WHAT OUR JANUARY LOOKS LIKE

We have been busy ‘winterizing’ our home. When we took down our Christmas decorations, we decided to keep things simple around here. Minimal. Day 7 into January and things are staying organized and relatively clean! For a family that practically hibernates in winter, it can take a lot of effort when it comes to make sure not to let things get out of hand. You know, 5 loads of laundry and its-so-cold-I-don’t-want-to-go-burn-trash so we have two and a half bags waiting to go out, kind of stuff.

There was a day last week when the high got up to 36 or so. Naturally, we thought “PARK!” Really, I just HAD to get out of the house… We ate and then played for twenty minutes before I became too  cold. Worth it!

We have been doing [Cosmic Kids] yoga every morning before breakfast. Helps us shake off that zombie feeling you get when you have to  crawl out of your warm bed and into a freezing cold house. Amelia does half of the motions, and then succumbs to the desire we all have. The desire to go back to sleep.

Dancing to Disney and Abba albums whilst wearing princess attire has quickly become a new favorite!

A new, and more popular favorite, is the swing Zack installed in the living room. –Oh, and Barbie movies. Penelope is nuts about ‘em!

The girls and I have been trying new recipes all week. ^Spinach tortillas, pork meatballs with apple, onion, and parmesan cheese, a new [fancy] oatmeal each morning, lots  of homemade pizza, and different ways to fry fish. 

Penelope and I started a new book, Five Little Peppers. We’re really enjoying it. I look forward to my one on one time with Penelope. Just the two of us snuggled up reading a “big girl book.” We stop every four words to a paragraph to explain what’s going on, and to answer questions she has. Such a nice way to spend our time together. I’m eager to Amelia to develop a good attention span to she can join in!

The sunsets have been incredible. They fill our kitchen with the most amazing pink.

Her bangs were bothering her. She wants to try and grow her hair out, so I told her to grab a head band. Isn’t she adoooorable!!!

Penelope had her first day back at school yesterday. Amelia and I went grocery shopping – a major highlight to those of us stuck indoors most of the winter!

I have a library trip planned for later in the week and maybe an indoor pool next week, any other ideas to get out of the house in a place with nowhere to go??

SPRING & SUMMER MANTLE

It was time to switch up the mantle décor. I’m proud of myself for leavening it alone for three whole months! I was going to make it a sea / beach theme, but one look at how many cacti we have, and I changed my mind. It’s now basically a Brasil theme. Hot weather plants, coffee beans, Brasilian albums, a photo taken it Brasil, and the large picture, made by my Vóvó (Grandpa).

It certainly cheered up the dining room!

SEWING MACHINE

The other day I decided I would take the sewing machine out of it’s sewing table and decorate our mantle with it, since we won’t be doing actual sewing with it, and I can just screw it back in if I ever need to.

(I’ll be using the table for the sewing machine I do use.)

Before I took the machine out, Penelope wanted to play with it.

Amelia wanted to go outside, since Penelope wouldn’t let her ‘drive’. :)

The belt broke (before we became its owners), so Penelope made a necklace out of it!

The table sits just by our front door, in the dining room. The lighting is wonderful when we have the front door open! I can’t wait to begin sewing and teaching Penelope the ins and outs of sewing. She is so eager to learn.

SHED FINDS

Yesterday we had a full day! It’s going to take a couple posts to get through it all. For now I’ll share our evening.

The girls were down for a nap (or so I thought), so while Zack graded stuff I trekked over to the shed to see what was in there and attempt to clean it out.

About ten minutes after I arrived at the shed Zack and the girls came over to see what Mommy was up to.

We discovered 13 windows, which we plan to used to make a green house (So excited!!)…

…as well as this mason jar. It was rusty, but an SOS pad took care of it!

Mumbling, “Well, this breakable…so…”

We also found this old mirror. It was buried behind the windows we found. It weighs about twenty pounds!

Penelope’s legs while washing the mirror.

We put it in our room, so I figured since I have been revealing bits of our home lately, I’d go ahead and share this itty bitty space…

Probably should have pushed the drawers in all the way before taking these photos, but I never do. Leaving a bit of “natural state” for you guys.

Amelia thinks pulling all of Mama’s pants out and dragging them around the room is high-larious!

We have actual things to “tie” the curtains back, but we can’t seem to remember to put them up. Someday.

This dresser was also given to us by my brother, Joe! (Thanks Joe!)

This happened as Penelope and I cleaned the items we found! Adorable duo!

As always, thanks for helping me out, Miss P.!

FRONT PORCH

As the weather here gets cooler we’ll be spending more time on the porch, so last night I decided to make it a bit more homey. I’ll be adding more plants, but for now I’m happy with how it turned out!

I think this area needs a rug and or at least some throw pillows. Suggestions?

I brought some plants, from the dining room, outside. I still have pots that need to be filled but no plants to fill them with, so I used one for Penelope’s chalk.

My brother just gave me this brown chair before he moved to Oregon. It is really comfortable! The arm rests are so high - great for long, gangly arms! I made a runner out of a lace curtain we weren’t using, a plant, and some candles and voilà, cozy enough for cool evenings outside.

(Before this area had the green chair, the rocker, and that table was always covered in tools)

I also received this corner shelf from my brother, still bare, but we’ll get it stocked with stuff…slowly. The rocker was a gift from Zack’s grandparents – my favorite seat! I’ve always loved the idea of a rocking chair on the front porch.

I l o v e this yard. Never disappoints.

Looking for stars.

She decided every piece of chalk needed to be used.

She asked me to draw a baby, but it ended up looking more like a toddler…with no hands.

My Sweet Pea.

Her masterpieces.

Zack, happy with his girlies. The girls keeping a close eye on Maple.

Penelope took a few photos with the camera…her toes…

…Maple licking Mama’s leg…

…and A, resting her head on Daddy’s arm.

It was wonderful watching the sunset, drawing chalk art with my little lady, all while over hearing Amelia’s giggles as she plays with Daddy. Pretty great way to end the day.