we borrowed a few of the burgeoning buds from the front yard to brighten our kitchen table.  A perfect summer evening.

Mmmm...zucchini bread and buttery sauteed squash...

hot seat...

While perusing Three Potato Four (a dangerous, but fun, pastime) I came across this little chair. I bought a chair just like this for my nephew a few years ago. My sister loves all things red and retro so I thought it would be perfect for her little guy. I must admit I'm chuckling at the price tag though since I paid a fraction of that amount for it at auction. Gotta love a bargain!

Speaking of red and retro, how darling is this owl piggy bank...

still viva la vida-ing...

Remember this? Well, we're still enamored. I frequently find Cha-cha singing acapella about when she ruled the world! Just came across the official full-length video. It's a good one but the old iTunes promo still makes our hearts beat a bit faster...

Viva La Vida

indisposable...

These faux-disposables are so clever. Not so portable, but some sure are pretty.

[1.glass beverage bottles] [2.i am not a paper cup tumbler]
[3.fast cup drinking glass] [4.ceramic crinkle cup]
[5.takeaway milk carton jug] [6.daily aesthetics side plate]

ice cream idol...

This one's for you Laurel, ice cream lover extraordinaire... put your ice cream on a pedestal with the big love ice cream bowl with heart spoon!

sound of music...

Loving this...

lovely names...

Check out this fun site for finding baby names.










Names can be looked up by categories like traditions, dispositions, celebrity babies, even other worlds like Star Trek or Harry Potter. I looked up Pinky's real name and she comes up under adventurous, cute and romantic. So far she's got cute covered!



















The site has several cute customizable logos that can be ordered on a variety of merchandise from mugs to magnets. This bird logo is my favorite, how sweet would that be on a little onesie?

via How About Orange

tj's ditty...

Lovely Lindsey at Cafe Johnsonia posted this clever homemade Trader Joe's commercial from You Tube. Worth a chuckle.

We do love our TJ's don't we, quirks and all?! Wish my TJ's was as big as the one in the video looks...