This winter SERIOUSLY WON’T END.
I thought this image was apt:
I think we had approximately two nice days this month, and for all the rest we had to bundle up in snow pants, winter coats, mittens and hats to go outside.(Not that we went outside much. I’m too bitter most of the time so we just stay inside and sulk).
The couple of sunny days we had, however, were great for maple syrup (see photos above). (Every year, we tap our big maple tree out front and boil down the sap to get a couple of quarts of syrup. So far, we’ve gotten maybe seven cups of syrup. It’s hard to keep track because we keep using it up as we get it.)
We went to the beach one Sunday morning to collect stones for a project, and there was so much snow that even though the path to the beach was gated off, the three of us easily walked right over it — the snow pile reached to the top of the gate.
(This is what we used the stones for: story stones. Fun, right?!)
Here’s hoping that April will finally bring that long-awaited sunshine, warmth, and greenery.
In the meantime, here’s what I’ve been into.
Books
WomanCode: Perfect Your Cycle, Amplify Your Fertility, Supercharge Your Sex Drive, and Become a Power Source – Alisa Vitti
I have mixed feelings about this one.
On the one hand, I really appreciate a lot of the information in this book, especially the bits and pieces that have helped add to my understanding of my fertility issues. I’m always adding pieces to the puzzle, and this book contributed in some interesting ways.
There’s some great advice, and I’m really excited about her idea of syncing our lives with our cycles — i.e. understanding and embracing the phases of our feminine cycles, and working with them to flourish. It sounds beautiful and productive.
I guess I just wasn’t crazy about the whole “Follow my five-step program and your life will be GLORIOUS!!!!” approach. I’ve been inundated with this kind of talk from self-help books for years and it immediately makes me wary.
But if you can look past that, and don’t mind skimming here and there, I think this books has some valuable stuff to say about improving hormonal health and getting in tune with your body to enhance balance and energy.
Children’s Books
After a few rather mediocre library hauls, I finally made a list of book recommendations from people I trust and ended up with a pretty sweet haul of library books for the munchkin.
Little Hoot and Little Pea
– Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Jen Corace. These books are adorable in every way. Lydia doesn’t quite get the humor (Little Hoot wants to go to bed but his parents say he has to stay up and play; Little Pea doesn’t want to eat his candy but his parents won’t let him eat his spinach until he’s done); but she still loves them. And I don’t hate re-reading them twelve times a day, so that’s a bonus.
These books are all better as bedtime stories (as opposed to bathroom/reading nook books), since they’re longer and the illustrations are more detailed, inviting a more lingering gaze.
Make Way for Ducklings – Robert McCloskey — beautiful, classic illustrations; charming story. Lydia loves to shout “Qua-a-ack!” every now and then throughout the day just to catch me off guard.
Blueberries for Sal – Robert McCloskey — I don’t know why I’m so drawn to these classic, black-and-white illustrations. All I can say is this author didn’t win half a dozen Caldecott Medals and Honors for nothing. This cozy story about a toddler and a little bear getting their mothers mixed up on blueberry hill delights my daughter every time.
Stellaluna – Jannell Cannon — absolutely delightful. Stellaluna found her way into my heart upon the very first reading. So I don’t even mind that Lydia has chosen this book as her bedtime story every night for the last week.
Llama Llama Red Pajama– Anna Dewdney — the rhymes in this book are fun to read and easy for little ones to memorize, so everyone can join in. And I chuckle every time we get to the page where Mama Llama leaps from the phone and races to her screaming baby llama — almost losing her pearls on the way — just to find him sitting quietly on his bed. Hilarious.
The Story of Ferdinand – Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson — Of course this pacifist loves this charming classic tale about the gentle, nonconformist bull who wouldn’t fight in the bullfights. And happily, my daughter loves it too.
Music
We’re going through another Walk Off the Earth phase in our family. I can’t get enough of their upbeat melodies and creative videos. Their music videos on Youtube are all Lydia wants to see.
Our favourite videos include Gang of Rhythm – Car Loop Version (so friggin awesome!!!), Royals, and Material Girl. And we all adore their newest video for Happy (featuring Parachute):
Television
Big Bang Theory and Parks and Rec remain staples in our weekly viewing cycle. But I cannot WAIT until it’s warm out and we’re too busy visiting the beach and taking long strolls around the neighbourhood to watch TV.
We’ve also continued to work our way through Freaks and Geeks. I just love Bill so much. I pretty much just watch it for him.
Since we don’t want to watch violent stuff in front of Lydia and since she still only goes to bed when we do, we have to save Firefly for Sunday afternoons during her naps. So it’s very slow-going. So far, it’s not quite the life-changing experience folks have led me to believe it will be, but I’m not giving up yet — we’ve only made it to episode 4 so far. (Does it get significantly better?)
Movies
Shut up. We didn’t see a single movie this month. We still haven’t seen Frozen or Lego Movie, which apparently are the best movies ever. What is wrong with us.
And that was our month in a nutshell. What have you been into? Have you had nicer weather? If so, I DON’T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT.
As usual, Linking up with Leigh Kramer!
Disclaimer: Post contains affiliate links.

I really enjoyed Firefly. It’s a cult classic so it tends to get referenced on other TV shows, especially ones that star some of the same actors like Chuck and Castle. It’s worth watching just to get the references.
No worries, our weather has been equally winter-like. Now, bullet points:
– Another book recommendation for embracing our cycles: The 28 Days Lighter Diet. Please note that the only reason the word diet it in the title is because the publishers required it. It’s not a diet. It’s actually all about how to work with our monthly cycles in a knowledgeable, intuitive way. It’s co-written by one of my favorite people, Ellen Barrett, who’s most well known for her exercise DVDs. I know you’re not so into exercise; and I wasn’t either, that is, until I found her videos. They’re all done barefoot, on a yoga mat, combine cardio/stretch/strength, and are inspired by yoga, pilates, and dance. I highly recommend them! You can even preview them on her website (http://www.ellenbarrett.com/ellenTV)
– Children’s books: One of my favorite series of books is Natasha Wing’s “The Night Before. . .” She has one for just about every holiday and event. They’re all written to the poem of The Night Before Christmas (I especially love her “The Night Before the Night Before Christmas”!) I love them and have bought them all for our little niece. http://www.amazon.com/Natasha-Wing/e/B000APLF2W/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1396046740&sr=8-2-ent
– We LOVE Freaks and Geeks. Another series you may like is Aaron Sorkin’s old show, Sports Night (you don’t at all have to like sports to love the series).
Happy weekend, my friend! XO
Rebecca recently posted..Product Recommendations: Cosmetics
Thanks for the recommendations, Rebecca! You know what’s interesting? I love Ellen Barrett’s exercise videos! They’re the only ones I’ll do!! A friend lent me hers last year and I loved it so much, I got another one out of the library this year and looked her up online. I’ve tried lots of workout videos but hers are by FAR the best I’ve ever done. I’d be very interested in learning more from her!
I’m not familiar with Natasha Wing; I’ll check her out!
Wow! Y ou are the only person I’ve ever recommended Ellen’s workouts to who already knew of her! Told you we’re soul sisters! XO
Rebecca recently posted..Product Recommendations: Cosmetics
The weather here in Ohio has SUCKED. Even though I’m in the southeastern corner. We’ve had a few milder days, and I took full advantage of them to wear my dresses and skirts, which I always miss in the winter months. Yesterday was gorgeous, but today it’s colder and greyer. Blah.
Stick with Firefly. My first time through, it took me a while to get hooked, but since then it’s seriously changed my life. Well, not as much as Doctor Who, but that’s beside the point.
I’ve been really into Buffy the Vampire Slayer lately. I love Joss Whedon and decided it was time to finally check out Buffy. Love. It.
Seminary and traveling to and from Columbus and Cincinnati have seriously limited the time I have for reading for fun, so I’ve mostly been reading one of my favorite Harry Potter fanfiction authors (I think she lives in Canada now too!) and catching up on my many blogs.
Here’s hoping that April finally brings us some warmth and sunshine, and not just more rainy days.
Story Stones – I love that idea! I’m jealous that you live near a beach. In Kansas, we’re as far from a beach as you can get! We’re BBT and Parks & Rec fans here, too. :) I’m hoping that you have a fabulous and WARM April ;)
Ginger – Just One of the Boys recently posted..Week #9 ~ A Happier, Healthier You
Yay for homemade maple syrup! I would love to have a maple tree some day so I can do that myself. Walk Off the Earth is the BEST. I don’t know how I missed their video for Happy but it is fantastic!
Leigh Kramer recently posted..What I’m Into (March 2014 Edition)
Ugh, I’m sorry it’s still such miserable weather for you over there. Although I’m jealous of your maple syrup supply! Thanks for reminding me of the Blueberries for Sal book. Our wee unborn one is affectionately known as “Little Bear” around here so anything with bears is making me happy right now :)
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FIREFLY IS THE THING WHICH I ENJOYED THE MOST !! :D
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