Unexpected Beauty

 Aren't these stairs amazing? They remind me of the rows of colored pencils my girls have been fawning over since yesterday. I think I'd like to fly to Wuppertal, just to sit on these steps and have a Coke and schnitzel.

A Little Somethin' Special

 While it was still dark out, we gathered together for breakfast, Valentine-style. Heart shaped pink pancakes, mini boxes of chocolates, colored pencils for the girls, a doodle book for the young man, and a book for Pops.

It's the little things, isn't it?

Handmade Love Day

 I love Valentine's Day. It's a gimmicky holiday, I know, but it just feels so sweet and good. Isn't giving and getting a Valentine so joyful? 

Jane had Valentine cards on her list of things to do and we decided to make a painting craft out of it.

I'm not sure where I spotted this idea online, but I thought it was charming. I penciled in a grid on an index card, mixed up some valentine colors, and Jane filled all the little squares in with paint.

Once she was finished and the paint was thoroughly dry, I scanned the card and printed them up on some white card stock.

All that was left was to sign her name on the bottom of her artwork and stuff them in a little cellophane bag with a chocolate.

If you ask me, nothing says "I love you" like handmade.

Mothers and Fathers

"What do you do? You're just a housewife and slave, aren't you? A nursemaid to a bunch of kids?" ---"No, I have a fantastic job, a terrific career. I am a curator in a museum --- a museum of memories!"

"You're tied down by a whole family. What a bore! Don't you wish you could get away with the fellows for a real good time?" --- "No, I can't waste my time that way. I'm a collector, you see. I have to spend my time collecting, whenever I'm not tied up in work. I am collecting memories for our family museum!"

-What Is A Family?, Edith Schaeffer

Hurry Back Home Choco-Rolls

Whenever I make crescent rolls, I always make a ton. They freeze so nicely and dress up most any meal.

Last week, Jane and I decided to make some of them into choco-rolls. Before rolling triangles into the crescent shapes, just add a few chocolate chips to the fat end of the dough wedge. Roll up, shake on some sprinkles, let rise, and bake for usual amount of time.

Serve warm as after school treat. Now that'll keep 'em happy to be home!

**What do you like to whip up to turn snack-time into party time?

13 Wonderfully Grubby Years

 Based on the size of Pops' eye-glasses, I figure this photo to be about 17 years ago. I'm not sure I ever really imagined the future ahead of me, but I've been swept off my feet ever since.

Today marks our 13th wedding anniversary. It's a good life to have someone to get grubby with year after year.

And She Had Happy Feet

Oh, Ladies. I've just found me the most perfect pair of flats ever. I'd been jonesin' for a pair of animal print flats for awhile, figuring they'd be chic, practical, and comfortable. But why, oh why, are comfy flats ... at a good price ... hard to find? Such a strange phenomenon.

But then I stumbled up on this pair at TJ Maxx. They only had one pair, in my size, fantastically comfy, in a groovy faux snakeskin/leopard print, for literally half of the retail price. Destiny.

Off to go chase my tots and make some grub all while happily shod ...

If I Could, I'd Dress Like This Gentleman

 Phoenix Zoo, Arizona

Jane Fosters Critter Love

Fast and Tasty

Squash on sale at your local market like mine? Peel, chop and toss with onion, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast 'til squash is soft and starting to brown. Mix with penne pasta, ground sausage, lots of sage, a little bit of cream, and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

Yum.