Spring

Some people think that we don't experience the seasons here in Southern California.  That isn't true, we just have to look a little bit harder.  Yes it is 80 degrees out and sunny on February 28th, and it doesn't feel  a bit like winter.  It almost feels like summer.  But to the tree right outside my front window, it is beginning to look like spring.  

I sit and look at that tree several times a day.  Every time I sit down on the couch to feed Lilly, I enjoy that tree.  Doing so has allowed me to notice things I might ordinarily pass by.  The little birds that bob on its skinny branches.  Raindrops hanging from its leaves.  And today, the first signs of spring appearing, green and verdant, amidst the dead, brown leaves, beaten by winter.

You can't imagine what an encouraging sight those small green buds were to me.  What a concrete reminder of the dead things in me, the torn and naked branches that I want to chop away.  Instead, I am reminded that all things can be made new again.  Hidden inside those ugly branches, new life waits to spring forth.  Winter doesn't last forever.  Inside me is a spring waiting to happen.  May I live my life in the spring and not in the winter.

 
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come!" 

 2 Corinthians 5 :17

First Snow

I know I used this photos over at Lilly and the brothers, and I try not to double dip, but I really, really love this picture of William and his first glimpse of the snow.  He is so stuffed into his snow clothes, with mittens that are far too big and that hat that is too small.  Most of all I love his expression.  He just looks so surprised, so amazed by the moment.  

Of all the pictures I took that weekend, this one is my favorite.  It so captures the feeling of experiencing something you have been anticipating for so long.  To think that a 2 hour drive up a twisty mountain road could give this moment to my boy.  Well, it's like those commercials: PRICELESS.

Red Shoes

Here is another pair of red shoes.

Have I mentioned that I love red shoes?

Melted Crayon Craft

This is probably one of my favorite crafts ever.  It was when I was a little girl, and it still is.  It never ceases to wow.  It is almost magic the way the crayon shavings melt together into stained glass beauty.  Every one turns out different, even if you are using the same colors.  If you've never made these little wonders, you are missing out.

In my book, one of the elements of a great craft is that it is easy to do.  Especially, actually imperatively if you are doing it with kids.  This one meets that criteria.  All you need is some crayons, a pencil sharpener, some wax paper and an iron.  

Directions:  

Choose the colors you want to use in your melted crayon craft.  I find it looks better to stick to a limited, complimentary color palette, but most kids just want to use every color you have out. You decide. 

Remove the paper wrapping from the crayon, and sharpen it until you have a nice pile of crayon shavings.  (You must use a small, hand held pencil sharpener for this.  NOT electric!)

Heat your iron to low. 

Lay an old towel or paper bag on your ironing board or kitchen table. Lay a longish piece of wax paper on the towel/bag.  Let you child sprinkle crayon shavings all over the wax paper.  

Lay another piece of wax paper over the top of the shavings and run your iron over the wax paper.  

If you are concerned about getting melted crayon on your iron, lay another bag on top of the wax paper and iron through it.  This will not allow you to see the crayons melting which is one of the best parts.  What I do is use the cheap iron I got at Target for $10.  It is reserved just for this craft.  You can also find irons at thrift stores or garage sales.  Believe me, it is a worthwhile investment.

The paper dries almost instantly.  Your child can then cut the wax paper into shapes to be used in all different sorts of ways.  Hang them from the window like stained glass ornaments.  Glue to paper and make a card.  Frame it in construction paper for a real stained glass window look. String together to make a garland.

Rainbow Sighting

The other day it rained.  Aaron yelled at me from the front porch, "quick, there's a rainbow!"  

When there is a rainbow sighting, you have to stop, drop and roll out the door so you don't miss it.  I just had time to grab my camera.

But I didn't have time to get a very good shot.  This was the best I could get through houses and power lines.  (I need to move) But it is still beautiful.  And it is still magical.  And it is still a reminder to me that God is the giver of all good things.  

I love rainbow sightings.