Easter in the Catskills

The Alcott trio arrived back in Albany following a wonderful weekend in the Catskill Mountains. We left last Friday to meet my cousin and her adorable brood for the Easter holiday. The Cook family lives in Pennsylvania so we picked a half-way spot, found a gorgeous old farm to rent, and had a blast!

The Cook boys: Joey, Tommy, and Jude
That dark-haired cutie on the left is my Godchild. :)

Daddy bear/Baby bear.

A hike with Mr. Alcott.

Looking for Teddy? Check the barn.

Jude may be in there too.

Emily with her sweet little one.


Handsome Alcott angler.

Fisherman of the hour.

Rick, Tommy, Sam, and Ryan.

Worm scavengers.

Jackpot.

Checking out the chickens.


Friends forever.


Mail call.

It sure is good...

....to be together.

The last week of April we will be leaving New York. Ryan's project here is coming to a close. The trip to the mountains with my most favorite cousin was an awesome way to spend one of our last weekends here. There is no greater gift than time together.

Robin in the Rain

Our little birdie embraces any hand he's dealt.

Especially one as fun as spring showers! ; )



Wishing you all an April filled with

the peaceful protection of a fantastic rain slicker,

the love that only yellow galoshes can bring,

and the joy in knowing there's more sprinkles to come.

bennett hill

Free bird.

Spring has been playing tricks on us. March tiptoed in like a gentle lamb, bringing a couple weeks of warm, sunny days. Now with April in sight, the weather has changed to cold, rainy days with temps never reaching above the thirties. Good heavens!

On Sunday morning I awoke to birds braving the gusty winds and soft drizzle to sing outside my window. Their sweet song made me long for a walk in the woods. An Internet search turned up Bennett Hill, a perfect country hike. As we made our way up the hill, the trees opened up to gorgeous views of big farms below. Have we mentioned our son loves anything farm-related?!? Once on the top, the terrain flattened out allowing Teddy to run and explore. The whole scene made for one happy little woodland critter! :)

Locked and loaded.

A smidge muddy.

Follow the leader.

long johns cutie

our saturday sunrise.

monkey boy

Little monkey boy modeling his Valentine's Day present from Grandma and Grandpa Alcott, new jammies.

Isn't he getting big?! And such a sweet heart lately, experimenting with loads of new speech. Recent favorites include identifying the colors of every single object encountered and including himself in any given situation by saying "Teddy too! Teddy too!" He's also counting pretty darn well, hit and missing his way up to ten. Out of the blue tonight, he announced over dinner "Teddy happy." How fun is that?!

The photo shoot ended with a rousing round of "five little monkeys jumping on the bed." It seemed fitting.

I was excited to find a video I'd taken of the Alcott compadres opening their Valentine's presents. Teddy adores watching it. The footage of his beloved cousins releases a bundle of giggles.

I must say, those little monkeys are blessed with one very sweet Grandma....homemade cards and everything.

J and O (or OJ?)

Johnny and Omar, 2006

The two have shared an odd camaraderie since Omar was a wee tom. Perhaps it's the mutual interests (eating and sleeping) or maybe the grumpy looks passed back and forth, whatever it be, the love hasn't waned over the years. 

2008

2010

I've suggested the cantankerous companions make it a permanent alliance with a shared address, but J's always mumbling something about a roommate with allergies. I'm convinced he just doesn't want to move over for the 17 lb bed hog.

A lesson some of Omar's friends have learned the hard way.

Kelly and Omar, 2007

weekend with johnny

Last weekend, much to our delight, my brother came to visit! Unfortunately, I was sick with the same flu Ryan and Teddy had earlier in the week so despite the excitement of having a visitor, I was in bed for a portion of the weekend. Thank goodness for my sweet husband who did a wonderful job balancing full-time daddy duty while playing host to our guest. The three boys had an awesome time together!

Teddy was so very pleased with his new flat mate! We moved a mattress into the living room for Johnny to sleep on (which conveniently also served as a wrestling mat and pillow fight home base for the godfather/godson duo) and the new furniture arrangements alone put a huge smile on his face.

A couple trips to the park and a few high fives really solidified the love. It's not everyday that T gets to hang out with someone who can do so darn many basketball tricks!





On Saturday I resumed my parental duties so Ry and Johnny could head up to the Adirondacks for a morning of skiing. They reported gorgeous views.

I feel so blessed to have had a full weekend with my brother. Our time together is precious. He works a lot of hours and it's often difficult to coordinate our schedules. What a sweet gift to have 4 full days of his time and love.

Sadly, I've not one brother/sister photo from the weekend. I decided to share this oldie, but goodie instead.

{ Love you, brother. Thanks for being the sweetest uncle in the world to our little Teddy.}

troy's antique district

photo via weheartit.com

I've spent the last few days stirring the soup for two sick boys. Theodore was diagnosed with a double ear infection on Friday, thus down and out for the weekend. By Sunday Ryan wasn't feeling well either. Poor Mr. Alcott got much worse in the night, up multiple times sick to his stomach. Needless to say, he didn't make it to work on Monday morning (first sick day in 3 years of marriage) nor did he go in this morning. Other than lingering fatigue, both cuties seem to be slowly mending. Another evening spent cuddled on the couch in our makeshift infirmary should seal the heal.

While the boys napped on Saturday, I slipped out for a bit of fresh air with a quick jaunt across the river into Troy. One's first impression of Troy, New York is an old industrial city on the Hudson River. In all honesty, it looks a little rough. As I crossed the Congress Street bridge from Watervliet, it felt eerily quiet considering its size. However, closer inspection revealed hidden charm through lead-paned windows. I headed straight for the area known as the antique district. You may remember a bit back we had some family photos taken there.


I was only gone 2 hours, but it was such a fascinating trip. Of course, the antiques were wildly enchanting (especially the 18th century Berkshire and Adirondack furniture), but when I arrived back home I mostly gushed to Ryan about the buildings themselves. They were just so very old. Brick buildings with narrow double doorways. Long steep stairwells revealing floor after floor of treasures. Enormous windows allowing the building next door to cast shadows across salvaged porcelain tubs and farmhouse kitchen tables. The sweet, musty smell of ruins being reborn filled each shop. I could have spent days wondering, imagining the families that once inhabited each space, that once inhabited the city itself. A city that has undergone a 50% population drop in the last 100 years.

The next day I got online to check the hours at one of the shops for a follow up trip. As I was googling the district, I discovered this article published by the New York Times a few years ago. Take a peek. So strange to find. My sentiments exactly.

carnival

The Alcott trio was so blessed last winter to spend some wonderful, warm time with Diana, a family friend from Brazil. Diana originally stayed with Ryan's parents during her senior year of high school as an exchange student, then returned last winter to work for three months.

It's now a year later and I often find myself missing her. Such lovely little adventures we had last year, really just so much fun. Thank goodness for email, Facebook, and Skype. Between the three venues we manage to stay connected.

Last week she sent me a fabulous video of her and some friends performing in Carnival. The festivities were held in the hometown of her boyfriend, an area of Brazil that takes their pre-Lenten celebrations pretty seriously! Excitingly their group won the contest, but even more fun...our Diana was the lead singer!



Diana, thank you for sharing this with us! Know you are missed and loved so very much!

Sua voz era bela, ainda que foi espantados!

sweet treats

I do very little baking, it's certainly not one of my talents (as proven just yesterday by a failed attempt at pound cake), but I did make two cookie recipes recently that were delicious. They weren't chocolate chip, therefore deemed unique enough to share! ; )

The first recipe, Oatmeal Cinnamon Chip cookies appeared on a college friend's blog a couple months ago. I'm a huge snickerdoodle fan (cinnamon? yes, please.) so I was anxious to whip up a warm, winter-soothing batch. Although forewarned that cinnamon chips can be hard to find, I was delighted to spot them at our local supermarket.

The cookies were so simple and yummy that I had to share them on my blog too! The recipe (which can also be found on the back of the Hersey's Cinnamon Chip bag) does make a big batch, so after setting plenty aside for ourselves, I sent the rest to work with Ryan. Rumors drifting home indicate Azco taste testers gave the cookies 2 thumbs up. If you're a cinnamon lover (and seriously, who isn't?) give these cookies a go.

My humble photograph of the finished product.

Check out the post that inspired my baking endeavors to see some great photos of the cookies.

The second recipe we loved was Ina Garten's Ultimate Ginger Cookies. Oh me, Oh my these were so good! I saw the recipe in Barefoot Contessa At Home and knew I had to give it a whirl. I heart ginger and tend to slip it in any dish remotely ginger friendly...so these cookies were calling me. Made with large pieces of crystallized ginger, (see photo below) the cookies were gooey and soft on the inside, while the outside has the perfect crunch.

I know there are some serious ginger cookie fans on my husband's side of the family. Bake a batch on Friday night. I promise, you'll have a great weekend with these puppies hanging around the house.

To end this little cookie post, I have to share what my own sweet treat, Mr. Theodore did on Sunday morning. Ry and I were still in bed (probably around 6:30am) when we heard him start to wake up in his room. I went in and brought him back to cuddle with us for a bit. I turned to him once we were all situated and said "I love you" and... he said it back! First time! Talk about instant tears! He had both me and Ryan bawling. So very, very sweet. Really there are no words to describe the way you feel when your baby tells you that for the first time. A gift to mommy that's been marinating for twenty months. Ryan received his love offering later that same day when a bedtime I love you was returned right back at him.

Then yesterday while trying to talk to Grandma Alcott on speaker phone, he also gave her a love you. I was a teary mess all over again (pretty sure Grandma was too)! How special are those three little words?!

boots boy

These days we are all about the footwear.

ice ice baby

photo via flicker by beige alert

While visiting the homeland a couple weeks ago, Theodore had his very first ice fishing experience . How perfectly Minnesotan, right?! What does one do in the middle of winter? Go ice fishing! He comes from a long line of men who love to fish. When I was younger, my dad went on a big trip each year to Lake of the Woods and we all know Ryan would spend every day on the lake if life would just allow it. Somehow, the fun of hanging out in a snow-covered shack, on a frozen lake, in sub-zero temps didn't allude my little one either, he had a blast!

Rumors circling the area report an excellent fisherman on the rise. Teddy was noted for keeping a close eye on the minnow bucket, always ready to scoop out the bait for an empty hook. Unfortunately a few wiggly swimmers perished upon removal from the net. It seems Teddy's grip was a bit on the firm side. What can I say, the boy doesn't mess around. Thankfully, it didn't take long to get a few sunnies in the bucket.... not so easy to smoosh.

How is it that Teddy is already old enough to go fishing with his Daddy?! Where did my little baby go? Watch your back new mommies, it's true what they say....the first year goes way too fast and the second year....it feels like a split second in time.

I took these photos as Teddy was heading out on his big adventure. When Ryan saw them, he said Theodore looked just like me. A remark that immediately warmed my heart. It must be how dark his eyes appear? Maybe the eyebrows? Not sure, but whatever it is...I like it!

Ry promised to build this ice house for the Alcott trio. We're going to take our minnow-loving son and go camp for a good bit. Maybe my father-in-law will even have the pup to send with us for the weekend?

May Monday rock your snow shoes off little snow angels.

until Easter

* sunset at 20 acre marsh

exuding the purple hues of Lent

02/13/10

Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent and despite the fasting and self-denial associated with the forty days leading up to Easter, it's always been one of my favorite seasons in the Christian calendar. The quietness and reflection are a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of ordinary time.

Growing up, my family participated in most Roman Catholic Lenten traditions. Wednesday evenings were spent at Stations of the Cross and Fridays spent abstaining from meat. We would also "give up" an activity or food for the whole season in remembrance of all Christ gave for us. Twice Johnny and I gave up television, one year it was sleepovers with friends (a penance that left Lindsey devastated), and many years it was sweets. My cousins and I would often babble about whose sacrifices were "tough" and whose were "too easy!" Gossip fueling each of us to abstain from food or festivities that were actually difficult to release.

As I became a young adult, I worried less about impressing my cousins and more about pleasing the Lord. I didn't want my offerings to be effortless, after all, He would know if it was a true sacrifice or something that didn't matter much to me anyway. This year I had a terrible time deciding what to give up for Lent.

Thankfully, since returning to New York our days have been veiled in a peaceful hush allowing for reflection. I decided to "give up" the 2 hours during Teddy's nap to do meaningful, family-focused activities. Typically I tend to waste at least a hour of his nap time on Facebook or browsing Craigslist. That time is now set aside for dinner prep, exercising, cleaning, praying, writing, reading, even napping if that's what my body needs. Only the first few days have passed, but I'm already feeling more connected to my family and my faith. I've finally found the moments to write in Theodore's diary again. I feel like I've regained my evenings with Ryan, with the household chores finished by the time he arrives home, and most importantly I've set aside time to complete whatever my spirit needs.....different and personal each day. The greatness of that hour already seems so evident and I still have 37 days to go! Imagine the possibilities.

So after lots of ideas from my husband, brother, and best friends that is where I landed this year. I'm still eating chocolate, still watching television (how FABULOUS are the Olympics!?!), and still available for a sleepover with my besties (can we continue to have those at 27?)...but I'm no longer on Facebook between 2-4pm. :)

Happy weekend my loves.

magic

Back in New York now. But our week in Minnesota. It was magic.

snowy retreat

We made it to Minnesota! Theodore did beautifully on the plane, despite an early departure, and had a wonderful afternoon with his cousins at Grandma and Grandpa Alcott's house. While home, we are staying in a new house that my dad and Maria purchased last year. They've yet to move in, so they offered it to us for the week. The gorgeous country setting is the perfect place to hunker down with my boys. It started snowing last night, and is continuing to fall. Curled up with my family, staring out at the snowy world, brings such peace and contentment. There is no where I'd rather be.

A snowflake is one of God's most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together. - Author Unknown

little of this. little of that.

My boys. Ben Wood Mountain, Adirondack Park Preserve

Last Sunday, Ryan slipped out of work early enough for us to go on a two-hour hike in the Adirondack Mountains. It was heaven. We were craving the stillness and silence of a winter hike, away from the hum drum of machinery at work and neighbors in the apartment community. Ben Wood Mountain, suggested to us by a local outfitter, turned out to be a great fit. A hike just long enough to feel rejuvenated, but not so long that Teddy got achy in the backpack. It was a bright, sunny day. Perhaps not perfect for photos, but perfect for February.

Today, Ryan is at work getting caught up and organized in preparation for his week away. Teddy and I are at home packing, cleaning, and getting Omar and Greta set up with the sitter. There is only one airline that flies non-stop between Albany and Minneapolis, with one flight making the trip daily. It was recently changed from a 5pm flight to a 6am flight. I have no idea how Teddy is going to handle getting up at 4am and heading to the airport, but say a little prayer for us. Compared with his normal rise and shine around 7 or 8am, this is a huge chop out of his sleep time. Yikes! A scary thought for mommy and daddy!

I've been taking lots of video of Theodore this week. A little of this. A little of that. Mostly just the two of us trying to chit chat. Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

tuckered out

Bath done, time to hit the hay!

The Aloctt trio has been pretty exhausted this week. We've been on a month long crazy work stint, with Ryan closing out another 90 hour work week last Sunday. Plus all three of us have the inevitable winter cold/sore throat. Needless to say, we're mentally and physically pooped. We've been sound asleep by nine each night. On Sunday though we're coming home to MN. Ryan never used his vacation time last year, so we have 2 weeks worth that needs to be used by April. We're planning on taking one next week, with Ry and I slipping away for a few days up north. Then in March we'll take another week and work on the house we're still in the process of buying.

So despite my urge to curl up and sleep while Teddy takes his nap, I decided to take a moment and tell you what a smarty pants he's been this week! On Monday he literally said about twenty new words in one day! Okay let me think.... pig, backpack, van, hammer, lion, penguin...are just a few that popped out. He also started putting words together, saying things like "Mama's nose or Teddy's mouth." We're so impressed! Another huge accomplishment that just happened was he started saying Greta's name. He has said Omar's name for some time now, but never Greta. He usually just called her Omar too. I wasn't even sure he knew the difference. Nope! He definitely knew because once he got her name to come out, he called her about 50 times, never mixing the two up again. He's obsessed now. When he wakes up, he immediately calls for her. I have to get it on video, the way he says her name is so stinkin' sweet.

Friends for life!

Green-eyed Greta girl.

I can't wait to share him with you all when we're home! Sending lots of love on this mid-week day!

london

I love London. Really, really love it. My hope is one day, Ryan's job will land us there for a moment. A year. Longer. Unlikely, but a girl can dream.

I sporadically read a few London papers and bookmarked this photo a bit back. It made me think, if I have to do January, let me do so in London where I can

wear black pantyhose,

with a red messenger bag,

shrouded by scarf and snow

as I scurry (by Plane trees),

through St. James Park.

"A woman walks through Saint James's Park in central London on January 13, 2010 as a fresh layer of snow covered the Capital city. Fresh snowfalls hit parts of Britain on Wednesday, forcing airports to close as businesses counted the cost of the worst winter in decades. More than 1,000 schools told pupils and teachers to stay at home, as road and rail transport transport links were gripped by renewed chaos, following several days of warmer weather during which snow had melted. "AFP PHOTO/Leon Neal (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images)