Spring Day

I think it's finally here. Today when we got home I just had to open all the windows and doors. The air was warm and best of all it smelled like spring. Then we spent the rest of the afternoon outside... Ryan worked in the barn, I started getting our gardens ready, and Grace and Jackson ran around playing in their own world. It was pure bliss.

Spring Clothes

Friday night we ended up going to my parent's house for the rest of the weekend. I decided I was in the mood to sew some new spring clothes and jammies. Two skirts for Grace, a pair of capris for her, and jam pants for each. I still need to make some spring pants for Jackson... and matching shirts are coming for all...

Me and My Boy

Just little Jacks and I this weekend...
Grace and Ryan left this morning for his mom's cabin. So far today we have read stacks of books and cleaned a lot. I think he is enjoying having me to himself. If nothing else it means that he doesn't have to take turns listening to his sister's books (he is sooooo into reading lately). And I am enjoying all the cleaning I can do with one less little one to tend to. Though I do miss my girl.

Night Riders

We are starting to clean out the barn... and it has now become the most wonderful trike and car riding arena. Especially during rainy days (like everyday this week) and evenings (when it's starting to get dark out). The perfect place to burn off some energy before bed.

Spring Fever...

Well it's official. I have spring fever. But not in a I'm going to pull my hair out sort of a way. More just in a I can't wait for birds and flowers and barefeet sort of way.







So today, armed with our cameras, we headed out to our local nursery to find some spring joy. Though it was nothing like the dizzying colorfulness you find walking through a greenhouse during planting season, we did manage to find inspiration everywhere.







We had sooooo much fun. I think we were there for over an hour.









It definately got me even more exited for gardening. And Grace and Jackson took some lovely pictures too.





Jackson's Pictures...






Grace's Pictures...






Counting down the days...

Spring Art

Well I really have been enjoying winter this year. Truly. I got all the way into March without the slightest twinge of spring fever. Then I made the mistake of looking back in my blog to find out (just out of curiosity) when spring might start to show itself. I have to admit that seeing those spring posts made me just a wee bit anxious for spring to arrive. But, instead of dwelling on that, I decided it might be a good day for some spring art instead.
And... it was.

Lunch

My Workout

I found a new way to get some exercise today. A fun way even. We hiked around at Sunfish Lake Park this afternoon. It is so beautiful there. We were hiking along on the trail when all the sudden we came upon this huge clearing surrounded by hills and forest. It was like we were in in our own little valley. We stopped to rest (and eat snow of course) and enjoy the beauty before going back. Definitely going to be a summer picnic spot.

Experiment 2: Day 7

I really have been meditating a lot more then I'm letting on, I just haven't been as good at recording it. Actually it can be kind of hard to record, as sometimes the chance for meditation comes in fleeting moments, or when I'm lying in bed at night. But the good news is, because of this experiment, I have been completely sold on meditation. That is not to say I haven't been sold on it in the past, because I have, and still somehow over time I let it go. But at least for awhile anyway, meditation has a permanent home in my life. I love it.

This afternoon as I was meditating (while looking out the kitchen window to our beautiful backyard), I was once again reminded of the hike we had yesterday and how wonderful it really was. I didn't say it in my post yesterday but it had been a hard day. Grace and Jackson got sick over the weekend and still weren't quite themselves. Not to mention sleep for everyone was lacking. As we started hiking through the woods I was suddenly jolted into the present moment (as opposed to earlier in the day when I was pretty fixated on how much longer it would be until Ryan came home). I felt so alive and inspired. It changed my entire day, oddly enough, even what happened before we went out there (if that makes any sense). Walks in nature I realized, for me anyway, are often like meditation. They have the ability to instantly bring gratitude, inspiration, and a sense of peace to the moment. They catapult me into the present. Such a gift nature is.

Our Own Backyard

Today, late this afternoon, we decided to go outside. In my head I was thinking, well just for a few minutes to get some fresh air. But then one of those magical things happened...



The glittery snow and warm air lured us into the backyard where Grace spotted several deer off in the woods.



We watched for a few minutes and then decided to follow them. Of course they quickly caught on to us and it didn't take long for them to disappear. But it didn't matter, our attention was now on our backyard adventure.





We had never been in this part of the woods behind our house and it felt exciting. We started to wonder over to the pond when I heard Ryan's truck pull up. We yelled up to him (and after he figured out where we were coming from) he came and joined us with the sled.





We ended up spending over an hour outside hiking around, sledding, and making new discoveries... only to be forced in by dinner. One of those random moments that changed the whole feel of our day.

This weekend

We played outside a lot this weekend. It was so beautiful. Sunny, and not 89 below.





Grace and I also had a date. A very fun date. We went out for tea and to the bookstore. (Didn't have the good camera with so photos are a little blurry) Apple cinnamon chamomile tea and a homemade blueberry scone (enjoyed with while wearing fancy hats). Perfect.

Baking Therapy

I'm trying to catch up on my posts. These pictures are actually from Wednesday. I was feeling a little overwhelmed so I decided it would be a good day to bake my cares away. And it was. Well, the muffins were okay. We made apple cinnamon and lemon poppy seed. But, more importantly, my mood significantly improved... so did Grace and Jackson's. And even better, I found a new activity to occupy small children... flour and water.