Fifty-two.

I am changing the rules a little. Blog when inspired to do so.
The most popular question in my head this week would be "what would it look like to offer myself grace in this moment?" Try it... it's such a peace giver.
I'm a little embarrassed to admit how hard I can be on myself. I want amazing pictures... now... even though my first time ever touching a SLR camera was Christmas. and this is just one area... i want to love well, parent well, eat well, run well, play volleyball well, knit well, look well, all while keeping my house and childrens teeth clean, and perhaps even having some sort of spiritual life.
Grace (exhale) Peace (exhale).

taking a few days off....

see you soon

Fifty-one.

Joaquin, my beautiful nephew.

Fifty.

Today we visited a cattle farm just a 1/4 mile down the road from us. It belongs to a family of a boy in Noah's class. While we were there, a heifer gave birth to a calf, we met it only minutes after, while the mom was still licking the "wet" off.

Forty-nine.

The beginning.

Forty-eight.

The great melt. So grateful to be feeling little hints of warmth in the wind.

Forty-seven.

Fourty-six.

Ana's.

Forty-five.

Fourty-five.

Happy Valentines Day.

Forty-four.

My (not so) wee son. We measured him today and realized he has grown almost 3 inches since last April. And it's not just physically... he's grown so much emotionally, mentally, creatively. Since we moved in and first marked that doorway, he has conquered separation anxiety, learned to read and write stories, and he draws the most detailed pictures. What a gift, to watch your child grow.

Forty-three.

Country drive. Sun is not only wonderful for warming up our cold bones, but also for playing with shutter speeds. This shot was taken from the car at 80km/hr with a shutter speed of 1/3200 of a second... and it's still a bit overexposed.

Forty-two.

Having a little rest in the warmth of the sunlight.

Forty-one.

Forty.

While February has failed in the warmth department, it has been generous with sunshine. I look out the window and see so many beautiful photographs, but sometimes all I can do is crack open the door.
FORTY days!!! Perhaps I could call this blogging thing a habit by now.

Thirty-nine.

Lovely little book that arrived in the mail... thank you!!!!
Thank you to everyone for your kind comments and encouragement!!!
I read something wonderful today... i hope i can remember it forever...

"Rest is an intimate invitation—

not to step away from life but to embrace the Giver of it."

Thirty-eight.

Thirty-seven.

Thirty-six.

This is a bit of a cheat post... obviously i didn't take the pictures (credit due to wonderful hubby)...
Just finished this hat though and I'm feeling pretty proud. The thing with knitting is that you don't get to try garments on before you cast on and put your hours in. Hats have not gone typically well for me. Too big, too small, to short, to long, to pointy, to square... you know...
Very happy with this project, and it was an easy, quick knit too.
p.s. the pattern was a free find on the net... let me know if you'd like it.

Thirty-five.

Thirty-four.

Touching, sorting, imagining... all for $3/pound.

Thirty-three.

Snowed in. I was right. Lots of breaking up fights... but also many wonderful little moments. Noah and Ana were conspiring against us, sneaking down the stairs when I caught them, camera in hand. So they turned back, ran up the stairs to their fort, shrieking with excitement.

Thirty-two.

Weather Networks says we're having a Blizzard. 30cm of snow at 70km winds will do it, I suppose. So tomorrow we'll drink hot chocolate (then break up fights), play some board games (and break up fights), read some stories (and break up fights) and snuggle up close to fire (and break up some more fights.) (this is called the realistic approach to parenting)

Thirty-one.

I'm celebrating today! We've finished off January and for the most part we're all intact.

Thirty.

Twenty-nine.

Almost skipped today. Kinda feeling the way these branches might, with all that snow piled on top. Maybe the sun will come out tomorrow.

Twenty-eight.

mmm.... Naan.

Twenty-seven.

Finally... it's the princess rescuing the prince.

Twenty-six.

The flu has made it's ugly face known in our home. This is day 6. I'm fed up really. Nothing like some chicken noodle soup to heal our bodies.

Twenty-five.

Before and after.

Twenty-four.

I didn't take any pictures that I was particularly proud of yesterday, but I caught a few moments that kind of captured the day. It was a good day. Noah recovering from a fever and the rest of us tagging along in that slower, quieter pace.
... and I cooked. We buy these amazing chickens from our neighbors (in a rural sense of the word). We know the family who raise them, and are delighted to have found a supplier that we love to support. We set the table with our best things, made punch for the kids (which they called wine), and had a lovely meal together. It felt good and right to honor my children, the way we would guests.

Twenty-three.

Sunshine... doesn't it make you want to jump for joy!
It has been a bit humorous to see how my body and taste buds are longing for summer. I can't get enough avocado, and yesterday while at the Brigden gas station (which oddly enough, sells liquor) I couldn't resist buying some mikes hard lemonade. I never drink the stuff... but it somehow it linked me to the summer, sipping on a cold drink, basking in the sun, lounging at someones pool... ahhhhhh.

Twenty-two.

What would be quickly picked and thown in the compost pile in summer, is treated as sacred in the dead of winter. Any signs of life excite. I can just imagine these little seeds gliding through the air, bringing life and green to wherever they may fall.

Twenty-one.

Windchill says minus 20 degrees Celsius. Noah's home with a fever. Today has been declared a PJ day.

Twenty.

We spent the entire day at home yesterday. It was exactly what I needed... and I think Ana would agree.

Nineteen.

I can't say whether I dislike January or November most. Gloomy, bone-chilling months. So when I decided to unwrap the lavender, hung to dry over the fall and winter, the scent of summer filled my heart with happiness. The fragrance brings back memories of walking through our neighborhood in Vancouver where lavender grew abundantly. It also reminds me of gardening in the summer. The thing about lavender is, that it's nearly impossible to walk by without running your fingers along the smooth petals, and then of course, breathing it all in.

Eighteen.

Aaron's brother and family, who also happen to be our next door neighbors, have done the all-Canadian thing and built an amazing outdoor ice rink. Not much feels more Canadian than gliding around on the ice, while snow flakes fall on your nose.
Other news is that I start the photography class tonight. Very excited. I've been feeling frustrated as I fumble my way learning the camera, and will welcome some good practical help.