Saying Good-Bye to January

"It snowed and snowed, the whole world over,

Snow swept the world from end to end.

A candle burned on the table;

A candle burned."

-  Boris Pasternak, Dr. Zhivago 

Another month is gone...can you believe it? Much of our time during this cold winter month has been spent staying warm and tending the wood stove (going outside takes your breath away!)...these temperatures have been terribly low (in the negatives and the wind chill makes them so much worse!). The one fun thing that we experienced, though, were these snow rollers! They were all over fields and yards. My Father-in-Love called and had me come down to their shop to take pictures of the snow rollers on the farm! Unfortunately, I didn't take any close up (as the wind was whipping around...making it much too bitterly cold for me to walk out in the field for more pictures).

The children in a group hug with Pa (Chris's dad)...

Our mornings are filled with chores, homeschooling and...puppets...

The sunshine was just glorious when I took this photo...

Xavier practicing his banjo...

"The birds are gone, The ground is white,
The winds are wild, They chill and bite;  
The ground is thick with slush and sleet,  
And I barely feel my feet." 
-  Winter Poems   
I am looking forward to February, Lord willing. I don't like to wish time away...but I must admit I am so happy when I realize we are another day closer to spring! I suppose I need to learn to appreciate each season for what it is. I *am* thankful that I can spend some more time knitting during these cold months...and that burning candles can make us feel so cozy! I also know that winter helps me really appreciate spring, summer and fall! ;) 

"Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour." 

-  John Boswell

I hope you are staying warm friends!  Always glad you stopped by!  Warmly, Katy
It's all about Jesus Christ being first.... and second and third and fourth and fifth.   What I'm saying is, don't put Jesus first.   Jesus is everything.   He's not just first in the rank,  He is everything.  ~Paul Washer

As the Snow Blows...

We are getting quite a lot of snow here in Western PA. For the most part, we have hunkered down indoors as much as possible (we have had to do a little wood splitting and stacking today though). I praise God for a warm home and a strong husband who splits all the wood for us! The children and I just stack it although that is no easy task! :)

I went to spin class this morning...but after traveling super slow on the roads, I felt the best thing to do was to stay home the rest of the day (which sounds quite lovely to me!). At the moment, the National Weather Service is saying that snow squalls are on their way and it sounds less than good. I pray people can be off the roads at this time! It always makes me so nervous when my dad and Chris have to go out and tow. 

Here are some things that have been happening around here lately....

It is much more enjoyable to fold clothes if you are watching Downton Abbey at the same time! ;)

A tidy kitchen...

The boys reading together...

Ruthie, laying at my feet while doing schooling the other day (she is such a good little buddy...love her!)...

Schoolwork...

Madelyn doing her computer work for school...

I am realizing that my children are often wearing hats and hoodies of some sort all the time. Our house stays between 67*-70* most of the time so it's not cold in here...I think they just enjoy wearing those things! ;)

Peaceful nighttime...

Making greek yogurt...

Breakfast...

Knitting (I am whipping these dish cloths up to replace the old ones I have! It's so much nicer to wash dishes with a new hand-knit dish cloth!)...

And now it's time to unwind. Supper is over and cleaned up (THM meatloaf, mashed cauliflower and salad)...and it's time to relax with my family. I will be heading to bed soon as I am an early-to-bed/early-to-rise gal! Plus, I am battling a small cold (very unusual for me to get one...I don't get sick much since I started spinning a year and a half ago!) and it makes it quite easy for me to enjoy hunkering down in the quilts and opening a good book! :)
I hope your days are going well.  I always appreciate you stopping by. 
Warmly,  Katy

It's all about Jesus Christ being first.... and second and third and fourth and fifth.   What I'm saying is, don't put Jesus first.  Jesus is everything.  He's not just first in the rank,  He is everything.  ~Paul Washer

**Three**

My niece, Eloise, is turning three this week and we celebrated her beautiful life with a party this past weekend! My sister did it again...absolutely fantastic homemade decorations! Have you seen my post from her Dinah-in-Onederland party? If not, you should really go take a look! Her decorations (made entirely by herself) are perfect!

Eloise loves Peter Pan and so they had a Peter Pancake Party! Isn't that so fun!?

El and Jaxson...

Dinah shows uncle Chris her dress...

Dinah"bell" and Madelyn...

My sister had shirts for the children to wear so they all were a character. Cory was captain Hook (although El was quite nervous that her dad was wearing a plastic hook!) and they gave Chris a tattoo sleeve so he could be a pirate! He had that arm covered with his shirt and had Eloise come talk to him. He asked her if he had tattoos would he then be a pirate and she answered "yes"...so he lifted his sleeve and her eyes got *huge*! I think she may possibly think her Uncle Chris is a pirate for the rest of her life! ;)

Xavier...

Time to open some gifts!

Daddy/Daughter conversations...

Chris and me (yes, I wear glasses. Usually I wear contacts but the ones I have now are the wrong prescription...a little too strong...and give me headaches. I can't wear them too long (I'm getting the right prescription in soon! Yay!) so I have to resort to wearing my glasses the second half of the day usually...

Dinah climbed in this box...it was really cute!

And then Eloise wanted in too!

Jaxson (aka: Smee) with his pirate necklace...

X and El...

Tickles!

Time for cake!

You can find some more fun pictures from El's party at my sister's blog!  Thanks for sharing in the fun with me! We had a lovely time full of fun, family, laughter and fellowship! What could be better? :)
And now, I must run! I gotta get ready to head to spin class this morning. Then home to shower, have breakfast, prayer and catechism with the children and then start another school day! :) Another joyful, busy day in this little life of mine! Happy Tuesday!
Warmly, Katy

Knitting, Baking, Playing, Schooling

When I have some free time, I spend it knitting. I have been making some dish cloths to replace my old ones and also a couple headbands for my Great Aunt Jo to keep her ears warm in this cold PA weather (she is from Florida!)...

Baking whole wheat bread for the family (from the Homestead Blessings cookbook)...

I don't eat it...but my family assures me it is delicious! If it tastes at all as good as it smelled while baking, then it must be great! :)

The boys enjoyed playing a game my aunt got them for Christmas! Don't mind their outfits....we homeschool so usually, it's a "wear-whatever-you-want" day here! ;)

 Madelyn's latest read (Jane Eyre)...

Schooling...

Jaxson has his own crazy way of dressing when we are at home...

Madelyn working on some knitting...

I got to visit with my sister and her girls yesterday. Unfortunately I forgot my camera. Hopefully my memory will just hold their cuteness in it for a long time! ;) We rearranged her living room furniture...but Devon and Cory aren't sure how much they like it. We'll see if it grows on them!  This morning has been full...spin, breakfast, schooling, and housework....I will be babysitting my nephews for a bit this afternoon. More housework, knitting and maybe some errands followed by making supper later this afternoon and evening. Full, full days! :)  Thanks for visiting today! I hope you are enjoying your days (full or not!). :)  Warmly, Katy