I’ve been doing a bit of stamp carving, but I’m not sure where this one’s going. Inspiration was from a vintage table cloth. I love the design, but not sure what to do with. My original thoughts was on a fabric in the kitchen, but I now I’m not sure what I crave to do with it. Hmmm?

You know the old saying..”Life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

Well, I guess I took it to heart. All this snow, while beautiful and fun for awhile, it does tend feel like the very thing keeping you stuck in the house. A love hate relationship. This time of year is trying for all of us. I know I’m not alone. So, instead of falling deeper in the cabin fever rut, we decided to enjoy the snow while being stuck inside. If you can’t beat it..join it or at least try to not think of it as your enemy. (which I’m having a bit of trouble with) 

Making snow cones, with drink of your choice. The Kids picked kool-aid.

Making snow ice cream. While Ben & Jerry’s has no need to worry about the “snow” cream becoming competition. It’s still fun, adding what every flavor your tongue craves. The kids love it and anything to keep them happy in February is worth it.

• 1 Cup of milk
• 1/2 Cup of sugar
• a couple drops of vanilla
• FRESH & Clean snow.
• Add snow to liquids, stir, keep adding snow till you get your desired thickness.

options: chocolate syrup, strawberries, peanut butter or whatever else you want.

I’m a chocolate ice cream, fudge & pretzel kind of gal, but if it’s vanilla ice cream, a scoop of peanut butter with it. You’ve never tried it? You must!

Shout out to all you that are knee deep in snow.

A bit of cabin fever has set in. We were thinking of things to do and decided to make labels and tags for some of our baskets. You know the ones that are meant for one thing but end up with an array of items, turning into a “junk drawer” sort of basket.  The kids set to work, coloring and designing tags.  Getting organized and they don’t even know it. A sneaky mom.

Making these tags gave me an idea. Something most of you might have already found out, they are really cute! And a very ideal and useful project. You’d thought I discovered the wheel how excited I was about placing these around the house. So I got to work and made a few of my own.

Little labels for my flour and sugar jars. Don’t look to close, these are used quite often. All this lead to a lot of work. (not, really) and we were so famished that cookie making was needed.

Now baking cookies is great, but with it being so cold outside we needed warmth. Hot cocoa to go with it.

And what better way to eat hot fresh chocolate chip cookies with warm cocoa?  Eating them in an apron that was made all by one’s wee little self.  She did need a little help with the peddle. She sat on my lap moving the fabric while I pushed the sewing machine peddle for her. It will be a few more years before she can reach, till then we are partners on the machine.

What are you guys doing to pass the beautiful snow days away?

Last year the kids put a little table by the road and sold some of the tomatoes. It was actually a big hit. My faith in the honesty of public was reinforced as well. It was all by the honor system and the ones that stopped definitely deserved a honor badge.  This year the kids are eager to start a garden, design a farm market stand and even go set one up a few times themselves. I have to admit, I like a small garden. If it gets to big, I loose the enjoyment in the large amount of work it takes. In short, the weeds. But the kids have me excited about planting a garden this year. Filling it full. Maybe it’s the sense that it will be our little community garden. All the family members working together, enjoy it together. Maybe that’s what I’ve needed all along.

First things first. The planning stage, deciding on the seeds.  The world is a classroom. We have already gathered several books from the library, pulled out our seed catalogs, taken favorite books off of our shelves. My little one picked the packs she liked the most. Everyone put in there two cents. We all put our ideas on paper. Now the only thing we need is the soil…but I think that will have to wait for a few more days, at least till some of the snow is cleared away. A clear path to garden center is a must.

Here’s a few of my favorite garden spots….

Chiltern Seeds

Seed Saver Exchange

Dave’s Garden

Park Seed

Baker’s Acres

Palatine Roses

So what kind of garden to you grow?

This last week I’ve been doing a little sprucing up the house. Moving around the living room, changing colors, Dining area received a bit of rearranging as well.  But those were not the only spots. The kitchen in the doll house has a new little gem. The pink table.  Are you in agreement with me, it’s an Adorable little piece of furniture!  The girls painted house has been done for a while but it seemed to fit in the theme of the post. So, I shall share it with you.  I must tell you painting that cat house, was so freeing. Yes, it’s suppose to be a cat house, but I’m thinking not for ours, as his big tummy is not going to fit to well.  We have already tried…he needs a room addition.

Back to freeing….You should try it, grab something, anything, an old cereal box, mailing box, a piece of wood, rocks. What ever you have handy. Grab some bottles of paint, brushes, the kids are a must and paint. No rules, no ideas, no planning. Just dip and color. It was quite fun, all of us painting and giggling at the same time. I was only allowed to paint a small part. But I couldn’t resist adding the little flowers as well, in my February longing for spring blues. Which by the way, I saw a couple robins already. Us northern people watch for those little red breasted friends like there is no tomorrow. They are the usher to warm weather. Early birds this year, so I’m hoping they know something we don’t. But I’m not putting my sweaters away just yet.