If ever there was a season that passed all too quickly...

...it would have to be the season for these gorgeous blooms.

 Lately.

My life revolved around this collection for awhile.

E had her own supply.

So. It's been awhile, right?

I know. I apologize for that.

The end of February, all of March and half of April were spent in a state of illness and, if I'm honest,  moderate depression for me. 

It was a long haul. 

And completely recovering from the fevers, the terrible cough, the exhaustion, the weight loss, the antibiotic aftermath, the sleepless nights, and the torn rib cartilage has taken more time and more prayer and more mental fortitude than I ever expected recovering from anything would take.

In reality I am still not completely recovered. As my rib cartilage reminds me daily.

So. All that is to say. There wasn't a lot left over for waxing eloquent on a blog. 

But I think, finally, maybe, at long last, I've got my mojo back. And I am ready to move on.

My garden springing to life
brought me less pleasure than in
previous years
but I still enjoyed knowing
some aspects of the world were continuing on
in their normal rhythms. Even if I was not.

We did manage to dye some Easter eggs.

And turn our living room
into the Island of Sodor
from Thomas the Train...

I became an Aunt to this
lovely little rosebud.

We continued our tradition of
picking these beautiful blue Spring beauties.

No filter. Or editing.
They are that intense.

E spent a lot of time with her Uncle.
Who is living with us for awhile.
He could not have been more of a blessing or help.
Especially since I felt like I was
losing my mind a good portion of the time.

In April we went to a
local farm market
and petting zoo to see
everything baby:
lambs, kittens, goats,
bunnies, ducks, geese...

E got peed on by
this snuggly guy.
She WAS NOT impressed.

My daffodils bloomed.
And are slowly filling in with
each successive year.

My husband's sisters threw a
lovely bridal shower
for this year's bride-to-be...

The sick room quilts got washed and hung out.

The firefighter and I snuck off for a date or two.

And my Muscari plants 
exploded with blooms this year.

“If thou of fortune be bereft, 
and in thy store there be but left
two loaves, sell one, and with the
dole, buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.”

- John Greenleaf Whittier

I don't know.

Something about 2016 just said to me "Time to try making your own organic, hand rolled butter."

So I did.

Those Christmas Lights
Light up the street
Down where the sea and city meet
May all your troubles soon be gone
Ohh Christmas Lights keep shining on

-Coldplay

"In Him was life and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it...

...and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

-John 1: 4, 5 & 14b

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Yesterday was our annual cookie-baking marathon.

As you can see, we take it quite seriously. 

(I have found successful gluten free baking 

does not lack for ingredients.)

This was our audience about 2/3rds of the way through.

They waited very patiently

for Elli right outside our kitchen window.

Sugar cookies.

Coconut Cardamom Fig Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk cookies.

I kid you not...

Allergy-friendly Hot Chocolate Snickerdoodles.

This year Elli was old enough to do ALL the 'fun' decorating herself. And by old enough I mean she didn't get bored after 10 cookies.

A little "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" this evening.