As you can see by the look on our faces, my friend Maya and I needed a little bit of convincing that this was going to be fun. If anyone could rally us, though, it was our moms, whose enthusiasm was almost embarassing.

It didn't take long. Turns out, if you sit down on one of these sleds, gravity and ice work their magic to create some serious fun.

I got a litte cocky...

..and paid the price. (I'm actually about to laugh here, not cry. Just to set the record straight).

This stuff is not only fun to play in, it's fun to eat! (Yes, my fingers are numb, but before anyone gets too hard on my mom, know that I was being quite obstinate about not wearing gloves to the point where I believe my mom's words were something along the lines of, "Alright fine. They're your fingers." Funny how it takes adults so long to figure out the most basic of things).

After this, we went over to another friend's house for pumpkin muffins, hot apple cider and a thrilling round of Kiddos In Hot Pursuit of Poor Old Cat Who Really Wishes We'd Go Back Outside.

Snow days are very good for the soul.

When we didn't get the record-breaking blizzards on the valley floor that we were promised, we went in search of some snow of our own.

Here's a little, but not enough for my snowman.


JACKPOT!

I wasn't the only one who found peace and happiness on our adventure... Bodhi loves to burrow his nose and romp like a little snow plow, which cracks us all up, but is hard to capture on film. Lucy had a little adventure of her own when we ran into a woman who brought her pet rabbit (!) out to romp in the field. Lucy started off curious, became frisky and playful and then launched into a full-fledged bunny chase that mom and dad were pretty sure would end very, very badly. Bunny fled into some bramble that trapped them both long enough for a rabbit rescue, and we were all very relieved. Except for Lucy, who was just pretty bummed.

Came home for some hot cocoa, a pb and j, a minor tantrum ("I'm not TIRED!") and a nap, which I am now two hours into, and sadly therefore proving mom and dad right about the whole tired thing. Hate it when that happens.

HO HO HO

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Here are a few things I've said recently that sort of crack my mom and dad up, so I thought I'd share:

"Whoa! It's froggy out this morning!"

"Can I go out and jump in the muddles?"

Winnie: Mom, can I have some water please?"
Mom: Sure, babe, nice asking.

Winnie: I didn't even have to whine!

Dad (at piano): This is C...D...E..

Winona: Where's the W, Daddy?

I swear my hippy parents did not put me up to this. It was completely voluntary.

It's unseasonably warm these days. So people tell me--not having many Fall Turning to Winters to compare it to, I'm no expert; but this 60 degree Saturday was a good day for the park.

And a FABULOUS day for the Nutcracker. I loved it.

I came home and immediately began rehearsals......in great earnest. (This is my "I'm very emotional about this" face.)

Some snapshots of our Thanksgiving Day.
I made Pumpkin Pie (and let mom help me. She likes that.)
But I had to take over for the big stuff.We took a mid-afternon Candyland break...


and then... CHOW TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was a delicious dinner and wonderful to spend it with Grammy and Grampa Phil!

I'm learning to SWIM! And getting pretty good, if I do say so myself.

It's sort of strenuous, this swimming, so every once in awhile you just need to chiiiiillllll ooouutt.

Grammy came to watch and video my swim lessons this week. So here I am, showing some of my moves... I love my teacher!

This has nothing to do with my birthday, but here I am: floating. This is the kind of stuff you can do really well when you're three.


Here I sit like a bird in the wilderness waiting to be fed (do we all know this song?) I'm waiting for blueberry pancakes for my Birthday Breakfast!


I'm THREE!


I got some good books which I immediately took fireside and began to read, resisting the need to go to preschool today...




And if I had opened up the Fairy Ballerina Funky Dancer costume from Gramma and KooKoo before school, it would have taken a very serious effort to get me out of the house. Is this the most funky fresh costume EVER? Thought so.


"I wish I could wear my new dance leotard every day for the rest of my life!"

That's GROSS, Daddy!

Mom put jeans and a tshirt on my bedroom floor this morning, suggesting that this is what I was supposed to get into to get ready for pre-school. Finding it woefully uninspiring, I found a few accessories.

Daddy was out of town this weekend and we missed him terribly. We found solace in making music, making pizza and staying in ballerina/tinkerbell/princess wear all weekend long. (Gramma, mom wanted me to point out the cornucopia atop the piano. She thinks you'll be happy about this although you have some convincing to do on my part--what's the point of that much inedible food? I had to try the grapes to make sure, and sure enough. Inedible.) Halloween and all of its zaniness helped unearth my inner passion for dress up. The shelves here are Stage One of organizing the many scarves, tiaras and tutus we've managed to collect in my short three years...

Fun with my friend... Playdough-Making and Dance Party!

Happy Halloween! It's cat-o-rama around here... and Bodhi and Lucy aren't the least bit impressed, but I am having the time of my life. Cats, candy and costumes--life is GOOD!!!!

Seen here trying to catch a spider at Casa de las Aranas (House of Spiders)tonight!

Getting in the SPIRIT with Gingerbread Ghosts...

Fall, Friends and Farms

Ione and Winonie! Gamma Cousins.

Ione, Winona and Linden... So much cuteness, this pumpkin's about to POP!



Hot dog and deep convo with Gamma Emmy. She's funny.
LOST!

Fall Comfort Foods...

Tigerlily Tinkering is looking for comfort food, and I, finding much comfort in food, thought my mom should post her recipe for split pea soup. I love it. Here it is:

1 1/2 C green split peas

2 T oil

1 onion, chopped finely

1 medium carrot, finely sliced

1 stalk celery, finely sliced

1 T ground cumin

1 T ground coriander

2 T fresh grated ginger

5 cups veggie (or chicken) stock

2 C frozen green peas

salt and pepper

Chopped fresh mint & Yogurt or sour cream for the top...

1. Soak split peas in cold water, about 2 hours (or skip this step and use pressure cooker)

Drain peas well. Heat oil in a large heavy-based pan and add onion, celery and carrot. cook over medium heat about 3 minutes, until soft but not browned. Stir in cumin, coriander, ginger--cook one more minute.

2. Add split peas and stock to pan, brink to boil, reduce to low. Simmer, covered for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally (if using pressure cooker, bring to high pressure, reduce heat and cook about 8-10 minutes).

3. Add frozen peas to pan and stir to combine. Set aside to cool. When cool, puree in batches in blender or food processor until smooth. Return to pan, gently reheat. Season with S & P, stir in mint. Serve with a swirl of yogurt or sour cream and yummy bread.

We took the dogs on a walk through the neighborhood yesterday, between rains, and stumbled upon a "donation only" mini-farmer's market in a neighbor's yard. In addition to the corn, beets, tomatatoes, zuccinni, and greens, they had homemade cookies and a hand-cranked apple press churning out gallons of yummy apple cider! mmmmmmmm... I love fall. Here we are at home, shucking the corn from our fun neighbors!