Clover Lane

Oh boy-three snow days back to back before school can even start after Christmas vacation.



I am taking it in stride and it hasn't been as bad as I thought it could be in terms of boys inside (it's way below zero out) and getting on each other's nerves.  It's actually been a little fun?  We haven't had a storm like this one in a long time.

Jeff took the boys sledding after church on Sunday (which wasn't cancelled much to the disappointment of a few)...they begged him, and I wouldn't let them go without him.  When they got back I heard something about bumper hitching on the way home but I didn't ask questions because sometimes I've learned what you don't know can't hurt you.

We have AWFUL cases of Cabin Fever over here.

Anyways, I love this photo above-my Matthew, on a warm spring day long long ago in a far away land, taking deep breaths of that sweet-smelling green grass.  He made me laugh so hard when he did this-flung himself out the door and onto the ground in our front yard-and that moment always comes to my mind on days like we are having now-long, cold, dark, dreary, gray days of February.  One day soon we will see color and light and feel warmth, right?  I'm not sure we can stand it all much longer.

I can smell spring today!  Yes, I know, it will snow again...there is sure to be another storm, and maybe even a snow day.

But soon enough, the snow will melt, the birds will sing, the trees and flowers will bloom, the grass will turn green and lush, and I will throw open the windows and let the sweet smell of spring come in.

And boy, I can't wait to throw my kids out onto that green lush lawn, and let them run their little hearts out.  If they all haven't killed each other by then.  Boy oh boy, if there was a magic pill to make all siblings get along I'd be willing to anty up a pretty penny for it, wouldn't you?  What is it with cabin fever that brings out the mean in everyone?  Of course, I have been as sweet as pie all cooped up too.

We have cabin fever here REAL BAD.
Everyone is a little impatient (what a nice way to put it) with each other.

I have started my annual PURGE this week.  I don't know how far I will get.  I know that I had planned to originally wait till Lent, but that seems far far away, and I need a project now.  I feel like if I start a little Spring cleaning, then Spring will arrive earlier.  Oh, I wish it worked that way.

We've had a quiet beginning back into daily life after the Christmas season.  At Mass Sunday the priest mentioned that it was the First Sunday of Ordinary Time.  "Ordinary Time" sounds delicious to me.

We have melted into our daily routine.  With the help of a new resolution or two of mine, I have felt so much calmer and in control of my days.  I am loving the quiet during the day, I am appreciating the routine that I've established to help me get all my housekeeping done, and I'm soaking up the play time and sweetness of my new 3 year old.

Patrick brings me a stack of books and plops them down in my lap, or takes my hand and sits me down in a chair, so I can watch him shoot hoops.  He looks to make sure my eyes are watching him.  Undivided attention is what he is looking for.  Hard to come by for #5 I guess, but I love the chance to give it to him...I look at his little legs jumping, and can almost see them growing longer.   I try to squint my eyes and remember when the older ones were 3 and as much as I'd like it to, it doesn't come back to me.  This age is so precious, but gone too fast.

 I feel like a hibernating bear, safe and warm inside my home, puttering about, only going out for food and a quick pick-up from the older kid's basketball practice or sewing lessons.  It is much easier to shut out the hustle and bustle and noise of the world in the snowy months I think.  And if there is anything to love about winter, it's that, for sure.

1. Matthew was under the weather last week, and Andrew, on his own, made him this card.  It made MY day.  I love when my kids get along and care for each other.  When they don’t, it bothers me so much.  I wish it didn’t, or maybe I don’t.  It’s really important to me that they are all kind to each other for the rest of their lives. 

2. Patrick and I went for a COLD walk/bike ride the other day before we got a little bit of snow.  It was nice to breathe in some fresh air. 

3. This house is for sale.  Remember this house?  It makes me so sad that it’s for sale.  The lady that lived there is in a special elder care facility.  Her beautiful house…I know she thought she was coming back to it.   Just saying that makes my eyes well up and my lungs contract and I start thinking all about sheets at estate sales.  I would like to think that a young couple with a little child or two or three, will keep it up just as well and love it just as much as she did.  I hate to think otherwise.  I hope, hope, hope that is the case, because I will be heartbroken if someone doesn’t care for it.

4. I make cookies way too much.  If that is even possible.  Do you have a really good chocolate chip cookie recipe you would like to email me?  I like them thin and crispy and buttery.   I need an excuse to make more.

I took all my Christmas decorations down.  My house looks so empty!  I loved it for about 5 minutes, and then I thought…January is a long month,  I’m not a lover of winter, and Valentine’s Day is a long ways away.  I decided instead of  “getting through” this long month, I will embrace this winter season and all it’s beautiful, freezing cold, white, glistening, snowy glory.
I went to Target and bought some wintery, clearance Christmas decorations and made a garland for my kitchen windows.  Snowflakes, ice skates and mittens, snowmen…bright colors.  Abbey and I created a winter scene with glittery snow and trees (clearance again!) and little forest animals (tree decorations I didn’t put away). I found a beautiful white blooming hydrangea plant for my dining room table and set it in a glass salad bowl. I love the mitten garland above my chalkboard, but it’s a little too Christmasy for me.  I’m going to attempt to make a new one with felt and ribbon and rickrack, using some different colors. And all these winter touches worked like magic…I feel cozy and warm in my sweet little house.
I forgot all about:
Putting boots and mittens and hats and scarves on thousands of times.
Stepping in slush left all over my kitchen floor.
Having chapped hands.
Freezing my bum off going sledding.
Shivering in the car.