days

i need to get better at getting my thoughts typed up. my days are filling up and i feel overwhelmed a lot of the time. so many squares of the calendar are blocked off that feel my time is what suffers most. i will get better at this.

these spring days really do something to lift my spirit and my mood...i dont know if it is the smell in the air, the sound of the the birds singing their collective song, or the the anticipation of flowers blooming. shannon and meg seemed to be enjoying a romp in the rain and didnt mind the hail at all...

i had a great weekend. i have a wonderful friend who has bought the house in which she grew up, despite her disapproving husband. it is a beautiful home with three floors and many rooms; the kind of rooms where the ceilings are peaked and the windows are leaded, arched, stained glass; doors that lead to deep closets and dark attics. a house perfect for hide and seek, according to my 10 year old. so many memories in this house where 2 parents raised 6 children. 4 layers of wallpaper peeled back revealing those memories, stained carpet to be pulled up, plaster walls needing repair but all lovingly done by her and her contractor. she is an active participant in this project: she spends 3 days a week lifting, peeling, hammering.
she had her "half-way" party saturday. "half-way through the project!" she said. Min and Don the contractor hosted many curious visitors, offering good beer and tasty snacks. "the husband" made an appearance, this being the first time he has been in the house since his wife bought it from her parents almost a year ago. i brought my camera. took some pictures i plan on turning into a scrapbook for Min. i am so proud of her. she is following her dream, albeit an unpopular one with the husband. she was glowing. filled up with the past and overflowing with the future. her boys have picked out their rooms, and her friends know too this will be her home someday.

what a beautiful day. the sun is shining and its warmth is a welcome feeling. although my husband and i awoke at 5:30 am to get in the obligatory workout at the Y, the sun has invited me outside for a run and i accept!

i spent far too much time this morning admiring countless blogs. i am at once inspired and intimidated by the artistry that exists in so many of you out there. i have already decided i will do something creative today!

valentine's day

origami hearts

hat and snuggy: finished!!!!!! i just need to deliver it to my friend before the baby gets too big!!!! i struggle so much with procrastination!

concentration....meg is always determined to master a new skill. most things come so easily to her that she becomes discouraged if a new project doesn't turn out just right.

a delicious recipe from the Nov 2009 issue of Family Fun. delicious!!! a cure for that nagging sweet tooth...

Filling:
2/3 cup raisins
3 med apples peeled and sliced
1 TBSP sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
Topping:
3/4 cup butter
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg beaten
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Place raisins in a small bowl and cover with warm water, and microwave them for 20-30 seconds. Drain raisins, then combine them with the apple slices in a pie pan. In a small bowl, mix the sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg and sprinkle over apples.

To make the topping, melt the butter and set it aside. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, sugar salt, and egg until they are evenly blended. Pour in the melted butter to flour mixture and stir. Spread topping over the apples and bake at 350 for 40 min or until top of pie is golden brown. Serve warm.

snow again on wednesday but unlike many other midwesterners who have had enough, i am happy to see these beauties fall effortlessly from the sky. to the people who complain about the weather, i say, "you should take up knitting." i am happy to be indoors knitting or baking. i feel productive. i have completed my second baby cocoon. a friend requested one on the birth of her second child, a boy. i was happy to oblige. i have seen these while browsing etsy.com and love how quickly they can be completed. i love a quick project. i feel such satisfaction. a sunny but cold day again in illinois, and another day spent crafting!

although the dog found this nail brush and used it as a chew toy i cannot seem to part with it. my grandmother always had a nail brush on the bathroom sink. this one reminds me of her.

after school ice cream treat; i love how the light hit shannon's hair; note to self: always take your camera with....

i have never been truly in love with a pair of shoes, until yesterday.