New book love!

A quicky....I bought "A Homemade Life" bu Molly Wizenberg yesterday and I love it! She is the owner of "Orangette" blog, which I visit frequently and adore. Her writing is soothing and mellow, friendly and informative. The recipes in the book are fab and I am addicted.

Just sayin.

Randomness

Look at that face! I cannot be more in love and everyday I just want to bottle it all up and save it for years from now. Children grow so fast.

We are anxiously awaiting for spring now around here. Norah wants to build a "fairy house" outside this year. I told her we would. I keep looking for decent little how-to's on just how to build these minature homes for our fairy friends, but I am not finding much.

I am planning a larger garden this spring, too. Last year we had 4x4 wooden raised beds, and I had 2 of them. They were nice and all but whoa did the tomatoes spill out of them fast and my basil was just boundlessly flowing. I would like to grow more this year...broccoli, onions, more peppers. I am always hopeful that the cilantro I plant will grow but it ALWAYS wilts and fades away. I dont know why cilantro doesnt like my gardens, but it never does.

I bought a great/fab book at Marshalls on gardening plans and so I am anxiously hopeful and optimistic for a great gardening year. Norah will love puttering around and seeing everything grow, and the other kids like picking stuff. Nick is great at running out and grabbing me handfuls of this or that.

Mary mary quite contrary....how DOES your garden grow?

Elusive sleep

My sweetest baby Norah.....can you possibly learn to sleep through the night yet? :) Last night you decided at 230am to be wide awake. You handed me my eyeglasses and said "downstairs" and you grabbed your baby doll and you really were ready to go. Sigh. Daddy and I were not so excited about a middle-of-the-night excursion. At one point you were laying on daddy and he was rubbing your back and he must have stopped and you bellowed "rub my back", and ever so sweetly he continued. He is such an amazingly patient daddy with you my love.

When you finally thought you would settle down I had you lay next to me and I rubbed your hair. Its getting so long and curly. Eventually your body relaxed and back to sleep you went. So, now its morning and momma is tired! So my dearest wee baby girl....maybe a nap? How does that sound:) XO

Mid-Winter Blahs

The winter is getting to me. I know. Its to be expected. Day after day of gray and white. I longing think of my snug bulbs under the snow and am excited with the emergence of their little heads. Soon. I hope.

So, I am snuggled into my house but good come this time of year. Getting all the clothes on me and Norah to get out the door is less then exciting to me. The other day I even let her just stay in her pajamas all day. I mean, why not?

Anyways....I made this fab mashed potato bake that Hungry Jack instant potatoes has. I think its called Party Mashed Potatoes, and let me say...we all love them. Rich and creamy "dolled- up" spuds that are just so good and comforting. Perfect winter food. The recipe also makes a TON so there are loads left over. Check it out.

Sigh....spring...where are you? I know its not even February yet...but how about a bit of a tease? A midwinter warm up with some extra toasty sun would be fine.