A New Tradition And Waiting For A Snowstorm

 

Random Photo Friday

Wow! This week found us transitioning from the fun of Mardi Gras to the solemnness of Ash Wednesday coupled with the festive celebration of Valentine's Day, and finishing with the food and fun of Chinese New Year....Which we celebrated a day early, because of our abstinence from meat on Fridays during Lent. Add some outside time in the snow for Steve and the kids and a hair cut and color for me and we had one full week! Here...take a look.

We finally had snow and non-frigid weather at the same time, so the outdoor people in the family bundled up and enjoyed! Have I ever told you how great Steve and I are as a team? He is all about the snow and cold and outside, and I...am not. 

Meanwhile, across the ocean, my firstborn was also enjoying time in the snow with Nicolas and his family during their ski trip to Sweden.

 Can I just say how proud I am of this girl? She literally embraces every single opportunity, be it learning a brand new language or putting on a pair of skis for the very first time.

Three years ago she could neither speak Danish nor ski, and now she does both with such joy and confidence.

I am so grateful to her Nicolas and his family for sharing so many life experiences with my girl.

These two.

That's all.

How much better does a cut and color make you feel?

I was long past due.

Here is a pic I sent to Madison for her approval.

Tuesday we celebrated Mardi Gras...

Wednesday, Valentines Day

(With an AMAZING cheesecake from Juniors, and Peyton's delicious Chocolate Chip Cookies, for the non Cheesecake lovers)...

And Thursday, Chinese New Year.

Finishing this one with my Mocha, as snapped by Rhett.

Because. Puppies.

Have a wonderful weekend, dear friends.

Thanks for visiting.

I am always happy you do!

Weekend Plans

Apologies for not visiting as much lately, my friends. This week was all about family and fun before Madison and Nicolas left for Denmark. More on that later. Meanwhile, summer marches on and we find ourselves enjoying the last weekend of July. Our weekend plans include mass and homemade zucchini lasagna as well as some rest and relaxation. Here is a peek at the past week here in our summer home...

We took a road trip together to visit Marian and watch a movie together...

Sidenote: War for The Planet of the Apes is a must see!

We ate at The Cheesecake Factory...

Where this Coffee Cheesecake changed my life forever.

We enjoyed a summer favorite...

Shark Week!

And awoke to find our sweetest neighbor Charley left some yummy zucchini on our side porch.

Too soon, we found ourselves at the night before Denmark Day...

So Peyton made a delicious Mixed Berry pie for Madison.

Mocha helped pack up the suitcases...

And I watched teary eyed, but feeling blessed and proud, as my four children took one last walk together.

Here they are...

Once again bound for adventure...and work and school...on the other side of the ocean.

I am blessed that his family welcomes my girl with open arms and hearts.

Hugs and tears and waves and smiles...

And then I sent my firstborn this.

And then I got to work, drowning my sorrows in scrubbing and cleaning Madison's room and bathroom. I had some help from the cutest Cinderella, too.

Could I ask for some prayers, my friends?

For my Madison as she leaves her home she loves so much to experience life with the one she loves and his family?

Thank you!

And in case you are wondering...

Only 162 more days until they return for an entire year.

Not that I'm counting. : )

*UPDATE*

They arrived safe and sound back in Denmark, and are settling in nicely.

We have already FaceTimed too.  

Thank you for your prayers and good wishes.

Also, Thank you to a sweet friend who sent me this beautiful reminder of me and my Madison.

A New Favorite Book...And A Giveaway!

When Madison moved to Denmark, she immediately fell in love with the lifestyle there. She told us there is an actual word used to describe the cozy, simplistic concept that is a part of the Danish life. It is called "Hygge", pronounced /Hoo-gah/ or / Hue-guh/ ,which is very hard to pronounce correctly. Trust me...I've tried!

According to the author of my new favorite book The Cozy Life: Rediscover the Joy of the Simple Things Through the Danish Concept of Hygge, Hygge is defined as "The Danish concept of coziness...the art of creating warmth, comfort, and wellbeing through connection, treasuring the moment, and surrounding yourself with things you love."

I love this concept, and I love this book. It is an easy read, full of ideas, recipes, and illustrations to help bring Hygge into any home and any life. I know it will be one I will return to time and time again. Because I love this book so much, I'd like to gift one to one of my lovely readers.

But not my copy.

It is a bit beat up loved.

If you would like to be entered into my super high tech drawing, just let me know down below.

I'll put all the names into a bowl and have one of my assistants choose one on Sunday, May 14th.

The winner will be announced later that week.

Have a cozy, Hygge filled day, my friends!

(Almost) One Word Wednesday

DENMARK

( My Madison was thrilled to find this section in the local grocery shop!)

And...If you would like to see more of this beautiful country through the eyes of my Madison, please visit her lovely new blog here.