A Lovely Thank-You

Yesterday we received a lovely surprise in the mail from Roost Books. As a thank-you for testing out the Monkey Bread recipe they sent us not one but two of their gorgeous cookbooks! What an absolutely lovely surprise! The girls wasted no time flipping through them and "oohing" and "ahhing" over each beautiful picture they came upon. Grace has already chosen the cake she'd like for her birthday, and Emma has a few ice cream and sorbet recipes lined up, too! It's sure to be very delicious spring and summer here at the sweet old farmhouse! xo

Wordless Wednesday::Letters And Lessons

At Farm School

When my dear friend Eleni and I arrived to pick our girls up from farm school today we noticed these very furry creatures walking along with the class. At first we thought they were dogs. Then we thought they were sheep. We came to learn that they are, in fact, goats! Angora goats to be exact. Who knew?! They were very sweet, and very charming, and it was such a treat to get to meet them (and to walk along with them for a bit, too). I truly wish I had been able to get a better picture of them but they were so intent on their eating that one was simply not to be had. xo

Cookbook Recipe Testing

No, we're not testing recipes for a cookbook we're writing, we're testing a recipe for a cookbook that is being published by Roost Books. They posted on their Facebook page last week looking for recipe testers and we volunteered (and were selected) to be one. We received a recipe for Monkey Bread with a deadline to return our notes by May 1st. With the deadline this Friday, and a busy week ahead, yesterday was the perfect time to complete our assignment. I made the dough on my own and then brought my sous chefs in for the actual making of the Monkey Bread.  The girls just adored getting all buttery and sugary, and with the exception of it needing to rise twice it worked up quickly and easily. We baked it after the girls went to bed last night and so they woke up to a lovely treat for breakfast this morning. It was the first time they'd had Monkey Bread but it surely wont' be their last! xo

A Favorite Spot

Our walks down the Rail Trail always find us stopping at this sweet little stream. We love to see what's going on in and around it, and it always makes me flashback to my growing up years in Bethany and the brook that ran through everyone's property on our street. So many days were spent playing in and around the brook in our yard, and I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt. that if our property had one too the girls would spend just as much time playing in and around it as I did when I was a kid. They've decided that on our next walk they'll be wearing their wellies. This way they can spend some time exploring in the stream. xo

A Day With Friends

There really is nothing as good for the soul as spending a day (mostly outside) with some of our dearest friends! The only way yesterday could have been any better would have been if it had been warmer and the jackets and hats weren't needed! xo

{This Moment} Hand In Hand

{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 wonderful weekend! xo

A Morning Of Math

Today, the girls decided that solving math problems was how they wanted to spend their morning. They gathered their clipboards ('cause really everything's more fun with a pink clipboard), paper, pencils and their counting jewels and off they went. They spent a good chunk of time writing their own problems and solving them, and then Grace came to me to get some help with solving double digit problems (a first for her and a total hit might I add)!

Friends, I cannot put into words how much I love this. I just love how much Grace and Emma love math (don't tell them but this was not how I felt about math when I was growing up). I love that they will just sit and do math problems because they feel the need to do them, just as much as I love when they get out the necessary supplies to create boats and submarines to explore sink and float. I've said it before and I'll say it again: this is why we do what we do, friends. This is what it's all about. xo

Wisdom On Earth Day

What he said. 

Happy Earth Day, friends! xo

Welcoming Committee

A little something to welcome the newest addition to the neighborhood! xo

From Start To Finish

Last Wednesday we visited the starting line (they had just finished painting it) and yesterday we visited the finish line. While it won't take the runners nearly that long to finish the marathon today were thrilled to be able to take the girls to see both locations just a few days apart from each other. I had hoped to score a better picture of the finish line but seeing how it was the day before the marathon (and a beautiful day out too) the finish line was rather crowded. And truly, for how crowded the finish line was I'm impressed we came away with this a picture this good!

To all those running today we wish you an easy 26.2. May the rain hold off until the last runner has crossed the finish line and may you all remember that you are Boston Strong! xo

Sunday Morning At Harvard

Since today was another glorious day we decided to head into the city for the Cambridge Science Festival. The Science Festival takes place all throughout Boston each April for about ten days. During that time there are many exhibits, lectures and other cool things to experience. Today's trip in found us at the Harvard Museum of Natural History. We had never been before but goodness were we grateful we went today! The museum is full of all sorts of amazing collections, and it would be very easy to spend an entire visit in just one area as there was so much to see. The girls were very captivated by the birds (especially the Hummingbirds), the New England Forest room and the rocks and minerals. We briefly stopped into the glass flower exhibit and I still cannot wrap my brain around how these gorgeous flowers and plants are all made of glass! Truly mind boggling! We didn't see the entire museum so another trip is definitely required!

The final picture of this post (as well as a couple of others taken outside of the gates of Harvard Yard) was snapped as we were heading into Boston for lunch. I figure that when the time comes should they apply (and get in) to Harvard that these pictures will come in very handy someday. Harvard Class of 2025 and 2026, perhaps?! xo