Green {Envy}

{Waterville, Ireland 1999}

Spring and the month 'o' March especially bring so much green...that lovely color of growth and new life. The {big sister} could hardly believe all the shades of green she saw on a long-ago trip to Ireland...

{Rock of Cashel 1999}

These lovely, rainy, green days in the Pacific Northwest have left her pining for a trip...or at least a trip down memory lane. More memories from this trip can be seen here, here and here.

{An Irish Blessing}

Wishing you a rainbow

For sunlight after showers—

Miles and miles of Irish smiles

For golden happy hours—

Shamrocks at your doorway

For luck and laughter too,

And a host of friends that never ends

Each day your whole life through!

{from Island Ireland}

Our Favorite Children's Books~March

 We love stories in this house. From our battered collection of sturdy board books, that are so well loved by little hands...

...to the shelves of bigger story and picture books. Little voices ask for stories throughout the day, and we all look forward to hearing a special three stories at night...one choice for each child and one of a parent's choosing...dinosaurs, construction equipment, fairies, llamas, and bedtime stories.
Here are some of the stories we are loving most right now...

The Circus Ship Big Book (Candlewick Press Big Book)

Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site

A World of Food: Discover Magical Lands Made of Things You Can Eat!

Little Mommy (Little Golden Book)

These favorites have been read so often...they are recited nearly by heart! I find both children, in quiet corners during the day, studying the pictures and whispering the words to themselves...the first step to loving books and stories for a lifetime! 

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Listening: Bon Iver~Holocene

This surreal and beautiful music video reminds me so much of spring. The striking changes in our amazing world...

This Moment

This Moment - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment we want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by soulemama

March Winds

March has given us some wonderful sun breaks and also lots of wet days and evenings...and we hidden sisters have loved looking back at some spring projects and trips that brought us inspiration. 

{A bright Spring Wreath }

{The Sisters Spring Sale...}

and Farm Chicks!

The Tulips that will arrive...

Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn. 

~Quoted by Lewis Grizzard

Counting the days...

Sweet spring. We are waiting for you....

 Counting down the days, like pebbles... But these days are not slow...

Filled to the brim, in fact. We are learning. And growing...from days spent at preschool to days spent in the park, children {and us parents!} are observing and changing...so many wonderful ways to play and enjoy these days.

For Valentine's day, my sweet little one drew a picture of us four. Though the {big sister} will celebrate 10 years of marriage and 10 years in this little home, it has gone as quickly as stacking those tiny stones. Each spring reminds me of the growth that is coming...in the garden, in our family, our house. And of course, our hopes and dreams.

“Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.”~Albert Einstein

{Recipe} Stuffed Peppers

The weather has been unseasonably cold around these parts of the Pacific Northwest lately...and comfort food seems to be the only thing to thaw us out. This super easy and always delicious recipe from Skinny Taste for stuffed peppers hit the spot!

What you need

• 1 lb lean chopped turkey meat (we substitued lean ground beef)
• 1 garlic, minced
• 1/4 onion, minced
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• salt to taste
• 3 large sweet red bell peppers, washed
• 1 cup fat free chicken broth
• 1/4 cup tomato sauce
• 1 1/2 cups cooked rice
• Olive oil spray
• 1/4 cup reduced fat shredded cheese

What you do

1. Preheat oven to 400°.

2. In a medium size saute pan add onion, garlic and cilantro over medium heat. Saute 2 minutes and add meat. Season with salt, garlic powder, and cumin and brown meat for several minutes until cooked through.

3. Add 1/4 cup of tomato sauce and 1/2 cup of the chicken broth (save the other 1/2 until just before ready to pop in the oven), mix well and simmer on low for several minutes

4. Combine cooked rice and meat together.

5. Cut the bell peppers in half lengthwise, and remove seeds. Arrange in a baking dish.

6. Spoon the meat mixture into each pepper half to the brim.

7. Place all stuffed pepper halves on the baking dish and pour the other 1/2 cup of the chicken broth on the bottom of the dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.

So good, so filling, and sure to warm you right up on the coldest of nights!!!