Random 5 Friday

It is hard to believe that it is already Friday again!  Though I started a number of drafts this week, ideas churning away in my head, I only managed to post one.  That is a bit off my blogging goal, but my full days are making fodder for posts to come.

1.  As you can see from the above picture, B has busted out the elderberries that we carefully prepared last fall.  The 2014 wine making has begun.  He began 4 gallons of  Elderberry Melomel and 3 gallons of Gooseberry/Rhubarb wine this week.

2.  I have re-committed to bread making this week thanks to this wonderful book.  There is something so calming filling the house with the smells of fresh baked bread.  Speaking of bread, I also began a new sourdough starter.  I did one a year ago, and though it turned out fine, I couldn't keep up with it. This new recipe, from the same book, is slightly different in its process and I must say, it is a very happy little starter only three days in!  Let's see if I can keep this baby around...maybe even pass it down!

3.  I am so excited to be going out with some dear friends this evening to see the Moth Story Slam, I just can't wait!

4.   B always snow blows our parking area against a big old maple tree.  Then the kids use it as a mini sledding hill all season.  This year with plenty of snow and the deep cold, the hill has turned to mostly ice.  Perfect for making an igloo!  I would say that it is more than half done.  Charles and a friend dug a tunnel through the side of it, so they will use those holes plugged by some colorful sledding disks to make skylights.  It is a work in progress, based on its sheer girth, and another couple of months of winter to come I would say, much of this igloo will grace our yard well into April, and we will see remnants into May!

5.  I had my first committee meeting for Charles fifth grade awards/graduation celebration yesterday.  This morning I am sifting through the last six years of photos.  Wow, they grow fast!

linking up with Nancy, won't you join in?

The Garden in Winter

Today as we curl into another Cold Day from school, I will venture into the warmth of bread-making with the kids.  The bright color of the blood orange adds a glow to offset the blankets of winter white outside.  Enjoy the time indoors, for the busy warm months will arrive and leave us longing for the time we had to focus inward.  As a reminder to us all, I found a little writing about the garden, rejuvenating in winter and preparing to burst forth in spring...whenever that might be :) 

The Garden in Winter
by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Frosty-white and cold it lies
Underneath the fretful skies;
Snowflakes flutter where the red
Banners of the poppies spread,
And the drifts are wide and deep
Where the lilies fell asleep.

But the sunsets o'er it throw
Flame-like splendor, lucent glow,
And the moonshine makes it gleam
Like a wonderland of dream,
And the sharp winds all the day
Pipe and whistle shrilly gay.

Safe beneath the snowdrifts lie
Rainbow buds of by-and-by;
In the long, sweet days of spring
Music of bluebells shall ring,
And its faintly golden cup
Many a primrose will hold up.

Though the winds are keen and chill
Roses' hearts are beating still,
And the garden tranquilly
Dreams of happy hours to be
In the summer days of blue
All its dreamings will come true.

Random 5 Friday

1.  This morning's sunrise over the lake made the early morning school carpool, so worth it!

2.  We got to 17 degrees yesterday, and the weather person called it a warm up.  Yup, it has been that kind of winter.

3.  We booked a short weekend trip with a ski and splash package in a couple of weeks.  A little reward for the kids since we ignored them for their patience during the great basement clean out of '14 the last few weeks.  Everyone is excited and we are looking forward to finally teaching the kids how to snow ski, hopefully it will be slightly warmer.

4.  I am looking for a new book.  The last few that I have read have been fairly entertaining, but not great.  Any suggestions??

5.  This week I was fortunate enough to be able to register for two upcoming events that I am so excited about.  The first is a slow money event discussing how to invest and gain investors in programs revolving around promoting healthy food choices an education in our community.  Secondly, is the TedX Manhattan--"changing the way we eat"  viewing party in our area.  I am enthusiastic that the insight gained from these events will help us in our efforts locally!

participating in Random 5 Friday, won't you play along?

Battling Busyness

In today's fast paced world, do we take the time to really enjoy?  Doesn't it seem like we all are constantly moving from thing to thing?  Is this constant busyness the kind of example that we want our children to emulate as adults?  Maybe it is this unusual winter, or just a frame of mind, but our focus has turned inward.  This is not to say that we have become hermits, or that we have stopped our involvement with friends, activities or the community.  Only that we are hanging hats at the door when we get home at night and really enjoying the time together, the simple pleasures at our own pace.

If you had to put together a short list of the important things for your family, what would you choose?  

Making Lemonade

When life gives you lemons constant snow, ice, and windchill...

make lemonade a warm wool blanket.

How are you passing these cold gray days?