Spring On The Inside

Thank you, Water Fresh Farm, for a bit of (hydroponically grown) green and warmth this cold and rainy last day of March! 

From Scratch

Yesterday afternoon was chilly and grey, basically the perfect afternoon to break out the pasta making equipment and try our hand at making our own pasta again. We had tried once before and failed miserably. This time, however, we had a much better recipe. Our dough came together perfectly and rolled out beautifully. Our Italian ancestors were most definitely smiling down on us as we rolled and cut and hung the pasta to dry. The three main components to our meal last night were all made by our hands (our pasta sauce- made last summer, and the meatballs and pasta- made yesterday). It was easily one of the most delicious and satisfying meals we have shared together, and I think that was due in large part to how much love and hard work the four of us poured into this meal to make it a reality. Well done, team! xo

Last Run Of The Season

Yesterday was the last day of ski lessons for the girls. They had such a fabulous time at their lesson each week and made such a huge amount of progress over the course of this season. If we lived closer to the mountain these two would surely be there everyday! Riding the chair lift and skiing "the bumps" -as Grace calls them- were the highlights of this year. We are so sad that the season has come to an end, and are already looking forward to the arrival of ski season next year! 

{This Moment} In The Sugar House

{This Moment} - A Soule Mama Friday ritual. A single photo- no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you are inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments section for all to find and see. We wish you a sweet weekend!

"Life Is Better With You"

Every day's not Valentine's, 
But you make it feel like most of the time, 
When I'm all alone with you. 
Pickin' up pieces of my life, 
Sometimes there's ones I just can't find, 
But they found a home with you. 

Woah, I'm not afraid to be alone, 
But bein' alone is better with you. 
Life is better with you. 

Woah, woah, life is better with you, 
Woah, woah, life is better is with you. 

When I think about the things that we've been through, 
I know just one thing is true, 
Life is better with you. 

Some days are better than other days, 
But these days, life is better with you. 
Some days are better than other days, 
But these days, life is better with you. 
Life is better!

Tell me what you want, I'll give you all
That you need with my heart and my hands, 
Sayin' please baby please because nobody does
That thing you do better than you.
Thoughts still swimmin' 'round in my head, 
With all the words we ever said, 
My favorites remain; "I love you!"  

Woah, I'm not afraid to be alone, 
But bein' alone is, 
Better with you.
Life is better with you!

Woah, woah, life is better with you.
Woah, woah, life is better with you. 

When I think about the things that we've been through,
I know just one thing is true, 
Life is better!

Every day's not Valentine's
but you make it feel like most of the time with you. 
And all my life I've tried to find the one who makes me feel the way you do. 
You. 

Some days are better than other days, 
But these days life is better with you.
Some days are better than other days, 
But these days life is better with you, 

When I think about the things we've been through
I know just one thing is true,
Life is better with you!

I believe that life has a soundtrack. There are certain songs that instantly transport me back to events in my life and certain songs that, from the minute I hear them, just speak to where we currently are on this journey. Songs like "Crush", "How Sweet It Is",  "Little Miss Magic", "I Won't Give Up", "As Long As We Got Love" "You and I", and now "Be OK" and "Life is Better with You". At Jazzercise last night I happened upon the last song. I had not heard it before but while we danced I couldn't help but start to sing along (it's easy enough to pick up) and while I was singing and dancing I realized that I just found another song that needed to be added to our family playlist. Such a sweet song, and one that I knew David, Grace and Emma would love as soon as they heard it. It made me think back through all that we've been through over the years, the good and the not so good, and how in the end no matter what's going on as long as we're together life couldn't get any better. xo

Blooming

It might be super cold and grey outside, but inside spring really is happening! 

9:15am

Usually at 9:15am we're just getting our day started. Usually we're still in our jammies and toying with the idea of breakfast. Usually we're just beginning to share with each other what we'd like to do that day. Today, though, the girls had other plans and got up and dressed and outside by 9:15am. Determination and a new kite are very powerful things, my friends. With very little discussion but a lot of teamwork their mission was accomplished when they got the kite airborne on their first try! Way to go, girls! What a fabulous start to a beautiful (albeit cold) day! 

Ice Cream Sunday

Today after the church service there was an ice cream sundae fundraiser to benefit the African Exchange Group at our church. The group is raising money to buy plane tickets for two people from Tanzania to come visit our church at the end of next month. We are happy to have been able to participate in such a sweet and delicious fundraiser for such a worthy cause! And yes, I spelled sundae in the post title "incorrectly" on purpose!

{This Moment} To The Ship!

{This Moment} - A Soule Mama Friday ritual. A single photo- no words- capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you are inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments section for all to find and see. We wish you a fabulous weekend!

Welcome, Spring!

What the Robin Told

The wind told the grasses, 

The grasses told the trees. 

The trees told the bushes, 

And the bushes told the bees. 

The bees told the robin, 

And the robin sang out clear;

Wake up! Wake up!

Spring is here!

Wordless Wednesday::Yesterday

A Visit To Maritime College

Last week, on our way home from Dave's grandmother's funeral, we stopped by Maritime College to visit my brother. 

And it just so happened that my Dad was there visiting him too. Dad had been visiting my grandfather down in New Jersey and figured (just like we did) that he might as well stop by and visit Grant on his way home. 

The girls were so excited to see both their grandfather and their uncle. 

The huge smile on my brother's face says it all!

Grace taking in the view. 

She couldn't believe that "Uncle Grant goes to school under a bridge!"

Grant took us over to Fort Schuyler. 

This is where all his classes are and where the Maritime Museum is too. 

The girls were so into seeing all the items in the museum and hearing everything that Uncle Grant had to say! They love the show Mighty Ships and to get to see models of ships like the ones they've seen on the show just really brought it all home for them. 

Grace just loved that her middle name is the name of a very famous ship. 

The first part of my childhood was spent living on the beach in Connecticut. 

With Long Island Sound as our backyard we often saw the QE2 cruising by!

Here Uncle Grant explains that this board shows who's on board ship at any given time. 

Heading over to the Empire State VI which is the training ship for the Maritime College Students. This is the ship my brother will be aboard the entire summer. The girls loved getting up close to this ship. Grant said that had he known sooner that we were coming he could have been able to get us clearance to go on board. Something to look forward for next time! 

Stopping at Maritime College was the perfect ending to our journey to (and from) New York. Thanks, Grant, for showing us around! We had a fabulous time and cannot wait to visit again!