How Did This Happen?

Yup, that's my little girl. Well, apparently, my big girl. She turned 7 just a couple of days ago.

Honestly, I'm wondering, how the heck did that happen? I remember her arrival into this world as if it were moments ago.

We have deliberately designed a lifestyle which puts our family first. We live in the moment with our kids. We meet them off the bus. We play together. We cook together. We eat meals together. We explore together. We snuggle. We talk endlessly. And, yet, still it seems that time is slipping away. How can that be?

I decided that maybe the best course of action is to hold her back. (I'll start saving for therapy now...) Starting with putting a hold on all birthdays.

I told my daughter repeatedly (and, my husband reinforced this, so he should really be contributing to the therapy fund as well) that we weren't going to celebrate her birthday because I didn't want her to get older. Not that six was some kind of stellar year. (Truth be told, there are some moments of her last year I wouldn't mind forgetting...) I even thought about felting a six on her crown. But, alas I finally realized (was it the tears welling in her eyes that gave it away?) she didn't think it was flattering or funny. By golly, she's been counting the days (since well before Christmas) that she would finally be seven. What's so magical about seven, I wonder? Time will tell.

So, I decided if she MUST continue to grow up (and, I realize that quite possibly the best is yet to come!) that we should party it up. We had SO much fun preparing for - and celebrating her 7th birthday that I'm tempted to share a few little details in the days to come. 

Happy Valentine's Day

It's a busy day here at our house. It's Monday. It's the 100th day of school. And, of course, as you likely know, it's Valentine's Day.
 I woke to a carefully laid out Valentine display courtesy of my eldest. Red roses from her and my husband; carefully chosen cards; and big hugs. Lucky me.

I had gotten both girls heart tees and socks. In a moment of weakness, it inspired me to suggest that my eldest wear 100 hearts in celebration of 100 days of school (she had told me before going to bed that she was going to wear 100 pieces of clothing and the thought of that much extra laundry still had me in convulsions).
 My daughter loved the idea. And, frankly, I was pretty impressed with myself. An easy win, I thought. Afterall, the dresser if filled with heart-adorned things.

Of course, minutes before we absolutely had to walk out the door, there was a near meltdown because we didn't have just the right number of hearts. And, she hated Dad's idea of cutting out hearts to stick in her pocket. Almost as much as she hated my idea of putting stickers on her hoodie. This near meltdown caused serious internal swearing and reminders about not coming up with such brilliant ideas ever again.

Just as I was about to blow a gasket and exclaim how much I hate Valentine's Day, she showed up with the remaining four hearts -- self-made, heart-shaped, red pipe-cleaner bracelets. Oh, how I love my little girl. She perseveres. And, her creativity propels success.

I hope to snap a photo of her heartfulness later, but just had to share the story now.

Whatever you are doing to celebrate love today, I hope it's special.

Calling All Potato Lovers

{photos via here, here and here.}

I just learned, courtesy of EatMaine that February is National Potato Lovers Month. Who knew? And, to think I was so focused on the other very important February "holidays" -- my birthday, my daughter's birthday, President's Day and, of course, Valentine's Day. (Truth be told, the focus in our house is on my eldest's birthday. In keeping with our love for advent calendars, she has created a very lovely and detailed advent calendar to countdown to her birthday. Yea, don't go there. I, clearly, have not explained advent well enough.) Anyhow...

Who comes up with these national celebrations? It never ceases to amaze me how there is something for everything. But, really, it all makes sense. Here, in Maine, it is the dead of Winter. Snow is piled high everywhere. And, for Maine-rs who have put away food from their gardens (or perhaps from others' gardens) for the winter, potatoes are pretty much the staple this time of year. So, we gotta love potatoes, it's what we've got.

Frankly, I could eat potatoes all the time. I like 'em mashed, boiled, roasted, in soups - you name it. But, I try to limit my intake...and, well, I'm not sure how this happened to my two Maine-born girls (I mean, if you are born in potato country, don't you have to like potatoes?) do not like potatoes. It really even pains me to type that. Not like potatoes?

Well, not surprisingly potatoes don't make it to our dinner table all that often. But, in the spirit of supporting Maine potato farmers (and my love for potatoes), tonight's dinner is going to be all about potatoes.

Even dessert. Yup, in Maine we have a special potato dessert. They are called Needhams (and many a Maine-r has their own recipe) and they are aptly named - because once you've had one you just need them more. Needhams are chocolates with a creamy filling that is potato based. You'd never know by tasting them - though it definitely adds to a creamy texture. It's always our surprise dessert for people visiting us from away. Don't they look delicious!?

How about you? Are you having potatoes tonight? How will you fix them?

PS. Yes, that's Vodka - made in Maine, with potatoes, of course!

My Husband Warned Me

He told me that this would happen.

Well, not exactly THIS.

But, he has said (repeatedly) that I should be careful what expectations I set..

He was right.

Do you remember this?

Or, this?

Yes, those baskets of holiday inspired crafting goodness made for my daughter?

She looked at me today and said, "Remember those baskets of holiday card making stuff you used to make me? What ever happened to those?"

My heart sank. I created a tradition my daughter loved and I failed to continue to execute it. Then, as is natural when one is confronting failure and/or disappointment, I got defensive. And, then I reverted back to sadness. Priority for tomorrow (amidst making up for yet another lost work day thanks to Mother Nature)? Putting together one of these baskets....it's February and there are a lot of Valentines to be made, afterall.

I Heart Free Printables

My daughter and I have Valentine's Day on our minds. We working on "our vision" for Valentines for her class...and she was dreaming of a basket full of Valentine supplies. Suffice it to say, it wasn't a pretty scene. Unhappy with her heart cutouts and my ever brilliant writer suddenly at a loss for words AND the ability to craft letters with her pencil.

Wouldn't in figure, just after she is fast asleep, I'd come across these wonderfully fun and FREE printables from the wonderful Whisker Graphics

What to Do When Someone Else Calls the Shots

{image via here. you can buy this little rascal, by the way}

Yup, it's that day. 

Groundhog Day. 

That very odd American tradition when we wait for some silly little groundhog in Pennsylvania to determine our fate for the next six weeks.


Will the storm blanketing the US keep the little guy from seeing his shadow, giving us Northerners hope that Spring is on its way? Or, not? 


In the meantime, I'm thinking that Gourmet Mom On the Go has the right idea of a way to celebrate this crazy day. Get the details here.

February: Updike's Take

In keeping with tradition at Maine-ly Home, here's John Updike's take on February. Have you gotten your copy of A Child's Calendar? It really is such a wonderful book with a monthly poem by Updike and beautiful illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman.

The sun rides higher
Every trip.
The sidewalk shows.
Icicles drip.

A snowstorm comes,
And cars are stuck,
Though road salt flies
From the old town truck.

The chickadees
Grow plump on seed
That Mother pours
Where they can feed,

And snipping, snipping
Scissors run
To cut out hearts
For everyone.