“I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.” ― Laura Ingalls Wilder
This weekend the girls got into their dress up fun again. They were poor homeless orphans who didn't have much. I made them a baked potato and they packed that and set out to have their lunch in the cold.
The good news is they came across good fortune and their whole life changed by the afternoon. Anna-Kate is wearing the fancy gown the thrift shop set aside just for her.
The 10 photos of joy, 10 days facebook photo challenge, except all 10 in a row.
I know I'm a broken record, I say this all the time, but they are SO LUCKY to have free access to this rink. Afternoon skating it's often just us. We go regularly. Just when I think they are SO SPOILED, the Zamboni comes along and gives them fresh ice. We are so so so fortunate.
We have worked sooo hard on this unit for our 4H club. Using club money, we hunted down the supplies and we have had two meetings making the kits and learning about what to do in an emergency. I remember when I did this when I was a kid, I hope their first aid kits will be as useful as mine was when I was a kid.
When there's so much goodness planned that is so close you can almost reach it, and then it just doesn't happen. That was this weekend and is the reality of life with the cards we've been dealt quite often. And so, we made lemonade out of lemons. So thankful we live here.
This girl has been melting cheesewax into candles. She has more crafty interests than anyone I know!
Just in time (barely), I stitched the last stitches in this wool and canvas art roll for the kids to add to our simple Valentine's Day tradition. I somehow kept the handstitched gift a surprise. 
January was a treat myself sort of month since it was my birthday month and I was given birthday money (thank you!).
Thrifted Scores:
HUGE hand knit wool sweater. $3
Sneakers, $3 each.
Darn Tough Socks, $1 each.
A tin bowl in the free bin.
HUGE cast iron antler stocking hangers. $3 each.
And a mini cast iron shelf that I LOVE and use all the time for keeping things warm on the woodstove or melting chocolate. It was my $15 splurge.
Our snow has turned into ice, bare grass or mud. The only time I've taken them sledding somewhere other than home this year, it was not ideal. Not that it stopped the girls, of course. I'm excited we are getting a storm this week, hoping for many more winter adventures!
It was another round of Science Lab Extravaganza. I love seeing these kids get in front of an audience and showing off what they know.
