"Bouncing on my knee."

Repetition is how Nora learns new songs. And she loves to learn new songs.

Lesson from my Supervisor #136

Me: (musing)     You know, it's weird. I used to be able to sleep anywhere but now I don't sleep well at all.

Supervisor: (not missing a beat)    It's called middle-age, Ben.



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Lately

Nora is a very busy girl.  Here are a few things she's been up to lately.

Nora loves working next to Dad (middle), directing him in the use of crayons (bottom left) and helping her dog to color by holding his paw on the pen (bottom right)

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Nora loves her some cocoa or tea!  

For her the appeal is 20% beverage and 80% using the big mug like Mom and Dad.

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Yesterday she lined up all her little toys and made them each a cookie!  (bottom left)

She made one for me too.  With sprinkles.  It was delicious.

A Nice Change...

It is 48 degrees out right now.  The sky is radiantly blue.  And as long as you aren't in the midst of a gust of wind, the sun is actually... (I can't believe I'm typing this) warm.  Gasp!

It's a far cry from the usual Oxford winter days of monotone gray skies offering a backdrop to monotone gray stone buildings, cold, damp air, wind and penetrating frost.  You know, perpetual chill-in-your-bones kind of weather that makes people like me LIVE in their long johns and wool sweaters, CLING venomously to their hot water bottle, and DREAD leaving the warmth of my bed in the morning or the comfort of my living room each afternoon (almost as much as I dread seeing the month's heating bill!).  Although it happens to different people in varying degrees, this glum state of affairs around us penetrates our outlook, our countenance.  It can sap our hope and optimism.  It can drain our joy.

Biking home from work today in 48 degree bliss er... improvement ('bliss' for me would be more like 78) the sun beating down on my face and back, the bright blue sky illuminating the magnificent old buildings on my right and on my left, seeing tiny crocuses and snow drops beginning to break through the surface of the dark earth with promises of blooms to come, I nearly forgot about the pale gloom of yesterday and so many many many yesterdays before that.

I'd like to think that this is it.  This is the day when winter begins to turn to spring:  the days get longer, and warmer, we dry our clothes on the line outside rather than draped on the rack (which has become a rather permanent and un-attractive fixture) in my living room, Oxford's lovely gardens once again come to life, and we can actually enjoy a trip to the park or a walk by the river.

And while I know this isn't it, I'm going to scoot my chair in front of the window, grab my book and soak up as much vitamin D as today's sun has to offer... because who knows how long it will have to last!

A Welsh Holiday

We spent the first week of 2011 on holiday! What a way to start a year!?

We had never been to Wales before and it's just so close and interesting that we decided to go for it. Our dearest friends made the long drive (long for the UK, that is) down from their home in Scotland, picked us up at the train station and then we continued on together to our final destination on the Hafod Estate. This was our home for an entire lovely week of good food, good music, good friends, good books, game nights, log fires, invigorating hikes, and stunning views. We had no schedule, no deadlines, no traffic, no phones, no TV, no internet, and no noise apart from the gurgling pond outside our front door, the breeze over the hills, the soft pitter patter of raindrops on the roof, the comforting sound of the crackling fire, and the occasional bleating of sheep or song of bird. Bliss.

Here's a little slideshow of some of our favorite shots (most are of the landscape…and there's a lot of them). Enjoy!

Deanna's 2010 Book List 
 --------------  (in no particular order)  ---------------

Out Stealing Horses  Per Petterson
The Help  Kathryn Stockett
Old Men at Midnight  Chaim Potok
The Bell Jar  Sylvia Plath
The Passport  Herta Müller
Parable of the Sower  Octavia Butler
A Walk in the Woods  Bill Bryson
The Kite Runner   Khaled Hosseini
The Time Traveler's Wife  Audrey Niffenegger
Cold Tangerines  Shauna Niequist
Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life  Amy Krouse               Rosenthal
In Dubious Battle  John Steinbeck
The Book of Lights  Chaim Potok

These are the ones I remember anyway.

I also tried to read a biography of Eglantyne Jebb called The Woman Who Saved the Children but it was so long and boringly written that I stopped reading about three quarters of the way through it despite the fact that I admire all that Eglantyne Jebb accomplished.

There are so many many more titles I wish I had found the time to get to this past year but alas, I can't spend ALL my time with my nose in a book.  There's a whole big world out there full of interesting people and places waiting to be explored too!  Not to mention my own sweet little girl that I can't get enough of!

What did you read?  Any recommendations for me for 2011??


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Vintage toys and cupcakes too!!! (But not vintage cupcakes... because that's just gross.)

Several weeks ago I found an old friend in one of Oxford's many thrift shops.   It was dirt cheap, surprisingly clean, and fully functioning.  The only thing missing was the salt and pepper shakers (which were once yellow and orange if I remember correctly.)  As soon as I saw that old stove a flood of memories came rushing into my head.  Carefree playtimes that I had long-since forgotten (and had replaced with grown-up worries) were clear and vivid once again.  I knew immediately that Nora's childhood would be exponentially more fulfilling and enriching with this toy.  In fact, I decided, she needed this toy.  So I forked over the pound fifty and bought it.  (Projecting much?!)

(My siblings and I also had the sink and some dishes that went with it.  Like this...  )

Anyone else out there remember enjoying these classics??   

Anyhow, I brought the stove home excitedly and although it was very hard not to give it to her immediately, I hid it (and the cute little apron I found at the same shop) away as a birthday present.  What fun it has been these past few days to see Nora enjoying a toy that I too spent countless hours playing with as a child!

Mmmm, raisin soup!

Taste-testing her creation.

Hmm, it seems she may have 'tasted' every last drop!!

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 We didn't throw a party on Nora's birthday this year because most of her little friends are currently stateside celebrating Christmas and the new year with their families.  But party or not, a birthday is hardly a birthday without cake, and Nora wanted cupcakes!  So after she had opened up a few gifts we decided to put her in her apron and let her help make them!  

Carefully measuring and pouring.

Helping to stir.

Working side by side.

Nora loves to help Momma in the kitchen!

Then off to bed for a nap while I baked and frosted them.

Nora chose the blue frosting and rainbow sprinkles herself.  

(Only I ran out of rainbow sprinkles so I ended up using a variety of others too.)

When she woke up we let her open a few more gifts then ordered some pizza (which we haven't done since we lived in Canada!) and set up a picnic on the living room floor.  We all watched Toy Story together - a special treat for Nora who doesn't normally watch anything except videos of herself or friends/cousins on blogposts - and ate our pizza and cupcakes.  (Side note:  We have a Toy Story book that someone gave us and Nora loves Buzz Lightyear and Woody.  Occasionally she blurts out something like, "Bus Liteyeeh to wescue!" or "I come n peas!"  or "Ewe can't fwyy!")

   

                               

Can we eat them yet??

Yumm!

Happy 2nd Birthday sweet little Noodle!  

You brighten our days with your smiles, songs, prayers, giggles, and imagination.  You are so smart and capable and loving and funny (and spunky and ornery too!)  You keep us on our toes and we wouldn't have it any other way!

xoxo - Momma and Daddy