Cozy little nook.

Nooks.  Cozy little nooks.  And no, not the electronic kind.  The cozy little nooks where there's random space that's open in an old farmhouse.  Not enough space for a room, but too much space to not have *something* there. 

Oh, how I loved to play in cozy little nooks at the farmhouse I grew up in.  There was that space between the kitchen and the living room where we kept a chalkboard and a kid sized table and chairs. How many 'restaurant' meals were served there?  How many stuffed animals were invited for 'school'?  And the little nook between the chimney and wall?  The perfect size for a doll bedroom. And the space at the top of the stairs?  Well, that could have been a lot if I was allowed to play there.   

I just *might* have been giddy with excitement when I toured this place.  Excited for the ginormous rooms, yes, but I *might* have squealed when discovering nooks. Spaces where I imagined hours of playtime.  Places that I just couldn't wait to put *something* there.  Not just anything, but something perfect.

Nooks, how I love them.  And now we have one (more nooks to come!!!) that's just perfect for playing.  It just needs a fresh coat of white paint to brighten it up.  All in time.

And looking at the picture of it, I realize it's almost all homemade by me.  The braided rug, the bench, "Big Teddy" (who happened to be placed in that chair by a little two year old) and those curtains that I made for my bedroom when I was in high school.

Does this space not scream memories in the making?

I think so...

And I think the 'dusting' of snow screams memories too.

It certainly was a fun place to wake up to one morning, discovering breakfast and a note from mama all laid out.

Adrian approved.

And one day sooner than I realized, it will be Audra approved too.

Oh the memories to be made in this farmhouse...

Good Morning, Frigid Maine.

It's long been the case that this mama cannot get up in the morning without everyone rising too.  No matter the time, they all know where their mama is.  It was a morning that I made it to the bottom of the steps by myself.  I tip toed to the kitchen.  Silence.  Still no one was up.  This NEVER happens.  I looked outside and although it was a frigid, below zero morning, it was beautiful. I decided to water the chickens and grab the paper before my helpers arose.  On the way out the door, I noticed my camera...grabbed that too.  So glad I did. 

I rushed to get the paper and turned around to head back.  I must have gasped when I saw this sight.  I stopped in my tracks.  This is our home.  This house I've loved for years is the house I'll be walking back in to make breakfast for my family.  This is the place where memories will be made, the place we'll long to return to when we're on vacation, the place we feel most comfortable. This is our home.  So glad I brought my camera, it was a moment I wanted to remember.  My fingers may have been frozen, but my heart was so warm.  My cup overflowth.

 And then as I head back inside, I see a few sets of eyes peering out at me.

And I hear "Good morning, sweet mama".

And just like that, my sweet morning got even sweeter.

Quilt 79

Quilt 79-Twin Size-2003

She's 6 months!

 She's six months, our Audra dear. 

What we've been doing since your last milestone moment (3 months here) has been quite grand...I don't think we could have taken on such a move with such grace if we had any other baby but you, Audra Grace.

You're sooo happy by nature.  Your squeals make the world light up. 

You love both your parents equally and just looking at your brother makes you giggle, sometimes.  You make others' happy too, as you'll let them hold and snuggle you.

You love to hold on to our fingers.  All the time.

You're a fan of books, for sure. You love chewytubes and your skwish. You'd prefer to fall asleep with your pacifier (although you'd have it all day if we let you...it's just for sleeping now).

You could kick and squeal in the bathtub all day long.

You're not a fan of going anywhere in the car when it's dark, but you don't mind during the day.

You're an excellent communicator, particularly with pottying.  You hate being wet,  you pee and poop on the potty regularly when given the chance.

You love sitting in your highchair playing when we eat.  You've mastered the straw and you'll soon get some yummy solids.  I canned some applesauce and some pears, just for you, my baby girl.  Soon..

While you used to sleep all night, you're now looking for your mama in the middle of the night.  I was sad at first that you seemingly didn't need me at night, but I'm delighted you are looking for some middle of the night snuggles now. 

You love to be worn.  I carry you around and you help me clean, bake and exercise.

There really couldn't be a sweeter, happier, more easygoing little blue eyed girl.  We love you dearly and couldn't imagine life without you.  You've been the perfect addition to our family and we love you more than we could express in words, sweet girl. Happy 6 months, our little sweet bundle of  joy.

A New Year....

A family of four decked in wool and gortex, braving the frigid Maine climate on snowshoes. Together time with no distractions.  Is there a better way to commence the new year?  I think not.

 

 And then see a freight train?  So amazing.

 Is there a more perfect spot to warm up?

 And a foggy lens captured this...

 And then to warm up to a bowl of corn chowder (thank you crockpot).

I'm thankful for them.  And I'm thankful to call this farm our home.

I thrifted.

It's been some time, maybe a couple of months?  I stopped by the thrift store. 

I got this handmade doll, an activity book, a hand stitched little Christmas holly that says "Deck the Halls" (who tosses these sweet handmades?!) and a jug for $5.50.  And then I got a Gap shirt, a Gap sweater and an LL Bean shirt for $1.00 a piece.  Yes, that was a lovely stop. 

Resolutions

The last few years, my resolutions revolved around setting a goal to quit buying store bought stuff.  I'd pick an item a year and experiment until I got it right. First year cake mixes/frosting; then pies; then bread; laundry detergent; yogurt; etc etc etc. (Many recipes on the recipe tab above). This year it was new breakfast foods. I mastered English Muffins and Cinnamon Raisin Toasting bread...meant to do bagels, but haven't gotten around to that yet. So now you know my craziness wasn't born overnight, it's been a long process of making gradual changes.

Anyway, this year, life finds me spinning faster than I meant it to with this whole move/moving into a work in progress.  Certainly, I'm not complaining, as I love love love this house.  But, there seems to be days/weeks when I have said "I meant to do xyz with the kids, but time escaped me". I feel like I've been doing a good job, but I am confident I can do a better job.  I've been brainstorming and I think I have a system to make sure I accomplish what I set out to do with these two little blessings.  My New Year's resolution is to get my time with the kids in a better routine in this new house.  More predictable, more organized, ignoring the whole picture and focusing on the now. I'm going to forget about the projects while I have their full attention. The house will be here for the rest of our lives.  Time to play, teach and snuggle my babies won't be.  Hello, new schedule, I'm ready for you.  And I'm ready for an awesome year with these two.