It's all about me.

A Snowy Walk in the Woods

Being the "lover of snow" that I am, I was pretty ecstatic about this last snowstorm. I know, I know, it's getting real close to being time to put away my snow wand, but seriously, how can you not have fun in the snow? So it gets a little cold; you can always bundle up.

Pickeral Lake is a nature preserve not too far from my son's house and it has a beautiful hiking trail that's just right for a bit of day hiking. Not too long at 1.9 miles, and not too difficult for the kids to handle in the snow. (Truth be told, it's not too difficult for adults to handle in the snow, but who's telling that?)

And doesn't this crew look like they were ready for some more winter fun? Heck, even the dog could hardly contain himself while we were getting ready.

Yep, and F.O.S. got into the moment by pretending he was the lumberjack. hehe
 
Sir K and Tank (the dog) pretty much blazed their own trail. Sir S was up and down and all around and kept wanting me to take more pictures of his antics. This particular spot, he decided, was a most excellent location to flop down and check out the view from a snowbank. I like that you can see mom's and my reflection in his glasses.

We saw lots of evidence of beavers, a few mouse trails under the snow, a crazy amount of wood pecker holes, and the occasional "hufflelump" and "sprangerlot" tracks. And in case you're wondering, we don't know what a hufflelump looks like because no one's ever seen one (but we know they exist) and a sprangerlot is tall, thin and shy with very large footprints. (think, snowshoe shaped) Need I remind you of our family motto? "Never let the truth stand in the way of a good story" That should explain the crazy sightings on a snowy walk in the woods.

So, for all you summer folks, please be patient. Your season will be here soon enough and then all my fun will have to be packed away until the next winter. But for now, I'm going to enjoy the snow as much as I can before it leaves me again.

Things that needed to be done.

A birthday card needed to be made for my nephew's birthday party. I had a little bit of help for this because Miss M and Sir S made their own tags to go inside. Good job you two!

It's fun getting together with my siblings and their families, but we agreed that going to the popular "gamey pizza place" for a birthday party was pretty crazy. Oh, the little ones had fun, but it didn't take long before they were walking around with a glazed look in their eyes from stimulus overload. So many flashing lights and dinging sounds and a crazy noise level. Hoo boy!

Valentine's had to come(and go)so the handmade table runner was required.

This project was from a ladies day out last year. I know it was easy to make because 2 of the ladies had never sewn before and both of their runners turned out fabulous. I think I'll leave mine out a while longer just because I like looking at it.

Legos needed to be played with. Ahem, and I definitely needed to help play with them. I wonder if a person ever gets too old to play with legos?

Fishing for the aligator was my idea. It was Sir S's idea to have the fisherman show up at the door with his catch.

Girl's Gotta Dance!

with the music full blast


and her bootie just a shakin'.

Words not necessary

Fine! 25 random things.....

1. I am an early riser so I have time to play in the garden or putter around the house

2. Sandalwood is my favorite scent and green my favorite color

3. I talk to my home (and my cat)

4. I too know the difference between i.e. and e.g.

5. I can't drink water first thing in the morning

6. I love to swim in the middle of the night

7. I detest spending money on new and will continue to use something until it is beyond repair

8. I'm a chocolate snob

9. I bought my first kayak without ever having paddled one

10. I've buried a time capsule - but I can't remember where

11. My favorite shoes growing up were red

12. I've been to the location of my gr gr gr gr grandparents house

13. I've made butter in a churn

14. I taught myself to knit

15. Fall is my favorite season

16. I 'feel' music and it often makes me cry

17. My heart has been broken twice and my soul trampled once

18. I want to take a dogsled to the North Pole

19. I get tired of explaining my name so I sometimes tell people my name is Matilda

20. I've jumped from a railroad trestle as the train was coming - because I could

21. I sleep best during a thunderstorm

22. Blueberries are my favorite fruit, brussel sprouts my favorite vegetable

23. I loathe the expression, "have a good one." Ach, a good what? Just tell me what I'm supposed to have a good one of. Just a freakin' clue, please?

24. I think I live a charmed life because I often feel like I've just had the perfect day

25. I don't have a land line, cable or internet at home

The bride wore boots!

And the flower girl handed out toe warmers.

If you were going to get married outside this winter and you were going to wear a beautiful strapless dress, then yesterday was the ONLY day that would have worked - and it did. Lovely setting in a gazebo next to the dam. The sun was shining, the temperature climbed to the upper 30's and the winds were calm. Beautiful setting, beautiful day, beautiful bride. Welcome to the family for real nowD-I-L.