Kids at Home, Cheesecloth, Coffee and Spice

1. Claire and Daniel are visiting, so we had a nice Saturday morning breakfast to catch up on the latest news in person rather then by phone.
2. Tied spices in cheesecloth for the stew and hung it in the pot. It had the effect of an ancient ritual.
3. It's a damp, rainy day and the kitchen smells of brewing coffee and warm apple crisp.
Oh my gosh, it's always about the food.

Shopping, Puppies and Babies

1. An afternoon at the mall with Tess and her friend. No agenda, no pressure, just stroll and browse.
2. It's always a treat to see the cutest puppies in the shop. Today, two little pugs lick each others noses and romp in the sawdust. They were oblivious to the people watching them.
3. 15-month old Arianna comes for a few hours. She puts the dolly in the stroller and takes her out again a dozen times. She decides the dolly is best without clothes.

Hmmm, puppies and babies today. Does it get much better than that!

by Emily Dickenson

The Bustle in a house
The morning after death
Is solemnest of industries
Enacted upon earth, -

The sweeping up the heart,
And putting love away
We shall not want to use again
Until eternity.

Daffodils, Road Salt, Baby Steps

1. I felt sorry for these sweet little daffodils last week when it was so cold. This week they have it much better and I am able to enjoy them without feeling pity.
2. I washed all the salt and road grime off the car at the do-it-yourself car wash.
3. I finally had Steve show me how to put photos from the camera onto the computer. I wrote it down so I should be able to do it alone next time. Baby steps!

A Brave Little Pansy At the Back Steps

St. John's, Pines, Hay

1. Spoke on the phone with a very kind woman at St.John's rectory. She recognized my sister's name and told me the church had been praying for her.
2. I caught the sweet smell of the pines on my walk and it sent me whirling back in time to a childhood picnic in Saratoga. I chose to leave the road and walk through a field. It wasn't as good exercise for my legs, but well worth the exercise for my senses.
3. The farmers are fertilizing the fields, preparing for the promise of a new crop of hay.

A Sleeping Horse, No Wind, Sweet Grapes

1. I watched one of the horses sleep. I challenged myself to watch out the window long enough to see it wake up, but something needed my attention inside.
2. The wind was calm today, allowing the sun's rays to reach my skin on the way to the mailbox.
3. The green grapes were extra large and very sweet.