BROOKSIDE FARM

***Wednesday, Feb. 23rd, 2011***

I've just checked out my friend Barbara's new website, found here. I will be doing some of her cooking classes in the next few months and can't wait!

I've been a guest at her house many times in the past and believe me,

everything this woman makes and creates is wonderful.

I always leave her house wanting to go home and be creative. She has that effect on people.

MENU FOR MARCH

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winter squash strudel

roasted parsnip & cider soup

roasted beet salad

braised lamb shanks

potato & onion bread

apple-cranberry galette

with vanilla ice cream

Can't wait to eat it. Cooking it should be a bit of fun too :)

MOXYANDTOOTS

***Tuesday, Feb. 22nd, 2011***

Although Valentine's Day was over quite a few days ago, I did not mention the great "MoxyandToots" v day party we attended.

My friend Debbie at "Higglety Pigglety" threw a great celebration that was not only in honor of Valentine's Day, but also to welcome "MoxyandToots" into her store.

These lovable stuffed toys are super cute and can be found not only in Debbie's shop but also at creator Adrienne's etsy shop right here.

Of course I got one!

NEON

***Monday (family Day) Feb. 21st, 2011***

These days I am really into Neon. I've suggested to Dale that we repaint our fire place neon green. The answer was "nope".

Then I wanted to replace my curtains in the bedroom and thought something in neon would be cool. The cat has created her own star installation that is there for my very own viewing pleasure, when they are closed. For a while Dale had me convinced it was teeny tiny, invisible moths eating them, but then I caught the wretched beast pocking holes in them with her talons.

Maybe I'll dye the cat neon pink. I'm sure Lone would love that.

So neon is my thing these days and Judy Black's stuff, is right up my acid wash alley.

I saw her work at "The One of A Kind Show" and it pained me to not buy a few of these pillows.

Every time I walk by my lounge room,

I envision three like this one , dressing up my bla couches.

I would totally like to see some kids clothes from these guys.

This bag print would make very cool curtains in my room.

Maybe minus the little guy.

He might give me nightmares.

FALLING TREES

***Sunday, Feb. 20th, 2010***

I must tell you about our Friday night. I experienced something I have not done so in quite some time.

Cold, hard fear.

Friday afternoon, the family and I went to visit our friends who have quite the snow run built. Because it was a full moon, we hiked out to their winter pond. It took about ten minutes to get there and looked so beautiful with the full moon and fairy lights, encased in ice, scattered around the rink. The kids loved skating and being pulled around in the sleds. Hot chocolate and little cups of wine, added to everyone's overall good cheer. Out of nowhere, the wind began to pick up, really pick up and suddenly a huge tree cracked and crashed down, only feet from the rink and us! All the trees began swaying and then another fell and it was too dark to see what direction it was heading. The kids were terrified and so were the adults! One tree landed right on our path and we all had to scurry under it!

It seems the night sprites wanted their forest back!

It was so good to get back to the safe and warm house and it made me think of all that our ancestors would have had to endure in the primitive world that was not so long ago.

Some things I like, in honor of those usually, grand, gentle giants.

hibernate

***Thursday Feb 17th 2011***

My father is off to Mexico without us.

I'm not at all bitter though.

So, he's off to sunny Mexico and the Femmes and I decided to go visit him before he left.

He's gone for two months. Two months in the sun. So Lone was a little bummed out when she realized that we are not going with him, that we are just visiting him in the retirement village he lives in.

So I suggested that we play the animal game "Beaver". She said that her teacher says that bears are hibernating right now and so we can't play.

My kid is so smart!

Seriously!

I had to spell-check hibernate!

Some pics of the cute kids. Smyth is 8 months old!

BIRTHDAYS

***Tuesday February 15th, 2010***

We just love birthday parties at my house. Lone more so than any of us. Daily, she invites strangers to her next birthday party.

We have gone to a lot of parties recently. Like Her buddy Charlie's. (Middle)

How great is this winter themed cake!

This was the most relaxed and enjoyable kid's party that I have ever attended!

Maybe it was because my friend Terra only had four kids at the party (and three babies).

How cute or these books and head bands?!

Each was picked specifically for each child.

Then it was Audrey's day!

Audrey has turned one.

I'll never forget the day she was born, as I was there :)

She's beautiful.

Smyth's pretty dapper herself.

She enjoyed her first birthday party, which just so happened to be her best buddy's.

School Daysse

***Wednesday January 26th, 2010***

I love my daughter's montessori school. It's great! Having to come up with show and tell ideas, I like, not so much. Only because I insist that it be something a little more interesting and educational than her just dragging one of her monster size sleep companions (not mommy and daddy, but the massive pink bear, brown moose with the red bow and purple dog pillow thing) that she insists on dragging around the house. I hate them all!!

So, first show and tell this year constituted a visit to school from mommy with our fruit dehydrator. We've been drying tons of apples from our property. The kids got to eat dried fruit and learn about drying food. I did most of the talking, yes, but fun nonetheless.

Last show and tell, Lone wore her spanish lady outfit and so did her barbie. Fun all around.

This time, I am hoping she can show these little guys...

We made them this morning. My mother used to make them with me when I was a child.
I thought it would be nice to send the materials and let all of her classmates make one.
Will see what her teacher thinks.