And these were all he had

on his feet. See story below for details!

The Long Slog Home

I saw him off in the distance in the neighbor's backyard. When there is no snow, there is a path marked with stones that the kids can use to go from yard to yard. So I don't know what Ronan was thinking trying to cross this after our 3rd snowstorm in as many weeks.

He looked like something out of Little House on the Prairie walking home from school over the Kansas plains after a sudden storm.

Determined, I will give him that. What hat? Zip my coat? Gloves? I am in 4th grade. Too cool for such things.

Finally, he made it safely home. He tied up his horse in the barn and came in to momma who had some soup in the cast iron pot over the fire.

Yo, Second Snow Day

Two snow days in two weeks? Wow. The kids will be in school until the 4th of July at this rate. Of course, the high school senior is being oh-so-smug that he gets out of school in May and won't need to make up any days this year. The brothers didn't appreciate that. This is dad, umm, yes in shorts and boots and exposed leg taking the dog out to play this morning. Can't explain the attire, ever.

Ronan asked for this. "Bury me in snow...please!" I was inside and missed all of it, but I guess it looks like he's having fun.

This is what I was doing. I wanted to re-create those chocolate dipped/mini m&m pretzels they sell at the candy stores for big bucks. It worked pretty well, but next time I think the pretzels should be bigger. These were the "thins" and they didn't hold the candy terribly well. However, they taste great!

Then I made apple and pear crisp. I have made it so many times that I could do it in my sleep. Always a hit, another A+ recipe from
the Barefoot Contessa. Can you tell I was hiding inside today? Kept thinking about going out, but then the wind would blow and I just kept cooking.

Tonight's Dinner

It's January, it's FREEZING, we all needed a little chocolate fix, no matter that it bumps up against the dinner hour. Hey, I took them out for Chinese at lunch so they have had all of their nutritional requirements for the day. And if you want to see happy kids, I promise you they are pretty darn happy.

Oh, just so there is no confusion. This is "new" Easter candy, 3 months early that came out this week, not "old" Easter candy which would be 9 months old.

Lucky is the wife

who gets to look at this charming face everyday.

Handsome, dashing, British, he gets better with age.

Glad you won again, Colin. You were the best looking boy at the party.

A fresh scent

If you've had enough of pine, cinnamon, vanilla frosting and sugar cookie candles like I have...I recommend trying the new Slatkin & Co. candles at Bath & Body Works. They are selling the mini-size right now 3/$5.00 so it's a nice inexpensive way to try them and not feel like you had to spend ten or twenty bucks on something you might not like after the 2nd hour. These burn 10-15 hours each, not bad for $1.66. Plus they smell so great. My favorite right now is Caribbean Escape.

Yo, Snow

Ah the "Storm Team" forecasters live for this. They love to predict and are giddy with anticipation. Well, on this January day, they were completely right! We got buried! This is right outside the back door.

Without any trouble, Ronan sinks right in.

I am standing in the street, taking this one. Must be 4 feet of snow where the plows pushed it along the street. I always think my house looks every bit the same at it must have in 1930 or 1950 in the snow. It is at least that old and just has a nostalgic vintage look and I envision other generations of kids running around in the snow right in the same front yard.

Little brother, watch out for big brother 'cause he is not stopping with his electric Toro power shovel!