on Valentine's Day

This Valentine's Day might be one of the most low-key we've ever celebrated. Not that we usually celebrate in a big way, but being snowed in certainly puts a natural limit on the festivities. Finn has already worked hard on his Valentine bookmarks for his classmates. They won't receive them today, but they'll be ready when he finally makes it back to school.

We found this cute printable with 8 different bookmarks, printed them, cut them out, punched holes in the top, and tied thin grosgrain ribbon to the top of each, then Finn signed the back of each bookmark. A lovely alternative to the homemade Valentine's card, I think.

As for my gift, I rose early this morning to finish the remaining toe of my husband's Valentine socks. They were kind of a last minute idea so I've spent much of the last week working on them. Tweedy green socks make for a good Valentine gift. We have to keep the toes toasty for these last few weeks of winter!

My boy and I also plan to have a grand time on this beautiful sunny day full of glittery snow. We will undoubtably spend a fair amount of time enjoying the snow remaining outside. The temperatures are supposed to be in the 60s next week so we won't have long to enjoy our southern snow.

But for today there are many inches waiting to be sledded, with a nice layer of ice on top for speed.

::right now::

::smiling over the pink sugar cookies made with my favorite cookie cutter::

::baking some love cookies::

::experimenting with beet pancakes::

::bringing out the festive Valentine's banner::

::preparing for an upcoming snowstorm::

::making Love words to hang over our kitchen table::

snow day

In case you haven't heard, it snowed here in the south yesterday. The kids went out as early as I would let them, around 9:30 am when the temps were almost 20°. Even though our area only received about 2 inches of snow, the relatively minor amount of snow didn't seem to matter to my crew. Schools closed, and they had a blast in the deepest snowfall we've had in about 2 years.

weekending at the farm

We just returned from a visit to our friends' farm just a few hours down the road. They've expanded, both in gardens and animals, since our last visit, and it was great fun to catch up with them and their new explorations in farming. During the long weekend spent with them, we petted goats and chickens, helped them move and fix a few minor things, baked apple pies, watched the chickens attack a nest of baby mice, buried the new barn cat, grilled a yummy dinner over the fire, debated the perfect marshmallow roasting technique, held the baby, chased the toddler, laughed with everyone, and generally had a blissful weekend with our dearest family friends.

catching up

The weeks leading up to Christmas were filled with sickness and busyness. We tackled the biggest undertaking we've ever attempted in the week before Christmas, which left no time for blogging. I'll show you the results over the next few days. The 2 weeks leading up to Christmas brought a tummy bug that invaded 2 of the kids, canceling plans, and leaving us unable to fulfill many of the advent traditions we've developed over the last few years. It was a practice in letting go, for me anyway. There is always next year.  Christmas Day, and the days following, brought a series of family get-togethers and much love and togetherness. Most of it unphotographed, but all of it priceless.

(The following photograph isn't a great quality shot, but I had to capture the joy when Paulie received a new, much-desired robe and Finn inherited his old one.)

The 12 Days of Christmas for us included not a single partridge in a pear tree, but countless family gatherings, a family wedding to celebrate, 7 states, many thoughtful gifts and warm meals, time with rarely-seen extended family, and finally snow tubing.

weekend happenings

::baking soaked cinnamon rolls based on this recipe::

::painting for a new project::

::building towers::

::reading one of his current favorites, d'Aulaires Book of Trolls::

::lunching on Cheesy Snails, from Baking Bread with Children::

::straightening the library::

::rolling out the soaked pie crust for our next to last cherry pie from our spring cherries::

::introducing the littlest guy to geocaching::

::posing on the mossy hill with his mama-made sweater::

::enjoying the winter sun::

I hope your weekend was equally magical.