(that post where I won't name any names...)

What a whirlwind weekend!

Friday night was a drive to camp to drop off our girl and her friend for a Winter Weekend with our church youth group.

Saturday was snow, snow, snow, and though it was recommended that we wouldn't, my hubby and I ventured out for lunch (breakfast food for me) at a neighborhood cafe that we have recently discovered.

Sunday was baby rockin', worship, a Mexican lunch, and a drive back to camp to get our girl -- and then a lot of feet up, surfin', snoozin', kids & friends playing cards, and Downton Abbey watchin'.  (No awards, thank you.)

There was a lot of down-time in between all of the running, so, it was a nicely balanced weekend, even though it sped by.

The highlight of my Sunday morning in the nursery was a silly little thing -- but in another way, huge.  One little guy was going around the room, pointing back to me and saying, "That's Sally."  It just kind of struck me that... he really knows me.  Week after week, visit after visit, we have become buddies.  So much so, in fact, that when I saw him again later in the morning, he kissed me.  On the lips.

OBviously, we have become close.  I'm laughing out loud, and shaking my head.  Oh that boy.

I hope you had a great weekend, too!

Stay Warm!

I hope everyone is staying toasty warm on this coldest of cold days.  My girl and I are hunkered down at home... school was cancelled yesterday and today due to the extreme temps/windchills expected -- and we are all too happy to be spending the day with one of our favorite "littles" from church.  It's been fun to dust off some old toys, favorite books, and a naptime blanket for him.  I'm looking forward to some great adventures... indoors.

Stay warm!

And for your viewing pleasure: frost on one of our windows.  God's handiwork.

Valentine's Day Weekend... I Hope

I hope you have a beautiful Valentine's Day Weekend.  I hope it's filled with fun adventures.  I hope you get crafty.  I hope you prepare some of your favorite foods... together.  Spend time... together.

I hope you do... the things that will give you the MOST wonderful memories.

Happy Valentine's Day!

#LoveIsWorthCelebrating

Sunny Days Inspiration

SUNSHINE.  

I just googled and found out there is an average of 164 days of sunshine where I live.  164 out of 365.  That's only about 45% of the days in a typical year.  That puts our city at 44th of the list of the top 101 cities with the lowest average sunshine amount.  BOO.  Also - I just did all that MATH before 9:30AM.  If my calculations are wrong, don't tell me.  This is NOT a math blog - *wink.

Okay, so this is an average.  I get that.  That means there are some years where we have lots of sunshine, and other years... not so much.  Well, this has been one of those "not so much" years -- at least so far.  My south-bound mother teased me a little about my dismal outlook this year.  To that, I can only say, "Talk to the hand... You weren't LIVING it."  LOL.  Just teasin' ya back, Mom.  {By the way, nice tan!}

Anyways, I'm here to tell you that there have been a handful of sunshiny days in the last week or so, and... all record-making, taking, or breaking aside... I'll TAKE 'EM!

It was a dreary January, but as soon as the sunshine showed up, I felt like my brain was finally open for business.  I even went so far as to do a little crafting, resulting in some Valentine decor.  Kind of blew my own mind, since I've been in a long dry spell.

I also was inspired to do some picture-taking -- which I haven't done [just for fun] in a long time.  Most of the pics showed up on Instagram, as you know if you follow me there.  As usual, I'm way behind the curve when it comes to technology.  I've only recently "inherited" my daughter's old iPod.  It takes ridiculously crummy pictures, but I'm having fun with it nevertheless.  Someday, I will have something even "smarter."

But I digress.  

It took a fellow-blogger's comment to snap me out of the doldrums after THIS POST.  Amanda and I have become blogging buddies since we both participated in the "This Week in My Kitchen" bloghop.  She chided me, saying, "...really [pictures] are what jog our memories when we look back on life... TAKE MORE PICTURES, and stop wishing the winter away. ;)"

Thanks Amanda.  You were right.  {You can find Amanda's blog HERE.}

Picture-taking can really change your perspective on things.

The other day, I was downtown at a stop-light that was taking forever to change.  It was a beautiful sunny day, and all of a sudden it occurred to me that I might get an interesting "urban" shot of the red traffic light with the sunlight behind it.  So, instead of sitting at the red light tapping my fingers, I was taking pictures.  BOOM.  Perspective changed.

Try it.  You might be surprised.  Also: some of the best picture-taking happens on days without sun!  NO SHADOWS!

Don't forget: #LoveIsWorthCelebrating

When Crafting With Candy, Know Your Audience

So, I'm not entirely sure what I was thinking when I fell in love with my friend Pam's Valentine idea.  Obviously, I forgot her comment: "You gotta use a candy that you don't love more than life itself, or you're just asking for it be be refilled constantly." 

Obviously, I forgot the "audience" at my house -- since this jar wasn't even out on display 48 hours before somebody wanted to empty it.  [In reality, 48 hours is probably some kind of record around here!]

That person shall remain nameless, but suffice it to say that he[?] was told it was there for decorative purposes.  I really didn't think that these little cinnamon red-hot things would be very tempting.

Obviously, I am not the right person to ask.  Obviously.

The good news is that I am pretty sure he[?] heard the edge to my voice, shook in his[?] boots, and returned the jar to the tabletop, unopened.  Pretty sure.  Or, you know... umm, not.

Either way, I have learned my lesson.

When crafting with candy, KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE.

#LoveIsWorthCelebrating

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