Snippets :: Joy in the Stillness

Fun with Karen at her inspiring workshop ~

Laying a little low and taking things slow...

I realized lately that I often move fast. Too fast when I think about it. It's hard to notice things at the speed of light..I think there's a blessing in this morning, noon and night nausea. Forces me to just sit. Now, not sit and read to them or myself, or sew, or do anything.

Just. Sit.

There is a beauty in stillness that I often forget to appreciate.

Sometimes I need a good kick in the rear to get the message. ;)

Snippets :: These Moments { while they last}

Growing kids and marks that remind us

Excitement over homemade popsicles

Impromptu, late afternoon dips in the lake

Open hearts to new friends

Clean and organized rooms

First thrills of new independence

High chair naps

Capturing, savoring, trying to keep my eyes and heart open to fleeting moments that seem to last forever but, truly, pass all too quickly.

Exploring :: Keeping it Local

Because that's about all this old girl can handle lately.

Just a week ago, I took the pup for a run around a looped trail - twice. in the humidity.
Yesterday? I made it 3/4 of the way up a small mountain and I was toast.

Now, I know there are many, many lovelies who glow with pregnancy (and you ladies rock) but, I need to say :: it totally kicks my ass. I used to joke that it was the influx of all of those feminine hormones in this quasi-tomboyish body of mine. That may not be such a joke. So I keep a lemon wedge close by for a good sniff, try to eat  lots of protein and force myself to move (even if it means the ineviatble).Not that I am complaining now, no way. It's just, some of our up and coming exploring photos in the months to come may be more of a local nature - like our backyard. Good thing we can always find more rocks to turn over,  time to check out the breeze in the trees and more bits to discover!

Here is a little of late::

Anything you've been exploring of late?

This House :: One More

Can we fit one more?

A new adventure begins, next Feb/March!

Truly, the final chapter in our book of babies ~

BTW, aren't those new tests nifty?

Anything new in your neck of the woods?

Chaos::This Mess

Have I mentioned that organization is not my strong point?

It really isn't. Truly. That isn't to say that I can't learn though, or at least work my booty off trying.

The past month I have been struggling to see the corners of this home with new eyes. Purging, rearranging....rethinking . I've been quite happy with the results and the more I rethink, the more the energy seems to flow for new ideas. Funny how it works that way, huh?

With one loft, a bedroom and  a bathroom down - now its time to tackle this kitchen. Ah yes, the kitchen.

My kitchen? Well, its floor space is "L" shaped and measures less than 6 feet long  and 5 feet wide at its longest point and 3 feet at its shortest - yes, its basically a closet. (I should note that this is actual floor space that I walk on and does not count the space taken up by the fridge, stove and cabinets - these would add, maybe, an extra 4 feet to the length.). While this smaller floor space does make it quick to work in for meal prep - it also makes cooking or baking with more than one kiddo at a time a little tricky - and there is no way someone is doing dishes while I am at the stove. Just. Not. Happening.

It's also the first surface you greet upon entering so, as you can imagine - its become a catch all for, well, everything.

My goal in this next week is to get this counter space spruced up, organized - usable. For next Friday's chronicles, I will post a little looksee update.

Wish me luck ;)

Snippets:: Outside

Hawwwtt. So very, very hot. Humid, sticky hot.
 

Feeling so grateful to these huge beauties and all of the shade they provide.  Thank you sweet pines.

Bare feet most days - feeling  that cool ground under the toes.

Water - and how we can't seem to get enough of it.

Building forts.

Being outside.  Soaking up as much as we can, whenever we can. These woods, that water.

Reminding myself...