Adventuring

Last night we needed some family time and Cordelia suggested that we check out her "hideout." So we decided to head  out for a walk and an adventure. For Eric and I it was just an evening stroll, but for the girls it was an adventure.

We walked about four blocks to a nearby park where Cordelia and I had recently discovered a small area with trails beneath large bushes and trees, meandering along a low creek.

The sisters held hands along the way. Eric and I smiled and trailed along.

We crossed the bridge into the hideout territory.

It was an absolutely beautiful evening and  Elise kept shouting (her voice only has one volume: shout) that it was so very beautiful out. She stopped to smell flowers and throw sticks into the creek or any puddle she spotted.

We wandered along the hidden paths.

Cordelia found her hideout and proudly showed her father.

When she was about to step into mud Eric warned her not to get her brand new shoes (they were on their maiden voyage) muddy. She replied,"An adventurer doesn't care about new shoes." Although they remained clean so perhaps fashion forward adventurers care a little bit about shoes.

We had a lovely evening, just an hour or so in the golden light before we put the girls to bed. 

Rain

Saturday was so hot. When we made it home from Montana it was 97 F, there are also fires up in Canada and the smoke made the sky sort of soft with strangely filtered light. While the sunsets have been stunning, the fires are definitely not good for people who want to breathe air (AKA everyone). So yesterday when it started to drizzle here in Wyoming I was so happy for the clean air and relief from the heat. The rain continued on through the night. Eric and I slept with our windows open and the cool air, combined with the sound of rain and muttering birds was pretty much heavenly. It was a strange juxtaposition for me as I was having a full night of horrible dreams. I kept waking up with a jolt, only to be soothed back to sleep by the comforting patter of rain.

When we all rolled out of bed this morning there was coffee and breakfast and open windows letting in the clean cool air. The girls outfitted themselves in crocheted ponchos and Betty Sprinkles settled in front of a space heater. I went outside to take photos of the beautiful gloomy morning. Slightly waylaid by my inability to understand Eric's high tech camera. I enjoyed the wet grass on my feet. The drops of rain water resting on the plants. My garden was happily drinking up the excess. I am ready for a creative rainy day!

 











 

Yesterday

Yesterday was a pretty perfect day. I spent some frienniversary time with Sarah (more on that tomorrow). I went garden shopping with my mother and the girls (one of my all time favorite things in this life is looking at plants, chatting and being with my mother and daughters). Then I spent the evening out back trying to work through the explosive growth that we have had after a month of rain.















 



Today I have to get some groceries as our fridge is pretty much only condiments and I have made some weird meals (olive sandwich anyone) in an attempt to put off a trip to the grocery store. Then I plan to spend the rest of my day outside with the girls. I am going to work in the garden. I am sure there will be a lot of play. Some meals outside, some "cloud gazing" as Cordelia loves to throw out a blanket and look at the sky. Elise is happy to join her. I love this time of year.

Growing Season

Yesterday it was over 50F in our town. The first really warm(ish) day of the season. What that means in this part of the country is that people pretty much freak out and act like it is the hottest day in July. People wear sandals. People rage around the neighborhood on 4wheelers (it is Wyoming). People barbecue. People wear sleeveless shirts. Some people wear no shirts. It is pretty crazy considering that there are still drifts of snow in every single shadow. Never mind all of that though, I saw the first flowers blooming this afternoon while we took a walk, and I knew it was time to plant.

The girls are old enough now that they can follow instruction pretty well, so I was able to talk them through the process.

 
Cordelia was a little more independent where Elise still needs close monitoring. She wanted to eat the seeds as a snack.


They took turns with everything. Both girls are very focused on fairness right now..and probably forever.


Cordelia insisted on wearing a strappy dress like the true Wyoming girl that she is.


Elise has entered the phase of worrying about dirt on her hands. Don't worry I will solve that problem in the coming days. We are going to get muddy as this snow continues to melt.


Cordelia was not satisfied with the holes that Elise poked in the soil and had to show her how it is done...


This one...


and that one.

When we were done we set the whole shebang onto a safe (from Lucy) shelf and will now wait for our seeds to sprout.

Not Time for Tulips

My mother sent me a picture of the irises that are starting to push their way up through the soil in her yard. I went out front and could see that my tulips are also eagerly beginning to grow. It isn't unusual for tulips to bloom through a snowy yard, but it is still a bit early for that kind of thing.

We have had a pretty mild winter, but there are still cold days ahead. 

I feel a bit like the tulips though; if I go through the motions of spring then maybe it will come a bit early. Eric and I are talking a lot about meals on the back porch and keeping windows open. 

We aren't there yet. We are in the winding down of winter. Snow days are fewer and farther between. Soon enough the warmer days will outnumber the cold days. Then I can start seedlings and let the girls out back to play away the day while I work in the soil.

For now though I am content to look at seed catalogues as I sip on hot tea.

Winter

We have had an unusually mild winter this year. Lots of temps in the 50s, not a ton of snow, rain even. I hate winter driving and the wind here where we live is generally intense this time of year, so winter is not always my most favorite season in Wyoming. This year has been different. We have gotten to spend a lot of time outside. Temps that aren't in the below zero range means that the girls can spend time outside too.

Yesterday we got quite a lot of snow, but the temperatures stayed pretty warm at or just below freezing. This meant that outside play was an option and we definitely took advantage of it and enjoyed ourselves outside.

Break From Winter

Looks like we are enjoying a little break from winter, sorry East Coasters. The weather has been warm and pleasant. The snowy ruts in our road are nearly completely melted away. Yesterday afternoon I took the girls outside to play in the yard and it was magical. I cleaned up and did a little yard work while they stomped around in the snow and mud.







At one point the girls were beating the remaining snow drifts with sticks, almost as though they were beating winter away.



The dogs lounged in the  areas of the yard that weren't completely saturated by the snow melt.



It is that time of year where we have false starts to spring. Spring won't really arrive for some time yet, but I am itching to get back into the garden and enjoy meals on the back porch. For now I am content enough to just enjoy the gift of a random warm afternoon.

Morning in Wyoming