Daybook

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... It has been gray and misty most days.  The rain has come down in a fine spray which wafts across the valley rather horizontally.  Today outside I saw a.....

any ideas?  Never have seen one of these out back. 

I am thinking... about the difference between unconditional love and unconditional approval.   Specifically, thinking how difficult it is not to let one compromise the other. Either way. 

I am thankful... for mild weather during our recent travels, for some long teary talks, for finishing the last of my follow up bloodwork, for letters from old friends, for happy children. 

In the kitchen... Coconut Cake for Brendan's birthday.  It was much like a Tres Leches cake.  Otherwise, I need to draft some menus for the new year aptly dubbed The Year of the Vegetable after hearing my husband tell the kids on New Year's Eve, "Let's get something good for tomorrow, then on Monday we all start to eat like Mom." ; ) 

He is 7 today btw : )  The beardless one, that is. 

I am wearing... boot cut jeans, a slouchy sweater in blue's, silver earrings, clogs.  I am longing to return to more skirts however and have been working on leg and footwear. Found some promising 'thermal-strumpf-hosen' (tights) today which really do look warm.  

I am creating... new themes for a new year at the Snapshots Around the World blog.  Asher and Colin are on board as guest bloggers from Korea and Colorado. This has been such a cool project.  Come join us! I-phonography welcome!  

I am going... back to the dance class routine this week. A couple big trips in the works for spring. 

I am reading... The Coming of the Monster, the last of the Francis Owen Dudley novels I began last year.  Will share more tomorrow. 

I am hoping... Colin has a safe trip back across the ocean as Zach did, and that the little ones slip back into their routine easily. They have had a fabulously fun few weeks but are a bit overstimulated.  We all needed this time together though. 

I am learning...  about flash photography.  (not as quickly and easily as I would like) 

Around the house... beds have been changed, towels all washed again.  The tree and decorations are still up but a walk with Moira after dark tonight revealed that all the neighbors' houses look the same.  Reminded myself that the Christmas season rightly begins on Christmas Eve, not ends.  Still, it will be a good week before the house recovers from several weeks of surface cleaning. 

A favorite quote for today... found on Jen's blog. 

One of my favorite things... family game nights. There is an animated game of Apples to Apples going on next to me right now.  There's been a lot of late night game playing around here.  It is late here now.  But I can't bring myself to break it up knowing Colin flies out tomorrow.  I can't bring myself to go to bed either.  Just hanging on for a few more moments.  My table lately...

Comments

[Barb]

Looks like a grouse family...but I'm no bird expert. :) pretty bird.

[Theresa]

Looks like a kestrel! Neat!

[Karen]

There were a few late nights and lots of games around here, too. It was nice to have them home but it can be nice to have the quiet back. I am getting old and don't recover as quick!
I am glad that you all had a good time together.

[Ellie]

We think it's a kestrel, too **maybe** Beautiful. Or, it does look an awful lot like a Western Marsh Harrier.

Wishing you a peaceful transition away from young men visits, and back to the routine of the at-home children. Oh this life, every single second is filled with grace ...

{{hugs}}

[Tracey]

Kim-
My heart aches for you as your boys leave. Praying everything looks good when your blood work comes back.

I have also been thinking quite a lot about unconditional love versus unconditional approval. Though I had not couched it in those terms, it is exactly what I have been struggling with. Perhaps the issue becomes more pronounced as children get older and embark on independence. At least that is what I am finding.

Lots and lots of family game nights around here, too. In fact, I am beginning to think family games are the best Christmas presents!

[macbeth]

Turmfalke! A kestrel by any other name. ;)