a quote to take to heart

To be interested in the changing of seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring. --George Santayana, Reason and Art

I heart goats

It could be my affinity towards goats that has my radar up at unusual times. When recently working on a large email project at work I came across an address that was goats@ ___.com. I couldn't help my giggles and excitement. The owner of the adorable email address had the first initial of G and last name Oats. I wonder if when giving it out, he says G Oats @ such and such dot com. Or if he enjoys it and simply says "goats". I certainly would boldly assert the name of the adorable animal who can either be fainting, mountain climbing, or just plain cute.

domestic goddess

Dinner is in the oven...
cornbread stuffing (my first attempt at stuffing)
garnet yams
thyme chicken breast (with the skin on)

This is a meal I've been waiting to make until I had all my ducks in order (husband had to put butter under skin the night before, must be home early enough to get it cooked before he gets home, get the nerve to try so many new things).

So now my house smells yummy and I'm feeling accomplished. No matter how it turns out (bland, burnt, or bad) I'm satisfied. I'm learning that cooking is all about trying, not succeeding.

sweet reminder

The other day at work, I was chatting with a very kind woman about an outstanding invoice (I collect money for my company, part of the job as an accountant). This particular nice woman did not have our invoice on file. She gave me her email address and I almost giggled into the receiver....

bnice@------.com

Hmmmm....bnice. Be nice.

I'm sure that she has had more comments on her name than she cares to count, but it touched my heart.

a pinch of spring

The last few days have given me some hope that New England will see spring this year. I know, it is only February, but the mountains of snow that keep us from parking near the curb make my car ache for sunny days. While driving home, I noticed a neighbor taking advantage of the semi-melting ice piles. So I took off my winter coat and attacked our ice piles on the sidewalk. After half an hour of intense effort, our sidewalks are completely clear. When my husband drives up in a few minutes he will be able to park inches from the sidewalk!

Right now the neighborhood kids are playing in the street; something I haven't heard them do in months. I even splurged and opened a living room window so that the cat could partake in the almost-spring festivities.

I know that this weekend the temperatures will drop below freezing again. My winter coat will get plenty of use between now and when the tulip bulbs come up. But I have hope. Hope in a day when I can leave the house in less than three layers and my heated corn bags won't be needed for me to fall asleep.

five years...

Five years ago, I married the love of my life and best friend.

I can't imagine my life without him.

I love his

smile

kind heart

laugh

generous nature

handsome face

creativity

passion

Happy Anniversary Darling

catching up...

Very recently a friend said to me, "I miss your blog." Really? Someone misses something that I put out into the world that relaxes me and makes me feel connected?

This blog has always felt a bit selfish. It is a way to communicate the happenings of our family in a way that is easy to share and without time constraint. Typing into this blogger box, even if only for a few minutes, makes me feel relaxed and well with the world.

But then things just get in the way. A few people mentioned in passing that the blog was difficult to stay on top of and asked that I post more things on facebook. Then a random stranger commented on a post and made me hesitate to write more (I deleted their comment). And I started to doubt that this space was important.... important to me and to our friends and family.

I know that I am a twenty-something and should love and thrive with facebook, but it is hard for me to balance the hundreds of people who share information constantly. I always feel behind and like I'm not being a good friend if I don't read everything they share. This makes the times when I turn off the computer for a few days to be very stressful. In facebook-land I feel like I'm competing for space. It is difficult to express an emotion in a short blurb that I know will end up in people's newsfeed (and let's face it, I'm never short on words). Facebook is wonderful. It has allowed me to connect with people that I haven't seen in years and keeps me updated on great friends who are just as busy as I am. It just isn't my favorite place to spend time. But this blog is.

So...thank you to my wonderful friend (ahem...Mary) who spoke a kind word that rekindled my joy in speaking in this space.

It feels great to be back!