MommyCoddle

Another brain dump/cleanse

1. Over the long weekend Dan skim-coated the kitchen ceiling. I don't know who ever though this was a good idea but at some point in history this textured ceiling must have been THE thing because they're all over our house. The kitchen ceiling was a particularly aggressive form of this texturizing. Curls and whips of plaster big enough to house small spiders and their webs. So now, after scraping it down (thankfully before we moved in) he has put a few layers of mud on the ceiling to smooth it out and in turn highlight our sloping old-farmhouse ceilings. I'm not ungrateful though--it's really an improvement. But, I do NOT do well with a torn-apart kitchen. Especially on New Year's weekend when my resolve to clean-out, clean-up and get organized is at hyper-levels. Usually, he does these kinds of things when I'm out of town. I'm thinking for my own emotional well-being, it would be a good idea to leave town when it's time to tackle the next step in the process--sanding the newly mudded ceiling.

2. Emily and I are beginning our fourth(!) year at habit. We decided for the month of January, to post as we began--just the two of us. I know, it's only January 5th, but sharing that space, just the two of us again, has been pretty magical. 

3. I've been revisiting the Camp Creek Blog lately. So much good thinking and inspiration there. 

4. This is one of my favorite resolution posts of the season. 

5. My mom asked me the other day why I wasn't blogging anymore. It's been months, she says, since I've gotten an email notification that you posted! Ummm, still blogging mom, but apparently, my email subscriptions are broken. Turns out when I deleted an old domain name for this blog, I also deleted all those email subscribers. So, if you're a subscriber, you hopefully got a little email from me this morning with instructions on how to subscribe again. Otherwise, the box in the sidebar should be working now, or you can subscribe by clicking on this link. 

6. I'm all for resolutions despite the trend to pooh-pooh them. I have a running list in my head of things to think about for 2012. I need to write them down.

7. Speaking of things on my mind, Amanda's Squam story really resonated with me in some way. Oh Squam, how I'd love to see you....sigh.

8. I've been writing this post since 9am this morning. It's now 3:52pm. And I have no plan for dinner. Oy.

xo.

molly

 

The best of 2011

We've done away with the traditional "Christmas letter" tucked in with our card, in exchange for a family curated "Best of" list....

Happy New Year!!

Best of 2010

 

 

She sews

Christmas gift-giving was a real challenge for me this year. Even up to the last few days before the holiday I was scrambling for ideas.

I was feeling like my kids didn't really need anything. We have plenty of toys. The baby is drowning in three sisters worth of hand-me-downs. Their rooms are totally messy which makes me even less excited to go out and buy more "things" to add to that chaos. 

But my kids aren't quite at the age where they appreciate a hive of bees or a goat. 

Ideally I like to have one "winner" gift. Something that will thrill their socks off and then pepper the rest of the gift-giving with little things like books, underwear, chapstick and pencils. 

Finally at the very last minute this year, and thanks to an in-store phone call to my sister, inspiration arrived. 

For Mary, it was actually easy--she's been begging for an (inexpensive) digital camera since the first hint of holiday decorations started appearing on store shelves. (So that's like, what? October?) And for her slightly absent-minded personality, she's handled the responsibility impressively well. The camera still works AND she knows where it is. 

But Emma was a challenge. She wanted a horse-y Christmas and had things on her list like an indoor riding arena (Lord, help me.), and jockey silks. (They aren't cheap!)

She also had on this on her list at number 10: That Birdy will stay little forever.

Be still my heart. She immediately got extra points for that one. 

So, as I was standing in the local Feed Mill staring at hay racks and shedding blades, nothing was inspiring me. 

But in a desperate phone call to my sister and a "What are you getting your kids?" conversation, I hung up the phone with a plan. 

My girl was ready for her own sewing machine. 

If you've caught any of my whining around these parts, we've been without a sewing machine in this house for almost three years. I've been borrowing and begging which is no fun. And Emma loves to sew. 

Even with my majorly budget-minded Christmas, I was still able to get her a very basic, entry-level Singer. 

I've never really given Emma specific sewing lessons. She knows the basics and nothing more. But watching her navigate the creative sewing waters is exciting.

It's like when toddlers first learn to dance. The minute they start to bop to the beat, you don't whisk them off to dance classes. There is so much creativity and growth in them learning how to swing their hips and bend at the knees. They're way more creative and free without the boundaries of proper dancing technique. 

And I'm finding the same to be true with Emma's sewing. I know she knows enough to be safe. She knows that if she doesn't want her stitches to pull out she needs to do a little back-and-forth at the beginning and end. But otherwise, she is a blank slate behind the presser foot. The possibilities are endless. 

I know that eventually what she wants to make will get more complicated and some instruction will be required. 

But for now, my house is peppered with tiny hearts, miniature pouches and endless possibilities.

The dining room curtains and pleated skirts can wait....

Merry Christmas

Wishing you peace, warmth and joy....

xo.

Molly

Grand Champion

I swear, this will be my last post about chocolate sauces for a very long time. But, I just couldn't let this go. I owe it to you all, loyal chocolate-loving readers. 

Over the weekend, my grandmother's Chocolate Chewy Sauce recipe was finally found. For dinner at my Dad's house Friday night, we made up a batch with her recipe. We felt it our duty. It was an act of research. All in the name of science and foodology. Science served up over locally-made peanut butter ice cream.

Mom, I'm sorry. Meemu's sauce recipe is not only superior, but I might be bold enough to say extremely superior. I grew up on your recipe, so I can only think that something has somehow failed in translation from my kitchen to yours. I blame myself. 

However, in the meantime, I feel it my duty to share this recipe, awarded Grand Champion among all those involved, by a talented, highly-experienced panel of judges.

Some notes before I begin....

I did not melt the chocolate in a double-boiler as the recipe suggests. I do however highly recommend you make the sauce in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Otherwise, during the boiling, you really run the risk of burning or over-boiling the sauce. We don't want that to happen. The recipe calls for vanilla. I do not add it per a little note at the bottom of the recipe that says "no vanilla". I remember now, that my grandmother did not like vanilla. So feel free to add if you wish. 

MPM's Chocolate Chewy Sauce

In double boiler melt 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate. Add 2 tablespoons of butter. ( I add these at the same time.) Stir and blend well. Add 2/3 cup boiling water. 

Stir well and add 2 cups of sugar and 4 tablespoons of light corn syrup. 

Boil readily for 8 minutes, without stirring (Don't do it! You'll want to, but don't do it!) over direct heat. Remove from heat. *Just before serviing add 1 teaspoon vanilla.

*Original recipe is edited and says, "no vanilla".

Enjoy, my friends. Next week I'll share my recipe for a really great veggie tray, I swear. :)

 

it's the best excuse...

Pssst....The new year is my favorite excuse to get myself a brand new planner/organizer. This year, I figured, why wait until after Christmas to get started? I'm giving away three of my favorite family planners over on MommyCoddleLikes. Dude. Check it out.

For you crazy ones: Chocolate Chewy Sauce

Have you ever gone to a movie, loveloveloved it and then totally hyped it up to someone before they went to see it? And then you thought, "Oh. Maybe I hyped that a little too much and they'll be disappointed." 

Well, I hyped up this recipe a bit back there, didn't I ? But I have to admit, (though pride cometh before the fall)...I don't think it will disappoint. 

I also have to say upfront that I feel a bit like I'm letting you all in on a family secret. I mean this is the Chocolate.Chewy.Recipe. This is the one we pull out when we really want to impress the people we're having over for dinner for the very first time. It's a dessert that says, "We're fun! And we like to get a little crazy in the dessert department!" We serve up the bowls of plain old vanilla ice cream and then turn away from the table to the stove, appearing again with the big heavy saucepan clenched in our hot-padded hands. "What?! You've never had chocolate chewy sauce?!? Oh, you poor deprived human. You are in for a treat! Let my family's secret recipe enlighten your palette!"

 So let me officially welcome you to the family.

Okay, seriously. That's enough hype. This stuff is good people. In a fun way. In a pull out your 8 year-old's loose tooth way. In a soak the bowls to get the remaining sauce off way. In a probably not for people with braces way. In a no one will be talking during dessert way.

There are two versions of this recipe floating around the family archives. My grandmother's recipe and  my mother's recipe. Both versions equally good with the exact same results. And because my mom, upon my phone call two nights ago, could put a finger on her recipe immediately "I think I file it under sauces.", and my grandmother's version is currently MIA, the recipe below comes from my mother's kitchen. She's a pro at this stuff.

Chocolate Chewy Sauce from the family vault 

2 one ounce squares unsweetened chocolate (to which I said, "Really? Unsweetened?" To which my mom replied:

"It will make sense when you hear the next ingredient.")

2 cups granulated sugar

1 Tablespoon butter

3/4 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Over medium heat, slowly melt and combine all ingredients but vanilla. Once they have melted completely, bring to a boil. Cover and continue boiling for two minutes. Remove lid (still boiling) and continue boiling until sauce reaches soft ball stage*. (This usually takes another minute or two.) *Note: If you have a candy thermometer, you can use this to test for soft ball stage (235 °F). The method I use is to keep a clear glass of cold water at the stove. Drop a few drips of the sauce into the water, if it holds together in a loose, "soft" ball, you've achieved soft ball stage. If it falls apart like a cloudy mess to the bottom of the glass, you're not there yet. You know what comes after soft ball stage? Hard ball stage. You don't want to get there, unless you plan to never reuse the dishes you serve the sauce in. However, reaching a good softball stage is key to the sauce having the right consistency. If you err any way, err to the side of hard ball. Don't under do it, or you won't get the chewy factor. But go to long and you'll get a more brittle sauce. No pressure, huh? I promise, it's not as difficult as I just made it sound.

Once you reach soft ball stage (Phew! You made it!) remove the pot from the heat and stir in the vanilla. At this point, you can either let it cool to re-heat and serve later in the day, or keep it warming on the stove until dessert. Serve over vanilla ice cream, or if you want to get a little daring, mint chocolate chip. Leftovers? Jar them up and warm them again the next day. And the next....

Enjoy! I am not responsible for the extra five holiday pounds these last two recipes have caused you. Nor am I responsible for any damage to dishware, flatware, dental paraphernalia or lost teeth. (No honestly, it's not that chewy. Usually.)

 

7 Tips for taking a perfect family Christmas card photo

1. Take your photograph when your children are well-fed and rested. (Not right after church when the baby is looong overdue for a nap and everyone's low-blood sugar is resulting in impatience and grumpiness.)

2. Make sure your husband is well-fed. (Because you'll need his help to wrangle babies, arrange children, shoo chickens, and hold ponies. And if he's hungry {see above}, he'll give up on your perfect holiday photo shoot way too quickly.

3. Find a clean, white pony to add something unique and meaningful to your family's photo. (Preferrably not one that was rolling in her muddy field just as you are all walking outside to take pictures.)

4. Make sure your children are well-groomed and bathed. (or else they'll be wearing handknits in all the pictures to cover up)

5. Drain all tubs of standing water. (Because you know the baby will find them. And while you're directing the brushing of the pony and making sure noone gets stomped on by the same nervous pony, the baby will find the water and be up to her elbows in it before you turn back around.)

6. Lock in the chickens. (They distract the photographer.)

7. Remember that one of the things you love most about your family is that it's big, crazy and chaotic. But every once in awhile, you get a glimpse of almost-perfection. And there among the five hundred wacky outtakes, there'll be one that captures just that. 

 

jiggetty-jog

Hello.

I have ten minutes to write this post. I'm sitting in the play area of our brand-spanking new Wegman's grocery store. Birdy and Elizabeth are happy at the train table, Mary and Emma are just a few blocks away, having their piano lessons. I was supposed to have more time sitting here to write and enjoy the free wifi, but I got bogged down in the toothbrushes when all I really needed was a gallon of milk and a pound of coffee beans. Isn't that always the case?

But I'm determined to be here this morning. I've opened up the "compose" window every day this week. 

I'm home from New York City. It was a fantastic weekend. I was so glad to have my mom with me. We had such a fun time together. Navigating train stations and taxi fares. We dealt with overwhelming problems like where to have lunch and which store to shop in first--Purl or Fishs Eddy (thanks, Erin for turning me on to that one!) She lounged in the hotel room, and dined leisurely in the hotel restaurant, while I zipped from premieres to broadway. Tough weekend, huh? 

I ate the best dessert I've ever had. Would I ever think I'd use the word orgasmic on my blog, let alone to describe a dessert? No, but there. I just did. It was. And now I'm blushing.

The movie was fantastic. One of those movies I really need to see again to take it all in one more time. To see it without seeing it through so many tears. Woah, the tears. It's a killer. I was a bit bummed that it doesn't seem to be one for younger kids (I was hoping I could take Emma). It definitely falls in the young adult category. Or it would make a great movie to see with your husband. There's lots of animal drama. That's tough for children. 

I also got to step inside the home of my great-great grandmother. A beautiful tall, narrow townhouse on banker's row. Now a preserved landmark, nestled between highrises just like The Little House. Today it serves the unromantic role as a store front full of discount name brands. I'm not sure what my great-great-grandmother would say about the five foot square poster of a teen dressed in short-shorts and fur, dangling from her living room wall. I was scolded for taking pictures inside the building. But I explained my history and was given full photographic access. 

Going away was wonderful, yes. I felt a bit like my life was on hold until I got the trip behind me. Now, I'm really looking forward to settling in for the rest of the advent season. I'm ready to slow the pace down a bit. And hunker down. 

So happy weekend friends. Here's to slowing down and enjoying the rest of the season. 

It's good to be home.

 

 

the profound stuff is hiding

Hi.

I decided last night, that even when I feel like my brain is too full to put together any kind of profound or coherent words, I still need to show up here and write. 

This weekend, I'm heading to New York City representing the Babycenter blogs for the premiere of War Horse. I found a dress (In black. And no, I didn't pay that much!). And I ordered some tall black boots with a kitten heel. "Kitten Heel" being terminology that is both new to me and now used regularly in our house because it's just fun to say. And a ridiulously large and dramatic glitzy necklace. I tried the outfit on for my kids and they said I looked like somebody else. And the boots weren't my style. My dear children, I try not to make a habit of wearing knee-high black boots around the house, but mama can get a little funky when she needs to. 

So, I'm sandwiched between still recovering from our Thanksgiving roadtrip last weekend and preparing to leave the brood behind with my husband for three days this weekend. I'm trying to make everything a little easier this time because on my last jig away from home, one child almost died and they survived on hotdogs at every meal. (The hotdog part possibly an exaggeration from my oldest child.) And just on cue with my imminent departure Elizabeth has an ear infection, and the baby is going through another phase of scream-only communication. Not to mention her uncanny ability to sniff out EVERY marker in this house (despite my attempt to HIDE every marker in this house), color both her cheeks, inside her ear, between her toes, and on any flat surface. 

Today I made a brain-dumping to-do list in my journal. It was simultaneously cathartic and overwhelming. 

But. BUT. Despite all this craziness, I'm pretty sure this weekend is going to be amazing. In a last minute exciting change of plans, my mom is coming too--riding the train up to NY with me, spending our free day Sunday together and lounging around in the swanky hotel with me (and without me). My husband, despite my attempts to drown myself in guilt for leaving, has been nothing but encouraging and all "everything's under control". And the stuff will get done. And some won't. And my house will probably be messy still when I leave. And there'll be laundry to do. But there will be meals in the freezer. And grain for the chickens and food for the barn cats. 

The End. And that's all. That's my brain dumped out for all to see. I promise, there's some good stuff hiding in the back of it. But for now, this is what you get. In all it's un-profound glory. 

Give the gift of chocolate (the less dangerous variety)

My family has a special well-loved by many generations recipe for something called Chocolate Chewy Sauce. It's killer. The moment the warm chocolate hits your cold ice cream it gets all thick and sticky and ohhh man, so good. 

A few weekends ago, when my sister was in town, we decided this would be the perfect thing for dessert that night with our families and brood of children. But for some odd reason, the recipe was MIA from my box. Though mildly distressing ( I haven't put out an all-out search for it, so I'm not worrying, yet.) I found another version of chocolate fudge sauce in my box that I've stored away for years. 

I heard about it from a college friend. And it is just as rich, not overly sugary sweet, and chocolately as the chewy stuff--but minus the chewiness. And as I was making a batch up, I realized that this hot fudge sauce would make a great holiday gift. The chewy sauce isn't for everyone. If you didn't grow up on it, you might not appreciate the jaw-clenching fun of our family's warm fudge sauce. You might not appreciate the work it takes to scrape every last bit of chocolate from the sides of your bowl. Or the fact that you must soak the bowls in hot water in order to remove the last bits of chocolate from their sides. 

And who wants to be responsible for giving that kind of chocolately madness to a neighbor, co-worker or your daughter's preschool teacher?

Enter my much less dangerous, but still just as delicious version of hot fudge sauce. I can vouch that this recipe, once prepared, can be poured into cute little canning jars, or my personal favorite BonneMamam jars, with their red and white checkered lids. It can be refrigerated and then warmed in a pot of simmering water while you eat dinner and be perfectly ready for the dessert hour. I'm thinking the neighbors will each get a jar this year. It is easy to make, easy to store and something completely different from my usual plate of sugar cookies....Who doesn't love a good warm, fudge sacue over vanilla ice cream? Not many. 

*FYI: Sauce in the picture is straight from the fridge, it will not be that thick once warm.**

HOT FUDGE SAUCE

5 squares unsweeted chocolate

1/2 cup butter

1 can evaporated milk (12 ounces)

3 cups of powdered sugar

1 1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Melt chocolate and butter. Remove from heat. Mix in sugar and milk (alternating the two ingredients as you add them.). Bring the sauce to a boil over medium heat. Continue to boil for 3-5 minutes so that sauce will thicken. Remove from heat stir in vanilla. Serve warm over ice cream. Leftover sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to....it won't last long enough to worry about that. 

The week (or two) in (Insta)review

Gathered, on my dresser. And trying to remember to see my everyday things with new eyes.

 

First-ever time stepping into an Anthropologie store. Woah.

 

Somewhere the line between outdoor-only barn cat and lounge-on-the-bed cat got very blurry.

 

Choring elf.

 

Not where I expected to be Friday morning. (Nor did I expect that elf up there to break my glasses. All in the same delightful morning.)

 

Little. Big.

 

Tea. For three.

 

The drive home never ceases to amaze.

 

Another day, another barn cat.

 

Combining is done. Fields are bare.

 

(Sunday). Saying goodbye to my grown-up girl for the rest of the week. She's off to my mom's, starting her Thanksgiving break early. (homeschool perk #432). We'll reunite tomorrow. Yay! (And me in the glasses I don't like. See above.)

 

Tucked in for the night. 

When life gets busy and full and the todo lists long, I often forget to count my blessings. While life continues to throw us curve balls and reasons to worry, really now. Truly, my cup overflows. I am blessed beyond measure and even in the hard times, there are still too many blessings to count, if I'll simply take a moment to record them in my mind and heart. 

Wishing you and your family a warm, blessed and full Thanksgiving. Thank you, my friends, for being one of the things that helps to make my cup overflow. 

Little things

It's Thursday. I sat down to write this on Monday. Hmmm. (Not that I've been sitting at my desk that whole time, but you know how it goes.) I have many things on my mind that I want to write about, but for now you'll have to put up with a brain dump of little things that I think are important to share. 

First and foremost, my blogging friend from Babycenter, Kami, just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Afton. Afton was born 3 1/2 months early and weighs a tiny 12 OUNCES. Kami is recovering after her emergency C-section and Afton is a fighter, but of course, Kami, Afton and her family could use all your prayers and wishes of strength and encouragement. There is a long road ahead. 

There's really no good segue here, but....

✳ I'm sharing what I consider to be one of the blogland's best kept secrets on MommyCoddleLIKES. You must check it out (and be sure to subscribe while you're there!)

✳ Internet sleuth and master-googler that I am, I've collected 12 Strange, Weird and Oddly Fascinating facts about Thanksgiving on 4KidsorMore. If you've ever wondered how to tell if a cranberry is ripe, what Mary Had A Little Lamb has to do with Thanksgiving, or what Indonesia has to do with turkey, you'll want to check it out. Makes for good dinner conversation and a way for your kids to impress the grandparents. 

✳ I know I may be biased but habit is awesome this month. (A lot of work for me and emily, phew! But so amazing.)

✳ I just found out two days ago that I'm representing Babycenter in New York City for a Disney/Dreamworks-hosted red carpet premier of War Horse. I'm beginning to think that my editor-friends thought it would be fun to plop the farmgirl in the middle of the city for an event whose dress code has been described as "glamorous." Excited. Freaked out. Excited. Stressed. Thrilled. All of that. But mostly excited. Check out the War Horse trailer. Animal drama? I know I'm going to cry. 

✳ And finally, Snickerdoodles. What a great way to end a post. I asked my friend if she'd share her recipe-thinking it might be some valuted family secret. But. She shared. And it's good. So so good. (Ask Birdy, she's succesfully inhaled three while I've been sitting here distractedly typing away. ) 

Happy Thursday! More tomorrow, I hope!!!

At a whisper

Hello from foggy Thomas Run. Everything is at a whisper around here, inside and out. The fog makes everything quiet outside. Inside, this round of colds has me almost completely without a voice this morning. Only slightly panic-inducing (understatement), since I have to sing at a funeral tomorrow morning. And whispering with four children isn't very effective. As I croaked to my mother on the phone this morning, she recommended whiskey, hot water, honey and citrus--a hot toddy. 

But, thankfully it doesn't take a literal voice to write a blog post, just a figurative one. And since it's been awhile since I've rounded up some good things from around the web....Here's what I'm pinning these days:

❉ Maybe this will clear my sinuses

❉ I will be the cool aunt who shows up with this for post-turkey play. (Usually, we have family wrestling matches. Oh yes, we do. But my mother may appreciate this slightly less violent activity. I'm seeing some family v. family matches ahead.)

❉ I am all OVER this. Where's my cheese grater?

❉ I used to make salt dough ornaments with my 3rd grade students. But I'm digging this upscale version. 

❉ I want these badly. But alas, I am a poor girl. (I welcome any comfortable every day shoe suggestions in the comments. My Danskos are dying.)

❉ This is an important skill every girl should have.

❉ I have some small fabric scraps that I cherish for various reasons. Maybe this is an idea. 

❉ Some people want a maid. Me? I want a personal knitter.  This is the first thing I'd send her.

❉ With four girls, I must master this simple skill.

❉ I'm over at 4KidsorMore talking about library fines (again). And if you're still changing crib sheets, you'll want to know about this. 

Alright. We have a lot on the to-do list today despite the fact that we're all dragging...There's guinea pig food to purchase. Tights to find for my dress tomorrow. (How do we feel about tights and open toe shoes? Is this cool now? Or totally ugly?), A photo walk to take for Emma's e-course. And ironically, library books to return. 

Happy, foggy Thursday! ( I whispered that.)

 

A warmer heart

I've got a new sidekick when it comes to morning chores. 

I can't even utter the word "outside" unless I have her completely bundled. Otherwise, I'll be attempting to dress, shoe and bundle a baby squirming and wailing at the mudroom door, eager to break free from her indoor jail. 

Some days, we can't even be bothered with shoes. I'm lucky if I can get a sweater over her head and a hat secured under her chin before she's pushing through the door. 

She often brings her morning banana. I try not to think about where and how many times it is dropped. And what bits of dirt and whoknowswhat that cling to it. Or which animals she's offered a lick before taking another tiger-sized bite off the end. 

Instead of lugging her on my hip, we've discovered the garden cart makes a pretty convenient way to trek back and forth to the chicken coop. 

I put her on the concrete pad in front of the coop while I work.

She sits in the pile of chicken feed like it was a sandbox created just for her. The hens eye her cautiously, pecking around her, as she tries to feed them from her chubby palms. This must be why the hens follow her around so closely. They know she offers food.

I collect eggs, check on the babies, freshen up water, and throw clumps of soft, fresh green grass into their pen. 

When we cross back over the little wooden bridge on the way home, she is thrilled by the water running under our feet. I'm amazed at her ability to perch on the very edge of the bridge, crouched down, babbling at the water. I miss that kind of flexibility and balance. She's telling me a lot of things about that little stream. I talk back to her like I understand every word. 

Eventually, I convince her there's more to see on the other side of the bridge. But before she hits that slippery, muddy patch, I swoop her up and plop her back in our farmer's stroller. 

Her favorite friend blocks our path with a croquet ball in her mouth. A leaf dangles from her lips. She's relentless. 

If I'd let her, she'd stay out here all day. The only way I can coax her back inside is to bring the dog and a small furry kitten with me. She finally follows, waving goodbye to the crowd of animals gathered around her, like the queen of the animal kingdom.

I peel off layers, wipe her runny nose and notice her muddy sleeper-feet. And she's gone again. Disappearing into the belly of the house. Following the dog. Calling for her sisters. And I'm left to hang up sweaters, shove hats back in the basket and pry the barn boots from my feet.

The house feels warmer now than it did when we first set out this morning.

So does my heart.