The last few weeks of January were such a wonderful, cozy, quiet time of rest for my trio and I.

It is hard to believe that the last huge snow storm we had was over three weeks ago now!

After some dangerously freezing cold weather, that snow is almost all gone now because our temperatures this last week have been more like spring.

It is currently 48 degrees and the children are running around outside this afternoon in just sweatshirts!

After our birthday celebrations at the beginning of January were over and the cold weather arrived, Lane, Tate, Eliza and I hunkered down and enjoyed our days at home.

We filled our days with school work, chores, and things that interested each of us.

It was so needed for myself in particular, and I truly believe that the Lord is finally showing me some new ways to manage this incredibly busy life that will be so much better for my health and well being!

Please notice my trio outside in those last two photos.

They played outside endlessly sledding in all that snow when the temperatures allowed it and before it all melted!

Now we are back to playing soccer on the deck because of all the mud.

I have not gone back to Instagram, which means I do not have near as many photos as I usually do.

Posting on Instagram stories all day long had me taking photos all day long – and I just don’t do that now!

I had a lot of fun in the kitchen these last few weeks – as always – and I wish I would have taken more photos of all of that – but I do have some!

Those pickles I fermented are FANTASTIC!!

I only added garlic and peppercorns this time.

Next time I plan to buy some fresh dill for them!

I tried to make some dairy free coconut yogurt from scratch.

I have tried this a couple of times before over the years!

This recipe and method was different, and I really thought it would work.

It didn’t not set up.

Someday I am going to figure this out!

Store bought coconut yogurt is expensive!

Tate made us another meal.

We licked our plates.

I am keeping here at home forever, but don’t tell him that, ha, ha!!

Would you all call it a “full circle moment” when your oldest daughter starts influencing you in the way you should run and manage your home??

Well, I am calling it that, with tears in my eyes!!

Of course Blake and my goal with our children was to have them all turn out better than us – so there’s that!!

Kayla is WISE in this whole “filling many bellies all day long” thing! (and a million other things too!)

So I am literally following her lead and doing what she does and I LOVE IT.

If I never go to the grocery store in town at the crack of dawn on a Friday morning to purchase two carts of food all by myself again – I AM GREAT WITH THAT.

I seriously am having a “boycott Woodman’s” mantra running through my head!

My new goal is to SIMPIFY meals and get everything we need to do that through a once a month (or up to six weeks, hopefully) grocery run to Costco and then ordering the rest of what we need from a bulk whole food company called Azure that has a once a month local drop off.

I have done both of those things once now and it was super fun!!

Kayla, Addie, Saige and I made our Costco run one Saturday two weeks ago when the weather finally broke.

Mind you, so did EVERYONE else in the entire city of Madison – so that was something!

It was CRAZY there!

But we did it.

Addie almost had to ride on the roof on the way home, ha, ha, but we got it all in!!

Here is my cart – and then both mine and Kayla’s stuff in the van.

Next time we are taking Kayla’s bus!!

I wish I would have grabbed some photos of my Azure pick up!

I basically got 25 pound bags of flour, large bulk quantities of potatoes, onions, garlic, apples and carrots, a 5 gallon bucket of coconut oil, and a few other odds and ends.

What a huge blessing!!

We also have lights on a timer in our Lil Red Barn to keep our hens laying eggs during these short winter days.

So we are still getting plenty of eggs!!

Because of the spring like temperatures this past weekend, we cleaned out the barn and gave the goats and hens a fresh new place to be.

It felt so good to get that cleaned out.

Speaking of cleaning out – I have been deep cleaning and purging each day.

My goal was to go through absolutely everything in our home.

I keep thinking “I did it!” and then I see more that I haven’t touched yet.

Hopefully I will finish before spring!

I have gotten rid of SO MUCH STUFF.

I know we have a lot of people living here, but good grief, it is embarrassing how out of hand this gets!

I found two drawers full of all that is in that tote in the first photo.

We also got a new rug downstairs during this deep cleaning time.

I love it!!

When I was deep cleaning the master closet I found ice on the edge of the wall.

It was during the time that it was so dangerously cold outside and that is a north facing outside wall.

Thankfully we solved the problem easily!!

We did have a few outings during our quieter weeks, of course.

We LOVE to be with our favorites.

One afternoon we headed to Kay’s after rest time for the grands to hang out with them.

Kayla was smart and used our most techy guy to set up a shipping label printer for one of her businesses!

Lane can never leave home either.

Just saying.

Did you know that Saige has Briar’s eyes??

They are SO big and beautiful!!

We also went bowling one night!

It was really fun!!

I could not hold a bowling ball because of my failing right hand – but Lane told me to just use both hands and throw it from between my legs.

I did! And got a score of 90!!

We had some colds run through the house.

SO thankful that only four got sick, and each of them were only sick for one day each.

After our illness at Christmas time of 2022, any illness is WAY better than that!

Blake and I had a date Friday night!!

We did some house project shopping and then came home, told the kids to stay downstairs, and made a nice big meal for ourselves.

We watched a movie while we ate.

IT WAS FANTASTIC!

My only complaint in life is that I never have enough time with my man!

Ok, maybe not my only complaint….but it is my biggest one!

I grabbed this photo after my crew helped Addie and I set up for our monthly women’s event at church.

They are a fast, efficient, strong, and joyful crew – and I love them!!

The snow brought some cardinals to our restaurant.

Only six this year so far.

We had up to twelve red cardinals at one time last year – so I am hoping for that again!

This weather is not helping my cause!

It was so majestic feeling though, and I just felt like the Lord was watching us enjoy the number of those beautiful birds and smiling down on us.

This weather though, you all!

I am not complaining!!

I sit outside in the afternoon with no coat on!!

Fresh air is awesome!

Sunshine is too!

Blake always is texting me asking if I have been outside yet!!

Even when it was cold I would find a sunny window to sit in front of each afternoon!!

Did you know the sunshine charges your batteries?!!

Are you ready for some sky photos???

I have not taken as many of those either – but I have some!

My love of the sky lives on.

Literally my favorite thing.

What a great couple of weeks it has been.

I never opened my planner.

I never made a list of things that need done.

I didn’t even follow a menu plan!

I got up each morning when I woke up on my own.

I put absolutely no pressure on myself about what I think other people are expecting from me.

And now you think an imposter is writing this post!

Nope, it’s me.

I have been walking slowly and intentionally through a book in the early mornings (sometimes in the afternoons).

It is teaching me a lot not only about external factors in regards to health, but also internal factors and my health.

So much I could say about it all.

Maybe someday.

It’s a big deal – so just know that for now.

It’s changing me.

I hope for the better!

Looking forward to seeing what the Lord has for us for this month ahead!!

I hope each of you are enjoying winter and all the Lord has for you where ever you are!!

Happy February, friends!!