pampering...

Good Ol' Mid-West.  Don't like the weather, wait around for a minute it's bound to change. This morning was so beautiful! Even though it started off cloudy and threatening rain, that passed super quick.  Hubs and I knew we wanted to take the pups for a good walk, knowing that the weather was supposed to turn. And boy did it!

By 7:00 this morning we were heading to Rockwood Conservation Area, we had decided we might have time to get the first leg of the walk in if we hurried. The pups were losing their minds, it is definitely one of their favorite spots to go. I was only semi-joking around when I suggested that we'd have time to do the entire Lime Kiln trail, and I'm not sure what prompted Hubs to agree, but agree he did. It was one heck of a walk and parts of it, were definitely made for much younger people.  

At one point our Belle wasn't sure what to do and Mom had to actually lift her down.  I haven't lifted that stinker since she was under a year, she was so afraid, but finally gave in and let me do it.  We came, we saw, we conquered.  Although I can pretty much guarantee we will not do it again.  3.2 miles, no big deal.  We started at around an elevation of 344' and reached an elevation of 704' several times.  The assents and descents were brutal, the flat bits were paradise.  It was an absolutely gorgeous hike.  It required a lot of concentration and questioning if we were in our right minds. 

natures artwork, so inspiring

As we neared the end of the trail, glimpsing our car way below the winds were just starting to pick up.  We walked a bit of flat ground at the end to cool down and rest.  The skies were bright blue as we left and we were optimistic that mother nature was playing tricks with everyone. 

I felt we'd both earned a massage for our efforts and booked us at one of my favorite places.  If you haven't ever treated yourself to a Chinese Massage, run to the nearest one now.  I prefer deep massages, Hubs not so much, both of us were game for 90 minutes of complete pampering.  The intense reflexology, hot stones and oils.  Well, I won't say we were sad in the least, maybe not ready to tackle any more trails today, but we weren't feeling any pain. 

I was still feeling pretty positive that the storms that had been predicted were going to pass us by.  At 3:00 pm the skies were still filled with light fluffy clouds, not the kind you expect rain from at all. 

After a morning of working out hard and being pampered I was a bit behind on all the things I needed to get done.  And was working in the kitchen, a combination of making beef jerky, freeze dried dog treats and simmering down the tomatoes to eventually go into the freeze dryer for tomato powder, I was definitely focused on the tasks at hand. The door was open to let the soft breeze sweep through the house, I love fresh air, when I noticed the change.  

Around 4:00 pm the shift happened third winter started to roll in. The winds got crazy, the clouds became dark, rolling and angry. Just as I was walking to the door to close it the hail started. All I could think, was here we go again.... even as it passed as quickly as it started.  I was just carrying all the freeze-dryer trays downstairs when I heard the sirens. 

Toby Keith's "Trailerhood" started playing in my mind. "A tornado comin'", no not a tornado, just a warning.  As we are definitely in tornado season we struggle with ourselves when the sirens go off.  Beau is terrified of storms of any kind and he will happily spend hours in the basement, unless you want him to, then it's no go.  

Do we take them down, don't we, will it blow past or do we need to be concerned.  Beau's fear factor can trigger a seizure, after the breakthrough, I was worried. In the end Hubs decided the world outside looked pretty angry and we needed to head down for a bit. I went up to find my sweet big baby laying on my bed shaking, Belle had gone down instantly for treats, but Beau (ironically the treat monster) was definitely not interested in that bribery trick. Although as soon as he saw mom he came running.  Fear won out this time.  

He wasn't as anxious with the door closed as usual, and he even relaxed for a bit.  Miss Belle curled up on the sofa and slept quietly and deeply. Beau sat on the steps judging every move I made, waiting for me to head up and open the door to freedom.

It's now almost 8:30 pm, the winds have died down, doesn't seem like any damage.The rain is falling steadily, and the temperatures are heading down at an alarming speed. A sweatshirt was too heavy this morning, tomorrow I will need a heavy winter coat as I go walking. Who knows this is the mid-west, by next week, we might be breaking out the shorts. 

Thankfully Beau seems calm with no sign of seizure activity. In fact Hubs, Beau and Belle are all sleeping soundly, while I wait to give 9:00 pm meds. Give me strength, cause I am tired. 

Hopefully, if you are in the path of this weather your visit from third winter will be mild and brief.  I love snow, but we don't need any more of it. 

Stay safe and dry... and get the massage.  So worth every penny. 

much love, 

b

it's the little things...

What a glorious day it was! We decided to take the pups for a walk this morning. Hubs was feeling pretty darn good, seems like that first procedure is going really well, and third winter is supposed to be hitting again tomorrow. So the sunshine and warm temps were calling our names.  

I think I have gotten Hubs hooked on walking and hiking through the woods. And watching the rebirth all around you is only that much more intoxicating. We got an early start, having discovered that it is pretty easy to give Beau his medication while we are out and about, but also because it is far more enjoyable to romp the forest paths when it is just us. 

One of our favorite spots is Rockwood Conservation Area.  We walk the flat part of the Lime Kiln trail when Hubs needs flat ground. Besides there is a beautiful little spot where the water flows out of the side of the "mountain" (hehe... mid-west mountain) that Belle and Beau are passionate about.  They are definitely water pups and can't wait to pounce and splash in it as we are crossing. That section gives us about 2.2 miles, enough. 

Hubs is healing, Belle is maintaining and Beau and I are just having a great time! Getting back in the car Hubs realized he was pretty darn close to hitting his 3 mile walk for the day and was up for another round. I'd read about another Conservation area near the one we were at, so off we went.  Not having the slightest idea what to expect. 

Let's just say Rockwood might have competition! Greensfelder is even bigger, and the paths are insane! We had to share a lot more than we like, it was well after 10 am when we got there.  But the pups did fantastic with the runners and mountain bikes that we had to share the thin paths with.  I was so proud of them.  The only almost hiccup was a runner with his pup, but we were able to step down the hillside a bit to let them zip on by. 

I kept checking with Hubs, telling him to let me know when he was ready to turn around.  We were only going to walk a quarter mile and then turn around. We were having such a great hike that we ended up walking a full half mile in, which meant a half mile back.  Another full mile ticked off for our weekend.  It was so beautiful, we even chatted about the book I was telling you about a bit ago.  "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson. 

The park reminded me so much of Germany and all the walks I took living there.  I get a bit wrapped up in them and enjoy the journey so much. That park is definitely one that is going to need a lot more exploring and it's only 20 minutes from home.

I wasn't sure the day could get better. Beautiful blue skies, the bright pops of colors starting to pop up through the deary browns of winter.  And spending time with Hubs and the pups.  Does it get any better?

Why, yes it can, and it did.  Hubs grabbed the mail and asked me if I was expecting anything from his sister in Alabama, nope, I sure wasn't. But I was definitely curious.  Sis hadn't mentioned she was sending anything and I could hardly wait to see what was in that soft brown package. 

Remember I said that somewhere along the way my copy of "A Walk in the Woods" had gotten misplaced, I did briefly look to see if I could find another copy, but I got distracted (what is new there?) and never finished the quest. 

I had absolute tears in my eyes when I opened the envelop and there was a beautiful new copy of it!  I can hardly wait to dive into it again.  Normally, I am not a fan of surprises.  But gifts of pure love, well now... That just filled my heart to over flowing.  She found it at a book sale at her library.  

It's sitting beside my chair.  I have another book I am wrapping up right now.  It's an educational one, and I am learning a great deal, so I want to finish it.  I will have at least 8 weeks keeping my Belle still and healing.  I will mentally take a long walk with Bill as I tend to my girl. 

I felt so heard, I'm still smiling and it was hours ago. It filled my heart with so much love, that something so trivial as a book I loved mattered.  Thank you Sis!  I will never lose this copy or my note from it. 

Hubs and I will probably hit the trails a bit again tomorrow, the morning has cleared and the storm is waiting for later in the day.  Not sure if we will take our pups, we worry about our Belle. But a few miles connecting with nature before she reminds us who is actually in charge isn't a bad thing. 

I can't wait to blow the cobwebs out of my memory and read my book.  I can't wait to remember the day dreams that came with it all those years ago.  Nope, I am fairly positive I will never hike the Appalachian Trail myself, but I can definitely live vicariously through his words. 

It's super late for me, my eyes are struggling to stay open, but I have to give my Beau his 9 pm meds.  Then I will head up and go to bed myself.  Tomorrow is another day.... 

Celebrate the small tokens of love, they really make life feel magical. 

much love, 

b

a walk in the woods...

Feet up, water beside me, pups resting at my side.  This is our current status.  We're tired.  After a semi-rushed morning to make sure we make it to Emmenegger Nature Park early enough that we were able to walk all alone, we are all in a cool down mode.  They've finished their breakfast and I got the yogurt started, although it will mean I am going to be up late tonight to finish it.  Oh well, it happens.

Yesterday we tackled an extremely steep set of hills at Emmenegger, not the one we thought we were going to tackle.  I assure you. In fact the first steep climb should have convinced me that I am not in my 40's anymore. Heck, maybe my 20's.  But my babies were determined so up we went, several steep sections more. It was completely worth it.  The view from up there was beautiful and peaceful. 

Today, we went back.  We were determined, okay I was, to tackle that loop trail.  It's just shy of a mile, but the darn thing is a serious climb up and then back down.  If I'm questioning life later today, well let's just say I completely deserve it. 

One of my favorite books in my late 20's, early 30's was "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson.  I read it many times, somewhere along my life journey I've lost the book or I would read it again.  As the pups and I spend hours walking down dusty trails I remember it.  It inspired my dream to someday hike the Appalachian Trail.  

It's a dream that will never come to life at this point, but boy oh boy it was a definite dream back in the day.  Now the idea of sleeping in a tent and hiking where there is the possibility of bears, bobcats and other creatures.  Not to mention the dreaded snakes.  Well, lets just say, the mature me wants not part of that! I'll stick to my little local trails, I've been in the Smokey Mountains, it's not a hike for the faint of heart...

We traveled the upper ridge of the walk, looking down through all of the woods, it felt a bit like we were walking through paradise.  Yesterday we got out there late so there were a lot of other people and dogs, that becomes an obstacle course.  Both the pups are people and dog friendly, neither of them have mastered the appropriate way to greet new friends.  It's a struggle when you are walking almost 200 pounds of muscle.  And let me tell you, that little one is STRONG!

Coming down the path we followed yesterday, one that merged with today's path, we arrived at one of the beautiful wooden bridges that are throughout this park.  It was beautiful yesterday.  Today... well, today was sadness.  I didn't take a picture, I didn't want to memorialize the petty destructiveness. All over the beautiful bridge out in the midst of the beauty was ugly white graffiti. Random characters, words written and scribbles. 

Further down we reached the accessible loop again and started to walk that paved trail to give our legs and heart rate a rest.  I am very watchful when out with the pups, I don't listen to music or podcasts instead focusing on my surroundings and what is going on. You simply can't be "blind" anymore. I noticed the man on one of the bridges right away and chose to go the other direction. It wraps in an odd shaped figure 8. 

He had my full attention, as his movements were strange and from a distance I couldn't tell what he was doing.  I wanted to be sure he didn't need help, but also that he didn't have a dog with him and wasn't a threat to us. 

As we passed him, he was on his knees leaning over the edge.  But didn't appear injured and had no dog, so we continued on. Moments later we heard the sander.  This gentleman wasn't a youngster, at least my age, probably closer to Hubs age.  And here he was on his knees sanding off the evidence of more destruction.  As we came around the loop we paused for their water break and watched him for a moment or two. 

Why are there people that have so much disrespect for things?  It's not art.  It's pure destruction. How were they raised?  Have they ever encountered the consequences of their actions? It made me sad, angry and disgusted all at once.  People make we weary lately.  I hate to make a blanket statement like that, but it's where I'm at.  

On the 15 minute rush hour drive today, I was almost hit 4 times.  The first was a lady in an SUV pulling blindly out of the gas station.  She was shoving food into her mouth, holding her cellphone against the steering wheel and just dashed out on a blind hill. She missed us by inches.  A few moments later the guy in a car 3 lanes over realized he'd almost missed his turn, no warning... dash over... and boom there he is zipping in from the right. I was already stressed and hoping that would be it. Unbelievably the driver of the semi-truck beside us evidently had to blow his nose and was driving with his elbows, swerving into both lanes on either side of him.  Leaving the highway, how was that only 5 miles of trauma, I figured I was safe, only a short distance to the exit for the park, and here comes another texting fool, looking down at their phone swerving into our lane head on, thankfully he looked up in time to realize. 

I assure you, I completely needed that hour in the woods with my babies.  I needed to not be by people. I don't understand the need to be absorbed with doing things other than driving, while driving.  Hubs often daydreams about another motorcycle.  The very idea terrifies me.  Not because of his skill, but because of the insanity on the roads. 

Folks, if you get a moment to walk in the woods.  Do it!  Reset your spirit, give your soul a chance to wander freely in nature.  It's hard to find that these days, but it feels vital to our very existence.  I need to get with it, I need to finish my French Butter, it's been fermenting for 48 hours. And then hop in the shower to head out after lunch to go take my art class.  Ironically, in the woods. There might be a theme for my life lately. 

Enjoy this beautiful day, go walk in the woods if you can... 

much love, 

b

living life!

Time often slips away from me.  Not from bad things, but simply from living an incredible life.  I am often busier than I realize, again not in a bad way, but in a fulfilling and energizing way.  This morning I am sitting here, relaxing for a few minutes in front of the warmth of the fire that my sweet Hubs built for me as I was very cold for some reason.  

I won't linger for long.  I do have a lot to catch up on, again, I've let time swiftly sneak away from me.  The pups and I have been doing a lot of walks and hikes, we've climbed a few "mountains" to us, high hills if you live in the mountains.  The climbs were intense, but invigorating.  Hubs has even been able to join us a bit more and he definitely did a full hill climb with us.  We have discovered that we really love going to the Rockwoods Conservation Area about 25 minutes away.  

In fact I am pretty sure we will go today.  There is a 2.5 mile trail that I have been longing to try out. Until we try it, I don't want to take Hubs.  Too many hills aren't great for his back while he is healing. And healing he is.  Although there is another trail just 15 minutes from our house that was pretty darn incredible and we could tackle the whole thing today, I wimped out last time... Oh the decisions.  

Emmenegger Nature Park

Emmenegger Nature Park

He opted out of surgery for his back.  Too many doctors want to go that route straight away.  Thankfully, he was assigned to an incredible pain management doctor.  We both love him!  The last thing he suggested was surgery, in fact he advised against it.  He asked for 90 days.  Ninety days to use natural methods, movement, water therapies, diet, walking, and ultimately a few injections to help with the journey.  Discussions are always around the proper shoes, what to eliminate from his diet, movements that will accelerate healing and strength.  

Rockwood Conservation Area
1/3 of the way up on Trail among the Trees

My focus for Beau this year was to get him healthier, to hopefully prevent another seizure ever.  Belle and I are benefitting from supporting our boys.  We are both getting stronger and healthier right along with them. 

naptime... this mom is crazy

Meramec Greenway -
Arnold Grove Trail

Moonshine Hallow Trail
 - St. Francois State Park 

They say you should always be learning and trying new things to prevent yourself from a wide assortment of ailments both mental and physical.  I'm gonna say we are on it this year. 

St. Francois State Park - just us

This morning as I was fixing Hubs lunch and prepping things that I will work on today, that thought was echoing through my head.  In a few I will get dressed and take my babies hiking.  But when we get home I have a busy day lined up.  By then the chickpeas will have soaked long enough to be canned and processed.  I need to prep a couple of batches of ice cream so I can use up my heavy cream, before I get the fresh batch.

I will start the yogurt tonight, because last night got wonky and I forgot. I'll put it on before we head out to pick up this weeks order from the farm. I am still in awe of how much I love fresh raw milk.  We have definitely had an amazing benefit taken away from us for far too long. 

Tomorrow I will finish the batch of french butter that is fermenting on the counter.  I am so intrigued by it.  The more I learn about fermented foods the more obsessed I become about incorporating it in our daily meals. 

I guess I am learning things on a regular basis.  

Tomorrow I am stepping out of my comfort zone and taking a class.  I don't need the whole class, but I will definitely take advantage of the opportunity it provides.  I'm going out to the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Center to take a class.  I don't often do group anything and definitely not with complete strangers, on my own.  But here we are.  

Nature knitting with natural dyes... the title alone lured me in.  The course description sealed the deal.  It isn't about the knitting for me, as it is a learning to knit type scenario, but the natural dies... I'm in paradise.  They are going to teach us how to use things found in nature... pokeberries, pawpaw leaves and goldenrod flower heads oh my... to create natural dyes for yarn.  The fact that it was free was an even stronger motivation for me. Probably coupled by the fact that I have quite a bit of natural alpaca roving and a few skeins of natural fibers waiting for the chance to be vibrant and exciting.  Okay, that last bit is hysterical coming from a woman who's main wardrobe is multi-shades of black. 

I am a bit of a knowledge junkie.  I love to learn and experience new things.  

My learning journey is helping me to replace the disposable things, the chemically treated things, the toxic bi-products that we are taught are good for us, with things that truly are. Will I ever be able to replace it all, at this point in my life, probably not.  Can I minimize the impact on our lives and health, why yes I do believe so. 

There are many things that I would love the ability to have and do, I mean access to a nice deep well... come on what crazy woman doesn't dream of that?  A flock of laying hens?  Well, duh.  Seems a bit of a stretch for someone that lives in a HOA in suburbia.  So I'll take the small wins.  

Almost the peak of Trail among the Trees
Yup I was too afraid
to be that close to the edge

Rockwood Conservation Area

Moonshine Hallow Trail

Hikes amongst the trees and streams, just outside of the city limits.  Buying real food from a farmer, instead of the grocery store.  Growing and preserving what I can.  You get the idea.  Slowly the plastics and the unnatural fibers are leaving us.  

It's all about what fills your spirit.  This fills mine.  The healing, the recovery from a system I don't feel we were truly meant to be part of.  

I love this journey. 

Well, the fire is fading down to wispy embers, my toes are nice and warm.  It's time to start prepping for the hike.  Waters to fill, pups to get a dusting with food grade DE (Beau had a tick on him this morning... didn't know they could live in the cold temperatures - I was wrong evidently) and then we will spend some time walking in the forest.  Soaking up all that surrounds us and fills us with energy. 

I guess I'll decide where we are going as we leave the driveway.  But there are only two amazing days left before the predicted rains start falling.  I am positive that I will not go hiking in the hills in the rain, walking with two strong dogs requires me to have strong safe footing.  During the rains we will walk local. 

Have a blessed day, strive to learn and master something new every day.  It's so empowering.  

much love, 

b

waiting

The park was accessible, so we went and burned off some serious energy, for all of us.  We decided to go to Route 66 State Park yesterday, it's one of the pups absolute favorite places to romp.  And romp they did.  In that giant park there were probably 4 of us brave enough to consider 30° to be warm enough for a nice walk in the snow. I had asked the pups if they wanted to go, around 1 pm, but then thought to ask James when he would be available for a late lunch as he was out in that neck of the woods.  Let me tell you, they were not happy about waiting as you can see from the picture.  Every few moments they turned and stared me down for two hours. 

This morning it was only 19°, so we went to a closer park/path.  Again, most folks aren't crazy evidently and they did not join us on our morning romp.  I am fairly certain my pups are going to sleep a fair amount of the day, heck I might join them.  Romping through the snow is exhausting, especially since I'm short and 8" of snow is past mid-calf. Belle and Beau were definitely chest deep as they ran through the wide open spaces and sunk time and time again. 

our view this morning... Meramec Greenway Park

The fresh air was definitely needed.  Cold fingers and ears, even with gloves and hats on were a welcome feeling.  Being one with nature is so very important to me and them.  

I know I lost it yesterday, I'd had too much time to process too many things.  Listening to the news this morning and hearing all the water main's that are bursting causing me even more concern for the folks around us.  Knowing what my family in the south is dealing with... again, stressful.  Today, I am calmer.  I took time disconnect from it all as we walked.  Thankful for the folks that plowed those pathways to allow the peace to over take us.  

We haven't taken a picture together
in what feels like forever.  Just missed
Belle peaking between us.

Talking to my neighbors that were working on the walks in front of their homes, we were questioning if we are going to see the snow gone before spring.  Standard consensus... nope.  This cold is definitely holding on to it and the snow drifts that we are all creating will probably last until summer at this point.  It's crazy. 

This morning I was looking through photos I took yesterday and then just got sucked into looking at the past few months.  Back in November I checked our local persimmon seeds, wondering what the prediction was for this winter.  Each little seed showed a shovel or knife like seed.  As mild as December was, I though darn, they were wrong.  Well, I guess January needed a moment to get ready.  Because it definitely delivered. 

The persimmons never lie...

I finally decided to make my first batch of lip balm, the dryness in the air was causing my lips to crack and feel a bit tender, I knew it was time.  I've been wanting to try making them with tallow, beeswax and essential oils, the healing properties are amazing.  I did add a few drops of vitamin E oil, as I wanted a bit more of preservative added naturally.  I had purchased all of the stuff I needed long ago, but as usual I kept coming up with a reason not to try. Fear of failure?  Maybe.  Fear of the unknown? Probably.

Today, I am berating myself a bit for my procrastinating nature. I will make more, trying other ingredients that will make it even more nourishing.  Not today, I currently have 6 tubes of lip balm, that should last me for a bit of time. It felt nice to finally not have to carry that task forward to yet another week on my weekly calendar. 

My last soap was finally firm enough to cut yesterday. I was running an experiment, I usually add sodium lactate to soaps, as it creates a harder bar of soap.  This batch needed a bit longer in the mold, okay almost a full week.  I won't know for months yet how it holds up against the soaps that I have added it to.  It is mostly a curiosity thing, not so much a dislike of the addition. 

Well, I guess that I should get busy today.  Since it's still super cold and my pups are snoozing, I guess I will start marinating dinner and then head up to the sewing studio.  Wonder how many more items I can get checked off my list? 

If you are out and about, roads are fantastic, the cold is not!  Stay warm!!

much love, 

b

 

get busy!

Not much time for writing this morning, I need to get ready for soaping day!  I simply can't wait, I have never really had anyone actually soap with me. Hubs will sometimes pop in and ask questions these days and he used to hold my Pringles cans back in the day when that was what I used for molds. I had a friend that came and watched me finish a batch once, but I've never had anyone really come and make soap. 

I'm not sure how many batches we will get finished, doesn't really matter, it's not like we are back in pioneer days and making for the entire community.  We are simply sharing a skill, because no one can have too many skills nor too much knowledge. There will be lots of time to chat, there will be so many topics covered and ideas discussed.  I do believe that is one of the few things I do miss about working outside of the home.  Deep conversations with friends. 

Yesterday was such a blessing with the warm weather.  We discovered a great park almost in our back yard.  It had such a great combination of paved walking paths and many wide hiking paths along the Meramec river.  It was great fun.  The pups learned more about how to encounter people and pets on paths.  For the most part they did wonderful.  There were several times they were either super intimidated by other pups or they wanted to play like crazy.  They are so funny when they encounter something that they are simply not sure about.  They will get as close to my legs as possible and have a seat. It was definitely a two park day, as we started the morning with a nice long walk at one of our usual parks. 

I loved the gift of springlike weather that we were blessed with finally.  I'm hoping that was the last we hear of winter.  I longed to plant my seeds yesterday while I was filling my new tower boxes.  I am ready.  But I am trying to exercise restraint.  I need to pick up a couple of bags of soil and might grab a bag of manure, these beds of mine take more work to keep producing well as worms don't really hang out in planters.  I will take a few moments this week to start a few of my seeds inside. It's moving into the time of year to be busy and active.  

We received our first permit on the fence back yesterday.  Hubs will drop off the city permit request today.  So we will be ready to go as soon as the contractor is ready.  Which means I will start spending time this week removing the shrubs and starting to get the yard ready for install.  Things are moving along quickly. 

Well... soaping day is about to start... time for me to get with it...

love and peace

defining yourself...

Oh no... she's back!  I officially put my sticker on my SUV.  Watch out world, feeling more and more like myself lately.  Actually feeling far better than my old self.  As I stood outside and applied my sticker I felt so empowered and more and more like the person that I know I am.  It's a feeling I've been experiencing a lot lately.  I don't feel strongly about bending to meet anyone else, either accept me for who I am or don't. It isn't meant to be mean or ugly, it isn't meant to be really anything at all.  It is simply me. 

It has been a crazy couple of days.  Full of activities, chores, just living life.  I am sitting here unwinding, praying my babies will go to bed early as last night had an interruption due to the batteries in the carbon monoxide detector deciding 2:22 am is a great time to fail. Nothing makes a night of sleep short quicker than an unknown alarm chirping in the dark of the night. The puppies agreed and the three of us spent the next couple of hours hanging out.  

We were all super tired last night, we'd found several trails all within three miles of our house.  They were fantastic for hiking and for the pups to explore without encountering too many other people or dogs.  The whole weekend was beautiful and semi-temperate, I mean if you consider 40 a beautiful day. For late January, I feel it is a perfectly wonderful day!  Today was even better.  And Hubs took them back for a walk on the shorter of the two again today.  

The longer one is definitely my type of trail, Hubs - not so much, although he was a super good sport about powering through it with us.  I had no idea there were two fabulous parks with hiking trails so close to our home.  They have definitely moved to the must walk often list. The babies even made a friend in a four year old Golden Retriever named Sonny.  

I feel so much more energized, my cup fills full and my spirit soars when we are able to spend time outside.  I have extra to give when I feel like that. Anyone else find time to get outside?  Soaking up the vitamin D, looking into the sunshine, feeling it's warm kisses on your face?  Or maybe just outside shivering in the cold and snow? 

Looks like we might have a storm moving in tomorrow night, should be interesting.  The watch changes every time we look.  It's very possible we will end up with at least 5 - 6 inches of snow, although the latest report says up to 16 inches.  Honestly, here in the mid-west that is not a normal winter and doesn't sound great. My sweet babies are going to lose their minds.  

We went and picked up a full load of wood and got it stacked.  We all know I can't go without a fire when there is snow outside.  We are probably going to have to dig a small puppy potty path.  I mean they are growing like crazy but 5 inches of snow will be firmly against their little bellies. 

I figure trapped at home I might actually get some work done on a few projects and even a few chores that I have been slacking on.  I assure you, nothing at home got done today.  I cooked, I helped haul wood, I walked puppies and I went to the post office.  I mean, that felt pretty successful, and filled all of my available hours.  

Well, it's time to sip my sleepytime tea, watch my babies start slowing down for the night and do a bit of knitting.  I hope they get tired soon... momma's weary!