Blog a la Cart

SNOW MO

While we’re certainly sick of shoveling (namely James, and namely for lack of space to pile any more mountains of the fluffy stuff), it is such fun with the kids and dogs. Given how sick we’ve all been, I was grateful for Monday’s snow day, as it provided time as a family to just get outside and have some fun in the ridiculous mounds and mass quantities of snow. We put the iPhone 6 to work and made snow-mo (har har) after snow-mo.

And we were all so worn out and physically wiped from traipsing through the snow that everyone went to bed easily and happily. Here’s a compilation of our favorites from the afternoon. I particularly love our voices in slow motion.

Snow Days

These photos were taken this past weekend, on a brilliantly sunny afternoon full of sledding and snow glitter.

Sun Beam

A little Sunday afternoon sunbathing. I couldn’t resist that beam of light. We’re hunkered down, ready to be buried in snow and frolic accordingly!

The Snowy Morning

More Snuggle Bug

Gladdy, The Nursemaid II

Since returning to Vermont, Sunny has been rocking a low-grade fever a la her baby sister while in South Carolina. She’s been in and out of school all week, as one infection turned into conjunctivitis and weeeee! Isn’t January fun!?!

On the upside, Gladdy has once again taken up the mantle as best nursemaid chez Cart. On Tuesday, I was downstairs working while (I thought) Sunny was resting in her bed, only to hear great giggles and squeals emanating from above. I soon discovered Gladdy dressed up in headbands and necklaces and blankets, happily thumping her tail, while Sunny cackled with delight on the floor of her room. Later, when Sunny finally did settle down for a nap, I lifted Gladdy up into the top bunk of the bunk bed so that she could keep close tabs on her human while she rested.

We just adore this dog so. I have never lived with such a snuggly fur babe, and it is truly heartwarming.

When she’s not snuggled up in one of our laps, she’s usually monitoring the flow of the house from her perch on the stairs. Such a funny spot to rest, and yet, it’s so apt given her personality.

Lazy Days

The quiet before the storm of the work/school week ahead.

It’s been a glorious two weeks of family and fun, celebration and love, travel and adventure and blown bed times and play. And lots of just being. Together. How grateful I am for that.

On Sunday, we did nothing but lounge. And nap. And watch movies. And read stories. And knit. And snuggle. And wood stove bathe. While James and I both acknowledged that we’d go positively batty if this is what life looked like for us on a regular basis, we appreciated a day of nothingness before transitioning back to the hum of daily life.

I may finally hop in the shower and change into a fresh pair of pajamas (given that it is now 6pm on Sunday). Here’s to a wonderful holiday season! What fine memories were made.

Gladdy, The Nursemaid

Courtland has acquired a hideous cough that has kept us up three night’s running. She unfortunately seems prone to extreme respiratory illness (last January through February were the pits. Remember Nebulizer Nation?) We’ve got humidifiers running constantly – it’s like a full on tropical rainforest in our bedroom – and inhalers are at the ready. She has to sleep with one of us because she is awake for so much of the night and reduced to vomit by the extremity of the cough. James and I are trying to tag in and tag out and keep each other functioning and spirits high despite the onslaught of sleep deprivation. I feel so sad for her. It’s an awful thing to witness, so I can only imagine how it feels.

Here’s hoping that she’ll be on the mend by Christmas. And in the meantime, sweet Gladdy is playing a remarkable role as nursemaid.

Me + The Goose

My colleague snapped this photo of me and my Gladdy Goose on Mountain Day and I just love it so. Such a loving, sweet, wacky pup. I can’t imagine my life without the Flat-Coat spirit.

Ursa

I carry you with me into the world, into the smell of rain & the words that dance between people & for me, it will always be this way, walking in the light, remembering being alive together. –Story People

She’s been gone a full year, yet I still look for her as though it were yesterday. 143 My Ursa.