Minn-NO-snow-ta: Ok, I admit I have one complaint about the mild winter we are having - the climate outside is not what I had imagined it would be when we finally got around to reading The Long Winter. What I envisioned: the children and I would be huddled under the sofa blanket in front of a roaring fire, two feet of snow on the ground, the thermometer reading twenty below, and pausing mid-chapter to console the children, "See, kids - it could be worse. We could be spending all day twisting hay sticks to burn for heat and grinding wheat in a manual coffee grinder a half cup at a time to bake our daily bread."
Out & About: No field trips or parties this week. The joy of a normal week at home even prompted me to cancel our plans to attend the next Young People's Concert.
The Little Princess: She's Little Bear today. Yesterday a jack-in-the-box, and the day before a pink princess.
Wheatless-ness: I think I almost won the kids over with coconut flour donuts. Now, if only we didn't have an egg allergy in the family baking would be a whole lot easier.
Brain Drain: It seems my letter to the music school was well-received. Hopefully we will never again knowingly be subjected to Nine Inch Nails masochism and gay rights cabaret at that particular institution. Seriously, though - what are people thinking? Did you see the Grammy Awards? We only had a glimpse before quickly changing the channel, but read about it later. Will this country ever regain a sense of common decency?
Politics: Maybe we can enjoy a little hope in positive change with the way the republican nomination race is going? Is anyone else excited about the possibility of a Catholic homeschooling family in the White House? What would it look like to have a first lady who is also a home schooling mom? This would be a HUGE change.
Books: I am totally smitten with - Pocket Full of Posies.
The author is the same talented lady who brought us Felt Wee Folk. I am sure that if all my kids were enrolled in school I could happily spend my days with wool felt and embroidery floss attempting these projects.
Pinterest: Well, I started! I can't say I'm addicted yet, but I can see the merit of saving paper and ink by not printing and filing all the neat ideas out there. Now I just need a huge blizzard to snow me in and provide a chunk of computer time.
Downton: Matthew: Even though you have creepy eyes and Mary doesn't deserve you, I really enjoyed watching the two of you dance and enjoy each another before Lavinia interrupted your bliss. But please listen to me - she loved you so much that she really wanted you to be happy without her. Being the only really pure female character in this series without ulterior motives, I believe her and I wish you would get over your guilt and believe her too. Lord Grantham: Thank you for stopping yourself from overtaking the maid. I know you have felt ornamental and ignored by Cora lately, but going further with Jane would have led to trouble and heartache for you both and obviously your daughters and staff give you enough drama without you adding your own. Be the rock that holds the family together, ok?
Milestones: Advanced Blue Belt!
St. Valentine's: Can I tell you how much I enjoy celebrating feast days at home with my children? We're making the love theme last all week.
