I came across an image of a vintage transferware mug that really caught my eye.   I couldn't save a picture so do follow the links and see how wonderful it is. On it was imprinted a sentiment that appears to come from Franklin.  Sometimes listed as Flowers that Never Fade, it reads:

Good humor is the greatest charm

That children can possess,

It makes them happy and what's more,

It gives them power to bless. 

The Blue China Book gives a little background.  It is "an expression of one of Franklin's favorite theories, one which he himself was in the habit of practicing – that good humor is one of Nature's flowers of character most powerful in its influence upon men."  

Outside: The snow still blankets the yard and has formed high walls along the driveway as tall as I.  Temperatures have been low but Abbie and her neighbor friend especially have been undaunted and still get outside for a while daily. 

Listening to:  The Beatles today.  One son said he had downloaded a couple songs and, did I ever listen to the Beatles.  Um yes.  Me and most of the rest of the western world.  "Were they like, your band?"  After explaining I wasn't actually BORN when the Beatles burst onto the music scene I made them listen to all my favorites on youtube.  That took a while, especially since I had to sing my favorite parts.  For him that was Hey Jude.  For me that included Ob-La-Di, Penny Lane, Yellow Submarine. What say you? 

Around the house:  I should be showing you the newly remodeled school room and family room but the weather earlier in the month wreaked havoc on part of the area.  We are back to square one.  Stayed tuned.  It's going to be wonderful.  It WAS wonderful for ever so brief a moment.  It will be wonderful again.  Hopefully soon.  

Creating: We just finished some flower girl accessories.  Working feverishly to complete all our ideas for Moira's wedding. 

Reading: Mama's Bank Account together.  I remember loving it as a child and picked up a copy to read to the younger three.  We are really enjoying it.  One teen finished Animal Farm and is reading St Catherine of Siena now.  Another reading Scarlet Pimpernel.  Tess is working through the Little House books and Abbie is working through Beverly Cleary's Ramona titles

From the learning room: pastels and watercolors and snowmen have prevailed in art this winter.  This was a favorite we learned from Pinterest, my happy place.  Our craft project ideas here. 

From the liturgical calendar: Today is the feast of St John Bosco. He has always been one of my heavenly heroes.  I was given a relic a few years ago by my dear friend Rebecca and it hangs where I see it every morning.  For parenting inspiration I recommend this which could be summed up with this thought below: 

Of course this applies to much more than correction of children.  So much more.  In fact Psalm 141:3 is every on my lips daily right now given our contentious climate.  

From the kitchen: printing recipes when I see promising things on Tasty etc.  Using the instant pot a great deal.  Here are some spaghetti squash boats from the other day.  Spaghetti squash cooks in FIVE minutes in the IP.  Amazing and so good. 

Towards fitness:  I subscribed to the digital Walk at Home membership before Christmas and love it.  Have started incorporating Fitness Blender into my week again as well.  I most love that when it's done.  

“If thou of fortune be bereft, 
and in thy store there be but left
two loaves, sell one, and with the
dole, buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.”

John Greenleaf Whittier

Each evening draws to a close without me sitting down to write, it seems.  Truth is it is difficult to string together a thoughtful piece this late in the day.  It occurred to me it might also work to share bits and pieces of life lately. So there is the first random bit: I ran across this image the other day from a house we visited in England.  Took my breath away. The sun shines against the shiny tile and I can imagine the smell of bleach as the linens dry there. I love everything about this. While I feel we are where we ought to be (most days) I miss the pace we lived there. 

We watched The English Patient this winter for the first time in many years. It bothered me in ways that I had forgotten and sparked some thoughtful questions from my daughter in law.  One part that caught my particular attention, oddly, was a story from Herodotus that the main female character told around a desert campfire about King Candaules who exposed his wife's beauty to his aide and how she repaid his betrayal.  When I was browsing through a box of books our oldest son was storing here I found a copy of The Histories.  I had completely forgotten about this passage and the movie until I began reading the first chapter.  Who knows how far I will get but I have been picking up this volume here and there and enjoying these stories from so very long ago that describe people so very like people today. 

I have been following Peter Walsh's daily posts of decluttering tasks on Facebook. If the day cooperates I will tackle one of the short challenges. A Bowl Full of Lemons is hosting a more ambitious themed house organization challenge that several friends have joined.  The social media shares are inspiring.   Similar but different – my friend Briana shared an article about Minimalism and where it sometimes goes off the rails. Good perspective to balance the current trend of elimination when it is for elimination's sake. Coincidentally I ran across this one later in the day.  You've seen my pictures and probably guess where I fall on this spectrum though that really doesn't matter in the end. 

The Federalist ran an excellent article about contemporary motherhood.  Or about how to look at any job we find ourselves tasked with that at first is outside our skill set.  Also about cynicism creeping into our vocation, our conversations.  Cynicism is a joy sucker if ever there was one. 

Fake news is the topic of conversation all over right now. This article from last month discussed the sort of news that captures attention versus the sort of news that actually impacts our day to day lives – personal narrative.  Lady Lydia mentioned something similar today.  The most important stories are not often told on tv. Or social media.  Or any media.  They are the kitchen table stories.  After I read that one I decided maybe it is good after all to share the virtual equivalent of my library receipts or my daybook entries. Maybe it helps to hear what someone just like you thought about or read about or tried to do today.  

so that's what I did

“Snow is falling outside and all is peaceful and still.

In such moments it is possible to believe that the world could still be good.” 

― Richard Paul Evans