day to day – Home at Winshaw

Winter Days

A few snippets from our winter days so far….

Early morning snuggles with Alan

Breakfast preparations

Jordan working on Axe & Anvil orders

Quite often this is what our early mornings or late nights look like – packaging up orders and getting them ready to mail! Really thankful for the growth our new Axe & Anvil business has had over the last year!

Little helpers love trips to the post office – and they are so happy when there are small boxes they can carry!

One of the last harvests of collard greens – sadly the last cold spell finished them off. Can’t wait to plant more soon! I sure miss the abundance of fresh veggies this time of year!

Jordan made these amazing cookies one evening – chocolate hazelnut!

Before Christmas we hosted a pie supper – we had a big turnout and a lovely evening – with lots of pie!

The house was full!

Baby naps are especially snuggly in winter. Makes me sleepy just looking at Elsie!

We finished off many winter evenings reading out loud. One of my favorite things!

Summertime Moments

We’ve been busy this summer – the weeks have just seemed to fly by. Here is a smattering of pictures (in no particular order) from our summertime activities…

A good day in the summer always starts out early….isn’t this a gorgeous sunrise?

When Jordan is planning to mow with a scythe, he tries to do it first thing in the morning while the dew is still on the grass.

The kids would hardly sit still for a picture, but they were cute none-the-less.

Dishes sure haven’t taken a summer break.

At least I have a good helper.

Picnic food!

The green, green woods

Alan helps Dada figure out a floor plan for the future shop.

Marian poses on the front steps after a wagon ride

I’ve done a few little sewing projects recently – this was was turning a stack of beautiful old printed hankies into bunting. I plan to decorate with it in the sewing room, and also use it for birthday parties and other such celebrations.

Alan looking ridiculously adorable while we hang out on the top porch.

Any day it’s cool I snatch the chance to fire up the stove and do some bulk baking. When we have our summer kitchen built I won’t have to wait for a cool spell to have my wood stove going. However, in the mean time I’m very thankful for my crock pot and electric skillet!

Marian napping with her stuffed beaver

Alan really knows how to rest.

Marian in her berry picking attire.

I found this sweet scene upstairs one afternoon. Jordan and Marian had both been taking a nap on our bed, then Marian apparently woke up and decided Dad’s back looked like a more comfortable spot!

Reorganized my kitchen shelves and pantry storage one day. Took SO long, but was so worth it.

How are we supposed to STAND the cuteness of this squishy baby!!?? He’s so adorable he makes my heart hurt.

Marian swinging with Grandad while we were in Texas earlier in the summer.

Well, there’s a little peek into our summer. I’ve got lots more pictures, but those had better wait for another post.

Spring Snapshots

Yesterday was the most beautiful spring day you could ask for! Marian, Alan, and I spent a good deal of the afternoon outside, enjoying the fresh air and new greenery springing up everywhere. Alan rode happily in my new Baby K’tan wrap, while Marian observed everything from her stroller as we explored. (her favorite thing) I snapped a few pictures as we went along to document our afternoon adventures…

The sky was very beautiful with thunderstorms brewing, but the sun still brightly shining.

First we set off into the woods behind the house to take a peek at some of our favorite spring flowers –

Violets! These little pretties are everywhere this year. I think they may be my very most favorite woods flower – but it’s very hard to decide!

Wild irises. The Tennessee state flower.

…and bluebells! We always look forward to the patch of bluebells being in bloom.

After our visit with the flowers, we strolled back towards the house to say hi to ‘da-da’. He was busy cutting down a firewood tree by the creek.

Marian crawled around for a while and played with her cat (named Violet – she just had five kittens in Jordan’s toolbox).

Marian tried to convince da-da to take her over to pet the cow. Her mission when she is outside is to greet as many animals as possible.

Instead we went to the creek. One of Marian’s happy things to do is throw rocks in the creek. She loves seeing the splashes.

By the time we headed back for the house, both babies were ready for a nap!

We had a lovely afternoon, indeed. It’s amazing how spring happens every year, but each time it seems new and wondrous all over again. It’s especially fun sharing it with Marian who probably doesn’t remember much about last spring!

Little Moments

Just a few shots of little moments from the past few weeks.