God's Green Acre?

This just in from Joanne Huff-Hannon at the NYTimes:

Praise the Lord and Green the Roof: The Eco-Nuns of New York.

:)

Snow Daze

So, even President Obama says we need a little kick in the keester (I'm paraphrasing) when it comes to winter weather, but it was icy out there and that means snow daze. My very first snow day as a new employee of the public school system! :)

The children and I did a little half-hearted research on saber-tooth tigers, rabbits, and cats - but then spent the rest of the day acting like Spider-Men and napping.

We did get in some baking (who, me?!) with some chocolate-chip banana muffins. I think there are about three left. Good thing it's back to work tomorrow.

Banned Books? It's a Bit Different from What Might You Think

So, the question boils down to: does the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act, scheduled to go into effect on February 10th, include children's books?

Slowly but Surely

I'm getting back on the Green bandwagon. I took my reusable totes to the grocery store this morning, and I must confess, dear friends, that it has been a long time since I have done so. This time I noticed that I received a .05 credit for each bag and that it seems most customers were bringing their own bags. Ah, what transformation while I slept. :)

Today I tried some Garbage Gardening by planting the seeds that I scooped out of some cucumbers. I just dumped them all wet and slimy into a pot of dirt. We shall see, my friends, we shall see.

SaltandChocolate, one of my favorite blogs, has an adorable Valentine's Day craft. I am truly a sucker for that holiday, truly.

Pip and Sprout are growing like weeds - Pip is very into Legoing and I just bought Sprout her first pair of ballet shoes. Sniff, sniff.

Garbage Can Gardening, etc.

I saw this post on the National Gardening Association's website. Looks like a good project to get us through these chilly days.

Sprout is watching Mary Poppins (my favorite line: "Never confuse efficiency with a liver complaint.") and I can't help but notice that Mrs. Banks gives up her sufferagist activities in the name of household harmony. Do I have that right?

The Dawn of a New Day!

Green Husband had to work today, but he listened to the festivities on NPR. I headed to my staunch-Republican friend's house to watch the inauguration and we both agreed it was a momentous occasion.

I remember Maya Angelou's poem that she read for Clinton's inauguration and I think it is even more meaningful today.

...Here on the pulse of this new day
You may have the grace to look up and out
And into your sister's eyes, into
Your brother's face, your country
And say simply
Very simply
With hope
Good morning.

I Have a Dream Today

Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King, Jr.!

Martin Luther King, Jr.

A Poem by Sprout

He tells everyone to be nice to each other.
They need to be nice to each other.
They need to the movies together.
They need to go outside together.
They need to go on a walk together.
Every white people is going to hug Martin Luter
They need to treat everyone nice.
They need to trick and treat together.

Pre-Inauguration Celebration

I stepped outside today with Pip and Sprout bringing breakfast to their teachers (parent-teacher conference day - is that too obvious?). Now they are watching some Scooby-Doo while I get ready for the day: booster seats (they're getting so big!), new pants (they're getting so big!), and zipping around the wonderful little towns that surround us.

Green Husband is going to their school conferences. He's a little excited, seeing as they are his very first. He is such a dear darling - such a great father and caring husband - he catered to my every culinary whim this weekend: loaded nachos, baked potato bar and BLTs for lunch - comfort food in the cold.

February 7th we will be hosting the Code family (that's code, by the way) for a all out
Valentine's Day craft-a-rama. I am so excited to hit the craft store to buy everything they have in red and pink; I am truly a sucker for that holiday, truly.

Yours Truly,

Amy

Inspiration, Determination, Celebration, A New Nation

Things are pretty dang exciting in my neck of the woods. I haven't set foot in DC since Wednesday, but the energy is palpable every where you go.

I am not the only one who has been inspired by Nie Nie, but her home is so full of light and family - she has some wonderful ideas featured here.

I am reading "The Watsons Go to Birmingham -- 1963" and it just seems like everything is coming together: MLK, Jr.'s, birthday, Black History month, the inauguration of our new president. What a fitting way to remember those four little girls...

Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King, Jr.

Inauguration and other Fevers

As some of you may be able to tell from my posts, I live very close to the District of Columbia. Very close. Very, very close. Work has been canceled for the 20th, the bridges out of Virginia and Maryland are getting ready to close, and Metro officials, I'm sure, are having a few sleepless nights. Think rush hour...times 20? What am I doing? Since school and work is closed, I will be watching the festivities from the Virginia side with Pip and Sprout. Not sure where yet, but it seems to me that it should be a rather festive occasion. Anyone want to come over?

I am reading a number of books all for work. Poor me. I've had to laugh over Frindle, sit engrossed over A View from Saturday, and I am currently suffering through (NOT!) my first Artemis Fowl. Poor me. :)

As for the nature side of things, I must confess that I have turned my family into a bunch of slug-a-bugs. Sidelined by minor, but couch and fever-ridden, illnesses and the weather have severely affected our time outdoors. Now that we're on the mend I think some heartier clothing might be just what the doctor ordered. You there. You, in the really cold climate, how do you bundle up your little ones and what do you do outdoors in the cold?