happy things

I'm back, I'm back, I'm back!!! How many of you were sick of looking at that frowny face and hearing that Simple Minds song? Whoa-ho, that's a lot of hands--ha! ha!

Since I have done little to nothing of anything this week, I thought I'd at least group together the few tidbits and discoveries that brought a smile to my face in the midst of all the gloom.
First off, I got a few more Valentines Day decorations up. My flower tree was thrilled to have a little company. Not sure why I keep stringing holiday decorations across my front window--it just seems to work. (And yes, those snow swirl decorations are still up from Christmas--but it's been too stinking cold to go outside and wash my windows. Plus I decided they were wintery enough to stay up till the end of this month. Right? I need some backing up on this one so I don't feel too lazy! ) I actually painted the clothespins silver, but I don't know if you can tell in the picture or not. And I love ric-rac--that's what they're hanging on.

Look at these pretty flowers. It's so good to see Tulips again. They're some of my favorites. There are even a couple of purple Cala Lillies in there--more of my favorites. I'm not too great making arrangements, but I do love having fresh flowers around. And I love the hobnail glass vase that use to belong to my mom. I think it suits them!
IT'S THE YEAR OF THE RAT! Get out those traps......


Feb. 5 was Chinese New Year. Did anybody know that? The boys and I read all about traditions associated with the holiday online, including the very elaborate way you're suppose to sweep your house before, during, and after the New Year. Fancy sweeping.... that sounds fun. Then we baked a cake to celebrate. The red scribbling is actually the Chinese symbol for Luck--Zane put it on. And thanks for the fortune cookie recipe Emily--that's what those potato chip looking thingies all around the cake are. We made fun family fortunes like "You will win the Pinewood Derby" to put in them. I'll have to share my buttercream frosting recipe sometime. It uses marshmallow fluff and is practically the only frosting I'll eat. But right now I have more to show you.....

Look what I got in the mail today.. I'm sure hanging my nice gift off the drapery cleat was not the best prop modeling, but I was trying to capture the last bit of daylight!
These are just too cute for words! I got them from Beckie for helping her tackle painting vertical stripes on her playroom walls. The paper words are actually soldered (I think that's how you spell it--darn no spell check!!!) between two thin panes of glass--and she did it herself!!! How awesome is that? And they're hung on chainmail--be still my heart. I adore chain mail! **Thank you so much Beckie!** My favorite part was that they came in this cute little package that she hand decorated with crayon flowers. I'll probably keep that as long as I keep the necklaces :)!

Next, I don't know if any of you are aware that my birthday is coming up. Yes, in just 4 short months..... So, I'm putting in my order early. If any of you would like to get me one of these beauties, I won't protest. Don't these just look like something any self-respecting 21st century June Cleaver (that's me!) should have? I'd totally wear them over my jeans out in public. (I'm just kidding, by the way, I don't really solicite birthday gifts from people!--but I did want you guys to see them.)

And finally, this little guy always makes me happy...(except when he's infuriating me!---)
I realized it had been a while since I'd put a picture of James up, so I just wanted to throw this in. He is almost 21 months now and such a smart little stinker. The other day Liam and I were doing a dot-to-dot together and counting out loud as we went. We had paused at the 11 dot and were looking for 12, when from behind me I hear James pipe in "tweve, tur-teen, foh-teen". I'm sensing a full ride Harvard scholarship here.....

I hope I've managed to entertain ya'al a bit and to convince Lee Ann that I'm not dead! It's so good to be back.