This and That

Looking out back from a kitchen window inside, I noticed how the chicken coop was nearly invisible due to the deep snow.  There is a shoveled path in front of it to get to them that you can't see.

As I was noticing the chicken coop, a child flew down and then another, landing softly in the snow. 

They were jumping down from the porch roof.

After the two loaves of freshly baked bread were gone by 1:00 in the afternoon yesterday, I have come to accept that three loaves each day is necessary for our growing family.

I crocheted this little elephant using Peace Fleece Wool/Mohair yarn from a pattern I found here.
It will be for Abraham's Easter basket.


Warm wishes,
Tonya

More Snow

Sorry that this may be a bit of a boring post, but I just want to document our largest snow fall of the winter season.

We woke up to nearly two feet.

Looking out our front door this morning.

Mike trudging through the snow  to get a shovel.

Mike and the boys are still outside shoveling, they have been for three hours now.  I went out to help for a bit, but am happy to be back inside baking bread and sipping tea.

Warm wishes,
Tonya

 

Working with White

with all the snow and the warmth of the sun, it has been wonderful for the children to play outside

visiting with a chicken

I have been inside playing with birch bark ~

Warm wishes,

Tonya

Outside and In

Blanketed with a layer of deep snow with the sunshine shining brightly, there is so much beauty around us.

And inside ~

Abraham brought down How Things Work from his brother's book shelf. 

Enjoying a warm bath.

Crafting with odds and ends.

I am excited to be going to town this afternoon.  It has been awhile and I am looking forward to visiting the consignment shops and stocking up on some staples. 

Warm wishes, Tonya

How Cold Was It?

Our kitchen window completely iced over

Our car did not want to start.  Mike put out some metal to try and reflect the sun to help heat up the engine.

On the coldest day of the winter thus far, the children spent more time outside than usual.  I was a bit concerned and kept checking their fingers and asking them if they felt cold.

They iced up the little hill down to the pond and used all kinds of things to slide down on - here is a sled on a wooden ladder.

No need for a sled when they have their big brother to pile on...

(It didn't get above 8 degrees or so after being minus 25 the night before.)

 Warm wishes, Tonya

Snapshots from the Past Week

Basketball on skates?

Our oldest, Thomas, celebrating seventeen

Abraham  in pink

Sarah's fort with pine cone decorations

More Snow Fun

When I walked out to clean out the chicken coop yesterday afternoon, I couldn't help but to snap photos of the children's sledding runs.

a gentle run with a small jump

a black diamond run

Warm wishes for a joy filled day,

Tonya

Igloos

I had this funny feeling when Isaac (he is 12 years old) came in from outside, stuck his head inside the door and said, "They have fires in igloos, right?"  

I replied, "Yes, with a hole in the roof, of course."

A little while later he came back in and asked, "Mom, can I have some matches?"

(just a note, there were no little ones outside with him when he did this)

As I went out to check on him a little later  I discovered ~

Skating and Christmas Preparing

Yesterday was our first day out on the pond... so much excitement and fun.  Last night the children headed out on the ice after supper.  We discovered a flood light that shines on the pond. What a wonderful blessing.

Daily, little holiday preparations take place... (most of our holiday orders have been filled and shipped - which is such a great feeling)

stringing cranberries and popcorn

baking for friends and neighbors - this is a batch of cranberry, oat, walnut, with white chocolate chips cookies

There is a nice relaxed feeling as we prepare for the coming week of celebration.

Warm wishes,

Tonya

(The honey giveaway below, will close at 7:00 pm tonight.  I will announce the winner then.)

A Little of This and a Little of That

Our days are always so full....

knitting and needle felting valentine gnomes

sewing more hearts for winter newsletters

making winter swags for doors

reading lovely notes from far away friends

(this beautiful watercolor painted notecard comes from herondance.org)

collecting these adorable spruce cones on our daily walks

What are you filling your winter days doing?

Warm wishes,

Tonya

(There is a very nice tutorial on making your own wooden knitting needles here.)

Skating, Skating....

We have a little pond in front of our homestead that is not only wonderful for ducks we plan to get in the spring, but ice skating in the winter. It has been sufficiently cold the past few days after a bit of a warm up for the skating to begin again. Such simple fun for all of our family and friends. A late afternoon doesn't usually pass, when the pond is safe, that a game of hockey isn't played.

None of our children take any formal lessons or play on hockey teams, but they love to skate.

As I was sitting at my secretary looking out our window at the pond, I was filled with gratitude to watch all six of our children and my husband out on the pond. Even the little one was was playing on the edges.

Have a wonderful weekend. We have a birthday celebration to prepare for. Abraham turns two on Sunday and my mom and step-father will be arriving from southern New England to help celebrate.

Warm wishes, Tonya