Merry Christmas!

Here is hoping it is warm and bright!

What Easter Looked Like Around Here

I admit. I'm not that awesome at celebrating what I deem the "less important" holidays. I have little motivation to fuel the consumerism that is buying, decorating, then throwing away a lot of junk if it isn't a birthday or Christmas.

So for Easter this year, all my children got were cabbage dyed eggs and an ancient Easter tree along with perhaps the simplest offerings the Easter bunny has ever left.

I almost wanted to feel bad as I scrolled through each Instagram of elaborate baskets filled to the brim with goodies. But I didn't let myself. Instead I remembered my values and smiled about the fact my children were quite pleased with their little bit of chocolate, Lego Movie toy, and book. They loved the deep hues of our backyard brown eggs dyed naturally. They marveled over the old crafts that their grandma had hung on to for more than twenty years. After seeing their interest in those eggs I believe we might have to add to the collection next year.

Happy Heart Day

Hope yours is filled with lots of love.

Holiday Roundup

Happy Holidays! Are you glad they are almost over? We admittedly had the most laid back, relaxed, no worries Christmas we’ve had in years. And admittedly I wish I was better about pulling out the big camera and taking pictures of my people on Christmas day but I suppose I was pretty laid back about that as well. But never mind. Here’s a quick holiday round up that I did manage to capture.


If you happen to be in Little Rock, please please please hit up ZaZa’s for the most amazing salads this side of the Rio Grande. My concoction: field greens, smoked turkey, hardboiled eggs, anchovies, capers, goat cheese, croutons, and cucumber dill dressing. Most epic salad ever! Close by is a little store called Yarn Mart. We visited twice during our time in Little Rock. My mother even fell a little bit in love with yarn.


The kids couldn’t resist this yarn bombed tree. I wanted to take it home.



Next up was the Museum of Discovery and then the grand finale…… tickets to see Trans Siberian Orchestra perform The Lost Christmas Eve. This was a terrific Christmas gift for the kids. They loved the trip and the concert and they will certainly remember it better than some toy.


And on to Christmas morning…

New SmartWool gear for me and a kickin pair of Sorels. Various home dairy items. The kids all got new Kleen Kanteens and a few different craft kits. Warren got new books and accessories for his various hobbies (think guitar, beehive, beer growlers). It was a very Minecraft Christmas for the boys and Santa came thru with Julie’s bed for Stella.

And the day after brought nice weather and chance to test out new gifts. A slackline for the kids to share. Eli scored a camping hammock. Stella rocked some new outerwear and they built a goat playground for Willow.

I’m still all hopped up on sugar and carbs and alcohol and more than looking forward to a complete all over life detox in January 1st.

Hope your holidays were Merry & Bright! See you back here after the New Year.

Monday Morning

We're still recovering from the ice storm. Plodding along, cleaning up, thankful that our co-op is on its Winter break and we can settle into the Holiday season.

A few found things to kick off your week.


Homeschooling a Tween Boy

I love reading posts written by a Dad. This Is An Absolutely True Timeline

Forest Kindergarten? Doesn't seem like such a bad idea.

Gingerbread house disasters.

Drawing Inward

 

Thanksgiving has come and gone and I’m not sure I have ever had a more pleasant one. I spent two full days in the kitchen (my favorite place to be anyways) and then stuffed myself silly with all kinds of off limits food for the next two days. Warren and I are still mostly on that no grains kick. He a bit more than I. I’m tempted to cheat. He’s very strict about it.

We drank a lot, visited even more. Watched the kids revel in their freedom from schoolwork and the joy of seeing cousins. This far flung family doesn’t really get together often enough. I sometimes wish for the type of weekly dinners and get-togethers I see in some families, but know its not really in the cards for us in this season of our life. Maybe when the kids are older and have their own families we can draw them all back to our home for food and good times.

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It’s cold and predicted to be much colder by the weekend. Wool socks are a must, the wood stove is working overtime, the goats are shivering when I go out to see them in the mornings. They seem much appreciative of the extra hay I throw their way. I am positive Willow is pregnant and hopeful that Flower is too. That will mean milk in the spring! Stella is very much looking forward to milking a goat herself. I can’t wait to see that.

The baby chicks, who are no longer babies, have moved to the coop and are very happy with the big chickens. They all snuggle in at night and keep each other warm. So far all six appear to be hens, but I am the worst at sorting out the roosters until they really start acting like roosters, so who knows!

 

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Admittedly this is my favorite time of year for homeschooling. The weather just begs us to hole up and read. The wood stove beckons us all to the dining room table where we do all our work anyways. Co-op takes a break for the year so our commitments are very few and far between. We can focus more on our home and each other and reestablish the rhythm that this introvert needs. In fact the majority of our household are introverts which suits us just fine. Although I do feel bad for our two extroverts at times. We just have to make an extra effort to get them around people other than us.

And as of this very moment, I am wishing for a nightstand to hold my cup of tea. I don’t really need a nightstand. In fact I am realizing I don’t really need too much of anything. But I’ve been replacing my nightly wine with tea for the past few days and I find it much cozier to take my tea in bed, but have nowhere to sit it. First world problems. I should just be grateful and get on with it. I’m learning. I’m getting there. One simple cup of tea at a time.

Favorite Things: The Guy Edition

Time for another gift post!

This one is for the main man in your life. Husband, boyfriend, father, brother. Once again, all gifts are from Etsy. Buy handmade! Support artisans!

 

Engraved Beer Growler $19.50

 

 

 

Waxed Canvas Artisan Apron $150

 

 

 



Wood Guitar Hanger $35

 

 

 

 

Men's Shaving Kit $25

 

 

 

 

Men's Knit Slouchy Hat $38

 

 

 



Favorite Things

I'm already thinking about Christmas shopping.

Sorry.

I can't help it. October just does it to me. And I like getting my shopping over and done with quick so it can all be under the tree and out of the way while we are cooking and drinking and playing during the Holiday Season.

Over the next few weeks I'm going to be showing you all my favorite Etsy finds. This first list is for your wife or super awesome mom or best gal pal. I didn't search for these particular finds. I just scanned my favorites list that I have been compiling for years and pulled my favorites that were still for sale. Let's hope they find a home.

Guitar Pick Necklace-$24

I guess you have to be a KOL fan to appreciate this one.
Kings of Leon Original Illustration - $55

Jack Johnson Lyrics - $17.50

Mudpuppy Moonchimes - $68

Coral & Turquiose Earrings - $18

Japa Mala Prayer Beads - $40

Any and all phone cases from this shop.
NotAScratch

Arrow Ring- $18

Stacked Bracelets - $37








 

Snow

We only get snow like this once every few years.

So....we kind of get obsessed.

 

I have lived in muck boots and tights for the last few days. The animals still have to be taken care of. Snow or no snow.

 

The chickens cannot be coaxed out. Spoiled hens are eating in their coop for now.

 

The dogs are still in heaven. Begging to go out every chance they can.

 

 

Boss is only four months old and already its a snow smackdown!

 

 

 

I ventured out one final time to check on the girls and couldn't resist these fleeting colors of the setting sun. I feel for you folks that spend your whole Winter with this weather. It's beautiful....but man its cold.