A Mom's Year

Creating a comfortable life one moment at a time

Remembering What Matters Most

Sometimes you run across a quote that expresses exactly what you’re feeling. Or exactly what you need to hear. I’ve been struggling with prioritizing things in my life lately (always?), so I was really happy to spot this quote at FlutterFlutter today. Maybe if I print it out and stick it where I’ll see it, it’ll remind me to stay focused on what matters most. Thank you, Rosa. (By the way, we don’t know who first posted this quote. If it was you, please let us know so we can give you proper credit for your simple, but lovely design!)

Magical Mailbox

We’re having an Ice Day here in western Wisconsin. Not a get-out-and-play, make-a-snowman, go-sledding Snow Day, but a rainy, sleety, stay-inside Ice Day. Which is fine if you’ve got a pile of good books, a new dog, and a copy of Hugo from Netflix. (Have you seen Hugo? It won so many Oscars I thought we should check it out.)

The younger three are playing “Hunger Games” right now. I don’t even know what to say about that except that it’s involving a lot of makeup and hollering. I was informed that I’m the Gamemaker, so as long as I grimace at them now and then, I think I’m free to share this activity with you.

It all started when Lexie had just turned four and our neighborhood got new mailboxes. Tim stuck the plain old black plastic one on a shelf in the garage. Lexie spied it sitting there and asked if she could have it to play with. Of course, we said. So she wrote a letter, mostly pictures and a few simple sentences (with a little help), to the Great Pumpkin, stuck it in the mailbox, and put the flag up. And then she waited, with all the faith and trust of a four-year-old, for a response.

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Dogs = Cure for the Blues

Can you stand another post about dogs? I’m feeling blue and behind and not the least bit creative. And while it might be nice to accessorize my bad mood with some Edith Piaf, a good stiff drink, and my favorite book, I have a little one home sick and lots to do. So I need to get a grip.

And so dogs it is. First I have to show you the presents. In the photo Leila is wearing a lovely scarf finger-knit just for her by a young man named Jacob in Lily’s first-grade class. And the bone with the pretty pink ribbon is from our friend, Mary Jo, and her family. People amaze me with their thoughtfulness.

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Little Things / Pampering with Que Bella

I have to warn you: this is quite possibly the silliest thing I’ve posted yet. And that’s saying something.

It all started when I bought these:

A 13-year-old family friend had broken her foot and the kids and I wanted to send a care package to cheer her up. So we went to Target and bought some hot cocoa mix and treats to nibble on and a book and a few packets of Que Bella Bath & Beauty products. I fell for the bright packaging and the tempting titles: Chocolate Face Mask, Creme Brulee Body Scrub, and Raspberry Smoothie Body Butter. Yum! We bought a few extra ones to keep.

We sent the package off with our best wishes for a full recovery. I was thrilled that I managed to send something before the cast came off. So far, so good.

I thought the little packets were so cheerful and fun that I wanted to share them with you. At about $2.00 each, I wouldn’t use these on a daily basis. But for a gift or as a pick-me-up when you need one, I think they’re great.

I asked Lexie to hold the packets so I could snap a photo. And I could have stopped there. I probably should have. But I thought it would be fun to show us actually using the products.

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Guinness Chocolate Cupcakes with Bailey’s Cream Cheese Frosting

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Wouldn’t these Guinness chocolate cupcakes with Bailey’s cream cheese frosting be perfect for St. Patrick’s Day? I’ll happily toast your health with a cupcake.

While I’m dreaming of Bailey’s and cupcakes, here are some fun links for you:

Do you have plans for the weekend? We’ll be continuing to get to know Leila. Today when I left the house I looked into those brown eyes and thought, “I’m going to miss her.” And it felt nice.

Don’t forget to print out your Oscar ballot! Have a great weekend and I hope to see you again next week.