… and we are enjoying every moment.
I didn’t take many pictures this week. I guess I was too busy, which is good right? There was a lot of baking and making, hearty meals for our hungry stomachs and soothing remedies for our cracked lips and wind burnt cheeks. There was a lot of time spent by candle light, enjoying those last moments before bed. If you are wondering why Little Man is crying on his big sister’s drawing, it is because we are officially in the final stretch : He is pushing his last 4 molars.
This pizza crust recipe is one of the best I’ve found and now that we’ve made bagels, I’m never buying them again! So easy… we followed these instructions. How Little Miss loved making the holes, twirling the donuts around her finger.
We have something new happening in our home starting this week : My daughter will be attending preschool on a part-time basis. We had been looking and hoping for a family who was also interested in a part-time schedule to help us fill the space and we finally got the call. I get to home school her 2 days a week until June when she will be home full-time until September. This is the best of both worlds. As much as I would have loved her choosing to stay home with me this year, she wanted to be with her friends. This way, we both get a bit of what we want. I can’t wait to start building our days together… concentrating on art, music, gardening, nature… all the things I find conventional schools don’t have enough of. It will be a wonderful new experience for sure.
Finally, I was blessed with another amazing happy mail day! How wonderfully perfect life is in all its amazing connections…
Last night, I sat at the table going through my online book wish list, trying to find something to read. I’m finally at a point where I’ve read pretty much everything in my library and although I love re-reading favorites and classics, I felt like something new but was completely uninspired. I remembered that my friend Kim had a book section on her blog and hurried to it only to see it was temporarily taken away, awaiting a fresh update. So, I decided to leave it for another day, thinking I could write her and ask tomorrow and went to bed…
Tomorrow came and I received a mysterious package from none other than Kim and in it was one of her favorite books, passed along to me as the beginning of an incredible journey. I am to read it, write my name in it and send it to someone else… What a fun idea! There was a beautiful handcrafted felt bookmark slipped between its pages and Kim’s words, in the handwriting I’ve become so familiar with accompanied it. My heart was filled.
How I thank the Universe everyday for this new life, these new friendships, this amazing community I’ve found and that has embraced me from the very start. I’m learning so much from all of you everyday and I thank you…
Good night everyone.
Family, Faith, Food and Fabric 
Happy mail days are the best!
LikeLike
Yes they are! 🙂
LikeLike
Lovely days! I just started reading again after a LONG absence or maybe I was never an avid reader to begin with 🙂 Trying again at night a little at a time.
That book you received looks like a good read. I will look that one up in our library system.
Love the happy mail days, so fun!
Splitting up your daughter’s days does seem like the best of both worlds! It is a win-win for both of you 🙂 I always loved the preschool days because it gave me extra time with my son, time alone one on one attention just like my daughter got for so many years but then she was back home again in a short time period.
Love the pictures!
Have a beautiful day!!
LikeLike
I love my time alone with my son as well, but for me, it’s the opposite : Having just became a stay at home mom, my daughter has been in daycare for most of her life. During my maternity leave (before we made the decision I was staying home) I continued sending my daughter to daycare/preschool because I wanted that year alone with my son. But now, I feel she,s been cheated a bit. At I’m looking at the next 4 years at home, she will be in school and will have never had that chance. It’s why I was hoping she would want to stay home. But daycare is all she’s ever known. She clings to her friends and teachers, the special bonds she,s created and who could take that away from her? So, indeed, best of both!
The book is wonderful! I’m only a few essays into it and I’m already looking into her 3 other books. One of my favorite nature authors is Aldo Leopold and she reminds me of him.
LikeLike
I think these slow, quiet days of winter are wonderful, and we are enjoying them too. Thanks for the bagel recipe, we have a gluten free one that we love, but I might have to try these ones next time, they look good.
How wonderful to have the opportunity to have your little miss in preschool part time. Enjoy your days together.
So happy the package came at the right time. I so wanted to email you to let you know it was coming, but wanted it to be a surprise, and it seems it all worked out perfectly. Enjoy it my friend.
Happy weekend. xo
LikeLike
I would love it if you would share your gluten free recipe. We are looking to incorporate more gluten-free foods in our diet this year.
I am already completely in love with the book. I’m looking forward to a huge cup of tea and an hour or two of reading this afternoon during nap time. Thank you again!
LikeLike
Sounds like a wonderful week with lots of personal happinesses! I came across this article and thought you might like it – the concept of hygge really speaks to me right now (that warm cup of tea and book!) and I was thinking they would be fun lessons to incorporate into homeschooling. http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/blogs/7-cultural-concepts-we-dont-have-in-the-us
LikeLike
Definitely putting it on my read list for nap time here. Thank you!
LikeLike
Lila : I couldn’t help but read it right away. Loved the article, thank you. We have already been practicing the art of Wabi-Sabi in our home. You have to embrace the imperfect when you live in a near centennial home that is as quirky as it gets! his book is one of my absolute favorites (http://www.amazon.com/Wabi-Sabi-House-Japanese-Imperfect-Beauty/dp/1400050464/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421417491&sr=8-1&keywords=wabi+sabi+house) I’ve read and re-read it multiple times. I highly recommend it if you are looking for a good read.
LikeLike
good stuff happening, the recipe looks delicious and I’m glad you have a preschool lined up that suits your little family! Good mail days are happy mail days 🙂 🙂
LikeLike
It truly was a wonderful recipe. We are already planning on making more this week.
The preschool is actually the same, they just found a family that was looking for a part time space. So our Little Miss + Their Little Miss = Full time slot! So no real move or transition, just a bunch of days at home with mom an little brother. 🙂
LikeLike
Merci yanic pour tes visistes et doux petits mots par chez moi ! courage pour tes deux petits… j’ai les mêmes mains que toi que j’enduit de crème à longueur de journée… et quelle chance ce paquet de Kim, elle est si généreuse !
LikeLike
De rien… les miens vont beaucoup mieux. Les tiens? Nous avons mangé des repas pleins ce soir pour la première fois en 4 jours. C’est bon de les savoir satisfaits.
Je te souhaite un superbe week-end… et oui, je suis d’accord : Kim est une femme spectaculaire.
LikeLike
Looks like a lovely week full of lots of hygge (a word I just learned from here: http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/blogs/7-cultural-concepts-we-dont-have-in-the-us. (Oh my gosh, I just scanned up through the comments and saw someone else mentioned hygge. Guess we all read the same Facebook memes. Ha!) That pizza looks to die for and I love Kathleen Dean Moore. I’ve read two of her other books (Holdfast and Riverwalking), but not this one. I’ll be interested to hear how you like it.
LikeLike
I already love it and I’m only 2 essays in. Her rhythm is amazing, I can almost hear her voice in my head. I look forward to checking out her other books.
The pizza is amazing… Tell me what you think if you try it!
I loved the article. Makes me want to look more into each of those concepts… I have 7 months before my daughter is back in full time school… Maybe one a month?
LikeLike
A beautiful week and such wonderful mail. The world is really such a grand place filled with the most amazing souls!
Have a great weekend.
LikeLike
Yes it is… I’m blessed to be a part of it! 🙂
Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful week-end.
LikeLike
Looks like you’ve had a beautiful week! I love the look of all the things you’ve made…getting ready to make some pizza here, too–and we’ve made some balm, and the bagels looks yummy. Hope your little girl has a sweet transition to school. Happy weekend!
LikeLike
I hope all your making was as therapeutic as mine. 🙂 Funny enough, Little Miss’ transition will be to home. She has been in preschool full time, we are taking her out. It will be a work in progress. She has the at-home-we-are-on-“vacation” thing down. It will be to get to that point where she understands that mommy is part of her group of teachers now. *fingers crossed* I have SO MANY ideas and resources for home-preschooling… I hope she enjoys it.
LikeLike
Oh, your pizza and bagels look delicious. I’m planning on trying them both!
What a delightful surprise it must have been to receive that book in the morning mail. And I love that you put your name in it and pass it on. What a lovely way to share something special.
LikeLike
Both recipes are amazing, I’m sure you’ll love them!
I’ve been feeling like a little kid at Christmas for the last year : surprises, blog swaps, hand written cards, postcards… It’s been wonderful to renew (reading and writing) with the written word.
LikeLike
we do half-half pizzas around here too lol
i’m so glad that you managed a compromise. school days/weeks are so long for the little ones. having her home some of the time will be wonderful for you both.
love that synchronicity between wanting a new read from Kim’s and then actually receiving it! have a lovely weekend. hope those molars finish their job soon.
LikeLike
They are just starting… and just as we are weaning the pacifier too. So I’ve caught him more than once with his entire foot in his mouth. LOL! (Come back and check my 52 project this week-end!)
Yes, we have serious and mild dairy intolerance here on the boy-side of the family. So half-half is the way to go. You should try the crust, it’s amazing!
Hope your week-end is a wonderful one. xo
LikeLike
I’m going to try your bagels… they look yummy. And how wonderful to receive a package full of goodness from Kim…it made me smile to think of all that kindness.!!! Have a great weekend Yanic.
LikeLike
You won’t regret the bagels, I promise! We even did half wheat/half white and they still turned out super moist.
Kim is truly one of the most generous souls I know.
Have a great week-end yourself!
LikeLike
What a wonderful week filled with special moments for you. The book sounds wonderful I have looked it up I want to read that someday. Kim is a very special lady.
LikeLike
Yes, she truly is… I feel lucky to call hr my friend. 🙂
LikeLike
Glorious week it was and delicious and hearty meals you made! There is nothing like spending time with family, doing things together, being close. Those moments of their childhood they will carry with them forever! Have a great week! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you… I agree… They may not see it now, but I know I remember all the small things about my childhood so much more than the big things. 🙂 xox
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s such a nice idea!
LikeLike
I agree… I think I’m pretty sure who I will be sending it to… but I’ll see if my mind changes as I get further into the book. 🙂
LikeLike
Perfect timing for a happy mail day. Sounds like a wonderful week, and I have a feeling you’re going to love part home pre-schooling. Hope at least some of those molars are through.
LikeLike
Nope, nothing is showing so far so we are starting to think growing pains instead of teeth pain. *sighs* So hard to know exactly what is putting him in such a state. All we can do is hold him and be there until it figures itself out.
LikeLike
Yay for books! That one sounds really wonderful.
LikeLike
I’m really enjoying it so far! 🙂
LikeLike
Sounds like a lovely weekend! I’ll need to try that pizza dough recipe and I use my lip salve daily! Love it!!
I’m so happy to hear of your new routine with N. Sounds like a perfect schedule!! I’m looking forward to hearing more about your homeschool days as well. Xoxo!
LikeLike
I’m glad you like it… It was a new recipe (the lip salve) that I found and we all really love it as well. 4 ingredients really : lavender infused olive oil, coconut oil and beeswax. So easy and perfect.
I look forward to writing about it too. I’m gonna have a post about our first really week of homeschooling this week. I actually have a plan. If the weather could just cooperate! 😛 xo Have a lovely week.
LikeLike