Blog a la Cart

Jonas FOMO

We did not receive a flake of snow in VT, and I found myself looking wistfully at pictures of friends frolicking in NYC and DC and Boston amongst all that snowy white goodness. We have yet to have a decent snow fall this winter, and we’re all feeling exceedingly ready for some snow bank leaping (okay, maybe not the nearly 9 month pregnant Cart, but I would love to observe and document the fun). Alas, slipping and sliding on our neighbor’s pond had to suffice as our winter weekend adventure. The kids and pups had a ball regardless.

And James and I managed to find, sort, launder, and ready all of our 0-3 month baby gear. With a heavy pink-lean, this baby, regardless of genitalia, has more than enough clothes for his or her welcome (and let’s be honest folks, a newborn cares not what his/her clothes look like as long as s/he’s warm and fed and dry). So bring on an infant in sweet pink nightgowns that had me aching with nostalgia as I pictured both Sunny and Kaki’s babyhoods. I have to admit, I am feeling over-the-moon excited to meet this little one. I can’t believe I ever doubted that we’d welcome another child into our lives.

Merry Christmas // 2015

Cards courtesy of Minted

Elf Express // 2015

Ho Ho Ho! What a festive final weekend before Christmas. We had two separate cookie baking playdates, oh the sugar highs! We had holiday parties, and Nativity pageants, and a ride on the Elf Express through snowy Green Mountains. I was so grateful to catch even a dusting of snow given that we’ve had NONE this season and it’s going to be 62 degrees on Christmas Eve (boo hiss!). The train ride was adorable and cheesy and right up the girls’ alley. A fun way to really get in the spirit of the season, with cookies and hot chocolate and elves and Christmas carols and Santa.

We also started plowing our way through all of the STAR WARS episodes as a family. We’re preparing for an excursion to Episode VII over Christmas. The girls are far more into it than I anticipated and it’s been fascinating to watch them try to understand the movies and the nuances of good and evil. But more on that later…

In the meantime, snaps from our Elf Express adventure in Vermont.

Pollerts Tree Farm // 2015

Happy December! We spent our Sunday cleaning up Thanksgiving and hauling our Christmas gear up from the basement. It’s astounding how many bins we have filled with ornaments and garlands and Christmas themed decor. hashtagthisisparenthood

It was a full day affair that included a trip down the hill from our house to the local tree farm to select our tree. As usual, we opted for an equilateral triangle that absolutely takes over the living room. Such is the plight of a home with low ceilings, but the delicious scent of evergreen is reminding us why all that work was so worthwhile. Our dropped ceiling might limit the height, but the festive spirit fills the space with joy. A few snaps from the tree farm…

^^Sunny counted the rings. Our tree is 12 years old.^^

47/52

“A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2015.”

Sunny: We capped off a very very busy holiday weekend with Christmas tree selection. Bring on December!
Kaki: She wears that formal purple coat every opportunity she gets. A hand-me-down from Auntie Kimmy’s childhood.

More details about The 52 Project here. To view all the portraits in the series visit here.

Cart Family // Fall 2015

These photos arrived in my inbox at the start of a week all about gratitude. Very fitting indeed. Many thanks to my dear and talented friend Kate Drew Miller for capturing our family in our beautiful Vermont town during its best season. I mean those views from Kate’s property! *jawfloor*

The Peace of Wild Things

“When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.” – Wendell Berry

This poem really struck a cord given everything that is happening in the world. I feel so much gratitude for our slice of comfort on a little dirt road in Southwestern Vermont. Sending love and peace into the world around me.

October Leaves

Another fall, another series of leaf throwing photos. Not as magical as last year’s, but fun nonetheless. Even the dogs got in on the action.

Around the Farm // October 2015

^^Halloween decor is in full effect. Still love those button spiders.^^

^^Welcome notes from Sunny taped to our front porch.^^

^^Making our lamp post ‘rul festive.^^

^^Two very enthusiastic thumbs up for that pumpkin totem pole.^^

^^Our street is so purdy this time of year. Alas, those Montauk Daisies bit the dust with this past Monday’s frost. Boo!^^

Pumpkin Patch // 2015

Courtland and I made it our mission to recreate those pumpkin totem poles we saw showcased at our local pumpkin patch. Our porch is now graced with our own pumpkin stack. Another great fall adventure in Vermont!