Don't play with your food!

Ok, it is funny sometimes.

Fleet farm

So many things are great about Fleet Farm, not the least of which is this sign, tons of waterproof mittens, discounted kids' shoes, green toilet cleaner, Hoover vacuum filters, and 69-cent Pearson nut rolls. That is one worthwhile shopping stop.

Darby LOVES red peppers!

Winter is upon us

Winter has finally arrived and in our family that means basketball season! We had the chance to see a Mavericks/Wolves game already (thanks Brian!), and we will maybe see an Illinois/Minnesota game this weekend.

On the hunt

During our holiday stay in Duluth we went out to my parents' friends' land on the hunt for a beaver lodge and dam Grandpa Buzz had seen while deer hunting this year. The five of us headed out in a four-wheeler and on the way spotted several marks of nature, including BIG wolf prints and scat in the snow. (If I am not pictured it's because my look of worry might have spoiled the good feelings of the adventure.) We survived with no wolves seen and good memories of tramping through the woods with Grandpa.

The teethmarks on this tree were very fresh and the area smelled like fresh-cut wood.

Interesting that the beaver had figured out how to make this tree fall towards his lodge for easy commuting. 

The lodge (center) and the dam (foreground) have been present for some years but have been substantially added to this fall/winter. 

Toothpick anyone? 

Not surprisingly I made the kids (and myself) wear helmets.

Darby didn't seem to mind sharing the back of the wheeler with Troy. 

My dad showing the remains of "The Penthouse," his deer stand for many years. 

Day off?

We have the school day off but are still very busy at the children's museum.

Tooting my own horn

I love how these Christmas knitting projects turned out. I think the recipients did too, or at least that's what their mothers told me. Now if I could only get through the project I've just started! It is also a gift and I am under deadline, which is perhaps why the Queen song, "Under Pressure," is my new favorite tune.

Zada helped pick out the lavender heart-shaped buttons for this collared cardi. 

Raising royalty

Every once in a while I catch myself submitting to too many of my children's needs, wants and demands. In this case fielding and too-long tolerating their myriad requests for snack.

That's it, I think, and sometimes say, I'm in charge around here and it will be oranges, almonds and string cheese for snack. And water, fresh from the tap. Happy snacking; mommy needs a shower. See you in 15, your royal highnesses! Don't try the bathroom door, it will be locked. : )

A positive side effect

One of the many good things to come out of our basement-finishing project is the discovery of more than a few treasures, including but not limited to the handmade placemats pictured below, my three cabbage patch kid dolls, grandma Leona's datebooks, grandma Mork's fancy cream and sugar set, a handful of size 13 or 13.5 basketball shoes, a hooked rug featuring Kermit the Frog, and my extensive winter accessories collection, most of which I've had no reason to wear lately.

The carpet should be coming tomorrow and I am overjoyed with the thought. Hopefully I will still be able to get to sleep tonight as the carpet guy plans to arrive at 7:30 a.m., well within the fuzzy blue bathrobe segment of my morning. Alas, new carpet is an arrival worth waking and dressing for, although showering may be in question. Is it possible that bed-head is the new black?

Troy's birthday breakfast

At one of our favorite breakfast joints!

The kids are all right

Sorry for the lack of updates. We are still swell and are enjoying a batch of snowman cookies made with a friend.