Happy Easter

Happy Easter!

Birthday Boy

Yesterday was my second son's seventh birthday...

He had a great day and really enjoyed all the phone calls he received.

He also enjoyed his birthday treats...

Root beer floats for an after school treat.

For dinner he requested Spanakopita and spinach dip...he loves spinach. I must admit his meal choice made me laugh a little.

Instead of cake he wanted pumpkin pie. He doesn't really like sweets...

or pastry! He just loves the filling...but for some reason it has to come in the pastry. I have tried making him pumpkin flan instead...but he didn't like it as much. It was his birthday so I let him just eat the filling...I also let him eat a second piece for breakfast this morning.

We have a family tradition of allowing the birthday person to choose the meals for the day. It is always fun seeing what they choose.  

(And I do realize that the table wasn't very 7 year old boyish...the fun party will be tomorrow and most of my dishes are still packed. So he had to put up with some of my latest thrift store finds which included a set of 26 pieces of blue wedgewood transferware, a beautiful pink scalloped platter, and two pink rosebud round platters and a milk glass vase all for under $40. I really am enjoying thrifting for treasures!)

We had a great day yesterday and now I just need to prepare for tomorrow's party!

Spring at the North barn

Today I did a little exploring in the old North barn on my parents' property.

I have explored this barn many times over the past twenty-four years but I still love to wander around and imagine the life it had before my family moved in...

I imagine the loft with the sweet, grassy smell of hay and the sounds of kittens mewing and children playing.

I wonder if Holsteins or Jerseys stood here patiently waiting to be milked? 

Today, I brought home this rusty, old rake that I think will fit in nicely in my craft room as a holder for spools of ribbon. 

I also brought home this old tool box with the initials of the original owner and builder of the barn (and of my parents' house), Mr. North. I think I will clean this up for my craft room as well. I love that I was able to take an half hour out of my day to spend a little time on me and that I was able to find a few treasures that will remind me of my explorations every time I look at them. This year I really want to focus on taking the time to notice the simple pleasures of life.

On my way out I noticed the first daffodil of the season blooming. It looks like spring has arrived and that is something that will keep me smiling all day.

Looking for Spring...

I think...dare I say...that spring may actually be coming.

We had a beautiful week-end and the snow is finally melting.

Friday, the hubby and I decided to take our kids and two nephews on a hike. What started out as an hour long hike turned into four.

We had such a great time being outdoors, enjoying the sun, and spending time together. We usually only see our nephews when they are with their parents and siblings; it was really nice having some alone time with them so we could get to know them better. 

We had fun hanging out and burning off energy and I enjoyed having an excuse to play with my camera.

I love looking at things up close, through the lens of my camera.

Using the camera I am always more observant. I  notice things I wouldn't have looked at without it and I am able to see beauty all around me. 

When I take time to play with my camera I find that I have a more optimistic attitude and I am able to find pleasure in small things. 

I need to remember that and take more time to play, enjoy life's simple pleasures. All that serious/stressful stuff will still be there when I get back; but, I will be able to look at it with a different point of view.

And I think it is all about point of view. As my son (and monty python) likes to say... "always look on the bright side of life". And what I have been learning over the past few years, is that there is always a bright side...sometimes we just have to go looking for it.