Sorry to See It Go

It took me a while to discover the reason I love winter.  Some people look at winter storms as stressful events.  They clear out the grocery shelves, and huddle inside in fear watching the weatherman.

Although we have all the modern conveniences, we're also chosen to have a wood stove, a gas furnace and a pantry full of canned goods.  We could have been snowed in for a month or more and been fine.

Also, we really like our kids, and we've taught them to be self entertainers.  We are happiest when we are all together - just the four of us.  We didn't lose power so we did gather for a nightly family movie, and the kids were allowed their 20 min. of technology time, but mostly we either played together or the kids found ways to entertain themselves.

Although there's still snow on the ground, and winter isn't over yet, I miss the feeling of security, warmth and family togetherness we have when the snow is coming down by the bucketful and we're stranded here together.  I love winter because of this feeling.   The Norwegians have a name for this warmth and happiness with winter - koselig.  Norwegians look at winter not as a time to be survived, but as one of enjoyment.

My winter hating, Northern dwelling mother tells me that I would feel differently if I lived in the snow belt, but I'm pretty sure she's wrong.  When I retire I'll be moving North to find winter.

Stay warm everyone!

Snow Day Reading

Normally a snowy day finds me on the slopes, but even this winter loving, Subaru snow tire driving, Northern transplant girl knows when to listen to reason and stay put.  Today's agenda?  Reading, reading, reading (with a little de-cluttering and kitchen magic thrown in for variety).

I'm an early riser, even on a day when I could sleep in, so I've already logged over an hour of quiet with my coffee and a few chapters of this gem:  Grandma Gatewood's Walk:  The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Brent Montgomery.  It's well written and makes me want to plan this summer's backpacking trip.

I'm also halfway through Anne Lamott's new book Small Victories:  Spotting Improbable Moments of Grace  a good pre-Lent read.  As always Lamott shines through with honest, and sometimes brutal, storytelling which leaves you thinking and working toward being a better person.

Yesterday I finished Nadia Bolz-Weber's Accidental Saints:  Finding God in All the Wrong People.  Nadia's writing provides a refreshing reminder that liberal Lutherans (and others focused on the message of love) are working hard to combat the myopic, close minded and exclusionary version of Christianity that often has the loudest voice in our society.  I'll be rereading Nadia's writings throughout Lent - her writings rank among the best sermons I've ever read.

I also have school related reading to do in preparation for next semester's English 11 Honors class, but they're all old loves - The Scarlet Letter, The Bluest Eye, Beloved, The Awakening, Ethan Frome, The Grapes of Wrath and Annie Dillard's Pilgrim at Tinker Creek.  I'm so excited to teach those texts again that even though it's "work" it will be pure pleasure.

Happy reading and stay warm!

Winter Warm Up Recipes

My Dad blessed us with a freezer full of venison, and I've made two great warming winter recipes so far.  They're exactly what you want to come home to on a cold and snowy evening.  Bring on the winter.

Pizza Turn Overs

I browned and drained one pound of venison burger.  Then I added a jar of pizza sauce (I used what I canned this summer).  I divided pizza dough into eight small circles and then added about 1/2 c. of the filling.  I then folded them over to make turn overs. sprinkled parmesean cheese and greek seasoning on top, let it rise for 20 min,  and finally baked them at 400 for about 20 min.  We also fell in love with Buffalo Cauliflower and at the last two heads for our fall stash that way.  

Venison Goulash

I browned and drained a lb. of venison and dumped it into the crock pot.  I then added a quart of tomatoes and several peeled and chopped carrots.  I shredded about 1/2 a cabbage and added it to the top.  I then stirred in 1 t. smoked paprika (that's an important ingredient - don't skip it.  You can find great smoked paprika here) and 1 t. salt.  I let it cook in the crock pot on low all day.  Right before supper I made mashed potatoes.  I put a scoop of potatoes on one side of the bowl and ladled the goulash on the other side.  Serve this one with bread to sop up the left overs.

Some Men Stop at the Bar...

Other men put a chain on their bar and stop in the woods.

If my husband is gone longer than expected when taking the trash and recycling, I don't wonder if he's having an affair.

If he spends long hours gone from home on the weekends, I don't worry that he leaves because he's tired of us.

If he's down in the woods after work, I don't worry that he's secretly hitting the bottle.

He's a hoarder alright.... a Firewood Hoarder.  Now he has the shirt to prove it.

Amen to men like these two that keep us warm and cozy all winter long.  They are a gift.

Out with the Old....

2015 was a pretty good year.

We had some adversity (the Woodsman suffered from appendicitis and had surgery), but were blessed with his good recovery.

We spent lots of incredible time together (on the slopes - both locally and in VT, New York City, the farm, Chincoteague and of course here at home.  We surprised my parents and came home for Christmas Eve (first time in 10 years).  My sister and I even sang a duet for prelude.  It was by far the best gift I gave.

The Boy played soccer in both spring and fall, but had to take a break during November and December because of a gap in his growth plate.  We enjoyed watching him learn to really be a part of the team, as he came to enjoy being on defense.  Here's hoping to a strong recovery in time for spring soccer.  He's keeping busy with his dog, River, and has started a biking and weight lifting program to stay conditioned while his foot heals.  He's also really become a writer and a reader - this makes his English teacher mama happy.

The Girl kept lyrical dance, gymnastics, musical, violin and choir, and added classical ballet.  She also swindled her dad into letting her have another cat.  She keeps us busy, but we really enjoy watching her shine. We also like the individual time with get with both kids while we schlep them around.  She continues to love reading, and the new Kindle probably means that it will be even harder for us to tell that she's up past her bedtime deeply involved in another book.

We spent lots of time with my parents, and continue to be blessed with their gifts of time and presence.

Santa Lucia

How many years will they continue to want to make one?

We moved our Christmas Eve meal to the Sunday before Christmas - we couldn't miss getting together with this family.  

 I moved back to teaching high school English (love it!) and am still working on recovering from a bad muscle tear in my calf (I hate running, but I hate not being able to run more).

I asked for a blanket like this every night when I put the boy to bed (for 6 months) - he didn't disappoint.

They really enjoyed surprising each other this year.

What she wanted most was clothes.  We had a good time shopping together for Black Friday.

The Boy wanted a skateboard, and the Girl finally has some kind of technology so she doesn't feel 100% left out.

Wow - are they grown up!

 The Woodsman enjoyed cutting wood (he now owns two chainsaws) and watching his team (Redskins) make the playoffs.

The kids spent a lot of time and effort making presents this year.

Farmer Dan was thrilled that we decided that The Boy was old enough for a B.B. gun.  He's had it since he was born.

Another fuzzy blanket was made for my grandmother.  She's going to feel wrapped in love all year.

Boy did this remind me of myself when I was his age.  I crawled into the same corner with a book even though there were still presents to open - the books were the best parts. 

The Woodsman's favorite present was the piece of locust (and the chainsaw that came with it).

We were blessed with lots of fun times with friends and family and hope to do it all again in 2016.  We look for 2016 to be a repeat of 2015 - but hopefully without a hospital stay and surgery for anyone.

We hope your year was a good one, and you find blessings in 2016.

STEM project

Grunt work - there was a lot of it to be done in the garden before it could be put to bed for the winter.  I wanted the kids to do the work, but I dreaded the complaining (on their part) and the nagging (on my part).  I also figured that the job wouldn't be done well, and would necessitate more whining and grouching.  

So, I took a play from my teacher book and created a garden clean up rubric.  If they got 100% I'd take them to the fancy movie theater (Alamo) with a friend, and let them get endless popcorn and soda.  They could redo the job as many times as needed.  

The kids were instantly drawn in by the reward, and got right to work.  One of the requirements was that they share the workload and that they not fight while working.  They did an excellent job of being a team, and over the next several weeks finished the huge task.

We all won.  They got their reward.  I got a clean garden.  We got to spend the day together - couldn't be better.

You with the smart phone.... drop it!

Last evening we headed out to see both kids sing in our town's annual tree lighting ceremony.  The kids sang on the courthouse steps, so everyone should have been able to get a fairly good view.

Unfortunately, what I mostly saw was the view on other people's smart phone screens.  Personally, I don't feel the need to document and video every single segment of my kids' lives.  I find it hard to be really present when I'm viewing through a screen.  So, I shoot the odd video of the kids ( a few seconds of a song here a quick clip of a play segment there).  But, I avoid taping everything, opting instead to give them 100% of my attention in the moment.

Now, if you're not like me and you want to save every moment digitally, or maybe you're recording for parents and loved ones unable to be there, then by all means tape on.  But please, please find a place to stand where your phone doesn't block the view of the parents behind you.  We all came to see our kids perform, and we all love and are as proud of our kids as you.  Don't steal our time in your quest to hold on to your time forever.

So, snap a quick pic and then drop the phone.  Maybe even turn it off and just enjoy the gift of the now.

At least I could see the tree!