Winter Wonderland (Texas Variety)

It's been a little over a week now, things are just getting back to normal. Icemageddon paralyzed our city, shut our schools down and broke numerous tree branches. (That's what happens when most of your trees still have their leaves and the branches can't bare the weight of all the ice.) Since Texas rarely gets snow - we played, went on walks and enjoyed the calm beauty in the midst of the chaos.

Although storms can be devastating and destructive, there is something so serene about everything just stopping for a while. One's focus is drawn back to the things that really matter...family, neighbors, provision and the often overlooked gift of quiet. He uses all things to reveal His glory. xo

Ice Ice Baby

Apparently it's so cold and icy in Dallas that everyone needs to stock up on enough bread to last them a lifetime because all the local stores are sold out. There's an ice storm strollin' thru Dallas and people have lost their ever lovin' minds. Me? I'm gonna stay inside with my boys (because school is cancelled) and craft the day away while drinking hot cocoa and donning marshmallow mustaches. If I were to get out... I'd rock one of these warm and fuzzy frocks...

Oh yeah, I like fur and I ain't scared. Sorry PETA. Stay warm homies and have a cozy weekend. xo

red nails via design love fest

nicole richie via they all hate us

hoodie and fur via whaleboat

Around the House: Baby It's Cold Outside

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Fall finally arrived in Dallas and within 2-3 days, Winter blew in right after it. Brrrr... Cold weather always has me craving soup and wearing comfy bundled clothes made of various knits and cashmere. Though I am a far cry from Martha Stewart, Winter inspires me to bake and crochet. I mean, that's what people do when it's 20 degrees outside and the wind blows so hard that it cuts right through you... right? And then just when I get to thinkin' I can actually start doing some of these wintery traditions, a strong south wind blows in and it's 60 degrees again. Texas. You've gotta love it.

One of the ways I mock up a wintery scene in our home is via the fireplace. It isn't a working fireplace right now so we have loads of candles inside of it. It doesn't put off much heat, but it warms my soul. What evokes winter in your home? 

Wintery Weather Wear

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I gots me a rule about Winter... layer, layer, layer and be comfortable! That little number up top with the flower? Oh my gosh, it's the perfect mix of hunter and feminine.

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Add a touch of sparkle and some cute flat boots...you've got yourself one major dose of snuggley goodness! xo

Weekly Challenge: Stay Warm

Oh my gosh. It has been so cold and rainy here lately. Makes me wish I had a fireplace, but loads of blankets, morning coffee and afternoon tea have kept me quite warm. And because we've been inside so much I've been able to do a little sewing too. 

one infinity scarf that is super warm and snuggly

one fleece headwrap, earwarmer, headband thingy

Other activities to keep warm:

raking leaves for the littles to jump into

roller skating

soup, soup, soup

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lots o snuggling with my littles

Happy weekend friends. Stay warm! xo

A Couple of Indoor Activities...

to help me and my littles get through a long day indoors when they can't play in the snow.

table hockey with pennies and legos

bring the snow indoors!

Star Wars Ice Battle

We also made our own crayon color wheels for Valentine gifts. Big fun! And a great time killer, what with having to remove all the paper from the broken crayons. Tee hee hee... A Momma's gotta do what a Momma's gotta do.  My oldest is feeling much better now. Thanks again for all your love, prayers and concern!

How have you survived? xo

Weekly Challenge: Weather the Storms

What do you do when you're iced in and you have 1.5 sick kids? Do all that you can to keep your sanity!

Movies, Movies, Movies

Chicken Noodle Soup

Fluids & Meds

Games

Movies, Movies, Movies (did I say that already?)

Heart craft - THANK YOU Artful Parent

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Legos

Cars (the object of the game - vroom cars from one end of the room into the box)

Steam Baths

Redecorate (this was for me...serenity now!)

(just a little blurry peek; more on this monday.)

Take temps 100+ times.

Family walk around the block. (Kids were bundled up a la Ralphie's little brother in Christmas Story.)

Randy

More movies and some books! (I started reading Where the Red Fern Grows to my oldest.)

Discover my oldest has Pneumonia. We have antibiotics flowing through the blood stream now - we are on our way to full recovery!

How was your week amid the Snowpocolyps? I don't know about you...but I'm ready for Spring. xo

Around the House: Layers

One of the things I love most about super cold weather is getting to bundle up in layers. This applies not only to clothing but bedding as well. It's one of the few times of year that the hubs puts up with a major dose of girliness.

starting with some thrifted floral sheets

and pillow cases...

my favorite vintage floral sheet (for the moment)

top off with some colorful quilts... (doesn't the yellow look divine with that pink?)

end result - layered goodness that makes me want to snuggle in bed all day!

Does your winter bed get anything special that makes it super cozy for you and super hard to get out of bed, especially on a Monday? xo

Bundle Up

In honor of 49 of the 50 states having snow on the ground right now, I thought I'd share a little winter wear that I'm loving right now. Starting with crisp air to down-right frigid.

crisp never looked so good (toss the ciggy)

chilly chill

colder

so cold I wish I had a cab

brrrrr

Are you warm yet? What's your favorite winter wear? xo

Snow and Winter Whites

snow

Snow. Again. In Texas? Whaaat? I'm loving it so much; the kids are too. You know it's love when you get all of 1.5 inches and your kiddos are having "snowball" fights. Honestly it was more like iceball fights, but they didn't care in the least. All this wintery goodness has me dreaming of winter whites and coffee. (You didn't see that one coming did ya? I know...I can be predictable.)

kitchen nook (from my new fave blog)

ghost shades

yum

dreamy

lights

outside

Now for a little peek at our own winter wonderland and "coffee talk." My youngest and I shared a little coffee and "warm coco" over a few goods books yesterday. Warning: some images are blurry - sorry, I couldn't resist sharing them.

What do you love doing on a cold wintery day? xo