Ready for a challenge...

January Photo A Day has been such a fun challenge...

I'm really looking forward to starting off another month tomorrow - you should link up and join the adventure!

you again...

well I did it - 31 days captured in pictures!! So fun to look back - here's hoping I can make it through the whole year...

reaching

my favorite view in a forest...

f o o d

so blessed to constantly have a fridge full of good food!

clearing

watching him head off to work in the fog and frost while the sun makes its way through... feeling thankful for his hard work

fun in the sun

sometimes you just need to enjoy a cold winter picnic in the sun with some Burgerville...

chasing sunshine

finding color and a little bit of sunshine on a cold wet winter day with my bug...

making it

yummy dinner... crustless quiche with spinach and turkey.

clear eyes...

(image source)

my guilty pleasure lately is watching episodes of Friday Night Lights. I never watched the show while it was on the air, but now I am into the second season and seriously hooked! So good...

redo

The bug needed a place for coloring, puzzles, snack and of course tea parties so I turned to Craigslist to find this $5 beauty...

And with a little bit of paint left over from other projects and two new Kritter chairs from Ikea for $24 we now have a fun new spot to hang out!



She LOVES having her own table...



and especially enjoys having an extra seat for friends!



There's nothing like turning trash into treasure! And making the bug happy in the process is icing on the cake. As she says "thank you oh God for our cookies" and enjoys her tea party I can't help but smile.



I'm linking up with I Heart Organizing today

inheritance...

remembering my paternal grandmother in every sip... so happy to have inherited her beautiful set of dishes and the memories that come with them

in her shoes

I would love to think I could pull off wearing cute shoes every day, but most days it's these old scuffed up clogs that run around with me and I'm just fine with that...

mirror imaginings

loving the glow of candles in a mirror...

je te'aime

my man
working hard
wearing carhartts
and a tool belt

{be still my heart!}

little miss sunshine...

{in this season sweet has poured from these sunny little treasures... healthy and bright and the bug cannot get enough of them and has learned to peel her own ~ absolutely sweet }

Movin' on... again!

We bought our first house!!

A very blue house that needs LOTS of work, but our own home and a new adventure all the same...

We close on January 27th and then begin tearing things apart for the second phase of remodeling. The garage has already been torn down and they are finishing the new roof today so she is well on her way before we even get out keys.

Ack! We're so excited!!

rain or shine

in our neck of the woods we get a lot of rain... like  A LOT... Sometimes this can make the winters really dreary, but this year we have been blessed with so many sunny dry days it has been amazing! I've loved it and it helps to make those rainy days feel more life giving and less blah.

a simple word...

Layla over at The Lettered Cottage is hosting a word of the year link up party so I thought I would join her!

When I think back over the last couple of years since the bug came into our lives I see something glaring that I don't want her to learn from me... I see that I haven't been taking great care of myself, I haven't taken the time to be healthy. 

In a desire to lead by example, this year will be the start of something different in our days... I want our time to be focused on taking great care of ourselves - myself in particular. I've fallen into that typical mom trap that I know other women have experienced - I take better care of my family than I do of me which leaves me tired, sick, out of shape and more than a little unhappy with myself...

Enter my word for 2012. It may sound totally cliche. Lord knows diet and exercise and getting healthy in general are some of the top new year's resolutions people make and break. For me it has to be more than just a resolution I don't stick to after a few months because I want my daughter to respect that I take care of myself, and learn how to do the same as she grows.

I'm looking forward to a year filled with a sense of health for my mind, my body, and my soul!

early riser

all of my mornings start between 6 and 6:30 with our little bug climbing into bed and snuggling between mama and papa for about half an hour... usually this is followed by a cup of warm milk, snuggles with her baby Zoe and reading library books before we actually get up for the day

sunshine

happiness is a hubby who brings you a simple and beautiful bit of sunshine when you are feeling sad...

celebrating with food...

We awoke to the news we had been eagerly awaiting through the night from our sweet friends...

They are the proud parents of a sweet baby girl with the most adorable name - Dorothy June!


We are beyond happy for them and cannot wait to meet her - and of course the bug enjoys utilizing any opportunity she can to celebrate with what she calls  Happy Party Cake.


It being early in the morning I decided that she would probably be just as thrilled with happy party pancakes - sneaky mama!


If you like clouds and fluff this pancake is not for you... It is dense and wonderful and everything we needed to celebrate the day.






Blueberry-Cornmeal Yogurt Pancakes
adapted from this Better Homes and Gardens recipe


1 c. flour
2 T. cornmeal
2 T. sugar
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/4 t. kosher salt
1/4 t. ground cinnamon
1 egg
1 c. plain whole milk yogurt
2 T. vegetable oil
1 c. fresh or frozen blueberries

{In separate bowls mix the wet and dry ingredients together except for the blueberries}

+

{Combine into one bowl and stir well. Gently fold in the blueberries}

+

{Lightly grease your pan and pour about 1/4 cup into a circle for each pancake}

+

{You know the drill - cook and flip and cook until golden on both sides}

+

{Stack 'em up - put a pat of butter on if you dare - and pour your favorite syrup over the top}

=

{Enjoy!}

Welcome to the world little one! We love you!

I'm linking up with Family Ever After today:

Happy weekend!

Cozying up...

Taking after my mama, I can never seem to read just one book at a time...

Lately the stack has consisted of at least one parenting book searching for tips on how to enjoy life with this lively and precocious little bug of ours. Raising your Spirited Child

The second is a new one from the library - our county library does a program called Everybody Reads where they select a book, give out free copies and facilitate lectures and discussions around the book - such a great idea! The Girl Who Fell From The Sky

The third is our dear friend Jonathan's newly published graphic novel. It is his first book and it is amazing! If you think I am biased I guess you'll have to find out for yourself :) Dear Creature

Bag lady

this is actually a fairly empty purse for me... always lugging around snacks, toys and extra clothes for the bug in case she has a potty accident

Close

a close-up of the pillows from my sofa - love the combination of texture and a favorite fabric...

to sleep, perchance to dream

the one room in our home that never really seems to get decorated wherever we move... some day... I have dreams for it

Keeping the classics

seeing her delight in the world of Mister Rogers' neighborhood brings back memories of doing the same when I was a child...

routinely crazy

between a little bug who is having plenty of potty training accidents right now and a carpenter husband who comes home filthy I feel like I am doing laundry ALL the time...

37

Celebrating my handsome hubby today. So thankful he was born!

We had a family party on Sunday where this cake made an appearance...

Soooo yummy! It's a Lemon Layer cake with Vanilla Bean Frosting. I got the recipe from here: http://annies-eats.com/2011/08/19/lemon-layer-cake-with-vanilla-bean-frosting/

I had everyone bring $$'s to put in a jar raising money for a guided steelhead fishing trip on his favorite river - he was blown away and of course can't wait to go!

Blue skies smiling at me...

nothing but blue skies do I see!

Favor

that hour of the day when she falls into slumber for the night and I get to put my feet up is a favorite around here...

her habit of sleeping cuddled next to her baby doll and a favorite book is pretty adorable as well!

a little smile

can't help smiling when I see those pigtails and a little bug jumping on my bed...

wear it

skinny jeans, tall boots, and a smile...

and a shirt of course!

please mr. postman

love love love the days when a new magazine is overflowing from the mailbox...

adoration

Well, two somethings I adore really... Love seeing them laughing together!

a little taste

Starting the day right with homemade granola, honey yogurt, blueberries and a good cup of tea...

just to be me

Happy 2012!