pippi & friends

 Blizzard conditions.
 Several Feet of Snow.
Storm of the century.
Due tomorrow. 

Oh, my.

Exciting, but just a little bit frightening at the same time. 

I'm thinking snow day. I love a good snow day.

Games, books, projects, and crafts.

A big pot of soup.
Something sweet in the oven.

 A lot of Miss Pippi, it's someone's favorite right now, and her friends...

Charlie and Lola's, An Extremely wintery winter activity kit...it has sparkles.

Bring it winter, we're ready.

Most of the games are by Eeboo, find them at The Land of Nod.

valentine bluebird

kisses are a better fate

 than wisdom

~e.e. cummings

Hello, my friends. Friday, at last.

 I've three out of the four girls home today. We're hoping to work on our valentines. We're into Valentine's day in a big way. Is there anything better than a homemade valentine?

 a very merry vintage style put a link up to some free vintage valentines, here. Take a peek at I love Pretty Little Things, for Friday pretties.

the happiness factor

 My cousin is expecting her fifth baby next month. I have lots of baby things and I'm more than ready to share... But, it leaves me in need of a light weight stroller for those quick trips when someone's little legs are tired.

 There are lots of strollers to choose from in many different patterns at all different price points. Truthfully, they all blend together. But one look at those cheerful polka dots, and I made my decision. 

It's perfectly happy.

Find it at Cath Kidston. 

passing fancy

Do you remember in the novel,  Little Women, how Amy March had a thing for 'limes'? Everyone had them at school, and she 'had to have some' as they were the fashion. Her sister, Meg, generously gave her the money to buy a few dozen. The second Amy brought them to school, the teacher confiscated them as contraband. Oh, the outrage!

 Even though that was published in 1868,  it still rings true today. The specific fashion varies and passes unbelievable quickly. Japanese Erasers, Peek-a-poohs, Silly Bandz, and Gelly Roll Pens have all come and gone...or lingered on in the farthest recesses and corners throughout our home.

This year, Mary Kate has a 'thing' for nail polish.

 Not just any kind, but Essie, and only Essie. She does have an eye for color. She's acquired the majority of her collection through Christmas gifts, and spent her own hard earned funds on the rest. Mentioning that some serious chemistry is involved in their formulation has inspired an interest in science. Let's hope it's not temporary.

spring-ish

I'm home with a sick little one today. Her cough resembles that of a baby seal. Love the little vignettes she's set up all over the house while she's supposed to be resting. She put these little colorful 'jumping' wooden toys (from Schylling) in the window because, 'they look spring-ish'. Love the way that little girl thinks.

We're expecting the coldest temperatures yet this winter. I'm thinking I'll take a peek on-line and find the girls some new swimsuits for our upcoming spring break trip. An optimistic distraction, don't you think?

Have a warm, peaceful, and hopefully, a healthy weekend.

I'm joining I Love Pretty Little Things for Friday pretties.

acorn & will

 Are you familiar with acorn & will?

I was lucky enough to win a give-away recently from UK blogger,  Torie Jayne, sponsored by acorn & will. Daniella, the creator of acorn & will, has a darling on-line site featuring an assortment of jewelry, hair accessories, cushions, and a collection of vintage essentials all of which are handmade using vintage fabric and finds.

 I was pleased to receive six darling auntie annie coasters in an assortment of prints. Two sweet pins featuring some vintage images. A pretty millie nail file case and a delicately scented candle featuring orange, clove, and cinnamon in a polka dotted glass jar.

Thank you so much, Daniella.

You certainly made my day.

white wreath

How can it be Friday already?

What a busy, busy week. Lots of snow, a stomach bug, and finals...quite the combination. I'm really looking forward to the weekend. Did you catch Downton Abbey this past Sunday? Maggie Smith, as Violet,  Dowager Countess of Grantham, icily inquires,  'what is a weekend?' Love everything about the production. I'm anxiously awaiting this weekend's installment.

 It occurred to me I left you up in the air, in regards to the white button wreath I shared with you earlier.

 It worked perfectly for Christmas, and now I'm thinking it's just what I need for Valentine's Day.

 I varied the thread color to keep it interesting while sewing. Red, pink, green, and blue...I had to have a little color. Love the variation in white found among the buttons as well as the differing degrees of iridescence.

If you have a moment, head over to I Love Pretty Little Things for lots of Friday pretties.

the band

You are the music while the music lasts.

~ T.S. Eliot

 The first band concert occurred the other night. As it was the debut of the fifth grade band, their performance was enthusiastic and energetic, if a little discordant. But, I didn't mind. Our Gracie plays the flute, and she takes it very seriously. 

She's lucky enough to have her first cousin, Brendan, in her class. How cute is he with that trumpet?

colorful

Who was it who said...'if you want a rainbow, you've got to put up with the rain'? Well, I braved the cold yesterday and did a quick run-through of the monthly antique market. I found these sweet little crocheted drinking-glass sleeves, that I didn't know I needed.

The vintage embroidered cover for the blender was among some other goodies waiting for me. The cheerful colors spoke to me.

waiting to be a swan

Middle school. Did you love it or hate it?

 One of my girls sailed through with nary a hitch. The other, unfortunately, stumbled a bit. She ran into some unkind girls. They seem to have a talent for selecting the sensitive, vulnerable ones. It wasn't easy, but she handled it, and it's over for the most part. Do you hear my sigh of relief?

This daughter of mine, has lots and lots of really curly golden brown hair. Her older sister spent a long time, and I mean a really long time, straightening it for her last night. She was transformed this morning.

The best part of daughters, watching them turn into swans.

The vintage blushing swan posy is by Royal Adderley. If you have a moment, please take a peek at  I love Pretty Little Things for Friday Pretties.

stripes

Look what I felt compelled to acquire the other day.

A nautical jumper with cornflower blue stripes... 

 Don't you think I had to bring it home?

Find it at American Eagle.

come again

Hello, my friends. How does this Monday find you? 

I'm largely in recovery mode. The girls are back in school and the house is too quiet. We had lots of snow over break, but an out-of-season rainstorm over the weekend wiped out most, if not all of the snow. Things are looking a little grim and grey. Not my favorite. I'd much prefer for things to look this way again...let's take a walk down memory lane.

This particular patch of peonies is a favorite. They do tend to come and go so quickly, but then so does everything...

 I'm focusing on the fact that they always come again, and I can't wait. 

Over the weekend, we had a little celebratory dinner party. We made pizzas from scratch with lots of fun toppings. The girls favorite was pesto, fresh milk mozzarella, and spinach with roasted peppers. We switched up our recipe for the crust, and we were pleased with the results.

A couple of the girls were finished and playing in the other room. When we heard Gracie say, 'that's a bad word, you shouldn't say it.' To which her sister, Rosie, said it again, and again with a three year old's delight.

Gracie came in and complained about her little sis and spelled out the forbidden word,
  'C, R, A, P'.

Rosie followed her in, 'I didn't say c, r, p...I said crap'.

'Oh, no she didn't', I thought, as I looked at our dinner guests.

'You know like...'

Rosie then pantomimed clapping.

She thought she was saying clap.

a new year

We will open the book. It's pages are blank.

 We are going to put words on them ourselves.

 The book is called Opportunity and

 it's first chapter is New Year's Day.

~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

 A new year...a fresh beginning. I love the idea of viewing the year ahead as an unwritten book, don't you? Happiest wishes to you and your family in 2011.