Expectant Hands

I haven't had a spare moment to enter an I Heart Faces challenge since we moved back to the US so I am very excited to do so this week!  This week's theme is "Hands-On" and this is a favorite image I took at a friend's baby shower.  Oh how many hours these hands will clock loving on that baby!

Somebody is Four!

How is it possible that my little guy is FOUR!

He is the first to wake up usually asking "Is it morning time?" at the top of his lungs.  We need to break him of this habit.  He is utterly happy to play with his train set, legos or color.  He is funny.  He is joyful.  He is the King Of Mischief!  He is a champion snuggler.  He doesn't know a stranger.  He lights up our lives and we love him!

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

Note to self ... grainy pictures happen when Mommy forgets to change ISO after shooting indoor ballet recital.  Will I ever learn?!

Snowmageddon Baby!

First it was Snowmageddon over the weekend.  Then we had another BLIZZARD over the last twenty four hours.  I'm not sure I've EVER seen this much snow.  School is closed all week.  The FEDERAL GOVERNMENT is closed, which makes me pretty darn happy since Uncle Sam's our guy and I get to steal my husband for one more day.  There is so much snow that no one is making puny little snowmen.  It's IGLOO time.  I haven't run out of provisions yet (three gallons of milk) so I think we're ok for another day or two.  This more than makes up for three snowless years in Nepal.

I am meeting the neighbors.  The children are having a BLAST playing in the snow.  The dog is really a wolf after all.  I finished a novel I've been reading for-ev-er.  We actually made some headway organizing the playroom. The forced cessation of go-go-go is a good thing - no, a great thing.

I realize a lot of not-so-fun consequences can come from a dumping like this.  Our boxwood is doomed.  I sure hope our gutters don't break off from the weight of the ice and snow.  But perspective, perspective people (read ... me) ... there are people who don't have food/water/electricity all over the world and close to home.

They say we're not done yet either - more snow in the forecast.  Inhale. Exhale.  Smile.

Bill should get awarded a PhD in shoveling ... snow that is.  (Note bent shovel!)

The Woman in White

"This is the story of what a Woman's patience can endure, and what a Man's resolution can achieve."

And so opens this nineteenth century "sensation drama"!  Don't let this cover photo fool you - this book is completely of its time, yet timeless in its appeal.  It was the first of the mystery/thriller genre, originally serialized and was a delight to read.

Laura Fairlie is promised in marriage to Sir Percival Glyde.  Before becoming officially engaged she falls in love with her drawing master Walter Hartright.  Let the drama begin.  Sir Percival has a Secret and over the course of time he is, of course, found out.  But I won't ruin this for you with the details.

The characters are fantastic, the setting suitably misty, murky and mysterious.  Mr. Collins uses the different characters' voices to tell the tale from their perspectives.

Grab that cup of tea, curl up and enjoy.