February Fun

February has been a busy month so far.  Usually we get several snow days so the busy times are balanced with days at home, but we've only been out one day. Despite the lack of time at home it's been a great month.

I have three more weekends out at ski school.  I'm at the point in the season where I both want the season to be over so I have my Saturdays back, and where I am very sad to  that soon the snow will be gone and the skis will be on the rack until next season.  Saturdays usually mean that something is cooking in the crock pot.  It's such a wonderful feeling to walk in the door and know that dinner is done especially when you're cold and starving and it's after 7.  Last weekend I only wound up working until the mid-morning because the day was slow (it was super cold), and I enjoyed knowing that dinner was taken care of while I was busy with school and house work.  I really need to use my crock pot more on days when I'm home.

Gram's Ham Barley Soup is super easy, tasty and makes a ton.

We got a light snow on a Saturday so friends (and the dog) came sledding on the hill.  The first, and maybe the last, hill sledding this year.  What a short, and non-snowy winter.  I hope we get one more good storm before spring is here.

It was hard to get a good picture of the kids, but even harder to get a good pic of the dog. 

 Emma turned 13 - a teenager!  She had a great party with friends.  I enjoyed overhearing snippets of their conversation.  There was some teen girl talk, but mostly they just continue to be silly together.  I hope some of that innocence lasts.  The theme of this year's party was red.  So there was red velvet cupcakes, a fancy red table setting, strawberry soda in fancy glasses, and this great craft.  We bought several different lip stick colors, and small magnetic frames.  The girls then kissed the paper to make designs and added their names.  It was a perfect craft for their age.

Happy 13th birthday Emma girl.  Love you!

Buckets....

We spent the weekend in PA - a day on the mountain to ski, and a day at the farm to bring in the sugar season.

My dad has had learning to ski on his bucket list for over 20 years.  On Friday, with a little encouragement and a lot of bravery and determination, he got suited up and took a lesson.  I hope I'm still willing to try new things and push myself when I'm in my 70s.  I'm very proud of him.  We had a great day at Hidden Valley with family.

Dad had already put out 50 buckets the previous week when the temps soared into the 60s, so we helped him put out another tractor load.  It was too cold in the morning to catch the drips on our tongues, but sugar season has begun.  I love seeing the kids know how to do so many of the jobs.  We'll be up at least one more time, and maybe twice before the season is over.

Drilling the hole.

Putting in the spile

Hanging the buckets.  It was freezing - don't ask me why she's in shorts.

Buckets of joy indeed!