change is in the air

Change is in the air.  Spring is coming.  I can feel it. 

And summer is just right around the corner.

more snow and a very loose tooth

We got some more snow overnight.  I'd say about 6 more inches.  I didn't snow blow this morning because I didn't have time.  My boys kept asking me if I was sure school wasn't cancelled.  Did I check my email?  Did I check their website?  Did I check the news source directly?  Yes, yes, yes...you still have school today.  They were very disappointed.

I've been drinking a lot of green tea with ginger lately.  I've been feeling as if I were on the verge of getting a cold.  Yesterday I put a very large piece of ginger in...and left it in my thermos.  I usually take it out after letting it steep a bit with the tea bag.  However, I wanted to nip this nagging sore throat in the bud.  And it worked!

My littlest boy enjoyed his oranges this morning.  All lined up in a row.  I love it!

And, my middle son is very, very close to loosing a tooth.  It's his first loose tooth.  He told me today that he does not like having a loose tooth.  He's not fond of change.  In fact, I bought him a new shirt not too long ago.  He did not want to wear it.  It was a nice Ohskosh B'Gosh athletic shirt that had a cool Olympian-style torch on the front.  He's a creature of habit...as am I, so I get it.  But, he does not like change of any kind.  And guess what?   After a conversation about the Olympics and what a torch is and how it's carried from person to person around the world only to end up at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games...I convinced him to wear the shirt today.  Victory!  I take what I can get. 

So, that's about all.  I cleared off the driveway again since my husband is still gone.  Not a problem.  My oldest starts it up for me and away I go.  It took about 40 minutes to clear about 7 or 8 inches.  Even though I love the snow, I'm hoping to have a little break.  However, my husband is coming home tomorrow night

husband's return home and more snow

I have a pretty steadfast routine.  It says that we stay home on Thursday.  I have been baking a lot this week.  I normally bake a lot, but we seem to be really going through the baked goods.  I don't buy any premade bakery items.  I'm not a fan of the added ingredients they put in theirs plus I like to use healthier flour and sugar and of course make them vegan.

Today we made granola.  More specifically, Hempanola (did you remember I spoke of it yesterday?)  This is a delicious recipe which uses barley flakes as well as oats.  The sweetener is brown rice syrup which coats every grain and leave the granola crunchy and in chunks.  Just the way I like it!  I added slivered almonds and chopped apricots.  I haven't tried any yet.  I'm waiting to have some for breakfast tomorrow morning.

I had a helper with me in the kitchen today.  He was in charge of stirring and adding the vanilla.  He was very specific that he wanted to add the vanilla.  Cute boy.

He had a rough night last night.  It took him a bit to fall asleep, then woke up several times before I made it to bed myself.  I could tell that he was warm and wanted to give him some ibuprofen to make him more comfortable, but he refused the medicine.  I was shocked!  Was this my child?  Refusing purple-colored syrupy medicine?  Apparently so.  He just wanted me to "put him back in there" pointing to his crib.  Adorable.  So, we kept things low-key today.  My type of day.

Anyway, more baking.  Chris had a fire meeting tonight and wanted me to make cookies.  Chocolate chip anyone?  Delicious.  I had to sample one, I must admit.

It was a coloring day, a day good for rolling Silly Putty into hot dog shapes and slicing it for "eating".

We were anticipating some snow.  Watching for it out the window.  Nothing happened until late afternoon.  It was right about the time we were expecting Daddy to leave and fly home.  His flight was delayed a bit, but not too long.  He was able to be with the boys for a bit before heading out to his meeting, cookies in tow.

Lunch was delicious leftovers.  I have my egg-less sandwich mix in the fridge, so I made another delicious sandwich to eat with leftover Quinoa, Kale, and White Bean Stew.

Oh my it's good.  You need to try it.

Now, I'm just watching the snow come down outside.  We're so happy it's snowing again.  It's been an odd winter.  We have gotten snow, then it promptly melts in 50 degree weather.  I can't complain really, although my boys are complaining!  And, I certainly don't want winter to be sticking around in April!  I'd rather have my snow now, thank you.

As I was taking these pictures, I could hear the teenagers across the street as they were shoveling their driveway.  One of them said, "I just saw lightning!"  Funny...it was just my flash.


Last night was a late night.  I tend to stay up late when my husband is out of town.  So, I think I'll finish both my glass of wine and my episode of chopped.  Maybe one day I'll see them compete using all vegan ingredients.  Now, that would be something to watch!

Good night all.

The Feeling of Fall

The weather has been cool, cloudy, and a bit rainy the past couple of days.  It's quite a change from the hot, humid days we've had so far this summer.  Days that have brought us to the beach more times than I can count...

days that have taken us to the Sleeping Bear Dunes on numerous occasions...

days that have brought so many visitors into our home.  We have been so blessed this summer season to have 11 (so far!) family members or friends spend some of their vacation with us.  And since we've had so many visitors and so many adventures together, I can't quite talk about them all in one post.  Beginning in the next week or two I will begin sharing our summertime adventures with the people who chose to travel and spend some time in our beautiful part of the country.  Now, if they would travel up here in January, then we'd really know how much they loved us!  just kidding

But, back to the fall-like weather.  I love all of the seasons.  That's why Texas and I didn't get along so well.  Yes, it was kind of nice having the sunny, blue skies, and 65 degree temperatures on Christmas day.  But, that's not right.  I should be wearing a sweater, sitting by the fire sipping hot chocolate, watching the big snowflakes fall gently to the ground while listening to Barry Mannilow singing in the background.  I just couldn't get used to that crazy Texas weather.  Although, spring in February sure was nice!

But we've had such a fun summer!  I know fall is coming, maybe my most favorite of the seasons, and I wasn't ready.  Until this weekend.  The cool air, the smell of the pine trees wafting through the house, I was starting to long for soup and baked potatoes fresh from the oven.  Not to mention back to school time.  I love my children to no end, but I also love school and the endless office supplies that we must go look at and purchase (for the oldest boy anyway).  Have I mentioned my addition to office supplies?  Too bad I don't have an office.  I guess you could call my kitchen my office.  But, I digress...  I love office supplies:  pencils, pens, erasers, notebooks, calculators.  My oldest needs a protractor this year!  Yipee!!

I am looking forward to getting back into the routine of school.  Did I just say that?  Yes, I did.  I'm all for routines.  And this summer was probably the one time, since having our first child over 9 years ago, that I've been very lenient on our daily routine.  Which, has lead to many a cranky child (mostly the 2 year old variety) and mommy (not that often, but on occasion).  But, oh the fun we've had!

In a mere three weeks I'll be sending two of my boys back to school.  Both of them will be going full time which will leave me home with my youngest, for one more year.  Can I cry now?  Because I seriously could.  I love my boys, and I know that in an instant the years will fly by and they will be off to college, and then married with children of their own.  And, where does that leave me?  I'm not so sure yet, I'm still working on that one.  Baby steps...

Getting back to the topic at hand, this change in weather has given me more to think about than just a change in wardrobe, or a change in routines.  It has me thinking of the constant change in our lives.  Change is a good thing, change is the only constant in life.  And, change is good.

See you soon, autumn.