Monday Bliss

Today my middle son is six...(April is a big month for birthdays in our family).

I was a little stressed trying to think about what we could do today...we did a birthday party a week and a half ago and a big family dinner on Saturday...I was pretty happy when he crawled into bed with me this morning and asked if he could PLEASE have a pajama day today...wear his pjs all day and just play, watch TV, read stories...relax! I...the trying so hard to be the perfect mother...said "of course" and then said a little thank-you! under my breath.

This week-end has been SO busy. My sister and her family left on Friday, a few hours later my husband's family arrived...Saturday, my oldest son had his first fencing lesson...

immediately followed by his baptism and then following that a family dinner for 17 that I hosted for my number two son's birthday...Sunday we had church and then said good-bye to my hubby's family... and the cat who six months ago was abondoned in my dad's workshop and I felt too sorry for it to let my mom put it in the barn with the scary barn cats...

He is going to live at Grandma's house. I had a few unhappy kids to comfort Sunday night. But, the cat had to go. For those of you just joining us...we live in a 600 square foot cottage...all six of us...adding a cat to the mix borders on crazy...although an argument could be made that 6 people in 600 square feet while homeschooling is full immersion crazy already...I do understand that argument. Mostly it is good...the cat pushed it a little over the top.

But, like Julia Donaldson's "A Squash and a Squeeze" taking out the cat has made our little cottage roomier already. The kids all seem to have recovered this morning and so...

Today is bliss. A day to relax...just me and my kids...no A.M. fighting over whose turn it is to hold the cat...just us...nowhere to go...everyone is getting along...and I have time to sit and cuddle my little boy who is now six and getting bigger everyday.

I love these moments.

baking day

Yesterday was a busy school day, the kids were working hard and decided they wanted some cinnamon buns for a break and so I happily pulled out the ingredients and got to work.

I love baking. (I know I have said this before, but I really do).

 One of the many things I would like to be is a baker. (This is why I am still trying to figure out what I want to be...can I be 20 things at one time? I am trying to prioritize my wishes...)

I love the smell of yeast and watching the magic that occurs when bread rises.

I love that my kids always love helping me knead bread (see baking with kids post 30Mar2010 here).

But even more than making bread; I love making cinnamon buns.

I love the smells, the colours, rolling up the dough and watching them rise.

And when they finally come out of the oven...everyone gathers around waiting for the moment when they are just cool enough to touch...

And take that first perfect bite...they are definately one of my favourites.

What is so great about baking is that even if you are in a tiny cottage with a 5 x10 kitchen and an old stove...the cinnamon buns still taste just as good as if they had been made on a beautiful 9 foot marble island...

(did you see the island on the mimi Charmonte blog??? It's at kimberlytaylorimages.com go check it out...I love it!)

 Although I am sure they would be just a little more fun to make.

yes, I definately need a bigger kitchen...

small house experiment

I am still here!

we made it across the country safely and are settling into our new home...pictures soon!

Just a quick note as we are still internetless and I am just borrowing for a few minutes.

My family and I are embarking on a new adventure.

My husband is busy working on his portfolio to apply to architecture schools in hopes of fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming an architect. In the meantime in order to save a few dollars we have accepted an offer from my parents of their garden cottage for one year of free rent...of course this has its pros and cons as you can imagine!

Cute cottage, on my parents property (of 32 acres)....approximately 600 square feet...family of six!

So - are we crazy?

We have decided to make an experiment out of it! As previously stated my husband has always wanted to be an architect and we have both been very interested in sustainability. We decided this would be the perfect time to test: how much space does one family actually need??? Do we need mcmansions?

On our way through Canada I noticed a lot of older subdivisions, particularly in Winnipeg that had rows of tiny houses that I am sure housed large families post-war. I think we can do it. I found a christmas ornament two years ago (not long after moving into our 3000 sq. foot home in Nova Scotia) that said "Love grows in small houses"....we shall see...