Ten on Tuesday.

1. I am barreling through The Passage now, folks, it won't be long now. It's a really super read.

2. I was gifted snowshoes by my husband last year for my birthday, but didn't get to use them until this winter because they require, uh, snow. So after traipsing around like a bumbling fool (Did anyone know that I have an undergraduate degree in dance? Anyone who's seen me on snowshoes would never suspect this.) over the holidays, Alla came home with the news that her class would be going on a snowshoe field trip in February, and would I come because I own a pair of snowshoes. Sure. But, so as not to appear as a bumbling fool in front of a class of second graders, I signed up for a "Back Country Snowshoe Trek." Full report to follow.

3. The Killins family stepped into the 21st century today with a new washer and dryer. Let me tell you, technology has improved in 16 years.

4. Four-day weekend ahead. Yay! Looking forward to a thaw.

5. That's because it's been below zero here for three days. Zero is my breaking point for a run.

6. We finally watched BRAVE this weekend, which was uplifting and great. Four thumbs up.

7. Went to a truly delightful Mommy brunch this weekend with ten other mamas. What almost treat. Brought back memories of all the after-church brunches of my childhood. I'm talking to you, Guadalaharry's.

8. What in HECK are you eating for produce right now? Apples are slim pickins. Clementines are starting lose their tartness. What else is there? I need something we can all snack on, to put in lunches.

9. My daughter saves her lunch notes from me in the front pocket of her lunchbox.

10. Speaking of lunches, my children are suddenly gaga for the humble ham and cheese sandwich. It's about time the sunbutter sandwich shares the limelight.

Birthday.

You get to a certain point in life where you have very simple ideas and requests about your birthday, perhaps so that everything else is gravy. If everyone is healthy on your birthday, success! So, when you wake up the morning of your birthday at your mom's, after having gone out to a lovely dinner with your husband the night before, everyone is healthy, and your children have put up birthday signs that they colored themselves, this is all gravy.

 

 

Getting to share part of my birthday with my mom was so lovely. Thanks Mom and Bob for making the weekend extra special!

 

A day, birthday or not, is really not a day worth much, if you don't get in a round of iPad Yahtzee.

 

There was lots more gravy. Cake made by Fisher and Ron. Rest/pot-holder making with my daughter. Presents. And, this. A family picture. The best.

Ten on Tuesday.

Well, hello 2013! J.J. Killins here, making an appearance.

Alrighty then, on with the first Ten of the New Year!

1. I had a lovely birthday on Sunday and am now three dozen.

2. My mom gifted me a gift certificate to a local spa. I see a massage in my future. Thanks, Mom!

3. I am still three months behind on editing 2012 pictures of my own, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel!

4. I can think of few more satisfying things than a big pot of soup simmering on the stove. Generally my children tend to agree, because we do have some scrumptions family soup recipes, however, I sprung "Vegetable Soup" on them tonight (AKA Quick and Spicy Tomato Soup), and they gave it a hearty go but decided it was too spicy for them. The grown-ups thought it was just lovely with our grilled cheese, and we will be making it again. (We disregard their opinions in terms of deciding whether something is a keeper; if the grown-ups like it, we keep it. The littles will grow into it. Or not.)

5. Ron and I spent a good chunk of the weekend watching season two of Homeland on Showtime's free weekend. We finished all but ONE episode of season two, and of course now we are in utter disequilibrium so if you know how we can watch the final episode of the season, please help me out.

6. Due to immense television consumption I have been slacking on my reading, and am only halfway through The Passage. Greatly looking forward to getting through it, moving on to The Twelve, and then finding something new to read. Hopefully just in time to hear the children's book awards on January 28th (yes I listen live, I'm a dork), and make a huge list of things I can't miss.

7. It was a balmy seven degrees on my birthday. Something about January 13th always brings about the frigid temperatures here. Of course we live in Minnesota, so it's to be expected, but we experienced 40 degrees on Friday, and the ice skating rinks and ponds and streams all completely melted. So taking it down over 30 degrees over the weekend was a bit abrasive, as my dad so perfectly put it.

8. Fisher and I hit up Costco this morning for the things that keep our home running, like salt for the water softener, oats, brown rice, coffee, dried cherries, and a roast chicken for dinner.

9. I cannot believe it's the middle of January. Where does time go? On the other hand, it does seem like Christmas was ages ago, not just weeks.

10. Alla's grade is doing a roller skating unit for gym and she just loves it!