April 2017 – Home at Winshaw

A few glimpses of our spring season thus far…

Spring has officially arrived when the daffodils are in bloom! The beautiful yellow ones had gone wild all around a lovely abandoned old mansion.

Winshaw – emerging from winter, ready for sunshine and warmth!

The windy March provided excellent diaper – drying weather.

An adorable little bridge Jordan and Alan constructed one day. Its been very nice not having to step over the drain area! (this won’t be an issue one we get our permanent plumbing installed)

I have so many books going, it’s ridiculous.

Our beautiful new walnut dining table – this was a handmade gift from some special friends, and we are so honored to give it a home. Many meals and conversations will take place here!

Dogwood blossoms. I would love to have a pink and white dogwood trees near the house somday.

A new spring dress for Marian. I’m making it a priority this year to make them new clothes myself when they need something before I run out and just buy by default.

Setting out our plants to go into the ground. I love watching things grow. We are expanding our garden spot this year, and I am excited and a bit anxious to see how everything turns out!

A garden helper who was being rather whiny. Nap time and all that, you know.

Little Man loves his baby sister!

We so enjoyed keeping a neighbor’s milk cow last week. Jordan and I both grew up with milk cows around, and it just makes the place seem so homey. :)

Milk and cream galore! We were getting about 2 gallons a day.

Several times during the week I made butter. It was beautifully yellow – all that fresh spring grass!

Our old dining table moved to the porch, where I’ve got a few herbs started.

French toast and pretty china.

Elsie helping with laundry! I makes a good place for her to sit while Marian and I take the clean clothes off the line.

Happy Spring!

In February and March, Marian and Alan each had their birthdays. Jordan and I have talked quite a bit about what traditions we want to begin in our family for birthday celebrations. We considered what would be special and memorable to the child on that day. So, starting this year we began a new tradition – the birthday child will get to spend a day out (or in) with just one parent. This could be anything from a wilderness hike to an afternoon scrapbooking – I’m sure it will look different with each child each year with their personality and preferences. But the underlying idea as they get older is to create an environment conductive to unhurried conversation, and truly finding out where the heart of the child is at this new beginning.

This year I suggested Jordan be the one to take the kids out on their birthdays, since Elsie is still so tiny, it would be hard for me to give the others undivided attention. He took Marian to a cute local lunch spot for a ‘daddy-daughter-date’ (as Marian delightedly told everyone she met) . She was thrilled to get to eat out at a restaurant (a rarity for us) and had a wonderful time! She hasn’t stopped talking about it since.

When Marian returned from lunch, we blew bubbles in the evening sun rays, and decorated her petti-fours. (pound cake I made previously and cut into circles with a cookie cutter)