Lately.

Life has been full to the brim.  I don't regret my decision to make 2014 the year of {UN}hurry.  Sometimes, you have to let something go, and this Spring I let the blog go.  Instead, I have been savoring life - eyes open wide.  These moments are so fleeting.



We have worked so hard on this project!  It has been an absolute labor of love, and even though it is by no means finished, we just had to take it out.  The grand plan was to road trip to LA to visit my brother.  I'm so glad we didn't!  The inverter went out on us in the middle of the night when we took it down to the coast for a test run!  Better to happen a couple of hours from home versus 12 hours from home.



Bluebonnets have bloomed and faded.  We took a trip to Colorado smack dab in the middle of bluebonnet season, but still managed to get pictures with the kids when we returned.  Of course, it wouldn't be bluebonnet pictures if everyone looked at the camera at the same time, eh?



And these were too tempting to resist climbing.

It's been a busy season - full of birthday parties (how is my baby girl ONE already??) and Easter celebrations, long vacation weeks and short road trips.  The days are getting warmer (in the 90's already) but my windows are still open and my laundry dances in the wind.  I'm enjoying these days spent lollygagging in the backyard, curled up with a good book while the kids dig in the sandbox.

I have Airstream reno pictures to share and book reviews a-plenty, but they will appear slowly, as time allows.  I have to make my blogging moments tuck into my days, not make my days bend around my blogging moments.  And now if you'll excuse me, the mint in the garden is huge and begging to be made into tea, and in a room down the hall I hear Kiddo "reading" to Poppy - I just can't miss this.

Winter's Adieu & Spring Fever

Sorry for the radio silence last week.  There are few things in life I take more pleasure in than the changing of the seasons.



Spring came to Texas on Valentine's Day and I've been soaking up the sunshine every chance I get.



We've all been stir-crazy lately, and the warmer temperatures and sunny afternoons have been just what we needed.



We've all been thankful for longer days and the chance to unwind in the fresh air.



Bare feet have been our footwear of choice as the temperatures have reached the high 80's.



And even though the grass is still dead for the most part, there are signs of the beauty to come.



Ironically, it's cold and rainy again today, so I'm not packing up our warm clothes just yet.  Instead I'm choosing to enjoy the chance to cozy up next to our (very underused) fireplace with my family.  I'm pretty sure this is Winter's adieu, so I will be present today and say my farewell.

The Friday 5

Happy Valentine's Day friends!  Here are some of my favorite's from this week...enjoy!



1. For my fellow Anne lovers, this post on how to marry a Gilbert Blythe from Haley at Carrots for Michaelmas.



2. I read Addie Zierman's When We Were on Fire in a day an a half, it was so good!  I can identify with many of her early childhood, high school, and college experiences.  For me, reading her story was incredibly cathartic.



3. Filon 2012 - our current favorite wine.  Rated 90 and easy on the pocketbook (although it's much cheaper at Wine Deals than it is at HEB).  Definitely on the menu for this evening.



4. Dreaming of this Lemon Pudding with Raspberry Sauce from Allison at Simple Bites.



5. Darling Magazine's 5 Must Read Valentine's Classics.

{Last Minute} Valentine's Gift Ideas for Kids

[caption id="attachment_365" align="alignnone" width="700"] 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 Grocery Store Flowers, image via CC | 7 | 8 [/caption]

Valentine's Day just kind of sneaks up on me every year.  I always have these great ideas (some  might call them unrealistic expectations) for how the day is going to unfold, but rarely do things go as planned.  Every year I blink, and the day is here.

Valentine's Day shouldn't be a day filled with unmet expectations.  It should be a day in which we show those around us how much we love them.  It doesn't need to be fancy or elaborate.  It should be about the experience, not about the elaborate plans or gifts.

Everything shown here is something which could, potentially, be found at your local grocery store.  Some stores now carry books and toys (check HEB if you're in Texas), and never underestimate how special a simple carnation or daisy can be to a little one.  It doesn't have to be fancy to be special.  It's special because it's coming from you.

Note: None of these links contain affiliates.  These are just a few ideas I've had for small gifts for my kids, and I thought I'd share.  Most of these are available to arrive by tomorrow via Amazon Prime, in case you can't squeeze a trip to the grocery store in before tomorrow.