ECF - Last Ice of the Season Edition

I'm really hoping that the title is true and that the next time I see ice on the trees around my house isn't until November or December.



It looks pretty but it's been a very long winter and I'd like it to stop now. Please?

ECF -Spotting Signs of Spring Edition

Look what we saw today at the library.

ECF - Icicles Edition

ECF - St Thomas Edition

It's Eye Candy Friday and normally I'd just post a picture or two and call it good but this one demands a wee bit of comment because it's full of pictures from our recent family vacation to St Thomas. We hadn't gone on a real family vacation in quite a while and this was the very first one as a family of 5. It was glorious!

Mostly, this vacation was about family time so there was a lot of hanging out on the beach.


But we did get a little adventurous. Bruce and Stinkette went parasailing.


DQ and I went scuba diving


Even Miss M got to go on a paddle boat.


And we all enjoyed many gorgeous sunsets... with a little island rum.


It was fabulous but it was over way too soon.  Time to start planning the next one.

ECF - "I Jump!" Edition

It's been a good week and there is som much that I could share but this is the picture that I can't get out of my mind. This is Miss M having a blast her first time in a moonbounce. Even though you can't see her face, which must've been covered with a huge smile, you can just feel her joy at jumping around.  I can't believe that I managed to catch her at just the right moment.



I can just hear her telling my "I jump!" Yes she does.

ECF - Buggies at the Harness Shop Edition

ECF - Dancing Girl Edition

As I mentioned yesterday, we went to a Bar Mitzvah last weekend.  That's where I took this video.  I've watched it over and over since then and it's kept me smiling. 

For those of you who I know on FB, this was immediately following the video I posted there.  Nobody was bothering her anymore and Miss M was happy trying to figure out the "big Kid" moves and danced her little heart out.

Enjoy!

ECF - 2013 Cherry Blossoms Edition

So we went to see the Cherry Blossoms On Wednesday night.  Of course I brought my camera and took a picture or twenty.



I think that I like this one best because it's different than most of the Cherry Blossom photos I see which look more like this.



Although, truth be told, I like that one too.  It's kind of classic.

ECF - Ten Fun Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day

My most memorable Valentines Day ever was in elementary school.  I opened my lunchbox at snack time and instead of my lunch, I found it filled with heart shaped sugar cookies to share with my class.  I will never forget that.  It was epic!



It would be hard to top a lunchbox full of cookies but I can try with this list of fun things to do on Valentines Day.

1. Fondue - this is truly the first thing that popped into my head.  Mostly because I just love fondue but it is kind of perfect - shared chocolate. How romantic and fun!
2. See a good movie - it is Oscar season after all
3. Take a walk with someone you love - ideally on a beach at sunset but there are lots of great spots. Find one and get out there.
4. Get sweet gifts for those that you love - chocolate is a good start. Jewelry works too.
5. Send valentines - it sounds so juvenile... unless they're handmade.  Then they become something else entirely.
6. Take a luxurious bath - candles and wine and bubbles...oh yes!
7. Leave secret surprises for someone special. Make their day.
8. Watch your favorite old movie - Yes, there are some fabulous movies out right now (see #2) but some of the most romantic or fun love stories are in black and white. And it's more private too. 
9. Make a special dinner - if you're not having fondue that is.
10. If all else fails - knit. It would certainly make me happy.

Of course, if you're a kid then it means schools parties so above is a treat Stinkette made last night.  We've made it before but this time we included red, heart-shaped, sweet tarts.

ECF - Watching the Snow Fall Edition

Last Sunday it snowed all day long And Miss M and I got to sit in the window seat and watch it fall.  That's exactly what it was built for.

ECF - Thirsty Edition

Miss M doesn't really have many words yet but one of the few that she possesses is "water".  So this picture really shouldn't be terribly surprising.

ECF - Antidote Edition

Yesterday was Miss M's 18 month check up.  There were shots involved.



Donuts make it all better.

ECF - Hanukkah Lights Edition

A little something as we end the Festival of Lights.



In rge back is a menorahe that we bought last year.  In the front is one that I made when I was younger than Stinkette.

ECF - 17th Birthday Cake Edition

This is indeed a cake although it looks more like a cookie in this picture. It is a made from scratch chocolate fudge cake with a chocolate ganache filling. It's my girls favorite and they always ask for it for their birthdays.



One of the things that is making it look kind of flat (aside from the angle of the camera shot) is the frosting.  It's a black buttercream and the only part of the cake I did not make.  The decorations are white chocolate dusted with silver sugar.  Not my best work but DQ likes it and that's the point.

Can you guess what the motif is?  Here's a hint: it's been mirrored.

ECF - Bloomington Edition

Before I went to Bloomington my impression of it was of a little college town in the middle of nowhere.  And it is definitely that.  But it's also quite charming.



This is the little yard at Wonderlab.  The kids had such fun exploring it.  I had fun watching them and looking at these flowerlike sculptures.

ECF - First Flight Edition

I'm still recovering a little bit from my recent travels.  Until I'm totally caught up and normal blogging resumes, here is a quick shot of Miss M on her first airplane ride.



She found the experience a little underwhelming.

ECF - Fuzzy Little Chick Edition

Oh yeah, there were lots of animals at the pumpkin patch last weekend too.  My favorites were the baby chicks. So cute!

ECF - Orchid Edition

This orchid was a gift after we completed the work on the house. I kind of love it.

 

ECF - Williamsburg Edition

A picture from our recent vacation.This one is from Colonial Williamsburg.  So sweet.

 

ECF - Heavy Equipment Edition

It's such an exciting day here.

Have a great weekend.