Today I said yes.

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Summer-like temperatures have my kids raiding the attic for last year's too-small, too-short summer dresses and tank tops. They wilt in the heat they've been wanting-for all winter. They come in the kitchen melting with "hotness".I remind them that maybe they're sweaty and red-faced because they've been racing bikes up and down the dusty lane.

For the past two days I've been turning down their pleas to go down to the stream. I've got to-do lists a mile long, boxes to unpack, laundry to put away, monogrammed towels to sort, there's no time for wading in streams.

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How to build a snowman

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A post from Mary...

Step one: Make a really big ball of snow. Love on it some.

Add a second ball of snow. Get your Dad to help. It is going to be heavy.

Now just look at it for a moment.
Add the third ball of snow. Get your Dad and your sister to help. It is going to need to be lifted really high.
Add carrot nose.

 

And use coal for eyes. Add wooden buttons and a scarf. And of course a fireman's hat. Dad will help.

 

 

Stop for a photo before it melts away.

 

 

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A walk in the wetlands

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Mary

It was the last day of spring break and we were up for something. The Easter break had had it's usual fun. Family picnic---the pigs were a hit. Church. Family time. The weather was cool, but we decided to check out a new spot. Little did I know that our county owned a 30-acre wetland area complete with one mile of boardwalk to protect the delicate happenings there.

Perfect time to go. Tadpoles by the dozen.

Red-winged Blackbirds were calling everywhere. Even globs of salamander eggs. No one else was there. But raccoons had been the night before.

The perfect end to a great spring break.

 

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7 lovely things

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what I got her

Good morning and Happy Valentine's my friends. Oh, I missed this place. I'm completely procrastinating on things like laundry and school work and showers and a huge mess in the kitchen from pink chocolate chips pancakes. But, it's been too long. So, hello. How about a list this morning, shall we?

1. I cashed in on my Christmas present this past weekend. A girls weekend away with two of my bestest cousins. We had grand plans of doing important things like historical tours and traditional working-farm visits--but it happily and comfortably turned into lounging and knitting in hotel rooms, long dinners out and antique shopping. It was perfect. And while, you know, I fought that mama-guilt about being away, it was such a good weekend. So so good. I have made it official that my husband can give me the same gift every year.

Be still my heart.

2. Do you see this aisle of goodness I stumbled upon in the very back of one shop? I may have had trembling hands when I took this picture.

first tractor driving lessons

3. First tractor-driving lessons with her great uncle. The report is that she's a pro and only stalled it out once. Learning to drive a tractor is on my to-do list. I think she just beat me to it. When asked if she wanted to trade in her pony for a tractor, we only got a roll of the pre-teen eyeballs.

4.  My new favorite and also perfect Valentine's listening: Us & Our Daughters (with a hat tip to my music soulmate. You know who you are.) On their site they share that last year was a tough year for them and their love. But they took to songwriting as their therapy. It pulled them through and this album is the fruit of that time. It's beautiful. 

5. Some love of the 4-hooved variety.

6. This knitted lovely is going in the queue. 

7. Some love it's good to remember.

xo.

Molly

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