Making Yogurt

I have just successfully made my third batch of Briana Thomas' yogurt.  The family is in love.  I am a raving fan as well.  Go give it a try!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxNsL9absy4

{p,h,f,r} Operation Survive Winter

~Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life.~

with Like Mother, Like Daughter

{pretty}

My sweet girl made me a snowflake garland.  I love how she can watch a youtube video and come up with something on her own.  This garland brightens up our dining area.  

{happy}

Coloring makes me happy.  Once I get past the frustrating part of picking out colors, I enjoy the soothing process of coloring.  A warm cup of coffee also makes me happy!

{funny}

Physical education happens in our entryway, which is funny.  It is the only place for our bike trainer set up.  

{real}

Kitty always knows the best spot for a nap.  The reality is is that space heaters are needed in a house where the heater is located upstairs.  

So far winter has not been too unkind to us with a more mild start, however, we have had some gray days to fill.  We have found delight in reading good books, playing games and watching old movies, too.  We have this winter!!

Books

I did a little thrifting with the Mr. after Christmas and found several titles that were on my wishlist. My hope is to read away the winter!

The cookbook is an old friend, sort of.  My mom has this exact printing.  I actually gave it back to her for Christmas because I am hoping she will make me one of her awesome angel food cakes.  I had looked on eBay for the book but did not want to spend the money at the time.  I was so happy to find it at a local antique mall.

But back to my reading plan.  I have already finished my first book of 2016, His Good Opinion, by Nancy Kelley.  If you love Jane Austin, you will love this book.  I started to read the next book in the trilogy, Brides of Pemberley, but gave it up.  It was very different from the first book which actually had Jane Austin as its guide.  The second book was ho-hum, predictable, not very interesting.

I hope to mix things up this winter, reading fiction and nonfiction. I have several nonfiction books on my bookshelf that I have read and would enjoy reading again.  Perhaps I will gather them and post a picture of them here in the future.

Happy reading!

Wordless Wednesday: Merry CHRISTmas to You

Kitchen Love

Having a wood-burning stove in the kitchen is tops on my list of dream kitchen territory.  

{p,h,f,r} Christmas Decorations

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life~

Every Thursday with Like Mother, Like Daughter

This week, I'd like to share some of my favorite Christmas decorations with you.  

{pretty}

My talented daughter drew this in chalk pastels a few years ago.  

{happy}

The ceramic tree and nativity make me think of happy days gone by as they were made by my husband's and my grandmothers.  They are a reminder of their love for all things Christmas and of us.  They both are gone now to their Creator and we miss them mightily this time of the year.  These pieces are treasures.  

{funny}

I find this little mouse sitting next to Dorothy to be quite funny.  Also, take a close look at the nativity, there seems to be a Lego guy added.  Probably an attempt at being funny.  The others look concerned, don't they?  

{real}

The reality is, I have so many decorations that have sentimental meaning that I cannot share just a few! 

Thank you for stopping by.  Happy week before Christmas!! 

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life~

Every Thursday with Like Mother, Like Daughter

{pretty}

We have a family joke that says if you look up the word pretty in a dictionary, Dorothy's picture is there. Yes, we are a bit cat crazy around here.  Our dear Dorothy is the definition of pretty and she brings us so much joy.  She is the type of cat who will forever be a kitten, very playful and energetic.  She has been our baby for three years now.  She is pretty. 

{happy}

Lake Michigan in October is my happy place.  Actually, I love Lake Michigan in any season, but October is the best for hiking the dunes, especially if it is a bright clear day.  We will be walking the dunes in December, but it will be cold.  What a lake!

{funny}

These two, best friends, brother and sister, always funny.  They keep me young and hopping.  

{real}

I love this picture of an ordinary day, learning at home, both children diligently working.  There is nothing nicer.  Yes, the house gets messy, but I would not change a thing.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by. See you next week.
~Jenn