Hibernation

For a family who loves the outdoors, winter (particularly one as glacial as this) can be quite the challenge. December's excitement has passed and we have settled into our warm nest, finding much to keep us occupied while Jack Frost rattles the windows and sends the birds flocking to the feeders.

Naturally, there has been a lot of reading...


... several figure skating lessons (a recently declared hobby of Bella's)...

...and a few projects as well. This one tapped Bella's fascination with all things magical: crystal culture. Not only that, but I snuck a science lesson in there too (thanks Gran!)...

But I have to admit, when the lights go out they are pretty magical...

(Thanks to the color-changing LED light!)

Old Man Winter did give us a brief respite from the cold, one that coincided with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. In the words of Dr. King, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?" To honor his legacy, and the beautiful sunny skies we were blessed with that day, we donned gloves and headed outdoors on litter patrol...


Despite the "Ewww!" Factor, Bella embraced the opportunity to make a difference. Back at home, a conversation about Haiti led to a donation to Soles for Souls. It seemed trivial given the level of destruction that befell this island nation, but the ripples? They may travel far. A spark of compassion is being cultivated and that could change the world.

We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.
-Marian Wright Edelman