Gravy

Well, maybe they had a peanut allergy, but they couldn't resist gravy! Yes, you heard me right...I said "they!" This morning, we awoke to find two mice caught in one trap! Ha! I don't know how they managed it, but they had their last supper together. I thought I'd save y'all the gruesome pictures. ;) here's hoping that was the last of them!!

On the hunt...

But our prey is wise to our methods. I watched, mildly offended, as he cruised around my counters (deftly avoiding the peanut butter baited traps) and cleaned up our crumbs. Even now, I see the pesky grey head poke out from just underneath the control panel of my kitchen range, seeing if the coast is clear. Gah!! How does he know NOT to partake of the peanut butter! I was hoping to feed him his last meal.

This hunt started over an hour ago when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw him try to make a dash for the living room from the kitchen. Thankfully, I watched him peel out as he ran back around the corner and under the stove. Out came the traps! Debate about where to set them. Then the wait. A few minutes later, unaware of my presence, he snuck out from under the oven and nimbly side-stepped the traps. He cruised around a bit before I decided it wise to shoe him back under the oven.

Then we added the peanut butter, figuring "ah! We've got him now!" but noooo! He turned up his nose. Well, we have one more trick up our sleeves. I'll let you know how it turns out...

Good Fun

We had another trek in the snow today. We went farther up my mountain and were well rewarded with amazing views. But the best view was of my husband close by.

Kettle Corn

Yum! And the best part is that it wasn't any harder than making regular popcorn! (we make ours on the stovetop.) I found the recipe on allrecipes.com (my standby). It was delish! Tasted just like the stuff at the fair!

1/4 C oil
1/4 C white sugar
1/2 C popcorn kernels
Salt to taste

Place oil in a large pot over medium heat (so the sugar doesn't burn) When the oil is hot, add the popcorn and the sugar. Shake the pot continuously (again, so the sugar doesn't burn). When the popping slows to 2-3 seconds between pops, remove from heat and salt to taste. Tada! Kettle corn!

Blackberry Vanilla Oatmeal

...yum!

I crave variety. The same breakfast every morning drives me batty. So, this morning, on a whim, I added some freeze dried blackberry powder (that I had around for making smoothies...also delish!) and a touch of vanilla extract. The purple color was ideal for exciting a certain 3 year old!

What a treat!

Greener Grass

"Grass is always greener on the other side,
The search is never over in the pastures of my mind.
Is the meaning of happiness drowning in smiles or that dreadful world I left behind?
O Lord grant the grace to accept who I am, who I am that You have designed."
- Chris Rice, "Sam's Song"

Where is that meaning of happiness? I don't find it in the peppermint chocolate cookie bars (though they being momentary delight). I don't find it in losing myself in Jane Austen novels. I don't find it in the endless fun ideas on Pinterest.

No, my heart aches and longs for so much more to fill the lonely spots. That lump in my throat doesn't go away no matter how much I try to lose myself here and there. I only find a taste of peace in God's word and His promises. My feelings may not catch up as quickly as I'd like, but my mind knows they are true, and that gives me hope. The verse below is in the context of the Lord comforting Zion. Comfort indeed, Lord. Comfort indeed.

A Fun Gift

Jon got us some snowshoes for a pretty good deal yesterday, and we had soooo much fun trying them out today!! I know many people have already had this revelation, but it is amazing how much easier it is to walk in deep snow with them! We trekked up behind the house to our own little "mountain" and enjoyed following the tracks of a bobcat. We made it up high enough that Evie and I rode the sled all the way back down to the house! Trek up: 45 mins. Ride down: 5 mins!

More snow adventures

We are really enjoying including Evie in outdoor fun now that she is big enough. We went sledding again yesterday, and she had a blast. Actually, Jon and I had fun on the hill too. There we were, piled up (just before a tree) at the bottom of the sledding run, hysterically laughing from the thrill and relief! Good times. Too bad I can't load videos from my phone!

Snow!

So happy to have a nice warm house when "the weather outside is frightful!" we played and played today. Evie decided she loved sledding. Husband decided there was enough snow to break out the snowboard! Libby decided face-planting in the snow made her sad. And I decided tea and goodies were a good way to finish the day. :)

P.S. why do my pictures load in random order?!

First Hair cut!!

I waited as long as I could! Who would want to cut off ANY of her sweet curls!!? But really, I didn't want my little girl sporting a mullet. So snip-snip we went! Much better!

Silly me...

So what's the key ingredient in cinnamon rolls? Eh? Yeah, that's right. Cinnamon. Whoops! I guess somewhere between the potty breaks, the "don't put your finger in the sugar!" and the crying baby at my feet, my 3 yr old helper and I forgot the cinnamon. But they were still pretty tasty!

Silk scarfs

My good friend made my girls matching sets of silk scarfs for Christmas, and they turned out to be a huge hit! She bought the white scarfs and then dyed them with koolaid, which she said made her bathroom smell delicious. Lol. Anyway, love to see the creative play they inspire!