Wishing For Pine Needles

it's all about the Syrup

On Saturday, Marianne attended a birthday party on the outskirts of town.  Way out, I should say.  So instead of driving way back home, the other three youngsters and I stumbled upon the lovliest of quaint maple sugaring festivals!  This was a no bells-n-whistles operation if I've ever seen one, which made it all the more enjoyable and interactive for us all.  (Except for little Lena, who was bundled so tightly that I'm not sure she ever made an appearance outside of her bunting.)

There was a pancake and sausage breakfast that we had not intended to join, but that wouldn't fly with the sweet ladies who worked so hard to put the event together.  We simply weren't leaving until we sat down and ate their pancakes and sausage and hot chocolate and coffee and of course....maple syrup!  (So much so that they were willing to let us dine on the house since this mama is almost always cashless and there was no debit card option here.  But because I am just old school enough, I had a check with me that they gratefully accepted!)

Even though it was about the coldest day we've had this winter, we had a wonderful time learning all about maple syrup and how it's made.  (And if it were any warmer, the fire in the hearth wouldn't have  been nearly as cozy!)

Hoping you are enjoying this first day of March!

a Stroll Down Memory Lane

Doesn't college sometimes seem like a lifetime ago?  It does for me, although it really hasn't been that long in the grand scheme of things. That life seems very far removed from this one now, and I have to try hard to put myself back there because now I belong so here. But sometimes, out of the complete blue, I'll think about college.  And miss it a little!

And this is just what led to an impromptu, holiday weekend road trip to my alma mater. 

The kids were fascinated by this placed that mama lived for four years and had a gazillion questions.  (And I answered most of them :)  And in doing so, I missed it all.  I thought about my roommate, Janice, and the endless conversations that were had on long walks around campus.  How is it that we could never run out of things to talk about?  I missed the Uptown Bakery.  I missed step aerobics at 9:00 p.m.  I missed holding down four different small jobs plus a full class load.  I missed the library.  And the complete and utter silence of the third floor.  I missed how 2 a.m. seemed early.  And how an 8 a.m. class was unthinkable.  I missed late night pizza and ice cream.  I missed Skipper's cheeseburgers and Bagel & Deli and First Run black bean chili.  I missed Williams Hall and those friends that came and went.

I wouldn't go back for all the money in the world, but I sure loved this beautiful day with my sweet family talking about the days of old in a beautiful place that, for four years, was home.

On The Go (on Car-Nursing)

Life, in all it's fullness, means that some things have to give.  And right now, those long, cozy, home-and-on-the-couch nursings are one of them.

Miss Lena has eaten many a meal in a parked mini-van.  My car battery has died twice already because of this.  Once because I unknowingly left my headlights on, and once because I used the built-in DVD player for my impatient young son without the engine running.  For a little too long.

(But most people are happy to help a lady with a newborn jump-start her car.  Thank goodness!)

Every once in a while, though, car-nursing can lead to something that makes everyone happy.  Like finding a parking lot right across from a state-wide marching band competition on a beautiful Fall day!

Fall Farm Love

Loving Fall here!  How about you?

(Linking up with The Prairie Homestead on 10/3/11...check this cool blog out!)

Flour Sack Friday - Around Town

The Cincinnati Art Museum....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family First Saturdays

(Completely Free and Completely Fantastic!)

Touring - Day 3

A view from our front yard....

And this historic (but vacant) bank that's on the next block over. 

( I saw a "For Sale" sign propped up on the side of this fabulous building.  Hmmmm.....)

Hope you are all having much spring-time fun in your own towns!

Touring around Town - Day One

This week is our official 'spring break,' so we are going to spend a little time getting more acquainted with our new surroundings.  This tiny town is quickly growing on us, and we are learning how to live fairly harmoniously in our close quarters. 

One of our favorites so far?   A bright and sunny backyard/garden!

(Complete with a small harvest of fresh asparagus!)

Please join us on our tour this week - we'd love to have you along!

a Weekend of our Own

That's right.  Just Dan and I. 

The kiddos were off to Grandma and Papa's house and we were off to a 9th anniversary get-a-way!

We stayed in the most charming bed and breakfast and ate the most delicious breakfast in the company of some lovely couples who were accomplished world travelers.  Although we hardly caught their names and will very likely never see them again, they shared with us their stories and kind advice like we had known them forever.  It's funny who you might spend an hour with in this life, huh?

We also spent an evening at nearby Conner Prairie to experience the renowned event, Follow the North Star.   It was a moving and humbling experience and one that we will remember and would recommend.

 

 

We happened upon this little gem of a fabric store.  They had a great selection of fabric by all my favorite designers, including row after row of Amy Butler.  They also had a beautiful selection of yarns and lots of books my very favorite crafters/bloggers.   With no kids in tow and one very patient husband, we must have been there at least two hours!  (Dan was quite comfortable during my shopping spree, by the way.  He was escorted to the dad/kid area that was fully equipped with two comfortable couches, a TV, fresh coffee and homemade bread, and lots of toys, books, and magazines.   Might I add that this arrangement is pure genius?)

We had a meal in downtown Carmel, Indiana which has recently rennovated its Arts District.  These very life-like looking statues are now permanent residents of this clever little town.  There are also some great little shops, restaurants, and antique stores.  (Again, all very easy to do without our three little sweeties!)

And somewhere in all of this carefree fun, I was reminded of just how much I love my husband and all of those little reasons why I first fell in love.  (Happy Anniversary, honey.  Thanks for the wonderful time!)

(And the kids were just fine - I think they easily adjusted to the indulgences of Grandma and Papa!)

Some Pumpkins for Us

The girls had been reminding me, oh, say every 10 minutes, that we still had no pumpkins and our trusty scarecrow still had not made his annual pilgrimage out of the basement and out to the lamp post.

So yesterday I surprised them with a spontaneous afternoon trip to a local apple and pumpkin farm.  (The combination of it being nearly 70 outside and the anticipation of NOT being the pumpkin grinch of the block were great motivators!)

 

 

 

 

The afternoon was warm and sunny and topped off with some freshly made pumpkin and cinnamon donuts and cool apple cider.  Yummmmm.....

And two little girls are now very happy to not be the only pumpkin-less house on the street!

An Off-the-Beaten-Path Kind Of Day

When we awoke to an absolutely gorgeous morning on Saturday, we knew that it simply could not be a day spent working inside, no matter how much we would like to have our door project completed.

So, after chatting for a few moments on what to do with our day, Dan and I decided that we both had the urge to do some garage sale-ing.   We have not been to many yard/garage/barn sales this season. This is mainly because we have been very intentional about ridding our home of items that we don't really need and are leery of bringing more in!

But after all, it was an amazing day for walking around outside and hitting a yard sale or two sounded like lots of fun.  We looked in the local paper and found the most perfect sale for us!  The ad claimed to have educational books and materials for sale - again perfect for this first-time homeschooling family!

This particular sale happened to be out in another town in a more rural community.  Even better.  Now our day was to include a drive in the country!

Our directions led us to this farm.  It was a darling alpaca farm, complete with a barn filled to the brim with homeschooling books and materials for sale.  This, to us, was a gold mine.  After filling our arms with books, books, and more books, we talked with the owner of the farm and discovered that she homeschooled all five of her children.  She was kind and knowledgeable, and just a delightful person to have met.  

I mentioned to her the angora goat giveaway at Martha's Vineyard Fiber Farm, and she seemed genuinely interested.  So I would be thrilled if, the next time we visit the alpaca farm, there is a small herd of angora goats roaming her pastures!

From there our travels took us to a small town known for its cute shops and antiques. With three young children, cute shops and antique stores are not so fun, but we did manage to walk through a couple.

I have mixed feeling about antiques.  Mostly I think they can be mildewy, dusty and just plain too old.  I know, I know....this is part of the charm, but I have just never quite gotten into it.  That being said, my grandmother used to own an antique store and there are things left from it that are fabulous.  And I actually have come to appreciate old quilts, fabrics and fancy work.  I have slowly gathered a collection of them over the years, and would love to share them someday.  (Now there's a future post idea!)

We also wandered into a small woodworking shop, where they made these wonderful-but-expensive owls.

This was exciting to Marianne since lately she cannot get enough of owls.  We have read owl books, purchased an owl stuffed animal, and are looking desperately for an owl costume pattern.  (She wants to be an owl for Halloween.)

     

The bear was Hans's favorite part of our day.  Aaahhh, so easy to please...

Our last stop was to look at fabric, because this town also happens to have a great fabric store.  Did I need any new fabric?  No. But how could I resist letting each of my daughters choose their own flannel fabric for a new nightgown pattern I have?

(Can you guess who chose the fabric on the bottom?)

We ended our day-long thrifting adventure at a rummage sale at the local fairgrounds.  As with any good rummage sale, the key is to arrive early. We got to this one about an hour before they closed, so as you might imagine, the pickings were slim.  And all three of our thrifting kiddos had just about had enough.

  

So homeward bound we were, complete with a carload of new books, new fabric, and a day spent not working on the doors!  (It was definitely worth it!)