Category: Adventure
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Chinese New Year
Hark! According to the Chinese zodiac calendar, the year of the rooster commences this Saturday. Not only am I a certifiable crazy chicken lady, I was born in another year of the rooster– maaaany moons ago. We’ll use the occasion as an excuse to partake of Handsome Husband’s intricate and elaborate Asian confections. My own Asian fare tends to be of the…
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The 2016 Monologues
Au revoir, 2016; the new year beckons… Alas, ere we bid you farewell forever, let us take one last look back at the past twelve months, for nostalgia’s sake. Sometimes a weary homeschool mom’s prone to wonder, “What have we done all year? Have we accomplished anything at all?” Sure, you might recall a few of the highlights, but there’s a…
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Lineage
Husband’s folks made the trek out from Oregon this past week, and we were blessed with some quality Grandparent time. Together we broke bread and rocked out to oldies, watched movies and cuddled, soaked in hot springs and plenty of fresh air outdoors, and enjoyed a fry night (read explanation here if you dare) and some power thrifting. I’m already stoked to be a grandparent…
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Rainy Day Recess
“I know it is wet and the sun is not sunny, but we can have lots of good fun that is funny.” -Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat It’s no secret that I love autumn, rainstorms, and a cool damp climate. Born and bred in a lush gray-skied valley in Oregon, I find the insulating…
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Peas & Carrots
Forget the Chinese Zodiac, 2016 has been The Year of the Cousins. My much older sister’s trio of kiddos and my own get along like peas and carrots. In six months they’ve come east twice and we’ve gone west thrice for extended-family togetherness. They only just left for home this afternoon, with Nana strapped to the roof of…
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Fallish Days
In Montana fall flies by in a flash, my favorite season. Nature throws itself into a vibrant last-ditch display, a colorful crescendo before the quiet winter. Families make a fervent push to get out and do ALL THE THINGS, to soak up every second before the snow returns while indoors it’s a time of preparation- comfort the reigning ambition. “Let us step into the night and pursue…
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Growing Up Around the World: a Slice of Life in Montana
In the spirit of Back to School, and our recent Montanaversary, I’m participating in a super fun global link-up: Growing Up Around the World. Consider it a collection of virtual field trips as you globally “hop” from one post to another, travelling the world and meeting families along the way. I’m fielding the same questions from the hosts…
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4 Years a Montanan – a list of lessons learned
It is possible to drive in snow without succumbing to an anxiety attack. There’s a right and wrong way to shovel snow, and I’m guilty of the latter. Folks who don’t bother to shovel their sidewalks are jerks. (my bad) In winter one can be like Jesus and walk on water. Or even drive a vehicle atop it to ice-fish! A dry -5′ below is downright…
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What Kind of Plant Are You?
Meandering up a mountainside during a nature hike, recently, I pestered Husband, musing aloud at how differently the five in our fam relate to the outdoors. We likened ourselves to plants as a fun metaphor… I’m a full-sun plant… a Sunflower bending eager to follow the persisting rays of warmth as they shift across the sky, basking full-faced in the glow. Husband and Firstborn are both shade plants… Husband…
