Words of encouragement

I just fell in love with an Etsy shop, and I wanted to share with everyone.  French Press Mornings

This shop is full of pretty prints and postcards, with the most encouraging of messages.

And, on her blog, she offers free printables!! 

 

 

 

Our favorite snacktime treat - Banana Bread

As part of our daily rhythm, we usually share a snack when Casey arrives home from work.  Today, we are having one of our favorites - banana bread, fresh from the oven!

Now, I'm sure everyone already has a favorite banana bread recipe.  Mine is fairly simple and basic.

Simple, Easy Peasy Banana Bread (that the kids will love to help make!)

4 mashed bananas, the more spots the better!
1/3 c melted butter
3/4 c sugar
1 beaten egg
1T vanilla extract
1t baking soda
a quick sprinkle of salt
1 1/2 c flour

Preheat oven 350 degrees

mix the melted butter and banana with a wooden spoon.  Add the sugar, egg, and vanilla.  Stir in the baking soda and salt.  Add the flour last, a little at a time.  Pour into a greased bread pan, and bake for 1 hour. 

That's it!

Serve hot on it's own, or with butter or Honey Nut Cream Cheese, like we did today.

 

 

Josephine was not feeling well today.  You would never know it by looking at her.  She was her normal, cheerful, silly 3 year old self, just not quite as much so.  She spent a good part of the day cuddling with her big sister.  When little Jo Bug isn't feeling well, she likes to be "held like a baby" and rocked to sleep.

It's all going so fast, this childhood thing.  Autumn is going to be 18 in a few short weeks. I remember, when my little Autumn was about 3 or so, she promised me that she would stay small forever, and always be my little baby.  And now she's grown.

 And my little baby Jo, she just won't stop getting bigger. Every day she is doing new things.  Before long she will be grown too, and I will wonder where the time went. 

For now, I'm just trying to soak up every little memory I can, because this time, these 3 year old moments, will not last long.  I feel so blessed that I am able to stay home and enjoy these days with my girls.  Autumn will soon be off living her life, and Jo will eventually do the same.   But until that day comes, I'm going to enjoy every little moment we are blessed with. 

Introducing Serendipity Hats!

serendipity
n.noun
1. The faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident.
2. The fact or occurrence of such discoveries.
3. An instance of making such a discovery.

 

Inspired by adventure

smiles

fun and laughter!

 

Just try not to have a good day in one of these!

 

Each is one of a kind

 

find them here

Foxy girl!

I've been seeing cute little fox hats all over the place, and decided Josephine had to have one.  Here she is:

 

Yep, crying again.  She is not a willing model.  Ever.  I took the pic anyway.

 

You can find the pattern here.  The pattern is not mine, it is by another designer.  I love it!

We recently visited the Pioneer Trails Museum.  Notice the box of yarn.  All I can think is that is not near enough yarn for a 5 month trip, riding in a covered wagon! 

Birthday Girl!

 

Today was my sweet little baby's 3rd birthday.  At times it seems like just yesterday that she entered our world, all 3 pounds 12 ounces of her.  She was 2 months early, and she spent a month in the NICU.  That month felt like a lifetime.  I wanted to bring my little baby home so badly, to hold her and cuddle her and not be surrounded by nurses and doctors and machinery that made buzzing and beeping noises constantly. 

 

The day we brought her home, we were so scared.  She was tiny.  Oh so tiny.  The nurses just chuckled when I expressed my fear.  "You'll be fine", they assured me.

 

And we were.  We were just fine.  Perfect, actually. 

 

My oldest daughter often says to me, "What did we do without this baby in our lives?"  And I can't answer her, because I don't remember.  She's such an integral part of our family, that I can't remember our world without her. 

 

Happy Birthday, Jo.  We are so happy that you have been a part of our family and our hearts for the last 3 years.  You are so very loved!