We're past the halfway mark of January and the new year and everything that's wrapped into it has begun to blossom. I have welcomed this quiet, cold and at times lonely month. I've been spending the last few weeks preparing our home, my business and myself for the coming year. We've been cleaning, organizing, reading, writing, dreaming and creating and it feels good. I think of the seeds in the ground now... On the surface all is quiet and dead but not too far down those little seeds are furiously germinating. In a matter of months they will burst through the ground in all their verdant beauty and we will gasp as if it's the first time we're seeing grass.
Wherever you are and whatever the weather I hope you take some time to recharge this weekend. Give yourself some grace to be lazy, perhaps even the permission to take a mid-afternoon nap. Go ahead, we deserve it!
Here are a few links I loved this week, in case you're looking for something to browse while you're being a couch potato:

Talking about money is always a taboo but especially for writers. I found this article fascinating. 

A great breakdown of all the different perspectives on the Women's March on Washington. Are you going?

We've been making this divine fall panzanella salad at least once a week. It's so easy and quick and the kids love it too! 

I finally tried out the Chasing Windmills merino pajamas and Birdie can't stop telling me how soft they are. In fact, she's asked multiple times if she can wear them every day :).

Can't wait to dig into this book of essays by Mary Oliver!

Where I go to for my Bachelor recaps. Can we talk about Corinne? That's some stellar casting there!

Cannot wait to take Birdie to see the Beauty and the Beast live action movie! It was my absolute favorite Disney movie as a child and seeing it in live action would be a dream come true!

A pretty dress for spring.

My go-to for all my enamel needs! Most of it is Prime shipping too!

This post made me tear up, ultimate #couplegoals

This home makeover is absolute perfection. The style is so inviting and effortless. Love.

So many of you wrote in with awesome words of advice and encouragement when I shared about our struggles with Teddy's aggression last week. Here are the two best resources that we have found super helpful thus far.  

Jim Gaffigan is always good for some good old-fashioned belly laughs.

And last but not least- oh how you will be missed... This is great, great read.

Volume ix, it's kind of crazy to think I've almost done ten of these. Here we are five months after my last taking stock post and although on the surface things haven't changed that much I feel like our life is in fact very different. There's a palpable new energy in the air and for the first time in a while I'm finding myself relishing these cold winter months. I'm busy but good busy - dreaming, planning, creating... The energy in our home feels decidedly hopeful and for that we are beyond grateful.

making: lots and lots of roasted vegetables. especially root vegetables - beets, carrots, squash and turnips. I just can't get enough of that caramelization that happens in the oven. Magic!!
cooking: hah, same answer perhaps? We're cooking a lot of pancakes and waffles for breakfast which is always something we gravitate towards during the colder months. Cozy meals are what we're all about.
drinking: I've created a new little habit - twice a day I will make myself a cup of tea with lemon and raw honey. I started doing it to soothe my ever present tonsilitis and it kind of stuck. Supposedly it can help suppress your appetite so... bonus!
wanting: a life that feels intentional, full but simple, peaceful and authentic.
looking: towards the future with timid optimism.
wasting: water on hot baths. It's my own little hot tub when my body feels tired and sore.
wishing: for one more snow before winter is over. Just one more!!
enjoying: this season of parenting our daughter. Many people told me four is wonderful and my goodness they weren't kidding. It's almost like she grew up overnight. She's socializing so much better at school, her curiosity is insatiable and we're loving the sudden appearance of a voracious appetite for reading. It's really, really fun to be her mum right now.
waiting: to see samples for the Valya Kids spring and summer line. I am soooo anxious!
liking: a new perfume. I picked up this Happ & Stahns perfume in jasmine during Anthro's big sale and although it's quite different from what I'm used to (very feminine) I quite like it!
wondering: how this year will pan out. At the beginning of 2016 we thought we had it all mapped out and then had our world thrown upside down. I'm wondering if we can have a calmer year this time.
loving: on our baby boy Miles. I was nervous about how we would feel once we brought him home but his playful and loving nature is really healing for all of us and in a tiny way it feels like Belle is still here with us.
hoping: a lot of the dreams we have for this year come true.
marveling: over the mind of a four year old. It's kind of incredible!!
needing: to get my health back in order. My goal for this year is to kick antibiotics for good!
smelling: dog pee. Yep. This is our life right now. Cleaning up accidents all day long. I forgot how much potty training puppies sucks.
wearing: this blanket cardigan every day since the day I bought it. Best $20 I've ever spent.
listening: to my forever fave - Enya. She just always puts me in the best headspace.
noticing: how much I miss Birdie when she's at school. Now that I'm not teaching on those days I miss her like crazy.
knowing: what I like and what I don't like. These things apparently become much more clear after 30, lol.
thinking: about minimalism. After watching the documentary on Netflix a few weeks ago Kevin and I cleaned out our home and took eight trash bags full of stuff to Goodwill. I'm determined to never again buy something that isn't a need. Life feels so much lighter!
feeling: hopeful, grateful, anxious and at peace.
bookmarking: dream vacation destinations. Maybe one of these days we'll be able to travel again.
opening: so many new books. I may just have to do a post on them! I'm proud of myself for how I did with my reading goals last year but I want to do even better this year!
giggling: with my kids. There's nothing more infectious than a toddler laughing!

I'm planning on heading to the grocery store and Whole Foods this weekend and I've ordered some probiotics as well. I'll keep you updated on my instagram page on my progress and I'll share if I see any difference. I'm just so ready for a change and ready to take my health more seriously. I'm trying to listen to my body more instead of continually ignoring warning signs and ending up in urgent care every month.