Forcing Forsythia

I've been bringing the forsythia inside to force the blooms and add some color in this house. It's pretty much as easy as snip now, put inside in water and wait for the blooms.

 If you have some at home, give it a whirl. If you are local to me, you are more than welcome to come snip as much as you want here, for we have a plethora.

Although there's still snow outside in Maine, I am loving the 'spring look' inside.

Due date!

Helloooooo 40 weeks!  Happy due date to me!  (Due date not to be confused with delivery date...for me at least.  Still pregnant and hanging in there!)

It's a good thing I tend to have late babies, as this time around, we're not as prepared as we could be.

What have we done?

The 3rd carseat is IN the car. Phew.

Baby carriers are out.  

Cloth diapers have been stripped and sorted, all ready to go.

I found/washed the baby changing pad.
I have washed exactly 3 nightgowns and nothing else.   (To do: Wash more than an hour's worth of clothes).

And that's it.

I know.  Time is ticking.

It's all up in the attic. We truly have all we need, I just need to organize ourselves to get it done.

But how much do babies really need when they come home? Not much.  I've got my baby carriers and I'm good to go.

Also on the to do list is to pack my hospital bag.

I know.

I should get going on that.

What's been done is my kids are all packed up with their own overnight bags. I try not to look in their overnight bags because who has the energy to argue with all the nonsense things they add to the bag that they supposedly 'NEED' to spend one night at our neighbor's? Take 38 pictures of tractors. Take your collection of clip on earrings. Whatever. I don't have the energy to argue. 

Also finished is the list of animal chores.  We don't need to get help with the chores, as Adrian is old enough to be mighty independent with animal care (as long as someone carries the water for him).

But, since he is a fan of 'paperwork', he made a list to remind himself of all that's needed to be done. While he doesn't need the list given knows what's to be done, he's always, always, always prepared for an emergency.  

Clearly, I could take some hints from his organizational system. 

Maine

After an exceptional night celebrating sustainability in Maine (and eating exceptional local food with a good friend and my husband), I am even more inspired by some amazing people doing great things in this state. So lucky to call Maine my home sweet home.  If you live in Maine, you might see some familiar faces in Portland's Maine Sunday Telegram, so pick up a copy! If you're not local, I'll be sure to post the link. 

More handmades...

Exciting news for us...we are going to get a tiny little nephew and my kids are getting a tiny cousin in July!!! Exciting!!!! So, of course we needed to whip up some handmades. Audra helped me make these upcycled flannel wipes for the baby. 

 And a tiny little handmade quilt for the baby too.  We can't wait Uncle Matt and Aunt Gilly!

The finished quilt!

Where much of my creative energy has gone this year...

I wanted to make my brother and sister in law a quilt of their choice, queen sized, to celebrate their marriage.  My goal was to finish before their first anniversary. Somehow I pulled it off.  

 My sister in law picked out the colors and most of the fabrics (although I had to throw in the snowflake border to remind the Florida folks about the Maine winters).

I'd say it looks mighty fine on their bed!

April "Chicken Soup with Rice"

Another month, another verse and another bowl of soup!  We're making a "Maine" version of "Chicken Soup with Rice", inspired by the "Chicken Soup with Rice" by by Maurice Sendak (1962).  Kids are really enjoying memorizing the poem of the month.

November here.  
December here.
January here.
February here.

March here.

I cannot commit to making the same soup 12 times this year, so I vary it. This month's soup was actually made by a friend, so good! Tomato, tortellini, sausage and spinach.

I cannot believe we had a foot of snow to bring in April. But it's Maine. Expect the unexpected!

April
In April I will go away
To far off Spain or old Bombay
And dream about hot soup all day
Oh, my, oh, once, oh, my, oh, twice
Oh, my, oh, chicken soup with rice 

April Snow

It's been quite a day. Lots more snow. In April. Funny thing is...the kids and dogs are thrilled.  The adults on the other hand, would have preferred an April first baby instead of an April first snowstorm.  Hoping this is the last of the season!