This post is a simple ode to Frying Pan Park! If you are new to the area and haven’t checked it out with your kids it is a must do! This little farm is tucked away behind our neighborhood. We pass it on the way to preschool and Owen calls out to the big bull with the ring in his nose. If you have never been it is a public park (thanks, Fairfax county!) but also a working farm. It houses horses, pigs, bunnies, horses, chickens….. the barns are open so that people can walk through and interact with the animals. There are tons of activities for families. One of our favorites last year was the Thursday night concerts in the park.  We pop over every so often and our kids never grow tired of it. While we miss the Aare River in our neighborhood in Switzerland, I think Frying Park is our mini local attraction!

A couple of weeks ago before the crazy artic weather came we went over to the park to get some energy out. The boys ran freely and loved checking in on the animals.  MaryAnne had her first farm experience. She mostly just enjoyed the experience of outside air…since she has been holding up in the house most days!

Y’all. It’s snow day 3, Day 4 at home because of MLK Day, and Day 5 of the nastiest cold I have had in years. And somehow by the grace of God all three of my children are alive, well and we are actually enjoying these days together. Having a newborn has made me discover that deep within this fast-moving, extroverted, long to-do list girl, is a homebody. The other day I wore jeans and a pretty scarf and Seth said “wow you look so nice today”- read: it’s amazing what getting out of yoga pants does for you! He’s right, clothes aren’t a bad thing but pj’s sure are nice when you are sleep deprived and you know the snow will keep away unexpected visitors!  I am pretty sure this cold has disabled my reaction mode enough that insanity has not been able to set it.

No really, for the first time in a long time I have pulled out crafts and puzzles and card games and in between feedings and baby bouncing the boys and I have unplugged a bit. We’ve made homemade granola bars and eaten many a bowls of hot soup. I have enjoyed our moments of calm and the inability to make plans here and there. It’s all here. Today we will brave Target and I think it’s safe to say I will come home to this haven so thankful to be home and I will have gotten my fix.

And now for something that will rock your world (slight over statement) after a whole lot of nothing to share. If you are needing a cozy winter dessert try this yummy treat I saw on Pintrest (there are a few versions out there) ….mini cast iron skillet, sprinkle with broken chocolate bar or choc chips, topped with marshmallows! Pop in the oven on low heat then turn on broiler for a min or two to toast the marshmallows. Use graham crackers for dipping! You’ll never go back to attempting to bite into a s’more…you get all the s’mores goodness without the mess!    For those of you that insist on reading a real recipe here is one of the links from pintrest. 

Hope you are all staying warm and cozy!  Here’s to maintaining sanity until the temperatures relent!