Happiness is . . .

A sweet gift of a vintage apron and book from dear Suzanne of Blueberry Cottage~

We love the sunshiney colors!

The ground being soft enough to harvest Jerusalem Artichoke tubers~

So good and they taste like water chestnuts~ Yum!

Hearing the girls practicing their piano, without being told, all throughout the day~

AnnaMarie and Audrey have both learned how to read music by themselves!

Dear Friends,

It is snowing a blizzard outside our door right now, but we've had nice sunny days to enjoy, and we are told the temperatures will be up in the 50s next week. It looks like springtime, indeed!

Thank you so much for all your offers to come help pack~ We think we've gone through every book and paper in the house now (whew)! I have to keep reminding myself what a blessing it is to have such creative, active children, and so many wonderful books in our library to choose from! I wouldn't want it any other way. Now for those wonderful piles of clothing . . . . :)

We've been letting the computer have a break every other day, and have found that we actually have more time to go through and read all the things we've been meaning to for so long now! What a concept! We hope that your blogs don't feel too lonely if we can't visit every day; we do think of our friends many times throughout the day, and wish you well this half-winter/half-summer time of year.

Love,

Marqueta

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"Company.--A man is known by the company he keeps. We take on the thoughts, feelings, and characters of those whom we select as companions. On the same principle, a boy is known by the books and papers he reads, because our thoughts and beliefs and characters are formed by what we read as well as by our company. Parents should look well to what they admit to their homes, for by the trashy novel, the tale of bloody adventure or the obscene book, the child may be led to receive the false in view, to love the low in morals, and the vulgar in thought and language, while yet in the home where from parents and friends he hears only thoughts and words of purity and truth. Watch then the mails, for they bring life or death, blessings or curses."

Mother's Magazine, May 1879