Happy New Year

We have just under 5 hours left in 2017 and it has been a wonderful year, From having a baby and becoming a stay at home mom, to gardens, friendship, family, and adventures. As I was cleaning up the kitchen this evening I was thinking about the goals I set for myself at the beginning of 2017; and while I don't feel that I met them fully, I do feel like I've made some good growth in them. Onto a new year with new goals and continued growth in old ones. 

And so my friends, do not forget as the new year blooms and grows that The One who designed time and your story, loves you beyond measure. Happy New Year!

"And now let us welcome the new year, full of things that never were." ~Rainer Maria Rilke

"Be willing to be a beginning every single morning." ~Meister Eckhart

The Post Office

      I had to drop a package off at the post office yesterday. Going to the post office is not the best idea the week of Christmas, the line was backed up to the door. But, I was already there, so I hopped in line with Buirlen in my arms, and proceeded to inch my way towards the front. Not long after I got in the line a gentleman got in line behind us. He was old enough to be my Grandpa and instantly started smiling and making faces at Buirlen. While we waited in line, the gentleman talked about what a blessing children are and what an important job moms have in raising our babies. He said, 'They[children] are our future."
      We finally made it to the front of the line and Buirlen and I  headed out to our next errand. I started thinking about how, throughout the years, when I would be out with my Grandpa Kinney, he would always find someone to talk to, the waitress, the lady and her kid sitting next to us at the restaurant, the clerk at the grocery store, someone. He'd find a way to connect with them and usually, make them smile. He carries the joy of the LORD with him and he spreads it. Well yesterday, I was on the other end of the situation. A stranger, someone else's grandpa, took the time to chat with me and my baby. To make me smile, and spread some joy. I have a feeling that that gentleman also carries the joy of the LORD with him. And I felt blessed. If you carry the Joy of Jesus, spread it everywhere you go! Make someone in the post office line smile.
      And now on this glorious winter's day, with the sun shinning bright and the wind whipping up the snow, let the Joy of the LORD saturate your soul. Happy Tuesday.

"Joy is a net of love by which you catch souls." ~Mother Teresa

9 Months

This past Sunday, Buirlen Elder turned 9 months. He is now walking around furniture, experimenting in the world of climbing, scooting everywhere like a baby chimp and making us smile a lot. He loves to play peek-a-boo with Daddy and drag around Mamma's hairbrush. He has also been jabbering a lot, his favorite word being Da-da-da-da-da. All in all, I'd say it's been a splendid 9 months. He's a keeper. 

Oh, and yesterday I attempted to get this post done. I got the sign made, took the pictures(with a rather unwilling model) and managed to get it all posted. Not long after my brother pointed out that I had put the wrong month on the sign, so the above pictures are technically take 2.... Oh boy, life is interesting. 

Happy Wednesday!

"Be silly, be honest, be kind." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Puff Pastry and Other Stuff

     Monday is over halfway over now and the weather has been unique. Between the rain/snow/hail we have been getting, the roads should be interesting to drive on. Regardless of the weather patterns however, this weekend was lovely. Katy and I love to watch "The Great British Baking Show," and felt the need to try our hands at something creative in the baking department. So, on Saturday, we spent the afternoon making lemon, raspberry, cheesecake, puff pastry tarts.

I wore my pearls to add a touch of Julia Child to the afternoon. 

The recipes ready to go. I even have a British cookbook with my name in the title. 

Lemon curd, Raspberry coulis, and puff pastry.

Starting the dough. Nettie got in on the action. 

Pounding our butter. 

It was exciting when it worked out like it was supposed to. 

Roll, fold, chill repeat. And if you're Brody you take a snooze. 

Katy is a tad busy. 

Babies and raspberries.

 

We achieved the layers of puff pastry, but I think we may have overworked the dough because it wasn't quite as delicate as I think it should have been. But so fun to try non the less.

Also, last Thursday, Luke's sister, Martha, and her family moved and our now just a couple of hours from us. So we got to see them and their new house. They also came to town for the weekend, so fun was had. 

Giving Auntie Martha a hug.

Cousins are fun!

  

Relaxing with Grandpa

Is it a pond, a skating rink, or our driveway on this blustery day?

The other day Andrew, Katy and the kids were over and all the kids were playing in the bedroom. Nettie comes out and asks if she could use my toothbrush. I told her no and that she should use a pretend one. She replied, "But i already did."....Oh boy

So there you have it. Enjoy the rest of your day!

"Simple pleasures are life's treasures." ~Unknown

The Adventures of Life

    We are now 2 days past Thanksgiving, the boatload of snow we had earlier in the month is mostly gone and the weather see-saws between winter and fall. This afternoon we decided to make pancakes and bacon...A very Saturdayish thing to do.  

Jordan popped by on his break to enjoy them with us. 

    

A couple weeks ago my parents came up for a visit. 

Looking at pictures with Poppy

 My dad shares my love of color and has thus far kept Buirlen supplied in a swirl of colorful tie dye. We like it!

While my parents were here, my dad's cousin Viv was also in town visiting her family, our good friends Andrew and Katy. So we had dinner together. 3 generations of cousins around our supper table. 

Ama and Buirlen and Viv and Brody. 

Grandpas are such a good thing to have in one's life!

Poppy Shearer

Grandpa Williams

Last weekend, my good friend, Larisa, traveled North to attend the Sound of Music with me. It was a lovely production. Buirlen stayed home with Daddy and his cousins and had a grand ole time. 

Having fun with Uncle Jordan.

Jordan and I were discussing the other day about how, when we were kids, we would imagine that the specks of dust floating in a beam of sunlight were horses and we would then ride the the horses by jumping around in the light. I have no idea how this got started, but it made me all sentimental this morning to watch Buirlen discover the specks of dust floating in the mid morning sunlight as it streamed into the living room. 

Playing with Daddy....Mr. Buirlen is starting to walk around furniture.

A visitor 

I was feeling in the mood to be festive the past couple of days. So I made a pot of spiced cranberry punch. 

The boy with the wild hair. 

Happy Saturday. 

"Find Joy in the ordinary."~Unknown

8 Months

 Buirlen Elder turned 8 months this past Friday. This has been a BUSY month for him! He is officially crawling....Which makes sweeping the floor an Olympic sport, dust piles look like they must be a lot of fun! He is also able to get himself back up to a seated position from his belly and is pulling himself up on furniture. Music still soothes his soul and he will let you know if you aren't sharing whatever your eating fast enough, ice cream and spaghetti are favorites. He's a social butterfly and we are continually reminded of how awesome it is to have him in our hearts and home.  

Our niece Mara made the sweater for him. The Lovely Keren Ruth and I were commenting on how he looks like a little Irish sheep farmer in it. He just needs a border collie, cap, and some galoshes. 

Supporting the local lumberyard where our favorite Lumberjack works. 

Graham crackers are delicious...and make a nice paste to smear everywhere. 

Sunday evenings are for relaxing. 

The little explorer

Cousins and best buds. 

"What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family." ~Mother Teresa