Outside: It is sunny and cold but has not snowed in several days. We have been able to walk/run outdoors since the roads are clear. The dogs needed this. 

Wearing: Layers.  Lots of them.   See above. 

Watching:  Movies.  It's been a long vacation after all.  I ended up really liking The Martian, both because he "scienced the ___" out of his situation and because of his final thoughts - 

"At some point, everything's gonna go south on you and you're going to say, this is it. This is how I end. Now you can either accept that, or you can get to work. That's all it is. You just begin. You do the math. You solve one problem and you solve the next one, and then the next. And If you solve enough problems, you get to come home."

Really, this is life for all of us, everywhere.  Sooner or later life goes south.  You either wallow or you roll up your sleeves and start to problem solve.  

From the kitchen: There has been a lot of food since we were blessed to have 9 of 10 kids here for a week plus our awesome co-inlaws and I am pleased to say there was nary a kitchen disaster the whole time. Can we get a round of applause?  And now since it is the new year and my husband got a FitBit we have been back to our more paleo roots.  Working on some new menus for the new year.

Reading: Midwives.  It was a thrift store pick up that has proven to be a page turner.  I don't read a lot of new fiction but will say the story line has been intriguing so far.  It wasn't until several chapters in that I realized the author was a male Chris and not a female.  This came as quite a surprise since the story is told through the voice of the daughter and it was totally convincing to me.  

Around the house: Christmas decor coming down sometime this coming week.  My goal is then to get through any box that was not unpacked.  There are a few left, mostly books and old schoolwork.  This is doable.  After that we have some furniture and bathroom cabinets to refinish.  Do-ability to be determined. 

From the learning room: Board games over the break.  So many games.  A new favorite is Timeline.  It amazed me how big a hit this was for the younger and the older kids. 

Creating: Sewing projects!  The machine came out to mend some pants for one son.  That led to several skirts.  Now working on some seasonal throw pillows. I scoured the local thrift stores for seasonal linens all December and managed to find a few nice placemats made from tapestry fabric – otherwise known as poor man's needlepoint.  Two sewn together make a perfect pillow.  If you like that Nell Hill, English country, or granny chic look this works. Trust me.  I'll take pictures. 

A picture from the week: the face of 10yo boy when 27yo brother agrees to Nerf tag before breakfast.  There were peals of laughter as they hid and chased and climbed over the furniture.  And the kitchen counter…