The snow just keeps sticking to the ground these days and I’ve been not the most gracious of mama’s as spring continuously hits the pause button. And it’s these times when nerves are a little shot and patience a little thin when I need to remember gratitude the most so camera in hand I sought five blessings for this April Friday.

:: children’s art and good books

:: siblings who, despite squabbles, are quick to snuggle up to share a story (of course no one ever gets upset with little sister…)

:: spring indoors to remind us it will come indeed

:: baby cheeks and the sweetest curls

:: a home full of children’s treasures and treasured children

Wishing you a beautiful weekend, dear ones! Thank you always for sharing a little time here. xoxoR

Starting another weekend with a list of five moments of gratitude during my week.

There were some long days during this week, but it sure helps to be seeking out the sweet moments.

<> watching five littles have the most fun with their sleds on a small patch of unmelted snow and ice (forgive the grainy shot) while the sixth watched from the sun bathed deck

<> the foresight of doubling up on dinner prep a few weeks ago for the joy of pulling dinner, oven-ready, from the freezer this week

<> a load of laundry hung at 3pm and dry by 5pm – love this bright sun and long days

<> hubby bringing home a treat after a late day of work

<> the dear friend and neighbour who saved me three times in one day – delivering new needles for my now-frogged sweater, the missing pepper for our chili, and later, the eggs I’d neglected to account for – such a blessing

::

Now the weekend is closing in and I’m looking forward to a quiet one. No plans yet and I’m looking forward to making them up as we go. How about you? Do have big plans or plans to have no plans? However you have it, I’m sending love for a good one. xoR

It’s been a bit of an upside down week around here.

Back from vacation, saying goodbye to my sis part way through the week, a mystery flu bug for Liam, and a cold for me have contributed to a few of the bumps in our week.

Thankfully, we’re getting back to our schedule and over sickness. Whatever was going on with Liam seems to have hit the road. It’s always easy to know when he’s under the weather. His usually bubbly, energetic, and chatty personality suddenly subdues. After three days of lethargy and tummy aches he’s on the run again today, talking non-stop about his birthday this weekend. We’ve postponed the birthday get together with another family, but I think he’ll be up for a visit to the zoo. I’m very thankful this his flu and my cold have not spread around the house!

I started feeling better last night (although still frustratingly congested) and finally tackled the laundry pile. I’d been ignoring it since we got back last Friday and now I have half-a-dozen loads of laundry to fold…maybe I can manage to enlist some helpers. Tomorrow is our weekly chore day so maybe I can trade someone’s vacuuming job for some laundry folding? I love the washing and hanging but not the dreaded folding and putting away. But does anyone?

With all the things that “need” doing around here I’ve been thinking about the things I’m especially thankful for in this moment.

<> a kombucha starter from a kind, local blogger and holistic nutritionist and now a jug of kombucha tea fermenting on my counter

<> six healthy children, running wild, making hair raising noise, and craft explosions

<> Dan in the kitchen making a batch of turkey meatballs – dearly grateful that I can depend on this man for so much

<> chia pudding for a late night snack and raw brownies for the afternoon sweet-protein crave (after the pan of these ran out)

<> the happy, long distraction of 3 or 4 wild rabbits roaming our yard, enjoying a few sprouts and carrot peelings (we may regret sharing when they chew up our garden), and even exhibiting some mating season aggressive behaviour towards eachother (boxing rabbits!)

…and I’ll add a sixth:

<> leaving the mess until chore day

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And now there is the weekend to enjoy – I’m starting with the hunt for a gluten-free birthday cake recipe! How are you spending the weekend? Hoping you get a gooder!