You never know

Our old house had a built-in microwave. Our new house had no microwave. OBT insisted that we get one even though I said that I could do without. So off we go to get a microwave. After bringing it home and taking it out of the box, it found a new home on the countertop by the kitchen sink. One night Sarah was checking it out, and this is what happened next.

Sarah: Momma, what does this button with the potato on it mean?

Lepidoptera: That button is for baking potatoes in the microwave.

Sarah: And it can make beer too!

Lepidoptera (wondering what this means): What does it say? Spell the word where you see that.

Sarah: B-E-V-E-R-A-G-E.

Lepidoptera: Honey, that spells beverage.

Sarah: What's a beverage?

Lepidoptera: It's something you can drink. That means the microwave can make hot chocolate or hot tea.

Sarah: Oh (as in "I see").

Butterflies and backyards

My mom gave me "The Life Cycles of Butterflies" book earlier this year, and L, LP, and I were looking at it last week. I noticed that there was a website for the authors and decided to take a look at it. Butterfly Nature is a site that will appeal to those interested in butterflies and also nature photography. There is a Kids Page with coloring pages, a word search, and other activities. Lots of butterfly pictures in various stages of development and don't forget to check out the pictures from their backyard butterfly garden. Wouldn't I like to have a garden like this in my backyard some day!

Back at our other house we had planted several butterfly bushes (some transplants from the originals), and they attracted lots of butterflies - Monarchs, Tiger Swallowtails, Frittilaries, Hummingbird Moths, Skippers - just to name some of the regulars. I am hoping that we can plant them here too. I would like to add at least one new plant to our yard every year. In the past OBT has bought me plants for Mother's Day, and if this tradition continues, little by little our goal will be achieved. Coneflower is one that I would like to try. Maybe next year will be the year for that.

I will miss the things that we planted at our old house but am also looking forward to seeing what pops up here in the Spring. We may have some surprises lying dormant and just waiting to be discovered when the weather warms up. We already know that there is a hickory tree and a crabapple in our new backyard. Whether the hickory be shagbark, shellbark, bitternut, or otherwise I do not know yet, but I am going to try to find out. Several oaks are here too. There's more to learn and more to see - right in our own backyard.

Off and on

Monday it snowed and stopped. Then it melted. Some more snow and then a repeated stopping and melting. By the time the sun went down, we still were getting some snow, and it was starting to stick. After dinner the children and I just sat by the back door with the inside lights off and watched the snow come down. I told the children to blow on the glass, and they were delighted to see their breath appear. We sang "Let It Snow" over and over again. The children jumped up and down in their excitement, and it was a good way to end our day.

Yesterday morning there was enough snow in the yard that I told the children if they got ready quickly after breakfast (brushing of the teeth, donning of the socks and shoes and coats), then we'd head outdoors to enjoy the snow. They got ready quicker than usual, and we headed outdoors. Footprints and handprints (I have yet to find our mittens; they are still in a box!) appeared in the snow. Butterfly nets found a new purpose in life as snow sifters, and it was COLD. I had planned on staying out for at least 30 minutes, but we headed in after about fifteen.

The weatherman is predicting more snow for tomorrow. I don't know how much, but I am looking forward to any amount. Winter snow has never been a common occurence anywhere I have lived. It is special because of its rarity. It is beautiful and awesome to watch coming down from the clouds. The wonder of the flakes - either large or small - and the knowledge that each one is different, unique. The transformation of your surroundings when they are covered in white. The fun that can be had while it lasts when the snow piles up on the ground. It brings back memories of snows past and dreams of snows to come.

Boxes upon boxes . . .

have been unpacked. Our belongings are moved. We are settling in. A new home, a new job, a new chapter in our life. Most of the boxes are unpacked (hallelujah for that!). School has resumed, and we are beginning to adjust to our new domain.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are on the way. There are plans to make and things to buy. Plenty to do, but after all of this unpacking, I just want to be in our new home. This morning when I got up it was barely snowing. By the time we left for church it was snowing a little more. I heard at church today that it is early for snow here. It was a nice change from the rain we had yesterday. As I filled the gas tank on the way home from church, the wind was COLD. It reminded me of a day, almost nine years ago now, when I came to visit OBT in Ohio before we got married. There was snow on the ground, but the wind was what got you. It cut through you like a knife! Bundle up; winter is on the way. Snowballs, snowmen, warm coats, and hot chocolate will be in order. Let it snow!!