Snowy Friday

It's snowing! It started last night and is still going strong. Morgan and I were supposed to drive to Denver today, but we decided not to risk it. Neither of our cars have four-wheel-drive. We are having a relaxing day at home instead.





Georgia fell through the ice this morning. We have a little creek in our backyard. It looked like it was frozen solid, but I guess it wasn't. She fell right through the ice. I think it scared her because she jumped out of there so fast! She wasn't hurt, but we could tell she was so cold. She planted herself right in front of the fireplace and has been sleeping there ever since :) Silly little goose.

Chair - Before

Our friends gave us this awesome vintage box chair that they had in their apartment. They just bought some new furniture, and the chair doesn't really fit any more. But I have big plans for this box chair. We are going to sand it, stain it, and make new cushions for it. I have never refinished a piece of furniture before, so this will be a good learning experience.




This week has been so busy! I am really looking forward to kicking back this weekend. On the agenda:

Tonight: Movie night with the girls

Friday: Headed to Denver to see our friends Jake and Mary Ellen; then catching the Nathaniel Rateliff concert at Everyday Joe's

Saturday: Lunch at Choice City with a friend who's driving in from Boulder; Princess Bride movie night with friends

Sunday: Church, high school youth group, small group... Sunday's are crazy! I think our work week actually starts on Sunday instead of Monday. Good thing we love our jobs :)

Happy Birthday to You

Today is my sweet mama-in-law's birthday.



Dear Juli,

You raised two boys into wonderful men. You pour yourself out for your students, your family, everyone around you. I have learned so many things from you. I am blessed beyond reason to be part of your family. I hope your birthday was filled with good things. I love you. oxoxo

{Photo by Jacques Lowe via Mary Ruffle.}

Home Sweet Home

It feels so great to be home after a long weekend away. We took our middle schoolers on a retreat to Winter Park, Colorado. Amazing! We had such a great time. We went snow tubing. We played a lot of Mafia. And we got lots of great time to love on our kids. They are so incredible. I feel blessed beyond words to have them in our lives.

The bad news is, I caught a cold up in the mountains. Lack of sleep is probably to blame. Or tubing all day in the snow. Either way, I am happy to be resting at home now!



For more photos of the weekend, see our other blog!

Spring

The weather has been so warm here lately. It's making me antsy for spring time. I want to plant things. But our meteorologist friend says it's going to snow again soon.



I am so happy it's Friday. I have a long to-do list. Mostly involving domestic things like laundry and cleaning and grocery shopping. And then packing for Winter Park this weekend. I just looked at the weather. Snow showers with temperatures in the 20's and 30's. I guess they call it Winter Park for a reason.

Spring will have to wait.

A Walk in the Park

Morgan did our taxes Tuesday night. We are already trying to figure out what to do with our (tiny) refund. It will probably go towards new tires for my car.

I feel like this week has flown by! We are headed off to Winter Park this weekend with the kiddos. Apparently, there are going be all sorts of fun things like snow tubing and snow shoeing and cross-country skiing. I predict we will not get very much sleep during the three days we'll be there. But it will be a blast.

Morgan just took the pups for a walk in the park, and I was watching them frolic. I snapped a couple of pictures. When Morgan saw them, he said, "My beard is looking strong." :)

Granola

Most of you will not be surprised by the fact that I made a big batch of granola this morning. I have now perfected my all-time favorite recipe (originally taken from the Southern Living cookbook). This stuff is so stinkin' easy to make. Not to mention delicious.



3 cups old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup sweetened, shredded coconut
1/2 cup sliced almonds (optional)
1/4 cup wheat germ

Mix dry ingredients, then combine:

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon honey
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 1/2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix together and spread on greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. And presto. Add raisins or other dried fruit, if desired. Then enjoy with milk or yogurt.

P.S. I always double this recipe to make Morgan and I a larger batch that will last us through the week... We eat of a lot of granola in our house. :)