We drive 45 minutes away to go the kid’s dentist. We had a really bad experience with the one here in town several years ago and won’t take our kids to see him. Anyway, it’s a nice little drive and I thought I’d share some of the views.
About a year ago, when the babe started eating real food, we needed to have some snacks on hand for her when we were out and about. I didn’t want to go through so many plastic baggies, so I purchased these little velcro cloth baggies. They would be really simple to make, but it was at a time when I wasn’t able to do much crafting, so I bought these.
They are made by Evelyn Fields, and they are adorable. I mostly keep cheerio type snacks in them and even if some get crushed, there is no spillage from the bag.
This is just one little way that we reduce our waste and look pretty at the same time. What is your favourite way to be green?
A new year, so full of possibilities. I must admit, after all the gearing up for Christmas, it is sometimes a bit of a relief when it is finished. I immediately think of the spring coming (though that won’t be for many months here), and new life and warmth. I look forward to celebrating a new year of birthdays starting with all of my boys in the spring.
Thoughts of what to plant, where to plant it, and how much to plant. Dreaming of picnics every week in the warm summer sun, having it be warm enough to let my kids play for hours outside every day. We have serious cabin fever by this time of year. It wouldn’t be so bad if it was just cold, but the wind makes it unbearable.
I’m not such a huge fan of resolutions, but a new year does make me reflective over how I would like to do things this year. Much of this past year was spent physically, mentally, and emotionally recovering from the previous two years. This year I feel a renewed vigor and enthusiasm, and I am excited for the possibilities.
This necklace was a gift from Hubby. It was made by Lisa Leonard and is called Be Still. I absolutely love it, and it is a constant reminder to be still.
Being still is sometimes a little difficult with four children. This year, I want to live in the moment more. Enjoy each and every hug, story, cuddle that I am blessed enough to have. I want to enjoy cooking more, so often it’s a matter of just trying to get a nutritious meal on the table while stopping a squabble, holding a fussy babe and trying to think straight and stir at the same time.
I want to be outside more, and truly enjoy the beauty of the world around us. To visit family more as time goes by so quickly, and the children are growing at the speed of light. I want to lie in the grass and read stories to my children, make them picnics to have on adventures in the back yard.
Then there are the more domestic things that I want to accomplish, such as being more organized, getting some sort of chore system worked out with the abilities of everyone in the family. Being really good about making a big shopping trip and then only going out when we need milk and fresh veg/fruit.
I could go on forever as there are probably hundreds of things I want to do, but my overarching goal is to be still, enjoy what God has given me, and make thousands of new, fantastic memories with my family.
I sincerely hope that you all have a wonderful new year and are able to accomplish all that you want. Happy New Year!
On our way home, we drove a little way out of the way to take a ferry ride over the Illinois River. After we crossed and were driving on a small road, we drove by this row of houses on stilts. There is so much flooding in this area that it is really common for people to build up on stilts to prevent problems.
Many of the houses had their decks built directly under the house complete with grill, and porch swing. I love the colours of these houses and thought they looked just perfect along the tree lined river.
I hope you all have a wonderful, safe New Year’s Eve.
This is what I see when I walk out of the house here at Hubby’s parents. Isn’t it gorgeous? I just love brick and stone buildings and these two are beautiful. There is a huge field out back and just before supper, we all went outside for a little footy.
Several things I discovered, our little girl is absolutely brilliant at soccer. She can dribble the ball like nobody’s business, even in wellies. Secondly, wearing cowgirl boots does nothing for my already seriously lacking athletic ability. Oh well, it was tons of fun and we all worked up an appetite.
Still no internet here, so I apologize for not replying to comments etc. It’s all I can do to come over to the library and read my e-mail and get an occasional post up before the babe protests too much at me being gone. Hope you are all having a great week.
I can’t wait to catch up with everyone soon.
We’re having a great time away, but this is the first time we’ve had any internet, so hoping to be around a little bit more this next week. Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend.
Sometimes it’s a lot of fun to be a tourist in your own town. Last week after we went to the farmer’s market, we decided to walk around town a bit as the weather was glorious. All too often I fail to see what’s around me because I’m so used to it.
These giant boots are all around town, my kids love looking for them.
This horse sculpture is made up of hundreds of pieces of scrap metal. My oldest who loves anything to do with horses, was fascinated.
This is the old train depot which has been turned into a pub and a railroad museum. It was a lot of fun to try to look through the eyes of a visitor to our town, I was able to see a lot of things that I usually pass by without thinking too much about.
The Gentle Art of Domesticity: Stitching, Baking, Nature, Art & the Comforts of Home
The River Cottage Family Cookbook
Green Crafts for Children: 35 Step-by-Step Projects Using Natural, Recycled, And Found Materials
Good Evening Mrs Craven: The Wartime Stories of Mollie Panter-Downes (Persephone Classics)
Saplings (Persephone Classics)
Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer: A Golden Treasury of Classic Treats
Ripping Things to Do: The Best Games and Ideas from Children's Books
Pippi Longstocking
