[ reflections ] my gramma and boppy's house.

After ballet on Saturday, when the world was cold and the winds fierce, we headed to my mom's parents.

Fifteen minutes away from us, family days at their house are usually the highlight of our weeks. Aunts, Uncle, Cousin, and my family all gather at their house to spend the day together -- playing games, eating food, watching movies (or foodnetwork), reading, napping, laughing, and just enjoying the time we can spend as a family.


On Saturday, several members of my family were playing games, others were reading, gramma was cooking, and a few more were watching a movie.

After reading a couple chapters of my book, I glanced to my camera bag, sitting still and snug against the wall, unzipped it, and picked my camera up, slipping the strap around my neck.


can you guess who that little baby is? ahuh. that was me. :)
I love my grandma's house. It has character. It holds memories. It contains love. And light.

And I wanted to take pictures of what I love.

(which reminds me...I'm a bit inspired right now -- have a few ideas rolling around in my head. If anything comes from them, I'll let you know where they ended up.)

So these are a few photos of my grandma's house.

Because I want to remember it forever, when memories grow dim and eye sight fades, I'll be an old-wrinkled lady peering at a few snapshots I took with my fourteen year-old eyes.

Much love.
Hannah

In the midst.

On Sunday we had a snowstorm, of a sort. For Minnesota, it's not unexpected, but after having a few days in the forties, we had gotten used to the warm weather. The snow fell in soft flurries and then the wind picked up and blew the snow wildly around. Ice glazed the roads and a gray gloom was cast over the world, not unlike the one that had just recently cleared up.

It was dismal and gray and we were all tired of having snow days.

But despite the fact that it was still snowing, early Monday morning and mid-afternoon looked like this.


The snow did pick up later on and the roads got pretty bad, but for a few hours, it was soft and peaceful outside, the world once again embracing the cold touch of winter.

And while all the world was white, inside, we were snug and warm. We had the day off and it was spent doing happy things -- the playing of games, making of tea, drinking of izzes (a treat!) and simply, the enjoying of being together. Laughing, loving, and living.



In the midst of the snowstorm. Despite the chill outside, inside it was warm and toasty. If I was fond of cheesy metaphors, I might have said that the warmth was nowhere near to the joy in our hearts. But I'll leave it at that.


And today, the sky is a marvelous blue and, despite the cold, it's a good day. Just another chance to enjoy winter coats and woolen mittens. School is almost completed, our home is clean, nearly everyone is healthy, and the house speaks of quiet contentment and joys falling softly, like the white white snow.

I'll take it.

( collaboration #1 )

My mom and I are starting a new thing. Inspired by the wonderful Ruffles and Light, we'll be choosing a new word and creating a photo collaboration based on that word every Wednesday. I'm excited about it. It should be be interesting to see how we each interpret the word -- because neither of us gets to see the each other's photo until Wed. This week? (it's up a bit early because I couldn't wait to share. Andddd....I wanted to beat my mom to posting -- ha! just kidding. Maybe. ;))

Color.

Top : Hannah
Bottom : Rachel

It's not a meme or a linkup. Just a new word and two new photos every week. If you ever have a suggestion for a new word, leave a comment! Make sure to check out her blog and leave a comment about her photo there as well! :)

Much Love.
Hannah

Thursday.

The weather was absolutely beautiful on Thursday. In fact, it's been gorgeous every day this past week. Forty degrees in February is a welcome change from the frigid temperatures of ten (or more) below zero. So thankful for the good weather -- how often do we have lovely weather and forget to say thank you, but when it's awful outside, we're ready to complain? Something that I'm trying to work on, especially with my grace gifts. But back to the weather...

Gracie had a tea-party to go to on Thursday, and when she got back, my mom said, "Hannah, today would be perfect for pictures." The snow was melting, the sun was shining, and a brisk breeze blew wafts of lovely fresh air throughout the neighborhood.



After pulling Grace away from her plate of partly-eaten pizza rolls, we ran outside and went into the backyard to take a few photos. She shed her large, pink puffy coat and smiled in her dress. It was a bit chilly because of the winds, but she bore the temperature bravely. ;)



We call Grace the pixie of the family -- she's a little bit of a fairy, with her pointed chin, shining eyes, and little elfin ears.


If we lived in Medieval times, she'd be the one dressed in robes of white, a circlet of silver on her head and a gleam in her eyes. A mysterious little laugher. Because she always has something to say and you'll rarely ever find her not laughing...:)

After a half an hour or so of laughing and taking many many photos, my camera beeped full and my frozen fingers said that it was time to go inside.


She's probably the only one in the family who looks adorable in braids.


That's my little sister Grace. A laugher, lover, dreamer, dancer, silly-saying-er, loyal-friend, devoted-big-sister, adorable-little-sister, absolutely sweet gal. And I love her.


Much love.
Hannah

slushday's are for...

reading + snacking on fruit


the grass beginning to show


making snowmen




taking photos



cleaning and redecorating


footprints in the snow



sunsets


snowboots


attempts at sledding



making tea


(and) the snow melting.


Which makes me excited because that means that...

Spring is coming!

Which is cause enough for celebration. No more -22 degree weather (at least I hope not...;))

Blessings on the beginning of your week!

Much love.
Hannah